134
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
that there may be considerable differences in the migrations
from year to year. The totals for 1909 and 1912 are very
similar, but 1910 has a much lower and 1911 a much higher
aggregate than the other years. Turning our attention to
the migrations from month to month we find it in progress in
the first four months of the year, nothing is reported in May,
June, July and August, and it is again active from September
to November, in which month it ceases, although there are
four instances for December, some Starlings having been
noted to the night of 5/6 of that month. October is pre-
eminently the month of activity; the figures for November
and March are in each case less than half of the figure for
October, yet they occupy second and third places respectively.
The figures for the other months are small. It will be seen that
these monthly movements are broadly similar to those in 1887
already mentioned. We have discussed aggregates, and it may
be of interest to learn how far the migrations of the separate
species conform. The figures of the Skylark do so very closely
as there is only a difference of one between 1909 and 1912;
1910 shows a marked decrease, and 1911 claims the highest
total. Although their figures do not approach so closely
the aggregates the Sparrows, Song-Thrush and Meadow Pipit
might be included with the Skylark. The movements of the
Chaffinch were most consistent, as no two years varied more
than one. The other species were wider of the mark. The
monthly movement of the species are much more in agreement
for seven species have the highest figure in October, November
and March in the order given, with the exception of that for the
Starling and Song-Thrush: March came second, and November
third. The migrations of the Redwing were highest in March,
and those of the Meadow-Pipit were confined to April,
September and October.
The greater part of the migrations were performed both by
day and night. The Linnet and Martin, however, were seen
during the day only, and the Crows, Brambling and Sparrows
although their movements were to a small extent nocturnal,
migrated chiefly during the day. The direction of the great
autumn migrations was almost entirely to the west, but some
followed an easterly route. The spring movements were also
mainly towards the west, with some towards the east. It would