Part 4

In November and December the greatest movements are noticed, which I give in detail:--Nov. 2nd, Pentland Skerries, several Kittiwakes flying S.E., noon; fresh S.W. Nov. 10th, Isle of May, thousands of Gulls (?); W. gale, clear; first seen at 4 a.m., wind shifting to north. Nov. 11th, Isle of May, all the above gone; light N.W., clear. These may have been Glaucous, from description, but this is not clear; and from subsequent records I have preferred to consider them Herring, though Mr. Agnew includes the latter later by name, I believe Mr. Agnew knows the Glaucous and Iceland Gulls well. _Land Note._--There has not been a large migration of Glaucous and Iceland Gulls at Kincardine on Forth for many years.

Nov. 17th, Isle of May, hundreds of Herring Gulls came from S.E. all day; light N.W. "Grey Gulls" mixed with Blackbacks, the latter one in twenty.

Nov. 18th, Isle of May, every Gull gone; light N.W.

Nov. 24th, Isle of May, hundreds of Herring Gulls came from S.E. all day; fresh W.; also accompanied by smaller numbers of Black-backs.

Dec. 13th, Pentland Skerries, two Black-backed Gulls on island, 12.30 p.m.; N.W. gale.

Dec. 3rd, Isle of May, thousands of "Gulls," 3 p.m.; W., clear.

1884, Jan. 22nd, Isle of May, large light-coloured Gulls with black tips to wings; gale W. last night.

_Note._--There is evidently considerable confusion existing regarding the various species of Sea Gulls; and this is not to be wondered at when the innumerable phases of plumage in even the same species, according to maturity or immaturity, is considered. What is sadly wanted in such a quest as ours is a series of cheap yet fairly well executed plates of birds in all phases of plumage, with measurements to scale; but the almost impossibility of issuing such at a sufficiently low price for general distribution must, we fear, for ever debar our correspondents from obtaining such a means of assistance. M. De La Rue issues marvels of cheapness in Christmas Cards; could he not undertake something in this line? His pictures of birds are admirable, but he would have to keep up the standard, or even improve it, to be of scientific value to us.

Procellariidæ.--Records scarce in spring and autumn. At Auskerry, arrived for first time on July 30th, but as early as 6th eggs were laid at Pentland Skerries. Being a bird of nocturnal habits, the arrival cannot, we fancy, be easily fixed at all times. At Auskerry, on 8th, two pairs had two eggs each (some notes on the schedule margin here have been torn off and lost, J. A. H. B.) On Sept. 25th one struck at Dunnet Head; S.S.W., fog; and on 26th six struck and rested from 9 to 11 p.m.; S.E. fresh, and haze. It is seldom so many are recorded at the same time. Are these Pentland Skerries birds? At Noss Head, on Aug. 28th and on 30th, one Stormy Petrel each time struck, but not killed, with W.N.W. fresh on former date, and light S.E. and haze on latter.

Alcidæ.--Spring. First visit at Isle of May on March 21st, when "not very many" appeared, with fresh E.S.E. Guillemots and Razorbills. Next visit at Isle of May, large numbers on April 1st with light W., and in dear weather. Increased on 3rd, and on April 27th arrived again finally, after a few days' absence, with fresh S.E. and haze. These and other rock birds breeding here all left on Aug, 10th, except a few Kittiwakes and Eider Ducks, after a heavy W. gale on 9th (see August, below). Puffins were first observed at Isle of May; however, not before May 4th, when a few showed.

Following this comes what may be considered local flights, in search of food, to and from the fishing grounds:--

May 16th, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks flying E.; light breeze N.E.

May 21st, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks flying E.; light W., haze.

June 4th, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks flying S.E.; light N.E., haze.

June 6th, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks flying S.E.; light E., haze.

June 17th to 20th, Pentland Skerries, continuous rush flying S.E.; strong N. to light E. and W.

June 21st, Pentland Skerries, several flocks all day flying S.E.; lights.

June 25th, Pentland Skerries, large flocks, 7.15 p.m., flying S.E.; fresh S.E., fog and rain.

June 29th, Pentland Skerries, a few around; light S., clear.

We now come to the autumn movement, if we take the same dates as for many land birds; but this is apt to be mixed up with the later summer movements of old and young birds, and therefore we will keep July by itself. All the records here relate, as before, to Pentland Skerries. An equally exact record from each salient or conspicuous station round our coasts could not fail to give us exact knowledge as regards the movements of sea-fowl, or rather of rock birds. Food-supply is an important factor in the local as well as the other migrations. A knowledge of fishing-grounds would thereby be achieved; and a knowledge of the two subjects, migration of birds and geography of the distribution of fishes, would undoubtedly help each other. With these remarks we continue our records for July, believing that this simple tabular form is most useful in the present case, though cumbrous if carried on in every instance.

_July debatable ground,_

July 5th, Pentland Skerries, a flock 8.20 p.m.; mod. E., fog and showers.

July 6th, Pentland Skerries, several flocks all day; light S., haze.

July 7th, Pentland Skerries, several flocks all day flying E.; mod. S.E., haze.

July 18th, Pentland Skerries, a few flocks all day; mod. N.W., clear.

July 25th, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks all day; mod. N.E., clear.

July 26th, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks all day flying E. and S.E.; fresh N., haze.

The last two entries appear to me to indicate decision in commencing the autumn migration.

Aug. 15th, Dunnet Head, rock birds leave about this time.

Aug. 10th, Isle of May, all rock birds left, except a few Kittiwakes; heavy westerly gale on 9th.

Oct. 23rd, Pentland Skerries, flocks flying E.; strong W., showers.

Nov. 2nd, Pentland Skerries, large flocks, noon, flying S.E. from S.W. (?).

Nov. 27th, Isle of May, abundant in sea along with Gulls; "Garvies," _i.e._, _Culpea sprattus_, abundant (J. A. H. B.).

Dec. 20th, Isle of May, large numbers; fresh W., haze.

Dec. 27th, Isle of May, large numbers; S.W., haze.

This completes our data of Guillemots and Razorbills, to which the whole of the above records refer for 1883; and I think it shows pretty plainly the life-history of these birds, at least in some important particulars. A wider appreciation can be arrived at if similar tabular returns come in from other salient points of observation, such as Isle of May, Bell Rock, and one or two stations on the east coast; and Cape Wrath, Butt of Lewis, Monach Isles, and Barra Head on the west coast; and also for summer migrations, especially such stations as Island Ghlais, Skerryvore, and Dhuheartach, and others on the inner line of stations of the west coast.

These data are minutely detailed here this year, because I have felt more at liberty to do so, owing to the light returns of most of our land birds, thus having more space than usual at command.

Further remarks, should such occur to us, will appear in the "General Observations," which I withhold till the close of the West Coast Report.

EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.

Printed schedules and letters of instruction were forwarded to thirty-seven lighthouses and light-vessels on the East Coast of England, and two stations in the Channel Islands, and returns have been received from twenty-five, against thirty in 1882.

Independent reports have also been received from Heligoland, and certain land stations along the East Coast, namely, Seaton-Carew, Redcar, Flamborough, Spurn, North-East Lincolnshire, Wells (on the Norfolk coast), Northrepps, Great Yarmouth, and the coast of Essex. Making altogether a total of thirty-five reporting stations, against thirty-seven in 1882.

Our best thanks are due to H. Gätke, T. H. Nelson, C. Donald-Thompson, Matthew Bailey, William Eagle Clarke, J. H. Gurney, jun., M. Vaughan, of Haileybury College, Arthur Patterson, and Colonel Russell, for their hearty co-operation and assistance, as well as to the numerous kind and painstaking observers at the lighthouses and light-vessels, whose names are given in the list of stations. Special thanks are due to Mr. Gurney for having inaugurated along the Norfolk coast a parallel system of enquiry, which for a first trial has worked well. In all doubtful cases of identity, where birds are killed against the lanterns, a wing is cut off, and with a label of the date attached these have been forwarded in batches to Mr. Gurney for identification, and with satisfactory results. We cannot too strongly urge upon our observers the advantages of this system, and advise them to adopt it; nothing is easier than to cut off a wing from each victim on any given night, wrap them in paper, or tie them together, with the dates attached, or numbered on the cover, and send them in one parcel by post either to myself or to Mr. Gurney, for identification. It is intended that instructions for doing this will be given in the next issue of schedules in the spring of this year.

The East Coast stations included in this report are as follows, those making returns being marked with a star (*):--

*Longstone L.H. + Thomas O. Hall. *Inner Farn L.H. Thomas H. Cutting. *Tees L.V. Henry Harbord. Coquet Island L.H. *Whitby High L.H. John Odgers. *Flamborough Head L.H. Charles Hood. *Spurn L.H. James B. Smith. Spurn (Newsand) L.V. *Outer Dowsing L.V. William Stock & J. N. Utting. *Inner Dowsing L.V. William King. Dudgeon L.V. *Llyn Wells L.V. George Rees. *Hunstanton L.H. William Westmoreland. *Cromer L.H. Richard Comben. *Leman and Ower L.V. John Artis. *Hasbro' L.H. By Mr. Gurney from G. H. Dunsford. *Hasbro' L.V. J. Nicholas & B. Darnell. *Newarp L.V. C. Campbell & W. Rees. *Winterton L.H. John Watson. *Cockle L.V. Samuel Pender & C. Prefrement. Orfordness L.H. Corton L.V. *Shipwash L.V. The Principal. *Languard Point L.H. Owen Boyle. *Galloper L.V. The Principal: two batches of wings from Mr. Gurney. Kentish Knock L.V. Swin Middle L.V. *Tongue L.V. John Webber. Nore L.V. North Foreland L.H. Goodwin L.V. *Gull L.V. Francis Harvey & Joseph Jenkins. *South Sand Head L.V. Joseph Ditcham. *Eastside L.V. Edward le Gallais. South Foreland L.H. Casquets L.H., Alderney *Hanois L.H., Guernsey Charles Williams.

† For nature of light, position, and distances from the nearest land, see Report for 1880.

SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.[5]

[Footnote 5: The sequence and nomenclature are adopted from the 'List of British Birds,' compiled by a Committee of the British Ornithologists' Union. London: John Van Voorst. 1883.]

_Turdus viscivorus_, Missel Thrush.--Great Yarmouth, Oct. 20th, hundreds arriving; 23rd, one shot from flock coming in from sea. Longstone L.H., 30th, several, and at intervals to Nov. 15th, many being killed between these periods against lantern; on Nov. 4th, great rush, coming all night. Great Cotes, N.E. Lincolnshire, Nov. 13th, very numerous, fresh arrivals.

_T. musicus_, Song Thrush.--Spring, 1883, Farn L.H., Jan. 20th to Feb. 1st, Thrushes with Blackbirds and Fieldfares on island, also through March and at intervals to May 10th, at which date several of each and one Ring Ouzel were seen. Whitby L.H., March 9th, E.N.E., snow squalls, many with Fieldfares and other birds apparently moving south. Flamborough, April 27th, first Thrush struck, and on May 7th four. In the autumn at Farn, Flamborough and Spurn, Sept. 21st, great flight; and at the majority of the east coast stations from Farn Islands to Hanois L.H., Guernsey, up to Nov. 8th; great rushes, with other _Turdidæ_, Oct. 13th, and all through first week of November. Longstone L.H., Jan. 2nd, 1884, during the snow-storm before daylight, many, with Blackbirds and Redwings, round lantern--perhaps a local migration from north to south.[6] Heligoland, from Sept. 21st, S.S.E., to Nov. 12th; greatest rushes on Sept. 24th, Oct. 13th, 29th, and first week in November.

[Footnote 6: At the Farn L.H., on Feb. 20th, 1884, and four following days, numbers of Fieldfares, Thrushes, and Blackbirds were seen on the island; wind S.S.W.]

_T. iliacus_, Redwing.--Seaton Carew, Sept. 21st, to Hasbro' L.V., Oct. 30th, great many round lantern, and at several stations between these dates; rushes Sept. 21st, Oct. 29th and 30th. Heligoland, Oct. 3rd to Nov. 6th; greatest flights on Oct. 13th and Nov. 6th.

_T. pilaris_, Fieldfare.--First at Yarmouth, Sept. 8th, flock of ten to fifteen, 6 a.m., travelling N.E. to S.W., very high,[7] to Hasbro' L.V., Nov. 8th, many round lantern, and Nov. 16th, at Farn L.H., four to S.W. At several stations in large numbers between these dates, but none south of Yarmouth; rushes occurred on Sept. 21st, Oct. 19th (Yarmouth, along coast to S.), 28th to 31st, and Nov. 6th to 8th. Inner Dowsing L.V., Oct. 31st, seven killed, 7 p.m., N.E., and at Longstone L.H., several on same night. Flamborough L.H., Nov. 9th, 1 a.m. to daylight, great many; direction of migration N.E. to S.W. and E. to W. or S.E. to N.W. Heligoland, from Sept. 24th to Nov. 7th; Oct. 28th, great flight overhead, travelling E. to W.; from night of Oct. 31st to Nov. 4th an immense migration day and night, on 6th also large numbers still passing.

[Footnote 7: In the autumn of 1880 Fieldfares were first seen in Norfolk on Sept. 9th, in 1881 on Sept. 14th, and in 1883 on Sept. 8th. The earliest occurrence in each case for England.]

_T. varius_, White's Thrush.--Heligoland, April 15th, one all day long (Sunday) in the churchyard, and was not obtained.

_T. merula_, Blackbird.--First at Redcar, Sept. 18th, a few, to Whitby L.H., Nov. 11th, several, and at Tees L.V., Nov. 15th, one overboard; between these dates at a majority of the stations, chiefly those north of the Humber;[8] the first flights young birds, young cocks being greatly in excess. On Oct. 19th, at Spurn, flight of old cock Blackbirds; rushes occurred on Sept. 21st, Oct. 28th to 31st, and Nov. 2nd to 8th. Heligoland, Oct. 11th, some.

[Footnote 8: At Great Cotes, on Nov. 13th, sharp frost on previous night; the hedgerows in the marsh swarmed with Blackbirds, Missel Thrushes, Redwings, and Fieldfares; the former were young cocks with a few old females. There was an average of one Blackbird to each lineal six feet of hedge.]

_T. torquatus_, Ring Ouzel.--Spring, Hunstanton L.H., April 31st, one male. Inner Farn L.H. May 10th, one. Flamborough L.H., May 7th, one very fine old bird struck. Autumn, at several stations between the Farn Islands and Yarmouth, from Oct. 13th at the former to Nov. 1st at the Spurn, flock at noon, wind N.N.E., light, and Nov. 2nd and 4th, Longstone L.H.; the latter dates all night. Cock Ring Ouzels were tolerably plentiful near the Spurn and Kilnsea during the fourth week in October; rushes on Oct. 13th and Nov. 1st to 4th. Heligoland, Sept. 30th to Oct. 22nd; on the 20th two old males.

Summary.

Rushes /---------------------------\ Species. Limit of Migration. Days. Sept. Oct. Nov.

Fieldfare Sept. 8th to Nov. 13th 67 21st 28th to 31st 6th to 8th Blackbird " 18th to Nov. 15th 59 21st 30th to 31st 2nd to 8th Common Thrush " 21st to Nov. 8th 49 21st 13th 2nd to 6th Redwing " 21st to Oct. 30th 40 21st 29th to 30th -- Ring Ouzel Oct. 13th to Nov. 4th 23 -- 13th 1st to 4th Missel Thrush " 20th to Nov. 15th 27 -- 20th 4th

Heligoland.

Fieldfare Sept. 24th to Nov. 7th 45 24th 28th to 31st to 4th Blackbird Oct. 11th -- -- -- -- -- Common Thrush Sept. 21st to Nov. 12th 53 24th 13th & 29th first week Redwing Oct. 3rd to Nov. 6th 35 -- 13th 6th Ring Ouzel Sept. 30th to Oct. 22nd 23 -- 12th, 13th, 15th -- Missel Thrush -- -- --

Lines of migration, E. to. W., S.E. to N.W., and exceptionally from N.E. to S.W.

_Saxicola œnanthe_, Wheatear.--Spring, Farn L.H., April 2nd to 24th; many on 14th. Flamborough, 5th, 1.20 a.m., one struck. Tees L.V., May 10th, twenty going from S.E. to N.W. Autumn, Farn L.H., from July 20th, 2 p.m., N.E., several, to Nov. 7th; Llyn Wells L.V., one struck (wing sent to Mr. Gurney). In considerable numbers in September and October, covering the whole coast line; in the former month associated, as usual, with Redstarts. At the Farn and Longstone lighthouses, Sept. 2nd and 3rd, E., great numbers of both crossing, and on 24th with both Redstarts and Snow Buntings. Heligoland, Aug. 6th to 7th, a few, S.E. wind, and on to 20th numerous, all young; 21st to 24th, in astounding numbers; Sept. 10th, enormous rush, and 11th and 12th, less.

_Pratincola rubetra_, Whinchat.--Heligoland, Aug. 21st, 22nd, and 24th, great many young birds.

_P. rubicola_, Stonechat.--Spring, Whitby L.H., Feb. 23rd, one. Autumn, same station, Aug. 8th, many to S. Spurn, Oct. 23rd, many. Stonechats have frequented the sheep-folds on the turnip-fields in Lincolnshire throughout the whole of the late mild winter. Heligoland, Oct. 20th, one young bird; Oct. 11th, S.S.W., _P. rubicola_ (_indica_)? "with coloration just like a young autumn Whinchat, if not lighter, all the breast buff or isabell, the rump also."

_Ruticilla phœnicurus_, Redstart.--Spring, Hunstanton L.H., April 13th, 4 a.m., S., one male against lantern. Autumn, same station, Aug. 30th, one male, 1 a.m., against lantern. Numerous between Farn Islands and Yarmouth in September to the 24th, associated frequently with Wheatears. Heligoland, Sept. 9th to Oct. 1st; on Sept. 10th enormous numbers, 14th great many, and 17th to 21st also great many.

_Ruticilla titys_, Black Redstart.--Spurn, Oct. 23rd, one seen (in 1882 at the Spurn, Oct. 29th). Galloper L.V., Oct. 28th, one, young male or old female (wing to J. H. G.); I have no doubt it occurs regularly as an autumn immigrant on our east coast, and may be expected about four weeks later than the Redstart.[9] Heligoland, Oct. 27th, eight or ten.

[Footnote 9: Messrs. Clarke and Roebuck state, in their 'Handbook of Yorkshire Vertebrata,' p. 19, that "Mr. M. Bailey, of Flamborough, has frequently observed these birds in spring on their arrival on the headland, and has known them killed by flying against the light in thick, foggy weather, with the wind E.N.E. He has also seen them on their departure in September, and has noticed several in October and November."]

_Cyanecula suecica_, Red-spotted Bluethroat.--One, coast of Northumberland late in September; one, Redcar, 21st, on Tees breakwater; one about same time at the Spurn, but not obtained; ten, coast of Norfolk, in same month; and about twenty others seen there by a competent authority, Mr. Power. All obtained were birds of the year.[10] The gizzard of one of these Norfolk birds which I examined was crammed with the broken remains of small beetles having a bright metallic lustre, but the remains were much broken and comminuted.

[Footnote 10: Mr. Gätke says "the other form, _S. leucocyanea_, Brehm, comes very rarely so far north as Heligoland, and when it turns up it always does so four to six weeks earlier than the suecica in the spring."]

_Erithacus rubecula_, Redbreast.--First at the Shipwash L.V., Aug. 13th, large numbers associated with Wrens, to Llyn Wells L.V., Nov. 3rd, one killed; the main migration Sept. 10th to Oct. 14th, covering the entire coast-line; rushes on Sept. 21st and 30th, Oct. 6th and 7th. Heligoland, Sept. 24th to Nov. 23rd; rushes on Sept. 24th, and Oct. 3rd to 7th.[11]

[Footnote 11: At the Spurn, in the autumn, I have seen Redbreasts come in directly from the sea, passing overhead inland; an a clear bright day the orange-red of the breast shows very conspicuously.]

_Sylvia cinerea_, Whitethroat.--Hanois L.H. (Guernsey), Nov. 2nd, E., about lantern all night with Blackcaps. Heligoland, Sept. 10th, enormous numbers; 11th and 12th, less; Oct. 1st, last.

_S. atricapilla_, Blackcap.--Hanois L.H., as above. Heligoland, Oct. 11th, one young bird shot in garden. _S. hortensis_, Garden Warbler.--Sept. 24th, some.

_Regulus cristatus_, Goldcrest.--Spring, Tees L.V., March 29th, one stayed all night, then to E. Farn L.H., April 2nd, several all day. Hunstanton L.H., 3rd and 4th, S., against lantern. Newarp L.V., 14th, three to E. Autumn, Shipwash L.V., Aug. 13th, large numbers; and at most stations between Sept. 2nd and Nov. 9th; rushes, Sept. 21st, Oct. 28th to 31st. At the Shipwash L.V., on Oct. 15th, flights passed westward from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at 6 p.m. fourteen were killed at lantern; the immigration of Goldcrests has been small compared with the millions which crossed in the autumn of 1882, the period of migration eighty-six days, against ninety-two in the preceding year; line E. to W. Heligoland, Oct. 6th, not many yet; 7th, pretty numerous; 13th and 22nd, some. The Firecrest, _Regulus ignicapillus_.--Oct. 29th, many; Nov. 2nd, many; 8th, some.

_Phylloscopus superciliosus_, Yellow-barred Warbler. Heligoland, Sept. 17th, N.E., calm and clear, one.

_P. rufus_, Chiffchaff.--Heligoland, Sept. 24th and 30th, some; October, first seven days; 11th, early, great many and throughout day; 12th and 13th, less.

_P. trochilus_, Willow Warbler.--Aug. 14th, some; 18th, 19th, 20th, pretty numerous, all young; 21st, 22nd, and 24th, astonishing numbers; Sept. 9th, some; 10th, enormous numbers; 11th and 12th, less; 24th, less; Nov. 1st, final rush, marvellous numbers.

_Hypolais pallida._--Heligoland, Sept. 20th, "first specimen got here," shot by Ludwig Gätke.

_Accentor modularis_. Hedgesparrow.--Languard Point L.H., March 1st, 12.30 p.m., large flock to E. In the autumn of 1882 there was an enormous migration across Heligoland and on the East Coast of England; this last autumn only five or six are recorded from Heligoland, and none on our east coast.

_Acredula rosea_, British Long-tailed Titmouse.--Yarmouth, Oct. 25th, about this date several seen, flock of eleven on telegraph wire, and on the 22nd a furze-bush on the "denes" covered with them.

_Parus major_ and _cæridulus_, Great and Blue Titmouse.--Farn L.H., March 8th, two Tits. Flamborough, April 3rd, one struck. Farn L.H., Oct. 7th, two struck. Galloper L.V., 13th, one Great Tit (wing to J. H. G.). Cockle L.V., 14th, both species. Shipwash L.V., 15th, two Great Titmice (wings to J. H. G.). Spurn, 23rd, Blue Titmouse, a great many. Heligoland, Great Titmouse from Oct. 14th to end of November; Oct. 29th to 31st, a great many; Nov. 15th, same; Blue Titmouse from Oct. 14th to Nov. 2nd; rush, Oct. 29th and 31st. _Parus ater_, Continental Coal Titmouse.--Oct. 22nd, one.

_Troglodytes parvulus_, Wren.--Spring, Flamborough L.H., April 3rd, 9.20 p.m., one struck; May 7th, 11.45 p.m., one. Winterton L.H., May 14th, several, 12.30 a.m., S., three killed; 15th, two. Spurn L.H., 24th, "large flock to south." Autumn, Shipwash L.V., Aug. 13th, 2 to 6.30 p.m., in large numbers. Tees L.V., Sept. 5th, one on board three days. Whitby L.H., Oct. 10th, 8 a.m., Wrens to south. Cockle L.V., Nov. 1st, one. Outer Dowsing L.V., 2nd, great rush with others westward. Heligoland, Oct. 31st, for several weeks past daily in great numbers; Nov. 2nd, many; 7th and 8th, very many.