Part 6

The Woodcock arrived on the east coast on the night of Oct. 12th, or early morning of the 13th; wind E., strong, fog, and drizzling rain. On the morning of the 13th they are recorded from nine stations, covering 250 miles of coast-line, from the Farne Islands to Orfordness.[10] It is fair to suppose that this, the "great flight" of the season, did not start from the same locality, but from various parts of the opposite coast of Europe,--places widely apart. Both previous and subsequent to their passage the weather had been much of the same character over the North Sea. Why they should start simultaneously on this special evening, and how they managed to "keep touch," to use a military term, during a passage of several hundred miles across a stormy sea, in fog and drizzling rain, so as to arrive about the same time at their Tel-el-Kebir on our English sand-hills, is one of those points in the phenomena of migration which will probably take some time and more extended observations, especially on the opposite coast-line, to clear up.

[Footnote 10: I Also "great flight" same time, Isle of May. East coast of Scotland report.]

An interesting entry in one of the returned schedules, that from the Inner Dowsing L.V., placed seventeen miles E. of Sutton, on the Lincolnshire coast, is that of two Hawfinches, which came on board on the evening of Oct. 20th, a strong S.S.W. wind blowing, and remaining all night, left again at daybreak, their course being from S.E. to N.W., the course followed by a large proportion of our immigrants. As far as we are aware this is the first notice of Hawfinches having been seen at sea. At Heligoland, Mr. Gätke says the species is a well-known customer, never in any numbers, but every spring and fall some, betraying itself forthwith by its peculiar call-note, so out of all proportion with its colossal beak.

There are some birds occurring on our east coast year by year with tolerable regularity, which, during the autumn of 1882, have been remarkable for their scarcity. This has been the case with all the large raptorial birds, and especially with the Short-eared Owl, and Common Linnet and Twite. Their absence on migration has also been remarked upon in Heligoland. The Short-eared Owl also appears to have been specially scarce on the east coast of Scotland. (See East Coast of Scotland Report.)

Our returns show very clearly that the spring lines of migration, followed by birds leaving our shores, are identically the same as those followed in the autumn, but of course in the reverse direction from W. and N.W. to E. and S.E.

As this is the fourth report issued by the Committee, we may, perhaps, with the mass of facts at our disposal, be expected to draw deductions, which, if they do not explain, will serve at least to throw some light on the causes influencing the migration of birds. We might reasonably reply that the work undertaken by us was not to theorise, or attempt explanations, but simply to collect facts and tabulate them. This we have endeavoured to do in the shortest and simplest manner consistent with accuracy of detail. There is, however, one circumstance which can scarcely fail to present itself to those who have gone carefully into the reports issued by the Committee, namely, the marvellous persistency with which, year by year, birds follow the same lines of migration when approaching or leaving our shores: the constancy of these periodical phenomena is suggestive of some settled principle or law governing the movement. It is clearly evident, from the facts already at our disposal, that there are two distinct migrations going forward at the same time; one, the ordinary flow in the spring and ebb in the autumn, across the whole of the western Palæarctic regions, which of course includes the British Isles, of a great migratory wave moving to and from the nesting-quarters of the birds in the coldest part of their range, N.E. in the spring and S.W. in the autumn. Quite independent of this there is a continual stream of immigrants, week by week and month by month, to the eastern shores of these islands, coming directly across Europe from E. to W., or more commonly from points S. of E. to others N. of W., and the reverse in the spring. These are mainly composed of those common and well-known species which annually make these islands their winter resort, and take the place of our summer birds: they come in one broad stream, cutting the line of ordinary migration at nearly right angles; one flank brushes the Orkneys and Shetlands, pouring through the Pentland Firth, even touching the distant Faroes; the southern wing crosses the Channel Islands, shaping its course in a north-westerly direction to the English coast. In our explanation of the causes which first induced, and perhaps still influences, this E. to W. migration, we must probably go back a long way in the history of the world, when the distribution of the land and water of continental Europe was very different to what it now is; when there was no North Sea, and the western coast-line of Europe was represented by what is now known as the hundred-fathom line off' the West of Ireland, a coast which on the one side touched Scandinavia, and on the other was linked with the Spanish peninsula. Great as is now the contrast between the winters of Central Russia and those of these islands, the difference would then be much more marked,--arctic cold on one hand, and semi-tropical warmth on the other.[11] It requires then no stretch of imagination to believe that great flights of birds would on the approach of winter be driven before the intense cold of Eastern and Central Europe to seek refuge and find food in the warm regions of the west, regions which then would feel the full effects of the warm equatorial currents, and enjoy an almost perpetual summer. This movement once begun would, by the very necessities of existence, and in time by an hereditary instinct, be continued. Gradually the land now occupied by the North Sea has been withdrawn from beneath the migrating flocks; year after year the middle passage became wider and more difficult; yet the habit once formed would be continued, and hereditary instinct, or whatever other name we choose to give it, supply the rest.

[Footnote 11: There are ninety species of plants, all told, common alike to Southwestern England and Ireland, and to the Pyrenean and Italian region. They represent an old flora no longer adapted to the country,--a flora of warmth and sunshine,--and now dying out under the advance of hardier, more vigorous and congenial species. They may be regarded as the last floral relics of the submerged land, that semi-tropical western land whose plants and flowers are not of Scandinavian origin, but derived from Southern Europe.]

Mr. Wallace has told us how, in the Eastern Archipelago, comparatively narrow, and probably very ancient, straits of water divide and wholly separate distinct races of birds; and we have instances of this in Europe, where species, common on the opposite coast of the Continent, rarely or never occur in the British Islands.

Small birds, like the Goldcrest, do not cross great breadths of water from choice; they doubtless would prefer a migration over land, from field to field, or hedge to hedge; or at the most closely following some old established coast-line. Why, except on some such hypothesis as stated, should they attempt the North Sea, not alone at the narrowest part, the straits of Dover, or from Ostend to the coast of Kent, but in the very widest parts also, from the Elbe to the Humber, or Danish coast to the Pentland Firth and Scotch islands? What impels our autumn visitants, the young weeks in advance of their parents, to launch westward across what, for anything they can possibly know to the contrary, may prove an Atlantic, an ocean without a further shore?

There are doubtless several causes, working separately or together, which influence migration, and we must not look for an explanation of the phenomena attending these great periodical movements to one cause only, for by doing this we lose sight perhaps of other equally powerful incentives. I have spoken in previous reports of the probability of birds following ancient coast-lines once linking now distant lands, impelled by what we call, for want of a better term, hereditary instinct, that is, an instinct derived through ancestors. It is, perhaps, an open question whether the young, which undoubtedly arrive in the autumn weeks in advance of the great mass of old birds, depend entirely on this, or whether they are in any way dependent on guidance and direction. It is a curious fact, which we have frequently remarked, that the very earliest of their kind are frequently a few old birds,--flocks of young, too, often contain a sprinkling of old female birds,--such as may be supposed have made the journey before; but it must be also borne in mind that on dark or even starlight nights, when these movements mostly take place, any guidance, even that of call-note, would be futile at any but a very limited range.

WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND.

Schedules, &c., were sent to forty stations, the same number as in previous years. We have received filled-in schedules from thirteen stations.[12]

[Footnote 12: But the Isle of Man stations--five in number--have been taken over by Mr. P. Kermode, as he is on the spot, and as they really lie more into his district,]

Generally the returns are light, lighter than last year.

We have notes upon thirty-two species of land birds from this coast, and about fourteen species of water-birds, whilst the species of Waders or Littoral species may be placed at eight.

The Spring Migration I have kept distinct in this report. Weather notes included in General Remarks.

Here follows the usual list of stations, with asterisks which point out the annual returns from the beginning of the scheme, from each station.

West Coast of Scotland.

Mainland.

1879, '80, '81, '82. * * * 81. Cape Wrath, Sutherland 400 ft. * * * 82. Rhu Stoir, W. Cromarty 195 "

Outer Hebrides.

* * * * 83. Butt of Lewis 170 " Alex. Thompson * * 84. Stornoway 56 " * * * 85. Island Glass 130 " * * * * 86. Monach Island { 150 " } J. Youngclause. { 62 " } * * 87. Ushenish 176 " 88. Barra Head 683 "

Mainland, Skye, and Inner Hebrides.

89. Rona, Sye 222 " * * * 90. Kyleakin, Rosshire 53 " D. McCulloch. * * 91. Isle Ornsay, Skye 58 ft. * * 92. Ardnamurchan, Pt. Argyle 180 " * * * * {93. Hynish Signal Tower, Tyree{150 " Alx. McEachern. {94. Skerryvore, off Tyree { * * * * 95. Dhuheartach, S. of Ross of Mull 145 " John Ewing. * * * * 96. Sound of Mull 55 " W. McLellan. 97. Corran Ferry, Loch Eil 38 " * * * 98. Lismore Island, Oban 103 " A. Murray. * * 99. Fladda, Easdale 42 " * * * 100. Rhuvaal, Islay 147 " * * * 101. Mac Arthur's Head 128 " W. Maill. * * * * 102. Skervuile, Jura 73 " John Ewing. * * * * 103. Rhinns of Islay 159 " Andrew Lyall. * * 104. Lochindaul 50 " 105. Mull of Kintyre 297 " 106. Sanda, Kintyre Sound 165 " 107. Devaar, Kintyre 120 " 108. Pladda, Arran 130 " * 109. Lamlash, Arran 46 " * * 110. Turnberry, Ayrshire 96 " * * * 111. Corsewall, Wigtown 112 " * * * * 112. Loch Ryan, Wigtown 46 " Ralph Ewing. * * * * 113. Portpatrick, Wigtown 37 " Jas. Beggs. * * * * 114. Mull of Galloway, Wigtown 325 " H. Morrison. * 115. Little Ross, Kirkcudbright 175 " 116. Point of Ayr } 117. Douglas Head } 118. Chickens Rock } Isle of Man. 119.-1880. Bahama Rock L.V. } 120. Longness L.V. }

The last five stations are now placed at the head of the W. of England stations under Mr. P. Kermode. We are sorry to find a falling off in the returns this year and would have liked to know if any reason can be assigned for the same.

We have to thank Mr. McCulloch, at Kyleakin, for the careful records of directions of flight of the species observed. These are important, and a great assistance at arriving at conclusions.

At Skervuile, owing to an accident to his hand, no notes were kept by Mr. Ewing for some time between July and September, but fewer birds were seen than for many years back.

Turdidæ.--In autumn, at Monach, Kyleakin, Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Rhinns of Islay, Corsewall, Loch Ryan, Mull of Galloway. No records at any stations till Oct. 11th, when three Fieldfares were killed at Monach. An indication of a rush was apparent all through October after that date of _Turdidæ_ and other species, more especially at Rhinns of Islay. Latest records on Nov. 22nd, prior to which date many Blackbirds and Thrushes frequented Corsewall for a week during a covering of snow; therefore probably only a local movement. At Kyleakin Song Thrushes and Blackbirds resided all winter up to January, 1883. In October no great rush observable, but indications of the same migration observable on the E. coast were noticed at Corsewall on the 14th, and at Dhuheartach and Rhinns of Islay on 17th; and a few Blackbirds and Thrushes showed at Skerryvore on 13th. Eight Song Thrushes were killed one night also at MacArthur's Head, and a single male Blackbird was seen in the garden at Monach on Nov. 1st. A rush of "small birds" took place during October, but in no large masses, at MacArthur's Head and Rhinns of Islay, and at Corsewall and southward. Three species of _Turdidæ_ noticed.

Saxicolinæ.--Spring records, as usual, are scanty; some five records at five stations, _viz._, Butt of Lewis, Skerryvore, Rhuvaal, MacArthur's Head and Mull of Galloway. Earliest, March 9th at Butt of Lewis; latest, on May 17th at MacArthur's Head, mostly of single Wheatears. In autumn, a few records of Wheatears from Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Rhuvaal, and Rhinns of Islay: the earliest, Aug. 17th at Dhuheartach; latest, Oct. 16th; and an evident rush on Aug. 23rd at Rhinns of Islay, and again on Sept. 10th at Skerryvore, where over 100 were seen on the rocks.

Silviinæ.--Of Robins one spring record at Skerryvore on April 9th, a single bird resting; fair S.S.E. and haze. In autumn, at Kyleakin, Skerryvore, Lismore, Skervuile and Little Ross. Earliest, a single bird on Aug. 17th, at Skervuile; latest, two at Kyleakin (where, however, Robins arrived on Nov. 15th, and remained all winter up to close of schedule on Jan. 27th, 1883). An evident rush took place at Butt of Lewis between Sept. 14th and 30th, with Wrens on the 26th, and with Wagtails on the 28th, 29th, and 30th; in November, a few Robins, accompanied by Wrens and Linnets, at Lismore on 11th; and in October one Robin and one Wheatear, together, on 9th at Skerryvore. All the records in August, September, and October accompanied by easterly winds, the rush in September with N.E.

Phylloscopinæ.--Of Golden-crested Wrens one spring record at Mull of Galloway, on March 8th and 9th, when "great numbers" were round the lantern at midnight; wind S.W., light, clear. In autumn, earliest, Sept. 21st, at Corsewall, and 22nd and 25th at Loch Ryan; latest, and rush at Corsewall and Mull of Galloway, on 15th and 16th, when "great numbers" round lantern; strong E. and haze; straggling birds also, 8th and 9th, at same places. A significant record is on Oct. 10th, at Rhinns of Islay, north of which station we have no records. On that date eight Golden-crested Wrens struck and one was killed; wind light S.E., haze. The similarity of dates of occurrence at Mull of Galloway on W. coast and Isle of May on E. coast this year worthy of notice (see General Remarks).

Paridæ.--Of Titmice only two spring records, both at Mull of Galloway; five killed at midnight, March 18th, and great numbers flying round lantern on May 22nd; wind light E. Note approximation of dates on W. and E. coasts (see General Remarks.)

Troglodytinæ.--Of Wrens one spring record at Skerryvore; two flying about rock on May 24th; wind light N.W., clear. In autumn one on Sept. 22nd, at Lismore. Latest, Nov. 11th, a few at Lismore, and a partial rush on Oct. 8th, 9th and 11th, at Corsewall, and on Oct. 11th and 26th at Lismore, the two latter accompanied by Starlings and Robins.

Motacillidæ.--In autumn three Wagtails at Skerryvore, on Aug. 28th, two--male and female--in a garden at Kyleakin, and a few on each day at Lismore, on Oct. 28th, 29th, and 30th, with light N.E. winds. Of Pipits, four struck and two were killed at Butt of Lewis, in strong W. breeze, on March 17th; they were accompanied by Tree Sparrows. In autumn, hundreds round the Little Ross on Sept. 6th, after 8 p.m., for two hours; one killed at 12 noon, in light N. breeze, clear, at Dhuheartach, on Oct. 28th. It is not often they are recorded as killed in the daytime in clear weather. _Land Notes._--An unusual number of Pied Wagtails--fifty or more in one flock--on Sept. 25th, in Kirkcudbright (J. J. Armistead, Esq.); also two Motacilla flava seen on Sept. 11th,--a very rare occurrence at Douglas Hall.

Hirundinidæ.--Swallows: Spring records at Kyleakin, Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Lismore, Corsewall, and Loch Ryan. Seen first on April 12th at Corsewall, and April 15th at Loch Ryan, where fifteen Swallows arrived with light N. wind and sleet. Latest records on June 15th at Lismore, and 9th at Skerryvore; not seen at Dhuheartach till May 14th. Other records at Lismore on 10th, a flock, and 13th, another flock. In autumn, one Swallow rested on window of lighthouse at Dhuheartach, on Aug. 11th, and a final movement was observed in September about the 14th and 15th, at Loch Ryan and Mull of Galloway, besides a few other records at earlier dates. _Land Notes._--Swallow first seen at Douglas Hall, Dumfriesshire on 7th. Mr. Howard Saunders, residing at St. Jean de Luz, in the Basses Pyrénées, saw the first Swallow on March 25th, along with many Wheatears and Redstarts. Woodcocks had passed but in small numbers, and only two were seen in the market.

Fringillidæ.--Tree Sparrows seen at Butt of Lewis on Feb. 20th, when four struck and two were killed; strong E. wind and haze. Again six were seen at same place and two killed on March 20th; and again six at the same place and one killed, on April 8th. House Sparrows are recorded on May 27th, at Skerryvore, flying about; and at MacArthur's Head--a number all day--on May 8th. House Sparrows were also seen at Butt of Lewis on Feb. 25th, with strong S.W. breeze, haze, and rain. In autumn, House Sparrows, a large flock at Lismore on Oct. 24th; "Finches" on Oct. 10th, at Sound of Mull; Linnets, a rush about 7th and 11th at Lismore, with a few earlier records; and on Dec. 29th, at Monach, where all left on the 20th. Some of these records probably apply to Grey Linnets, and the Monach one likely to Twites or "Mountain Linnets." Four, possibly five, species. _Land Notes._--Four Siskins seen on sand-hills on Solway Firth, on a patch of thistles; gone next morning, Oct. 17th (J. J. Armistead.) Mr. Scot Skirving, of Edinburgh, mentions, in lit., that the Chaffinch, was the most common of small birds in Islay prior to the terrible winter of 1878, but after that very rare indeed, until on Oct 22nd, 1880, a flock of some thousands appeared, and since then they have again been fairly abundant.

Emberizidæ.--Two Snow Buntings were seen at Butt of Lewis on March 21st. Autumn records: Snow Bunting Oct. 15th at Kyleakin, to Dec. 12th at Butt of Lewis. No rush apparent and records scanty; three or four in all in October and November. One Yellow Bunting on Oct. 15th, at Kyleakin. Two or three records at Dhuheartach also in October, November and December.

Alaudidæ.--In end of migration of 1881-82, under date Jan. 12th, 16th, 1882, and 18th, large parties of Larks are recorded at Lismore; wind light S. No more records till autumn, 1882. On Sept. 27th, at Corsewall, one on lantern. Latest date, Dec. 27th, at Skerryvore, two found dead; light S.S.W. and clear. Records of direction of flight usually S.E., but these records are, as are too often the case, too meagre to assist us. Direction of flight is earnestly asked for. A rush distinguishable at Rhinns of Islay on Oct. 8th and 12th. Two Larks remained all night on lantern at Dhuheartach, on Jan. 2nd, 1883.

Sturnidæ.--Starling: in spring a large flock on March 11th at Butt of Lewis, but they are resident here, and rarely come to the light; two were killed here, however, on June 7th. A record at Mac Arthur's Head; great scarcity of records of Starlings. A few autumn records only; numbers feeding for days at Rhinns of Islay, end of August. A rush apparently took place at Mac Arthur's Head, along with many "small birds," between first week of October and 31st. Records scattered through November, December, and January (1883).

Corvidæ.--"Black Crows" (probably Rooks?) which are seldom seen at Skerryvore, showed in March, when three were seen one day, and one rested on May 29th, and a "Grey Crow" on 16th. In autumn, "Black Crows," a large flock during snow, seen flying E. at Portpatrick on Dec. 14th. One Hooded Crow on 26th at Monach, flying S.W. One Raven at Kyleakin on 5th, flying S., light N.E. wind; and one Magpie ("very rare" at Kyleakin) on Jan. 7th, 1883, flying S.E. One Jackdaw rested on the rock on Feb. 11th (1883), and on the 19th two "Black Crows "were seen flying in an easterly direction; wind S.W., fresh and clear.

Cuculidæ.--Records of arrivals of Cuckoos in spring are as follows:--

Mull of Galloway April 30th. Variable, light airs. Loch Ryan May 5th. Strong N.W. Corsewall " 5th. Strong N.W. Skervuile " 19th. Light E., clear. MacArthur's Head " 10th. Light E. airs. Lismore " 15th. Light E. airs. Kyleakin " 3rd. ? ?

_Land Notes._--

Kinharvie, near Dumfries May 3rd (_auct._ J. J. Armistead, Esq.). Douglas Hall May 4th " "

If a series of records could be obtained like the above from the E. coast stations, a comparison might be useful.

Strigidæ.--One record of Owl only. One "Owl" at Mull of Galloway; strong E. breeze.

Falconidæ.--No actual migration of Hawks discernible from the records. Visit Dhuheartach daily through the season, and seen at other stations occasionally. One Falcon at Kyleakin seen flying S.; light E., rain and sleet. Land Notes.--On Sept. 27th a Buzzard seen at Douglas Hall (probably a migrant); and on Nov. 1st a pair of Buzzards seen (J. J. Armistead, Esq.)