Part 10

Unidentified.--At Portpatrick, between Oct. 7th and 28th, a migration appears to have gone on at intervals of small birds: thus on the 7th "flocks of small birds," at 7 a.m., strong N.E. breeze, clear, flying S.W.; the same on the 14th, flying S.W., in light easterly wind, and clear; the same on the 15th, flying W., in light S. winds, clear; the same on the 28th, light N.E. wind, hazy, direction and flight not noted. Again, flocks of small birds on Dec. 25th, at the same station, flying E., were observed, in strong N. breeze; and flocks flew round all day on 26th, in light E. wind, and clear. In August, on the 25th, at 5.45 p.m., fifty-two (species unknown) seen flying S.S.W., at Bahama L.V., light E. by S. wind.

General Remarks.

In our general remarks, in 1879, we took notice of the scarcity of birds at many important stations, such as the Butt of Lewis, Monach Island, &c. This season shows a considerable increase upon last year's returns, and the horizontal lines of migration--or rays of the fan--seem to have spread out wider and reached farther north in 1880 than in 1879; and this increase of observations on the west coast, be it noted, is irrespective, apparently, of the scarcity upon our Scottish east coast. We also receive accounts of immense numbers of birds being seen this season in Mid-Atlantic, the dates of their appearance there agreeing very accurately with dates of observations at the land stations. In the 1879 migration the scarcity was accounted for by the prevalence of N.W. winds deflecting the lines, and passing down _upon the right shoulders_ (so to speak) of the passing birds.[19]

[Footnote 19: Even the strong-winged Wild Geese and Swans are observed when flying well up in the wind to drift to one side a little, having the appearance of flying _left-shoulder first_ instead of head first.]

This year the prevailing winds and gales were from east and north-east, and while these winds do not appear to have compressed _the horizontal lines so much_ as the north-westerly did in 1879 the birds appear to have passed at greater elevations, and been borne away in the gales far out to sea. The migration does not appear to have come in such great throbs or rushes in 1880 as in 1879, but to have been more dispersed and more regular; this, no doubt, is a natural consequence of the waves being more spread out in 1880 than in 1879. The great easterly gales continuing for weeks together over the Atlantic and North of Europe, so disastrous to our shipping, undoubtedly carried many migrants far to the westward, and the mortality amongst them must have been very great indeed, if we judge from the few records that have reached us from sea-going vessels. These easterly gales also have, no doubt, affected the direction of the migration to a considerable extent, and indications of its agency may be found in the occurrence on our shores of certain wanderers from foreign lands, such as the Esquimaux Curlew, on September 21st, in Kincardineshire (_vide_ Zool., 1880, p. 485); a Red-legged Hobby, on September 20th; a Turtle Dove in Kincardineshire; and Great Snipes, Great Grey Shrikes,[20] &c., about the same dates (_loc. cit._). These gales may be said to have continued almost without cessation during the whole migrating season, all through September, October, November, and December. In November a new bird to our British list occurred,--the Desert Wheatear, _Saxicola deserti_, Ruppell,--as will be found duly recorded by Mr. John James Dalgleish.[21] It was obtained near Alloa on November 26th. Its native haunts are far to the southward and eastward, and in North Africa, Egypt, Persia and India.

[Footnote 20: Unusually abundant in Heligoland.]

[Footnote 21: Proc. Ryl. Phyl. Soc. Edin., 1880-81, vol. vi., p. 64.]

Mr. Cordeaux has already shown to us the apparently abnormal statistics on the south coast of England, birds crossing towards England and flying north-west all through the migratory season between August 16th and December. I am inclined to look upon these data as indications of the wide-spread waves of the general migration, extending both farther north and farther south. According to the amount of pressure at the starting-points [or possibly the increased area northward occupied in a particularly fine nesting season, as in 1880] will the wideness of the area be which is passed over by the migratory flocks. I think the rules known to apply in the dispersal and extension of range of species are, in some respects, applicable also to the greater and more extensive waves of migration.

I could say more regarding the peculiarity of nesting sites being occupied year after year by the same pairs of birds, or of well-known sites being vacated for a few seasons, and again occupied; or I might dilate upon some curious statistics of the continuous recurrence of foreign species at the same localities, or along the same line of country, but I fear to occupy space with theory only, until we have a larger accumulation of solid material.

As regards severity of weather apart from winds, unusually early winter was reported from Scandinavia, it having begun there in October (_vide_ 'Field,' Oct. 16th, 1880, p. 590).

Attention should be drawn also to the admirable work being done on the subject of migration by Mr. J. J. Dalgleish (Bull. Nuttall. Orn. Club), and by Mr. Percy E. Freke (Sc. Proc. Ryl. Dub. Soc, vol. ii., n. s., p. 373, and vol. iii., n. s., separate?). These gentlemen also now propose to colour, or have already finished, maps showing the distribution of the occurrences of American birds in Europe recorded in their papers, which cannot fail to be of much service in our work. We would like to see not only American species mapped out in Europe, but rare European occurrences in Great Britain.

Finally, in endeavouring to arrive at conclusions regarding the causes of migrational phenomena in 1880, we have taken into consideration--1st. The value of the heights of lanterns above the sea, as against the colour and intensity of lights in 1879; and we have taken more account of the vertical area of birds' flight in 1880 than in 1879. 2ndly. We have compared the effects of prevailing north-west winds in 1879 pressing laterally upon the lines of migration to those of 1880, which being easterly and north-easterly have had the contrary effect of spreading out the migration again, or at least has not deflected it to the same extent; and also, the effect of causing birds to migrate at greater elevations, and, where the gales have been most severe, to bear them away above the range of vision and carry vast numbers out to sea, until, weary and exhausted, they have ceased to be able to guide themselves, and again, involuntarily, lowered, to be picked up senseless and stunned on board the ships, or to perish in thousands in the ocean. And lastly we have hinted at the wideness of the migratory waves depending upon the pressure at the starting-points, or upon the larger north and south area occupied in the breeding-season of 1880, besides some other minor details.

WEST COAST OF ENGLAND.

Forms of enquiry and letters of instruction were sent to thirty-nine lighthouses and light-vessels on the west coast of England; from twenty-nine returns have been received; from five, letters mentioning the scarcity of birds.

The following are the stations from which co-operation was asked, commencing with the most northerly. Returns have been received from those marked with an *, and from those marked with a † letters without returns:--

110. †St. Bees: on the Head, L.H. Fixed; visible 25 miles. Robert Pizey. 111. *Morecambe Bay, L.V.; revolving red light, flash every 30 seconds. Fog signal, one blast every 2 minutes. Henry Clavell. 112. *Air, L.H.; on the Point. Fixed, visible 9 miles, white, except over West Hoyle Bank, between the bearings of S.E. 1/4 S. and W. 3/4 S., where it shows red. C. H. Aveston. 113. Menai, L.H.; on Trwyn du Point. Fixed, red; visible 9 miles. Bell in fog; three times in quick succession every 15 seconds. 114. *Skerries, L.H.; Highest Island. Fixed, visible 16 miles. Fog signal, one blast every 3 minutes. J. Garrett. 115. *Holyhead Breakwater, L.H.; 66-1/2 feet above high water. Red; flashes every 7-1/2 seconds; visible 13 miles. Appears as a fixed red light at a distance of 3 or 4 miles. Bell in fog (three times in quick succession) every 15 seconds. Fog horn nearly continuous _when mail packets passing into harbour_. Richard Prichard. 116. *North Stack, Fog Horn Station, L.H. Bell sounded during fog; small white light revolving in 1-1/2 min., occasionally shown 40 feet above sea and 30 yards N. of S. Stack L.H. Gun fired every 10 minutes during fog when mail packets approaching. John Harvey, gunner. 117. *South Stack, L.H.; on S. Stack rock off N.W. point of Holyhead Island; revolving every minute; visible 20 miles. W. R. Burgess. 118. *St. Judwall, L.H., 151 feet above high water, occulting, light of 8 seconds duration, followed by eclipse of 2 seconds, white and red; also a fixed red light (not occulting) from a window 16 feet below the high light. William Davies. 119. *Caernarvon Bay, L.V.; revolving with white and red flashes at intervals of 20 seconds, in order of two white and one red; visible 10 miles. Fog signal, one blast every 2 minutes. W. Bowen. 120. *Bardsey, L.H. Fixed; visible 17 miles. Fog syren one blast every 5 minutes. Thomas Bowen. 121. Cardigan Bay, L.V. Red; revolving every 30 seconds; visible 10 miles going in. 122. Bull Point, L.H. White triple flashes. Fog signal, three blasts quickly every 2 minutes. George Knott. 123. *South Bishop, L.H.; revolving every 20 seconds; visible 18 miles. Gong in fog. John White. 124. *Smalls, L.H. Fixed, white; visible 17 miles. Bell sounded during foggy weather, and a rocket every half hour. W. Boulton. 125. *Great Castle Head, L.H. (2). Fixed, white, 112 and 76 feet above high water. 126. *Milford (Low), L.H. Fixed, red. G. Baker. 127. Milford (High), L.H. Fixed, red, 48 feet above sea. 128. *Caldy, L.H., S. of Island. Fixed; visible 20 miles; bright to seaward, red in direction of Old Castle Head and Woolhouse Shoal. W. Ebben, P. K. 129. *Helwick, L.V.; revolving every minute; visible 10 miles. Fog horn, blasts of 5 seconds duration at regular intervals of 2 minutes. Thomas Cornell, mate. 130. *Scarweather, L.V.; revolving red, three times a minute, 38 feet above level of sea; visible 10 miles. Fog syren, two blasts quickly every 2 minutes. Henry Jenkins. 131. *Nash (Lower W.), L.H. Fixed; visible 17 miles. John Richards. 132. *Nash (E. or high), L.H. Fixed; visible 19 miles; red. Hy. Nicholas. 133. Breaksea, L.V. Flashing every 15 seconds; 38 feet above sea; fixed red light at a lower elevation. Gong in fog. 134. *Flatholm, L.H., S. point of Island. Fixed; visible 18 miles. W. Dale, P. K. 135. *Usk, L.H., W. side of entrance to river. Fixed; visible 11 miles; white and red. Amos Russell. 136. †Avon, L.H., E. of entrance. Fixed; visible 13 miles; white seaward. William Taylor. 137. *Burnham, L.H. (2). Upper intermittent; visible 15 miles. Lower, fixed; visible 9 miles. William Lewis. 138. *Bideford, L.H. (2). Low light visible from half-flood to half-ebb, 14 and 11 miles. Leading lights for crossing the Bar. Edward Roberts. 139. Lundy Fog Gun Station. During fog and thick weather, rocket every 10 minutes; explodes at height of 600 feet. John Morgan. 140. *Lundy, L.H., 1/2 mile from S. end of Island (2), in one tower. Upper visible 30 miles, revolving every 2 minutes. Low light fixed, only visible between bearings of S. by E. and N.E. James Parsons. 141. †Hartland Point, L.H., 120 feet above high water; revolving, 30 seconds, two white and one red. Fog signal, blasts of 5 seconds duration every 2 minutes. John Griffiths. 142. †Trevose Head, L.H., on N.W. extremity (2). Fixed; visible 20 and 17 miles. W. Bowen. 143. *Godrevy, L.H. Flashing every 10 seconds; visible 15 miles. A fixed red light in same tower, 27 feet below flashing light; visible from S. by E. to S.E. Richard Trahair. 144. *Bishop Rock, L.H., on S. W. Rock. Scilly. Fixed; visible 16 miles. Bell in fog every 10 seconds. 145. *Scilly, L.H., St. Agnes, on summit of Island; revolving every half-minute; visible 17 miles. E. L. Davis. 146. *Sevenstones, L.V. White, revolving. Syren fog signal, three blasts quickly every 2 minutes. Daniel Norton. 147. *Longships, L.H., on highest rock off Land's End. Fixed; visible 16 miles. Bell in foggy weather. William Jones. 148. †Wolfrock, L.H., 8 miles S.S.W of Land's End, 110 feet above high-water mark; revolving alternate flashes of red and white; visible 16 miles. In fog a bell. W. D. Crask.

To the Elder Brethren at Trinity House our thanks are due for their kind permission to make use of the light stations for taking observations; and to the Trinity Superintendents, Mr. Davison (Holyhead), Mr. Evans (Weyland), and Mr. Tregarthen (Penzance), we are obliged for willing assistance.

The observers at the various stations are deserving of thanks for the pains they have taken to keep an accurate record of the facts coming under their notice. The reports are all interesting, those which show a paucity of birds equally with those that record the passing of many. Excluding the Anatidæ, notes have been taken of about fifty-two different species.

SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.

Of the Raptores we have heard but little. A male Falcon (Peregrine?) was seen at Sevenstones Oct. 13th, at noon, flying S.W., before a moderate breeze from N.E.; at Smalls, Oct. 7th, a Kestrel was observed flying round the tower; in Morecambe Bay Oct. 4th, 7.30 a.m., a Sparrowhawk flying from N.N.E., a gentle E.N.E. breeze, rested on board the light-vessel. At St. Bees a hawk or two, we are told, may be seen occasionally; "they build on the cliffs thereabouts."

Owl, _Otus brachyotos_.--At North Stack, Oct. 13th, an Owl, probably the Short-eared, was seen, at 8.55 a.m., flying S.W., before a mod. N.E. breeze. At Smalls, Oct 15th, a little Horned Owl was observed resting on the rock; Nov. 6th, at 4 p.m., another on the S.E. rock.

Fieldfare, _Turdus pilaris_.--Distinguished on one or two occasions; possibly some of the notes on "Thrush" may refer to this. From Bishop Rock, Oct. 13th, Fieldfares were seen at 10 a.m. passing W. before a mod. E. breeze. At Smalls, Oct. 15th, from 1 a.m. to daylight. Grey Thrushes were noticed, with Redwings, Starlings, and Blackbirds; breeze gentle to moderate, E.S.E. to S.E. At Air (River Dee), Nov. 7th, "large quantities passed at sunrise."

Song Thrush, _Turdus musicus_.--Recorded from five stations. At Caernarvon Bay, Oct. 1st, two were killed; hazy. At South Bishop, Oct. 5th, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., a mod. N.N.E. breeze, rain and mist. Thrushes and Blackbirds were passing, and, of the former, seven killed. At Morecambe Bay, Oct. 8th, 10.20 a.m., one Song Thrush passed S.S.W., very tired; a strong N.E. breeze. At Nash (E. or high), Oct. 13th, one was killed; afresh N.N.E. breeze, with mist. At Bull Point, Oct. 14th, 3 a.m., overcast and misty, light air S.S.W., one female is reported as striking. At Caernarvon Bay, Nov. 2nd, a young Thrush and Lark were killed at 9.10 p.m.; gentle E.S.E. breeze, hazy. At Bull Point, Nov. 3rd, two struck at 2 a.m.; fresh E. breeze, clear. At the same time there appears to have been a rush farther south. At South Bishop, Nov. 2nd, from midnight to morning, a fresh S.E. breeze, very misty, a very great quantity of Thrushes, with Blackbirds, Starlings, and Larks, of which many were killed; and, with breeze still S.E., but moderate, continuous flocks of same all day flying towards N.E.; Nov. 3rd, from 9 p.m. to midnight, a gentle E. breeze, rather misty, large quantities, with Larks, Blackbirds, and Starlings (many killed). At Nash (E. or high), Dec. 1st, one was killed; fresh W. breeze, but clear. At Godrevy, Jan. 14th, 12 to 4 p.m., Thrushes were seen, with Lapwings and Starlings: this is the only instance recorded in afternoon, the others being at night, the weather in most cases misty or hazy, and the wind ranging from N.N.E. to S.E.

Redwing, _Turdus iliacus_.--Separately noticed at one station only--Smalls. Oct. 8th, 7.30 p.m., some were seen among Starlings and Larks, N.E. to E., misty; twenty of the birds killed. Oct. 9th, from midnight to 5 a.m., several, with Larks and Starlings; eleven struck; breeze mod. to strong E. to E.N.E., clear. Oct. 15th, from 1 a.m. to daylight, large numbers, with Starlings, Blackbirds, and Greenfinches. Oct. 29th, one was caught. Nov. 2nd, several, with Sky Larks, Starlings, and Blackbirds; sixteen struck and were caught. Nov. 3rd, three males and five females were distinguished among Blackbirds, Starlings, and Larks. Nov. 5th, one male; mod. N. breeze. Except the first, the instances occurred from midnight to sunrise, with moderate N.E., E., and S.E. breezes, and generally with clouds, mist, or drizzle.

Blackbird, _Turdus merula_.--Reported from ten stations. The earliest date is Aug. 12th, when one was seen at Scarweather at 1 p.m., mod. S.S.E. breeze; the latest at Skerries, Dec. 4th, when Blackbirds and Snipe appeared, and a few were killed. The one occurrence only is noted in August, and we do not again hear of its appearance till at Skerries, Sept. 27th, 29th, and 30th, when Blackbirds were seen (the two later dates in company with Starlings). At Caernarvon Bay, Oct. 1st, Blackbirds and Thrushes were seen, and two killed; light westerly breeze, hazy. At S. Bishop, Oct 5th, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., N.N.E., rain and mist. Blackbirds and Thrushes struck, and seventeen Blackbirds were killed. At Helwick, Oct. 8th, one was killed. At Caldy, Oct. 10th, one male was discerned flying about the lantern; a mod. E. by S. gale, squally and cloudy. At Bull Point, Oct. 12th, two females struck, but were not killed; a mod. E. breeze, clear; and, on Oct. 14th, one female. At S. Bishop, Oct. 13th, nine were killed, with five Larks. At Helwick, Oct. 14th, one and a Linnet. At. Smalls, Oct. 15th, numbers struck, with Starlings, Thrushes, and Finches; and, at Godrevy, two, with two Starlings and one Thrush, not killed. At Helwick, Nov. 2nd, several killed, with Larks and Starlings; and, from midnight to morning at S. Bishop, a fresh S.E. breeze and very misty, a very great quantity of Blackbirds, Larks, etc. (see Song Thrush). At Godrevy, Nov. 3rd, one struck, not killed. At Smalls, Nov. 2nd, two were seen at midnight; 3rd and 5th six (two males and four females), and one female. At Nash (E. or high), Dec. 1st, one was killed. At Skerries, Dec. 4th, a few. The time of the occurrences noticed, except of the three in report, which were at sunrise, was from midnight to morning, and they took place almost always in cloudy or misty weather, with generally a mod. breeze more or less easterly, _viz._, N.N.E., through E. to S.S.E. The greatest number of instances noticed is in October, when we have returns from seven stations, but the birds are only seen by ones or twos; they seem to have appeared in numbers from Nov. 1st to 3rd; in December we have only two instances.

Then the _Turdidæ_ have been noticed from Morecambe Bay (from St. Bees we have the general remarks that an occasional Blackbird or Thrush is to be seen) to Godrevy. The movement appears to have been pretty evenly distributed, perhaps to have spread gradually from N. to S., and to have lasted from Aug. 12th to Jan. 14th, being most active from Sept. 27th to Nov. 27th, with a decided rush on Nov. 2nd and 3rd. The direction of flight is seldom given, the notices almost all referring to birds killed or striking. The greatest slaughter occurred at S. Bishop on Nov. 1st, when, of Blackbirds, Thrushes, Larks, and Starlings, 162 were immolated, and on Nov. 3rd 172. The time when the occurrences were observed lies between twilight and sunrise, but is chiefly about midnight, the weather being generally hazy, misty, or overcast, with mod. breezes from E.N.E. through E. to S.E. In the majority of instances the birds were accompanied by others of their own family, or by Starlings or Larks.

Stonechat, _Saxicola rubicola_.--At Morecambe Bay, Aug. 29th, 4 p.m., moderate breeze E. by S., one came on board. The note is added that it is "very seldom Seen here." This is the only occurrence noted.

Wheatear, _Saxicola ænanthe_.--At Bishop Rock, Aug. 17th, 1.30 a.m., three struck the glass, light E. breeze, cloudy; Aug. 22nd, midnight, mod. E.S.E. breeze, cloudy and misty, Wheatears strike; none killed on either occasion.

Chiffchaff and Goldcrest, _Sylvia hippolais_ and _Regulus auricapillus_,--At Scarweather, July 30th, 1 p.m., a Goldcrest was seen. At Flatholm, Oct. 14th, a large quantity of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs were seen at 9.40 a.m., gentle E. breeze, blue sky, but clouds and mist. Mr. Dale reports that, at this station, "These little birds generally make their appearance about the beginning of October, and remain till about the middle of November. In spring again, from about March 20th to May. Numbers are killed by striking the lantern on dark nights."

Titmouse, _Parus cæruleus_.--At Burnham, Aug. 16th, 3 p.m., mod. N.N.E. breeze, "a large flock of Blue Tits perched on the trees, &c." At Caldy, midnight, a Titmouse (species not identified) was seen flying about the glass.

Wagtail, _Motacilla_ (sp. ?)--Returns only from Morecambe Bay. Aug. 26th, 6.15 a.m., one alighted on deck; 27th, 7 a.m., one passed E., and at 8.30 a.m. one E.N.E.; 30th three, and 31st six passed; Sept. 1st two were seen, and on 4th six; 12th, one passed W., a gentle breeze W.S.W.; 16th, five, S.E., a strong breeze from N.; 27th, flocks, with Linnets, were observed during the forenoon, a light breeze S. by W., and several small birds killed. These occurrences all happened between 5 and 8.30 a.m. In almost every case the weather was cloudy, misty, or foggy, with gentle breezes, varying, but mostly E.S.E. or easterly. The direction of flight S.E. and E.S.E.