Part 7

"On the 2d September, wind N.E., all the Pictarnies left the island, flying in a northerly direction." [This again almost seems to indicate a movement towards the north first, before returning south or in a south-easterly direction. Future careful reports on directions of flight here and of winds at the time can scarcely fail to prove of interest.--J. A. H.-B.] "On the 4th of September four Ravens--a male and female with their two young--I observed resting on the island, but, after remaining a short time, they flew in an easterly direction towards the mainland. On the 9th September we had a severe gale--wind variable--and the island is quite deserted by land birds, the only ones remaining being a few Twites. I caught several during the gale dying from exposure. The only sea birds I can see are a few Gannets fishing for food; but they too leave in the evening in the direction of Barra. A few pairs of Curlews and a few Herring Gulls returned with their young. On the 17th September I observed a solitary Heron feeding around the shore; and I witnessed a strange incident in connection with it. On the 22d of the same month, while walking round the island, I heard strange cries coming nearer and nearer from a southerly direction, when the Heron got up a few yards from me, and flew in the direction of the cries, it being hazy at the time, and after the lapse of a few minutes I noticed three coming out of the mist evidently overjoyed at seeing one another. They flew round and round, for some time, and then flew off in a north-easterly direction--the wind E.N.E., fresh.

"On the night of the 4th and 5th October a great number of birds struck the lantern, strange to say the greater number of them being Snipe; but there were also Mavises, Blackbirds, 'Marsh' (_i.e._, Meadow) Pipits and Rock Pipits, and a few Pictarnies, all seemingly young birds of the year; but I was surprised to see the Pictarnies, as they had all left, and none had been seen about the island for some time; and these have evidently been migrating. The island appears to be quite deserted by land birds in the day time. On the night mentioned the wind was variable--from S.E. to S.W., with drizzling rain. On the 7th October I observed a large flock of Shielducks coming from N.E., and after resting a short time, they got up and flew off south, the wind being at the time S.W." [Report ending 31st October 1886. Here ends Mr Georgeson's notes on Monach.]

[Now Mr Joseph Agnew takes up the tale, and we make no excuse for quoting his letters: "We had to leave the May a day after the time I expected when I last wrote you, and therefore had not time to visit you at Dunipace, when passing Larbert on our way to Oban." On arriving at Monach Mr Agnew expresses surprise at the universal and populous distribution of the Rock Pipit at all stations, S., E., N., and W., where he has been. He then describes the Tystie (or Toistie of Monach), _i.e._, the Black Guillemot, both in winter and summer plumage. Mr Agnew sends a schedule dating December 3d to 30th, contents of which will be found under species further on, and where Monach is mentioned, any remarks under species may be read as continuous with Mr Georgeson's Diary.--J. A. H.-B.]

_Rona_ (_i.e._, _South Rona_).--Messrs Dunnet and M'Gaw send two fairly well-filled schedules, strictly adhering to columnar arrangement.

_Kyleakin._--D. MacCulloch and John Clyne send one well-filled schedule, but light, dating February 1st, 1886, to January 1st, 1887.

_Skerryvore.-_-Thomas Dawson and William Charleson send three well-filled schedules, dating January 27th to December 9th, 1886. Mr D. writes: "Birds scarce here all summer. Not one seen between 7th May and 13th September. On September 6th a Scart was seen by us fishing about the rock. Sometimes it came ashore for a short rest, then into the water again. Did not appear to be a bit frightened. We amused ourselves casting stones at it for a time, still it did not go away far from us. It is the first we have seen of the season; not one single Scart seen here during the breeding season. We left it after a time. At night, after lighting time, a strange noise was heard on the top dome. One of the keepers--Mr Charleson--went aloft and found the Scart sitting very comfortably on the cage for cleaning the chimney, with his head under his wing, asleep. He never saw Charleson coming to it; but the latter made a grab at it, but missing his mark, the bird got clear off. Several Eiders are seen now, mostly males (October 1st, 1886); one flock of thirteen yesterday, and only one female among them. Numbers of Solan Geese seen every day here fishing." [We would be glad of a schedule or two devoted entirely to Solan Geese and their daily movements.--J. A. H.-B.]

_October._--"On the 6th a great 'rush' of small birds here last night. Never saw anything like it nor so many different kinds. They commenced to strike the lantern at 8.30 P.M. on the 5th; and continued all morning of 6th. I cannot give you any idea of numbers, but no doubt hundreds were flying round the light. Most in number were Skylarks and Thrushes; Wheatears next; and a great number of Snipes were seen. I have noted in the schedule the actual number of the different kinds we saw on the lantern and the time they struck, but no doubt many more of the same species hovered round the light all night. I saw several Sand Larks, but only one struck. Wind S.E. to S., rain and haze. They nearly all struck on the north side of the lantern. I was standing on the balcony when the Woodcock struck, and it fell stunned at my feet, and I caught it before it had time to recover. This is the only one I have ever seen here. I may mention the names of the species seen so far as recognised: Mountain Thrushes, Common Thrushes, Skylarks, Titlarks, Wheatears, Blackbirds, Woodcock (first seen here by me), Robins, Wrens, Redstarts, Ring Ouzels (Mountain Thrushes are therefore either Fieldfares or Red wings), 'Oxeyes' (and another small bird a stranger to me)." [The Oxeye--so-called--is really a Gold-crested Wren, as described: and the other small bird, from description, is probably a Willow-Warbler (or Willow Wren).--J. A. H.-B.] In the same letter Mr Dawson encloses an insect [the Silver Gamma Moth.--J. A. H.-B.], and says: "I enclose an insect. I got it this morning stuck to the side of the kitchen window. We don't know what it is. It has likely wandered off here with the rush of birds the two previous nights. It appeared to be quite dormant when I found it (date of 7th October).

"Great numbers of birds again last night, but not nearly so many as the previous night, and fewer species. Wind N., and heavy rain all night and morning. After this Mr Charleson is to take note of the birds along with myself, so will get on better. The second schedule will be soon filled up."

Under date of December 19th, Messrs Dawson and Charleson say; "The Gannets have all left us some weeks back. The scarcity of fish is no doubt the cause."

_Dhuheartach._--William Davidson and Jas. M'Guffie send us four well-filled bulky schedules, as Dhuheartach has, along with Skerryvore, participated in the rush of 5th and 6th October, which appears to have been so universal all over the East Coast also. By the schedules the species appear to have been much the same as at Skerryvore--Larks, Mavis (many young), Goldcrests, Snipe, Fieldfare, Wheatear, Robins, Firetails (Redstarts), Starlings, Blackbirds, young Swallows, and several Lapwings--the Larks predominating by hundreds, and the Mavis by tens over the others, so far as observed.

_Skervuile._--John Ewing sends two well-filled schedules from 7th February to 26th December 1886. Under 25th March he says; "There has been an abundance of Gulls and Boatswains' birds up to _October_." On April 15th Solans are noted as seen night and morning during July, August, and September. Rush is also distinctly participated in on 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th. (See under species for details.)

_Rhinns of Islay._--Peter Anderson and Mr Ducat.--Besides sending five regular schedules, fully filled up, Mr Anderson has also, in a very neat and efficient way, kept a still more minute day-to-day record on his own plan. We now have these for the month of February. When we have a schedule of this description for every month in the year, we think it may prove desirable to publish the series _seriatim et literatim_. The statistics could not fail to be serviceable. Thousands of Larks seen passing south for days during the October rush. They write; "We think if you had been here on the night of 5th and morning of the 6th October, you would have seen migration to your heart's content. I have never seen anything like it before. About 7 P.M. they commenced, and increased until 10, when it was something grand to see, and continued up to 2 A.M. of the 6th, making a perfect concert of sounds--even the drums were not awanting--as the small birds striking the lantern and dome answered for the small drum, and the larger ones at odd times for the big drum. I will here mention a list of as many of the birds as I could distinguish, but I will make no attempt at numbers, as they were simply innumerable:--Redwings, Lapwings, Larks (these three the most numerous), Thrush, Missel-Thrush, Moorhen, Robins, Goldcrests, one Blackbird, one Teal Duck (both latter caught), Blackbirds, Water-rail, Terns, Starlings, and numerous other kinds I did not know. Weather thick, with haze and rain: wind S.E. to E. The birds seemed all to be flying against the wind. One Woodcock seen. Last night, 7th October, we had scarcely a bird, although it was a night of rain; but the wind was from the north." [This account of the great rush is most interesting and valuable.--J. A. H.-B.] "The rush continued till 2 A.M. of the 6th, but then eased a good deal, but numbers kept flying on till daylight. There were numerous Moths about the lantern on the nights of the 5th, 6th, and 7th." [Schedules give more interesting items.--J. A. H.-B.] Mr Anderson adds the note: "I forgot to mention that the weather has for the past few days been very close and warm. On the morning of the 5th, at 2 A.M., the glass stood outside at 62½°, and has been about 60° for several days, with very heavy rain." On the 18th December occurs the following note: "On the 18th I was inland for a mile or so, and saw two flocks of Larks (about 1000 each), and a flock of Starlings of from 1200 to 1400. I never saw so many Snipe on this island before. By the 22d thaw had set in, and they were all gone." [_Note._--When we were shooting in Ardnamurchan in January 1887, though Woodcock were fairly plentiful, we never saw Snipe so scarce in Mingary Park. The suddenness of the rush, short space of time occupied, and complete departure south in December at once accounts for this.--J. A. H.-B.]

_Lochindaul._--James Edgar sends three well-filled schedules, and observes that no schedules appear from our Report to have been sent for some years back. We are very glad again to receive schedules from Lochindaul, which appears to be a favourable situation for observations. Mr Edgar's last station was N. Unst, whence he sent us schedules. Mr Edgar says of Lochindaul: "Very few birds are attracted to this light, owing to part of the light being red, and the land side of the lantern being dark, although there are plenty of birds in the vicinity of the station. Most of the observations I have made are during the day time, and I only entered each species the first and last time seen, and any unusual flocks seen during the season. I gave up taking notes at end of October, owing to illness, and I was invalided from then till recently" (dated 17th January 1887), "which accounts for the lateness of sending in the schedules."

_Lamlash._--David M. Scott and Robert Brown send a light schedule, except on the 6th October, when they appear fully to have participated in that extraordinary rush. "We could make out Curlews, Lapwings, Thrushes, Goldcrests, Linnets, Blackbirds, Wrens--the largest number ever seen in one night at this station;" further proving the magnitude and wide-spread character of the 1886 autumn migration, as well as its singularly compressed nature.

_Turnberry._--Andrew Nisbet and William Begg send three well-filled day-to-day schedules. Curiously enough, the "rush" of October--which is quite the feature of our 1886 Report--is only comparatively emphasised here; but while the emphasis is moderate, it is also quite equally pronounced when compared with records at the same station. Thus, whilst only 1, 2, or 3 birds struck, or were seen at the lantern all through the season, a spring movement was more observable about the 10th February; and the autumn migration rush was emphasised by 13 birds at the lantern on the famous 5th and 6th October, and 5 the following night. Thus, comparatively speaking, the rush was also apparent on that date as elsewhere. All returns at other dates are light.

_Corsewall._--An _unsigned schedule_, well filled and neatly executed, to hand, dating February 4th to October 29th, shows an early spring migration, also in February, of Starlings, Thrushes, and Larks; and "a great rush" of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Larks (both male and female), and Goldcrests, began to strike at 9 P.M., and continued till daylight. A great many killed of all kinds. Upwards of 100 got in the morning. S.E. fresh breeze, fog and rain. Short, sharp, sudden, and vast, as we do not find another entry till 23d.

_Portpatrick._--Mr James Beggs has the remark [which we perfectly agree with, and the reasons for which will shortly appear more decidedly, we believe, when Mr Service treats of the migration of birds in the Solway district, in his intended "Fauna of Solway."--J. A. H.-B.] to the effect that: "The migration of birds again very slight this season. As I remarked to you in my schedule last year, I think it is our prevailing winds from the west which keep the birds inland. You will see in my above notes where the winds are easterly." The easterly winds referred to occur throughout all the dates where any occurrences are recorded, _viz._, on the 4th and 15th September, October 4th, 5th, to 9th, and January 7th, 1887, at which latter date a "great rush" of Larks, coming from the N.W. and going S.E., is recorded. Again, the October 4th, 5th, and 6th rush is distinctly recorded. _Not a single record is entered under a westerly wind._ They naturally pick up (catch up) the trend of the coast south of Clyde in any winds, but _normal westerly winds_ may--and do--confine them to _normal routes more than easterly winds do_. Thus, if we had had no easterly winds at this station at all, the probability is that _no migration_ would have been observed; but the _more normal_ route _more inland_ would have been followed. Locally, Mr E. Service is working at these routes with good effect.

_Mull of Galloway._--Alex. Murray and John M'Quarrie send three excellent returns. Considerable movements of birds are noted, but again October 4th and 5th have pre-eminence and accentuation.

_Little Ross._--Neil M 'Donald and Robert M'Intosh send three well-filled schedules--every line filled. Under date of 6th December, N. M'D, writes: "I beg to send you two schedules, which are all we have. We are marking the birds as we see them on long sheets of paper lined off like the schedules, but when copying them off, I find I have more than will fill another schedule during October and up to date. Please forward two more. Trusting our schedules will meet your approval, etc." [Yes, they are excellent, and we have three fully filled, showing the same results and rush marked off in October as elsewhere. Birds seem well known; yet I think a copy of Johns' Birds should be sent here and to several more stations.--J. A. H.-B.]

Separate Report under Genera and Species.

Turdidæ.--Thrushes, Dipper, Blackbirds, Fieldfare, Ouzels, Redwings, "Mavises."--We find records principally of "Thrushes" between 4th and 22d February at Skervuile (one only on 9th), and at Turnberry and Corsewall (both south of Clyde), on seven dates, but all light. [Thus most of the February early migrants presumably turned across from Clyde to Forth,--J. A. H.-B.] Prevailing wind, S.W. and S.

_In March._--Light records at Turnberry on 8th of Thrushes; and north of Clyde single birds at Rona, Skye, and at Skerryvore on 12th, 22d, and 24th. Light records at Skervuile of Fieldfares and Blackbirds on 21st and 25th, and single record of Blackbird at Turnberry (S. of Clyde) on 25th. [Thus while as usual most of the prominent stations report, the returns both N. and S. of Clyde are light, and almost too general to utilise as indications of routes.--J. A. H.-B.] Prevailing wind in March, strong or light, S. and S. easterly. In May--3d, 4th, and 5th--we have a number of Thrushes and Starlings reported from Mull of Galloway in fog and mist, along with Starlings--twenty-two killed on 3d, and eleven on 4th. Wind, strong south breeze.

_In Autumn._--First movements noted are 26th and 27th of August at Rona, Skye, of "Mountain Thrushes" (probably Ring Ouzels). [This name is applied to both the Redwing, Fieldfare, and Ring Ouzel, in different parts of Scotland, but most correctly to the latter. The date also is more in favour of the record of Ring Ouzels, as about the dates mentioned they begin to frequent gardens and orchards for berries, etc.--J. A. H.-B.] And at Mull of Galloway and Little Ross, of Blackbirds and Ring Ouzels. Wind, S. and S.E., fresh to strong. [These are also probably migrants from the vicinity of the stations.--J. A. H.-B.] In September a flight of Thrushes on the 4th at Portpatrick. Indication at Kyleakin (N. of Clyde), on 24th, of same species; also on 13th, at Mull of Galloway, of Blackbirds, and larger numbers in flocks at latter station on 22d and 24th. Redwings are noted as early as 20th at Rhinns of Islay only. But in October the numbers of records are very great, too numerous to give in detail. Thus we find the following stations participate:--Skerryvore, ten dates between 5th and 19th. Rush distinct on the 5th, 9 P.M., till 4.30 A.M. on 6th, of "Mountain" and Common Thrushes. Wind, light S.E., and heavy rain. One Blackbird on 6th. At Dhuheartach on 1st, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th. Records of Mavis, 100 all night of 5th, 6th, S.S.E.; Fieldfare, one on 6th; one male Blackbird on 8th; wind N.W. Single Thrush on 8th. [Shows the compressed nature of the rush and preponderance, as elsewhere, of Common Thrush.--J. A. H.-B.] At Skervuile, rush also on 5th and 6th of Thrushes, Fieldfares (the latter in minority). Rush also, however, of Blackbirds noted; entries extend from 2d to 31st, but only on five dates, and all light except on 5th and 6th. [Emphasises above remarks.--J. A. H.-B.] At Rhinns of Islay records on ten dates between 4th and 28th, of Redwings. [Query, were these not Thrushes, or in some of the returns have not Redwings and Thrushes equally done service? _N.B._--The Redwing is _red_ beneath the wing, and the Thrush or Mavis _yellow_. No "Thrushes" so named appear in the Rhinns of Islay schedules, so perhaps "Redwings" do duty?--J. A. H.-B.] Blackbirds--quite a number appear under dates of 22d, 25th, 27th, and 28th. At Lochindaul also, while Thrushes seem to have been little observed at the time of the rush, there are a few records, 19th, 27th, and 28th, and one of Blackbirds on 27th. [The position of Lochindaul (Station CIII.) may sufficiently account for this; nor, however, does the rush appear quite so heavy at Rhinns of Islay (CII.) as it does at Skerryvore (XCIII.), nor at Dhuheartach (XCIV.), whilst Dhuheartach is lighter than Skerryvore. This may or may not indicate that the great body of the migrants have passed to the westward of Rhinns of Islay and even of Dhuheartach, making for the Irish coast. It will be interesting to note what our Irish Committee report upon this.--J. A. H.-B.]

At Turnberry (S. of Clyde) records date 2d, 3d, 5th, 6th, and 18th, but all are quite light, and no rush whatever is apparent on 5th and 6th October, only records of one, two, three, or four Thrushes, Blackbirds, and Ring Ouzels being entered.

At Corsewall (S. of Clyde), 2d and 3d of Thrushes (only three or four each time), but "great rush" of Blackbirds on 5th, and of the latter single records on 23d and 29th. Winds as generally--easterly. [_Note._--Thus routes of Blackbirds and Thrushes appear to have been rather different in 1886. _Compare_ with reports from other stations.--J. A. H.-B.]

At Mull of Galloway.--Bush indicated pretty distinctly, and striking all night of 5th, mingled with a few Blackbirds, some of which were killed at light. Large flocks seen all day of 6th. Dropping in up to 28th.

At Little Boss, on 3d October, four Thrushes--S.E., fresh--three killed; haze.

So much for the October rush at all stations yielding returns; and we have enlarged upon items here as illustrative of the whole general character of the autumn migration of 1886.

In November, migration of Thrushes (_vera_) almost _nil_. Solitary returns on 24th from Skerryvore, and from Turnberry and Little Boss. But a few more records of Redwing, Fieldfare, and Blackbird at same station. In December one single Thrush on 8th at noon at Dhuheartach; and a few Blackbirds and Redwings on 17th, 18th, and 20th at Rhinns of Islay. _No returns of Turdidæ S. of Clyde._ No returns of _Turdidæ_ anywhere in January 1887.

Saxicolinæ.--Wheatears (often called "Stonechats;" a name more correctly applied to another species of the group), Stonechat (a small bird having the head black in the male and dark-brown in the female), Whinchat, Redstart, etc.

_In Spring_, Stonechats (?) arrived at Rona, Skye--[no doubt _these_ are Wheatears; but it is hard to say in all cases which are intended.--J. A. H.-B.]--on the 24th March, and on same date at Skervuile--S.S.E. breeze, hazy; also on the same date at Turnberry. On 4th of April, one pair arrived to breed at Rhinns of Islay, followed by several pairs on the 5th and 6th, which remain to breed. On 30th April, and one or two other dates, straggling birds seen at Dhuheartach, and again at Turnberry.

_In Autumn._--Wheatears are recorded by name (correct name) at Butt of Lewis and at Little Ross; and what are also all probably Wheatears, but called (erroneously) Stonechats (see also last Migration Report, p. 100), at Rona, Skye, Dhuheartach, Turnberry, and Mull of Galloway, all on dates between 18th and 31st August. Rushing on 21st and 22d South of Clyde, continuing all through September, with a rush at Skerryvore; but only two at Dhuheartach on 13th. Migration continued up to, but not beyond, the 7th October, and participated in the rush of 5th and 6th at Skerryvore, and also at Skervuile, thus apparently taking a different route from that chosen by the Thrushes (see _antea_, _Turdidæ_). The only other species mentioned are a few Whinchats; a Redstart at Dhuheartach on 23d May, three ditto at Mull of Galloway on 27th August, two ditto at Little Ross on 13th September, and one ditto at Skerryvore on 6th October.

Silviinæ.--Robins, Blackcap, Blue Throated Warbler, Whitethroat, "Redbreast."--In Spring, two records only, at Rona, Skye, and Skervuile on 24th and 25th March. [All through this Report there seems to be a similarity of dates of occurrences at these two stations, even in single records. Why they should apparently be so much _in touch_ with one another is not easily understood at present; unless it is simply similarity of positions affecting local migrations in a similar way.--J. A. H.-B.]

_In Autumn._--August 19th and 27th, singles. September.--Robins from Rhinns of Islay, Lochindaul to Lamlash (N. of Clyde), and Turnberry and Little Ross (S. of Clyde) all light. In October no great rush apparent anywhere, ranging in small numbers at all stations through the month.