Part 3

Anatidæ.--Wild Geese: In spring, on March 1st, two were seen, flying very fast, 1000 feet in the air, crying loudly, before an E.S.E wind, and settled on the land at Sumburgh Head to rest. A Brent Goose seen at Isle of May on March 20th, and a large flock of Geese flying E. accompanied by Curlews at Isle of May, on April 21st. One Brent ("Sly Goose") at Pentland Skerries, in June (marked "rare"), flying E. In autumn, at Chanonry, Sumburgh Head, North Ronaldshay and Isle of May. Earliest noted, but probably local movement after the birds had taken up their quarters on Aug. 26th, at Chanonry, when 100 Grey Geese were seen, fair S.W., clear. Here the general flight is N. or S., being the "lie" of the Firth; on 28th also 100 seen. Latest records into January, 1883. Bushes imperceptible, but very large flocks are mentioned at Isle of May, on December 23rd and 24th, flying from S.W. to N.E. "Sly Geese" (Brent) are noted on Oct. 14th, at Sumburgh Head; at Isle of May, thirteen Wild Geese, flying W. in a single line, on Oct. 2nd, light S. wind, clear. Two species of Wild Goose. Eider Duck arrived at breeding haunts at Whalsey Head on March 29th; wind N. and haze. At Isle of May twenty-three, about equal male and female, first seen on March 1st, after a gale which had lasted for twenty-four hours from E. to S.E., and which brought over Redwings, Lapwings, Rooks, Hoodies, &c. (see Turdidæ). First record at Sumburgh Head is not till April 17th; three seen; fresh E.N.E. wind. In autumn, at Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks flying S.E., mostly females, on Oct. 6th (compare with Report 1881, p. 12). Again, at Sumburgh Head, three (the first seen), on Nov. 5th, fresh W.; and at Pentland Skerries, on 22nd, a flock, mixed male and female, flying S.; and on 28th a large flock, mostly males, about the rocks all day. Of other Ducks scattered records only: a few Teal, seen on March 1st, at Isle of May; at Pentland Skerries, Sept. 3rd; and seven on pools on Island, on Dec. 6th. Grey Ducks (probably Scaup or Pochard) at Chanonry, where some 400 flying W. were noted. The records of Anatidæ not so voluminous this season as last; three or four species. On March 23rd fifteen White Swans came from S., rested on the sea at Sumburgh Head, and flew on N.; wind fresh, S.W. breeze. Again at same place. Swans flying N. and crying loudly on April 10th. On May 9th one was shot at same place. It alighted in a vöe three miles from station, and was no doubt a weakly bird so late in the spring; fresh S.S.E. In autumn, records at Sumburgh Head, N. Ronaldshay, Chanonry, and Isle of May. Earliest Sept. 18th, at Chanonry, when six were seen; light S.W. and cloudy. At same place, two on 25th and ten on 26th; haze and rain, variable and light N.E. In November, six flying W. at N. Ronaldshay, strong N.E. and snow. In December four seen at N. Ronaldshay, fresh E., and on 28th two seen at N. end of Isle of May. _Note._--Look out always for two sizes of Wild Swan--the large Common Wild Swan and the lesser Bewick's Swan. If together the two species are easily distinguishable. _Land Notes._--Brent Geese unusually abundant on the Tay this year, 1881-82 (P. D. Maloch).

Columbidæ.--_Note._--We had no records of Pigeons on E. coast last season, 1881. This year we have them both in spring and autumn. We would like to know if all records of "Wood Pigeon" are strictly correct, and if no veritable Stock Doves passed on migration.[4] In spring, at Bell Rock, on April 9th, one "Wood Pigeon" struck and was killed at 10.30 p.m., light S.S.E.; and at Isle of May one struck and was killed at 2 a.m., light S.E. Again, on May 22nd, one seen at Isle of May, S.E. clear; and on 29th one, at 6 p.m., seen flying S., light W., clear; and on June 28th one again, at Isle of May, at 3 p.m., light E., fog. In autumn, on Sept. 26th, at Isle of May, one, light S.E., hail and rain; and Nov. 2nd, at Isle of May, one flew S., after coming to the light; and on 26th another was seen. At Pentland Skerries one rose off the island and flew W., gale from S.E. In December, Wood Pigeons occurred at Isle of May under the following circumstances and dates:--On 3rd, one; on 6th, thirteen flying S., severe snow-storm; on 12th, thirty, light W. wind, thick fog; on 13th, fifty-one in lighthouse garden, eating ravenously; severe snow-storm from the 6th to 9th, and hard frost until 16th; on 14th-15th, hundreds seen. A rush caused by local stress of weather, or they may have come directly across seas. (_Note._--I have elsewhere noted the arrivals of Wood Pigeons from Norway, as seen by me on the Fifeshire coast, and the S. trend of their flight, as soon as they came over the land; and I have given the above records in detail, as I think they will be useful again.) Besides Wood Pigeons, I have two records of Rock Doves,--one at Pentland Skerries, seen flying N., with light S. wind, at 3 p.m., on Nov. 8th; and one on Dec. 1st, at midnight, at Dunnet Head, fresh S.S.E., thick haze and rain; probably only local movements. Two species recorded. _Land Notes._--About a dozen "Small Pigeons," which "may," Mr. Garrioch thinks, "have been Wood Pigeons," were seen in the Island of Yell at the end of October, and from other quarters. Mr. Garrioch was informed of flights of "strange birds seen from the off-lying islands flying off in a southerly direction."

[Footnote 4: See a paper by me on the "Increase and Extension of Range of the Stock Dove," read before the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, Feb., 1883. They are seen in large migratory flocks on the mainland in May--as in the Carse of Gowrie--in some seasons, and I have received specimens this spring and winter from two localities in this county--Stirlingshire.]

Rallidæ.--Records of Corn Crake scarce. In May, first heard at Cromarty on 14th. In September one killed at light at Pentland Skerries on 20th, light N.E. and cloudy, indicating possibly date of departure from the Orkneys. _Land Note._--I am credibly informed that the Corn Crake was heard in two different localities in N. Uist about March 18th, 1882; Mr. Alex. Carmichael, who is studying the Natural History of the Long Island, himself heard one. Very late occurrences of this species are also on record in previous years, such as at Tyree on Nov. 24th, 1880, evidently wounded or disabled birds (W. Craibe Angus, who exhibited the bird at a late meeting of the Glasg. Nat. Hist. Soc.); and another, dating Dec. 17th, 1882, is recorded from Ireland in 'The Zoologist,' April, 1883, p. 177. It seems quite probable that some birds detained from migrating may remain all winter in the milder portions of Great Britain, and that early spring records may thus, in many cases, be accounted for.

Charadriadæ.--Golden Plover: in spring, one record at Sumburgh Head; three seen, light S. breeze and cloudy, at 10.30 a.m. In autumn, at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Isle of May. Smaller movement in 1882 than in 1881. Earliest recorded, Aug. 7th, at Pentland Skerries; a flock. Latest, at same place, on Dec. 18th; a single bird. Rushes scarcely appreciable, except 120 birds on Oct. 15th, at Sumburgh Head; S.S.E. gale and rain; and a large flock (?) at Dunnet Head on Oct. 2nd. At Sumburgh Head also about forty on Nov. 12th. Oystercatcher: in spring "Sea-pyots" arrived here, Whalsey, on March 3rd at night, with strong E.S.E. breeze and clear. Two seen, first time, at Isle of May on April 2nd. In autumn, after remaining on Whalsey, left between Aug. 13th and 18th, during a fog and fresh S.E. breeze; and on 13th, at Isle of May, one large flock of young were seen, light S. and haze. On Sept. 14th a flock flew about Pentland Skerries all day in light N. breeze. Beyond these I have no other records. Of Lapwing, a record or two on Feb. 13th and 24th, after S.W. gale on 13th; and 26th, stragglers? In spring, at Whalsey ("very rare"), Sumburgh Head, Bell Rock, and Isle of May. Earliest in spring, March 2nd, at Isle of May, after a gale from E. to S.E. for twenty-four hours (see under Turdidæ of date); 3rd, eight seen; large numbers again on 20th. Latest on June 19th, four, with light S.E. and haze. Two only in May at Isle of May, and these appeared with light N.E. wind. In April a few passed on 3rd, 9th, and 10th, in easterly winds, or rested. In autumn, at Pentland Skerries, Chanonry, and Isle of May. Earliest, Aug. 17th, one seen, light W. wind. Latest, a few in December, at Pentland Skerries, flying W. Bushes inappreciable, unless Sept. 14th, at Chanonry, forty seen; and on 28th, at Isle of May, twenty-seven seen, in light S.S.E. wind. _Land Notes._--On April 16th Lapwings were still going in flocks in the central counties of Scotland. At the River Pattack, in S. Inverness-shire, I saw distinctly a Whimbrel (_Numenius phæopus_) twice, on May 24th. (Possibly an addition to the birds of Inverness shire.) See under W. coast also.

Scolopacidæ.--Curlew: in spring, a number of records at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, Isle of May. Earliest, at Isle of May ("unusual at this season"), one seen, light W. wind and clear. Latest, at Isle of May, a number seen on June 28th, light E. fog. As early as May 23rd one young one seen on rocks at Isle of May (this properly belongs to autumn migration; result abnormal, perhaps owing to unusually early season, after a mild winter). General movement continuing all July, and difficult to separate spring and autumn manœuvres. As will be seen others of the _Scolopacidæ_ make early appearances also this season (Woodcock, Snipe, &c.). In autumn, a large movement of Curlews between Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. To the N. of Pentland Skerries very few observed. Earliest (if we take July), July 10th, at Pentland Skerries, one heard. Latest, also at Pentland Skerries, on Dec. 7th, a flock, strong E. Rushes spasmodical and frequent in July and August. _Note._--Between Oct. 14th and 19th, strong S. gale, moderate on 20th, at Pentland Skerries. Sept. 22nd, October and December, but almost inappreciable in numbers. Woodcock, a few in spring, but a steady record in autumn. In spring, one record at Isle of May on April 9th; "not remembered to have been seen here before at this season." In autumn, at Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, N. Ronaldshay, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Earliest, Oct. 8th (N.B., commencement of vast migration before noted), two seen at N. Ronaldshay, S.E. fresh; continued in small numbers through 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 25th (co-existent with rush of other species), at most stations on E. coast sending returns. Latest, on Dec. 4th, at Pentland Skerries. Evident rush on Oct. 13th at Isle of May, when no less than twenty were shot there. On Isle of May a record in November says, "very unusual so late," when three were seen. Of Snipe, only one record at Isle of May in spring, on April 5th, with the remark, "very unusual at this season." Autumn, at Sumburgh Head and Whalsey (only two records), and at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Earliest, several on Aug. 17th, at Pentland Skerries; and 6th, one at Isle of May, strong W., clear (remark, "very early"). Latest, on Dec. 19th, at Pentland Skerries, six seen, strong S.W. Scarcely a rush appreciable. Jack Snipes are recorded on Sept. 25th and 27th, at Isle of May, with light S. and S.E. breeze.

Scolopacidæ (Waders).--Earliest, "Plovers Pages" or "Plovers Leaders" (Dunlin, J. A. H. B.), Aug. 10th, at Isle of May; latest, Redshanks, Dec. 7th, at Isle of May. "Sandlarks" and "Pipers" appeared at Chanonry, Aug. 30th, when one was seen, and disappeared on Oct. 13th. (Probably the Common Sandpiper, but "Pipers" is a name used generically for many species.) If any rush, apparent on Sept. 19th, 20th, and 26th, at Chanonry. Numbers on these dates: 90, 90, and 290; but this is deceptive, and not to be relied upon as a statistic, Waders movements are so erratic. Returns of "Pipers," "Waders," "Redshanks," and "Sandlarks," are given from several stations. Probably seven or eight species of Waders. _Land Notes._--Rare occurrences. Pectoral Sandpiper (_Tringa maculata_, Vieill.) shot at The Ross Priory, mouth of the Endrick River, Loch Lomond, by Sir Geo. Leith Buchanan, Bart., on Nov. 24th, 1882. There seems to be a line of country across this part of Scotland where rare things turn up, witness:--Desert Chat, at Alloa; Blue-throated Warbler, Isle of May; Great Grey Shrikes, commonly; and others. (See General Remarks, _infra_.)

Sterninæ.--In spring. Terns arrived at breeding haunts at Whalsey on May 19th, on island, all day long; came from S.E., with S.E. wind and clear; seen again on 28th (same date as 1881). At Sumburgh Head on June 2nd, and five on 6th. At Cromarty, Lesser Tern arrived at 2 p.m. on June 11th, strong N. and clear; and more on 15th. In autumn, Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Cromarty, Isle of May. Earliest, for two minutes or so heard passing over the lights at 10.30, at Sumburgh Head, light E. airs and thin haze. On Aug. 15th all left Whalsey, light S. breeze, haze and fog. "Leave Pentland Skerries about Aug. 30th." Lesser Tern left Cromarty on Aug. 29th; three seen flying south at Sumburgh Head on Sept. 4th (the only record in that month this year). One more record on Nov. 26th at Pentland Skerries, a flock on island all day. Two species. _Note._--Look out for the Sandwich Tern,--a large Tern, much larger than the Common Tern; goes up the Fife and Forfar coasts in spring.--J. A. H. B.

Laridæ.--In spring, "Chasers" (Skuas), one on May 28th, at Portland Skerries ("rare here"), E.S.E. breeze. ("Picked up limpets thrown at it by the men.") He speaks of these as "Chasers," but in autumn of "Skuas or Norwegian Gulls, very rare." Of Skuas there are four species known in Scotland, _viz._, the Great Skua, or Bonxie of Shetland; the Richardson's Skua, or commonest species; the Long-tailed, or Buffon's Skua, with very long centre tail-feathers; and the Pomatorhine Skua, with curious recurved tail-feathers. Perhaps this note may be of service in future in separating them. The Bonxie and the Pomatorhine are rare. In autumn, Skua, or "Dirty Allan," at Isle of May on Oct. 15th, one seen, and well described; and three seen of "Skua," or "Norwegian Gull," at Pentland Skerries on 19th, and again on 29th. Kittiwakes are recorded, Aug. 5th, at Isle of May; large numbers. _Note._--Most of birds breeding on Isle of May had left by this time, but a number of Kittiwakes remain still; all left by 25th, however. Great Black-backed Gulls noted passing S. past Isle of May on Aug. 13th. "Large White Gulls" (glaucous?) often wheeling round, Aug. 25th, for two or three days; and a large flight came from N., and flew S. past Isle of May, on Oct. 24th. "Iceland Gulls" at Sumburgh Head, on Dec. 1st and 8th, after gales and rain. Gulls, enormous numbers (and Gannets) passed Isle of May, Sept. 30th. Herring Gulls, a movement S. past Isle of May all day, on 10th. Lesser Black-backed Gulls (called "Lady Ann Gulls ") flying S.E., and numbers on the 14th and 18th. Iceland Gulls (with Swans), two seen at Sumburgh Head, Dec. 25th, and one (last record) on Dec. 8th. The Larger Glaucous Gull is not always easily distinguished from the Lesser Iceland Gull; both being very white, however, and are in relationship to one another as the Great Black-backed Gull is to the Lesser Black-backed Gull. Land Notes.--At Lerwick a large flock of Common Gulls passed northward in the evening, flying very low, on Oct. 13th.--(J. T. G.)

Procellariidæ.--One Stormy Petrel record; two seen at noon at Auskerry on Sept. 29th; light variable breezes.

Alcidæ.--In spring, records from Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, and Isle of May. On Feb. 1st, large numbers of Razorbills and Marrots appeared at Isle of May, light S. breeze; and again on March 18th; and a great increase on May 3rd; light S.E. Black Guillemots appeared at Whalsey during the night of March 2nd, with light E.S.E. breeze, and clear (called "Tysties"). At Sumburgh Head, Guillemots (or "Marrots") arrived on March 18th, a fortnight later than in 1881. In autumn, a general migration of Rock Birds, between Aug. 13th and 18th, during a fog (Why do birds apparently often choose a fog to depart in?), light S.E. (or is it always more to do with direction of the wind at the time?). See back. At Pentland Skerries, continuous streams of Guillemots flying E. through the N. Pentland Firth. Little Auks, one in E. gale on Nov. 16th, close to Isle of May, and more resting on 18th; and a few in a severe snow-storm on Dec. 7th, at same place. Four species of _Alcidæ_.

Of unknown birds I have left out notices this year, though keeping note of them for further use, as they may come to be identified later.

EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.

Printed forms of enquiry and letters of instruction were sent to thirty-six lighthouses and light-vessels on the East Coast of England, and two stations on the Channel Islands,--thirty-eight altogether, against thirty-six in 1881,--and returns have been received from thirty, a result which is very encouraging.

Independent reports have also been sent in from Heligoland, Seaton-Carew, and Redcar, Flamborough, Spurn, North-East Lincolnshire, and Northrepps, making a total of thirty-seven reporting stations, against thirty-two in 1881.

I have again to thank H. Gätke, T. H. Nelson, C. Donald Thompson, Matthew Bailey, William Eagle Clarke, H. Bendelack Hewetson, M.D., and J. H. Gurney, jun., for their general kind co-operation and assistance in the enquiry.

Special thanks are also given to all my kind and painstaking observers on the lighthouses and light-vessels whose names are given in the report. While thanks are due to all, it may perhaps be not invidious to mention the very excellent returns received from the Farne Island stations, the Longstone and Inner Farne lighthouses, no less than eleven well-filled schedules having been sent in.

The east coast stations are as follows, those making returns being marked with a star (*):--

† For nature of light, and position and description of station, see report for 1880.

*Longstone L.H.† Thomas O. Hall & James W. Parsons. *Inner Farne L.H. Thomas H. Cutting. *No. 5 Buoy, Teesmouth L.V. Henry Harbord. *Coquet Island L.H. William Evans. *Whitby High L.H. John Odgers. *Flamborough Head L.H. Charles Hood. *Spurn L.H. James B. Smith. *Spurn (Newsand) L.V. W. Edwards. *Outer Dowsing L.V. William Stock. *Inner Dowsing L.V. William King. *Dudgeon L.V. Thomas Dale. *Llyn Wells L.V. The Principal. *Hunstanton L.H. William Westmoreland. *Cromer L.H. Richard Comben. *Hasbro' L.V. John Nicholas & B. Darnell. Leman & Ower L.V. Hasbro' L.H. *Newarp L.V. Cornelius Campbell & William Rees (mate). *Winterton L.H. John Watson. *Cockle L.V. Samuel Pender & Charles Perfrement. *Corton L.V. William John Cotton. *Orfordness L.H. Wm. Wilby Woodruff. *Shipwash L.V. William Bonken. *Languard Point L.H. Owen Boyle. *Galloper L.V. William Littlewood. Kentish Knock *Swin Middle L.V. Thomas Barrett. *Tongue L.V. John Webber. Nore L.V. North Foreland L.H. North Sand Head L.V. *Gull L.V. Francis Harvey & Joseph Jenkins. *South Sand Head L.V. J. C. Leggett & George Woodward. *East Side L.V. Edward le Gallais & Thomas Rees. South Foreland L.H. *Hanois L.H. (Guernsey) Charles Williams. Casquets L.H. (Alderney)

SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.

Mistletoe Thrush, _Turdus viscivorus_, Linn.--Longstone L.H., Nov. 10th and 11th, N.W. to N.N.E., several each day, with Ring Ouzels.

Song Thrush, _T. musicus_, Linn.--Spring, 1882: Heligoland, Feb. 21st, Mr. Gätke remarks, "musicus: some in my garden, 25th, S.S.W., several. March 2nd, a few. April 12th, S.S.W., a few; 22nd, pretty numerous; on 23rd, S.S.E. and S., with Ring Ouzels, the two in departing mounting up in the atmosphere till lost to sight; 29th, some also with Ring Ouzels." Cromer L.H., May 14th, two killed against lantern at midnight. Autumn; Heligoland, Sept. 13th, first Thrushes, and at intervals, but sparingly to November;[5] and the whole of this latter month along with Fieldfares almost every night pouring overhead; during daytime rarely any. On the English coast, from the Inner Farne L.H., Sept. 27th, to the Galloper L.V., Dec. 20th, twenty from 8 to 9 p.m., two struck and killed; and at the former station they continued to pass through December, and from Jan. 8rd to 15th in 1883, along with Fieldfares and Blackbirds. The great rush was on the nights of 12th and 13th October, very great numbers being observed at stations from the Longstone L.H. to Galloper L.V., easterly winds, fog and drizzling rain over North Sea.

[Footnote 5: Mr. Gätke's notes are not continued beyond Nov. 30th.]

Redwing, _T. iliacus_, Linn.--Spring, 1882: Great Cotes, second week in March, returning to coast. Autumn: First, South Sand Head L.V. (Goodwin), Sept. 28th, forty to fifty to N.W. Longstone L.H., Oct. 8th; Spurn, 13th and 25th, adult males; "rush" Oct. 13th. Heligoland, Oct. 18th, S.E., great many; 19th, multitudes passing overhead, and at intervals to Nov. 7th.

Fieldfare, _T. pilaris_, Linn.--Spring, 1882: Heligoland, Jan. 17th and 18th, W., hazy, great many to E.; Feb. 20th and 21st, small flights, twenty to thirty; March 2nd, great flights overhead. Great Cotes, April 10th, flock, 120 to 150. Autumn: Heligoland, Sept. 13th, S.-S.W., thunder-storm with heavy rain, a very great flight; all through November at night with Thrushes. On English coast. Farne Inner L.H., Sept. 27th, one, and subsequently at intervals to end of the year. Whitby L.H., Oct. 12th, all night; 13th, less. Rush from 11th to 14th December between Farne Islands and Teesmouth, and again 13th to 15th January, 1883, but are not recorded anywhere south of Humber.

Blackbird, _T. merula_, Linn.--Spring, 1882: Dudgeon L.V., Feb. 8th, 6 p.m., with Larks. Heligoland, Feb. 21st, N.N.W. to N., "some in garden"; 25th, S.S.W., some; March 13th and 14th, a few. Cromer L.H., March 17th, 11 p.m., one struck. Autumn: Heligoland, last week in October to end of November. English coast, first, Hanois L.H. (Guernsey), Sept. 19th, 10 p.m., to Jan. 15th, at Inner Farne L.H. Great "rush," nights of Oct. 10th and 13th; second "rush" Nov. 11th, Spurn L.V., Hanois L.H., 11th, midnight, and 13th all night; third "rush," Farne Inner L.H., Dec. 13th, 14th and 15th, and at same station through December and in less numbers to Jan. 15th, 1883. At Great Cotes during night of Sept. 28th, S.W. to W., rain, great many young cocks came in. Swin Middle L.V., Oct. 6th, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., about one hundred came to lantern and twenty were killed, all young cocks. Spurn L.V., Nov. 11th, noon, large flock from S.E. to N.W. Spurn, Oct. 25th, adult males.

King Ouzel, _T. torquatus_, Linn.--Spring: Farne Inner L.H., April 23rd and 24th, one each day. Heligoland, April 22nd, many; 23rd, same; and on 29th, some. Autumn: Heligoland, Sept. 17th, E.-N.E., calm, some; and at intervals to Nov. 7th, an unusually late date, which, however, corresponds with arrivals on English coast; Sept. 10th, at Cromer, to Nov. 10th and 11th, at Longstone L.H., several afternoon of each day. Great rush Oct. 12th and 13th from the mouth of the Tees to Spurn, old cock birds. Were very numerous in the neighbourhood of Spurn all through October, all being mature males.