Part 3

Alaudidæ.--Larks.--Larks are entered under every month in the year except July and August. They are least abundant in April, May, and June--of these months in which they do occur in Spring,--and in November and December. Numbers and rushes in September and October in Autumn, and in January 1887. (Probably local movements.) Large numbers in Spring 1886, on 15th February.

_In Spring._--They visited Isle of May, and stayed for some weeks in February. Other slight records occur at Pentland Skerries and Bell Rock same month. Considerable movements also all March at Isle of May and Fidra.

_In Autumn._--Greatest numbers in September, on 25th to 29th, at Sumburgh Head; and on 27th and 29th at Isle of May. Strong W. and S.W. winds. A very heavy and very general rush is recorded during October from each and all of the following stations:--Pentland Skerries, 16th; Isle of May, 18th to 28th, culminating at latter date, preceded by "great numbers" and "large numbers" on preceding dates; at Inchkeith (9th, "flocks of") and at Fidra; 5th to 6th, and 14th to 17th, "numbers" and "flocks all day." ["Wood Larks" are also mentioned by name, but probably Pipits?--J. A. H.-B.] "Great flocks" again at Isle of May on 22d.

Sturninæ.--Starlings.--_In Spring._--Absent from N. Unst between 1st and 18th February. Returned to the rock again on 26th. Visit Isle of May for some weeks in February, and remain in still larger numbers till late in March, but decreasing again in April. Preparing to breed at Fidra by 16th April. Breeds also at Isle of May, but cannot quite be looked upon as a resident there. Nests found on Fidra in June. Flocks of young every day at Isle of May in August. Rush did not take place till 5th at Fidra, 28th at Isle of May. Seemed to be collecting for some time previous to great rush on 28th. First autumn movement noticed at N. Unst was not till 10th to 12th November; then seen daily. Last record at Fidra on 25th November.

Corvidæ.--Rooks, Ravens, Crows, Hooded Crows, Jackdaws, Choughs (or "Red-legged Crows").--_In Spring._--Hooded Crows and Ravens occasionally seen at N. Unst--resident? Also Raven occasionally seen there in March, April, September, October, and November, always one, two, three, or four, and therefore probably birds breeding, or reared on N. Unst main-island. In the same way Ravens occasionally seen at N. Ronaldshay, Pentland Skerries, etc., can only be looked upon as "on predatory quest intent."

"Black Crows" at N. Unst are probably Rooks, usually "flying south" (if they come from E. turning south no doubt at Unst). We would like to feel sure if these Black Crows are Carrion Crows or Rooks; but "Rooks" by name are never mentioned at N. Unst. Indeed, "Rooks" by name are only mentioned by reporters from Pentland Skerries and Fidra, but "Black Crows" and "Crows" seem to have general application even at Isle of May. We would like Rooks distinguished from Carrion Crows _or_ Corbie Crows. The terms "Crows" and "Black Crows" might mean either the Carrion Crow or the Rook. [Those who have Johns' book will easily see the difference.--J. A. H.-B.] Considerable movements all through the year, extending from N. Unst southwards, of Hooded Crows and "Black Crows" and Rooks. Jackdaws visited Isle of May in a fog in April, and stayed all night of the 11th; and two had previously been seen on March 19th. Noticed also occasionally at Fidra. Heaviest appearances of _Corvidæ_ in October when migration was almost continuously heavy; lightest, however, at N. Unst; heaviest at Pentland Skerries 5th to 11th October. Continuous but much lighter returns from N. Unst, N. Ronaldshay, Pentland Skerries, and Fidra, in September, and curiously, none from Isle of May. Light returns again from N. Unst and Fidra in November, and only two from Pentland Skerries in December.

The uniformity of time in rushes of almost all species is singular this season, October being the favoured month.

Cypselidæ.--Swifts.--["Swallow Swift" of Isle of May returns.]--In spring or summer three "Swallow Swifts" at Isle of May, light, W., clear. No other records, except one on 3d May at same station.

_In Autumn._--Two Swifts at Pentland Skerries catching insects round the tower; light, S.W.

Cuculidæ.--Cuckoo.--Only one notice at Isle of May on 18th May.

Picidæ.--Woodpeckers.--The Great Spotted Woodpeckers appeared in considerable numbers this autumn along the eastern counties of Scotland, in one or two cases reaching to the west counties south of the Firth of Clyde. Almost all the specimens examined by us and by Mr Evans of Edinburgh proved to be either old birds or birds with very slight traces of immaturity. The only ones appearing at lighthouses known to us was one sent us from Pentland Skerries, and one obtained at Isle of May. It occurred also, as we are informed by Mr E. Service, in the Solway district. This flight occurred in October, and I find the Pentland Skerries bird bears date of 14th.[6]

[Footnote 6: Another is reported from N. Unst (see Diary from the Stations). Besides these, we have records of the following, obligingly sent us by Mr Geo. Sim of Aberdeen; and we obtained other records from Fife; also one from Dumfries, from Mr Service of Maxwelltown, Dumfries. We had hoped also to have added all the records of specimens examined by Mr Evans; but up to date of going to press, these records have not come to hand. It would have been better to have them all recorded in one place.

One; Monyruy, Parish of Longside, Aberdeen, 29th August 1886. One; Brucklay Castle, Parish of New Deer, Aberdeen, 30th October 1886. One; Drumtochty Castle, Kincardineshire, 29th November 1886. One; Drumtochty Castle, Kincardineshire, 27th February 1887. ]

Strigidæ.--Owls.--A very slight record, and entirely in October. One "Large Grey Owl" at Pentland Skerries. "The first seen for a long time; sat on the island." Three Short-Eared Owls on 8th, 9th. and 19th respectively, at Isle of May, and one Grey Owl again at Pentland Skerries on 29th. "Flew across island."

Falconidæ.--"Hawks," Falcons, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine, etc.--Records scattered more or less through the year as usual, but March, August, and December contain none. October again has largest number. Species noted are Peregrine ("or Falcon"), "Hawks," Kestrel (daily for a week at N. Unst), Sparrow Hawk, Large Hawks (Bell Rock, 19th October); "flying W.," etc.

Of Cormorants we have spring records in April at N. Unst, daily fishing. Daily records at same place in September between 1st and 9th, about four or five pairs. One pair breeds regularly, and rears young at N. Unst (noted 11th July 1886). Also at Fidra--six birds to twelve--from 6th to 29th (three records).

We have no notes on the Green Cormorant or Shag or Crested Cormorant from any stations.

[Sidenote: =To the Reporters.=]

Pelecanidæ.--Solan Goose or Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Scart, etc.--This year we give a day-by-day return of Solan Geese seen at N. Unst during September and October. We would like to complete a year's observations of the movements of this bird at the following stations:--N. Unst, Bell Rock, Pentland Skerries, Cape Wrath, Butt of Lewis, Monach Isles, Barra Head, and Ailsa Craig, and Turnberry on the coast of Ayrshire. We would also like daily returns made at Skerryvore or Dhuheartach [all negative evidence being carefully entered, such as "none seen" on such and such a date or succession of dates], and also at Rona, north of Raasay. A separate schedule or more might be devoted to Gannet or Solan Goose alone for every day in the year, noting carefully the direction of flight of flocks or individuals, or how employed. If we had such a series complete, we believe much light might be thrown upon migrations of fish in combination with work going on at Lochbuie in Mull, at the Marine Institute there.

Solan 1886. Geese Sept. 6, 6, 11 A.M., S.S.E., Fog, Fishing disappeared fresh round 1 P.M., breezes, Rock. " 6, 2, 6 P.M., Do. do., Haze, Do. do. " 7, 6, All day, S.W., strong Showers, Flying about breezes, and fishing. " 8, 3, Do., S., strong Haze, Do. do. breezes, " 9, 5, Do., S.W., strong Clear, Do. do. breezes, " 9, Do., Afternoon, S.S.E., gale, Rain, Disappeared 5 P.M. " 10, 2, 5 A.M., W., gale, Showers, Seen till mid-day, again in afternoon. " 11, 14, All day, S.W. & S. breezes, Do., Flying about. " 13, 3, Do., N.E. fresh breezes, Do., Do. " 14, 2, 5 P.M., N., strong breezes Rain, Flying past Rock. " 15, 3, 10 A.M., N.W., fresh Clear, Flying about and breezes, fishing. " 16, 1, Noon, W., strong Swimming about breezes, Do., Rock. " 17, 3, 11 P.M., W.N.W., fresh Haze, Flying about Rock. " 18, Numerous, All day, N.E. light breezes, Clear, Do. do. " 19, 6, 5 P.M., W., light airs, Do., Do. do. " 20, 20, Noon, N., fresh breezes, Do., Do. do. " 23, 3, 5 P.M., N., fresh breezes, Haze, Do. do. " 24, 16, All day, N.W., light airs, Clear, Do. do. " 25, 12, 5 P.M., S., light breezes, Haze, Do. do. " 26, Numerous, All day, Do. do., Do., Do. do. Oct. 1, 3, 10 A.M. to Variable, strong Rain. Flying about 1 P.M., breezes, the Rock. " 7, 1, 8 A.M. to S.S.E., light Haze Flying about. 10 A.M., breezes, and fog, " 7, 6, 10 A.M. to Do. do., Haze and Flying about 1 P.M., rain. and fishing. " 11, 14, 8 A.M., N.W., light Clear, In a flock flying breezes, past east. " 13 Flocks of Throughout Variable winds, Clear and Flying past & 14, 2 to 12, the dates, showers, eastward. " 19, 5, 4 P.M., E., light breezes, Clear, Fishing about. " 21, 3, All day, S.S.E., gale, Rain, Fishing all day. " 24, 1, 9 A.M. to S.W., strong Haze, Flying about. 11 A.M., breezes, " 25, 2, 8 A.M. to Do. do., Do., Fishing. 1 P.M.,

North Unst, Burrafiord, Lerwick, Shetland, _21st February 1887_.

Sir,--I beg to inform you that since answering your note regarding Solan Geese when on shore two Solan Geese were seen here on the 12th inst.; also one on the 19th flying about. A large flock of Kittiwakes on 12th passed; direction from S.W. going N.E. This is a rare occurrence, for I know not of any person having seen any of these two species so early in the year. Since writing on 27th twenty-four Solan Geese seen very busy fishing for about two hours. We have been thinking herring must be close by us, this causing Solan Geese coming so soon this year. Can't vouch for the truth of this, for we could not make out whether herrings or small fish.--J. N.

Of records of Solan Geese at other times and localities, as usual, movements commenced towards the close of March (we have one early record of three at Pentland Skerries on 5th, flying east).

We do not enter into detail, as we would prefer to give a full schedule from each station as indicated above. We add this note here however; Latest seen at Fidra was on 20th, when the note occurs "disappeared." On 14th October, "one young bird; not another to be seen;" and on 10th October, "Solans visibly scarcer," at Fidra.

Of Herons, a few scattered records; not of much service we suspect to our Migration Committee.

Anatidæ.--Ducks, Geese, Eider Ducks, Teal, Widgeon, Shieldrake, Wild Duck, Barnicle Geese, Swans, Brent Geese.--_In Spring_ flocks, or large flocks, of Barnicle Geese are frequently noted at Cromarty, presumably the same flocks daily. (Barnicle is here undoubtedly applied wrongly to the Brent Geese, or "Brants," which are abundant in the Cromarty Firth.) Thus on 19th, 25th, and 26th February, and from 4th to 18th March, a "large flock" is almost daily noted; and thereafter none are again noted till November 24, when a flock again recorded, and two flocks on 25th and 27th December, all at the same place.

_Eider Duck._--Odd birds noted off N. Unst in February 5th and 18th, and March 23d and 26th--winds different directions; and a flock of nine at Isle of May on 18th April. Odd records in May and June at N. Ronaldshay and at Fidra, probably merely local movements. _In Autumn._--Recorded as "making their appearance by the 5th September at N. Ronaldshay; and large flocks by the 11th September at Pentland Skerries. Flocks all day on several dates in October at N. Unst, and Fidra, &c."

Teal are noted occasionally at Pentland Skerries in March on 1st and 2d. _Widgeon_ rarely noted: once in March at Isle of May, and once in October at Fidra. _Shieldrake_ once noted at Noss Head, and once on 15th November on Fidra.

Wild Swans are noted on 12th April, and four on 25th at N. Ronaldshay; and thirty on one occasion at Sumburgh Head.

_Note._--A most remarkable assemblage of Eider Ducks took place off the west shore of Harris, as seen and reported to me by James Cowan, Esq., M.P. He writes, under date of 18th March 1887: "Last year, owing to the easterly winds, we had not less than 3000 Eiders within four miles of our cottage, on the west coast of Harris; and the year before there was not one."

Columbidæ.--Pigeons, Doves.--Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove.--A Turtle Dove was obtained at Isle of May on 31st May 1886; wind light S.E., and haze. An addition to the Isle of May list and collection; at present at Dunipace House.

A single record of a Wood Pigeon, "seldom seen here," at Pentland Skerries on 18th June; and another at same place on 7th October, "flying west; rare "--fresh, variable, and haze.

A single record of Rock Pigeons (a flock) on 20th at Pentland Skerries, and the remark, "seldom seen." There were twenty in the flock.

Rallidæ.--Corncrake, Water Rail, etc.--Heard first time at Pentland Skerries on 19th May, and at Cromarty on 25th. Above are the only records of any of the Rails.

Charadriadæ.--Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dotterel, Ringed Dotterel or Ringed Plover, Oyster-Catcher or Sea Pie, Grey Plover, Golden Plover.--_In Spring._--Movements scarce; in February (one record on 25th at Pentland Skerries); in March (one record at same).

_In Autumn._--No great movements recorded. First seen at N. Ronaldshay August 25; spoken of as "arrived." Very few records in September, October, or November. Slight increase in December at Pentland Skerries only. Of Oyster-Catchers or Sea Pies rather more frequent returns, but bulking only in September and October. _In Spring._--Lapwings noted considerably in March at many stations from N. Unst, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, Isle of May, and Fidra.

_In Autumn._--Slight movements only in September and October. Ringed Dotterel _or_ Ringed Plover--one in September at Pentland Skerries, and one at same place all day on 3d December.

Scolopacidæ.--Woodcock, Snipe, Curlew, Jack Snipe.--Of Woodcock no spring movement observed. No records of Woodcock at all until October. First seen at Pentland Skerries; two all day on 5th October; then one killed at light on 7th, and a rush on 10th. Then also at N. Ronaldshay one bird seen on 6th; and at Girdleness, Aberdeen, and at Isle of May, from 6th on till 28th, varying numbers--eight shot on 18th, four or five on 20th; "numbers" seen on 24th--wind N.E., veering to S.E.; haze at night. Some (two shot) on 28th. Latest record, one Woodcock at Dunnet Head on 14th November, and two at Pentland Skerries on 1st and 12th November. In Stirlingshire thirty-five shot one day in Torwood, and twenty-eight in Touch Woods. Unusually abundant this autumn. The Woodcocks shot at Torwood on the 20th November came into the country almost certainly at the time of the October rush, and remained there and throughout Stirlingshire for several weeks, during which time many were killed. On the West Coast a friend and myself bagged 33½ couples in seven days' shooting. We had a _blizzard_ of snow and wind on Monday, January 17th. We left on 21st; and we heard afterwards that not a Cock was to be seen on and after the 24th January 1887.

_Snipe._--A few scattered spring records. No mention again till September, and then decidedly very few all over. Decidedly scarce this autumn. In the West of Scotland (Ardnamurchan), where Woodcock were so plentiful, Snipe were unusually scarce. Only four seen one day, where usually seven or eight couple can be shot in an hour or two.

Records of Curlews few and far between; and none of any special interest, being mostly local movements.

For comparison we here give a table similar to that in last report (p. 33).

1886. 1887. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan.

Curlew, Entries-- 3 5 7 3 0 5 0 Woodcock, 0 0 0 14 3 0 0 Snipe, 0 0 1 1 2 2 1 Jacksnipe, 0 0 1 1 0 0 0

The stations returning in the order of heaviest schedules are--

1886. 1887. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Totals. Pentland Skerries 3 2 4 4 4 7 0 24 Isle of May, 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 8 N. Unst, 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 4 Girdleness, 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 3 N. Ronaldshay, 0 2 (curlew) 0 0 0 0 0 2 Dunnet Head, 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Fidra, 0 0 1 (curlew) 0 0 0 0 1 --- ---------- ---------- --- --- --- --- ---- Per Month, 3 6 7 15 4 7 1 43

Thus it will be seen that the comparative strength of the waves are approximately given from each station, Pentland Skerries leading with twenty-four, and Isle of May following with eight, etc.; also, the totals under each month show the rush to have been distinctly in October with fifteen,[7] September and December each with seven. This same system, carried out for each species of bird, appears to us to suggest a pretty fair way of reducing our light reports to system; and further tabular comparison is also suggested as to duration of migration, and weather notes in last report, p. 34, which need not be repeated here at present.

[Footnote 7: This is borne out almost with all species this season. A concentrated rush in October.]

Of Redshanks, Sandpipers, Dunlins, there are very few returns; and only one Dunlin at Pentland Skerries, where they breed, on 27th April. Redshanks appeared at N. Ronaldshay on 12th August. Numbers towards end of September at Pentland Skerries; a few in October, with a number of Purple Sandpipers. A Common Sandpiper at N. Unst on 23d October. Redshanks on 3d December at Pentland Skerries, and number of Purple Sandpipers all day on 19th December.

Laridæ.--Gulls, Terns, Skuas, etc., Kittiwake, Lesser Tern, "Dirty Allen," Black Backed Gull.--The same remarks hold good under Gulls of sorts. The spring and summer records are not of special interest; but vast movements took place in September. "Immense flocks" of Gulls; "numerous flocks" of Kittiwakes and Gulls; Skuas and Terns "every day." Thirty-seven large Gulls passed Girdleness flying south on 15th September; but the "largest flock ever seen" at Fidra was on 14th. Curiously enough there are _no records_ made of movements at Isle of May; but at Pentland Skerries, and again at Fidra, very full notice is taken. No records in November. Only one in December at Pentland Skerries.

Procellariidæ.--Petrels, Stormy Petrel.--The Stormy Petrels often appear at lanterns at night in midsummer, but this is in all probability merely a local movement. Being nocturnal in their habits, and abroad only at night, certain lighthouses lure them to their light more readily than others, owing to proximity to breeding stations or lines of flight to and from their feeding grounds. Their breeding season being very late in the year, the months of August and September bulk largest, but movements commence usually in June; July, however, is often less marked as a month for their movements, except in exceptionably hazy weather for that month.

This season records are not numerous; _but_, what we have not recorded before, a rush of Stormy Petrels took place at N. Unst, from the 23d to 28th August, "nightly"--winds variable and overcast; striking lantern "continuously." When, perhaps, we know all the exact minutiæ of the breeding distribution, and area of the wandering of birds generally, and of Petrels in the present case, then we may be able to account for such a rush as related above. Meanwhile we think it safest to believe--without theorising--that this unusual appearance was a local movement, caused by unity of circumstances, affecting a large local colony in the neighbourhood of the N. Unst lighthouse.

Alcidæ.--Auks, Razorbills, Guillemots, Puffins, "Marrots," "Tysties" (Black Guillemots).--_In Spring._--On February 19th a flock of Black Guillemots ("Tysties") "first arrived, very early," at N. Unst; and at same place a year afterwards--_viz._, in January 31, 1887, we find, under "Marrot"--"flocks of, flying past," W. to E.; "_rarely_ been seen so soon." (Note in this connection our extremely early and fine spring of 1877, until checked slightly, between March 10th and 17th, by the severe snowfall and keen frosts.)

Returning to 1886:--By March 12th to 22d, numbers of Guillemots and Razorbills rushing by thousands on the latter date at Isle of May, the only station sending returns for March. In April, abundance of Razorbills and Puffins on the rocks by 14th at N. Unst; but the note (1886) is given on date of 7th, "not so early as last year." Puffins arrived "after; N.W., light breezes. First arrival later than usual." By the 22d 160 Puffins (estimate) settled down to breed on the rocks as usual at N. Unst.

At Pentland Skerries, Puffins arrived on the 11th April; and Common Guillemots were seen passing east on the 23d--mod. S.E. wind. At Isle of May, a large number on 6th April and on 12th. By the 18th May, Puffins "are now laying" at Isle of May. By 11th June, young were first seen at N. Unst of Puffins and "Tysties." No records in August.

On September 2d, all Marrots, Razorbills, and Puffins left the rock at N. Unst; but on October 18th, Tysties re-appeared (three in number)--with N.N.E., strong breeze--and stayed six days. No other records.

Columbidæ.--Divers--Great Northern, Black-throated, and Red-necked Diver.--No account taken.

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EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.