and other warblers, Wagtails, Flycatchers, Chats, &c., arrive and 

 depart from the island in a manner which precludes the possi- 

 bility of realising in what direction they are travelling at all. 



On p. 37, however, we are also told that the direct north and 

 south flight is peculiar to a large number of species (though it 

 must not be forgotten that none are said to be seen to adopt this 

 line of flight), more especially such as have their breeding 

 quarters in high northern latitudes. In the face of this remark 

 are we to eliminate from the above list the following, or not ? — 

 Shore Lark, Grey Plover, Dotterel, several species of Geese, 

 Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Dusky Eedshank, Green Sand- 

 piper, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Knot, Sanderling, and a 

 few others. We know also that many of these species are seen 

 during the migratory periods on both coasts of Scandinavia and 

 also in the Baltic, and we should expect numerous flocks from the 

 latter localities to touch on Heligoland. It must not be forgotten 

 too that the breeding ranges of most of the species recorded as 

 visiting the island, extend far to the north of the latitude of the 

 latter. As instances, the Eedwing, Fieldfare, and Hooded Crow 

 may be mentioned. In considering from what regions the enor- 

 mous flights passing Heligoland are derived, these facts are of the 

 utmost importance. It is a pity, therefore, that the author is 

 not more definite in his remarks as to the particular , species 

 following this east and west route, especially as some already 

 mentioned are found during the winter season on the Mediter- 

 ranean coasts. It would be interesting in the light of this theory 

 to learn how these birds are supposed to reach the latter 

 locality. 



It may here be as well to quote Herr Gatke's definition of 

 what he terms migration proper, or normal migration. On p. 46 

 he remarks — " Here I ought to remind the reader, that when 

 I speak of migration proper, I mean those large extensive 

 movements which, on the one hand in autumn, conduct our 

 migrants from their breeding homes to or very near to their 

 winter quarters in one uninterrupted, and for the most part 

 nocturnal flight ; and on the other hand, in spring, convey them 

 in the opposite direction from their winter quarters to their 

 breeding haunts — the uninterrupted continuity of the flight being 



