78 



IRISH COAST: AUTUMN. 



Printed schedules were forwarded to forty light- stations 

 around the coast. Thirty stations replied by returning the 

 schedules wholly or partially filled with daily entries, or by 

 sending letters remarking on the absence of migratory birds or 

 on their general movements. 



To the Commissioners of Irish Lights we are indebted for 

 the facilities afforded us in conducting this enquiry. We have to 

 thank Captain Boxer, R.N., Inspector of Irish Lights, for his 

 friendly co-operation — his knowledge of the coast and intimate 

 aquaintance with the light stations rendered his advice and 

 assistance especially valuable. 



On the whole the returns have been as satisfactory as was 

 anticipated; some of the schedules have been carefully filled, 

 and although others contain very few entries, this is to be 

 accounted for rather by the absence of migratory birds than by 

 any unwillingness on the part of the light-keepers to assist us. 

 When we remember their many and various duties, and that the 

 observations are entirely voluntary, thera is reason to be well 

 contented with the first attempt of this kind to collect information 

 on the Irish coast ; and we return our sincere thanks to all the 

 lighthouse-keepers who have given their time and attention to 

 the subject. 



The entries in all the schedules have been collected under 

 each day of the month as they occur ; this method of arrange- 

 ment shows the movements of all birds as entered on each 

 day, and the number of observations on that day. The effect 

 of the weather on the migratory movement can thus be 

 studied, and the general direction of flight of the various species 

 compared. 



The daily weather-charts show last winter to have been 

 exceptional in the number and violence of the cyclonic dis- 

 turbances, which moved generally in a north-easterly direction 

 along our west coasts ; but the entries in the schedules 



