136
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
south-east, that is from about the Naze on the Essex coast to
the Belgian coast near the French frontier. These migrations,
though pronounced, affected a limited number of species, but
it was the main line across this part of the North Sea by which
House-Martins, Meadow-Pipits and Pied Wagtails proceeded
southwards, and was also a minor route for Wheatears, Starlings
and Skylarks. The southerly movements were in progress both
by day and night. The third series of migrations, which are
described, are those from east to west. They were the most
interesting movements observed and are stated to be the main
diurnal passages observed regularly on the British shores. The
lightship was found to be in a central position in the great
feathered stream as 90% of these migrants were moving directly
from east to west, while others flew to the south-south-west
and north-west. The night movements are said to have been
varied, sometimes of considerable size, but their nature was
problematical as it was impossible to determine their direction.
The writer was much impressed by the mortality during the
night-flights. The birds were seen falling thickly around and
the splash could be heard as they fell into the sea. Such occur-
rences often lasted for hours—on one occasion for ten-and-a-
half hours—the sacrifice of life was said to have been simply
appalling. Many birds were captured for the purpose of
identification. A sailor was stationed on the sloping roof of the
lantern, where, with an angler's landing-net, he caught the
birds like so many moths. The Kentish Knock had a white
light. The light-keepers informed Dr. Clarke that birds are
not attracted to stations with red or green lights. At one time
the Galloper had white lights and great numbers of birds were
attracted to the lantern, but when the light was changed to red
birds were almost unknown. Dr. Clarke points out that although
wading birds could be heard passing during the night none was
ever attracted to the lantern.
From the evidence obtained at the light-stations we have
seen that remarkable flights of birds occur regularly. Can any
relation be traced between these and the birds of Essex? Infor-
mation of this nature is scanty, but the first contribution is
of much interest. Dr. Clarke having completed his sojourn on
the Kentish Knock, boarded the relief yacht "Irene" at 9 a.m.
on October 18th. It is stated that a great westerly movement