Part 1

REPORT

ON THE

MIGRATION OF BIRDS

IN THE

SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1887.

BY

Mr J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, Mr J. CORDEAUX,

Mr R. M. BARRINGTON, Mr A. G. MORE,

AND

Mr W. EAGLE CLARKE.

NINTH REPORT.

(Vol. II., No. 4.)

EDINBURGH:

PRINTED BY M'FARLANE & ERSKINE,

14 and 19 ST JAMES SQUARE.

1889.

PREFACE.

This Report contains a summary of the investigations of a Committee reappointed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, at Manchester, in 1887, to consist of Professor Newton, Mr J. A. Harvie-Brown, Mr John Cordeaux, Mr W. Eagle Clarke, Mr R. M. Barrington, and Mr A. G. More, for the purpose of obtaining (with the consent of the Master and Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, the Commissioners of Northern Lights, and the Commissioners of Irish Lights) observations on the Migration of Birds at Lighthouses and Light-ships, and of reporting on the same at Bath in 1888. Mr Cordeaux to be the Secretary.

The returns relating to Scotland have been arranged by Mr J. A. Harvie-Brown; for the East Coast of England, by Mr Cordeaux; for the West Coast of England, by Mr W. Eagle Clarke; and those for the Coasts of Ireland, by Mr R. M. Barrington and Mr A. G. More.

This is the ninth, and final, report issued, and the Committee have much pleasure in stating that one of their number, Mr William Eagle Clarke, of the Museum of Science and Art in Edinburgh, has undertaken the laborious task of reducing the mass of facts collected, from an examination _de novo_ of the whole of the schedules sent in, so as to bring out the general results of their inquiry, both statistically and otherwise, on strictly scientific lines, and in as condensed and clear a method as possible.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

East Coast of Scotland, 1

East Coast of England, 17

West Coast of Scotland, 60

West Coast of England and Wales, and the Isle of Man, 73

Irish Coasts, 112

LIST OF STATIONS.

1. Iceland. =England--East Coast.= 2. Do. 3. Faroe. 30. Longstone L.H. 3_b_. Fair Isle. 31. Inner Farn L.H. 32. Coquet Island L.H. =Scotland--East Coast.= 33. 5 Buoy Tees L.V. 34. Whitby High L.H. 4. N. Unst. 35. Flamborough Head L.H. 5. Whalsey Skerries. 36. Spurn Point L.H. 6. Bressay Sound. 37. Spurn L.V. 7. Sumburgh Head. 38. Inner Dowsing L.V. 8. N Ronaldshay. 39. Dudgeon L.V. 9. Start Point. 40. Outer Dowsing L.V. 10. Auskerry. 41. Llyn Wells L.V. { 11. Hoy Sound (Low). 42. Hasbro' L.V. { 12. Hoy Sound (High), 43. Leman and Ower L.V. 13. Cantick Head. 44. Hunstanton L.H. 14. Pentland Skerries. 45. Cromer L.H. 15. Dunnet Head. 46. Hasbro' L.H. 16. Holborn Head. 47. Winterton L.H. 17. Noss Head. 48. Newarp L.V. 18. Tarbat Ness. 49. Cockle L.V. 19. Cromarty. 50. Corton L.V. 20. Chanonry Point. 51. Orfordness L.H. 21. Covesea Skerries. 52. Languard Point L.H. 22. Kinnaird Head. 53. Shipwash L.V. 23. Buchan Ness. 54. Swin Middle L.V. 24. Girdleness. 55. Nore L.V. 25. Montroseness. 56. Tongue L.V. 26. Bell Rock. 57. Kentish Knock L.V. 27. Isle of May. 58. Galloper L.V. 28. Inchkeith. 59. North Foreland L.H. 28_b_. Fidra (1885). 60. North Sand Head L.V. 29. St Abbs Head. 61. Gull L.V. 62. Eastside L.V. 63. South Foreland L.H. 64. South Sand Head L.V. 65. Varne L.V.

=Scotland--West Coast.= =England--West Coast.

81. Cape Wrath. 119. Bahama Bank L.V. 82. Rhu Stoir. 120. St Bees L.H. 83. Butt of Lewis. 121. Selker L.V. 84. Stornoway. 122. Morecambe Bay L.V. 85. Island Ghlais. 123. Dee L.V. 86. Monach Isles. 124. Air L.H. 87. Ushenish. 125. Menai L.H. 88. Barra Head. 126. Skerries L.H. 89. Rona. 127. Holyhead Breakwater L.H. 90. Kyleakin. 128. South Stack L.H. 91. Isle Ornsay. 129. Carnarvon Bay L.V. 92. Ardnamurchan. 130. St Tudwal's L.H. 93. Skerryvore and Hynish 131. Bardsey Island L.H. Signal Tower, Tiree. 132. Cardigan Bay L.V. 94. Dhuheartach. 133. South Bishop L.H. 95. Sound of Mull. 134. Smalls L.H. 96. Corran Ferry. 135. Great Castlehead L.H. 97. Lismore. 136. Milford L.H. 98. Fladda, Easdale. 137. Caldy L.H. 99. Rhuvaal. 138. Helwick L.V. 100. M'Arthur's Head. 139. Scarweather L.V. 101. Skervuile. 140. Nash L.H. 102. Rhinns of May. 141. Breaksea L.V. 103. Lochindaul. 142. Flatholm L.H. 104. Mull of Kintyre. 143. English and Welsh 105. Sanda. Grounds L.V. 106. Devaar. 144. Usk L.H. 107. Pladda, Arran. 145. Avon L.H. 108. Lamlash. 146. Burnham L.H. 109. Turnberry. 147. Bull Point L.H. 109_b_. Ailsa Craig 148. Bideford L.H. (building, 1885). 149. Lundy L.H. 110. Corsewall. 150. Hartland Point L.H. 111. Loch Ryan. 151. Trevose Head L.H. 112. Portpatrick. 152. Godrevy L.H. 113. Mull of Galloway. 153. Longships L.H. 114. Little Ross. 154. Sevenstones L.V. 155. Wolf-Rock L.H. =Isle of Man.= 156. Scilly L.H. 157. Bishop's Rock L.H. 115. Point of Ayre. 158. Lizard L.H. 116. Douglas Head. 159. Falmouth Harbour L.H. 117. Langness (1880). 160. Eddystone L.H. 118. Chickens Rock. 161. Plymouth Breakwater L.H. 162. Start L.H.

=Ireland.=

1. Fastnet. 20. Arranmore. 2. Galley Head. 21. Rathlin O'Birne. 3. Old Head, Kinsale. 22. Killybegs. 4. Mine Head. 23. Oyster Island. 5. Dungarvan. 24. Broadhaven. 5*.Coningbeg. Lt.-ship. 25. Eagle Island, E. 6. Barrels Rock Lt.-ship. 26. Eagle Island, W. 7. Tuskar. 27. Blackrock, Mayo. 8. Arklow S. Lt.-ship. 28. Blacksod Point. 8*.Arklow N. Lt.-ship. 29. Clare Island. 10. Kish Bank Lt.-ship. 30. Slyne Head, N. 11. Howth Baily. 31. Slyne Head, S. 12. Rockabill. 32. Arran Island, N. 13. Copeland Island. 33. Straw Island. 14. Maidens. 34. Arran Island, S. 15. Rathlin. 36. Samphire Island. 16. Innishtrahull. 37. Tearaght. 17. Dunree Head. 38. Valentia. 18. Lough Swilly. 39. Skelligs. 19. Tory Island. 40. Dursey Island.

=Outlying Stations.=

Heligoland, Stevns Fyr, Zealand. Malmo, Sweden. Casquets L.H., Alderney. Hanois L.H., Guernsey.

NINTH REPORT

ON

THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS

IN THE

SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1887.

EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.

We repeat the List of Stations with Returns up to date.

EAST OF SCOTLAND.

Note: The names of the Reporters are given under "Diary from the Stations."

Returns In 1887. in 9 years 1887. Schedules including Actual filled in. 1887. returns. Values. Feet.

Shetland.

8 7 * 4. N. Unst, IV. 230 5. Whalsey Skerries, II. 143 6. Bressay, III. 105 1 7 * 7. Sumburgh Head, I.

Orkney.

2 8 * 8. N. Ronaldshay, IV. 9. Start Point, V. 6 10. Auskerry, I. 11. Hoy Sound (Low), V. 12. Hoy Sound (High), V. 13. Cantick Head, III. 13 9 * 14. Pentland Skerries, I.

Mainland.

15. Dunnet Head, Caithness, V. 346 16. Holborn Head, Caithness, V. 75 1 2 * 17. Noss Head, Caithness, V. 175 18. Tarbat Ness, East Ross, V. 175 6 * 19. Cromarty, East Cromarty, V. 60 4 20. Chanonry Point, Elgin, V. 40 21. Covesea Skerries, Elgin, V. 160 22. Kinnaird Head, Aberdeen, V. 120 1 1st * 23. Buchan Ness, Aberdeen, V. 130 1st * 24. Girdleness, Aberdeen, V. 185 25. Montroseness, Aberdeen, V. 124 1 (one lost) 9 * 26. Bell Rock, Fife Coast, I. 93 26B. Carr Rock Lightship, Fife Coast, ? ? 0 8 27. Isle of May, Firth of Forth, I. 240 1 7 * 28. Inchkeith, Firth of Forth, IV. 220 2 * 28B. Fidra, Firth of Forth, instituted 1886, ? ? 29. St Abb's Head, Berwickshire, V. 224

_Extracts from Diary from the Stations._

The following notes are selected from a large number of letters and notes, showing the constantly increasing interest taken in the work of the Committee:--

_N. Unst._--John Nichol (principal) says: "Ravens variously marked were seen in June and July near Lerwick. One was jet black with white wings. Another white head and tips of wings. Others variously marked.

"Teal and Widgeon, reckoned rare in Unst, seen 23d November. The Starling is not of the Faroe species, but of the common species. Took particular note of this. Breed. Make for shore in winter at night--only with us during the day. Fewer land birds in 1887 than in most seasons, except greater numbers of Linnets (Twites?) in day time. Stormy Petrels were the most persistent night-callers we had. More Cormorants than usual in winter and more Eider Ducks than in former years. No Swans seen to date of 31st December 1887. Strange fact noted: No Solan Geese seen between October 28th and November 20th, although for certain there were plenty of fish about, and the weather fine."

Under date of March 7th, Mr Nichol in a letter describes a whale chase. Two large Finners off the shore of Balta Vöe (_Physeter tursio_), estimated at over 70 feet long. Not captured.

On 20th March a large Eagle pounced on a Hooded Crow and carried him off, flying past going north. In August occur records of Eagles on Hermann's Hill. Young had been destroyed [_by the selfish edict then in force._--J. A. H.-B.]. A Little Auk, Mr Nichol says, "measured 8½ inches from point of beak to tip of tail," which is over the measurements in Johns' Book, which he has. [We are glad to find such care taken as this indicates.--J. A. H.-B.] Greater number of Gulls seen than usual in September, indicating greater abundance of fish.

"On the 24th December," says Mr Nichol, "at 10 A.M.--a rare occurrence--a flock of six Cormorants appeared, same time another flock of six. Both flocks flying round the rock one after the other. After once round, the hindermost flock went right away westerly. The other went three times more round the rock, as if looking for the other flock, _before leaving also westerly_. [Italics are mine.--J. A. H.-B.] To date 31st December. Not one been seen since, although before daily."

Mr Nichol relates another whale hunt at Unst, on Wednesday, 28th September 1887. Also unsuccessful.

I must pay a passing tribute to the admirable schedules sent in by Mr Nichol, including two entirely devoted, as requested, to movements of Solan Geese, which are sure to yield, some day, valuable information.

_Sumburgh Head._--Mr James Youngclause.--A very short single schedule. Birds very scarce. Greenfinch found dead on 9th December. Mentions _residents_ there, which may yet be utilised for minute records of distribution. Arrival and departure of rock birds--not one seen after the 12th August. No "rushes" of birds seen. (Assistant's name, Donald Campbell.)

_North Ronaldshay._--John Tulloch.--Great numbers of Gulls on the Island all winter, living mostly in the turnip fields. "There are 100's (_sic_) to be seen in a field at times, feeding. They will hollow the turnip, leaving the outside skin only. The only way to keep them away is to shoot some, and hang them up on poles."

_Pentland Skerries._--John Gilmour (assistant keeper--not "principal," as in last Report).

The Crossbill occurs (see letter of 2d August 1887, and schedule under date--22d July being date of occurrence).--"There were three of them on the island, and they remained over a week. This is in no mistake a rare bird here, and I have never seen it before."

"A Game Hawk was on the island a good part of the summer, and made sad havoc among the Terns" (schedule, 10th August 1887). This may partially account for the shifting of nesting sites of the Terns so frequently, to which we allude elsewhere ("Vertebrate Fauna of the Outer Hebrides," _in the press_. David Douglas).

[Two of the schedules refer entirely to Solan Geese, as requested. These from the various stations should be separately considered and reported upon in the final digest.--J. A. H.-B.] They bulk about the Pentland Firth largest in August; and only stragglers are seen by 1st October (see letter). No great movement to date of 1st October of other birds, except the last two days, 29th and 30th September. Rush shortly at date expected--(see schedules). Mr John Gilmour, under date of 5th November, sends wings and feet of a Yellow Bunting. It was shot on the 2d November. He goes on to say--"we had not many birds here during October, as compared with what I have seen in former years; the wind was never in the east during the whole month. But the wind having shifted to S.E. during the first three days of November, with a strong gale, we have had a considerable 'rush' of Fieldfares, Redwings, Goldcrests, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Woodcock, Snow Bunting, and Yellow Bunting. There is also, with little doubt, a Hoopoe, described as seen on 9th October." All the lighthouse keepers at Pentland Skerries assist keenly in the work, during their watches, _viz._, Messrs Mercer (principal), M'Gaw and Dawson (assistants).

_Dunnet Head._--David Laidlaw and James Carson.--One schedule.--"Gulls came to the cliffs to breed a fortnight earlier, and left a fortnight earlier, about the middle of February to middle of September." Hawks and Carrion (?) Crows (Hooded?) frequent the cliffs in the breeding season. Gannets reported during July, August, and September, passing and repassing in such quantities, that it would be quite impossible to form any idea.

_Noss Head._--James Ferrier.--One schedule.--Note: "The Cormorants breed here under the headland, and never leave all winter; go forth to feed early, and return to rest in the evening." [Query: Is this the real Cormorant, or only the Shag? I fancy the latter most probably.--J. A. H.-B.]

_Buchan Ness._--William Ross.

_Bell Rock._--James Jack.--Unfortunately a spring schedule is lost. This one dates 1st September to 21st. But the spring schedule was, Mr Jack says, very light, and few birds seem to pass this way in spring except Larks.

_Inchkeith._--Robert Grierson.--March 14th to October 16th, seven entries under seven dates.

Separate Report under Genera and Species.

Turdidæ.--_Thrushes._--Returns commence in _January_, and between 1st and 23d, Blackbirds, Fieldfares, occur in small numbers, and one Thrush on 23d; wind variable, from fresh S.W. to strong E. on 7th, rest westerly; all at Pentland Skerries.

_February._--A single record of Blackbird at Pentland Skerries on 24th.

_March._--At Pentland Skerries, two dates of straggling Blackbirds, 3d and 14th.

_April._--Thrushes and Blackbirds at N. Ronaldshay and Pentland Skerries, 4th, at latter, and between then and 27th; and Ring Ouzels on 27th, with S.E. fresh on island.

_September._--Most returns from Pentland Skerries of Blackbirds and Thrushes; winds variable, but with easterly tendency. Also one record from Noss Head.

_October._--No great appearance; indeed, as compared with 1886, infinitesimal. Only small items on six dates, between 10th and 31st, of Redwings (10th), and Blackbirds, Song Thrushes (23d), and Fieldfares (31st); winds northerly and easterly.

_November._--The above succeeded by a "perfect rush" of Fieldfares at same station on the 1st. "Flocks all day;" and also of Redwings (several) and two Blackbirds. 2d, Song Thrushes all day. (Winds continuing easterly, but more to south than in October.) Yet after this no great movement apparently at Pentland Skerries. Only other stations recording are Dunnet Head (Fieldfares, strong N.E. breeze, haze; and Noss Head S.S.E. gale, a few Thrushes); and at N. Ronaldshay, Blackbirds and Thrushes; strong E.N.E. and showers.

_December._--Rush all over; only two records at Pentland Skerries of Blackbirds on 21st and 26th.

Saxicolinæ.--_January._--6th, one "Stonechat" (Wheatear?), at 1.11 A.M.; strong S. at N. Unst.

_N.B._--This may not have been a Common Wheatear at such a date.

_March._--At Pentland Skerries one Whinchat all day; moderately W., and showers "rare."

_April._--At Pentland Skerries, 6th, Wheatears (_sic_) all day on lighthouse; Light N. cloudy; more by the 10th, and one _Redstart_ (or more?) on 27th.

_May._--" Stonechats" (at N. Ronaldshay)--[probably Wheatears _vera_.--J. A. H.-B.] on 17th; and Redstart, male, at Pentland Skerries all day on 4th.

_June._--One only record at N. Unst, at 2 P.M. on the 6th; light S. breeze; rested on rock.

_July._--_Blank._

_August._--At Pentland Skerries, 17th, 19th, and 23d, single Wheatears: winds various, from light W.N.W.; moderate N. to fresh S.W. on the three dates.

_September._--At N. Unst, one on 20th, and single occurrences on 23d and 30th, same place.

At Pentland Skerries, one Redstart ♀ on 3d, and Wheatears again at ditto, on 22d; and at N. Unst, on 26th, single birds.

_October._--"Stonechats," Wheatears, etc., at N. Unst, 26th, and earlier at more southern stations; earliest at Bell Rock on 1st; rush on 5th at _Fidra_, _i.e._, "numbers on island all day." Stations returning in small numbers, N. Unst, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, Inchkeith, and Fidra. No more records after October.

Silviinæ.--_Spring._--_March._--One Redbreast all day on 1st at Pentland Skerries; fresh W., haze.

_April._--23d, One Redbreast on lighthouse; S.E., haze.

_Autumn._--September.--At Bell Rock, on 15th, one Robin; and at Fidra, one on 24th.

_December._--At Dunnet Head, one; N., clear.

Phylloscopinæ.--In April.--On Pentland Skerries, on 23d and 24th; a few all day; S.E., showers. The only spring record.

_Autumn._--_September._--At N. Unst, one W. Warbler; N., strong breeze and showers; and at Noss Head one Goldcrest all day.

_October._--Nothing; but in November, five or six Goldcrests all day at Pentland Skerries; S.S.E. and rain.

_December._--One Goldcrest cock; N.W. gale at Noss Head; flying about the outhouses.

Acrocephalinæ.--_Blank._

Accentoridæ.--_Blank._

Troglodytidæ.--No records till _September_; and then only two at Bell Rock (on 24th), and Inchkeith (28th), young birds.

_October._--One Common Wren at N. Unst; N.N.W., clear, on 2d (see W. Nichol's Notes).

_November._--At Pentland Skerries, single birds reported; light N.W. wind ("first seen for some time"), on 11th, 12th; at Dunnet Head, one; light W. breeze, clear on 29th.

Motacillidæ.--_April._--7th, at Pentland Skerries, the first seen this spring; light variable, clear. Again single birds seen on 27th, one of Pied Wagtail and one Rays [? or the long-tailed yellow one, which is the Grey Wagtail. Rays has very short tail.--J. A. H.-B.]

_July._--Rays Wagtail is again alluded to, but we suspect this will turn out to be the Grey. [Yet Mr Barrington, in June 1886, _shot_ a veritable _M. Raii_ in N. Rona!!]

_August._--One record of Wagtail at Pentland Skerries, after strong N.W. wind on island.

_September._--At Pentland Skerries, a few Pied Wagtails, on five dates between 3d and 22d. The most, six on the 22d; also one Wagtail at Bell Rock on 2d; strong S. breeze.

_October._--Pied Wagtails at Pentland Skerries, fresh W., on 5th.

Anthidæ.--_January._--Rock Pipits noted at N. Unst on 29th. No more of this species till Autumn.

_March._--At N. Unst on 7th, and again on 21st, "Mosscheepers," and at Bell Rock, a few on 20th and 23d; S.E., fresh, and haze.

_April._--A few on 23d at N. Unst; "three or four remained all the year."

_July._--Three at N. Unst; S.W., strong breeze. [But are these not resident?--J. A. H.-B.]

_August._--All returns from Pentland Skerries. _N.B._--"Rush" on afternoon of 23d, and again on 23d; light W., breeze, haze, left flying south.

_September._--At N. Unst, numerous on 20th, and flock of five on 1st; N., fresh, clear. A few at Bell Rock, and an increase observed on 15th there; wind S.S.W. and S.W., light.

_October._--On 4th and 5th, a number on Bell Rock; S.W. strong breeze, haze. Rested on rock; light breeze on 5th.

Muscicapidæ.--_August._--At Pentland Skerries, one on 10th on island; N.W., cloudy.

_September._--At Pentland Skerries, one or more on 5th all day; fresh N.E. Do., two or three on 29th all day; fresh E. Do., a few on 30th all day, N.N.E., cloudy.

_October._--At Pentland Skerries, one or two all day on 5th; strong N.W., cloudy.

From the above it is evident Pentland Skerries is a regular resting place most seasons. No doubt the Pied Flycatcher is intended throughout.

Hirundinidæ.--May.--13th, at N. Ronaldshay, two, 5 P.M.; N.N.E., fresh, clear. 11th, at Pentland Skerries, "Arrival of all day;" N.W., clear. 15th, do. do., all day; W.N.W., clear; on lighthouse. 26th, do. do., one, 12.30 P.M.; light N.E.; flying W. 14th. at Dunnet, two, 4 P.M.; light W. breeze, clear.

_June._--26th, at N. Unst, two, 8 P.M.; S.W., clear, "rarely seen." 5th, 6th, and 7th, at Pentland Skerries, number all day; strong E., haze; variable and fresh. 17th, at Pentland Skerries, several all day; moderate E.N.E. breeze, fog; flying about lighthouse,

_August._--27th, at Dunnet, two at 4.30 P.M.; S.E., clear.

_September._--1st, Pentland Skerries, three at 11.40; strong clear, E.

Fringillidæ.--_February._--6th, 17th, and 20th, Linnets (Twites?) and Chaffinches ("rare"); the latter with S. strong breeze, haze--all at N. Unst. [_Note._--Winds have been quite abnormal all this season throughout; hence, also, our very fine summer.--J. A. H.-B.]

_March._--At Pentland Skerries, one seen all day (strong S.S.E., and haze) on 22d.

_April._--26th, same place, two all day; S.E., fresh, haze on lighthouse.