Studies in bird migration (1912) (14565456367)

Identifier: studiesinbirdmig01clar (find matches)
Title: Studies in bird migration
Year: 1912 (1910s)
Authors: Clarke, William Eagle, 1853-1938
Subjects: Birds -- Migration Birds -- Great Britain
Publisher: London, Gurney and Jackson (etc., etc.)
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library



Text Appearing Before Image:
e series of beaconswhich since the year 1699 have stood upon those lonelyCornish rocks ; but the halo of these romantic associationshad nothing whatever to do with my selection of thatstation for the purpose of my bird-watching. I wentthere because it fulfilled beyond all others the conditionsrequired for the prosecution of the special investigationsI was wishful to carry out. During the preparation ofthe Reports submitted by me to the British Associationon Bird-Migration in Great Britain and Ireland, Iwas much impressed with the singularly deficient state ofour knowledge relating to the conditions under whichone of the most important and interesting phases of thephenomenon was performed—namely, that of emigra-tion. That this should be the case is not difficult torealise when it is remembered that emigration is themovement of all others which is performed underconditions of obscurity, since it is chiefly undertakenduring the hours of darkness, and consequently entirely 280 PLATE IX.
Text Appearing After Image:
Vol. I. ITo face p. 280. A MONTH ON THE EDDYSTONE 281 escapes notice at the points of embarkation on themainland. It does, however, come under observationat a few advantageously placed light-stations situatedoff the coast, where a mere fraction of the movementswhich take place are witnessed, for it is only undercertain conditions of the weather that the migrrantsapproach the beacons light and reveal themselves tothe watcher, if one there be. I therefore determined, if possible, to spend a monthin such a station for the purpose of adding to mypersonal experience in what has long been a favouritestudy, and in the belief that a trained observer, preparedto devote the whole of his time to the necessary vigils,might, even in so short a period, during the height ofthe migratory season, add considerably to our knowledgeof these important movements. It required but little consideration to decide thatautumn was obviously the best season, that the southcoast of England was the best section of o