Part 5

Hooded Crow, _C. cornix_, Linn.--Spring: Spurn L.H., March 11th, to S., many all day. Corton L.V., from March 21st to April 14th, large numbers of Rooks and Hooded Crows going from W. to E. Heligoland, March 2nd, flights high over head to E.; March 4th, same; 12th, N.W., clear, great flights to E.; 13th and 14th, same; and to 17th, pretty numerous daily; April 8th, very many high overhead; 9th, same; 11th, great many. Longstone L.H., April 31st, eleven came on island, appeared much fatigued, and then left for land, mod. gale N.N.W. Inner Farne L.H., 16th and 17th, many to W.S.W.; a great many Crows (Rooks?) same time. Autumn: Orfordness L.H., Sept. 19th, first seen, one. In large numbers through October and November at stations from Farne Islands to Goodwin light-vessels; great rush Oct. 11th and 13th. Nothing special to note of migration across Heligoland in the autumn, which as usual was in immense numbers in October and November. As a rule, few Hooded Crows cross south of Languard Point, and few Carrion Crows north of Spurn. Rooks and Jackdaws sparingly north of Spurn, and gradually increase southward; and most plentiful at southern stations.

Rook, _C. frugilegus_, Linn.--Spring: Heligoland. Feb. 22nd, N.W., a very great flight; 28th, several flights going due E.; March 4th, same; 13th and 14th, less. Autumn: Sparingly north of the Humber, and in large numbers at the southern stations throughout October and November, and on to the middle of December. Immense numbers remain in North Lincolnshire during the winter, feeding in the lowlands on both sides of the Humber, and moving in the afternoon to the high wolds, where at dusk they retire to the great woods to roost.

Raven, _C. corax_, Linn.--Whitby L.H., May 20th, one, "comes each year about this time."

Common Swift, _Cypselus apus_ (Linn.).--Hunstanton L.H., May 22nd, several. Autumn: Spurn L.H., June 17th, 18th, and 20th, great many to S., sometimes a flock remaining on gallery of lantern at night. Corton L.V., Aug. 1st, many to W. Heligoland, Aug. 14th, S., some.

At the Inner Farne L.H., Aug. 19th, "a very large Swift, supposed to be a foreigner, flying about island." About the end of July an Alpine Swift, _C. melba_, Linn., was shot by Mr. Wm. Rogerson, of Newcastle, at Alnmouth, Northumberland, and recorded at the time in the 'Newcastle Journal,' Aug. 2nd, 1882, as 9¼ inches in length, and 21 inches between the tips of the wings; and that it was identified by Mr. John Hancock.

Common Nightjar, _Caprimulgus europæus_, Linn.--Spurn, Sept. 11th, one.

Wryneck, _Jynx torquilla_, Linn.--Heligoland, April 23rd, several.

Kingfisher, _Alcedo ispida_, Linn.--Great Cotes, Sept. 1st, several in marshes. Hasbro' L.V., 23rd, 10 p.m., one struck lantern and killed, was flying S.E. to N.W.

Hoopoe, _Upupa epops_, Linn.--Heligoland, April 23rd, one. Spurn, Aug. 18th, one shot on Kilnsea Warren. Inner Farne, Aug. 29th, one shot on mainland; one also near Yarmouth in October.

Cuckoo, _Cuculus canorus_, Linn.--Spurn, May 1st. Whitby, 8th. Inner Farne, 11th. One on each occasion.

Striges, Owls.--Long-eared Owl, _Asio otus_ (Linn.), Languard L.H., Oct. 26th, 4.30 p.m., one. Short-eared Owl, _A. accipitrinus_, Heligoland, scarcely any. On English coast also remarkably scarce; a few during the first fortnight in October at stations from Redcar to Languard Point; appears to have come over at the same time as the Woodcocks, from Oct. 11th to 13th. Hasbro' L.V., Nov. 16th, one "Grey Owl" at sunrise to W.

Falconidæ.--Heligoland, March 4th, 1882, S.E. to S.W. Greenland Falcon, _Falco candicans_, Gmel., a very fine white bird. Sparrowhawk, _Accipiter nisus_ (Linn.), Sept. 15th, great many over the sea north of the island, none on Heligoland; 19th, following flights of Chaffinches; Oct. 5th, many with Kestrels also, and on to 12th. Sea Eagle, _Haliaëtus albicilla_ (Linn.), Sept. 16th, Nov. 13th, 14th, and 20th, one each day. Peregrine Falcon, _Falco peregrinus_, Tunstall, Sept. 20th, some, and many young Merlins. Merlin, _F. æsalon_, Nov. 12th, a very red-breasted old male obtained. Hen Harrier, _Circus cyaneus_ (Linn.), Nov. 20th, one. On English coast. Kestrels, a few in September and October. Sparrowhawks from Aug. 3rd to September, and through October; also Jan. 9th, 1883, Goodwin L.V., one; not unfrequently alight in the evening on the rigging of the light-vessels, leaving again at daybreak. One, caught on the Corton L.V., Aug. 3rd, had a piece of copper wire round one leg. An Osprey was seen near Lowestoft on Oct. 7th; a Honey Buzzard shot at Welwick, near Spurn, on Sept. 15th; and another, Dereham, Norfolk, on Oct. 3rd; a few Buzzards were seen about Spurn in October. Altogether the larger birds of prey have been extremely scarce during the autumn.

Gannet, _Sula bassana_ (Linn.).--Longstone L.H., March 15th, flocks to north from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and to end of month between the same hours; also first week in April between same hours; Oct. 20th to 24th, flocks flying north, old and young, but mostly old birds. Dudgeon L.V., Oct. 8th, eight off light-ship all day. Orfordness, Dec. 6th to 7th, "flocks to W. along shore."

Ardeidæ.--Common Heron, _Ardea cinerea_, Linn., Aug. 6th, 7 p.m., five to N. Hanois L.H., Sept. 17th, two to W., twenty to S.W. Bittern, _Botaurus stellaris_ (Linn.), Hornsea, Dec. 22nd.

Anatidæ, Geese.--Farne Inner L.H., Feb. 9th, twenty-one Brent Geese to E.S.E. Kilnsea, Spurn, June 5th, eight large Grey Geese to S., flying very low. Longstone L.H., Oct. 15th, nine Wild Geese; one, wounded against lantern and subsequently shot, was a Barnacle Goose, _Bernicla leucopsis_. Farne Inner, Nov. 13th, three Canada Geese shot from flock of eleven on one of the outlying islands; large flocks of Grey Geese going south along coast early in December.

Swans.--5 Buoy Tees L.V., Aug. 5th, six young Swans in Tees. Newarp L.V., Oct. 26th, three Swans to W. Spurn L.H., Nov. 28th, 9 a.m., ten passed close to lantern. Dudgeon L.V., 24th, fifty all white close past ship to W. Teesmouth, 24th, 9 a.m., six.

Ducks.--5 Buoy Tees L.V., April 25th, twenty-five Sheldrake, _Tadorna cornuta_ (Gmel.), seen in Tees. Inner Farne L.H., May 2nd, one solitary King Eider, _S. spectabilis_ (Linn.), first time seen this season. Longstone L.H., Sept. 4th, Scaup Duck flying N. Large flights of various Ducks seen on east coast at many stations in October to end of the year; direction of flight, however, not sufficiently persistent to permit any deductions; many doubtless were flocks changing their feeding-grounds.

Columbidæ.--Spurn, May 24th, two Turtle Doves, _Turtur communis_, Selby. Gull L.V., July 9th, 7.30 p.m., twenty Wood Pigeons, _C. palumbus_, Linn., to N.W. Spurn, Sept. 7th, Turtle Dove, young. Farne Inner L.H., Dec. 20th, 10 a.m., two Wood Pigeons to E.N.E.

Rallidæ.--Inner Farne L.H., Sept. 12th, Landrail, _Crex pratensis_, Bechst., killed against lantern during night. Spurn, 18th, one shot.

Crane, _Grus communis_, Bechst.--Heligoland, April 12th, one, not captured.

Little Bustard, _Otis tetrax_, Linn.--Heligoland, one shot, first occasion.

Charadriadæ.--Spurn, May 30th, Turnstone, _Strepsilas interpres_ (Linn.), small flock in full summer plumage. Spurn, first week in June, Dotterel, _C. morinellus_, four seen. The Golden Plover, _C. pluvialis_, Linn., was first seen at Farne Inner L.H., Aug. 17th; small flocks on island; on the same day also, in Great Cotes marshes, in summer plumage. Yarmouth, Sept. 10th, four, partially in summer dress. Grey Plover, _S. helvetica_ (Linn.), first at Teesmouth, Aug. 10th, two. Spurn, Sept. 7th, first seen; on 16th, three large flocks, many members of each in full summer plumage. 5 Buoy Tees L.V., Oct. 15th and 16th, Grey Plover with Curlew, two to three hundred in flock. Whitby L.H., Nov. 14th, one hundred or more. Immense flocks of Lapwings, _Vanellus vulgaris_, Bechst., at Farne Islands, Sept. 25th and 26th, and subsequently at many other stations during the winter. Kentish Plover, _Æ. cantiana_ (Lath.), was obtained near Blakeney about Sept. 26th. Heligoland, young Golden Plover commenced passing, Aug. 9th; during July and up to the end of the month, every night, great numbers of _Numenius_, _Totanus_, _Tringa_, and _C. hiaticula_, &c., crossed; on Aug. 25th, great numbers of Golden Plovers; on the 22nd, S.W., great many Dotterel, _C. morinellus_ (Linn.); again Sept. 4th, great many Dotterel, 11 p.m., passing overhead E. to W., one flight taking ten minutes to pass.

Scolopacidæ.--Red-necked Phalarope, _Phalaropus hyperboreus_ (Linn.), Breydon, Norfolk, Sept. 4th, one shot, two seen. Common Snipe, _Gallinago cælestis_ (Frenzel), end of second week in March, 1882, N. E. Lincolnshire, returning in some numbers. Heligoland, March 2nd, one; April 12th, S.S.W., a few. Autumn: Farne Inner L.H., Sept. 14th, Snipe to W. Orfordness, Oct. 13th, 8 p.m., one killed. Flamborough L.H., Nov. 16th, two struck and killed, strong S.E. gale. Gull L.V., Nov. 3rd, about one hundred to W. Jack Snipe, _G. gallinula_ (Linn.), Longstone L.H., Sept. 21st, E.N.E. to N.E., one killed against S.E. side lantern. Farne Inner L.H., Oct. 12th, two. Woodcock, _Scolopax rusticula_, Linn., Spurn, Sept. 18th, first Woodcock; the great flight took place on the night of Oct. 12th, wind E., strong, fog and drizzling rain; on the morning of 13th at Farne Inner, 5 Buoy Tees L.V.,[8] Teesmouth, Coquet, Whitby, Flamborough, Spurn, Yarmouth, and Orfordness, in some numbers; specially so at Farne Inner, Teesmouth, Flamborough, and Spurn. Second flight, Teesmouth, Nov. 13th; and at Whitby, 11th; Farne, Dec. 14th; and Coquet, 14th. Woodcocks occurred at Heligoland on Oct. 26th, a few; 29th, twenty to thirty shot; Nov. 11th, some; and 21st and 30th, some. Dunlin, _Tringa alpina_, Linn., Great Cotes, Aug. 16th, night warm, close, thunder-storm, very dark, heavy rain from S.E., flocks of waders passing over. Dunlin and Kinged Plover. Curlew Sandpiper, _T. subarquata_ (Güld.), Spurn, Sept. 14th, a few. Ruff, _Machetes pugnax_, Linn., Seaton Carew, Nov. 2nd, two Ruffs and a Reeve. Knot, _T. canutus_, Linn., Teesmouth, Aug. 11th, one; 15th, three. Great Cotes, 27th, flock of about two hundred. Spurn, Sept. 6th, several; plentiful by middle of month. Spurn L.H., Nov. 15th, 3 a.m., many round lantern. Hasbro' L.V., 16th, 11 a.m., large flocks very high E. to W.S.W. Sanderling, _Calidris arenaria_ (Linn.)., Spurn, May 31st, flocks, some in summer and others in transition plumage. Lincolnshire coast, Aug. 10th, flocks, thirty to forty, old and young together, near Somercotes. Green Sandpiper, _Totanus ochropus_ (Linn.), Breydon, Aug. 15th, plentiful. Common Redshank, _T. calidris_ (Linn.), scarce. Spotted Redshank, _T. fuscus_ (Linn.), Breydon, Aug. 15th, one, immature, shot. Greenshank, _T. cancescens_ (Gmel.), Breydon, Aug. 15th, plentiful. Red-breasted Snipe, _Macrorhamphus griseus_ (Gmel.), Aug. 15th, one shot at Cleethorpes, near Grimsby, a mature bird in moult from the knot-like plumage of summer to the grey of winter. Bar-tailed Godwit, _Limosa lapponica_ (Linn.), Teesmouth, Aug. 13th, 4.30 a.m., five. Black-tailed Godwit, _L. ægocephala_ (Linn.), Aug. 24th, four seen at Breydon, two in summer plumage. Whimbrel, _Numenius phæopus_ (Linn.), 5 Buoy, Tees L.V., April 23rd, one N.W. to S.E. Great Cotes, July 27th, Whimbrel passing, first of the season. Teesmouth, Aug. 1st to 7th, two or three small flocks about; and large flocks to E. early on morning of 16th. Common Curlew, _N. arquata_ (Linn.), Heligoland, April 12th, from 10 p.m. to daylight, hundreds of thousands of _Tringa_, _Numenius_, _Hæmatopus_, and the like flying over. Lincolnshire coast, Aug. 10th, flocks of eight to ten young, on shore near Somercotes. South Sand Head L.V., Sept. 17th, twelve, the first seen, to N.W. 5 Buoy Tees L.V., Oct. 15th and 16th, flocks of two to three hundred passing. Whitby L.H., Oct. 15th, large flock round lantern for several hours, thick and dark. Cromer L.H., Oct. 13th, large flock round lantern. Spurn L.H., Nov. 15th, 3 a.m., many round lantern with Knots. Flamboro' L.H., 16th, many round lantern; and on Dec. 13th, all night with Larks.

[Footnote 8: At this light-vessel a single bird passed, going west, at daybreak.]

Sterninæ, Terns.--Inner Farne L.H., April 20th, Sandwich Tern, _Sterna cantiaca_, Gmel., heard calling for first time. Longstone L.H., May 3rd, first Sandwich Tern seen on island. Inner Farne L.H., May 2nd, Arctic Tern, _Sterna macrura_, Naum., seen first time; 4th, both together, flying round their breeding-stations. Inner Farne, Aug. 28th, most of Arctic and Sandwich Terns left their breeding-quarters. Longstone and Inner Farne, Sept. 6th and 7th, both species finally left island.

Larinæ, Gulls.--Heligoland, Jan. 17th, Greater Black-backed Gull, _Larus marinus_, Linn., hundreds, all old birds; and on 31st, the same, nearly without exception old birds; Kittiwake, _Rissa tridactyla_ (Linn.), same. Whitby, Feb. 12th, Herring Gulls came to the cliffs to breed, in 1881; it was on the 14th. Longstone, March 15th, Gulls coming to nesting-quarters. Whitby, July 16th, young first seen on wing; Sept. 7th, old and young left. Great Cotes, Sept. 28th, Humber-flats covered with various Gulls. Whitby, Oct. 14th, large numbers seen at sea, going S. Spurn, in December, Iceland Gull, _L. leucopterus_, Faber, mature and immature, obtained.

Stercorariinæ, Skuas.--Farne Inner, Sept. 26th, Skuas seen in attendance on Black-headed Gulls. Teesmouth (Redcar), Oct. 20th, five Skuas to E. Nov. 1st, Longstone, one. Have been remarkably scarce on the coast.

Procellariidæ, Petrels.--Coquet L.H., Oct. 14th, 7 p.m., one Stormy Petrel caught against glass and set at liberty again. Languard, 11th, one, 6.15 p.m. Spurn, 29th, one at edge of water.

Alcidæ, Auks.--Common Guillemot, _Lomvia troile_, (Linn.), Longstone L.H., Jan. 3rd, 1883, Guillemots flying in from sea to island; March 15th, 1882, assembling for breeding on islands; May 15th, Puffins assembling on islands; Aug. 25th, Guillemots and Puffins have left their nesting-quarters on rocks; Oct. 22nd, Little Auk, _Mergulus alba_, Linn., one seen; Nov. 1st, two young Puffins seen. Inner Farne, April 1st, multitudes of Guillemots flying up to their nesting-quarters; Nov. 18th, several Puffins and Guillemots off islands. Flamborough, Guillemots great many last week in January, towards headland; Feb. 5th, great numbers going N. all morning; Dec. 27th, first seen off coast, are passing and repassing daily in great numbers.

Colymbidæ, Divers.--Inner Farne, Sept. 6th, Great Northern Diver, _C. glacialis_, Linn., three to N.; Dec, first week, Red-throated Diver, _C. septentrionalis_, Linn., Black-throated Diver, _C. arcticus_, Linn., and Great Northern Diver, all three about the islands this week; on 5th, fourteen Great Northern Divers to W. Longstone, Nov. 14th, two young Great Northern Divers off island fishing. Teesmouth, Oct. 31st, flock of Great Northern Divers passed at noon.

Podicipitidæ, Grebes.--October, Sclavonian Grebe, _Podiceps auritus_, Linn., adult in winter plumage shot in a timber pond at Hull; Red-necked Grebe, _P. griseigena_ (Bodd.), and Sclavonian Grebe, on Humber in October and November.

The Committee are indebted to Professor Chr. Fr. Lütken, of the Universitetets Zoologiske Museum, Copenhagen, for a list of the birds killed against the lantern of the lighthouse of Stevns, on the projecting part of Zealand, marking the limit between the Baltic and the Grönsund Belt, in the autumn of 1882. Professor Lütken, in forwarding the list, remarked that his late lamented predecessor. Professor Reinhardt, made arrangements with a physician, Mr. Antander, residing at the small town of Storeheddinge, seven Danish miles south of Copenhagen, in the neighbourhood of Stevns Klint and the lighthouse of Stevns, for forwarding any birds found killed to the museum, with the following result:--

Stevns Fyr, Zealand, Denmark, 1882.

April 14th. _Turdus musicus_ 2. " " _Saxicola œnanthe_ 2 males. " 15th. _Sylvia rubecula_ 1 male. " " _Emberiza miliaria_ 1. " 19th. _Numenius arquatus_ 1.* " " _Turdus musicus_ 1. " " _Saxicola œnanthe_ 3 males and 8 females. " " _Turdus iliacus_ 1. " 24th. _Emberiza passerina_ 1 caught alive. " 29th. _Turdus musicus_ 1. May 9th. _Sylvia schœnobænus_ 1. " 11th. _Luscinia philomela_ 1 alive.† " " _Emberiza hortulana_ 1 " † " 12th. _Muscicapa atricapilla_ 1. " 18th. _Sylvia cinerea_ 2. " " _S. phragmitis_ 1. " " _S. rufa_ 1. " " _S. trochilus_ 1. Sept. 21st. _Turdus torquatus_ 1. " " _Sylvia rubecula_ 5. " " _S. curruca_ 1. " " _Ruticilla phœnicurus_ 2. Oct. 10th. _Sylvia rubecula_ 1. " 21st. _Turdus iliacus_ 2. " " _Alauda arvensis_ 4. " " _Regulus cristatus_ 2. " " _Emberiza schœniclus_ 1.

* Is often seen swarming around the lighthouse at the time of its migration--six or seven on this night flew against the panes without being killed, and two others were caught alive. About forty Redbreasts and Wheatears were caught on the same night, but set at liberty again in the morning. On clear moonlight nights nothing at all is caught or found.

† According to Mr. Antander were not sent to museum.

Mr. Gätke sends the following notes of an extraordinary migration of the Silver Gamma Moth, _Plusia gamma_, across Heligoland in August, 1882:--

On Aug. 13th, at 1 a.m. till 4, thousands on thousands passed the Heligoland lighthouse, travelling E. to W. From 11 p.m. on the 15th, till 3 a.m. on 16th, millions, like a snow-storm, all belonging to the same species, passed forward in the same direction. Again, on the 18th, from 11 p.m. till 3 a.m. on the 19th, thousands on thousands were observed under the same circumstances. Some scores caught for identification were all in most perfect plumage; no fading or abrasion.

General Remarks.

The observations taken along the E. coast of England in the spring and autumn of 1882 have been such as to confirm the conclusions arrived at in previous reports.

As in 1880 and 1881, the line of autumn migration has been a broad stream from E. to W., or from points S. of E. to N. of W., covering the whole of the E. coast. In 1880 a considerable proportion of the immigrants crossed at the more southern stations; in 1881 they covered the whole of the E. coast in tolerably equal proportions; but in 1882 the stations N. of the Humber show a marked preponderance of arrivals.

Although migration has extended over an unusually long period, commencing in July and continued with but slight intermission throughout the autumn and into the following year to the end of January, yet the great mass of immigrants arrived on our E. coast in October, and a large proportion of these during the first fortnight in the month. From Oct. 6th to 8th, inclusive, and again from the 12th to the 15th there was, night and day, an enormous rush, under circumstances of wind and weather, which observation has shown are most opposed to a favourable passage. During these periods birds arrived in an exhausted condition, and we have reasons for supposing, from the number reported as alighting on fishing-boats and vessels in the North Sea, that the loss must have been very considerable; large flights also are recorded as having appeared round the lanterns of lighthouses and light-vessels during the night migration. From the 6th to the 9th, inclusive, strong E. winds blew over the North Sea, with fog and drizzling rain, and from the night of the 12 to 17th very similar weather prevailed. Mr. W. Littlewood, of the Galloper L.V., moored on the bank of that name forty miles S.E. of Orfordness, reports that on the night of Oct. 6th, Larks, Starlings, Mountain Sparrows, Titmice, Common Wrens, Redbreasts, Chaffinches and Plover were picked up on the deck, and that it is calculated five to six hundred struck the rigging and fell overboard; a large proportion of these were Larks. Thousands of birds were flying round the lantern from 11.30 p.m. to 4.45 a.m., their white breasts, as they dashed to and fro in the circle of light, having the appearance of a heavy fall of snow. This was repeated on the 8th and 12th, and on the night of the 13th 160 were picked up on deck, including Larks, Starlings, Thrushes and two Redbreasts; it was thought one thousand struck and went overboard into the sea. It is only on dark rainy nights, snow or fog, that these casualties occur; when the nights are light, or any stars visible, the birds appear to give the lanterns a wide berth.

Unquestionably the principal feature of the autumn migrations has been the enormous arrival of the little Gold-crested Wren. The migrations appear to have covered not only the E. coast of England, but to have extended southward to the Channel Islands and northward to the Faroes (see Report East Coast of Scotland, Harvie Brown). On the E. coast of England they are recorded at no less than twenty-one stations, from the Farne Islands to the Hanois L.H., Guernsey. The earliest notice is Aug. 6th, the latest Nov. 5th, or ninety-two days; during the same period enormous numbers crossed Heligoland, more especially in October, and quite up to the end of the month. On the night from the 28th to 29th Mr. Gätke remarks, "We have had a perfect storm of Goldcrests, poor little souls, perching on the ledges of the window-panes of the lighthouse, preening their feathers in the glare of the lamps. On the 29th all the island swarmed with them, filling the gardens and over all the cliff,--hundreds of thousands; by 9 a.m. most of them had passed on again."

Not less remarkable was the great flight of the Common Jay past and over that island early in October, on the 6th, 7th, and 8th; thousands on thousands without interruption passing on overhead like Crows, N. and S. of the island too, multitudes like a continual stream, all going E. to W. in a strong south-easterly gale. It would have been an interesting fact if we had been able to correlate this migration of Jays with any visible arrival on our English coast, but in none of our returns is any mention made of the Jay. Mr. Matthew Bailey, of Flamborough, told me that on one evening early in October (the exact date he was not able to give) he had observed at dusk large flights of birds, about the size of Jackdaws, coming to land, and was struck with the good headway they seemed to make against a strong wind. It was too dark, however, to make out what they were. Subsequently I have received numerous notices speaking of the extraordinary number of Jays seen during the winter in our English woodlands. This seems especially to have been the case south of a line drawn from Flamborough Head to Portland Bill, in Dorset.[9]

[Footnote 9: Common Jay. Additions and unusual numbers observed at Arden, on Loch Lomond side, subsequently reported by James Lumsden, Esq., is the only report of Jays I have got in Scotland.--J. A. H. B.]

Extraordinary numbers of the Common Hedge Sparrow (_Accentor modularis_)--"the dunnock" of the English schoolboy, the "blue Janet" of Scotland--passed over Heligoland in October, more especially on the 6th, 7th, and 8th; and it is curious that on the 8th of the same month they swarmed in astonishing numbers, both at Spurn and in N.E. Lincolnshire.