Studies in Bird Migration: Volume 1

First published in 1912, this two-volume work on bird migration throughout the British Isles includes maps, weather charts and photographs.

William Eagle Clarke (Author)

9781108066976, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 January 2014

376 pages, 2 b/w illus. 7 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2.1 cm, 0.48 kg

Having trained as a civil engineer and surveyor, the ornithologist William Eagle Clarke (1853–1938) established himself in his field by preparing reports on bird migration for the British Association. Focusing on the species passing through the British Isles, Clarke spent many months in various lighthouses and on remote islands. He brought all his research together in this two-volume work, first published in 1912 and illustrated with maps, weather charts and photographs of key research locations. In Volume 1, Clarke notes which species arrive in the British Isles during each season. A map shows the routes they take. He also explains how weather conditions affect avian journeys, using charts to indicate temperature changes across Europe and wind conditions over Britain. The annual movements of swallows, skylarks, rooks and other species are then discussed individually. The volume closes with Clarke's account of the month he spent at the Eddystone Lighthouse.

Preface
1. Some ancient and antiquated views
2. Some modern views
3. The British Isles and their migratory birds
4. The geographical aspects of British bird-migration
5. Round the year among the British migratory birds: spring
6. Round the year among the British migratory birds: autumn
7. Round the year among the British migratory birds: winter
8. Weather influences
9. The migrations of the swallow
10. The migrations of the fieldfare
11. The migrations of the white wagtail
12. The migrations of the song-thrush
13. The migrations of the skylark
14. The migrations of the lapwing
15. The migrations of the starling
16. The migrations of the rook
17. A month on the Eddystone.

Subject Areas: Animal behaviour [PSVP]