244 
The Irish Natiiinlist. 
December; 
It will be noticed that the Thrush, Goldcrest, and Skylark 
are the only species common to all four records. The absence 
of the Warblers in October was to be expected ; but what 
strikes one most is, perhaps, the heterogeneous collection of 
birds assembled around the light -station on the same night. 
We must not infer from this that they migrate in 
company ; Goldcrests and Storm Petrels, W^rens and Curlew 
are not usual companions either in habits or speed, but the 
mist and darkness puzzle them all, and the brilliant glare 
of the lantern is a common attraction in the overwhelming 
gloom. 
Probably the most remarkable event in the rushes above 
described is the occurrence of so many Wrens at the Tuskar 
Rock — ten of which were forwarded in the flesh. In this 
connection it will be interesting to compare Prof. Patten's 
remarks on " Wrens on Migration observed at the Tuskar 
Rock and Lighthouse."^ He deals mainly with four points 
in connection with this species, viz. : — 
1. The limited number forwarded to me from light - 
stations. 
2. Its migration route. 
3. Its power of flight. 
4. The relative proportion of the sexes when on 
migration. 
His explanation of the limited number received is possibly 
correct, and my suggestion^ that the short passage between 
the S.W\ of Scotland and Antrim was the usual route of 
the Wren (if it had one) between Ireland and Great Britain 
is perhaps based on insufficient data. 
As to its power of flight, if Wrens cross the Channel on 
migration regularly every vSpring and Autumn, it shows 
that the shortest -winged British bird has unexpected powers 
of flight. The ratio between the length of the wing and 
the weight of the body is small, the flight direct, the wing- 
beats energetic and rapid, and the "work done" in its 
1 Irish Naturalist, vol. xxi., 1912, p. 125, 
2" Migration of Birds," p. 92. 
