ESSEX BIRD-MIGRATION. 135
be misleading so complicated are the directions of these move-
ments to attempt to link them with the Essex coast. Dr. Eagle
Clarke's description of the east and west routes suggests a
partial explanation of the involved migrations, which have
been observed at the lights off the Essex coast. The southern
section of the east coast of England is stated to be the scene of
the arrival in autumn and departure in spring of considerable
numbers of birds. The writer considers them to be Central
European birds, which cross the North Sea directly from east
to west in autumn and in the opposite direction in spring. The
autumnal migration is said to have as its centre the coast of
Essex and the mouth of the Thames. In the list of birds, which
are said to join in this movement, we find:—Grey Crow, Rook,
Jackdaw, Starling, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Tree-Sparrow, Skylark,
Meadow-Pipit, Mistle-Thrush, Wheatear, Goldcrest, Swallow,
Martin, Lapwing and Ringed Plover.
Much more information was received from the Kentish Knock
than any other Essex light-vessel. It had figured so prominently
in the reports of the investigation of the British Association that
Dr. Eagle Clarke chose this vessel from which to make personal
observations on the migrations. It is situated on the imaginary
line which we drew between the Norfolk and Kent coasts. Dr.
Clarke's observations are of special value, as they were the
only ones made by an experienced ornithologist. He tells us
that he found the migrations of a very complex nature, in which
respect this vessel was probably unsurpassed by any other station
on or off the British coast. The ship is said to be about the
centre of a broad junction, where many lines of flight cross each
other. The first migrations to be noticed were composed of birds
proceeding to their winter quarters to the south of Britain.
Many migrants from the north when following the east coast
on arrival at the Suffolk coast fly in a straight line to the coast
of Kent, thus missing the Essex coast. On this route they pass
the Kentish Knock. The birds, which were seen to participate
in this movement, included many Wheatears, Redstarts, Sky-
larks and Pied Flycatchers, and, in smaller numbers, Meadow-
Pipits, Starlings, Goldcrests, Pied Wagtails, Yellow Wagtails
and Swallows. Chiffchaffs, Chaffinches, Sand Martins and
Rock-Pipits also followed this route. The second series of
movements to be described were from the north-west to the