Part 1

Transcriber Note

Text emphasis is denoted as _Italics_ and =Bold=. Whole and fractional parts of numbers as 123-4/5. Table of Contents was added for assistance to the reader.

REPORT

ON THE

MIGRATION OF BIRDS

IN THE

SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1880.

BY

JOHN A. HARVIE BROWN, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S., JOHN CORDEAUX, and P. M. C. KERMODE.

LONDON:

SONNENSCHEIN & ALLEN, 15, PATERNOSTER SQUARE.

1881.

Price Two Shillings.

Contents

PREFACE i EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND 1 SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES 5 General Remarks 18

EAST COAST OF ENGLAND 25 SPRING MIGRATION, 1880 27 SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES 27 GENERAL SUMMARY SPRING MIGRATION 31 AUTUMN MIGRATION, 1880 31 SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES 31 General Remarks 62

WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND 68 SPRING MIGRATION, 1880 70 SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES 70 AUTUMN MIGRATION, 1880 73 SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES 73 General Remarks 91

WEST COAST OF ENGLAND 95 SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES 98

PREFACE.

The following Report contains a Summary of the investigations of a Committee appointed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science at Swansea in 1880, an Abstract of which will be presented to the Association at its next Meeting.

The Returns relating to Scotland have been arranged by Mr. Harvie-Brown; those for the East Coast of England, by Mr. Cordeaux; and the West Coast of England, by Mr. Philip Kermode.

REPORT

ON

THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS

IN THE

SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1880.

"I am fixing correspondents in every corner of these northern regions, like so many pickets and outposts; so that scarcely a Wren or a Tit shall be able to pass from York to Canada but I shall get intelligence of it."--Alexander Wilson, in 1808. (_Vide_ Constable's Edition, 1831, p. xlix.)

EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.

_Iceland and Faroe._--Schedules, letters of instruction, and additional remarks were forwarded through Mr. Alexander Buchan (Secretary, Scottish Meteorological Society, Edinburgh), to three stations, two of which, Stykkisholm and Reykavik, are in Iceland, and one at Thorshavn in Faroe. A fourth more northern station is secured at Fair Island for 1881, Mr. William Lawrence having kindly undertaken the work.[1] Our Faroe station has failed us this year, but we hope better things from it next.

[Footnote 1: At a later date I received a letter (dated 17th March) from Mr. Lawrence, containing a few items of interest. During the week previous, "A number of Swans took shelter at Fair Isle, and a large flock of common Black Crows, with a few Jackdaws amongst them. The Hooded Crow is the common one here, and we never have the Black Crow here unless after, or during, gales of wind. Puffins and Guillemots arrived somewhat later this season, and a large increase appeared in the number of Gulls. Lapwings appeared, and one Coot was caught in a very disabled condition. Large flocks of Snowbirds are seen here. They came very early in winter, but disappeared again till now, when they have returned. A large flock of Wild Geese arrived here on the 14th inst. We do not often see them here. Four Swans were caught; the largest weighed twenty pounds, and the others from that down to sixteen pounds."]

Printed schedules, letters of instructions, and additional remarks were forwarded to twenty-six stations on the East Coast of Scotland and the Shetland and Orkney Islands, making, with the Iceland and Faroe stations, thirty-nine in all for 1880. With Fair Isle for 1881 we shall have forty stations.

Eight stations on the East Scottish coasts returned filled-in schedules, against thirteen last year, out of a total of twenty-six. This shows a falling off from last year. The reasons for this I have endeavoured to explain in my general remarks further on, under both East and West Coast. Scarcity of birds is reported from several stations.

The stations from which co-operation was asked are the following, commencing with the most northerly. Those from which returns have been received are marked with a *; those which sent returns both last year and this year have two **; those which sent none last year but have done so this year have a † prefixed; those which sent returns last year but none this year are printed in _italics_. In future Reports we will prefix to each station the years in which these stations make returns. A marked improvement appears, however, in the returns which we have received, these being fuller than in 1879.

We would like, however, to direct the special attention of our reporters, both on the East and West Coasts, to the desirability of recording exactly the _directions of flight_ of the birds observed in every case, so far as practicable, arid to minutiæ of dates, even of single occurrences. Let us also impress that even a single accurate return, or one entry only in a schedule, is often of value; and even if solitary occurrences of birds take place at a station, such should be sent to me, though the schedule be otherwise a blank. The interest has this season been better kept up on the West Coast stations than at the East Coast ones, judging from the scarcity of returned schedules from the latter. When no schedules are returned, I would esteem it a great favour if the lighthouse-keepers would kindly drop me a post-card, stating if there is any reason for no returns being sent, such as pressure of duties, scarcity of birds, or other causes.

In connection with the migration of 1880, I have to mention that considerable aid to the work has been given by Mr. James Hardy, of Old Cambus, Berwickshire. He writes to me (22nd Feb. 1881), "I have drawn out a scheme of all the memoranda I can find about last year's migratory birds. I only await a Northumberland and Berwickshire list to have it ready." Later I received a summary of this from Mr. Hardy, which will be found at the end of this East Coast of Scotland Report. As an example of careful and minute field-study it is alone deserving of the attention of observers, and it proves valuable upon comparison with the other data. Those reading the lighthouse reports here under the species, should also compare with Mr. Hardy's local Berwickshire observations. I beg to propose Mr. Hardy as a member of our Committee.

East Coast of Scotland.

Height of centre of light above water. 4. **North Unst. 280 ft. Robert Burnett. 5. *Whalsey Skerries. 145 Neven Kerr. 6. Bressay. 105 7. **Sumburgh Head. 300 } Wm. Anderson† and } John Wilson.

Orkney.

8. **North Ronaldshay 140 John Tulloch.‡ 9. Start Point. 80 10. **Auskerry. 110 John MacDonald. 11. *Hoy Sound (Low). 55 Alexander Harp.§ 12. Hoy Sound (High). 115 13. Cantick Head. 115 14. **Pentland Skerries. 170 Donald Macdonald.

Main Land.

15. *_Dunnet Head, Caithness._ 346‖ 16. Holborn Head. 75 17. *_Noss Head._ 175 18. **Tarbat Ness, East Ross. 175 William Davidson. 19. Cromarty, East Cromarty. 60 20. Chanonry Point, Elgin. 40 21. Covesea Skerries, Elgin. 160 22. Kinnaird Head, Aberdeen. 120 23. Buchan Ness, Aberdeen. 130 24. _Girdleness_, Aberdeen. 185 25. Montroseness, Aberdeen. 124 26. **Bell Rock, off Fife Coast. 93 James Jack. 27. **Isle of May, Firth of Forth. 240 Joseph Agnew. 28. *Inch Keith, Firth of Forth. 220 Robert Grierson 29. St. Abb's Head, Berwick. 224¶

† Records and Schedule dating after 22nd Nov. were filled in by Mr. John Wilson. Prior to this date they were filled in by Mr. William Anderson, who has been since transferred to St. Abb's Head.

‡ No schedule was returned, but one note upon Swans, in a letter, proves useful (_vide_ Swan). "No birds struck the lights this year."

§ Schedule returned with the remark, "Nothing of importance has been observed at this station during 1880." In 1879 a similar scarcity noted at this locality.

‖ We have lost a good observer here, Mr. George Maclachlan having left.

¶ I am anxious to receive returns from this locality, not having received any hitherto. I have to thank Mr. W. Anderson for a very full return at Sumburgh Head up to Nov. 22nd. I hope he will find St. Abb's as interesting a locality, though, I fear, the Great Siren horn, with its unearthly shriek, will prove a great scare to migrants in a fog.

I am also indebted to many other persons for interesting notes from various localities, bearing upon the subject of migration. A selection of these I will take notice of in the following report separately, under the head "_Notes_," as I consider it advisable to keep the one set of observations apart from the other. Further notice of similar observations will be found in my "Third Report on Scottish Ornithology," now preparing for press and partly read to the Natural History Society of Glasgow, on Jan. 25th, 1881, being a continuation of Reports read to the same Society, in 1880 and 1879, and relating to 1878-79, 1879-80. Many data will be found in these Reports having close and intimate connection with the Migration Reports proper.

As nearly as can be ascertained, notes have been kept by our east-coast reporters upon nine species of waterfowl and thirty species of land birds.

The new feature of this Report is the separate treatment of the spring and autumn migrations, owing to the greater length of time over which our reporters made notes. Another new feature is the obituary--or list of deaths--at the different stations.

In my Report on the East Coast of Scotland, however, I have not thought it necessary to keep the spring migration distinct, owing to the comparative scarcity of records on our East Coast, but in my West Coast Report I do so. Nor have I given an obituary for either coast, as the numbers on all the Scottish coasts is inappreciable. As will be seen further on, it is a very different matter at the low-lying lanterns of the light-vessels off the English coast. At the same time I sufficiently distinguish between the spring and autumn records, and where large numbers of birds are killed I make mention of it under the separate species.

SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.

I have purposely in one or two instances varied the arrangement of the statistics under the species,--as, for instance, under the _Corvidæ_,--thinking that possibly such variation may place in juxtaposition certain fresh considerations or combinations in our study, or place these in a clearer light for future comparison.

Falconidæ.--Returns from N. Unst, Whalsey Skerries, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May, which, be it noted, are all insular localities. On Sept. 3rd one Sparrowhawk, chasing small birds, seen on Pentland Skerries at 9 a.m., fresh S.W. and haze. This appears the earliest date recorded on which the _Raptores_ visit the islands on predatory raids in autumn. The only record at Isle of May was in the month of May, when two "falcons" were seen. On Sept. 13th a Rough-legged Buzzard (?) flew about all day on Whalsey Skerries, wind light S.E. and haze; and on Sept. 30th a "Glede Hawk" (from internal evidence probably a Peregrine) flew about; wind fresh N.E. and clear; seen at 8 a.m. On Oct. 3rd a "falcon" visited the Pentland Skerries, and flew round for a time; seen at 3 p.m., wind strong N. and haze; and on the same date and in the same place, two Sparrowhawks at 1.30 p.m. During Oct. 14th, 16th, and 17th, the so-called "Glede Hawks" remained preying upon Snow Buntings, and were joined by a Sparrowhawk (or Merlin ?) on the 17th, wind fresh N. to W., to strong N.W. At Sumburgh Head, Nov. 28th, a "Brown Hawk" was noticed at noon, during S.W. wind, with haze and rain; and a "large Grey Hawk," seen flying S., with fresh N. breeze, at 8.30 a.m.

_Notes._--It is recorded that a White-tailed Eagle struck on Girdleness lighthouse a few years previous to 1853 ('The Naturalist,' 1853, p. 139). At North Unst the following species are noted as resident:--Three species of Gulls, probably Kittiwake, Herring Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull. Iceland Gulls appear from October till March, but were scarcer this year than any which Mr. Burnett remembers. The Black Crow (?), Hooded Crow, Snipe, Starling, Titlark, and House Sparrow are included amongst residents. An occasional White-tailed Eagle is seen, and several kinds of hawks. Of all the sea-birds the Petrel is the only one that strikes on the lanterns. As it is usually in the morning when the rock-birds are first seen on arrival in spring, the time of their arrival is supposed to be during the night, and the direction of their coming is unknown.--(Signed, Robert Burnett.) Mr. Burnett adds, "The only rare bird I have heard of in this neighbourhood was a Hoopoe." I paid a visit to the Isle of May on June 24th, 1880, and made Mr. Agnew's personal acquaintance. During a hurried visit of less than two hours my companion and myself rowed round the cliff portion of the island, and also landed and walked over a considerable part of the lower-lying portion of at the N.W. end. We saw the following species engaged in incubation:--Oystercatchers, Eider Ducks, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, and Rock Pipits. We searched in vain for any species of Tern; a single Redshank was seen. Mr. Agnew's son saw a Black Guillemot a few days before, and Mr. J. H. Buchanan, who was out in the S.S. 'Fiery Cross' the previous Thursday, "thought" he saw one also. The Agnews cannot say if they breed there or not, but their being seen there occasionally would make it worth while, if time permitted, to search carefully the suitable clefts and caverns in the lower rocks. It was reported to me that the sea-birds have increased greatly on The May since the Sea-birds Bill came into force. The eggs, however, are still taken wholesale by fishermen from the Fife coast and elsewhere.

Owls.--The only record occurs at Auskerry, where one was seen after midnight on Oct. 21st, and remained about for some time; exact species not noted.

_Note._--Curiously enough, on the same date, numbers of Short-eared Owls were to be seen in the flesh in the birdstuffers' shops in Edinburgh. This shows the value of even single records at lighthouse stations, as, were it not for the above Auskerry record, the other fact would stand alone.

Swallows.--During the spring migration these were taken notice of at Isle of May, Auskerry, and Sumburgh Head. The earliest record is at Isle of May, on April 30th, when two were seen flying N.W. at 10 a.m., flying with a light S.E. breeze, and clear. Then at Sumburgh Head, two on May 16th, one on 19th, and two on 29th, during the daytime; winds variable, fine, clear to haze, or showery; threatening but fine on 19th; and two were seen at Auskerry on May 31st at noon, wind S.S.E., haze. Lastly, on June 2nd, at Auskerry, two were seen flying S., against a S. gale, with haze; and this last is properly no doubt assignable to the commencement of the autumn migration.

Wren.--Recorded at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May only. On October 29th at the former, when one was seen flying about the island; wind N.E., with snow-showers; and on Oct. 13th, at the latter, with light E. wind, and clear.

Goldcrest, _Regulus cristatus_.--The only spring record is on April 12th at Sumburgh Head, where "some" were seen resting on the dykes between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; wind E., light, with fog. In the autumn migrations, they are recorded from two stations, _viz._, Tarbat Ness and Isle of May. They appeared on Isle of May on Oct. 8th, when a number were seen, having arrived during the previous night; wind strong S.E., showery. Mr. Agnew notes this as "an early appearance," and notes also "none seen here last year." On Oct. 15th more Goldcrests appeared on the same island at 4 a.m., and one was wounded at the glass; wind variable and light; clear. On Nov. 1st one bird struck at midnight, in strong N. wind, with snow.

Robin, _Erithaca rubecula_.--Occurred at three stations--Tarbat Ness, Bell Rock, and Isle of May. A rush appears to have taken place about the time of the earliest date--on the 15th August--past the Bell Rock. "Great numbers along with Wheatears, Redshanks, and many small birds unidentified, struck the dome and lantern between 1 and 2 a.m.; wind light N.E. and rain. None were found dead on the balcony, but many struck; some lightly, and flew away again; others harder, and were seen fluttering away into the darkness. No doubt many perished in the sea." The next date is the 18th Sept., at Isle of May, when one was seen. "None seen last year." On Oct. 13th, on Isle of May, another large migration was noticed, many being seen upon the island, having arrived during the night. On Nov. 2nd, at Tarbat Ness, one struck at 8 p.m.; strong N.W. wind, with showers.

Wheatear, _Saxicola ænanthe_.--The northernmost locality given is North Unst, where a few strike the lantern during the season, but no dates are given. Thence southwards, they are noted at five other stations, _viz._, Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, and the Bell Rock. The earliest date is August 4th, at Pentland Skerries, where one struck at 11.30 p.m.; wind strong E., and haze. The reporter adds the note:--"Starlings and Wheatears generally strike at night, when the wind shifts with rain. They probably leave resting-places, and, when once on wing, are attracted by the light." On Aug. 14th another single bird struck at 10.15 p.m.; wind light S.E., and fog: three more on 15th, from 9 to 11 p.m.; wind the same, with haze. At Sumburgh Head, on Aug. 11th, one young bird struck; wind light N., and fog. At Whalsey, on 16th, about twelve old and young were flying round the lantern at 1 a.m.; wind light W., and haze. At Bell Rock, Aug. 15th, great numbers along with Robins. At Auskerry, Sept. 5th, three struck at 3 a.m.; wind strong S., with haze and showers. The latest date recorded is Sept. 13th, at Pentland Skerries, when two struck at 2 a.m.; wind fresh S.W., and rain.

Titmice.--At Isle of May, Aug. 10th and 11th, a migration was noticed: 10th, the first pair came to the lights, and one was wounded; 11th, great numbers were seen on the island; wind light E., haze.

Wagtail.--At Whalsey--the only station returning a record of this species--large flocks rested, arriving on Aug. 21st; wind light S.E., with dense fog, which lasted till 28th, on which date they all again departed.

Titlark, _Anthus pratensis_.--Noted as leaving Whalsey Skerries in the first week of September; wind at the time S. to S.E., with from haze to fog during the days. The note is added, "A few remain." These are probably Rock Pipits. The only other station whence I have records is the Isle of May. A very large migration of Titlarks (called "Woodlarks" in schedule) came during the night of Dec. 21st-22nd; wind light E., and clear; and on the 22nd, "The island was literally swarming with them; flocks of from twenty to one hundred or more." Mr. Agnew "never saw so many here before."

Turdidæ.--Records came in from Sumburgh Head in the north, to Isle of May in the south, and from Auskerry. One record at Sumburgh applies to the spring migration, _viz._, on April 1st, when several Blackbirds (_Turdus merula_) were seen at 10 a.m.; wind squally S.S.E; changeable weather, with haze and rain. In the autumn migration we have more returns, but none before Nov. 1st, when the first Thrush was seen at 2 a.m.; wind strong W., with showers, at Auskerry. At Isle of May, Nov. 1st, "Mountain Thrush" was seen at 2 p.m.; wind light S.W., and haze. Thereafter on Dec. 15th, at the same place, a very large flock of "Mountain Thrushes" at 2 p.m.; wind light S., and snow. Again, on 22nd, two birds of same species,[2] and one on Jan. 1st; wind light E. to S.S.E., and haze. At Sumburgh Head, Jan. 14th, 1881, one Blackbird at noon; calm and clear.

[Footnote 2: There can be little doubt, I think, that Fieldfares are meant. Ring Ouzels are usually denominated "Mountain Blackbirds." Indeed, amongst a collection of local names which I have gathered, I find the name of "Mountain Thrush" applied to the Fieldfare.]

Corvidæ.--The spring migration is referred to under Sumburgh Head on April 4th and 5th. On April 4th some Crows ["species not known"] seen flying S.E.; wind S.S.E., fine. On the 5th a gale blew from the South. The autumn migration has eight entries under three stations, _viz._, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries (five dates), and Tarbat Ness. Only two species--Ravens and Hooded Crows--are noted. At Pentland Skerries, two Ravens on Sept. 29th at 3.30 p.m.; wind moderate S., clear; one on Oct. 9th, wind light E.; and two on Jan. 13th, 1881, at 11 a.m., wind fresh N.E., with showers alternating with clear. At Sumburgh Head, Hooded Crows arrived on Dec. 5th, and remained all winter; and five were seen on Dec. 1st, at 2.30 p.m.; wind moderate W., and showers; and four on Dec. 29th, at 1.30 p.m.; wind light E., and clear; and two on Jan. 13th, at 11 a.m.; wind fresh N.E., clear, alternating with snow-showers. At Tarbat Ness great numbers continued along shore in Jan., 1881, owing to severity of the weather.

Starling, _Sturnus vulgaris_.--At Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Earliest dates July 5th and 11th, at Isle of May. Latest date (but only three records altogether) 12th Sept., at Pentland Skerries. Four struck at 11 a.m.; wind fresh S., clear; Pentland Skerries, on 12th Sept. Flock of young at 10 a.m.; wind W., clear; remained two days at Isle of May on same date. Very large flock of young at 7 p.m.; wind N.W., light and clear, at the same station.

Chaffinch, _Fringilla cœlebs_.--At Isle of May, Oct. 19th, a few seen: this is rather later than usual.

_Note._--The only record on the west coast agrees with this, however, at Bahama L. V. (_q. v._)

Linnet, _Fringilla cannabina ?_--The spring migration represented only at Isle of May by one bird at 7 p.m.; wind light W., clear, on May 18th; and by two birds at 10 a.m. same night; wind light W., clear. In autumn, at Sumburgh Head, from sixteen to twenty seen on Dec. 2nd, at 10 a.m.; wind fresh N., haze and rain; and six on Jan. 3rd, 1881; wind strong S.W., haze. Previous to this latter date the weather was severe until Jan. 2nd, 1881. Snow and frost all gone on 3rd. "Until of late, birds very scarce."

Yellowhammer.--At Isle of May, first seen (only record) on Oct. 7th; wind N.E. gale, clear.