Page:The Migration of Birds - Thomas A Coward - 1912.pdf/134

110 country from Balbriggan to the Old Head of Kinsale, with a coast line of some 200 miles; most of the birds noticed inland were at towns on the rivers Suir, Barrow, and Nore. The flight was mostly north—east, and at the lights offshore, towards the land. Mr Harrington gives the following explanation. After crossing the Channel the coast of Wexford was reached and the stream divided, some going east along the east coast and others westward along the south coast, but changing their direction when they reached the wide mouth of the Barrow. The flocks which passed Lucifer Shoals, 10 miles offshore, proceeded north without touching Wexford. Northerly and easterly winds had prevailed for weeks prior to the 29th over France and the British Islands, and birds would be held up in southern Europe; the milder coastwise temperature of western France, he thinks, would cause them to take a more westerly course than usual. On the morning of the 29th the wind changed to the south at Valentia, Pembroke and the Scilly Islands, and there was an average rise of 7° in temperature at French stations. This rise and the southerly wind liberated the birds, but as the wind continued north-cast or east in England they "decided" to take a longer and more exhausting course than usual, pass to Ireland and then turn north—east. The change took place