Part 7

Newarp L.V., March 17th to April 15th, Crows on six days to W.

Leman and Ower L.V., Feb. 18th to May 8th, Skylarks, Starlings, Titlarks, Goldcrests, E. and E.S.E. to N.W.

Cockle L.V., Feb. 22nd to March 31st, Black Crows, Ducks, Jackdaws, Starlings, Larks, Lapwings, "Snow-birds" to W. On March 20th, 24th, and 26th, Black Crows or Rooks continuous from 5.50 a.m. to 11 a.m., E. to W.; and on 31st also continuous from morning to night in the same direction.

All these entries show a great immigration to our coast from the east in the spring months, and on precisely the same lines and directions as are travelled by these birds in the autumn.

An interesting feature of the autumn migration is the occurrence of a flight of the Blue-throated Warbler, _Cyanecula suecica_; twelve altogether were obtained, all being birds of the year, and nine of these on the coast of Norfolk, besides about twenty others seen by competent observers.

Very few Goldcrests, compared with the enormous flights of the previous autumn, have crossed, and the same scarcity is observable in the Heligoland return. Curiously enough, the Hedgesparrow, _Accentor modularis_, which migrated in such immense numbers in the same autumn, has been almost entirely absent. About half a dozen are recorded at Heligoland, none on the East Coast of England.

The intermittent migration of some birds, as the Jay, Shore Lark, Goldcrest, Hedgesparrow, Siskin, and Mealy Redpole, indicated by their extraordinary abundance in some years, and partial or entire absence in others, is perhaps suggestive of local causes influencing and regulating their movements, such as a succession of favourable breeding seasons, scarcity or failure of food, sudden meteorological changes; these acting separately or in combination, would be sufficient to compel the migration of large bodies of birds from centres or localities, where, under normal conditions, they would either have remained or some part only migrated. In this manner whole districts may become denuded for a time of their feathered inhabitants, and the balance become again rectified by a return movement in the spring, or from the surplus supply bred in other districts.

Of the enormous immigration which crosses our east coast in the autumn, either to winter in these islands or passing across them, a small proportion only appear to return by the same route. Spring returns from lighthouses and light-vessels show birds then move on the same lines as were followed in the autumn, but in the reverse direction. Yet these return travellers do not represent anything like a tithe of the immigrants which, week by week and month after month in the autumn, pour in one great tide on to the coast.

What is called the "first flight" of the Woodcock arrived on the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk coasts on the night of Oct. 21st. The "great flight" or rush, which covered the whole of the east coast from the Farn Islands to Yarmouth, was on the nights of the 28th and 29th. These two periods correlate with the great flights of Woodcocks over Heligoland.

We are again indebted to Professor Ch. F. Lütken, of Copenhagen, for a list of the birds killed or taken alive against the lantern of the Stevns lighthouse, at the entrance of the Oresund, in Zealand. The list is specially interesting, as it names so many of the Heligoland birds. The occurrence of Locustella fluviatilis on Sept. 5th is the first recorded example for Denmark.

The Roller, _Coracias garrula_, occurred in October in two localities, one in Lincolnshire, the other in Suffolk. Two examples of the Sooty Shearwater, _Puffinus griseus_, were obtained in Bridlington Bay in the end of September. Altogether there has been a very marked absence along our east coast of rare and casual visitants; Heligoland, however, retains its pre-eminence for rare wanderers, and Mr. Gätke's list for 1883 includes _Turdus varius_, _Pratincola rubicola_ var. _indicus_, _Phylloscopus superciliosus_, _Hypolais pallida_, _Motacilla citriola_, _Anthus cervinus_, _A. richardi_, _Oriolus galbula_, _Lanius major_, _Muscicapa parva_, _Linota exilipes_, _Emberiza melanocephala_, _E. cirlus_, _E. rustica_, _E. pusilla_, _Pastor roseus_, and _Xema Sabinii_.

_Note._--At page 47, under the head "_Coracias garrula_, Roller," the locality of Bradwell is erroneously given in Norfolk, instead of Suffolk (2½ miles S.W. of Great Yarmouth). Mr. Gurney writes that, on June 6th, 1884, a Roller was shot at Gresham, near Cromer, and that before this Norfolk has not produced one for about thirty years.

WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND.

"And now, their route designed, their leaders chose, Their tribes adjusted, clean'd their vigorous wings. And many a circle, many a short essay, Wheel'd round and round, in congregation full The figur'd flight ascends, and riding high The aërial billows, mixes with the clouds."

Thomson.

Schedules were sent to thirty-four stations, as in previous years. We have received filled schedules from seventeen stations.

Generally the returns are very light, still lighter than last year.

We have notes on about thirty-nine species of land birds from this coast; about twenty species of water birds; and about eight species of littoral species, or wading birds.

The spring migration, for sake of uniformity with the East Coast, I have kept separate. Weather notes are included in the General Remarks.

List of Stations.

'79 '80 '81 '82 '83 * * * 81. Cape Wrath, Sutherland 400 ft. * * * * 82. Rhu Stoir, " 195 " Wm. Wither

Outer Hebrides.

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

Mainland, Skye, and Inner Hebrides.

89. Rona, Skye 222 " * * * * 90. Kyleakin, Rosshire 53 " D. M'Culloch * * 91. Isle Ornsay, Skye 58 " * * 92. Ardnamurchan Pt. Argyl. 180 " {93. Hynish Signal Tower, } * * * * * { Tyree } 150 " Wm. Crow {94. Skerryvore, off Tyree } * * * * * 95. Dhuheartach, S. of Ross of Mull 145 " Jas. Ewing * * * * * 96. Sound of Mull 55 " W. M'Lellan 97. Corran Ferry, Loch Eil 38 " * * * * 98. Lismore Island, Oban 103 " Alex. Murray * * 99. Fladda, Easdale 42 " * * * 100. Rhuvaal, Islay 147 " * * * * 101. M'Arthur's Head, Islay 128 " W. Maill * * * * * 102. Skervuile, Jura 73 " John Ewing * * * * * 103. Rhinns of Islay 159 " Andrew Lyall * * 104. Lochindaul 50 " 105. Mull of Kintyre 297 " 107. Devaar, Kintyre 120 " 108. Pladda, Arran 130 " * * 109. Lamlash, Arran 46 " David Waters * * 110. Turnberry, Ayrshire 96 " * * * * 111. Corsewall, Wigtonshire 112 " Robt. Laidlaw * * * * * 112. Loch Ryan, " 46 " Ralph Ewing * * * * * 113. Portpatrick, " 37 " James Begg * * * * 114. Mull of Galloway " 325 " * 115. Little Ross, Kircudbright 175 " 116. 117. 118. 119. [1880] 120.

General Remarks by Reporters.

Mr. James Youngclause, Monach lighthouse, says:--"I am sorry to have such a meagre report to send you, but birds have been awfully scarce here for some years back, and I have sent you records of all that I have seen."

I am obliged to Mr. William Irvine for the first report I have received from Barra Head, which, however, is a station which can hardly be expected to give large returns, owing to its position and great height above the sea. A daily record here for a few seasons of the movements of Gannets and rock-birds might prove of considerable interest, such as daily hours of going to and from their feeding-grounds. Such might be found also interesting to fisherfolk.

Mr. James Ewing, of Dhuheartach, says of the spring migration and the long-continued east winds:--"A few Larks in March, and some Stonechats in the first days of April, are all that we have seen of the spring migration. I am convinced that a change of wind happening during the migratory season tends more to lead the birds astray than strong breezes. It will be interesting to note if there is any increase during this autumn, as our light, which was red towards Mull, has been changed to a white occulting light."

By the autumn schedules migration appears to have quite ceased here by date of Dec. 7th.

Mr. W. M'Lellan speaks of the great scarcity of shore-birds, as compared with other seasons. Where Curlews were seen daily in past years only one was seen this year. Season very open and mild.

Mr. Alex. Murray, Lismore, writes:--"During the last five nights of October we had the largest number of birds that I have seen for a long time, and especially Gold-crested Wrens; but since that time up to date (8th Jan. 1884) there has been little of note."

Mr. Andrew Lyall says, "Very few birds at Rhinns of Islay this season, and not many striking." But the rush at end of October and beginning of November was very marked.

Mr. David Waters has few night records to chronicle, most of his observations being made during the day.

Mr. James Begg, Port Patrick, writes:--"Flocks of migrants very scarce this winter. Great many sea-gulls flying inland and coming back to sea daily. The Gannets commence to go south and return north in flight past this station from March to September in great numbers."

Mr. William Wither sends a light schedule from Storr Head, and speaks of the general scarcity of birds there, but at a locality a little more inland birds are plentiful in summer and autumn, and Mr. M'Ivor, teacher there, has kindly offered to keep land-notes another year.

Although so light at Dhuheartach, a considerable migration observed at Skerryvore both in spring and autumn. On Oct. 30th (the date of the universal rush of Thrushes, &c.) Mr. William Crow saw three Bullfinches on the rock, wind S., fresh, and fog, and captured one of them with little difficulty. "It appeared quite tame, I approaching it within four feet. We placed a spare cage we had, with some linseed, within six feet of it. The bird went in at once, and is still alive. It drank fresh water to excess after being caught, and was ill all next day. It revived afterwards, and is doing well."

From Turnberry lighthouse there is no return, but Mr. Andrew writes, birds were scarcer than usual. But as this is a station where there is usually some migration discernible he hopes to send returns in future. Like others of our reporters, he naturally complains of his difficulty about the names of the birds; but if he will only enter such as he is sure of, and send me the head and wings of others, or even the wings alone, and by attaching a bit of cardboard and a number to them, and a corresponding number in the schedule instead of a name, I could in most cases be able to identify them.[27]

[Footnote 27: A general request to this effect will be found in our latest issue of Letters of Instruction.]

From Cape Wrath lighthouse comes the following P.C.:--"There are no land-birds at this station, with the exception of Grouse. The same schedule will apply every year for the sea-birds, as they come and go within a week of the same time. Eight years' experience." I may just once more try to explain that it is exactly this week of difference in time, one year with another, which the Committee desire to collect statistics about as regards sea-fowl and rock-birds.

Turdidæ.--The spring migration on the West Coast seems almost to have escaped notice. At Stornoway Thrushes were heard on Feb. 19th and 20th, and heard and seen on the 27th, but these may have been residents.

The autumn migration, however, is almost as marked as on the East Coast, the time and extent agreeing, though numerically, as might be expected, not so great. Extent as follows:--Stornoway in the north (light), Island Glass (indication), Monach (do.), Barra Head (considerable), and on the mainland and Inner Hebrides from Kyleakin (light), Skerryvore (distinct and considerable), Dhuheartach (light), Sound of Mull (indication), M'Arthur's Head (a few), Rhinns of Islay.(a few), Skervuile (a few), Lamlash (light), Corsewall (heavy), Loch Ryan (considerable). The above remarks apply principally to Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, but Fieldfares and "Mountain" Thrushes are once or twice mentioned, and one Water Ouzel was caught at Skervuile on Sept. 13th.

The time occupied was as follows:--Earliest record in autumn, Sept. 23rd, one Thrush on lantern at Lamlash; may have been local. Next, 1st and 7th and 8th, a few scattered records at Barra Head, and between Dhuheartach and Lismore. About Oct. 23rd greater numbers, but nothing very remarkable till Oct. 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, and Nov. 1st to 3rd or 4th, when the rush took place. Movements continued up to end of November, but not large numerically, and nothing more that could be called a rush. A considerable number were killed at Skerryvore at the height of the rush on 28th, 29th and 30th; eight Thrushes on first date, thirty-six on 29th, and thirteen on 30th. Blackbirds and Thrushes about in equal proportion of records, but Thrushes bulking largest numerically. Species included are Song Thrush (max.). Blackbirds (large numbers), Fieldfares, and one Dipper or Water Ouzel at Skervuile. Thrushes of sorts quite absent during a rush of other species at Kyleakin, and throughout the season. Five species.

Saxicolinæ.--Wheatears.--In spring, appearance of a rush at Skerryvore on April 20th and 21st, fifty seen during the day on former date and twelve on latter; and on April 8th a single bird at Dhuheartach. A great many at Skervuile on May 5th, and on 15th four seen at Butt of Lewis.

In autumn, extent, from Stornoway (Oct.), Skerryvore (Aug), Dhuheartach (Sept. and Oct.), Lismore (Aug.). Redstarts.--Skervuile (Sept.), Corsewall (Aug.). Earliest, Aug. 24th, at Skerryvore. Latest, Oct. 29th, at Dhuheartach. Rush of Redstarts all night at Lismore. The above remarks apply in all cases to Wheatears (or so-called "Stonechats"), except where otherwise specified. Numbers at Stornoway with Linnets in Oct. Considered rare here by reporter.

Prevailing winds in spring, E. through S.E. and S.S.E. to S., and variable on April 8th at Dhuheartach. Two species.

Silviinæ.--Robin.--No spring records. Autumn, Robin, Kyleakin; Stornoway, isolated examples during December; Lismore, on Nov. 11th, with Wrens and Linnets, and a few single records in September and October; Dhuheartach, few; Lamlash and Corsewall, single records, and Robins accompanying rush of other species on Aug. 28th and 29th. At Kyleakin, Robins arrived on Nov. 15th and remained all winter. Prevailing winds, W. and northerly, very rarely easterly or S.E. One species.

Phylloscopinæ.--Goldcrest.--No spring records. Autumn, slight indications and single records as far north as Dhuheartach; one at midnight on Nov. 7th, light W., haze. Then again at Lismore, Oct. 31st, light S. airs, along with Larks; Skervuile, few, Nov. 1st, light S. wind; Lamlash, one; Corsewall, great numbers, or rush, on Aug. 30th, heralded by one single bird the day before. Loch Ryan, four on Oct. 30th. One species.

Accentor.--Hedgesparrow.--A number seen in the garden at Lamlash on Nov. 21st, during stormy weather. One species.

Paridæ.--Two Titmice struck at Sound of Mull, in light W. breeze, not killed, on Oct. 30th. One species.

Troglodytinæ.--Spring, at Corsewall six struck, none killed, on 28th, and five rested at same place on 29th; wind light E. and haze both nights.

In autumn a few records at Dhuheartach, Sound of Mull, M'Arthur's Head, Lamlash, Corsewall, and Loch Ryan. Earliest, Oct. 3rd; latest, Nov. 30th; all single birds, or very light returns. Winds, N.W. or N.N.W., except on Nov. 6th, at Lamlash, when wind was N.E. and weather fine. One species.

Motacillidæ.--In spring, at Kyleakin (earliest March 20th, when two seen flying S.! light E., clear), Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, and Skervuile. Latest at Kyleakin on May 17th, when two seen on garden wall. Largest number, four, at Dhuheartach, rested on April 20th, and flew towards Isle of Colonsay. Records relate always to "Wagtails."

In autumn, at stations:--Barra Head (several had been there for a month on Aug. 27th), Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, M'Arthur's Head (only record a flock on Nov. 5th, with N.W. gale and sleet), Rhinns of Islay (first and only record on Nov. 4th, a single bird, with W. gale), Lamlash (three on Sept. 22nd, and two on Nov. 12th, the latest record, winds westerly). One ? species.

Anthidæ.--Single spring record, one Titlark, at Lamlash, rested on lantern on May 2nd.

In autumn, one at Skerryvore rested on rocks on Aug. 24th, light W., haze, and _a number_ at Lamlash on Oct. 6th, and a few on 30th, being all the records. One species.

Hirundinidæ.--Spring records in April; earliest at Loch Ryan on 15th, when thirty arrived,--see autumn under September,--May, June; latest June 15th, two flying S. at Kyleakin, or, if we take July, three at Barra Head on 8th; remained all day, wind var. to S.E. by evening. Greatest number of records in May. Stations:--Barra Head (Sand Martins), Kyleakin, Skerryvore, Lismore, Rhinns of Islay, Lamlash, and Corsewall. The following are first arrivals:--Barra Head (Sand Martins), May 1st, two, fresh S.E., clear; Lamlash, May 1st; Corsewall, May 2nd; Loch Ryan, April 15th. All records above apply to Chimney Swallows, save in the two instances of Sand Martins.

In autumn records light also on the whole coast. Dhuheartach, Lismore, and Loch Ryan. Earliest, and rush, Aug. 19th, at Dhuheartach, large flock of old and young flying S., and at Lismore, one seen flying S. On Sept. 23rd twenty Swallows left Loch Ryan, and on 28th the remaining ten (see spring, _supra_); winds westerly and N.W. Three species.

Fringillidæ.--Spring:--At Butt of Lewis, four Tree Sparrows on April 14th, light S.W. wind; and Sparrows, a large flock flying south, light E., haze. Also Sparrows at M'Arthur's Head, a number on May 12th. Of Linnets, many after gale of April 17th, at M'Arthur's Head, a flock at Lismore on June 21st, and one bird at Skerryvore on June 25th. A single Goldfinch at Lismore, on 21st, with the Linnets.

In autumn:--Earliest July 28th, a very large flock of Sparrows flying S.E., at Butt of Lewis, and none again till Sept. 4th, when a number of Linnets remained about till the 9th. Latest record Oct. 30th, participated in rush of other species, but on Dec. 15th a rush of "small birds" is recorded at several stations. Greatest numbers in October, at Stornoway, Skerryvore (a Bullfinch, see light-keeper's remarks, _antea_), Lismore (good many), M'Arthur's Head, Lamlash. It is difficult to fix dates of rushes, but one great rush took place on Sept. 15th, of Linnets and Sparrows at M'Arthur's Head, and indicated at Lamlash by ten Linnets flying south. These notes are given of Linnets and Grey Linnets, also on Oct. 30th, at Lismore, of Green and Grey Linnets, a number at Priory Farm. Numerous instances of direction of flight are given, usually "flying S." We have received considerably more statistics this year of these important _directions of flight_. We wish our reporters could distinguish between Common Linnets, Green Linnets, and Twites or Mountain Linnets, always when possible. Linnets have travelled in company with Wheatears at Stornoway, and with Thrushes and Curlews (the latter several times). About seven species.

Emberizidæ.--Snow Bunting. Very scanty records on W. coast. At Stornoway one, first seen on Oct. 17th, and twenty on 18th. At Lismore twenty on Oct. 22nd. At Rhinns of Islay one on Nov. 5th, and in December no records, and in January a few at Butt of Lewis on 26th, and strong W. and sleet. Prevailing winds W., strong to gales, but mod. N. at Rhinns of Islay on Nov. 5th. One species.

Alaudidæ.--Spring at Skerryvore, earliest Feb. 10th, four struck, two killed, strong S.W.; and in March, at same place, on 10th, nine struck and three were killed, fresh N. and showers.

In autumn, at Dhuheartach, earliest on Sept. 10th, a few, and on 29th three; wind N.N.E., clear. Also, furthest north, records at Butt of Lewis, Stornoway, and so south by Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Skervuile, and Rhinns of Islay. Latest at Stornoway, small numbers on 24th. Greatest movements in October at Butt of Lewis, on 11th, large numbers flying south; and at Stornoway 19th, 20th, and 23rd; on latter date with Thrushes and one Redbreast. Prevailing winds, northerly and westerly. One species.

Sturninæ.--Starlings feed all through the month of April at Butt of Lewis.

Autumn records scarce. Regular daily at Rhinns of Islay all August. No records anywhere given in September. [We trust our reporters bear in mind that we desire movements of even our commonest species, and especially directions of flight.] In October a few records from Butt of Lewis, two killed, but Mr. Thompson considers these part of the residents; also at M'Arthur's Head and Lamlash. If any rush it was on Oct. 30th, and also 29th, when it was noticed at Island Ghlais[28] and at Rhinns of Islay; but the movement appears to have been insignificant. I have a single record in November from Monach Island, and one of a flock in December at Loch Ryan. One species.

[Footnote 28: Ghlais or Glass: both spellings used.]

Corvidæ.--Jackdaws, Crows, Black Grows, Grey Crows, Ravens, and one of Magpie, the latter at Kyleakin, marked "very rare," on Jan. 7th, flying S.E. Stations are Skerryvore, Dhuheartach in spring; and Rhu Stoir, where Crows (are these Rooks or Carrion Crows?) feed every day till 31st (I suspect these are local Rooks from Cama Loch, but would like to know for certain). Only some ten records in all--February, March, April, May, June; and August, September, October (Ravens at Kyleakin), November (Jackdaws at Sound of Mull, about 200 flying N. very high, mod. breeze, sleet, showers). December 27th, two Ravens, flying W.; light E., clear. Six species.

Cypselidæ.--Three May records, all at Dhuheartach. Single birds on 22nd and 23rd, flying E., with light S.E., clear; and on 24th, one flying E., with W.N.W., and one found dead on rocks. One species.

Cuculidæ.--Cuckoo records in spring, from--

Stornoway, first heard on May 2nd; N.E. breeze.

Skerryvore, first heard at Land Station, Tyree, on June 1st.

M'Arthur's Head, first on May 17th; light wind, clear.

Rhinns of Islay, May 24th; fresh W., haze.

Corsewall, May 6th, and Loch Ryan on May 2nd; light N.E., clear, and rain.

_Note._--During the first week in May there appears to have been an indication of a migration of other species.

The only autumn record is of one found dead at Rhinns of Islay on Sept. 1st. One species.

Strigidæ.--Only one record on April 27th at Dhuheartach, where one rested on rock at ten a.m.; light N.W. wind, and haze. One species.