Part 3

In our last Report, 1879 (Zool., May, 1880), under our lists of lighthouses, we gave the descriptions of the lights, whether white or red, fixed, flash, revolving, or intermittent, or with other lights or action. What influence in attracting birds these various descriptions of light have, it would not yet be easy to ascertain, because--_given_ the different colours and descriptions--we have them at different localities, which makes it almost impossible to compare them. However, broadly speaking, we would imagine the _brightest_, _whitest_, _fixed_ lights to have most influence in penetrating fog or haze, and therefore of attracting birds. We considered it advisable to give these descriptions in our first Report, because we thought that in time such may prove of some value when our knowledge of migration increases. In the Report for 1880 we have not repeated these particulars, but, instead, we give, after the name of each lighthouse station, the heights of the lanterns above the sea, not because we can positively affirm that the height of any given light influences the total of birds seen or killed at that light, but because we believe that this particular may possibly elicit facts in future. Some of our reporters state extreme height above the sea as a cause of birds seldom or never striking the glass, or never being seen hovering round the light. Certainly, returns show a preponderance of deaths or other records, first, _at lightships_ (the average height of the lights of which above the sea is only a few feet); secondly, at such stations--upon isolated rocks--as the Bell Rock, Dhuheartach, or Skerryvore (the lanterns of which are not more than sixty or seventy feet above the water); and a great preponderance above such stations as Cape Wrath (which is 400 feet above the sea) or other similarly elevated lights. During the daytime, whilst crossing towards the English coasts and past the lightships, flocks are usually seen flying low; and across the Firth of Forth and other narrow estuaries the same thing is observed. At times birds are seen passing high in air "_almost_ beyond the range of vision," and when clouds or fogs rapidly lift or clear off during the time of migration, the said migration appears often to "cease to mortal vision," indicating, some say, a reascent to higher levels. Birds also are known to _descend_ upon Heligoland almost perpendicularly from the sky, indicating, it is presumed, a course of migration at a great height, and a descent therefrom upon fog- or haze-covered land to rest or feed. To birds passing through the air above, a _local fog_ beneath probably indicates _land in the midst of water_, and, if this be so, hence a descent upon it. The various numerical returns of those killed at lanterns are probably a good deal dependent on the height at which birds fly in foggy weather. We might call this the vertical area of birds' migration flight as opposed to lateral area.

Now it seems that light-vessels always return the best-filled schedules, and therefore a preponderance of birds are noticed all along the East English Coast, where light-vessels are most abundant. Whilst upon the East Scottish Coast the returns are infinitely smaller where there are no light-vessels, but only lighthouses, whose lanterns are at a greater height; and the question very naturally arises, "If the Scottish coasts were lighted with light-vessels, would not the number of records be very considerably augmented?"

=Mr. J. Hardy's Notes from Berwickshire and the Borders.=

Swallows.--Began to take up their residence on May 12th; left September 26th. Much later elsewhere in central districts.

Martin.--Returned on May 15th to sea-side nesting-places on rocks and cavern-mouths. On September 22nd the great body departed, and on 27th had all left but one.

Sand Martin.--April 23rd, on sea-coast.

Starling.--Most of the young birds had left the upper part of Berwickshire before October 31st.

Thrush.--March 21st, a few birds scattered here and there; very scarce. Left mostly by September; only a few later.

Redshank.--Dispersed before March 18th, when only one was heard. A pair returned March 20th. June 24th a pair had returned. On July 17th six or seven frequented the coast. On August 31st a small compact band noticed.

Eider Duck.--A flock of six appeared on the coast, March 18th and 22nd. There were eight on March 27th and four on March 30th.

Wild Duck (_Anas boschas_).--Continued on coast till March 22nd; greatly diminished by March 27th. One reappeared at sea September 25th. On October 16th they amounted to thirty, and on November 15th about one hundred were enumerated. In December they nearly all left the coast. On December 29th only nine remained.

Great Crested Grebe.--A party of twelve noted for the last time March 22nd, 1880. They reappeared, to the number of fifteen, on December 20th, and continued all winter.

Raven.--January 24th, one seen; storm of snow.

Curlew.--March 27th and 30th, most had left the coast; only one bird left on April 17th. One reappeared June 7th, and more on the 9th. A great flock on September 20th; shifted their ground before December 16th; only one or two left at the close of the year.

Pied Wagtail.--February 7th, one first seen; the next arrived March 27th. Left September 24th.

Wheatear.--March 25th, appeared off coast, but were absent on March 27th. March 29th, a little band of seven or eight arrived, but disappeared. April 17th, a few appeared inland. Noted again on the coast July 15th; September 17th, last seen. Were seen at Berwick, October 14th, but the conditions are very different from here.

Whinchat.--A family newly hatched on the coast a mile to the south of this on August 9th; not seen again.

Stonechat.--Not in some of its old haunts this year. On coast on Cockburn's-path, April 30th.

Redstart.--May 2nd. Scarce this year.

Sedge Warbler.--May 20th, arriving in a band of late migrants.

Willow Warbler.--April 18th, in garden. April 23rd and 24th, singing sweetly; last seen September 4th.

Swift.--May 16th.

Greater Whitethroat.--May 13th, arrived; 16th, general. August 6th, haunts the garden; a single bird left September 19th. Observed in some localities till end of October, but not here.

Landrail and Cuckoo.--Not heard in the neighbourhood this season.

Blackcap Warbler.--May 22nd, in Peasedean; not heard on 16th.

Spotted Flycatcher.--May 25th, numerous arrival along with other migrants, as was the case last year. Last seen September 5th.

Black-headed Gull.--June 11th, two returned to the sea-side; more appeared July 15th, 16th and 17th. By the end of the year the numbers were reduced to one or two.

Fieldfare.--October 31st and November 9th, arrived, but few in number, and only one remained to face the storms of 1881; very scarce. No Redwings seen here. A great scarcity or total absence is recorded from a large number of Scottish localities for the past two years.--_J. A. H. B._

Wood Pigeons.--A large migratory band proceeding high over head flying from N. to S., on October 30th.

Snow Bunting.--A very large flock of Snowflakes arrived at Penmanshiel on October 30th, but left after resting a few days. Again numerous there, November 30th. A few remained at Old Cambus, January 7th, 1881. October 18th, one landed in East Lothian in a storm of wind and rain from the North, near Thornton Loch.

Grey-backed Crow.--November 5th, arrived.

Woodcock.--Did not leave till second week in May. Returned to Peasedean, November 2nd. One flushed at Blackburn, Chirnside, October 20th.

Lark.--December 16th, flock of about one hundred seen; most of them remained and departed in March.

Grey Linnet.--December 29th, flocks that fully numbered one hundred birds feeding on the sea-coast ploughed fields infested by wild mustard. Had all left, except four or five, by January 9th, 1881, when that number came to the stack- and poultry-yards.

Brambling.--Only two present in the great snow on January 15th and 19th--at corn laid out for poultry--along with Finches.

Wild Geese (_Greylag_ probably).--February 8th, first band returning north. Continued in neighbourhood till April 24th. In autumn return first seen October 11th and 30th. Did not rest.

Lapwing.--In inland fields, March 7th. July 15th, returned to turnip-fields. Disappeared in January, 1881.

Grey Wagtail.--March 8th, a pair returned. On May 25th several new arrivals along with a rush of migrants, consisting of Flycatchers, Sedge Warblers, and Common Martins.

Waterhen.--March 9th returned to its breeding pools.

Heron.--April 17th, still three on the coast. On July 15th there were seven or eight. On August 6th there were sixteen, and on August 31st twelve.

Cormorant.--Began to disperse about March 9th, when there were six. Only one on March 18th, and two on March 25th. March 27th and 30th, only one. Were not again noted till August 9th and 12th, when only a pair had returned. Scarcer this winter than usual.

Rare Birds recorded by others on my List.--Hoopoe in Northumberland. One Greater Shrike in Berwickshire, others in Northumberland. Bohemian Chatterer, Kelso; Turtle Dove, Rough-legged Buzzard (one).

=Notes from the Faroe Isles.=

The following notes from Herr H. C. Müller and Dr. Madsen, of Thorshavn, Faroe, have been received too late for insertion in the General Report, but not too late for addition as an Appendix. These notes were all made after the 1st January, 1881. They came to hand on May 1st, 1881:--

_Cygnus musicus._--Five Wild Swans were seen on Jan. 1st, 1881; three killed at Suderö on 22nd; one seen near Thorshavn on 10th; probably all belonging to the same flock. Wind S.W., force 3-4. Rain.

_Numenius arquata._--One killed at Hvidenov, near Thorshavn, on Jan. 30th. Wind S.S.E., force 4. Rain.

_Columba palumbus_, Linn.--One seen along with _Columba livia_ at Thorshavn on Feb. 7th. wind E., force 5. Rain and hail.

_Larus tridactylus_.--Four seen at Thorshavn at 10 a.m. on Feb. 10th. Wind E., force 3-4. Snow.

_Alauda arvensis._--One hundred in a flock seen at Thorshavn at 9 a.m. on March 8th, 1881. Wind S.W., fine. For the five days previous storm from S.E.

_Vanellus cristatus._--Four seen same time as the above noted Larks, in and after similar weather.

EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.

Printed forms of enquiry and letters of instruction were sent to thirty-seven lighthouses and light-vessels on the east coast of England, and, through the kind co-operation of Mr. Cecil Smith, to two of the principal lighthouses in the Channel Islands: independent reports have also been received from four stations on the east coast; and my best thanks are due to T. H. Nelson and C. Donald Thompson, Teesmouth; M. Bailey, Flamborough; Wm. Eagle Clarke and H. Bendelack Hewetson [Leeds]; notes from Spurn Point. J. H. Gurney, jun., Northrepps, and Major C. Russell, Essex, for supplying notices of the movements of birds in their respective districts. These reports have either been treated separately or incorporated with the nearest lighthouse. I have also received many interesting notes from Mr. Gätke, on the migration of birds over Heligoland from the commencement of June to the end of December, which are especially welcome as a most valuable addition to the report. Special thanks I also must tender to those various observers in the lighthouses and light-vessels scattered along the east coast. Altogether, out of forty-four stations, returns have been sent in from thirty-eight; two other stations report no birds seen during the autumn, from the circumstances of their situations in the midst of houses; and only from four have no returns been made. The observations are in many respects an improvement on those of the preceding year, exhibiting in a marked degree the intelligent interest taken by the observers in their work--work which it must be remembered is entirely voluntary, and often carried on under circumstances of considerable difficulty and discomfort.

The east coast stations are as follows, those making returns being marked with a *:--

40. *Longstone, on the most easterly of the Farne Islands; white light, revolving every 30 seconds. 41. *Farne Inner, two lights; white, revolving every 30 seconds. 42. *Coquet Island, coast of Northumberland; two white lights in same tower. 43. *Souter Point. Nil return--no birds seen. 44_a_.*Teesmouth, No. 5 Buoy, Lightvessel; one white light, fixed. 44_b_. *Teesmouth. 45. *Whitby, High Light; white, fixed. 46. *Flamborough Head; two white, one red flash, revolving every half minute. 47. *Spurn Point; red and white sectors. 48_a_. *Spurn (Newsand), Lightvessel, 6 miles S.S.E. of Spurn Point; white, revolving every minute. 48_b_. *Great Cotes. 49. *Outer Dowsing, Lightvessel, 53 miles E.S.E. Spurn; red light, revolving every 20 seconds. 50. *Inner Dowsing, Lightvessel, 17 miles E. Sutton, on Lincolnshire coast; green, 20 seconds. 51. *Dudgeon, Lightvessel, 35 miles E. Skegness, Lincolnshire coast; white, fixed. 52. *Lynn Well, Lightvessel, off Nook of Longsand, Lynndeeps; one white, revolving 20 seconds. 53. *Hunstanton, Lighthouse; white, fixed. 54. *Cromer, Lighthouse; white, revolving each minute. 55_a_. *Northrepps. 55_b_. *Leman and Ower, Lightvessel, 48 miles E.N.E. Cromer; two white, one fixed, one revolving. 56. *Hasborough, Lightvessel; two white, fixed horizontal, north end Hasborough Sound. 57. *Hasborough, Lighthouse; white, fixed. 58. *Newarp, Lightvessel, 12 miles N.E. Winterton; white, three quick flashes, 36 seconds in a minute dark. 59. *Winterton, Lighthouse; white, fixed. 60. *Cockle, Lightvessel, 3 miles E. Yarmouth; white, revolving each minute. 61. *Corton, Lightvessel, 4 miles E. Lowestoft; red, revolving 20 seconds. 62. *Lowestoft, Lighthouse. Nil return--no birds seen. 63. Orfordness, Lighthouse; white, fixed. 64. *Shipwash, Lightvessel, 8 miles S.S.E. Orfordness; white, fixed. 65. Cork, Lightvessel, 5 miles off mouth of Harwich River. 66. *Languard Point, Lighthouse, entrance to Harwich River; returned by Major Russell. 67. *Galloper, Lightvessel, 40 miles S.E. Orfordness; two white, horizontal, fixed. 68. *Kentish Knock, Lightvessel, 33 miles N.E. North Foreland; white, revolving each minute. 69. *Swin Middle, Lightvessel, off Thames; white, revolving every minute. 70. *Tongue, Lightvessel, off Thames; two lights, fixed: higher white, lower red. 71. Nore, Lightvessel, entrance to Thames; white, revolving 30 seconds. 72. *North Foreland, Lighthouse; white, fixed. 73. *Goodwin, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands; white, revolving, three quick flashes in succession, 86 seconds dark. 74. *Gull, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands; white, revolving 20 seconds. 75. *South-sand Head, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands; white, fixed. 76. *East-side, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands, 13 miles E. Deal; green, revolving 15 seconds. 77. South Foreland, Lighthouse; white, fixed. 78. *Heligoland. 79. *Casquets, Lighthouse, off Alderney; white, triple, flashing every 30 seconds. 80. *Hanois, Lighthouse, Hanoveaux Rocks, W. end Guernsey; one red, revolving 45 seconds.

As many of the reports range over a twelve-month, it is necessary to divide the remarks on the separate species into spring and autumn migrations. The numbers of species noticed are very greatly in excess of 1879.

SPRING MIGRATION, 1880.

SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.

Pied Flycatcher, _Muscicapa luctuosa_ (_atricapilla_, Linn.).--At Heligoland, Mr. Gätke reports, May 4th, great many fine old males; 5th, the same; 15th, E., many females, few males; 19th, S.S.E., all females.

Blackbird, _Turdus merula_.--At Cromer L.H., Feb. 12th, two killed against lantern, with thirteen Larks at midnight o.m.

Redbreast, _Erithacus rubecula_.--At Whitby L.H., March 1st, daylight, a flock of Robins.

Bluethroat, _Ruticilla suecica_.--At Heligoland, May 22nd, all males--perhaps one in ten a female.

Redstart, _Ruticilla phœnicurus_.--At Heligoland, May 1st to 10th, all males. Thenceforward females increasing. May 4th, E. by S. or E. by N., millions all males; 19th, all females.

Wheatear, _Saxicola ænanthe_.--At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V., April 23rd, W.S.W., many, with Wagtails, passing to land. At Heligoland, March 31st, S.E., to April 3rd, S.E., male birds; and to May 1st, when females began to arrive. May 13th, E., all females.

Greater Whitethroat, _Sylvia rufa_.--At Cromer L.H., May 18th, 10 p.m., four killed and stunned against lantern.

Wren, _Troglodytes parvulus_.--At Whitby L.H., March 22nd, E., several at daylight. At Cromer L.H., May 16th, 4 a.m., one killed against lantern.

Pied Wagtail, _Motacilla lugubris_.--At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V. (see Wheatear). At Whitby L.H., May 9th, daybreak, many.

Sky Lark, _Alauda arvensis_.--At Cromer, Feb. 12th (see Blackbird). Feb. 16th to March 24th, several with Starlings killed and stunned during night.

Short-toed Lark, _Calandrella brachydactyla_.--At Heligoland, May 18th, a fine male captured.

Tree Sparrow, _Passer montanus_.--At Outer Dowsing L.V., April 18th, 11 a.m., sixty to S.E.; two came on board. April 26th, 3 p.m., hundreds to W.N.W.; ten came on board. From the position of this light-vessel it will be apparent that in the first instance the Sparrows were making for the coast of Holland, and on 26th for the English coast.

Starling, _Sturnus vulgaris_.--At Cromer L.H., Feb. 16th to April 10th, several struck lantern and killed along with Larks.

Carrion Crow, _Corvus corone_.--At Cockle L.V., June 8th, six to S.E.

Cuckoo, _Cuculus canorus_.--At Farne Inner L.H., May 26th, W. strong, one seen. At Hunstanton L.H., April 18th, heard close to lighthouse.

Swallow, _Hirundo rustica_.--At Farne Inner L.H., May 15th, two passed. At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V., May 9th, 2 p.m., two from S.E. to N.W.; May 22nd, great many S.E. to N.W., fresh breeze from W. At Hunstanton L.H., April 17th, one to S.; 19th, five to S. At Leman and Ower L.V., June 9th, five on board at sunset; 21st, one at 11 a.m. At Cockle L.V., June 23rd and 24th, 4.20 a.m., two each day to W. At Corton L.V., May 22nd, one to W.N.W.; 20th, two to W.N.W. At Kentish Knock L.V., May 26th, 10 a.m., two very high to N.W. At East Goodwin L.V., May 4th, 10 a.m., four S. to N. The observations tend to confirm what I have observed and remarked upon, that the Chimney Swallow in spring migrates in pairs; even when in flocks the pairs may be distinguished, as the males and females keep close company.

Swift, _Cypselus apus_.--At Whitby L.H., May 14th, several at noon to N.W. At Spurn L.H., June 7th, 7 p.m., fifty perched on gallery, none killed. At Hunstanton L.H., May 17th, one.

Wood Pigeon, _Columba palumbus_.--At Hasbro' L.V., May 28th and 30th, one each day to E.

Dotterel, _Eudromias morinellus_.--At Spurn L.H., May 15th, four seen near Kilnsea; 25th, small flock of eight.

Ringed Plover, _Ægialitis hiaticula_.--At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V., April 2nd, first arrival at their breeding quarters on neighbouring sand, where about ten couples nest each year, leaving with the young in the autumn.

Limicolæ.--From the 1st to the 18th of May, northerly and easterly winds blew persistently day and night on to the Lincolnshire coast; the consequence was that we had an almost entire dearth of all those many flocks of shore birds--as Godwit, Grey Plover, Knot--which visit the Humber mud-flats during the first fortnight in May, on their passage to the north. On the opposite coast of Yorkshire, under shelter of the sandy promontory of Spurn, they assembled in large numbers, feeding daily on the great expanse of muds left uncovered at ebb, and at flood crossing to the sands on the sea side of Spurn. A correspondent writes that, on May 7th, "countless thousands of waders lined the beach, like wreck, on the sea-side about a mile above Spurn; there were more than had ever been seen at once before."

Anatidæ.--At Flamborough L.H., July 2nd, a flock of Grey Geese were seen flying N. At Goodwin L.V., June 6th, 7.30 a.m., a flock flying to the E. Mr. Gätke reports from Heligoland that, on May 19th, three Snow Geese, _Anser niveus_, passed boat quite close, "whiter than snow, bills and feet redder than oranges, but alas! no gun at hand." King Eider, _Somateria spectabilis_, is reported from the Farne Isles on May 29th, and during the summer (Zool., 1880, p. 514; 1881, p. 62). On Feb. 27th, 1880, large flocks of Widgeon came into the Tees, and thirteen were shot by one discharge of a single-barrelled shoulder-gun. At the Outer Dowsing L.V., April 18th, Wild Ducks were seen migrating to N.W.; and on April 30th, every hour during day, to N.N.W. At the Goodwin L.V., May 19th, shoals of Ducks from W. to E. From the Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V., May 25th, 11.30 a.m., my correspondent writes, "Saw two Sheldrakes leave their nest with ten young ones at low water; had to travel half a mile before they reached the water; the male kept about six yards behind the young, the female leading; they were fifteen minutes in reaching the water; appeared just hatched; cock bird often looked behind to see nobody was coming." With reference to the spring migration of Wild Geese, Major Russell sends me the following notes from a correspondent on the Essex coast, whose house is situated on the south slope of a steep high hill:--"The Grey Geese were seen on Saturday, Feb. 21st, from 600 to 1000 flying in a triangular form, in a N.E. direction. I have repeatedly seen them sometimes passing for whole days, and have always noticed that we have never had any winter to speak of afterwards. They generally fly about a mile high. We very seldom see them going south. I suppose because the days are shorter, or possibly some may go another way; but they generally go north about this time of the year. I used to try to shoot them with a rifle to see what sort of Geese they were."

Alcidæ.--At Longstone L.H., March 9th, Guillemots and Razorbills assembled; 24th, Puffins. At Flamborough L.H., May 3rd, hundreds of Puffins arriving throughout the day, and on the same day a great number of Guillemots. From May 28th to June 2nd, great numbers of Guillemots and Razorbills were seen all day in the neighbourhood of the Spurn L.V., at sea six miles S.S.E. Spurn Point. The Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins are later in their arrival and departure at the southern than their northern breeding-stations.

Pelecanidæ.--At Longstone L.H., March 9th, numbers of Gannets flying N. At the Farne Inner L.H., April 16th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gannets were seen flying N. At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V., March 15th, twelve Cormorants came into Tees, about fifty in every year at this time, leave again after breeding-season till next March.