ABSTRACT
Circulation is a form of population movement which involves no permanent shift in the place of residence of an individual. The time away from that place of residence, as defined in studies of circulation, can vary from as little as twenty-four hours (Chapman 1975, 1976) through one month (Bedford 1973a) to periods of up to several years (Mitchell 1959; Elkan 1967; Parkin 1975; May and Skeldon 1977). With such a broad definition circulation can cover much of the total spectrum of possible human mobility types. To argue that circulation is a type of non-permanent movement in a transition in mobility means that it must be an intermediate between two other forms and that it is in the process of changing from the one to the other (Zelinsky 1971; Bedford 1973b). This paper argues that there are transitional types of mobility, although whether these are to be called circulation will depend on definition. Some forms of circulation, mainly those that are short-term, appear to be persistent while those that involve longer absences from the usual place of residence can perhaps be regarded as transitional. This generalization is subject to qualification dependent on specific conditions.
