Part 7

_Corsewall._--Mr Robert Laidlaw sends one well-filled schedule, and notices the rushes of Blackbirds and _Turdidæ_ in October, and of the same and _Fringillidæ_ (Linnets, etc.) in November.

_Mull of Galloway._--Messrs Alexander Murray and John M'Quarrie send one schedule, also well filled, to date of September 17th.

_Little Ross._--Messrs Neil M'Donald and Robert Macintosh send four good schedules. Petrel found dead at foot of tower, 23d January. Spring migration considerable, but decidedly scarce on the autumn migration, as compared with some other West Coast stations.

Remarks.

Pelecanidæ.--Of Gannets, by request, we have had a number of schedules entirely devoted to them at some of the more prominent stations of both East and West Coasts; but as these, with other accounts already published, constitute material for a very thorough treatment of the movements of the species, and their relations to the migrations of the Herring, we do not think it advisable in this place to occupy space with them.

Separate Report under Genera and Species.

Turdidæ.--Appears to have been the most numerous migrants in 1887.

_January._--A rush marked at Ailsa (1886 Report, _q.v._), and a few singles.

_February._--Skervuile, 15th to 21st, "Blackbirds and Thrushes." Turnberry, "many do. on 25th." At Little Ross, fewer, on 16th and 17th.

_March._--Stations are: Skerryvore (one), and Dhuheartach (one). Rhinns of Islay, a few records of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Redwings. "Rush" at Ailsa Craig on 11th; strong N.E. breeze, snow. Little Ross, scattered records between 1st and 26th of Thrushes and Blackbirds.

_April._--Only record is of two Fieldfares at Little Ross on 20th. Nothing in May to _September_--intermittent of Thrushes, only four dates at four places, _viz._, Barra Head, Kyleakin, Dhuheartach, and Corsewall.

_October._--Numbers travelling, yet not so very densely. Rush of Thrushes on 16th at Corsewall. Great numbers of Redwing at Butt of Lewis, 21st and 22d; and one Fieldfare on 30th there. Other stations: Dhuheartach, Rhinns of Islay (Redwings), Lochindaul, Corsewall, and Little Ross.

_November._--At Monach Isles surprising numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings, rushing between 1st and 12th; great numbers of Redwings (see Diary); also on 1st, 10th, 11th (many Fieldfares). Large numbers Mavis on 11th; also Blackbirds, scarcer. Rush felt most elsewhere at Skerryvore and Dhuheartach, also on 11th; strong N.E. breeze!! all night. Many killed at both these places. Lighter at Skervuile (Missel Thrushes also), Fieldfares and Redwings; and at Lochindaul, 4th to 9th to 20th, and Corsewall (generally full and large), but concentrated most at Monach, Skerryvore, and Dhuheartach. Continued lightly into December at same stations.

Saxicolinæ.--_February._--8th, one "Stonechat" at Little Ross.

_March._--1st, one Whinchat at Dhuheartach. 4th, one "Stonechat" at Rhinns of Islay. [These "Stonechats," "Whinchats," and "Wheatears" must, we fear, be hopelessly mixed always, as the correspondence now, to fix it, would entail enormous labour.--J. A. H.-B.]

_April._--12th, Wheatear at Butt of Lewis; and 6th, ditto at Corran Ferry; and 13th and 20th, a few ditto at same place. Whinchat at Dhuheartach on 15th, and Wheatear on 17th. Other records at Rhinns of Islay, Ailsa Craig (27th), and Little Ross (11th and 12th).

_May._--Two entries only at Dhuheartach (11th and 17th); W., N.W.

_August._--Records all the month--no great numbers, except "numbers" at Little Ross on 7th--distributed as follows:--Butt of Lewis; Barra Head; Rona, Skye; Skerryvore (21st); Dhuheartach (21st); Skervuile (1st, 2d, 3d, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 15th, a few; 16th, 25th, 28th, pair; 30th, 31st--all in small numbers); and Little Ross, 7th (a number), and 11th; winds variable, S.E. and S. to N., rarely W. or N.W.

_September._--Few, and all left Monach Isles by the 9th; but "many" again there. "Many" on the 22d ("continued on"). At Butt of Lewis also one seen on 21st. At Skerryvore, 3d, 4th, 21st ("Stonechats" in distinction to Wheatears); 26th, ditto; and 25th, Redstart; and at Dhuheartach, 26th, Wheatears; and at Lochindaul, fifteen ditto on 2d, and again one on 14th.

No later records.

_October._--Only one Stonechat recorded in all from Skerryvore on 2d; moderate W.; on rock.

Silviinæ.--Robin, Whitethroat.--_January._--15th, at Ailsa, two Robins.

_February._--28th, at Rhinns of Islay, one Robin.

_March._--2d, at Skervuile, one Robin; light S., rain. 4th, at Rhinns of Islay, one ditto; light S.W. 28th, at Rhinns of Islay, twenty, 9 P.M. to 12 P.M.; W., haze.

_May._--2d, at Ailsa, two Robins; light breeze, S.; catch flies.

_August._--23d, at Butt of Lewis, one Whitethroat. 28th, at Lochindaul, one Redbreast.

_September._--From 15th to 29th, at Rona, one Whitethroat on 21st. Scattered occurrences of Robins at Kyleakin (one on 15th); Skervuile (one); Rhinns of Islay (23d and 29th); Lochindaul (15th, 19th, 21st, and 28th); Corsewall (23d); Mull of Galloway to November, two entries at Lochindaul (2d and 9th).

Phylloscopinæ.--_March._--30th, one Gold crest at Lochindaul.

_May._--2d, Willow Warblers--one found dead at base of tower of Rhinns of Islay.

_June._--At Rhinns of Islay, one Willow Warbler found dead in morning.

_August._--24th, at Butt of Lewis, "Chiffchaff" (?); and at Rhinns of Islay, "Wood Wren" (?) on 22d. On 24th, at Little Ross, Willow Wren found dead at tower.

_September._--Goldcrests scattered and scarce at Skervuile, Lochindaul, and Little Ross.

_October._--One at Little Ross on 22d.

_November._--One at Rhinns of Islay on 5th.

_March._--Goldcrests scattered and scarce, at Rhinns of Islay, Turnberry, and Little Ross.

_July._--Two entries only at Corsewall and little Ross.

_September._--Three records at Mull of Galloway and Little Ross.

_October._--Eight Golden-Crested Wrens at Little Ross. [_Note._--Golden-Crested Wrens having been entered in ledger under _Troglodytidæ_ or "Wrens," have got a little out of place.] Very restricted migration. One obtained at Monach (rare).

Acrocephalinæ.--_September._--3d, one Sedge Warbler at Little Ross.

Troglodytidæ.--Wren.--One on April 5th at Ailsa; one at Skerryvore on 6th, on the rocks; and "great numbers different kinds of Wrens" on 11th at Corsewall, probably Goldcrests, Common Wrens, Warblers; light N.E. Scattered notices only of Common Wren, not of much significance.

Motacillidæ.--_March._--15th, at Monach, a Grey Wagtail [we suspect the Pied is meant, as the true _Grey_ is really yellow with black throat] Wagtails also at Lochindaul on 12th, and at Little Ross on 14th.

_April._--On 29th, at Monach, two, and on 9th; N.E., light. At Lochindaul, a pair; N.E., light (flying as Agnew describes).

_May._--Between 7th (at Butt of Lewis) and 26th, at Little Ross, a few records on five dates, inclusive, at these stations and intermediately at Monach, Kyleakin, and Dhuheartach.

_July._--Two records at Kyleakin on 22d, and on 15th at Lochindaul.

_August._--23d, at Butt of Lewis. Scattered records, few and far between, at Skerryvore, of "Grey Wagtails" (?); and of other Wagtails at Lochindaul; and one at Little Ross on the 1st.

_September._--No great rush, except "many all day at Little Ross of Grey Wagtails" (?) [probably winter Pied Wagtails.--J. A. H.-B.] on 18th. (See remarks in previous Reports on Wagtails, on General Post-Office, Edinburgh.) Scattered at Rhinns of Islay, Lochindaul, Mull of Galloway, and Little Ross, during the month.

_October._--Three records only on 5th, 7th, and 25th, at Rhinns of Islay and Lochindaul.

_December._--One record of three at Rhinns of Islay on 19th.

Anthidæ.--_March._--A number on 1st, at Monach, and very plentiful on 7th, Stray birds at Dhuheartach on 20th and 21st.

_April._--Titlark at Dhuheartach on 1st and 13th.

_August._--19th, at Rona, Titlarks; and Rock Pipits at Lochindaul on 25th.

_September._--Titlarks in small numbers from 12th to 13th--no rush--at Butt of Lewis, Dhuheartach, and Skerryvore.

_October._--Two records at Skerryvore and Dhuheartach.

_November._--One on 9th at Skerryvore.

Muscicapidæ.--_August._--Only on 27th, at Mull of Galloway, one; S.E., haze to fog. On 29th, two; fresh S. breeze; and "Flycatchers" flying about all night on 30th; S., fresh breeze.

Hirundinidæ.--_May._--6th, at Butt of Lewis, one, 9 A.M.; light W. breeze, clear. 6th, at Dhuheartach, one swallow; light S.E. breeze, flying E. 17th, at do., one swallow; strong S.W. breeze about rock. 6th, at Rhinns of Islay, eight swallows, 11.30 A.M.; strong E., haze, flying N. 7th, at do., five swallows; strong E., haze, flying about. 9th, at do., three swallows; N.N.W., fresh haze, flying about. 10th, at do., two swallows, 1 to 3 P.M.; flying about. 3d, at Lochindaul, one Martin (first seen). 4th, at do., one pair Martin; N.W., flying about. 17th, at Ailsa, four pair Martins; S.; clear. 12th, at Little Ross, two pair Martins; W., clear.

_June._--At Little Ross, four on 6th; a few on 9th; one on 23d; and one on 24th; W. and light N.E., clear.

_April._--30th, at Kyleakin, one swallow (first seen); N., clear. Other records at Skervuile (23d), Corsewall (17th), Mull of Galloway (26th).

_August._--Evidence of a considerable movement, but entries all light comparatively. At Butt of Lewis, one, on 5th; at Kyleakin, one, on 4th; a few at Rhinns of Islay, and singles at Lochindaul to 23d, when "flocks of;" and till 27th. Ailsa, one; and at Corsewall, Mull of Galloway, and Little Ross, Martins flying East, on 13th.

_October._--Flocks on 4th, at Mull of Galloway, all day. Scattered entries at Dhuheartach, Rhinns of Islay, Mull of Galloway, and Little Ross.

Fringillidæ.--_January._--Linnets (Twites?) on 22d, at Kyleakin; and at Little Ross, 20th and 27th.

_March._--Grey Linnets.--Numerous at Monach (?Twites?) on 7th; and on 23d, 1000's crossing from mainland; two, on 30th. [It is nearly certain all these are Twites.--J. A. H.-B.]

_April._--Great flocks, 4th to 7th, at Little Ross; Linnets and Sparrows reported from Kyleakin, and the latter from Rhinns of Islay on 21st.

_June._--Linnets at Little Ross, 6th, 7th, and 30th.

_August._--Grey Linnets at Kyleakin on 22d, flying about.

_September._--All the month in small numbers. Sparrows "numerous" at Lochindaul about 9th and 10th, and Linnets also; also at Ailsa on 10th. A few all day, Mull of Galloway.

_October._--Greenfinches at Monach Isles, a few; and a _Brambling_ on 27th, and Green Linnets on 30th; also at Kyleakin and Rhinns of May; and at the latter, one Chaffinch on 23d.

_November._--Large numbers, in flocks and parties, of Greenfinches. 2d to 28th--a _great rush_ in comparison with other places.

_December._--Continuing in numbers all month.

Emberizidæ.--_March._--Snow Buntings at Butt of Lewis from N.E. At Monach, a few Grey and Common and Snow Buntings. One Yellow Hammer at Lochindaul.

_May._--Snow Buntings, five on 23d at Monach Isles; W., light; two days' gale previously from north.

_September._--20th, one Snow Bunting at Butt of Lewis; N.W., light breeze, clear.

_October._--At Monach one Snow Bunting; W.S.W., strong. Also at Butt of Lewis, twelve on 18th, W., fresh, haze; and at Rhinns of Islay on 27th, four Yellow Hammers; and on 22d, big flock on Ailsa; and twelve, three days after, on 25th.

_November._--Stations:--Butt of Lewis, Monach, Lochindaul, and Ailsa for Snow Buntings; "many" at the latter on 27th. Scarcely any migration seen after November.

Alaudidæ.--Trifling in January and March; September, large flocks at Monach on 23d; April (Monach). Numbers in February at several stations [I suspect these are mostly very local flights.--J. A. H.-B.]; a few in March, early leading up. A great rush daily by 28th, at Rhinns of Islay; 11th, at Ailsa (rush); 31st, at Lochindaul, daily. Few after.

_April._--Few.

_September._--Great movements reported from Butt of Lewis, Dhuheartach, Monach, and elsewhere. "Rush" about 21st. All October in varying numbers at the stations; and November, "marvellous lots" at Monach; continuing in hundreds in December at the best recording stations.

Corvidæ.--(_See Diary._) Nothing of fresh interest. Choughs in Islay.

Cypselidæ.--Swift at Butt of Lewis on 12th--S.S.W. breeze, rain; and one at same place on 27th August.

Strigidæ.--A few odd records of Owls--May (one), Jane (one), September (two), October (one Barn Owl at Rhinns of Islay), November (three Barn Owls at Rhinns of Islay at lantern).

Accipitinæ.--Numbers of records of Hawks on predatory quests (Merlin, Sparrow, Kestrel, Falcon) at almost all times when other birds are there, bulking, of course, at the height of the migratory season, especially of the Waders and Sandpipers.

Pelecanidæ.--Special schedules for Gannets, and the whole Gannet migration will be undertaken later.

Ardeidæ.--No new information to be gleaned.

Anatidæ.--Eiders.--100 at Monach on _March_ 7th, coming _from_ the north; and 50 on 8th, males and females. Small flocks--ten to twenty-five--on 5th, 6th, 10th, 12th, 13th at Rhinns of Islay, and on 11th and 24th _April_.

Again in _May_, Merganser Ducks at Monach--came on 28th, left on 30th. Eider continued to be seen during May in flocks here and there, and fewer in June.

Generally Ducks and Geese appeared abundant in September, October, and November. Consisted of the following species recorded:--"Wild Geese," Eiders, Wild Ducks, Mergansers (Monach), Barnacle Geese (Barra Head), Teal Duck? (Barra Head). At the following stations:--Butt of Lewis (Eiders and Wild Geese); Monach (Eiders, Wild Geese, Mergansers--very abundant, and a few Wild Duck); Rona (Eiders); Kyleakin (Wild Geese); Barra Head (Barnacle Geese, Teal Duck?); Skerryvore (Barnacle Geese, Eiders); Dhuheartach (do. do.); Rhinns of Islay (Wild Geese, Eiders abundantly, and Ducks of sorts); Lochindaul, etc., etc.

Charadriidæ.--Oyster-Catchers; nothing new. Golden Plovers, no great autumn movement. Few other records at all of Lapwings, Ring Dotterels. A sort of rush of Lapwings in August, 1st to 24th; at Lochindaul, greatest on 14th, but flocks for days before. A few seen at Ailsa Craig, and one only at Mull of Galloway.

_September._--Few records at all.

_October._--Lapwings entirely at Rhinns of Islay, and in November the same.

Scolopacidæ.--Curlews universal; nothing new. Other species mentioned all through the year. _Whimbrel_ at Rhinns of Islay (May), forty in a flock; rested. _Jack Snipe?_ at Butt of Lewis, 25th August. Snipe: Woodcock (in November), 12th only; at Rona, Skye, and at Dhuheartach same date. (Scarce this season, at least, as seen on migration.) Most of the records here apply, and bulk with Curlew. Sandpipers, Redshanks, Dunlins at several stations also.

Sturninæ and Laridæ.--Nothing of much fresh interest Besides commoner species, the following are noticed:--Boatswain Birds (15th August, at Skervuile); Skuas and "Dirty Aliens," "Small Gulls" (at Skervuile, 17th July); Iceland Gulls (Rhinns of Islay), etc.

Alcidæ, Colymbidæ.--Unusually abundant in Autumn at most stations, but do not warrant special remark here.

WEST COAST OF ENGLAND AND WALES, AND THE ISLE OF MAN.

Schedules and letters of instruction, with stamped envelopes for wings, were sent to the fifty-three under-mentioned lighthouses and light-vessels on the West and South-West Coasts of England, the Coasts of Wales, and the Isle of Man, and returns have been received from the thirty-four stations marked with an asterisk.

The following is an enumeration of the stations included in this section of the Report:--

No. on Map.

Isle of Man.

115. L.H. Point of Ayre. 116. L.H. Douglas Head. *117. L.H. Langness, Mr Robert Clyne. *118. L.H. Chickens Rock, Messrs Black and Beggs. *119. L.V. Bahama Bank, Mr John West.

N. W. England.

*120. L.H. St Bees, Mr Henry Nott. *121. L.V. Selker, Messrs Daniel Kneale and George Cumming. *122. L.V. Morecambe Bay, Henry Clavell. *123. L.V. River Dee, Mr S. Work.

North Wales.

124. L.H. Air. *125. L.H. Menai, Mr Joseph Steer. *126. L.H. Skerries Rock, Messrs Rees, Smith, Tomkinson, and Williams. *127. L.H. Holyhead Breakwater, Messrs Prichard, Roberts, and Hughes. *128. L.H. South Stack, Mr. W. R. Burgess. *129. L.V. Carnarvon Bay, Messrs Thomas and Hughes. 130. L.H. St Tudwal's. Messrs Davies and Parsons. *131. L.H. Bardsey Island, Mr Thomas Bowen. *132. L.V. Cardigan Bay, Messrs Rees and Comben.

South Wales.

*133. L.H. South Bishop, Messrs Nicholas and Pell. *134. L.H. Smalls, Mr George Baker. *135. L.H. Great Castle Head, Mr W. L. Davis. *136. L.H. Milford (St Ann's), Mr James F. Spicer. *137. L.H. Caldy, Mr Wm. Ebben. *138. L.V. Helwick, Messrs Webber and Howells.

Bristol Channel.

*139. L.V. Scarweather, Messrs Havells and Wyness. *140. L.H. Nash (E. ), Mr Henry Nicholas. *141. L.V. Breaksea, Messrs Walters and Johnson. *142. L.H. Flatholm, Mr W. Dale. 143. L.V. English and Welsh Grounds. *144. L.H. Usk. 145. L.H. Avon. *146. L.H. Burnham, Mr William Lewis.

South-Western England.

*147. L.H. Bull Point, Mr George Knott. *148. L.H. Bideford Bar, Mr Thomas Gilpin. 149. L.H. Lundy Island. 150. L.H. Hartland Point. 151. L.H. Trevose Head. *152. L.H. Godrevy, Mr Richard Trahair. *153. L.H. Longships, Mr Jno. W. Watson. *154. L.V. Sevenstones, Mr Daniel Norton. *155. L.H. Wolf Rock, Mr J. J. Chavner. 156. L.H. Scilly. *157. L.H. Bishop's Rock, Mr Jno. W. Troth. 158. L.H. Lizard Point. 159. L.H. Falmouth Harbour. *160. L.H. Eddystone, Messrs Ainger and Gaudion. *161. L.H. Plymouth Breakwater, Mr Arthur Ebgar. *162. L.H. Start Point, Mr William Jones. *163. L.H. Portland Bill, Messrs Frost and Counter. *164. L.V. Shambles, Mr William Clark. 165. L.H. Anvil Point. *166. L.H. Hurst Castle, Mr G. G. Appleton. 167. L.H. The Needles.

Our best thanks are due to the observers above named for their invaluable co-operation, and for the faithful manner in which they have filled in their schedules. To Messrs Ainger and Gaudion (Eddystone), Bowen (Bardsey), Clark (Shambles), Knott (Bull Point), Nicholas (Nash), Norton (Sevenstones), Rees and Smith (Skerries), Steer (Menai), Thomas and Hughes (Carnarvon Bay), Walters and Johnson (Breaksea), and Webber and Howells (Helwick), additional and special thanks are due for sending the wings of the following species killed or captured at their respective stations:--

Date. Species. Station. Remarks. 1887. Mar. 11, Lapwing, Sevenstones L.V., 1 caught. " 18, Pied Wagtail, Nash L.H., 8 killed. April 24, Willow Warbler, Eddystone L.H., .... " 30, { Whinchat, ♂ } { Redstart, } Shambles L.V., 40 caught. May 3, { Reed Warbler, } { White throat, } { Wood Warbler, } { Willow Warbler,} { Redstart, } Eddystone L.H., many killed " " Sedge Warbler, Nash L.H., 5 killed. " " Willow Warbler, " 4 " " " Whitethroat, " 42 " " " Blackcap, " 1 " " 4, Pied Flycatcher, " 1 " " 6, Redstart, Carnarvon Bay L.V., 1 " " 15, Whitethroat, " 1 " " " Sedge Warbler, Helwick L.V., 3 " " " Ring Plover, " 1 " Aug. 16, Willow Warbler, Skerries L.H., 1 " " " Sedge Warbler, " 1 " " 17, Willow Warbler, " 1 " " 18, " " 1 " " " Sedge Warbler, " 1 " " " Willow Warbler, Nash L.H., 10 " " " Sedge Warbler, " 35 " " " Spotted Flycatcher, " 14 " " 25, Willow Warbler, Skerries L.H., 12 " " 29, Sedge Warbler, " several. Sept. 17, Grey Wagtail, Eddystone L.H., .... " 18, Turnstone, Skerries L.H., 1. " 20, Sedge Warbler, Nash L.H., 27. " 21, Whitethroat, Eddystone L.H., .... " " Tree Pipit, " .... " " Dunlin, " .... " " Wheatear, " .... " 21, Sedge Warbler, Eddystone L.H., .... " 23, Blackcap, Menai L.H., 1. " 30, Pied Wagtail, Eddystone L.H., .... " " Meadow Pipit, " .... " " Yellow Wagtail, " .... Oct. 3, Albino Starling, Bardsey L.H., shot. " 9, Common Thrush, Breaksea L.V., 1. " 17, Chaffinch, Skerries L.H., .... " 30, Wren, " .... Nov. 3, Rock Pipit, " shot. " 7, Chaffinch, Nash L.H., 1. " " Redwing, " 6. " " Common Thrush, " 11. " " Short-eared Owl, Skerries L.H., shot. " 8, Golden Eye, " ♂. " " Jack Snipe, " shot. " 9, Grey Plover, Nash L.H., 4 killed. " 11, Chaffinch, Bull Point L.H., 1 " ♂. " 13, Water Rail, Nash L.H., .... " 14, Blackcap, " 15 killed. " " Stonechat, " 4 " " " { Woodcock, } { 3 " { Snipe, } { 6 " { Skylark, } " { 104 " " 19, Knot, " .... " 21, Coot, Breaksea L.V., 1 killed.

In addition to the observations furnished by the various Light-keepers, the following notes have been incorporated:--

Observations made in Cumberland, communicated by Messrs Macpherson and Duckworth.

Notes from the North-West Coast of Merioneth, by Mr G. H. Caton-Haigh.

To the above-named ornithologists, and to Mr W. Cecil Scott, of Leeds, the writer begs to tender his best thanks for their valued co-operation.

Summary of Observations.

_January._--On several occasions during the month a few Thrushes, Fieldfares, Blackbirds, Larks, Starlings, and Curlews were observed at the lanterns, but all the movements recorded appear to be purely local in their nature.

_February._--The same species are occasionally and locally noted as in January; but on the 17th, Wheatears were noted at the Chickens Rock lantern, and a Ring Ouzel was shot at St Tudwal's--these harbingers of spring making their appearance with the south-westerly winds and mild weather which then spread over our islands.