Part 6

November 25th.--_Cromer_ L.H., flocks Crows all day, mostly E. to W. _S. S. Head_ L.V., Rooks and Sparrows, 9 A.M., to N.W. (W.S.W., 4.) _Hanois_ L.H., Heron to E., 11 A.M.; [and on 27th, several to S.E., flying very high, at 10 A.M. (W.N.W., 4.)]

DECEMBER

December 1st.--_Tetney_, Grey Phalarope shot; Snipe, "many heard passing over to S. at dusk, when in a duck-punt off Tetney Haven."

December 2d.--_Redcar_, great many Snow Buntings to W.N.W.

December 3d.--_Tees_ L.V., large flock Larks to N.W. Four Sparrows came on board. _Swin Middle_ L.V., some Larks on 2d and 3d, to N.W.

December 4th.--_Cromer_ L.H., Buzzard, 11.30 A.M., N.E. to S.W.; six Blue Titmouse.

December 6th.--_Tetney_, Snow Bunting, one at low-water mark, many coming in at dusk. (S., strong, rain.)

December 7th.--_Coquet_ L.H., Fieldfares all day. (S.S.E., 5.) _Tees_ L.V., flock Snow Buntings, to S. _Redcar_, one Glaucous Gull seen, immature.

December 9th.--_Tees_ L.V., two Sparrow Hawks to N.W. Redcar, about one hundred Grey Geese, high to S. (W.N.W., light.) _Whitby_ L.H., large flock Geese, 8 P.M., round light. (N.W., 6.)

December 10th.--_Whitby_ L.H., small flocks Fieldfares and Thrushes, 8 A.M., went S.

December 12th.--_Farn_ L.H., great many Lapwings and Plover, Purple Sandpipers, some Redshanks, and Turnstones about island. _Outer Dowsing_ L.V., fifty Black Crows, 4.10 P.M., N.W. to S.E.

December 13th.--_Farn_ L.H., three Blackbirds, several Thrush, one Snipe, on island. (S.S.W., 4.) _Winterton_ L.H., Starlings, 6 A.M., at lantern. (S.S.W., 6.)

December 14th.--_Coquet_ L.H., Starlings and Larks all day. (W.S.W., 5.) _Redcar_, one Woodcock, picked up dead on shore.

December 17th.--_Farn_ L.H., flocks of Starlings all day to W. (W.N.W., 7.) _Tetney_, Goldfinch, one. (Have been very common in North-East Lincolnshire in December, also January 1888); a few Brambling.

December 21st.--_Languard_ L.H., two Kentish Plover, 8 A.M., went W. (N, 4.)

December 22d.--_Farn_ L.H., several Hedge Sparrows and one Wren on island.

December 23d.--_Whitby_ L.H., great many Grey Crows, Fieldfares, Linnets, Finches, and Sparrows, 10.30 A.M., seen near station. (N.N.E., 5.) _Cromer_ L.H., several flocks Gannet all day, S.E. to N.W. (N.W., 5.)

December 24th.--_Languard_ L.H., Stormy Petrel, 4.20 A.M., caught on lantern. (N.W., 4; O. M. P.)

December 25th.--_Whitby_ L.H., very large Hawk, several days about cliff.

December 26th.--_Tees_ L.V., Cormorant came on board to-day, and has come to roost for several days, but disappeared suddenly. _Redcar_, six Swans, five white and one grey, at sea to W.; eight off Tees mouth.

December 27th.--_Farn_ L.H., one Woodcock (N., 1) shot; Blackbirds and Thrushes. _Cromer_ L.H., small flocks Fieldfares. (W., 4.)

December 29th.--_Spurn_, a few Short-Eared Owls. _Swin Middle_ L.V., 22d and 17th, flock "Splendid" Ducks (Sheldrake?). Large quantities of various Ducks, chiefly Scoters, seen near the vessel in December, also January 1888. On the 12th the vessel was surrounded with Black Ducks, as far as could be seen with a telescope.

December 31st.--_Farn_ L.H., small flocks of Long-Tailed Ducks to N.

List of Wings sent from Lighthouses and Light-vessels, East Coast of England.

Station. Date. Species. 1887.

Spurn L.H. Oct. 3, 4 A.M. Wren. " Nov. 4, 3 A.M. Tree Sparrow. Cromer L.H. " 18. Tufted Duck (male) " Sept. 17, 3 A.M. Osprey.[4] Happisburgh L.V. " 3. Arctic Tern. " " 15. Whitethroat, two. " Nov. 7. Great Tit, two. " " 18. Jacksnipe. Leman and Ower L.V. Aug. 5. Skylark. " Sept. 26. Jacksnipe. " Oct. 7. Linnet. " " 8. Greenfinch. " " 26. Greenfinch.[5] " Nov. 11. Water-rail. Nore L.V. Oct. 10. Thrush. " " " Chaffinch. " " " Tree Sparrow. " " " Greenfinch.[6] Kentish Knock L.V. " 9. Brambling, six. Goodwin L.V. Sept. 20. Wryneck. Hanois L.H., Guernsey Oct. 6. Pied Wagtail, two.

[Footnote 4: "Shot from flagstaff, as seen when ray of light came round and illuminated it."]

[Footnote 5: "Great numbers on board in afternoon, and died from exhaustion. The survivors took off along with some Crows, coming from E. and going N.W. (4, B. C.)"]

[Footnote 6: Mr Thomas Littlewood says--" These four species on deck at sunrise too weak to fly."]

Summary and General Remarks.

In January depressions of very considerable size passed by our north-western and northern shores after the 2d, with very sudden changes of temperature of an unusual character and great magnitude; showers of cold rain, sleet, and hail from day to day, and very severe frosts at night. There are very clear indications in the diary of Migration, that the atmospheric disturbances were concurrent with a great rush of birds going south along the coast. Those chiefly noted being Fieldfares, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Redwings, Larks, Chaffinches, Linnets, Starlings, and some Crows.

In the latter part of February and throughout March there are indications of the passage of Crows, Rooks, Daws, Starlings, Larks, and others to the Continent, also in the opposite direction to the S.E. Coast of England. Great numbers of Starlings, Thrashes, and Larks were also observed at the lanterns at night, the particular direction of their flight being not apparent.

A Blackcap (_Sylvia atricapilla_) is recorded at the Cockle L.V. on March 31st, after which the first actual indication of the Spring migration is the occurrence of. Swifts (_Cypselus apus_) at the Spurn on April 5th, arriving at 6 P.M., and resting on the window sills all night; on the same day at Great Cotes several male Wheatears were seen. The Spring migration of the Wheatear (_Saxicola ænanthe_) is last recorded at the Farn L.H. on the night of May 30th, several round the lantern; and at the Tees L.V. on June 5th, two to N.W.

Puffins (_Fratercula arctica_) arrived at their breeding quarters on the Farn Islands on March 30th, a very early date. Continuous flocks with Wild Ducks were seen at the Outer Dowsing L.V. on April 12th, going S.S.E.; at the same date a Woodcock was killed at the Swin L.V. The Swallow (_Hirundo rustica_) is first seen at the Galloper L.V. on April 11th, going N.W. Many at the Hanois L.H., Guernsey, on the same day, with Willow Wrens and Whitethroats. At the Shipwash L.V., Swallows were observed at intervals passing from S.E. to N.W. up to June 4th.

Snow Buntings (_Plectrophanes nivalis_) were last seen at the Spurn on April 20th. The Cuckoo is first recorded at the Isle of Thanet on April 24th, and the Yellow Wagtail (_Motacilla raii_) on the 25th.

There appears to have been a heavy rush of the smaller summer visitants on the S.E. coast, from the Isle of Thanet to Hunstanton, at early morning of the 29th of April. A very strongly pronounced movement was also observed at Hanois L.H., Guernsey, on May 2d. The weather, in the first instance, being rainy and unsettled in S.E., and very cold over England with N.E. winds. On the 30th, thunderstorm in S.W. of France, with very cold, unsettled, and rainy weather generally in the south.

Various shorebirds and waders were observed passing down the coast from S. to N., on May 12th and subsequently. A Moorhen (_Gallinula chloropus_) was killed at the Cockle L.V. on the night of May 21st; another at the Goodwin L.V. on the night of October 16th.

A Bearded Reedling (_Panurus biarmicus_) was seen at the Languard L.H. on February 16th at 7.40 A.M.; and from Yarmouth on November 13th is the note, "nice lot of Bearded Tits, are said to have come in at a great height, and from the E."

The autumn movement commenced early in July, but did not become very distinctly pronounced before the beginning of August. One of the most interesting features of the autumnal migration has been the simultaneous occurrences of the Pygmy Curlew (_Tringa subarquata_) and the Little Stint (_Tringa minuta_) on the East Coast, between the Tees and Yarmouth. The former species is first recorded from Redcar on August 16th and from the Spurn on August the 23d. The Little Stint in the same locality on the 25th. Both were present there in very large numbers on September 2d, with a S.W. gale. The Pygmy Curlew was seen last on the Norfolk coast on October 8th, and one, Farn Islands, on November 18th.

The Woodcock is first recorded at Seaton-Carew, Durham, on September 19th, and at Cromer L.H. on September 25th, from 12.30 to 2.30 A.M. (S.E., 4.) Our observer, Mr Comben, says, "never saw so many Woodcock at one time before, there seemed to be a constant stream flying round lantern, none struck." Woodcocks appear to have come in at irregular intervals between September 30th and November 3d. The greatest number perhaps on the 9th, 10th, and 11th of October. Throughout September there was a steady and almost daily increasing migration observed at East Coast stations, but from the 29th and throughout October to November 3d, there was an almost continuous night and day rush of immigrants, the chief of those recorded being Crows, Rooks, Daws, Starlings, Larks, Chaffinches, Linnets, and Sparrows. In fact, during this time much the greater proportion of the entries in the schedules consists of a weary reiteration of these readily distinguished species. The weather during the period of this great invasion was up to the 25th of October mainly anticyclonic, cold, quiet, and dry. The prevailing wind N. and N.-easterly. After the 25th, cyclonic with W. and S.-westerly winds, wet, rough, and milder. The average temperature of the month was much colder than the corresponding months in the two preceding years. It does not appear that the change of weather and of the wind after the 25th, had any influence on the migratory movements, birds continuing to pour in with undiminished numbers. Indeed, the direction and force of the wind appears to have little to do in controlling these great autumnal rushes, for when the time for crossing the North Sea has come, birds cross independent of weather. It must be admitted, however, that the prevailing wind at the time is an important factor in governing the direction in which migrants travel, and the angle at which the line of flight will intersect the line of coast. To changes of temperature either sudden or gradual, rather than the force and direction of winds, we must probably look for the impelling cause of these seasonal phenomena.

After the 3d and to the 19th of November, birds continued to arrive, but in greatly reduced numbers, the throbs and pulsations of the great inrush becoming daily more feeble and less sustained. After this date to the end of the year, migration was more or less spasmodic, the entries in the schedules being chiefly confined to the occurrences of various birds seen in the vicinity of the stations.

Swans and Grey Geese have been remarkably scarce. Brent Geese (_Bernicla brenta_) fairly numerous. All accounts agree that it has been an extraordinary Duck year, large numbers of various species frequenting all favourable localities along the East Coast. The Common Scoter (_Œdemia nigra_) has occurred in enormous flocks, also a few _Œ. fusca_. Considerable numbers of the Long-Tailed Duck (_Harelda glacialis_) have visited the coast from the Farn Islands to Yarmouth.

Amongst the rarer and more interesting species we may notice the occurrences of _Tringa temmincki_ (three) at the Spurn, also _Podiceps nigricollis_ at the same place. _Anthus richardi_ at Tetney. _Cypselus melba_, _Recurvirostra avocetta_, and _Tringa maculata_ at Yarmouth, also _Pandion haliaëtus_ at the Cromer lighthouse.

It is unfortunate that we do not know more about those smaller night wanderers which are usually entered in our schedules under the general name "Flycatchers" or "various small birds." The wings occasionally forwarded are always very interesting, and, what is most important, give definite and reliable results. As a rule all these small insect-eating species get lumped together as "Flycatchers," a result not to be wondered at considering the circumstances under which they are seen, helplessly fluttering against the lanterns, or dancing like gnats in the yellow glare. Those "hundreds of Flycatchers," from midnight to 4 P.M., seen at the Swin L.V. on the night of April 29th, no doubt represented many species of our small summer visitors, and the Spotted Flycatcher (_Muscicapa grisola_) was not seen in the Isle of Thanet before May 4th.

WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND.

In the same way as we treated of the East Coast returns, we treat the West Coast. The contents of one or two schedules written across the columns have been omitted for reasons before stated, more especially as none of these are of great importance.

LIST OF STATIONS.

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

In 1887, Returns Schedules in 9 years, In List of Stations. filled in. including 1887. 1887. Values. Feet.

Sutherland.

0 4 81. Cape Wrath, III. 400 0 4 82. Rhu Stoir, II. 195

Outer Hebrides.

3 8 * 83. Butt of Lewis, I. 170 0 3 84. Stornoway (2 Lights), { II. } 56 { I. } 0 3 85. Island Ghlais, I. 130 8 8 * 86. Monach Islands, { I. 150 0 2 87. Ushenish, N. Uist, VI. 176 2 5 88. Barra Head, II. 683 1 4 * 89. Rona, Skye, IV. 222 3 8 * 90. Kyleakin, W. Ross, IV. 53 0 2 91. Isle Ornsay, I. 58 0 2 92. Ardnamurchan, I. 4 9 * 93. Skerryvore and Hynish Signal Tower, Tiree, II. 150 4 9 * 94. Dhuheartach, I. 146 0 6 95. Sound of Mull, V. 55 0 0 96. Corran Ferry, IV. 38 0 4 97. Lismore, Oban, I. 103 0 2 98. Fladda, Easdale, VI. 42 0 4 99. Rhuvaal, IV. 147 0 7 100. M'Arthur's Head, IV. 128 3 9 * 101. Skervuile, II. 73 9 9 * 102. Rhinns of Islay, IV. 159 8 4 * 103. Lochindaul, IV. 50 0 0 104. Mull of Cantyre, VI. 297 0 0 105. Sanda, 0 0 106. Devaar, II. 120 0 0 107. Pladda, Arran, II. 130 1 6 * 108. Lamlash, Arran, IV. 46 0 4 * 109. Turnberry, Ayrshire, IV. 96 3 1 109B. Ailsa Craig, 1885 1 8 * 110. Corsewall, IV. 112 0 0 111. Loch Ryan, I. 46 0 7 * 112. Portpatrick, I. 37 1 8 * 113. Mull of Galloway, II. 325 4 5 * 114. Little Ross, IV. 176

_Diary from the Stations._

_Butt of Lewis._--Mr Robert Agnew, son of Mr Joseph Agnew (now at Monach Isles), sends three well-filled schedules, one being devoted, as requested, to Solan Geese after the date of September 4th.

_Monach Isles._--Mr Joseph Agnew (late of Isle of May) sends eight schedules, one for Solan Geese. Mr Agnew says, "The Merganser is by far the most abundant of the ducks.... All Curlews come from the N. East, not one coming from the south (August). After coming so far, they turn inland; and, I have no doubt, the old are leading the young to previously well-known feeding grounds." "Geese seen flying S.E., as if from St Kilda" (August 17th). Statement that "one pair, at least, of Turnstones bred at Monach this year requires confirmation" (20th August). "Terns flying S.W., remarked as unusual" (30th). "I feel the place lonely to-day without the Terns. They must have _seen_ their friends passing yesterday, and have gone off in pursuit" (31st August). "Sandpipers of sorts numerous by 1st September." "From 50 to 100 Cormorants on a rock remain fishing." October 22d: "I have never seen such a rush of Redwings alone without any admixture. They commenced to come about 7 P.M. _last night_, and continued to 'strike' till 4 A.M.; but many remained at the lantern till daylight. They were mostly all fine old birds. Most of those killed were on the N.E. side, so they must have been flying dead against the wind, which was blowing strong from the S.W." ... "It appears a S.W. wind here is best for migration." "Greenfinches and Bramblings noted on 27th, with a gale from the S.W. Very heavy migration."

Mr Agnew's letter of the 7th November 1887 is well worthy of careful perusal, but is too long for insertion here;[7] but the following short extracts, or digest, may be acceptable:--"The surprises I have met with during the last month beat all previous ones (as shown in the schedule to date). One of the few Goldcrests taken in the Long Island was found dead amongst other species."

[Footnote 7: The materials have been utilised for a forthcoming work on the "Vertebrate Fauna of the Outer Hebrides."]

On November 4th Mr Agnew reports the rushes of migrants as "very extraordinary." "That of yesterday larger than that of 1st," and in moonlight and clear. The advanced guard were Starlings from N.E., flying down the coast line, with wind "on the port bow." [_Note._--Mr Agnew's notes are so voluminous and so interesting, that I hope some way may be found to utilise them more fully. Many letters deserve a better fate than oblivion. A great variety of species participated in this rush, including Woodcock.--J. A. H.-B.]

_Barra Head._--Mr Chas. M'Fadzen sends two carefully filled schedules, in which the Geese referred to are mostly Barnacle.

_Rona._--Messrs D. Dunnet and J. A. M'Gaw send one filled schedule, from February 15th to November 12th, with the further note: "Migration of birds here fewer in numbers than former years. Solan Geese all summer as usual."

_Kyleakin._--Messrs D. MacCulloch and John Clyne send three well-filled schedules. Rush noticeable early in November, but greater rush 10th December of Larks and Linnets, yet not one seen near the lanterns.

_Skerryvore._--Mr Thomas Dawson sends four good schedules--two on Solan Geese. Under date of 1st October, he says, whilst having little of importance to relate, that he witnessed a remarkable tussle between three Gannets and a large fish, two coming to help the first, which had remained a long time under water after striking, whilst no doubt struggling with its prey.

_Dhuheartach._--Messrs Wm. Davidson and J. W. M'Guffie send four good schedules. The Siskin occurred on the 10th November, and was sent for identification, having been caught on the lantern. "Heavy rush" all night of 11th.

_Skervuile._--Mr John Ewing sends three filled schedules down to November 21st, after which no more migration was observed. Harvie-Brown visited Skervuile and landed on the whales-back-looking rock on which the lighthouse is founded, and which is awash with the sea.

_Rhinns of Islay._--Messrs Peter Anderson and James Ducat send nine carefully filled sheets, and write nearly each time at length. At the same time we are now, thanks to these reporters, obliged for a much more minute, and day-to-day return for each month of the year, most carefully prepared under species and in tabular form, which cannot fail to prove interesting and useful to work from. These date December 1886 to February 1888. The Rhinns of Islay must be looked upon as quite one of the most important West Coast stations for migration.

A Manx Shearwater is reported as caught on the lantern on the 20th April, and another was seen next morning. They are the first of the kind the keepers ever remember seeing. The occurrence thus makes it appear that Manx Shearwaters probably pair early, if they do not pair for life.

On August 2d, clouds of Midges round the lantern; and on 13th, from twenty to thirty Daddy-longlegs were captured. This season the very worst for Caterpillars (or "Kail-worm"). Glass rarely below 60° on the N. side at midnight, and again as warm on 10th September. [_Note._--The warm weather about this time was universal.--J. A. H.-B.]

"The only rush we have had has been of Larks, and they have been in greater numbers than any year since I came here. One solitary Redwing is all I have seen this year. We have had such a long time of N. and N.W. winds. Best winds are S. to S.E. to bring the most birds. On October 9th, 1000's of Puffins appeared "flying North;" Iceland Gull on 10th; six Choughs seen on island on 16th, no doubt local birds. Heavy returns from October 19th onwards to 25th, of Larks and Starlings. Local visitation of Rooks owing to shooting going on through the island, and their leaving the rookeries at Bridgend, etc.; also Jackdaws. No great migration recorded in November of small land birds. (Compare with Monach Isles returns.) Iceland Gull seen at head of Lochindaul on the 9th of February 1888 (_in lit._ 15th February 1888.)

_Lochindaul: Islay._--Mr James Edgar sends eight carefully filled and interesting schedules. Reports a Shearwater at the lantern on 21st April; it rested all night. [No doubt the same bird seen the day before at Rhinns of Islay along with the one which was killed. This is interesting, as showing a line of flight and the certainty bright lights have of luring birds to them.--J. A. H.-B.]

_Lamlash._--Unsigned: one small return of five entries, between March 10th and September 17th, of Curlews, Thrush. Cuckoo heard. 25th April, Snipe and Geese.

_Ailsa Craig._--Our first returns sent from the "Old Rock" are very full in interest, and date January 9th, 1887, to December 20th, occupying three schedules, by Mr William J. Dawson. "An Eagle seen on the hill on 19th October and previously; 'very large,' and probably a Sea-Eagle. Remained for more than three weeks. On 20th December a Carrier Pigeon was chased into the yard by two Peregrine Falcons (a pair build on the cliffs every season). They captured it next day. On the 20th January 1888, another Carrier was seen with a paper attached to it, and the Falcons were in pursuit of it. Most likely it shared the same fate as the other." [If any one can throw further light on this rather interesting note, we would be obliged. It serves, at least, to show one danger which Carriers may be subjected to.--J. A. H.-B.]

"Very few birds come near this light, the lantern revolving so rapidly. When I was at Pladda there were great rushes of birds at different times both in spring and autumn, and large numbers were found dead." [Our Committee has never received _a single return from Pladda_. This chance note may yet be valuable.--J. A. H.-B.]