252 Mr. W. Eaorle Clarke — A Month 
&' 
October 12th. — During slight showers^ between midnight 
and 2.30 a.m., Pipits^ Starlings^ and Song-Thrushes were 
flying in the rays. (Wind S.S.E., light breeze; dark; 
clear.) 
Next followed the chief movement of the past autumn 
witnessed at the Eddystone. This great passage commenced 
at 7.15 on the night of the 12th of October, and continued 
without a break until 5.45 on the morning of the 13th. 
The weather was favourable for both emigration and obser- 
vation. The wind was a gentle breeze from the north-east, 
and the very slight haze which prevailed made it necessary 
to burn full power in the lamps, whose rays were thus not 
only doubly brilliant but assumed extraordinary luminosity, 
and hence attractiveness, as they streamed out upon an 
atmosphere eminently suited for rendering them conspicuous. 
The first birds to appear were a few Starlings, and from 
7.30 they were present in numbers down to almost the very 
close of the movement. These were followed, in the order 
named, up to midnight, by Blackbirds (first). Skylarks, 
Stonechats (first). Redwings, Fieldfares (first), Wheatears, 
and Song-Thrushes. To this hour the birds had continued 
to arrive and pass on in a steady stream, while many struck 
the lantern. Soon after midnight a great increase in the 
emigrants was observed, and the movement assumed the 
character of a rush southwards. Song-Thrushes, Redwings, 
Mistle-Thrushes, Blackbirds, Starlings, and Skylarks then 
appeared in vast numbers, and were followed by Chaflfirjches, 
Grey Wagtails (several), Goldcrests (first), Fieldfares (first), 
White Wagtails (several). Meadow- Pipits, and Curlews. 
At 5 A.M. the movement received an impetus from a fresh 
arrival of most of the species named ; among others, a Grass- 
hopper Warbler struck the lantern and a small party of Wild 
Geese passed close over the dome, calling loudly as they flew. 
Most of the emigrants went steadily southwards, but many 
tarried, and the majority of the species named were present in 
some numbers until the first signs of dawn, when the move- 
ment w^aned ; and at daybreak all, save a few Starlings resting 
in a dazed condition in the recesses of the windows, had passed 
