WEST COAST OP ENGLAND. 77 



which is too seldom noted ; in case of the Turdidce scarcely at all. 

 This in part is owing to many of the instances occurring at night 

 in the dark. So far as I can make out all birds here follow the 

 coast line very clearly. The main direction, to judge from the 

 scant records in September, was southerly ; in October one or two 

 directly E. ; the rest E., with more or less of N. With a few 

 marked exceptions the movement has in almost every species 

 been noticed at the southerly stations first, and appears gradually 

 to have extended N. Whether this be accidental or a rule can 

 only be decided by continued and careful observations from all 

 the stations. Of the Anatidce and water-birds the most frequent 

 records are in October, and the direction S.W. and S., sometimes 

 S.E.; but between Dec. 2nd to 11th, at Morecambe Bay, they 

 passed N.W. After 11th to end of December S.W. 



The best filled returns have this year been received from 

 Morecambe Bay, Skerries, and Nash E. These observers have 

 also given the fullest information ; Nash especially in showing 

 the direction of flight, a matter concerning which information is 

 very desirable. 



As to the circumstances under which the movement takes 

 place, as affecting the flight or the striking of birds, &c., the 

 reports bear out the conclusions previously expressed. Last year 

 Mr. Bowen (Bardsey) referred to flight of birds before the wind 

 (Kep., p. 119) ; Mr. Knott now writes from Skerries, " Many 

 birds are killed in strong winds, as they then fly with greater 

 force, and almost invariably in the same direction as the wind." 

 Still the evidence shows that birds, as a rule, migrate with the 

 .wind on the shoulder, and not strong. When they do fly with 

 the wind, and the wind strong, it is probably because they have 

 been taken by surprise, and are unable to save themselves. 



