Part 4

July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. N.E. to S.S.E., N.N.E. to N.W. to N.W., N. to W. N., ... occasionally S.S.E., S.W., north of at with ... westerly occasionally once XIV.; XIV.; snow ... and N. S.S.E. E. and N.E. S.E. at over ... southerly. and S.E. XXVII.; all. ... gale, and south of S.S.E. XXVII. and S. at VIII.

_Added to the List of Isle of May._--_A Ruff_ (_Machetes pugnax_) sent for identification and for the collection, 5th May; light N.E. wind, clear. Most of this huge migratory flight of all sorts left by the afternoon of the 5th.

Sandpipers, Redshanks.--_Spring_, only two records of "Sandpipers," six on 7th Feb. 1885, at XXVII.; light S.W., clear; and one "Yellow Shanked Sandpiper" _found dead_ on 1st May at XXVII. [We would be glad of wings and feet, or skin, of as many different Sandpipers as Mr Agnew can send us. Parcels once a month, or with each schedule. The true "Yellow Shanked Sandpiper" is a N. American species, but numbers of other _species_ have yellow feet or legs.]

_In Autumn._--All records are crowded into September and November. Species are Redshanks, "Grey Sandpiper," Common Sandpiper, Purple Sandpiper. The "Common Sandpiper" is recorded from N. Unst, but the species is uncertain. [Please send wings or skin.]

_Turnstones_ are recorded, 18th Sept., at XXVII.; W.S.W., light, clear.

Laridæ.--Every month in the year contains returns. Species noted are Herring Gulls, "Dirty Allens" (or Skuas), "Gulls," "Black-Backed Gulls," "Kittiwakes," "Grey Megs" (or Common Gull), Black-Headed Gulls, "Skua Gulls," Richardson's Skuas.

_Spring and Autumn._--Every day plentiful in February, at XXVII. and XXVIII. B. Gulls arrived at XV. (Dunnet Head)--and left in August last--on 13th March 1885. Kittiwakes appeared first on 12th March, at XXVII., "earlier than usual," and very numerous by 13th; "came from S.;" N.W., light, clear. At XIV. seen all day flying around on 11th April; E.N.E., haze'; two Black B. Gulls sitting on rocks on 30th; S.S.E., haze. By April 20th, Kittiwakes had settled down in summer quarters on XXVII., and were in "multitudes" by 27th May. At XIV. a pair of Herring Gulls bred in 1884, and again in the present year, on same place; not before. In May, hundreds Black H. Gulls on the lochs near VIII. to breed.

Records unimportant in June and July, except that "Dirty Allens" are recorded at IV. on 2d July, and "Skua Gulls" at XIV. on 7th. In August, movement of Kittiwakes and other Gulls, and records continue numerously through the remaining months.

G. Terns,--a number arrived to hatch, "as usual," at VIII. on 14th May, and Lesser Terns at XIX. on 24th May. The latter disappeared again on 26th Aug.

Procellariidæ.--_Autumn_, July 3d, flying about the rocks at X. (Auskerry). In August, occasionally striking lantern at IV., VII., IX. (Start Point), and XV. (Dunnet Head). They breed at IX. among ruins of house, and under stones on shore.

September,--odd birds striking at IV. and at XIV. on five dates; three on 2d Sept, at IV., and two at same place on 6th. One record at IV. in October, and one at same place in November, usually in foggy or rainy weather.

Alcidæ.--More or less records every month. Arrivals. First spring visit of Guillemots and Razorbills at XXVII. on 8th March; remained in thousands to 15th; fewer up to 24th; disappeared and returned in multitudes to breed by 13th April; Puffins, Razorbills, and Guillemots. Also at VIII. "Rock Birds seen flying N. daily till 8th May." _N.B._--_Black Guillemots_ recorded at XXVII. on 5th May.

_In Autumn._--Puffins last seen at XIV. on 7th Aug., and all other Rock Birds left except Kittiwakes, on the same day at XXVII.

Flock of Guillemots hung about XIV. for a time, and a few more seen on 24th. Large numbers of Guillemots and Razorbills, from 16th to 18th, at XXVII., when all left, and after a W. gale large numbers on 2d Dec. and again on 31st Dec. and seen occasionally till end of January. _N.B._--Black Guillemots, one seen at XXVII. on 27th Jan. 1886. We think it quite possible _Black Guillemots_ still breed on Isle of May, perhaps one pair.

EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.

Schedules were sent to forty-five stations, lighthouses, and light-vessels, and returns have been received from forty-two. The total number of schedules sent in is eighty-four, and the greatest number from any single station, nine from Mr Thomas H. Cutting, of the Farn Lighthouse; and six from Mr Thomas O. Hall, of the Longstone Lighthouse.

The East Coast stations included in this report are:--

Longstone L.H. Thomas O. Hall. Farn, Inner, L.H. Thomas H. Cutting. Coquet Island L.H. William Evans. Tees, 5 Buoy L.V. Henry Harbord. Tees Breakwater L.H. M. Grant. Whitby High L.H. John Odgers. Flamborough L.H. Charles Hood. Spurn L.H. James B. Smith. Spurn L.V. _Nil._ Outer Dowsing L.V. William Stock. Inner Dowsing L.V. William King. Llyn Wells L.V. George Rees. Dudgeon L.V. J. F. Warder and J. H. Harrison. Hasbro' L.V. J. Nicholas and B. V. Darnell. Hasbro' L.H. _Nil._ Hunstanton L.H. Wm. Westmoreland. Cromer L.H. C. H. Overton. Winterton L.H. John Watson and John Leggett. Leman and Ower L.V. J. Artis and John Bowen. Newarp L.V. C. Campbell and W. Rees. Cockle L.V. Charles Perfrement and E. Cole. Orfordness L.H. J. Garrett. Corton L.V. I. H. Johnson and W. Bowen. Languard Point L.H. Owen Boyle. Shipwash L.V. David Dale. Galloper L.V. P. Frost. Kentish Knock L.V. W. R. Carter and W. Dorney. Swin Middle L.V. Samuel Pender. Tongue L.V. John Webber. Nore L.V. _Nil._ Goodwin L.V. David Johns. Gull L.V. Francis Harvey and J. Jenkins. South Sand Head L.V. F. G. Foreman. East Side L.V. Edward le Gallais and W. Nicholls. Varne L.V. _Nil._ Hanois L.H. Charles Williams.

Reports and notes have also been received from:--

Roker, Sunderland Alfred Crawhall Chapman. S. S. "Aycliffe" John Osborn Morgan (2d engineer). Seaton-Carew C. Donald Thompson. Redcar T. H. Nelson. Flamborough Matthew Bailey. Spurn Wm. Eagle Clarke. Spurn Philip Lawton. Spurn J. Fisher. East Lincolnshire John Cordeaux. Northrepps and Cley J. H. Gurney, Jun. Yarmouth Arthur Patterson. Yarmouth Benjamin Dye. Yarmouth G. Smith. Thanet Lord Clifton. Malmo, Sweden Frank R. Newton.

Notes also bearing on the migration of birds on the east coast of England have been utilised from the _Zoologist_, _Naturalist_, and. _Field_ newspapers; also from MS. notes made at Cley, Norfolk, in the autumn of 1885 by Messrs G. E. and F. D. Power.

Separate Notes on each Species.

TURDINÆ.--Missel-Thrush, _Turdus viscivorus_.--Spring migration, March 25th, 1885: Farn L.H., two. Autumn: Roker, Sunderland, August 9th, 7 P.M., "for about an hour a continual stream kept flying over the lawn at Silksworth; they were about one hundred yards high, going from N.E. to S.W., in parties of two or three, then twenty or thirty at once." Teesmouth, October 11th, great rush, "thousands in one particular field." North-East Lincolnshire, October 20th, great many. Common Thrush, _T. musicus_.--Spring, 1885: Longstone L.H., March 13th, night, N. hazy, several round lantern. Northrepps, middle of March, many moving north.[6] Autumn; An enormous immigration, first indicated at Farn L.H., July 3d to 11th, a few none in August, sparingly in September, and an enormous rush from October 12th to 18th, covering the east coast, and, more or less, continuous night and day on 15th and 16th, wind E.N.E. A second rush November 8th to 12th, and less at intervals to end of month; a few Farn L.H. throughout January to February 10th, 1886. Redwing, _T. iliacus_.--Spring, 1885: Thanet, April 19, last seen. Autumn; Farn L.H., September 15th, first. An enormous immigration in October, much the largest recorded. The bulk arriving in two great rashes, covering the east coast, from October 15th to 17th, night and day; and again November 9th to 17th, but in less numbers. Hasbro' L.V. on 22d and 23d, all day; a few at Farn L.H. to December 3d, when the migration of this species ceased. Fieldfare, _T. pilaris_.--Spring, 1885: North-East Lincolnshire, March 26th, large flocks in coast marshes. Thanet, April 19th, last seen. Farn L.H., May 4th, fifteen. Autumn: Dudgeon L.V., July 7th, one young bird caught on board; October 15th to 26th, first arrivals on east coast--a great rush on 15th and 16th at various stations, and a second very large immigration, old birds, November 8th to 12th. Longstone L.H., November 8th, S. to S.W., one on gallery at midnight; 9th, 10th, and 11th, great rush night and day, and up to 10.30 P.M. on 12th, and in less numbers at intervals on east coast to end of first week in January 1886. Shipwash L.V., January 23d, many till midnight, one killed. In North-East Lincolnshire, large numbers of old birds arrived at intervals from the last week in November to middle of January 1886, either direct from the Continent, or from more northern localities in Great Britain. Blackbird, _T. merula_.--Spring, 1885: Migration observed at Longstone L.H. April 4th and 12th to W. Farn L.H. March 13th to May 4th. Whitby, March 13th and 14th, E. to W. during night. Autumn: October 15th to 18th, very large arrivals both by night and day, and again from November 8th to 12th, in both cases covering the east coast. Corton L.V., November 21st, noon, twenty to W.N.W.; and Dudgeon L.V., November 24th, last recorded. Ring-Ousel, _T. torquatus_.--Spring, 1885: Spurn L.H., April 9th, male and female. Farn L.H., April 12th to May 4th, Longstone L.H., 23d, S., one. Thanet, 22d, two old males; 23d and 25th, younger males; 30th, females. Autumn: Spurn, August 25th; Flamborough, October 6th, many, Cromer L.H., 16th, all night, seven killed. Thanet, 16th, N.E. gale, several; 22d, E,, old males and old females.

[Footnote 6: Malmo, Sweden, May 6th, flock of thrushes to N.E.]

CINCLINÆ.--Black-Bellied Dipper, _Cinclus melanogaster_.--October 23d, E. and N.E. gale, one shot on morning of 24th. Humber Bank, in Stallinborough parish, great flight of Woodcock at the same date.

SAXICOLINÆ.--Common Wheatear, _Saxicola ænanthe_.--Spring, 1885: Yarmouth, February 24, one shot on denes. Hunstanton L.H., March 15th, one. Farn L.H., April 5th, S.S.E., two; 7th, E. all day, and the same on 10th and 11th, E.N.E. and E. Great Cotes, 11th, first. Hanois L.H., Guernsey, 10th, many at night at north light. Tees L.V., 22d, six, and many to May 28th, and eight on June 7th, general direction of flight S.E. to N.W.; rushes on May 10th and 20th. Longstone L.H., April 23d, N.E., 4 A.M., several. Flamborough, May 3d to 6th, E. (4), many with Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers.[7] Autumn: Migration first indicated at Tees L.V. August 3d, and Farn L.H. on 7th and 9th. On the 15th a flock of twenty alighted on board the s.s. "Aycliffe" in the English Channel, remaining for two hours, and then left; were observed in considerable numbers at several stations throughout September to middle of October. Is last recorded at the Hasborough L.V. October 1 6th, one. Desert-Chat, _S. deserti_.--Spurn, October 17th, one, a female, shot; has been previously obtained once in Scotland, and twice in Heligoland. Whinchat and Stonechat, _Pratincola rubetra_ and _rubicola_.--Spring: Farn L.H., May 4th E.N.E., many of both all day. Whitby L.H., April 22d, one Stonechat. Autumn; Whitby L.H., September 19th, one struck. Hasbro' L.V., November 10th, 2.30 A.M., two killed. The Whinchat does not appear to be observed or distinguished on migration by our recorders. Redstart, _Ruticilla phœnicurus_.--Thanet, April 16th, males; 23d, females. Longstone L.H., May 1st, E, rain, one adult male. Flamborough, 3d, N.E., large number of males, with Pied Flycatchers. Farn L.H., 4th, E.N.E. all day. Malmo, Sweden, April 26th, two. Autumn: Are first recorded at Thanet July 19th, females and young. At several stations from August 17th to end of September; last at Spurn October 4th, W.S.W., with Wheatears. Black Redstart, _R. titys_.--Yarmouth, March 15th, adult male; November 3d, adult female. Longstone L.H., October 17th, one female Redstart. This entry probably refers to this species, which, as a rule, is observed on the east coast about a fortnight after the migration of the common Redstart has ceased.[8]

[Footnote 7: In the spring of 1886 I received by post one adult male Wheatear, in summer plumage, caught in a rabbit trap on March 26th in North Northumberland. In a late schedule from the Farn L.H. two are recorded on February 22d, at 5 P.M., on the island, and again two on March 25th. The earliest record for East Lincolnshire this spring is a pair on the Humber Embankment on March 29th.]

[Footnote 8: The occurrences, so far recorded by the committee, of the Black Redstart on the east coast of Great Britain in the autumn, range between October 23d and November 3d.]

SYLVIINÆ.--Red-Spotted Bluethroat, _Cyanecula suecica_.--Spurn, October 7th, two. Redbreast, _Erithacus rubecula_.--Spring, 1885: Longstone L.H., April 7th, S.E., one. Farn L.H., 10th, 11th, and 12th, E.N.E., several. Hasbro' L.V., May 22d, one to W.S.W. Autumn: Considerable immigration between the Farn Islands and Guernsey, from September 8th to November 12th; rush on October 16th, observed at Spurn, Lincolnshire coast (very large numbers), Hasbro' L.V., Tongue L.V., and Thanet; and again from November 10th to 12th at Inner Dowsing L.V., Kentish Knock L.V., South Sand Head L.V. The greatest number seen at any one time, Hasbro' L.V., October 2d, one hundred to one hundred and fifty, at 6 P.M., from S.E. to N.W., and Kentish Knock L.V. on November 10th, fifty to sixty, with tits from 2 A.M. to daybreak, and then going north. Whitethroat, _Sylvia rufa_.--Hanois L.H., April 10. Malmo, Sweden, May 4th. Hunstanton L.H., 20th, S. (5), 1 A.M., nine killed. Autumn: July 19th, Thanet, the first, and are last recorded Hanois L.H. September 17th, N.E. (4), midnight, along with Blackcaps. Lesser Whitethroat, _S. curruca_.--Spring: Great Cotes, April 23d. Autumn: The first at Thanet August 24th to 27th, and last at Longstone L.H. September 30th. Blackcap, _S. atricapilla_.--Spring: Thanet, May 5th, males; 6th, females. Return September 17th, 19th, and 25th at Hanois L.H., Thanet, and Languard L.H. Garden Warbler, S. salicaria.--Return August 22d at Spurn, and September 20th at Thanet.

PHYLLOSCOPINÆ.--Golden-Crested Wren, _Regulus cristatus_.--Spring: At Great Cotes and Thanet on March 8th; Longstone L.H. May 1st, 2 P.M.,one. Autumn: A very considerable immigration first observed at Languard L.H. August 21st, 5.15 A.M., one. The next at Hanois L.H. September 17th, E., O.R. about lantern at midnight; are last recorded on November 11th. Rushes indicated at Flamborough on October 6th, and at Farn L.H., Hasbro' L.V. (twenty), Lincolnshire coast. Cockle L.V., and Thanet on October 16th and 17th; Teesmouth October 23d and 24th; Inner Dowsing L.V., Leman and Ower L.V., Kentish Knock L.V.,and South Sand Head L.V. on November 10th and 11th. Chiff-Chaff, _Phylloscopus collybita_.--Spring: First in North Wales and Norfolk April 2d; return Thanet August 21st to September 24th. Willow-Wren, _P. trochilus_.--Return Thanet July 19th and August 5th. Spurn, August 18th to S. Cley, Norfolk coast, September 7th, E., great numbers in scrub, and increasing; 17th, second rush. Wood-Wren, _P. sibilatrix_.--Spurn, August 14th; Thanet, 22d and 27th.

ACROCEPHALINÆ.--Sedge Warbler, _A. schœnobænus_.--Spurn L.H., September 8th, one killed.

ACCENTORIDÆ.--Hedge Sparrow, _Accentor modularis_.--Cley, Norfolk coast, September 18th, many. Newarp L.V., October 17th, rush with others. Goodwin, east side L.V., 23d, a few on board. Bearded Reedling, _Panurus biarmicus_.--Yarmouth, February, last week, bearded tits, several flocks, numbers shot.

PARIDÆ.--Spring: Hanois L.H., April 10. Blue-Titmouse.--Autumn: Great Cotes, October 11th. Blue and Coal Titmouse, several. Whitby L.H., 15th, several Titmice about lighthouse garden. Kentish Knock L.V., November 10th, fifty to sixty Robins and Tits from midnight to daybreak, and then to N. Inner Dowsing L.V., 10th, one. South Sand Head L.V., 11th, Robin and Tits. Common Creeper, _Certhia familiaris_.--Spurn, August 14th. Common Wren, _Troglodytes parvulus_.--Winterton L.H., September 6th, one at 2 A.M. on lantern; 8th, one at 4 A.M., and November 3d, one. Orfordness L.H.; September 13th, 7 A.M., three with Robin. Farn L.H., October 23d, two. South Sand Head L.V., November 12th and 13th, Wrens on deck; and Kentish Knock L.V., 13th, two at 4 P.M., went to roost on board.

MOTACILLIDÆ.--Pied Wagtail, _M. lugubris_.--Spring, 1885: Tees L.V., February 4th, N.W., four to N.W.; 27th, with Titlarks to N.W. Hanois L.H., February 12th, a few. Great Cotes, 25th, many, with Titlarks. Whitby L.H., March 8th, one. Thanet, 11th to 19th. Farn L.H., 11th, two; and Longstone L.H., May 9th, two to W. Autumn: Return Thanet August 2d, young; 26th, old. Hanois L.H., November 20th, twelve to S.E. Blue-Headed Wagtail, _M. flava_.--Thanet, April 22d, male; May 4th, old female and young bird in second plumage. Yellow Wagtail, _M. raii_.--Spring, 1885: Great Cotes, April 18th; and Thanet, 26th, first. Autumn: Spurn, August 14th, a few immature Yellow Wagtails; 23d, thousands, "the whole district ablaze with them;" 24th, less numbers. Thanet, 20th and 21st. Cley, September 18th, in parties; 23d, three or four. Grey Wagtail, _M. melanope_.--Autumn: Great Cotes, September, first and second weeks, young birds swarming in bean-fields; October 15th, first, old. Cley, September 9th, first. Thanet, 28th and 30th, two each day. In the spring of 1885 were first seen at Malmo, Sweden, on April 7th, two, "a sure sign to begin to plough." Meadow Pipit, _Anthus pratensis_.--Spring: Great Cotes, February 25th, many, with Pied Wagtails; Tees L.V., 27th, some with Wagtails to N.W. Autumn: Cley, September 16th, great many. Roker (Sunderland), October 3d and 7th. Farn L.H., 23d, E.S.E. (4), great many. Rock Pipit, _A. obscurus_.--Cley, September 22d, three or four; 23d, several. Golden Oriole, _Oriolus galbula_.--Thanet, June 9th and 23d (see remarks under "General Notes").

LANIIDÆ.--Red-Backed Shrike, _Lanius collurio_.--Spring: Thanet, May 23d, female. Autumn: Thanet, August 5th, female. Spurn, 24th and September 1st, young, one each day; 3d and 4th, one each day. Woodchat Shrike, _L. auriculatus_.--Yarmouth, May, second week, a female, and several others reported further north on east coast (_Zoologist_, 1886, pp. 27, 28).

MUSCICAPIDÆ.--Spotted Flycatcher, _Muscicapa grisola_.--Thanet, May 1st, first; October 14th, last (very late). Pied Flycatcher, _M. atricapilla_.--Spring: Flamborough, May 3d, N.E., great rush with Redstarts, and forward to 6th, "the largest arrival ever known." Spurn, same date, great many, "more numerous than ever known before." Malmo (Sweden), April 29th, two. Autumn: Spurn, August 24th, young; 29th, same. Thanet, 30th, N.E., five or six; again on 31st, and from September 1st to 29th. Cley, September 8th.

HIRUNDINIDÆ.--Swallow, _Hirundo rustica_.--Spring: Hanois L.H., March 30th, a flight, and from April 15th to May 10th, daily. Flamborough, April 8th, N.N.E. (8), 11.30 A.M., first; Great Cotes 14th, Thanet 20th, Orfordness 20th, Yarmouth 17th, Hunstanton 16th, Spurn 17th, Whitby 19th, Tees L.V. 19th, one from E.S.E. to N.W.; 21st, 8 A.M. to 2 P.M., great many to N.W. from E.S.E., and some Martins, and many at intervals to May 29th in same direction. Languard L.H., May 30th to June 5th. Malmo, Sweden, April 22d. Autumn; Tees L.V., September 15th and 16th, great many to S.W. Spurn, September 2d and 5th, all day in small numbers to S. Hunstanton, 15th and 16th, hundreds all day to S., and throughout September at several stations; were last observed at Languard L.H. October 18th. Flamborough, 18th, several. Great Cotes, 19th. Leman and Ower L.V., 24th. In November, three at Flamborough on 1st. Hunstanton, 14th, one to S.W. Thanet, 15th, one. Martin, _Chelidon urbica_.--Spring: Tees L.V., April 21st, first; some, with Swallows N.W. to E.S.E.; July 7th, 8th, 11th, great many to N.W., and at several stations in April, May, and June. Autumn: Last at Thanet, November 1st. Sand-Martin, _Cotile riparia_.--Great Cotes, April 22d. Last at Thanet, November 1st.

FRINGILLIDÆ.--Goldfinch, _Carduelis elegans_.--Hanois L.H., November 1st, fifty to N.W. Siskin, _Chrysomitris spinus_.--Yarmouth, abundant in December. Serin Finch, _Serinus hortulanus_.--Yarmouth, June 14th (_Zoologist_, 1886, p. 28), probably a male. Greenfinch, _Ligurinus chloris_.--Curiously only one entry in the schedules. Shipwash L.V., January 24th, 1886, one died on board. Common Sparrow, _Passer domesticus_.--First at Shipwash L.V., September 22d, 2.30 P.M., great flight of Common Sparrows to N.N.W. Kentish Knock L.V., 27th, forty to W., and on 28th. Newarp L.V., October 8th, noon, thirty. Goodwin East L.V., October 20th, a few House Sparrows during day, and on November 10th to 13th. Corton L.V., October 1st, 11th, 12th, 15th, 19th, 21st, 22d, and November 11th, large numbers, several on vessel. Tree Sparrow, _P. montanus_.--Longstone L.H.. October 16th, one. Cockle and Kentish Knock L.V.'s, October 4th and 30th, at latter in large numbers. Goodwin and Gull L.V.'s, September 28th, 29th, and October 28th, 30th, great rush. South Sand Head, October 12th, 7 A.M., some to N.W., and on December 2d one. Very few, as a rule, came in north of the Humber. Chaffinch, _Fringilla cœlebs_.--First at Outer Dowsing L.V. September 18th, one. Arrived mainly in two great flights, October 12th to 16th, and November 10th to 13th, as observed at several stations. Brambling, _F. montifringilla_.--Spring: Thanet, April 19th, last seen. Autumn: October 14th to 17th, and a second flight November 11th to 12th, practically at the same periods as the former.[9] Linnet, _Linota cannabina_.--Comparatively few notices, and no Twites. Mealy and Lesser Redpoles, _L. linaria_ and _rufescens_.--Cockle L.V., October 14th, one. Outer Dowsing L.V., 16th, two. Leman and Ower L.V., 18th, one caught (Mealy Redpoles), flying from E.N.E. to S.W. Spurn, about November 11th, one Mealy Redpole. Hasbro' L.V., November 23d, one Redpole caught. Yarmouth, in December, abundant. It is probable all the notices refer to _L. linaria_.