Part 10

Corvidæ, Crows.--Spring: movement of Carrion Crows, Ravens and Rooks few, and only in February and March. In February, "Black Crows" at Barra Head, one on 23rd, and fifteen on 14th and 15th, fresh S.E. and strong E.; also Carrion Crows at Skerryvore (three, "very seldom seen") flying around, fresh S. clear. Ravens, two at Cape Wrath (probably breeding in the neighbourhood, at Craig Riabhach), light S.W. haze; and one at Skerryvore flying N.E. Rooks at Rhu Stoir, probably belonging to one of two rookeries in N. and W. of Sutherland, _viz._, at Cama Loch in W. Cromarty, or at Tongue. In autumn, from 1st to 25th Aug., a very large flock, mostly young, feeding daily around Rhu Stoir (probably a local visitation from Cama Loch or Tongue), but Tongue Rooks are known to feed, regularly in winter at Far-out Head in the neighbourhood of Durness, and in severe winters are seen going there and returning in evening. The Rhu Stoir birds are therefore more likely to belong to the Cama Loch rookery. At Chickens Rock, Isle of Man, a number of Rooks flying W. towards Ireland on 11th August. No records in September. In October, Hooded and Carrion Crows flying W.S.W. for Ireland at Rhinns of Islay, and a few seen for days at Langness, feeding, about the same time. Records continue to increase in November, a rush of hundreds and thousands at Rhinns of Islay by 13th, continuing in force up to 17th and 18th, flying east on 13th, but resting or flying S.W. on 17th and 18th, along with enormous rush of Curlews, Woodcocks, Snipe, Sandpipers, Larks, Redwings, Thrushes, Starlings, Blackbirds, and a few Jacksnipes. Latest record on 19th. Also Ravens same dates, a few, and Jackdaws on 16th and 1st Dec. at Skerryvore and Dhuheartach.

Cypselidæ, Swifts.--On July 20th, about twenty flying S., strong E., rain and haze, at Skervuile, and at same station a few along with Swallows, light E. and clear.

Cuculidæ, Cuckoo.--In spring, arrivals as follows:--At Rona Skye, May 11th, first heard, light S.W. Kyleakin, May 10th, first heard, moderate S.S.W., haze. Sound of Mull, May 8th, first heard, moderate S.W., clear. Skervuile, May 10th, first seen, light E. Rhinns of Islay, May 19th, first seen, fresh E., clear. Lamlash, May 12th, first heard. Corsewall, May 11th, first heard. Autumn, Barra Head, June 28th, 1 first seen. Mull of Galloway, 1 first seen in July. Autumn records of Cuckoos scarce during six years' records.

Strigidæ.--Spring, April 28th, one Brown Owl for three days at Skerryvore; and 1 Owl in May (probably Short-eared Owl) at Dhuheartach. No autumn records.

Falconidæ.--At Skerryvore, one Sparrow Hawk on 29th. At Cape Wrath, Game Falcon and a "Small Hawk" (Merlin?) on the coast all the year round. In autumn, fewer records than usual on predatory visits. One Falcon on Aug. 28th at Rhuvaal. Sparrow Hawk on 1st, and again on 19th, at Skerryvore; one on Oct. 15th and 16th at Dhuheartach; and one Sparrow Hawk resting on sun-dial on 9th. One Eagle seen at Erraid ("rarely seen here") in November.

Pelicanidæ, Gannet.--Records in order of dates:--At Skervuile, March 10th, one flying S., fresh S.E.; 14th, one flying N., S. gale. Rhu Stoir, April 25th, five fishing, light S.E., clear. Skervuile, April 16th, one flying N. (local?). Rona, May 25th, twelve, W. clear; 29th, one, strong N., clear. Kyleakin, June 20th, in flock flying E., E. clear. Lismore, 22nd, flying S., various, light, clear. Dhuheartach, July 4th, one; 20th, flying S. Skervuile, 6th and 7th, Solans flying S.; 23rd and 24th, Solans flying S. Little Ross, July 9th, three flying W. from the Solway. At Rhu Stoir, Aug. 28th, rush, and passed daily in flocks flying N. up to the middle of August (see directions of flight at Pentland Skerries, E. Coast). During the rest of August, 24th to 30th, records are given from Rhuvaal, Skervuile, and Lamlash and Little Ross, but directions of flight are omitted under the dates given (see records off Cape St. Vincent). In September, a flock flying W. at Langness on 21st, a single bird flying N. at Barra Head, and two flying S.E. on 6th; and a late record at Lamlash on Nov. 6th (marked "late").

Anatidæ, Ducks, Geese, Swans.--Spring records of "Wild Geese" are six flying S.E., wind E. and snow, at Kyleakin (local), and two on March 23rd flying S.W. In April, 17th and 21st, two or three flying W. and flying S. Autumn ditto of Wild Geese, numerous. Earliest, Aug. 21st, flying S., at Kyleakin. Latest, Dec. 9th, six flying S. at Lamlash. Other records in Oct., but no rush evident. Of Eider Ducks there are many records. Earliest at Rhinns of Islay, seventeen males and females on Aug. 6th. Latest December 14th, seven males and seven females flying S. on 3rd, and six on 22nd at Rhinns of Islay. Greatest numbers seen at Rhinns of Islay Oct. 29th, when at least 200 were seen at 7 a.m., and 100 at 9 a.m. In November the "first seen this fall" at Skerryvore on 1st, and large flock on 6th flying S., and others at Dhuheartach. Other species are Sheldrakes (breeding at Rona), arrived in May; Barnacle Geese, thirteen at Barra Head on Oct. 13th, resting. Wigeon, one female, at Rhinns of Islay, on Aug. 23rd. Of Swans, two flying N., seen at Sound of Mull on June 2nd, with light N.W. airs. Barnacle Geese identified by head sent me.

Columbidæ.--Two Rock Doves flying S. (local) at Kyleakin, and six Wood Pigeons at same place on 22nd, flying S.S.W., moderate S. wind. In August, five doves flying E. at Rhuvaal; and in December, at Rhinns of Islay, 300 flying south, about one mile inland, light W., haze.

Rallinæ, Corn Crakes, Water Rails, &c.--Only spring record: a Corn Crake at Barra Head on 6th June. Only autumn records: one killed at lantern of Mull of Galloway, and one Water Rail killed at Rhinns of Islay (sent to me in the skin, J. A. H. B.) on 23rd October.

Charadriadæ.--Large flocks of Golden Plover arrive on the coast around Rhu Stoir during winter, when snow lies inland, and are seen onwards after March 12th and 15th, 1884, at same station. In autumn, records of Golden Plover unusually scarce; single ones at Sound of Mull, Sept. 19th, and Rhinns of Islay, Sept. 18th. Large flocks begin to arrive at Rhu Stoir ("to come towards the shore") early in November, remain all winter. At Rhinns of Islay, two "Gray Plovers," marked "rare," seen on Oct. 6th. Usual records of Oystercatchers, not so abundant or general as usual.

Lapwings.--One seen Feb. 15th at Barra Head; twenty on March 15th at Rhu Stoir, and one or two single ones there on 7th and 11th; and two on April 2nd. No great movement recorded in autumn. Rhinns of Islay, 10 flying about on 24th August and seven resting at Barra Head on 7th October.

Scolopacidæ, Woodcock, Snipe, Curlew, Whimbrel.--Woodcock: Earliest in autumn, Oct. 9th, one shot at Mull of Galloway. Latest, Nov. 18th, one at Dhuheartach, resting. Indication of more general movement between 15th, 16th, to 23rd Oct., but very slight, at Barra Head, one on 19th at Skervuile, Rhinns of Islay, and at Dhuheartach. Snipe: Only some three records; in September one at Skerryvore, in October one at Dhuheartach, and in August two at Rhinns of Islay, killed. Curlews: Numerous records from July on to November at many stations. Whimbrel: One noticed at Langness in August. A few records of Sandpipers (see notes under stations at Skervuile.)

Sterninæ, Terns.--Arrivals in spring: At Rona, a rush of 200 arrived on May 11th, light S.W. and clear. At Skervuile, one first seen on May 23rd, calm; a number arrived between 24th and 31st, light, various. At Kyleakin, Terns first seen 26th June, strong S. At M'Arthur's Head, Terns first seen 18th June. At Rhinns of Islay, Terns first seen 23rd and 24th July, light S.W. Query, return Journey? In autumn: Terns seen 11th and 12th at Skervuile; and more on 18th; and at Chickens Rock large quantities flying north on August 8th. Last seen at Kyleakin on September 6th.

Laridæ.--Considerable movements of Gulls of sorts from July 5th on to winter. Black-headed Gulls are marked as "very few this year" at Skervuile. Continuous flocks flew E. past Barra Head on Sept. 6th. Continuous flocks flew N.W. past Sound of Mull in August. Skervuile returns "numbers" about the middle of August. At one station, _viz._, Skervuile, the following are their recorded movements: in variable but prevailing N. to N.W. winds till Nov. 17th; thereafter light N.E. In August: 19th, one Boatswain Gull; 26th, flock of Herring Gulls; 31st, flock of Gulls. September, two records of flock of Terns, and Kittiwakes. Oct. 16th and 17th, ditto, ditto. November, on three dates Boatswain Birds and Kittiwakes. At Stoir Head vast flocks of Common Gulls and Herring Gulls passed N. Herrings "set into" Lochs Coul and Dhu, a little to the north of this, about this time, December, 1884, which locally accounts for this rush. Most of the Common Gulls were young. At Rhinns of Islay two "one-year-old Iceland Gulls" with hundreds of other Gulls flying about. We are particular in recording Gull returns, as this was an extraordinary Gull year on the East Coast.

Procellariidæ.--On July 26th one Storm Petrel on lantern at Barra Head, the earliest record of any for six years, light E. with fog. One ditto at Stoir Head (rare) in August, and one on Sept. 3rd at Lismore (also rare), killed, light N.W., haze.

Alcidæ, Razorbills, Guillemots, Puffins.--On Feb. 23rd, increased from 20th to date at Barra Head. "Marrots" and Razorbills, all March 6th to 8th, 14th to 17th, 23rd to 24th and 29th, winds light S.E. and S.W. In April: 4th to 11th, rush at Barra Head, various, N.E., clear, and Puffins; a few on 9th; 17th to 22nd, a few only of Marrots and Razorbills seen. On May 6th and 7th, Puffins, Razorbills and Marrots (Marrot or Guillemot) arrived in great numbers; and at Kyleakin two Tysties (_i.e._ Black Guillemots) seen flying S.E. In autumn, all left Barra Head except a few by Aug. 20th, but reappeared for a day on 30th, on which day all the Puffins left, light S.W. In October, continuous flocks of Puffins flying S. before a north gale at Rhinns of Islay, on October 12th.

General Remarks.

During the past six years' Migration Reports we have to thank many of our correspondents for the regularity with which they have acceded to our requests. Specially must we thank the following for the unbroken series of schedules during the past six years, _viz._: Sumburgh Head, six years, Messrs. William Anderson (1879 and 1880), John Wilson (1880, 1881, 1882), D. M. Scott (1883 and 1884). Pentland Skerries, six years, D. MacDonald (1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1884), and Mr. J. Gilmour (1884). Dunnet Head, Caithness, five years, George McLachlan, (1879, 1880 blank), David Laidlaw (1881, 1882, 1883, 1884). Bell Rock, James Jack (1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884). Isle of May, Joseph Agnew, six years (1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884).

These stations are situated as follows:--

Sumburgh Head 300 feet high white fixed light. Pentland Skerries 170 feet high white fixed light. Dunnet Head 346 feet high white fixed light. Bell Rock 93 feet high white and red revolving. Isle of May 240 feet high white fixed light.

Were Bell Rock also a _fixed white light_, no doubt returns would be equally extensive, or greater, possibly, than Isle of May. The white fixed lights have superiority; and when this is combined with low height over the sea and insular position, the best conditions appear, and are only to be beaten by floating light-ships. The flash lights have little chance to compete.

Next let us also thank the following correspondents:--At Whalsea Skerries, 3 years, Neven Kerr (1880, 1881, 1882). N. Ronaldshay, four years, John Tulloch (1879, 1880, 1881, 1882). Cromarty, R. S. Ritson, four years (1880, 1881, 1882, 1883).

This class of stations are situated as follows:--

Whalsea Skerries 148 feet white, revolving every minute. N. Ronaldshay 180 feet white, revolving every ten seconds. Cromarty 60 feet red, fixed (in the town).

_Revolving_ lights, whatever the height, yield fewer returns than _fixed_, but are better than flash or red sectors.

We also thank those who, situated at still less likely stations, have nevertheless taken an interest in our work.

_Bressay_ sends one year's return (1882); 105 feet; red and white, revolving every minute.

_Ross Head._--One year (1883), A. Greig; 175 feet; white and red revolving, every half minute.

_Kinnaird Head._--One year (1884); a blank schedule, valuable on negative grounds; 120 feet; white and red sectors, fixed.

_Girdleness._--Two years (1880 and 1884); 185 feet; white fixed. Thomas Gallie and J. McAlister. The situation is said to be unfavourable, apart from light or altitude.

Finally, taking the remaining lights which have returned no years schedules, we will analyse their positions, &c.

_Start Point._--80 feet; red, fixed. Class V.

_Hoy Sound._--(55 and 115). Low, white, fixed, facing N. High ditto; red and white sectors, fixed. V.

_Cantick Head._--115 feet; white, revolving every minute.

_Holborn Head._--75 feet; white and red flash, 10 seconds, facing N. V.

_Tarbat Ness._--175 feet; white intermittent, 2½ minutes. It is not quite clear to me yet why this station should not yield returns (see map), unless it be considered partially land-locked from E. and S.E.

_Buchan Ness._--130 feet; white flash, every 5 seconds; and close to fishing village.

_Montroseness._--124 feet; white, fixed; but amongst houses. V.

We think the above analysis places almost beyond doubt that the best position for a lights to attract birds is in a light ship (witness the E. English Coast returns); next, an island of low elevation; next, an island of considerable elevation, if facing east, not if facing north; and that the worst are those at high elevations, and especially if facing otherwise than E., on the East Coast, or on East Coast Islands, or those in midst of towns, or in land-locked situations; that the best description of light is "white, fixed,"--in fact, the brightest. Thus in many instances we consider that it is owing to position and nature of lights to a very considerable extent that we receive more schedules from some stations than others, and none at all from the least likely, whereas on the English East Coast all light-ships are almost equally good as regards position.

Yet we do not allow that this is entirely the cause of least and greatest migration at different points, because we now know well enough, from land data, that certain tracks are preferred to others, and that these tracks over land have very strong connection with the East Coast Scotch principal stations, as we think our Reports will show.

As regards the influences of winds, &c., sufficient has already been said on this head throughout the Reports, and every succeeding schedule goes to prove our previous ones.

Analyses of the West Coast schedules almost always show much lighter returns than those from the East Coast, even from the best West Coast stations. Our previous five years' experience in great measure explains why it is so, and it seems natural to expect lighter returns on the West than on the East in most winds or weather. But, having regard to the said experience and the facts of migration which may now be said to be ascertained and certain, there are also one or two additional causes for the light nature of West Coast returns as against East Coast ones; while on the latter, the lights which give the greatest illumination, if in other respects suitably exposed, give the heaviest returns; on the former, it seems that the positions of the various stations have more to do with these. Thus most of the East Coast stations face the east, whence come the birds naturally, and while on the west birds travel from N.W. towards S. or S.E., the extraordinary variety of situations, and the equally great--or nearly so--variety of lights of no great power and brilliancy, must undoubtedly influence the quantities of birds visible on migration. And we find that while such stations as Kyleakin (white and red, fixed), Isle Ornsay (white, fixed), Sound of Mull (red, green, and white sectors), Corran Ferry (red and white sectors, fixed), &c., give small returns, or none at all, this is resultant upon their positions even more than their brilliancy or absence of brilliancy. And we find that the best situated stations, such as Monach Isle (though only upper white flash, and lower, red fixed) gives better, though uncertain, returns, and Skerryvore (white revolving) and Dhuheartach (white and red sector, fixed), and Rhinns of Islay (white flash every five seconds) seem to be the surest stations north of Clyde. Indeed it is, perhaps, almost certain that most of the land-locked stations of the West Coast should be marked with the symbol of lowest value, V. South of Clyde, undoubtedly, we get more into the great groove of migration which crosses Scotland from the Firth of Forth, and if not yet so heavy as, for instance, at the Bell Rock, Isle of May, in all the years till 1884, yet we have more decided indications of rushes and throbs keeping time with the East Coast movements. When to this we add a less indented coast line, open lights, and, on the whole, greater power and brilliancy, we expect to find all the conditions more favourable. That this is the case our schedules for 1884 show decidedly, and even swamp the East Coast returns for the first time in our experience. When we come to the Isle of Man, where the Irish Channel contracts considerably, we again find heavy rushes of birds, equalling or exceeding those at such stations as Skerryvore and Dhuheartach and Rhinns of Islay. Of these Langness sends the heaviest returns, but we have there now a trained reporter, Mr. Robert Clyne, who was previously under Mr. Agnew at the Isle of May. Mr. Clyne's eager application to the subject now stands us in good stead.

The reason in 1884 for the contrary of the usual rule, _viz._, that East Coast stations of Isle of May and Bell Rock usually giving heavier returns than the West Coast stations S. of Clyde, is not far to seek for. The heaviest rushes at Isle of Man, and all down the West Coast S. of Clyde, occurred between the 15th to 21st and 26th October (see under Chickens Rock especially), while at Isle of May, Firth of Forth, no great movements of birds were visible. The winds on East Coast of Scotland were N. and E., and rarely W., but at Isle of Man and West Coast southerly and westerly. The migration on East Coast was pressed down on to the East English Coast by northerly winds. But on the West Coast birds travelled with light arid most favourable winds, concentrating their forces at the central and commanding stations of the Isle of Man. We regret we have no returns from the other Isle of Man stations. I hope the men are not disheartened by the non-appearance for two years of the West Coast of England Report which was entrusted to Mr. Philip M. Kermode. We earnestly hope they will now continue to send in schedules, the Isle of Man stations being most important.

The rapid increase of the Stock Dove in South and Central Scotland is very remarkable. They appeared commonly in East Stirlingshire in 1884-85, and have been nesting for some years in the Vale of Menteith, one of the high roads of migration. Many crossed the North Sea this past season to the East English coasts. Migration undoubtedly has a great influence upon extension of range, and the process seems easy to trace out; and it is very interesting also to find a similar extension of the Stock Dove to the rabbit-burrows of the sandy coast of Moray of late years (_auct._ Rev. Dr. Gordon and Capt. Dunbar Brander).

It appears useful in this place to speak of the comparative numbers of Woodcocks in the past six years. At the conclusion of our General Remarks on the last Report (1883) we called attention to the unusually large movement of Woodcocks, and to the area which appeared to have been principally selected by them before their final departure for N. Europe. As mentioned already (Report 1883), we had very few indications of their passage over Isle of May or East Coast lighthouse stations; and all stations returning any mark them as "rare" (see Report, 1882) or "rare in spring." Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock and Isle of May in six years have only recorded amongst them an infinitesimal number of spring records, and almost always with the remark "rare."

In 1879, which was a good Woodcock year in Scotland, we have not a single lighthouse record from either W. or E. Coasts. Yet I saw nineteen killed one day near here. In 1880, no records. In 1881, no spring records and scarce in autumn. Records at Butt of Lewis, Skerryvore and Lismore. Earliest, Oct. 28th. In 1882, a few spring records, one at Isle of May, April 9th ("not remembered before at this season," J. A.) Considerable and steady records, however, in autumn at five stations, north of Pentland Skerries inclusive, and at Isle of May. Rush Oct. 20th (twenty shot at Isle of May). In 1883, one record in spring at Bell Rock, April 7th, and rare in autumn; none till October, when a few at Monach Isle, Dhuheartach, Lismore, Loch Ryan, and in November at Kyleakin and Lismore, all between 29th and 31st Oct., indicating a rush. In 1884, which was a good Woodcock season on shore, with immense spring returns visible between Firths of Forth and Clyde, yet only two spring records at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May, April 3rd and March 30th respectively. In autumn, near this, one day I saw eighteen Woodcocks killed. The similarity of circumstances of 1879 and 1880 are worth attention. A considerable number of Woodcocks were killed in October and November, 1884, at Isle of May, and indications of arrivals very general. The spring records must have been weakly birds (one was disabled), as they appeared long after the spring return rush, great numbers being observable on land on 8th, 9th, 10th to 12th March. Indeed it would almost appear that any records sent from Island- or East-Coast stations during spring were of probably maimed or weakly birds, or birds delayed long after the "return of the Woodcocks" in March. As before remarked, the spring birds were all small russet cocks, and they rested 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th March between Firths of Forth and Clyde, "lifted" again, and did not alight till they had crossed the German Ocean (see 1883 Report, pp. 80, 81). The autumn rush was considerably later than usual in 1884 (see details).

Regarding the unusually extensive migration of Gulls to our coasts in 1884-85, several suggestions as to the influencing causes are readily at hand, but the following appears to have the greatest weight and importance.

As we are informed in 'Nature,' of Feb. 12th, 1885, recent Norwegian explorations in the Spitzbergen seas show that the year 1884 was a very remarkable ice year. "The west side of Spitzbergen was blocked by a belt of land ice the whole summer through, whilst the east side, which is nearly always blocked with ice, was more open than it had been for many years. These conditions, there seems little doubt, depend on the prevailing direction of the winds."