Part 8

Wheatear, _Saxicola œnanthe_.--Records from three stations only in spring, _viz._, Skervuile, Monach, and Butt of Lewis. Earliest date at Skervuile (most southern of the three). May 1st, where one was seen at lantern at midnight; wind light S. Next date is May 4th, at Monach, when about twenty, mixed with Larks and Wagtails, were seen and two killed between 8.30 p.m. and 3 a.m.; wind light from N. to W. The latest and only other record dates May 20th, at Butt of Lewis, where five were seen; wind light W., clear.

Wagtail, _Motacilla Yarrellii_.--Two stations, _viz._, at Kyleakin and Butt of Lewis. At Kyleakin, April 1st, twenty-six rested at 4 p.m., wind E.S.E., haze; 2nd, twenty-four rested at 8 a.m., wind S.E., haze. At Butt of Lewis, April 13th, a flock at 7 a.m., stopped a few days and left flying south, light E. wind, clear; and a few days later, "one lighter than the rest" left, going south. At Kyleakin, April 17th, twelve were seen flying S.E. at 7 a.m., light breeze, with fog; and on 18th, at 1 p.m., twelve more rested and then flew off south, wind light S.W., and fog.

Starling, _Sturnus vulgaris_.--I have but few records of the spring migration, _viz._, from Lochindaul, Fladda, and Dhuheartach. The earliest at Fladda, April 4th, when twenty-four were seen at 10 a.m., breeze fresh, with showers, and clear. At Dhuheartach, April 13th, between midnight and 8 a.m., three birds rested; night foggy, and wind light N. At Lochindaul, May 18th, some were seen, wind moderate, and weather foggy.

Skylark, _Alauda arvensis_.--At Dhuheartach and Monach, April 13th, ten at night, wind light N., cloudy, seven killed; and May 1st, one at midnight, wind S., haze; and at these stations, on May 4th, flock, mixed with Wheatears and Wagtails, from 8.30 p.m. till 3 a.m., wind light W. to N., haze and rain.

Cuckoo, _Cuculus canorus_.--The following are the stations where it was noted as first seen or heard, commencing in the south:--At Point of Ayre, May 1st, light airs and haze. At Lochindaul, May 16th, E., clear; the reporter adds, "but is earlier in Islay." At Rhinns of Islay, April 21st, wind light W. At Skervuile, May 10th, first seen, wind N., clear. At Stornoway, May 4th. At Kyleakin, May 5th. At Rhu Stoir, June 15th, wind light N., haze.

_Note._--First noted at Ballina, Ireland, by Mr. Warren, on May 12th.

Oystercatcher, _Hæmatopus ostralegus_.--At Lochindaul, Dhuheartach, and Island Ghlais. At Dhuheartach, April 14th and 17th, 8 and 10 a.m., ten and seventeen resting or feeding, wind light N.W., haze or fog. At Lochindaul, May 20th and 21st, 10 a.m., resting, light wind, fog. At Island Ghlais, June 30th, 6 p.m., two feeding, calm, and heavy showers.

Curlew, _Numenius arquata_.--So far as a spring migration can be separated by the data at command, the whole season has apparently being occupied by Curlews in moving about, the results are as follows:--Beginning on 16th, south, we find spring records at Lochindaul, Rhuvaal, Dhuheartach, Monach, and Skerryvore. The first note dates March 1st, at Rhuvaal; eight seen, S.W. gale and rain. The second at Dhuheartach, April 13th, 4 p.m., when three were seen, wind light, cloudy. Thereafter at Lochindaul, May 14th. At Skerryvore, May 23rd. At Monach, June 13th. At Lochindaul, June 14th. At Skerryvore, June 23rd. Winds variable E., N.W. to S.W.

Whimbrel.--"May fowl" arrived on Monach, on their way north, upon May 8th, when three were seen flying about, wind light N., clear. On May 25th, several parties of from three or four to six seen flying between Monach and Haskeir rocks, wind fresh S.W., clear. The note is added, "Arrive in May, leave in July."

_Note._--Mr. R. Warren notes their first appearance at Ballina on May 1st.

Snipe.--At Dhuheartach, April 13th, three Snipe killed, strong N. breeze, cloudy.

Corn Crake, _Crex pratensis_.--The Corn Crake was heard at Kyleakin on June 11th, and at Stornoway on May 4th, clear and fine; and at Lochindaul on May 18th, at night.

_Note._--At Ballina it was first noted by Mr. Warren on May 2nd.

Wild Goose.--At Rhu Stoir, May 12th, 10 a.m., twelve Wild Geese seen, three males and three females; light N. airs, clear.

Ducks, _Anatidæ_.--At Rhuvaal, Island Ghlais, and Rhu Stoir. At Rhuvaal, March 8th, great numbers daily seen, where, however, they became scarcer between April 20th and 30th. At Rhu Stoir, June 18th, 10 a.m., six Eiders, three males and three females, wind light N., clear; and July 28th, 8.30 a.m., thirty "Wild Ducks," wind N.E., haze and rain.

Terns.--Two evidently paired birds seen at Rhu Stoir on May 18th, light to fresh variable winds. On May 26th, about 2 p.m., some scores of Terns were seen at Monach during S.W. gale, and were the first that arrived to breed there; and on June 14th, lots of nests containing two to three eggs were seen. At Skervuile, May 10th, Terns were first observed this spring, wind light E., and haze; and by 31st great numbers had passed; some were again seen on June 18th, in similar weather. At Rhinns of Islay, May 12th, three seen at noon, fresh E. breeze; and all during June, large numbers of "Tick Terns" fishing in Lochindaul. At Stornoway, June 5th, they kept arriving at all hours, and were the first to come to the breeding grounds.

_Note._--Mr. J. T. Garriock notes the spring arrival of Terns at Lerwick, in Shetland, _from the north_, on May 22nd, in 'The Zoologist' (_q. v._, 1880, p. 302); and, in a letter to me, he substantiates his observation. Mr. Robert Warren notes the first appearance of Sandwich Terns at Ballina, Ireland, on March 24th, and of Common Terns on May 14th.

AUTUMN MIGRATION, 1880.

SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.

Falconidæ.--Two Sparrowhawks appeared at Rhu Stoir, in attendance upon flocks of Finches and Larks, on Oct. 20th, during light variable breezes, with snow. Also at Skerryvore, a Hawk--probably of the same species, or a Merlin--lived on the small birds on Oct. 14th and 15th; whilst at Dhuheartach a Hawk makes a regular visit, to prey upon the birds which rest on the rock. (See our first Report for 1879, 'Zool.,' May, 1880, p. 190.)

Swift.--At Ushenish, North Uist,[17] June 13th, 1 p.m., five Swifts seen flying south, with S. wind, and haze.

[Footnote 17: Though this dates early, I cannot but assign it here, and not to a spring movement.]

_Note._--Mr. R. Service notes the species as unusually abundant in 1880. He observed a large flock of Swifts on Aug. 4th, proceeding in a southerly direction. The most of the local birds, however, still remained on the 11th.

Swallows, _Hirundinidæ_.--Swallows were no longer seen after July 16th, at the Point of Ayre, Isle of Man, on which day twenty young were noticed, until again on Aug. 15th, when eight were seen flying about. At Turnberry, from thirty to forty were seen during the daytime on Aug. 26th, in light E. airs; and again fifty to sixty on Aug. 31st, and forty to fifty on Sept. 2nd. Numbers were also seen at Mull of Galloway and at Loch Ryan. Swallows collected on Oct. 4th and flew away S.W., whilst at Portpatrick great numbers were seen resting and then flying off S. on Oct. 15th. This S.W. corner of Scotland appears to be a point of departure of the species, and of several others; and I would invite special attention at stations all along the Wigton coast-line.[18] All the above observations on the autumn movements of Swallows were made during the daytime, and in light E. to N.E. winds. A rush appears to have taken place end of August and beginning of September, and a later one as late as the middle of October.

[Footnote 18: See R. Gray and Thos. Anderson's 'Birds of Ayrshire and Wigtonshire,' p. 5.]

_Note._--In 1879 the most northerly station was Ardnamurchan, and the appearance of Swallows much more general. The earliest record in 1879 of autumn migration was on July 29th, and the latest Sept. 25th, as against this year, July 16th and Oct. 15th. Careful attention to the collecting of migrants at these Wigton headlands would surely result in some interesting data. Mr. Robert Service writes me that all the headlands, also along the Stewartry coast-line, are gathering-places for the land-birds before proceeding southward. At daybreak, in September or October, Mr. Service has often watched departing flights of birds going off southward or seaward, over the Solway Firth. Large congregations of Swallows were observed by me at Kinross on telegraph wires on Aug. 3rd, and I was told that they congregate in the same place every autumn before leaving. There must have been many hundreds.

The following really belongs to the East Coast Report, and comes in under Mr. Hardy's notes from Berwickshire and the Borders:--Mr. Hardy has abundant evidence of the departure of Swallows in the border counties. He writes to me as follows:--"Old Cambus, Oct. 28th.--On Sept. 25th and 26th Swallows were here, and a pair of Martins were then on the coast, seven having been seen on the 26th. The main party assembled on the coast on the 21st and 22nd, and were not again visible, excepting this small party. I went down to the cave where the nests were, and evidently they were feeding young birds there. On the 30th they had not left a steading about a mile above Gilsland. They were present on Oct. 2nd and 3rd near Rosely Castle, eight miles south of Carlisle. On the 4th they were assembling on the roof of the Mansion House of Marchmont, Berwickshire, in great numbers, during snow and sleet. The 'Kelso Chronicle' of Oct. 15th says, 'Swallows were absent three weeks from Kelso, but again, in Kelso and the country round, their presence that week had been conspicuous. They had assembled in flocks.' The same paper of Oct. 22nd states that, 'On Oct. 17th a good many Swallows were flying about Jedburgh.' At Brampton, Cumberland, they were seen on Oct. 16th, 'circling round the church for several days previous.' On Sept. 22nd, Swallows still at Horsley, in the valley of the Eye, and a Martin still had young in a nest in the corner of a window."

Besides the above, it is worth while to take notice of an account of migration that appeared in an early volume of the 'Proceedings of the Zoological Society,' relating to the South-west district of Scotland:--"An extract of a letter from Capt. Fayrer, C.M.Z.S., was read. It was dated on board H. M.'s Packet 'Arrow,' Port Patrick, Oct. 23rd, 1831, and referred to the migration of certain birds from that neighbourhood. That of the Larks commenced about Oct. 12th. 'Their numbers,' says Capt. Fayrer, 'are beyond anything I would venture to state, but millions They start at daylight, steer directly across to the Capelona Islands, off Belfast Loch, and seem to prefer the wind directly against them. Very large flocks of Starlings have arrived within the last few days; they start before sunrise, but steer to the southward. The Lapwings have also arrived, but these birds do not take their flight till day has set well in; they appear to go directly across. I see all these birds at each end of their passage (twenty-one miles), and few, I think, perish." (P.Z.S., 1831, p. 145.)

Wren.--Returns from Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Skervuile, and Turnberry. The earliest date available was at Dhuheartach, Aug. 18th, when one was seen flying S. at noon, during light S.W. wind and haze. None are again reported until Oct. 1st, when "Wrens" were seen mixed with Larks and Thrushes; winds variable, light, and haze. Then at Skerryvore, Oct. 9th, one flying about at 11 a.m., light N.E. breeze, clear; and at Turnberry, Oct. 12th, one struck the lantern at midnight, wind light N.E. airs. In the autumn migration of 1879 (_q. v._, _loc. cit._) records came from Monach Island and Dhuheartach. Earliest Aug. 17th, latest Dec. 9th.

Goldcrest.--At Turnberry, Sept. 24th, 3 a.m., one struck, but was not killed, wind light S., and haze; and at Corsewall, Sept. 27th till 30th, there appears to have been a migration. On 27th, two were seen to strike the lantern at 2 a.m., in fresh south breeze and haze; on 28th, two also struck in clear weather, light S. breeze; and on 30th, eight remained around the lights from 8 p.m. till daylight, wind light S.E., and haze. From the Mull of Galloway, the negative note is given, "None seen this year." In 1879, numbers were reported (see Report, 1879) at Mull of Galloway on July 18th--only date.

_Note._--Mr. E. Warren, _in lit._, notes the unusual scarcity of Golden-crested Wrens at Ballina at the end of July, 1880.

Robin, _Erithaca rubecula_.--The most northern station where it is noted is Cape Wrath, where one bird arrived upon Oct. 20th, and remained until Jan. 11th (when the schedule was returned), or later. It came at 11.30 a.m., with an E. wind and snow. My correspondent adds, "It is much thought of." I have ten records from eight stations, _viz._, Cape Wrath, Stornoway, Kyleakin (2), Isle Ornsay, Dhuheartach, Rhuvaal, Lismore, and Turnberry. These date from Aug. 18th (Dhuheartach) and Sept. 4th (Kyleakin) to Dec. 31st (Stornoway), where one was observed for several days previous to that date. Other dates are, Sept. 8th, (Isle Ornsay), 24th (Turnberry), Oct. 20th (Cape Wrath, as above), Nov. 7th (Kyleakin and Lismore), Dec. 15th (Lismore), Dec. 27th (Rhuvaal). All the observations were made during the daytime, except at Lismore and Turnberry. In August the wind at Dhuheartach was light S.W. on 18th, with haze; the one Robin seen flew off S. after resting. At Kyleakin, Sept. 4th, four birds seen were flying S.W., wind light W., clear. At Turnberry, Sept. 24th, one struck at 3 a.m., in light S. breeze, and haze. At Isle Ornsay, one seen. At Cape Wrath, in October. At Kyleakin, Nov. 7th, three, wind S.E., clear; and numbers seen at Lismore mingling with Starlings and Larks all night, wind strong S.W., haze and rain. At Rhuvaal, Dec. 27th, after stormy weather, two flew about and stayed for a few days; and at Stornoway, Dec. 31st and a few days previously, one was seen. On 15th, numbers were round the lights at Lismore, along with Thrushes, Blackbirds, Grey and Green Linnets, in large flocks, wind strong N.E., and snow. In 1879, Robins were not reported from stations further north than Kyleakin.

Wheatear, _Saxicola ænanthe_.--I have eight or nine records from three stations on the west coast in autumn, _viz._, Butt of Lewis and Dhuheartach. The earliest date is Aug. 13th, when one was seen at Dhuheartach between 7 and 8 p.m., arriving with light N. wind, and remaining; and about one hundred, mostly young birds, left the neighbourhood of the Butt of Lewis, where--about a mile from the lighthouse--they had been collecting for some days before. Up to Aug. 17th and 18th, a few--seven on 17th and six on 18th--were seen at Dhuheartach about 8 a.m., wind light and haze, where they rested and flew off south. On Aug. 19th, one was killed on the lantern of Douglas Head lighthouse at 11 p.m., wind E.N.E., and haze. At Dhuheartach, Sept. 10th, thirty rested, light S. wind, and haze; and between Sept. 16th and Oct. 1st, large numbers were seen at the lantern of the Butt of Lewis lighthouse, and many were caught and released. Skerryvore was the most northerly station in 1879. Aug. 15th was the earliest record in 1879, and the latest on Sept. 28th.

_Note._--Late occurrences of the Wheatear are noted by Mr. Hardy in Berwickshire. On Sept. 17th they were seen at the shore and not again afterwards, but a few were present at Berwick, behind the pier, on Oct. 12th. This is the latest date I have on the east coast of Scotland. I place the note here--under the west coast report--for special comparison with the following:--Wheatear.--An unusually late stay of this species is recorded by Mr. Service in Wigtonshire (_vide_ 'Zoologist,' Feb. 1881, pp. 54, 55). Since the note appeared in 'The Zoologist,' I have had some more correspondence regarding these late Wheatears--7th December. Mr. Bruce is strongly of my opinion, that these birds _were really migrating_ when they flew away northwards, as they were seen still carrying on when fully a mile away. Before this they had remained for two or three days with Bullfinches. About six weeks afterwards "these same Bullfinches" took a similar route and disappeared; they were seen departing. I am inclined to agree with my friend and fellow-worker, Mr. Cordeaux, that these Wheatears probably belonged to the larger race, which have more arboreal habits than our own. If this is so, the observation made by Mr. Bruce still further bears out the probability of their foreign origin. As regards the more arboreal habits of the larger race, I have explained elsewhere ('Ibis,' 1876, p. 310) that arboreal habits of such species as Gulls, Curlews, Snipe, Snow Buntings, &c., in North-east Russia, are probably brought about by the flooded conditions of the country there, at the time of the arrival in spring of these migrants. The habit no doubt grows and even becomes hereditary, and is carried into other countries and other climes in autumn. Larger races usually indicate more northern extension, and, in my opinion, abnormal arboreal habits of certain species indicate that they are natives of a land subject to constantly recurring floods. For these reasons I am still inclined to adhere to my opinion that these Wigtonshire Wheatears, at the late date of Dec. 9th, 1880, were resting during their regular migration, and departed again upon an extension of that same migration. They were, in my belief, strangers, and not bred in the country.

Hedgesparrow.--See under Linnet.

Wagtail.--At Dhuheartach, a rush of Wagtails was observed upon Aug. 17th, 18th, 24th, and 26th, wind light and from S.W. on 17th and 18th, when twelve were seen each day flying in a south-easterly direction--to E.S.E. and S.E. on 24th--when two or three rested upon the rock. We had no records of this in 1879.

Thrushes, Blackbirds, and Ring Ouzels.--Numerous returns from eleven stations, _viz._, Rhu Stoir, Butt of Lewis, Stornoway, Monach, Kyleakin, Rhuvaal, Lochindaul, Corsewall, Point of Ayre, Douglas Head, and Bahama L.V. Earliest date July 19th, at Point of Ayre, when about 160 young Thrushes (_Turdus musicus_) were seen to go off at 9 a.m., flying S. Latest dates Jan. 8th, 9th and 10th, 1881, when large flocks of Blackbirds, Thrushes and Snow Buntings flew about all day; and all left on the 10th when the haze and fog cleared away; fresh E. breeze during this time. Between these dates, a migration appears to have taken place on Sept. 21st to 30th, shown, however, by records from only one station, _viz._, Stornoway. There, a good many Blackbirds and Thrushes arrived on Sept. 21st and left on 30th. These were accompanied also by Stormcocks (_Turdus pilaris_, or Fieldfare); weather and wind not noted; but see notes from Mid-Atlantic, _infra_. On 29th also, a number of Thrushes seen hovering round the lights at Douglas Head, along with Starlings and Blackbirds, in fog and haze. A desultory migration appears to have been carried on throughout October; I have the following records:--At Rhu Stoir, Oct. 1st, forty, besides Linnets, stayed four days (this comes also under the rush at end of September), wind variable, light breezes. At Bahama L.V., Oct. 8th, three were killed at 10.20 p.m., wind light E.N.E. breeze, and cloudy. At Butt of Lewis, in the north, Oct. 15th, a good many arrived and stayed till Jan. 15th, 1881, or later. At Kyleakin, Oct. 20th, two were seen flying south, with strong S.E. wind; and a few at Lochindaul. At Corsewall, one seen on 7th and one on 8th, one killed; strong N.E. wind and haze. In November, the earliest dates occur at the most southern stations; thus at Point of Ayre, Nov. 2nd and 3rd, about three hundred Blackbirds and Thrushes, mixed with Starlings, kept about the locality till 4 a.m. on the 3rd; wind S. to S.E., very foggy. The direction of flight on departure was not noted, but they were seen to pass off about 7.30 a.m. Also at the Bahama L.V., on the 3rd, five were killed and others fell overboard. At Corsewall, on the same dates, one and two were seen, wind fresh E., and haze. At Kyleakin, Nov. 4th, seven Blackbirds seen flying south at 9 a.m., wind S.E., and sleet; again on 11th, two seen flying S., wind E., haze. At Monach, Nov. 16th, one in the garden, wind S. to N.N.E., strong, with sleet and snow. In December, at Monach, a few Blackbirds were seen. Thus on Dec. 3rd, one male seen resting on the lantern at 10 p.m., wind strong W., haze. Another female on Dec. 4th, 2 p.m., flying about the garden, wind fresh S.S.W., haze and rain; and two Blackbirds, accompanied by Starlings, at 1 p.m., wind fresh S., clear in the garden and on the shore. As already noted, a still later flight was noted in January, 1881, at Point of Ayre, Isle of Man.

_Note._--Thrushes, amongst other birds (_vide_ Robins, Linnets, Snipe, Wagtails, &c.), were recognised by Capt. Roy in Mid-Atlantic, 400 miles on this side of Newfoundland. To Mr. Robt. Gray I am indebted for some interesting and useful notes regarding the occurrences of birds in Mid-Atlantic:--"The ship 'Rutland,' of Greenock, Capt. Roy. When about 400 miles on this side of Newfoundland, during continued heavy gales from the east, Capt. Roy observed numbers of birds taking refuge on the 20th September. He had had head-winds all the way home to England, and birds more or less numerous round the ship till the 25th October. When he was 400-500 miles from Ireland, a violent storm arose and blew prodigious flocks of birds before it. The deck and rigging were covered. Many died, and many were killed and used as food. The survivors, after staying a few days, were carried off by the force of the wind. Capt. Roy observed one Robin, lots of Linnets, Snipe, Thrushes, Wagtails, &c. Heavy rains accompanied the storm." Mr. Gray continues, "My brother-in-law, on his way to Boston in one of the Cunard steamers, saw a Jackdaw and a Starling come on board on Oct. 23rd, during a gale from the east, when 550 miles from the Irish coast, easterly winds having prevailed for several days. On Oct. 24th, 850 miles from land, one Starling perched for a few minutes. A small bird like a Linnet hovered about the rigging, but did not perch. One Water Rail was captured and detained ten days, 1200 miles from land, and two Sandpipers. Writing again on Dec. 21st, he tells me that on the outward passage, lat. 42° N., long. 54° W., he had in view at one time from five to six hundred Gulls, various species--an extraordinary number to be so far from land. When about 1080 miles from Ireland, going out, two _Crossbills_ flew on board. Both were captured."

Thomas Anderson (son of Thomas Anderson, joint author with Mr. Robert Gray of 'The Birds of Ayrshire and Wigtownshire') and Mr. Gray inform me, a good observer, and who has for many years kept a bird-log, at Mr. Robert Gray's request. Being chief-engineer on board a Cunard liner, he has crossed the Atlantic some four hundred times, during most or all of which time he has kept careful notes. It is hoped that he or Mr. Gray will give us the benefit of these notes before long, as they cannot fail to be of great interest and use to students of migration.

Mr. T. E. Bruce, of Slogarrie, observed some Missel Thrushes flying south on March 4th, 1881, and on the same day Snow Buntings. Great storm of snow on March 4th and 5th, from N.E.; this no doubt a local and temporary migration caused by the severe weather. The Missel Thrushes having previously arrived on spring migration, compelled to return again.