Part 12

Lapwing, _Vanellus cristatus_.--Earliest notice at Sevenstones, Aug. 26th, 10 a.m., fifty were seen flying to S.W., light N.W. breeze, haze. The next is dated at Scilly, Oct. 4th, Lapwings and Plovers were seen at noon, a mod. E.S.E. gale, rain. We next hear from Caldy, Nov. 3rd, when one was seen flying near the light; a strong E. breeze, mist. Another space of time, and at Nash, Nov. 21st (E. or high), 8 a.m., a large flock is seen overland, mod. E. breeze; and at Burnham, 8 a.m., large flocks of Peewits were noticed flying from N., light N. breeze, mist. We do not again hear till Dec. 20th, when, at Lundy, a number of Lapwings were seen at 9 a.m., mod. E.N.E. breeze; and the other Lundy station reports, "about thirty came on the island during the night." Again, on the 30th, Mr. Parsons notes a flock came on the island the night previous. At Skerries, Dec. 29th, light S.E. breeze, misty, rain, a few Lapwings about all night. This is the only record from a station further N. than Bristol Channel. At Nash (E. or high), Jan. 3rd, gentle E. breeze, mist, a large flock of Peewits passed W.; 6th, a similar flock, N.W.; 10th, during the day misty, light N.E. breeze, flocks of Peewits, with Plovers, passed overland S.W.; and on 11th, at 10 a.m., misty and calm, flocks, with Starlings, passed N.W. At Scilly, same day, 4 p.m., Lapwings and Plovers were seen. At Sevenstones, Jan. 11th, two large flocks passed W.; a light W.N.W. breeze, hazy. At Godrevy, Jan. 14th, we first hear of a great number seen during the day, with Starlings, Thrushes, &c.; fresh E.S.E. breeze, clear, frost, and a little snow on the ground. Of the nine stations reporting, Nash has the most instances; the greater numbers occur in January. The direction of flight when noticed, from N.W. through W. to S.W., the wind, except at Sevenstones, being from N.E. and E.S.E., but more generally E.; force, mostly two to five.

Sanderling, _Calidris arenaria_.--At Godrevy, Sept. 10th, 11.30 p.m., two were killed; light S.W. breeze, clear horizon.

Oystercatcher, _Hæmatopus ostralegus_.--At Air, Aug. 6th, a large quantity seen about 1 p.m., gentle E.S.E. breeze, mist; Oct. 4th, a large quantity flying E. throughout the day, light S.E. breeze, mist; Oct. '29th, 10.30 a.m., with mod. N. gale, clear, a similar flight E. From Bideford, Sept. 1st, we have the following record:--"Hundreds of Sea-pies, Common Gulls, Curlews, and a few Shags, visit the mussel-beds all the winter, being seen every day and night from half-ebb to half-flood, coming from N.W. in all weather."

Heron, _Ardea cinerea_.--From Helwick only have we any record, Sept. 26th, 6 a.m.: "A flock flying from S. to N.W."; cloudy, but clear horizon, with light W. breeze.

Bittern, _Botaurus stellaris_.--Of this now rare bird we have a solitary instance. At Godrevy, Jan. 14th, two were seen during the day (with numbers of Lapwings, Starlings, and Thrushes); may they live long and be happy!

Curlew and Stint, _Numenius arquata_ and _Tringa_ (sp. ?).--At Air, earliest date Aug. 9th, 10 p.m., clear and calm, a large quantity passed; and Godrevy, Jan. 11th, the latest. At Noon, Aug. 14th, three were seen at Bishop Rock. At Bideford, Sept. 1st, some seen, and thereafter daily, with hundreds of Sea-pies and Gulls, from N.W. At Usk, Sept. 8th, we hear of their appearance, when through the day they were seen in great numbers with Gulls, E. and N.E. breezes; 10th, mod. S. breeze, they were observed through the day with Gulls and "Pearls" (_Tringa ? minuta_) in great numbers; 17th, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., W.N.W. to N.W., two; they appeared in very large flocks; and from Sept. 24th, to Oct. 8th. At Morecambe Bay, Sept. 12th, 6.30 p.m., one was seen flying S. against a moderate breeze. At Nash, Sept. 15th, 9 a.m., two passed N.E., strong N. breeze and showers; 18th, 6 p.m., two passed N.W., before a mod. N.W. gale, showery (these are noticed from both stations). At Skerries, Sept. 26th, light S.W. breeze, Curlews were seen at sunrise. At Air, Oct. 4th, a large quantity going E. all day; misty Through November and December we hear from Usk of large flocks (with numbers of Stints). At Skerries, Dec. 4th, 1 a.m., light S. air, misty and rain. Curlews were seen with Blackbirds and Snipes; 20th, a few all day, mod. W.S.W. breeze, fine; 29th, light S.E. breeze, mist and rain, a few all night. At Nash, also on 29th, 4 p.m., four passed W., mod. N. breeze, drizzle. The only record subsequent to this is from Godrevy, Jan. 11th, 9 a.m., when four were seen on the island, light E.S.E. breeze and mist; and Mr. Trahair adds, "they frequent the shore after the breeding-season." Most of the instances were noticed in the daytime; the winds various; but in the Bristol Channel, where recorded (Nash and Usk), from N. to W.N.W., force, four to six; while off the coast (Morecambe, Air, and Skerries), E.S.E. through S. to W.S.W., and light.

Woodcock, _Scolopax rusticola_.--At Lundy, Nov. 19th, 10 a.m., from both stations, four Woodcocks and three Snipes were seen, mod. N.E. breeze, clear; and Mr. Parsons adds, "one has been seen once or twice since." At Scilly, Oct. 11th, 8.30 a.m., fresh E.S.E. breeze. Woodcocks and Starlings appeared. At Nash (E. or high), Jan. 14th, at noon, two passed W., with five Wild Geese, before a mod. E. breeze, mist. At Bardsey, Jan. 20th, gentle E. breeze, with snow; one struck.

Snipe, _Scolopax gallinago_.--At Nash (E. or high), Oct. 24th, 9 a.m., two were seen flying W.; gentle N.E. breeze, misty. From the two stations at Lundy, Nov. 19th, three Snipes and four Woodcocks were seen. At Skerries, Dec. 4th, 1 a.m., light S. air, misty and rain. Snipes and Blackbirds were seen, and a few killed.

Corn Crake, _Crex pratensis_.--At Burnham, Aug. 14th, at mid-night, a Land Rail was killed; light N. breeze, clear horizon.

Water Rail, _Rallus aquaticus_.--At Smalls, Oct. 15th, one was seen on the rock.

Wild Goose, _Anser ? palustris_.--At Scilly, Sept. 26th, 7 a.m., calm and cloudy, nineteen were seen. We hear no more till Nov. 3rd, when, at Helwick, 11 a.m., one was seen passing from S. to N., mod. E.N.E. breeze; and on Nov. 6th, about the same hour, a flock passed from S.W. to N.E., mod. N.W. breeze, drizzly rain and showers. At Morecambe Bay, Nov. 23rd, 9.30 a.m., two flying S.E., strong S. breeze. At Scarweather, Nov. 10th, 4 p.m., fresh N.W. by W. breeze, four were seen. There is no return for December. At Nash (E. or high), Jan. 2nd, 9.30 a.m., two passed W.; and on 14th, at noon, five and two Woodcocks passed W., mod. E. breeze. At Hartland Point, Jan. 5th, a few were seen flying E. At Sevenstones, Jan. 11th, 4.15 p.m., light N.N.W. breeze, haze, several flocks passed, flying to westward.

Sheldrake, _Tadorna vulpanser_.--At Air, March 21st, 1880, at sunrise, mod. S.E. breeze, clear, about forty-five pairs. Mr. Aveson adds, "they arrive annually for breeding."

Wild Duck, _Anas boschas_, _Oidemia nigra_.--Returns from eleven stations. In some few instances the "Black Duck," probably the Common Scoter, is separately distinguished, _viz._:--At Morecambe Bay, Sept. 5th, 6.15 a.m., five flying W., mod. W.S.W. breeze, mist; Oct. 1st, 9 a.m., light W. air, gloomy, misty, six flying W.S.W. At Scarweather, Sept. 20th, 6 p.m., fresh N.W. by N. breeze, four were seen; Nov. 25th, 3 p.m., mod. W. gale, two passed up N.E.; 30th, 10 a.m., gentle S. breeze, four were seen. At Burnham, Dec. 21st, 9 a.m., light N.N.W. breeze, flocks of the Black Surf Duck were seen on the water. In the other cases the species are not distinguished. The earliest date given is Sept. 18th, when, at Morecambe Bay, 3 p.m., seven Wild Ducks passed E., strong W.N.W. breeze; 27th, 7 a.m., six passed N.; 29th, same hour, three passed W., calm and fog. At Caernarvon, Oct. 6th, strong E.N.E. breeze. Wild Ducks passed N.N.E. At Godrevy, Oct. 8th, fresh E. breeze, clear, two flocks of Ducks and Mallards passed W. during the day; 10th, 7.15 a.m., wind from same quarter, one flock, S.W. At Nash (E. or high), Oct. 26th, 7 a.m., fresh E. breeze, two passed W. Throughout November the notices are more frequent. At Caernarvon, Nov. 1st, 10.40 p.m., fresh N.W. breeze, hazy, one was killed. At Morecambe Bay, 2nd, 7 a.m., one passed S.E. against a mod. S.E. breeze; slight fog. At Helwick, 4th, 8 a.m., gentle N.E. breeze, two flocks passed from S.W. to N.E.; 8th, about same hour, one Wild Duck passed to S.W., mod. N.E. and N. breeze. At Morecambe Bay, 9th, same horn-, strong W. by S. breeze, nine passed going N.; 18th, same hour, fresh E. by N. breeze, four going S. From Lundy, we hear on 18th, 7 and 8 a.m., three Wild Ducks (one male and two females) seen with Teal. At Smalls, 19th, fresh E.N.E. breeze, two Grey Ducks from N.W. to S.E. At Helwick, 22nd, 2 p.m., fresh S.E. breeze, clouds and mist, a flock passed from S.E. to N., fresh S.E. breeze, clouds and mist; Dec. 4th, strong S.W. breeze, twenty passed S.E.; 17th, from Holyhead Breakwater, hundreds of Wild Ducks were seen in the bay during the day. At Godrevy, same day, two flocks of Ducks and Mallards passed S.W. and W. before a fresh E.N.E. gale, which moderated and veered round to N.N.E.; Jan. 6th, 10.30 a.m., strong E. breeze, mist, a flock passed W. At Nash, Jan. 2nd, large flocks passed S.W.; 13th, 4 p.m., and 14th, 8 a.m., gentle E.N.E. breeze, mist, a flock passed W. At Milford, 11th, five or six Ducks passed, going more inland. At Bardsey, 13th, scattered flocks of Wild Ducks, about seven in number, crossing from mainland, N.N.E. wind, four; March 18th, 1881, 1.30 a.m., S.S.W. wind, four, three Ducks and one Drake Widgeons are reported. Thus in September we hear only from Morecambe Bay, and one instance of Black Ducks from Scarweather. In October the occurrences are more frequent and general, and the numbers greater; the direction of flight, except at Caernarvon Bay on the 6th, being W. or S.W., and the wind E. In November the most instances are recorded, but the numbers of individuals appear smaller; the direction of flight is N.E., S.E., N., or S., the winds varying, but more generally N.E., E., or S.E. In December we have two dates: the 4th, when twenty passed at Scarweather; 17th, at Godrevy, two flocks were seen; and at Holyhead, hundreds in the bay. In January we hear from Godrevy, Nash, Milford and Bardsey of flocks passing. The direction of flight in December and January is generally S.W. or W., in calm, or E. or E.N.E. breezes. The occurrences (except the last) are all noticed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and most about 8 a.m. In almost every instance it is misty, foggy, or gloomy.

Teal, _Anas crecca_.--At Godrevy, Sept. 27th, 10.15 a.m., light S.S.W. breeze, mist, a flock flying N.E.; Oct. 21st, 2 p.m., a flock flying E. against a mod. E. breeze. At Lundy, Nov. 18th, one male and two females are reported from both stations; mod. E. breeze, clear.

Guillemot and Razorbill, _Uria troile_ and _Alca torda_,--We hear from Lundy that, on Nov. 21st, numbers of Guillemots and Razorbills came in during the night, and remained during the day; and on the 25th a great many came in during the night, and left in the morning. On Dec. 25th we have the same return as on Nov. 21st; and Dec. 28th, 10 a.m., strong W.S.W. breeze, a great many came during the night. At Godrevy they are reported to be generally seen about.

Cormorant, _Phalacrocorax_.--At Bull Point, Dec. 21st, light S.S.W. breeze, one (species not identified) flying W., and low to the water. Mr. Roberts reports that, at Bideford, "a few Shags visit to feed on the mussel-beds all the winter"; and, at Godrevy, Mr. Trahair says, "the Cormorant, or Shag and Large Gull(?), resort all the year round." At Trevose Head they are reported as residents of the cliffs all the year round.

Gannet, _Sula bassana_.--At Morecambe Bay, earliest notice Aug. 26th, one flying N.N.W. before a mod. E.S.E. breeze. At S. Stack, during August and September, a great many were seen passing from N.E. to S.W. At Caernarvon Bay, Sept. 9th, fresh S.E. breeze, two flying S.; and on 11th, mod. W. by S. breeze, two flying S.; 25th, one flying W.S.W., mod. S.W. breeze: these occurrences noted about 10 a.m. in clear weather. At Helwick, Sept. 19th, 6.30 a.m., one male flying W., fresh W.N.W. breeze. At Sevenstones, Sept. 28th, light E.S.E. breeze, gloomy, eight, mixed, flying to N.E. At Helwick, Oct. 4th, 6.40 a.m., fresh E.S.E. breeze, gloomy, two flying S. to N.E. No further occurrences are reported till Nov. 20th, when, at Scarweather, two passed up S.E., mod. N.E. breeze; and on 21st, with S.E. breeze, four passed S.E.; 27th, strong W. breeze, seven passed in different directions; Dec. 6th, two passed N.E., mod. W.N.W. breeze; 12th, four N.E., a fresh W.N.W. breeze. These instances all occurred in the daytime. Mr. Trahair reports that, at Godrevy, "from middle of December to middle of January several about, not flying in any particular direction"; and, again, "a great number of sprats about,--the Gannets appear to be after them,--more so than on the coast, through the influence of the weather."

Tern, _Sterna_ (? sp.).--At Air, Oct. 12th, a large quantity of Sea Swallows seen, mod. N.E. breeze, gloomy, clear; the same on Oct. 12th, gentle E. breeze.

Gull, _Larus argentatus_, _L. canus_, _L. tridactylus_.--From S. Stack we hear that, on Aug. 10th, Gulls left after breeding. At Bideford, Sept. 1st, hundreds of common Gulls are reported as coming every day (presumably from this date) from N.W., with Sea-pies and Curlews, from half-ebb to half-flow. At Bishop Rock, Sept. 6th, in calm weather and clear, a "Mackerel Bird" (? young Kittiwake) struck (11 p.m.), but was not killed; and on 7th, 1.30 a.m., another struck. At Usk, from Sept. 7th to Oct. 8th, large numbers of Gulls (on one occasion three varieties) seen, with Curlews and Stints. At Caldy, Sept. 9th, Grey Gulls seen; 10th, about a hundred Gulls, with the note, "Bred on the island, and constantly passing." At N. Stack, Sept. 11th, fourteen (six males and eight females) flying S., mod. S.W. breeze. At Nash, Sept. 13th and 20th, 6 p.m., from both stations large flocks were seen passing W., with fresh W. and W.N.W. breeze. At N. Stack, Sept. 17th, twenty-five (thirteen males and twelve females) are reported as flying N.E., before a strong S.W. breeze; 25th, a flock flying S., mod. S.W. breeze. At Caldy, Sept. 29th, 10 p.m., one White Gull appeared; fog and light S.E. breeze. Except Usk, the only notices in October are from Nash, where at both stations, on five or six occasions, flights of Gulls and young Gulls were seen passing N. or N.W.; wind various, but more or less easterly. At Caernarvon Bay, Sept. 30th, 4.15 p.m., a flock passed E.S.E., with strong S.W. by W. breeze. We have no return in November. In December one occurrence alone is noted:--At Nash (E. or high), Dec. 16th, 10 a.m., four passed N., fresh E.N.E. breeze; Jan. 9th, a small flock of Gulls passed N. At Bull Point, Jan. 11th, 4 p.m., twenty-six Grey Gulls passed, flying S.W., rather high; mod. N.W. breeze, cloudy, squally, and snowy. At St. Bees, Mr. Pizey, speaking of the scarcity of birds, says, "Even the Common Gull only makes an appearance just before heavy weather, or in following the plough, and then in but small numbers." From Godrevy Mr. Trahair reports, "Very few Skua Gulls (Lestris) observed this season."

Petrel, _Thalassidroma pelagica_.--At Godrevy, Sept. 28th, 9 p.m., one struck, fog, light S. breeze; Oct. 4th, from 1 to 2 a.m., mod. E.N.E. breeze, one was seen with a Lark and Wrens. Mr. Trahair adds, "Breeds on the island, most plentiful in July; never seen in daytime, except among loose stones, where they breed."

*Dotterel, _Charadrius morinellus_.--Reported to be seen at Smalls, every day from October to January, with various Gulls.

Besides the above, we have a few instances of birds unknown, of which, perhaps, the most puzzling is reported from Longships, Sept. 8th, midnight, mod. S.S.E. gale, misty, with showers, "one strange bird, the shape and size of a Starling, pattern and hue of a Partridge, with its legs covered over with stiff feathers." At Godrevy, Oct. 4th, two foreign Wrens (? Goldcrests) killed, with Lark and Petrel. At Skerries, Oct. 13th, 16th and 17th, flocks of small birds passed during the day, flying E. At Smalls, Oct. 26th, before sunrise, birds unknown passed; Nov. 3rd, before sunrise, continuous flocks were flying round the light, three struck and fell overboard, mod. E. breeze, cloudy, but clear horizon. At N. Stack, Nov. 12th, 7.35 a.m., fresh W. breeze, cloudy, two flocks of birds, name unknown, flying N.E.; 26th, 3 p.m., mod. S.W. gale, drizzling rain, fifty grey birds passed, also flying N.E. On Jan. 16th, we hear from Longships, that at 8.15 a.m., gentle W. breeze, cloudy, but clear horizon, "flocks of small birds were noticed at sunrise passing westward, leaving the land, upon a change of weather from a sharp frost and snow, and a change of wind from E. to W."

The stations are not all equally favourably situated for observing, and a general scarcity of birds is reported from the following:--St. Bees, Mr. Pizey writes that, for over five years that he has been there, he has remarked "the extreme scarcity of birds of any sort As for flocks of birds I have never witnessed them here, an occasional Robin, Blackbird or Thrush being all the variety we see Common Sparrows few in number." Mr. G. Knott says, "very few birds are seen at Bull Point." From Flatholm and Usk we hear "very few land-birds are seen, and at the former only Gulls, and they in the three winter months alone." "The lighthouse at Avon is so close to the docks and village that no birds come to the light "; and that at Burnham, having "only four panes facing west, does not attract many birds." "The land-birds to be seen in the immediate neighbourhood of Trevose Head are very scarce." From Wolf Rock Mr. Crask writes, "Hardly ever any birds come nigh us but Gulls, which come by thousands after fish; the only others ever seen being Starlings, and these few and far between."

Some stations report a marked scarcity during the past, in comparison with other years. Thus, from Holyhead, Mr. Prichard writes, "Being a very mild winter have not seen anything of note; not a bird striking this winter." At Bardsey the inhabitants say they "never observed so few birds before;" and Mr. Bowen suggests that "the fog-horn sounding may prevent birds striking." With respect to this we hear from Skerries that "few birds have been seen since they had a fog-horn." At Morecambe, Caernarvon, and other stations where there are fog signals, however, we hear of birds striking or killed. At St. Judwalls the entire absence of Starlings for the whole winter was remarked. (Pigeons were seen here from second week in May to first week in August.) From Nash it is reported that "during November and December sea-birds were very scarce, and all birds singularly scarce at latter end of October, and extremely so during the nights both of September and October; and, again, all sea- and land-birds have been more scarce during the nights of the present winter than ever I recollect" (John Richards). Mr. Nicholas attributes it to the very mild winter. From Smalls we hear that during December no birds were seen about the lighthouse. From Hartland Point Mr. Griffiths writes, that "for twenty-five years he had always seen and caught birds, but not this year; nor have any struck, as in other years." At Burnham (Aug. 14th) and at Usk (September) a Land Rail only bird killed.

Concerning the circumstances under which birds strike, the returns bear out the conclusions expressed in last year's report, that dark or cloudy nights, with fog, haze or rain, are most hazardous. Three or four exceptional instances are recorded of striking in daylight. October and November appear to be the most dangerous months, and South Bishop the most deadly station. Mr. T. Bowen writes, from Bardsey, that "birds strike in general with the wind; without, very rare exception." Mr. Crask, from Wolf Rock, in reply to a question on which side they strike, writes, "when they strike the lantern it is generally N.W." Other stations have not noticed.

Of the species reported on, the Starling has received by far the most notice; and next come Larks, Crows, Wild Ducks, Gulls, Thrushes, &c. Possibly some of the notices may refer to local migrations, or movements from one feeding-ground to another.

The notices of the _Anatidæ_ are all in the daytime. The direction of their flight (seldom recorded) is, sometimes, directly N. and S.; but, to judge merely from the few recorded instances, the prevailing direction at the following stations is N. or north-easterly--towards the land: Caernarvon, Helwick, and Scarweather. At Smalls it appears to be, towards the Bristol Channel, S.E. At Nash, Godrevy and Sevenstones it is W.; while at Morecambe Bay it varies very greatly. The lines followed by the _Insessores_ are difficult--with data supplied by one year only--to make out, but seem to be towards the mainland or along the coast. The following are the chief instances where the direction is reported as being from the land:--South Stack, Oct. 29th, 30th, 31st, Starlings flying N.W.; Bull Point, Oct. 13th, Black Crows flying W.; South Bishop, Nov. 2nd, Blackbirds, Larks, Starlings and Thrushes flying N.W.; Scilly, Oct. 13th, Fieldfares flying W.; and at Wolf Rock, Jan. 16th, and Sevenstones, Jan. 11th, two large flocks of Lapwings flying W.

The returns seem to support the conclusion expressed in last year's report as to birds preferring to migrate with a "beam" wind, or even a point or two abaft of beam.

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Erratum.--Page 65, line 3, for N.E., read N.W.

[Transcriber Note: This correction has been applied.]

WEST, NEWMAN AND CO., PRINTERS, 54, HATTON GARDEN, LONDON, E.C.

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Transcriber Note

Minor typos were corrected. Some station tables split by a page break were rejoined.