Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1887. Ninth Report (Vol. II, No. 4.)
Part 14
_Fastnet._--March 14th, one at noon; wind N.W.; 15th, two; wind N.E., fresh. October 15th, numbers, 8 P.M. to 11 P.M., about light; hazy; several struck; 16th, one found dead. [Leg and wing received.] Numbers striking all night; six killed; wind S.E., light, gloomy. October 21st, numbers of "Larks" all night about lantern; clear; numbers striking, none killed; wind light S.E.; 22d, several all day on rock; hazy. November 10th, numbers of "Larks" about light, 1 A.M. to daylight; wind light S.E.; 12th, two about light; gloomy. 1
_Old Head, Kinsale._--May 7th, great number; wind strong W. November 27th and 29th, several; going E.; wind W. December 6th, five; 14th, several.
_Mine Head._--November 22d, one found killed on balcony.
_Coningbeg Light-ship._--September 17th, 21st, and 23d, four to five "Larks" flying N.E. October 6th, three "Larks" about lantern, 9 P.M.; clear, wind light N.E.; 13th, five flying N., 11.30 A.M.; wind N.E.; 15th, two about ship, 7 A.M.; clear; 16th, a flock passing; 20th, seven "Larks" seen; 23d, three about light; 25th, a flock going N.E. November 2d, two; 5th, some; 6th, four flocks going N.E.; wind light E.; 10th, flock going N.; 11th, about lantern; gloomy; 12th, flocks going N. in daytime; wind S.E., clear; 17th, one about ship; wind light S.W.; 24th, six "Larks" flying S., 10 A.M.; wind light N.W., clear.
_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--March 8th, about twenty going N.; a few Larks noted passing N. October 20th, 22d, and 23d. November 8th, Larks going N. 8 P.M.; a few also noted passing N. on 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th. _On 10th saw a Gull chasing one which seemed exhausted._
_Tuskar._--February 19th, one killed striking. [Wing of Skylark received.] Weather very clear; wind fresh W. March 3d, three "Larks" on rock, two died; wind fresh E., cloudy; 7th, three on rock, two died; wind light S.E. September 20th, six on rock. October 6th, one; 19th, numbers all night; three killed striking; wind light S.W., clear. [Leg and wing received.] October 20th, twenty all day on rock; clear; 21st, numbers striking at midnight, fifteen killed. [Leg and wing received.] Wind light N.E., clear; 22d, twenty going N., 8 A.M.; wind S.E., light. November 6th, five; 7th, four; 8th, six; 10th, a few; 11th, several, one caught. [Leg and wing received.] November 12th, a few; 13th, great numbers; 14th, countless numbers. (These entries refer to night, and the Larks seem to have accompanied the Blackbirds and Thrushes, etc.; particulars as to the number of _each_ species killed striking are not given.) 23d, Larks at lantern, 2 A.M. to daylight; three killed striking. December 11th, Larks about light, 11 P.M. to 6 A.M.; calm, showery; 20th, one on rock; 22d, a flock going N.W., 1 P.M.
_Lucifer Shoals Light-ship._--October 7th, a few rested, _one with broken leg killed by Gulls_. November 24th, several about lantern, 4.30 A.M.; wind light, clear.
_Arklow South Light-ship._--January 23d and 24th, several at lantern, 1 A.M. to 4 A.M.; some killed on 23d; wind S.W., light, gloomy. March 18th, some going N.W., 5 to 6 A.M.; wind N.W., snow showers. September 16th, four, 10 A.M., going N.W.; 19th, a flock going N.W. October 21st, about lantern, midnight to 3 A.M.; one killed striking; also 10 P.M. to 4 A.M. on 22d, about lantern; one killed striking, cloudy; 29th and 30th, large flocks going N.W. about 11 A.M.; wind strong S.W. November 5th, flock going W.; wind S.W., light; 12th, one disabled.
_Arklow North Light-ship._--"Larks" noted at night, September 22d, October 15th, 16th, 20th. In daytime, October 2d, 5th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 13th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 25th, 27th. On December 7th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 21st, and 28th, about lantern. General direction of flight N.W. during October.
_Howth Baily._--October 15th, two "Larks" disabled striking; 26th, about forty birds, "supposed to be Larks," going W. November 12th, large numbers at lantern; many killed striking, midnight to 4 A.M.; fog.
_Rockabill._--January 5th, 6th, and February 17th, about rock; wind variable. "October 3d, a few nights ago there was great rush of Skylarks, Thrushes, Blackbirds, Snipe, and Landrail."
_South Rock Light-ship._--November 30th, one about ship.
_South Maidens._--October 12th and 13th, several at night; some killed striking. November 10th, 28th, December 10th and 28th, one to three noted.
_North Maidens._--October 21st, striking 9 P.M. to 1 A.M.; about one hundred killed. November 14th, 9 to 11 P.M., striking, five killed; stormy, wind N.E., overcast.
_Rathlin Island._--October 11th, one killed striking, midnight; foggy, wind strong E.
_Innishtrahull._--March 19th, numbers of Larks striking lantern, 10 P.M. to midnight; wind light N.W., very dark; 20th, do., midnight to 4 A.M.; wind fresh S.E.; 28th, nine about lantern all night; wind light S.W., very dark. October 16th, one at midnight striking. November 12th, two striking at 4 A.M.
_Tory Island._--March 11th, a few about light, 1 A.M.; wind N.W., strong, clear. April 5th, Skylarks remain and breed here. October 16th to 20th, numbers about lantern at night; seven killed striking; cloudy. (See note under Blackbird for this station.) [Leg and wing of Skylark, killed striking on 18th, received.]
_Arranmore._--October 9th, eight about station.
_Rathlin O'Birne._--Larks arrived about March 15th, and breed on island; nearly all leave beginning of August and go to mainland. (See under Titlark.)
_Killybegs._--Two to eight about station in October. November 16th, one killed striking, midnight; a gale from S.W., misty.
_Blackrock, Mayo._--October 23d, one at lantern, 11.40 P.M.; wind fresh S.W.
_Slyne Head, S._--October 21st, at lantern all night; eight killed striking; wind light S.E.; 29th, two on island. November 1st to 9th, several on island. Never saw so many without frost or snow.
_Arran Island, N._--November 8th, ten. December 12th, six.
_Skelligs._--October 1st, three; 19th, several all day.
Woodlark (_Alauda arborea_, Linn.).
_Tearaght._--October 20th, one Woodlark shot. [Received in flesh.]
Snow Bunting (_Plectrophanes nivalis_, Linn.).
_Tuskar._--March 18th, three on rock, 10 A.M.; wind light S.E., clear.
_Rockabill._--January 20th, two about rock, 11 A.M.; wind fresh N.W., clear.
_Rathlin Island._--October 24th, large flock of "Snow Buntings" passed lantern at midnight.
_Innishtrahull._--March 24th and 25th, about one dozen on island each day; stormy, wind N.W. April 24th, two at 11 A.M.; a gale, wind N.W.; one very white. October 24th, ten on island; stormy, wind N.
_Arranmore._--March 18th, twenty going N. April 21st and 22d, two to four going W. and N.W. October 6th, seven near station; wind light S.W. November 7th, some near station.
_Rathlin O'Birne._--March 10th, twenty on island; gale, wind S., misty. Remained till end of month. December 15th, three; 20th, six; a gale from N.
_Broadhaven._--November 9th, "Lapland Bunting--cock and hen," noted. [Snow Buntings?]
_Blackrock, Mayo._--November 1st, one male Snow Bunting on rock, wind strong S.W.; 4th, do.; wind N.W. December 24th, "It is remarkable that but one or two Snow Bunting have visited the rock this winter."
_Arran Island, N._--November 14th, eleven.
_Arran Island, S._--October 28th, one at 4 P.M.; wind N.W., light.
_Tearaght._--May 3d, two shot by assistant keeper. [Leg and wing received.] October 1st, two on island; wind N.E., light; 3d, one shot.
Lapland Bunting (_Plectrophanes lapponicus_, Linn.).
_Fastnet._--October 16th, "a Skylark and Twite (supposed) found dead on rock, 9 A.M.; wind light E., clear." [The bird supposed to be a Twite was forwarded in the flesh, and proved to be a female Lapland Bunting.] The night of October 15th was hazy, with the wind light from N.E.; and numbers of "Skylarks and Starlings" are stated to have been around the lantern.
Reed or Black-Headed Bunting (_Emberiza schœniclus_, Linn.).
_Arklow South Light-ship._--November 12th, "several kinds large and small birds at lantern, 7 P.M. to midnight; wind light S., gloomy." [One Black-Headed Bunting and one Brambling received in flesh.]
Yellow Bunting (_Emberiza citrinella_, Linn.).
_Arklow South Light-ship._--November 13th, one caught at lantern; wind light N. [Received in flesh.]
_Blackrock, Mayo._--November 13th, one on rock, 10 A.M.; wind light S.
_North Maidens._--November 24th, one killed striking, 10 P.M.; wind strong S.W., gloomy. [One received in flesh November 30th, probably this specimen.]
_Arranmore._--January 8th, 1888, nine on island.
_Blackrock, Mayo._--November 13th, one on rock, 10 A.M.; wind light E.
Chaffinch (_Fringilla cœlebs_, Linn.).
_Fastnet._--March 6th, one on rock, 10 A.M.; foggy, wind light E.; 11th, several all day; wind S.W., hazy. On the night of 4th and 5th March, numbers of small birds about light, supposed to be Larks and Chaffinches; 16th, one on rock. October 16th, numbers striking all night, none killed; wind light S.E., gloomy; 17th, several on rock, one found dead--[Leg and wing received]--gloomy, wind light E.; 23d, several on rock all day; hazy, wind light W. November 9th, one on rock; 10th, one found dead--died from exhaustion; wind light S.E.; 11th, numbers all night around lantern; wind light S.E., hazy; about twenty at noon on rock; 12th, one captured in dwelling at 8 A.M.; four round lantern at night; gloomy; 13th, three on rock, 9 A.M., clear; 17th, thirty on rock at 8 A.M.; clear, wind light S.; 19th, one dead on rock; squally, wind strong N.W.; 27th, one on rock; a gale from N.W. December 9th, one dead in tower; wind strong N.W. [Leg and wing received.]
_Mine Head._--October 16th, first seen since spring; plentiful all winter; one caught at lantern. [Leg and wing received.] November 21st, one killed striking.
_Coningbeg Light-ship._--May 13th, one caught on deck, 10 A.M.; clear, wind light N.E. [Leg and wing received.] September 21st, about lantern, 8 P.M. to midnight; hazy, wind light E.; three killed striking. October 8th, one killed striking, 9 P.M.; wind N.E., fresh, clear; 12th, two about lantern; 16th, one going N.E., and at night one, and several small birds about lantern; overcast, wind light N.; 19th and 21st, one about ship; 22d and 23d, two or three about light. November 7th, three on ship; 13th, one killed striking. [Received in flesh.] Wind light S.E., gloomy; 17th, two about ship in day; wind light S.W., clear. December 19th, two flying N., 10 A.M.; wind fresh N.W.
_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--October 29th, three going N., rested on ship and went towards land; wind fresh W., clear. November 6th, ten going N.W.; 7th, one killed striking. [Leg and wing received.]
_Tuskar._--March 13th, four on rock, one dead; wind strong N.E., clear; 16th, two on rock, one dead; wind N.E. [29th, wing received; date when killed not given.] September 21st, one all day; wind light S.E., haze. October 16th, two killed striking; wind light N.E., clear. [Leg and wing received.] 17th, twelve on rock, three killed striking; wind light, clear. [Leg and wing received.] 20th, some on rock all day; wind S., light; 22d, three at lantern; wind fresh, clear; 23d, 24th, 25th, and 30th, a few in daytime; wind strong, variable. November 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 19th, Chaffinches; two or three entered daily; seem to have accompanied the tremendous rush of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Starlings, which took place in November 1887 at the Tuskar. (See under Blackbird.)
_Arklow South Light-ship._--October 23d, one seen. November 13th, three on deck; wind light.
_Arklow North Light-ship._--March 11th, about ship, noon; wind light S.W., clear; 22d and 26th, about lantern, midnight; wind S.W., fresh; 31st, flock of "finches" going N.W., 10 A.M.; wind N.W., light. October 24th, four all day on ship; wind strong N.E., clear; 28th, two on ship all day; wind fresh W.
_Howth Baily._--October 15th, one disabled striking; 29th, two at lantern, 8 P.M.; November 12th, large numbers at lantern, midnight to 4 A.M., many killed striking; fog.
_Rockabill._--February 10th, about rock, 1 P.M.; wind N.E., fresh. November 10th, see under "Starling."
_South Rock Light-ship._--November 14th, one about ship.
_North Maidens._--November 21st, two seen; wind strong S.E.
_Blackrock, Mayo._--October 22d, four on rock; wind strong N.E. November 8th, a flock; wind ditto; 9th, one struck lantern, 6 P.M.; 10th, some about lantern; wind light N.E., gloomy; 22d, two shot. [Legs and wings of both received.] Wind strong N.E.
_Slyne Head, S._--October 11th, one on island; wind strong N. November 8th, two flocks. December 26th and 30th, several.
_Tearaght._--October 24th, large flock seen to-day.
_Skelligs._--October 22d, one found dead. [Leg and wing received.] November 5th, eleven all day; wind light S.E.
Brambling (_Fringilla montifringilla_, Linn.).
_Tuskar._--October 20th, one "Mountain Chaffinch" killed striking.
_Arklow South Light-ship._--November 12th, one killed striking. [Received in flesh.] (See note under Black-Headed Bunting.)
_Tearaght._--October 20th, one shot. [Leg and wing received.]
_Skelligs._--November 10th, forty "Mountain Finches" all day; wind light S.E.: one shot. [Leg and wing received.]
Sparrow (_Passer domesticus_, Linn.).
_Mine Head._--March 14th, one shot. [Leg and wing received.]
_Tuskar._--March 9th, five "Sparrows" on lantern, 10 P.M.; one dead; wind light S., cloudy.
_Tory Island._--March 12th, flocks of Sparrows about island. April 5th, some noted; breed here.
_Killybegs._--November 13th, four seen.
_Slyne Head, S._--March 30th, two "House Sparrows" on island.
_Arran Island, S._--November 16th, great flocks of "Sparrows" on island to-day; wind E., strong, hazy.
Greenfinch (_Coccothraustes chloris_, Linn.).
_Fastnet._--October 16th, numbers striking all night; one killed; gloomy, wind light S.E.; 17th, about fifty Chaffinches and Green Linnets on rock all day; gloomy; 20th, one struck light, 3 A.M.; gloomy, wind light S.W. November 13th, two on rock; wind light S.E., clear.
_Mine Head._--March 14th, one seen.
_Coningbeg Light-ship._--September 17th, six flying S.; wind N.E., light, clear. November 16th, one about ship, 4 P.M.; wind light S.W., clear.
_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--April 29th, two going N. October 22d, seven going N. November 7th, two going N., 10 A.M.; wind fresh N.E., clear; _one killed by Gulls close to ship_. (See also under Skylark.)
_Tuskar._--October 26th, numbers at sunset, remained all night; stormy, wind S.W. December 3d, one found dead; 25th, one on rock.
_Lucifer Shoals Light-ship._--October 5th, one going N.W. November 9th, one killed striking. [Received in flesh.]
_Arklow South Light-ship._--October 21st, one Green Linnet caught.
_Rockabill._--November 10th (see under "Starling").
_Rathlin Island._--November 24th, large flock at sunset; stormy, wind S.E.
_Blackrock, Mayo._--November 12th, one male Greenfinch caught at lantern, 10 P.M.; wind light S.E., overcast. [Leg and wing received.]
_Slyne Head, S._--October 19th, one Green Linnet on island; 20th, one killed striking.
_Arran Island, N._--December 2d, five.
_Tearaght._--October 20th, six Greenfinches, one shot. [Leg and wing received.] November 12th, large flock seen on island.
Goldfinch (_Carduelis elegans_, Steph.).
_Arranmore._--December 28th, one near station.
Siskin (_Carduelis spinus_, Linn.).
_Fastnet._--October 18th, one bird, name unknown, caught at lantern; wind light S., gloomy. [Siskin received in flesh.] October 20th, one dead on rock. [Received in flesh.] Wind light W.
_Coningbeg Light-ship._--November 11th, one caught, 11 A.M.; wind light S.E., gloomy. [Received in flesh.]
_Tuskar._--December 3d, one found dead. [Leg and wing received.]
_Rockabill._--November 7th, about sixty Siskins for half-an-hour, "the first that came here for three years;" came from N.E.
_Slyne Head, S._--November 1st, two birds on island, smaller than a Green Linnet, more yellow but the same green colour. [Possibly Siskins.]
_Tearaght._--October 19th, several Siskins seen; one shot. [Received in flesh.]
_Skelligs._--October 24th, flock of Siskins; wind light S.E.; one shot. [Leg and wing received.] November 18th, one found dead. [Leg and wing received.]
"Redpole."
_Blackrock, Mayo._--April 27th, one on rock, 9 A.M.; wind strong N.W.
"Linnets."
_Fastnet._--November 12th, thirty "Grey Linnets" going N.E.; wind light S.E.
_Old Head, Kinsale._--February 16th, flocks flying N.; May 10th, flocks alighted; June 20th, several flying N.; October 20th, November 12th, 14th 18th, and 20th, several.
_Coningbeg Light-ship._--March 6th, twelve going N.W.; fog, wind light E.; 11th, three going N.; wind fresh S.W. September 19th, nine flying S.; clear, wind N.E., light; 29th, four seen going N.E. October 1st, 15th, and 16th, one to seven; 20th, four about light; 23d, four; 29th, flock going N.E. November 12th, flying N.E. during day; wind light S.E., clear.
_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--March 3d and 4th, small flock going N. in mornings; 12th and 13th, a few all day going N.; wind fresh E.; 18th, do., going N., 3 P.M. April 9th, one going E. October 16th, flocks going N., 10 A.M. to noon; 23d, some going N.; wind light W, November 9th, three going N.; 10th, three "Grey Linnets" going N. December 4th, six going N.W.
_Tuskar._--March 8th, three all day. October 17th, two "Linnets or Twites" going N.W.
_Lucifer Shoals Light-ship._--October 7th and 9th, flock going W.; 20th, one; 30th, several flocks going W., 10 A.M. November 24th, several about lantern, 4.30 A.M.
_Arklow North Light-ship._--March 2d, flock going N.W. October 8th, do. going E., noon; wind strong N.; 10th and 11th, several flocks going N.W.; wind strong N.; 27th, flock going N.W., noon.
_South Rock Light-ship._--December 11th, large flock going S.W.
_South Maidens._--November 29th, December 4th, 6th, 15th, 30th, one to two noted.
_Innishtrahull._--October 10th, numbers of "Scotch Linnets" will remain during winter.
_Tory Island._--March 12th, flocks about island. April 5th, do. Grey Linnets breed here.
_Arranmore._--October 3d, six Linnets; 6th, flocks near station. November 16th, some on island.
_Rathlin O'Birne._--March 15th, fifty to eighty all day; wind fresh N.; ten killed (striking?). Large flocks up to April 1st. October 28th, about thirty on island; first this winter. December 20th, about thirty remained a month.
_Killybegs._--A few noted at intervals during April, May, and June, and several almost daily noted about station, October 1st to November 30th.
_Broadhaven._--October 17th, forty seen. Linnets resident.
_Slyne Head, S._--October 15th, numbers of Grey Linnets every day during month.
_Arran Island, N._--October 31st, twenty. December 27th and 30th, several on rock.
_Arran Island, S._--October 16th, flocks going S. all day; wind light N.
"Twite."
_Tuskar._--October 8th, twenty "Twites" going N.W. November 25th and 30th, do. December 2d, 5th, 9th, and 10th, one to six "Twites" noted.
_Blackrock, Mayo._--October 21st, flock of "Mountain Twites" during day; wind strong S.E.
_Tearaght._--September 18th, several Twites arrived.
"Bullfinch."
_South Maidens._--October 9th and November 24th, one "Bullfinch" on rock.
_Blackrock, Mayo._--April 24th, one "Bullfinch" on rock at noon; wind strong N.W.
_Arran Island, S._--November 10th, "two Bullfinches," male and female, caught alive at 8 P.M.; wind light E., hazy.
Starling (_Sturnus vulgaris_, Linn.).
_Fastnet._--February 28th, hundreds from 10 P.M. to 6 A.M. around light; wind light S.W., hazy; none killed or captured. March 1st, numbers from 9 P.M. to 11 P.M. heard overhead; wind light S.W., clear--seemed to go S.; 2d, numbers striking, 1 A.M. to 4 A.M.; hazy, wind light S.; none killed; 3d, numbers about light, 3 A.M. to 4 A.M.; wind light W.S.W., hazy. While on shore from 11th to 18th February, I saw large flocks of Starling congregating every evening about sunset and flying S. The same thing occurred from 2d to 9th March. October 15th, numbers about light, 8 P.M. to 11 P.M.; hazy, wind light N.E.; one caught; 17th, three struck; wind light S.E., gloomy; 24th, numbers all night around lantern; wind fresh, clear. November 11th, one struck, 11 P.M.; gloomy; 13th, one found dead. [Leg and wing received.]
_Old Head, Kinsale._--March 4th, flocks alighted. October 4th, flocks flying N.; 25th, several flying N.
_Mine Head._--March 1st, 2d, and 3d, striking occasionally at night; fine; wind S. and S.E.; flocks in the fields. October 22d and 23d, a few striking; 25th, great flocks in fields. November 10th and 11th, about lantern all night. Plentiful to end of January 1888.
_Coningbeg Light-ship._--March 19th, flocks about lantern, 9 P.M. to midnight; gloomy, wind light E.; twelve killed striking. [Leg and wing received.] 20th, flocks about light, midnight to 4 A.M.; snow showers, wind light N.E.; nine killed striking. [Leg and wing received.] 26th, some about lantern 8 to 9 P.M.; clear, wind fresh W. October 19th, one; 21st, several about light, 6 P.M. to midnight; many killed striking, dropped into the sea; 22d, do., from 9 P.M. to midnight; 23d, do., midnight to 6 A.M.; wind light, overcast each day; 25th, flock going N. November 4th, one about ship; 6th, "hundreds of birds of various kinds, 5 to 9 P.M., about light; dozens killed and wounded; lots fell overboard"--[Perhaps some were Starling.--R. M. B.]--hazy, with rain. 7th, Starling about light, 7 to 10 P.M.; showers, wind fresh. November 8th, flock going N.E., and several about ship, 8 to 4 P.M.; 10th, flocks going N.W., 10.30 A.M.; wind N.W., clear; several about lantern at night; 11th, two about ship; one killed at night; numbers of birds killed striking, and fell overboard; 13th, about light; gloomy, wind S.E.; several killed; 14th, about lantern, several killed; 15th, do.; on 11th, 13th, 14th, and 15th, numbers of birds about ship, mostly Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Starlings. December 23d, several about light, midnight to 4 A.M.; wind fresh N.W., showery.
_Barrels Rock Light-ship._--On night of March 1st, from 8 P.M. to 2 A.M., and on 2d from 9 P.M. to 1 A.M., flocks passing to S.E.; 9th, flocks going S., 7.30 to 9 P.M.; wind light, clear; 22d, a few going S. at noon; wind fresh W., clear. October 15th and 16th, two flocks going N.; 20th, three; 21st, small flocks, 9 P.M. to midnight, going N.; 22d, do., at 3 A.M.; 25th, small flocks, 9 to 10 P.M., going N. November 8th, flocks going N., 8 P.M. to midnight; 9th, do., midnight to 3 A.M.; do., 8 to 11 P.M.; 10th, do., 7.30 P.M.; 11th, do., 7 P.M.; 12th, midnight to 5 A.M., and 8 P.M. to midnight; 13th, midnight to 4 A.M., and a few about lantern all night. In every case during October and November going N., wind generally E.