Part 3

While rushes took place in spring at Bell Rock in March, with the wind prevailing E., at Isle of May much smaller movements are recorded, local winds apparently being more S. & W. (See especially "Thrushes," but the remark applies to other species also.) This is curious at two stations so close to one another. Bush of land birds in April. Movements of Guillemots and rock birds somewhat different (see details). Partial albino of the Willow Warbler captured (seen by me, J. A. H. B.) Long spell of E. winds in April and rushes; but a light S.W. wind on 30th, changing from S.S.E., brought a "wonderful rush of land birds." This seems to me interesting, as proving the station to lie in the direct route of migration, rushes occurring both in the most favourable winds--S.E. or E. (_i.e._ for spring migration), and those supposed to lie less favourable, and following winds, _viz._ S.W.

A later schedule--April 30th to June 3rd--shows evidences of a decidedly late spring migration, for which it seems difficult to assign a cause. This was also noticeable on land. It took place in second week of May, with light S.W. and W. wind, mist, fog, and rain; principally of Warblers and insect-feeding species.

Very few records are given between June 11th and August. A usual return of Warblers, &c., noted as rather early by August 10th. Bush of same species, 19th and 24th. In end of August and all September, on till about October 18th, winds retarded migration, being N. and W.; never, or very rarely, S. and E., or S. of W. I spent three weeks and three days on Isle of May, between September 24th and October 17th, and during that time only witnessed intermittent and slack migration; the only attempt at a night rush apparent being on the night of October 4th, at the time of total eclipse of the moon--wind Light W. at the time--some twelve Goldcrests being caught at the lantern.[9] A male Black Redstart was shot on October 24th, and a second seen on 25th. The principal rush of the year on November 4th instances the effect of a sudden change of wind. This must have been a very vast and determined rush, as many came also with a W. wind afterwards. This rush was composed principally of Finches and Larks, with considerable numbers of Turdidæ; but the great rush of the latter (Thrushes) did not take place till the rush of the Finches was past. Whilst the Finches and Larks greatest rush was on Nov. 4th, the greatest rush of Thrushes, Blackbirds, and Turdidæ generally was on 12th to 16th. (For particulars see details under Species).

[Footnote 9: Our Isle of May notes containing a few items of interest will be used in a separate paper on that island, but actual results will be worked into this report also.]

Thereafter migration continued with less force up to Jan., 1885, the date of the last schedule to hand.

_Inchkeith._--This land-locked station returns a light schedule--of considerable interest, however, as carrying out what has been remarked by us in previous reports, that when birds do occur here on migration it is usually with S.W. and westerly winds, whether in spring or in autumn. The Siskin seems to frequent Inchkeith as a regular migrant, and Titmice are also regular in appearance.

Separate Report under Genera and Species.

Turdidæ.--In spring, migration at Sumburgh Head (April only, large flocks of Common Thrushes on 1st, wind light S.E., clear, along with Starlings and Linnets), and Pentland Skerries (indication in March, and partial and remittent in April, but no great rush evident). At Bell Rock (great rush recorded on 6th and 8th March of Thrushes, Ring Ouzels, light S.E. wind), and at I. of May, but rush not observable here on 6th and 8th, there being only two records of Blackbirds and a few Redwings, owing to local wind being light W. and haze. Earliest record at I. of May, Feb. 20th, one Redwing with Blackbirds and Thrushes; a rash, and latest records, also at I. of May, on 29th and 30th April, along with Robins, Redstarts, &c., with S.E., or light S.W., of Ring Ouzels. Light records in March; on 9th and 10th twenty Fieldfares--"a good number"--with light N.E., clear, and N.N.E. and rain.

In autumn the migration was pronounced, and whilst desultory movements continued during September and October, the heaviest rushes are recorded in the middle of November. Records of Dippers, one on Aug. 2nd and another (well described) on Aug. 29th, at I. of May; wind light W., clear. The place where they were observed was afterwards pointed out to me--_viz._, at the edge of a stagnant pool of water near the "Mill Door" on the I. of May. Earliest record of Fieldfare, Sept. 10th, at I. of May, light S., haze; latest of same species, on Dec. 31st, and Jan. 19th, 1885, also at I. of May; variable, haze. Earliest record of Common Thrush, also at I. of May, the day after, _viz._ Sept. 11th, light S., haze; and latest, at I. of May also, on Dec. 22nd, when "a few" were noticed. Earliest Missel Thrush on Sept. 27th (seen by J. A. H. B.), also at I. of May, with gale, W.S.W., and latest Oct. 14th; but others, no doubt, have escaped special records, and have been confused with other species. Earliest Redwings do not appear in the schedules till Oct. 2nd, also at I. of May (J. A. H. B.); on 7th a few more, followed by scattered records till Nov. 12th, when old and young struck in numbers at Bell Rock, and the rush of this and of Fieldfares took place on the 4th and 5th of November, continuing till the 17th, with Blackbirds, male and female, and intermittently until December. Earliest Blackbirds Sept. 11th,--"not many,"--at Isle of May.

Rush of Thrushes, Nov. 7th (light) at Pentland Skerries, and Nov. 30th, at I. of May (considerable). Rush of Fieldfares and Redwings (indicated) at N. Unst, on Nov. 5th, with a few Blackbirds,--all flying S.,--indicated at Pentland Skerries, 5th, 7th, to 12th, with Blackbirds and a few Thrushes and Woodcocks, on 12th. At Dunnet Head a few Blackbirds and Thrushes seen daily between Oct. 1st and Nov. 13th. Rush of Ring Ouzels ("great numbers") at Bell Rock; and rush of Fieldfares and Redwings at I. of May on 4th and 5th. At N. Ronaldshay also a rush visible on the 8th, with Woodcock, Crows and Rooks; Nov. 7th and 8th, wind E.S.E., a great rush. All during October the above-named _Turdidæ_ appeared in small numbers, the wind prevailing N. and W., and scarcely ever S. and E. Stations sending returns of Thrushes are N. Unst, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Bell Rock, and I. of May. At the dates of the rushes they were accompanied by many other species. The rush at I. of May on 4th and 5th continued in great force after the wind shifted to S.E., with rain, after wind S. at noon, on 4th ("perfect weather for witnessing migration"), so fewer Fieldfares again on 5th, with wind--a W. gale, instancing the abruptness with which migration ceased owing to changes in the wind. A vast rush of Blackbirds, females predominating, on 12th, at I. of May, with S. haze and drizzle, but ceased utterly with change of wind to W. at 9 p.m. All birds striking on S.E. side, _with_ the wind. Along with this rush came large numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares, Hooded Crows, one Yellow Bunting, large number of Larks, Robins, Bramblings, Chaffinches, eight Hedgesparrows, a few House Sparrows, two Woodcocks (shot). On the 15th Blackbirds as numerous as ever, but fewer Redwings and Fieldfares; hundreds of Snow Buntings, flying N. By the 17th Blackbirds were mostly males, but females had predominated up to that date. In January, 1885, between 4th and 21st, a few light records of Fieldfares and Thrushes, and a large number (rush?) on latter date. The rush on Nov. 4th consisted of Siskins and other _Fringillidæ_ (these continuing in small numbers to the 6th, notwithstanding the change of wind). Mr. Agnew describes this as the largest rush of migrants this season at the I. of May, and it must have been very vast, close, and determined, when even on the 6th, with light W. wind, large numbers of Bramblings and Chaffinches still appeared. Other species participating besides the above were Siskins, Woodcocks (six killed), Rock Pipits, one Owl, two Falcons. (See notes upon weather under "Notes under Stations." We refer back to this account under other species, to dates).

Saxicolinæ.--Wheatears in considerable numbers at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May (a rush). Earliest at Isle of May March 26th, light S., two; and a few more on 28th at same station, including two old males. Rush with S.E. to S.W. wind at Pentland Skerries, on April 6th, and considerable numbers at I. of May on April 3rd. Beyond these there are no other spring records of this species. On March 31st a single Black Redstart (_in mus._ Feilden & Harvie Brown) is recorded from Pentland Skerries; light S.E., haze.[10] We have also three single records of the true Stonechat at I. of May, on 2nd, 28th and 30th April, and one at Pentland Skerries on May 14th, light E. wind, struck lantern, not killed. On April 30th a rush of Redstarts along with Robins, Ring Ouzels, &c., at Isle of May. This concludes spring records.

[Footnote 10: A full record of this rarity, and of previous occurrences in Scotland, is given by me in Proc. Ryl. Phyl. Soc. Edin., read 23rd April, 1884; and a system of Record Forms recommended for tabular and formal records of rarities in future (see also Report for 1883, p. 81). We wish observers would recognise the use of some such uniform method, and we are certain it would save much time and trouble for future compilers.]

In autumn records from N. Unst, one Redstart (the only one seen this year) and one Wheatear, on 7th and 12th September respectively; flew S.W. This is the earliest 1884 record of _Saxicolinæ_ in autumn. Also from N. Ronaldshay, a number on 15th striking, and Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and I. of May, of Wheatears, a few Redstarts, Whinchats, &c., and one Black Redstart, old male, shot (_in mus._ I. of May, present curator Mr. Joseph Agnew). Another was seen the following day--first on 24th, second on 25th Oct. (recorded in full in Ryl. Phyl. Soc. Proc. 1885, read 21st Jan., 1885); a Common Redstart seen at same time.[11] The records of all the species are light, and no rush, unless of Wheatears, _ut sup._, Oct. 22nd, at Isle of May, increasing by the 25th. During our stay on the island (27th Sept. to 17th Oct.) we observed a good many straggling birds. A few accompanied the rush of other species on Nov. 12th (see Turdidæ). One Whitethroat is returned from I. of May, striking face of lantern, "facing the wind," on Sept. 12th. Mr. Agnew has the note,--to date of the 19th of September,--"I am surprised at so few birds with such thick fog." Log, light to strong E., thick fog, or haze between the 12th and 19th, yet migration was tardy.

[Footnote 11: All the previous records of this species in Scotland relate to localities the position of which shows comparatively easily how they arrived at each. These records now amount to six in all, of which I have recorded the last three since Mr. Gray wrote his 'Birds of the West of Scotland.' They are as follows:--

One: collection of Mr. Sinclair of Wick (R. Gray, _op. cit._, p. 84).

One: obtained at Cullen, Banff, by Mr. T. Edward (_ditto_).

One: Kirkwall, Orkney, 20th Dec, 1859 (R. Gray, _op. cit._).

One: Higginsneuk, Stirlingshire, 10th Nov., 1875 (J. A. H. B., Proc. Ryl. Phyl. Soc, vol. iv., p. 142).

One: Pentland Skerries (J. A. H. B., _op. cit._).

One: Isle of May (as given above).

]

Silviinæ.--At Cromarty, Robins disappeared March 24th. We have then spring records from Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and Isle of May, all in April. Earliest at Sumburgh Head, April 1st, when four appeared, strong S.E., haze, but the remark is added, "First time Robins have stayed all winter." Next records not till 28th, 29th, and 30th, at Bell Rock, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May, where there was a rush along with Ring Ouzels. The record at Bell Rock (28th) is one of very few records between the 9th of April and the 3rd of September.

In autumn, one return on Aug. 25th, as arriving at Cromarty, light S.W., clear. No more till Nov. 3rd, when "a few" at Isle of May. But next day a rush of other species (see under Turdidæ). There were, however, a few Robins frequenting Isle of May in September and October, and even the indication of a rush.

Phylloscopinæ.--Only a slight indication in spring of Goldcrests' migration, 2nd, 8th, 16th of April, single records at N. Unst and Pentland Skerries. But of Warblers a rush at Isle of May, along with Redshanks, and Robins and Ring Ouzels (see Thrushes), and in May one Wood Warbler at Isle of May; light S.W.

In autumn:--Goldcrest, earliest appearance at Isle of May, Aug. 31st (a female), along with a Sedge Warbler, light W., haze; then on Sept. 1st, one at Isle of May, and a few light records, 7th, 8th, 10th, 18th, and 27th. On 7th at N. Unst ("only the second occurrence of it observed here"), and intermittent and light till 4th Oct., when, during darkest time and total eclipse of the moon, I assisted in capturing and identifying twelve Goldcrests at I. of May lantern, about which I may have more to say in the "General Remarks." Again, on the 24th, numbers were seen, with light S. wind. Some Chiffchaffs seen at I. of May on Sept. 11th, and one at lantern on 27th (seen by J. A. H. B.). This constitutes all the important records of the species of _Phylloscopinæ_.

Titmice.--The only spring records of "Titmice" are 12th, 15th and 24th May, at Pentland Skerries, in different winds, _viz._ light N.W., fresh S.W., and light S.E.[12]

[Footnote 12: We wish our reporters could distinguish the species more exactly. We have six species of "Titmice" in Britain, and possibly seven on migration. I want wings of Titmice obtained or whole birds.]

In autumn slight movements in September and October; one on Pentland Skerries on 5th Oct.; one "Titmouse" on I. of May on 9th Sept., and on Oct. 4th at same station, an indication of Titmice having joined in the migratory rush of that date, seven appearing, with light W.S.W., wind and haze. On Oct. 9th we shot a "Blue Tit" (_Parus cæruleus_, L.) on I. of May, which had been haunting the fields for two or three days; light W., clear. First actual record of the species by name here.

Acrocephalinæ.--Accentorinæ.--At Isle of May a late rush took place of Sedge Warblers between 9th and 13th May, along with many other species, as follows:--Wood Warblers, Cuckoos, Meadow Pipits, Whinchats (vera), Flycatchers (till 14th), Fieldfares. Mr. Agnew remarks, "long of coming, and remaining longer than usual." Hedge Accentors bred for the first time on Isle of May, and I saw the old nest.

In autumn, earliest movement, a rush of Sedge Warblers, 10th August ("this is early"), with fresh S.E. wind and fog. Up to 19th a desultory movement, but on latter date a rush of Sedge Warblers, Whinchat, Wrens, Whitethroats (especially on 19th), Chiffchaffs, Starlings (q.v.). Hush again on 24th of small birds--Whitethroats and Warblers. On 31st a single Sedge Warbler killed. On Sept. 1st a number of Sedge Warblers, all at I. of May, light W., clear; and on 4th a number of Accentors (Hedgesparrows). In October several Accentors at I. of May on 27th, and a few of the same species on 6th and 7th November, and along with the general rush on 12th (see Thrushes).

Troglodytidæ.--Earliest record at Sumburgh Head on 22nd March, when four appeared at 12 noon; light breezes, showery. Also in April at same station, on 1st and 15th, six Wrens, with S.E., fresh, and haze, and fresh N., clear, respectively. Also at Pentland Skerries, on 1st April, one, and one on 12th, with, in both cases, fresh to strong S.E., and at Bell Rock, on 2nd April, one, strong S.E., haze, flying W., with a general rush of "small birds" resting or flying W.

In autumn, at N. Unst, Sumburgh Head, and Isle of May. Earliest at Sumburgh Head, on 7th Sept., seven seen; 12th at N. Unst, fine, one remained a week; and 17th, at I. of May, one. In October, odd ones on 7th; at N. Unst and Pentland Skerries, a number (almost a rush on I. of May, on 9th, and increased up to 25th). In November one at N. Unst; strong N. wind.[13] "Wrens" are also recorded, on Jan. 23rd, 1885, as still present on Isle of May, probably having wintered there.

[Footnote 13: I feel a little curious about these N. Unst Wrens, and would like to see one or two.]

Motacillidæ.--As early as Feb. 14th, at I. of May, a single record of a "Wagtail" flying N.W., clear, fine. [The entry "Wagtail," we presume, in most cases is applied to the black and white or Pied Wagtail.] On March 25th one "Wagtail" flying E. over Pentland Skerries, light S., clear. At I. of May one on 9th March, a few on 22nd, and "two males staying to breed" on 28th. On April 1st two single records at Pentland Skerries, and at Isle of May; wind at both places, fresh S.E., haze. In May, from 8th to 25th, light records on eight days, four on the 10th (the most), and "several" on the 11th (indication of a rush?). "Several" again on the 12th. On the 16th one at Bell Rock, light E., and on May 14th two Yellow Wagtails, light W. In July, on the 5th, one "Wagtail," moderate S.E., and one on 20th, light, variable, clear.

In autumn, no records in August. Spasmodic movements in September at N. Unst, few records, and these single. "Several" at Pentland Skerries on 2nd, strong N.W., and ditto on 8th, light, variable, clear, and on 23rd ditto, light N.W., showers. On 8th and 9th at Isle of May, indication of a rush, adult and young, increase on 9th over the 8th; light, variable, clear. Last record, one on Oct. 9th at Isle of May.

Pipits.--The arrivals and movements of Rock Pipits (or "Mosscheepers" or "Tang Sparrows") are reported only from Bell Rock and I. of May in spring, in March and April; earliest 16th March at Bell Rock, latest 7th April; also at Bell Rock. At Bell Rock four single records, 16th, 29th and 30th March, and 7th April, and at I. of May, on 28th March, "more Rock Pipits arrived." At I. of May about twenty Meadow Pipits arrived on the 13th of February, and a considerable rush--or at least indication of a rush--began on the 1st April and increased on the 3rd, and a further increase observable on the 23rd; winds S. to E. and S.E.

In autumn I have no records till the 13th September, "large numbers," at Isle of May, of Rock Pipits,--"a large increase on those already there,"--and none again at same station till 14th October, when a number arrived and "all except such as will probably remain the winter" left on 16th. More again appeared on the 25th, and still more on the 31st; and by the 4th of November a rush, with other migrants. At Bell Rock only six records of straggling birds between the 5th and 22nd. Rock Pipits are also given as still on Isle of May on the 23rd January, having wintered there as predicted. Of Meadow Pipits considerable numbers, with light E. and fog, at Isle of May, on the 16th and 18th September, and a few more seen occasionally up to the middle of October. No other records.

Muscicapidæ.--In spring a rush of Flycatchers noticed at Isle of May on 4th May, but no other records given from any other station. Considerable numbers were observed. No other records of any species during the year.

Hirundinidæ.--In spring I have a single record of a Swallow (Swift?) as early as 12th March, which arrived much exhausted, with strong S.E. wind and mist (see remarks under Stations, _antea_). In April only two records of Sand Martin at N. Unst, on 27th, and at Sumburgh Head on 10th, with light S.W. and S., clear (marked as "not common").

_Land Note._--Allan Water, in Stirlingshire, 13th April, and at Doune, same county, next day. Became numerous by May 3rd at Bridge of Allan. Kelso 23rd and 28th March, and again on April 10th (Dr. J. Grieve, _in lit._).

In May, records from Sumburgh Head in the North, Pentland Skerries, Cromarty, and I. of May. Earliest at the land-locked station of Cromarty on 5th, light N. and showers; indication of a rush apparently, about 11th or 12th, at the more northern stations, and faint indications at I. of May (eight birds) on 12th, with the remark "very few this year." On the 20th and 22nd also, simultaneous appearance of a few at Sumburgh Head and Isle of May--"Records in all, ten in May, at four stations, on six dates, between the 5th and 22nd." This formula perhaps shows as well as any method, the distribution and arrivals on our East Coast.[14]

[Footnote 14: It may not have been apparent to the readers of our previous and this Report that, in order to arrive at final conclusions, after our collection of data is considered large enough, a certain amount of formal sameness and method of recording has been followed by the Committee throughout. This is for the final development of a system of easy tabulation at the end when all our data, year with year, come to be compared and deductions drawn. Our Irish members of Committee have departed somewhat from this plan of work, but there seems no reason apparent why their results need not with equal ease be made workable into the final form of reduction.]

In summer, at I. of May one record of Swallow on 12th July, variable, light, clear; and one record of Sand Martin at I. of May on 18th July, fresh W. and clear. _Note._--Summer records of Swallows usually occur in clear weather; compare with previous reports.

In autumn, in August two records at the more northerly stations, _viz._ Pentland Skerries, on 11th Aug., six birds, with fresh S., haze, and at Dunnet Head, on 16th of four birds flying E., with S.E. and fog. In September, Swallows left Cromarty, and were not seen after the 4th, at 1 p.m., wind light S.W., clear; all congregated on a housetop near the Lighthouse, and left suddenly at 1 o'clock. At Isle of May a few were observed on two or three dates in October, and on the 28th (Sunday) twenty were seen at 9 a.m. flying up and down the lee-side of the island hawking for flies; light S.W., clear.

_Land Notes._--Without receiving any more returns from any East-Coast station, I myself observed a Swallow (_Hirundo rustica_) hawking persistently for flies over and across the lawn at Glendoune House, near Girvan, Ayrshire, on Nov. 8th (see West Coast Report). At Rothesay, Mr. John Grieve saw none during a stay there till 15th, when twenty or thirty were seen. None seen by him at Bridge of Allan after his return there on the 1st October.