Part 8

Falconidæ.--A Falcon flying N., at Kyleakin, in February; a Hawk at Dhuheartach, flying round on 19th April, where in autumn they make daily visits, and even in some seasons all the year round. In September one Hawk remained a week here, resting on the balcony at night, and feeding on small birds in the day. A Falcon seen at Butt of Lewis on Sept. 1st, and a Sparrow Hawk at Skerryvore on Sept. 1st, flying E. Two records in October and one in December--a Falcon flying W.; light N.W. airs. About three species.

Pelecanidæ.--In uniformity with East coast, records of Gannets, chronologically under each station, beginning in the north, so far as records permit. The stations recording in 1883 are Butt of Lewis (82), Rhu Stoir (83), Stornoway (84), Barra Head (88), Kyleakin (90), Dhuheartach (95), Lismore (98), M'Arthur's Head (101), Skervuile (102), and Lamlash (109). (N.B. The Committee would be obliged for chronological returns, giving always directions of flight, from any other stations, of Gannets and Rock birds):--

82. July 25th, began flying north in some numbers to Aug, 10th; fresh N.

83. March 15th, seen daily in great numbers, noted at 83, up to March 31st, but no directions of flight given, which we would like to have always.

84. In August, reported as unusually scarce this season, but no definite records given nor directions of flight, or if fishing or not.

88. Under date of September 1st, the remark "a few fishing every day."

90. On June 20th flocks all day, flying east. Was this the only day on which Gannets were seen here?

95. Dec. 7th, two seen; only record given; no direction of flight; wind light N.W., clear.

98. May 14th, "Solan Geese"; fresh, S. breeze, showery. June 22nd, "Solan Geese" flying south; var. light, clear. Aug. 16th, two, flying south; fresh N.W., clear.

101. April, a few daily seeking food.

102. March 21st, "Gannets seen;" E.S.E., light breeze. May 9th, "Solan Geese" seen; fresh E. July 16th, "Solans;" fresh N.W., clear. July 24th, "Solans;" N.N.W., clear. July 25th, "Solans;" N.N.W., clear.

109. Feb. 5th, the first seen for some months. One species.

Ardeidæ.--Only one record of Herons at Monach Island, where five were seen on the outlying rocks on Nov. 25th, strong E. wind; and the remark "seen daily all the year round at Kyleakin." One species.

Anatidæ; Anserinæ (Geese).--I think we should endeavour to tabulate also the movements of different species of Wild Geese; but as the records are a little confusing, I find we must do so under one, or at mast two headings, the occurrences of which are most frequently recorded under these designations.

Some four species (namely Bean, Pink-footed, Greylag--rarest migrant--and White-fronted) may be included in the following, reported as "Wild Grey Geese," "Geese," "Grey Geese," "Wild Geese," by the various reporters.

The stations returning these are:--Rhu Stoir (82), Butt of Lewis (83), Monach (86), Kyleakin (90), Lismore (98), Lamlash (109), and Corsewall (111).

82. "Wild Geese," April 14th, three; light S., haze and rain.

83. "Wild Geese," Sept. 19th, large flock, flying W., past the lighthouse, and then turning S.W.; westerly gale and showers.

86. "Wild Grey Geese," Nov. 10th, twenty, flying round; light S.E.

90. "Geese," Sept. 19th, four, flying S.W.; light E.

98. "Grey Geese," Nov. 1st, five, flying S.; light S., haze.

109. "Grey Geese," April 27th, forty, flying N., light S., haze. April 28th, fifty, flying N. Oct. 7th, three, flying S., N.W., fine. Nov. 1st, twenty, flying E., light E., haze.

111. "Wild Geese," Nov. 13th, twenty, flying E., light E., haze. Nov. 14th, thirty, flying E.

Barnacle Goose seen at following stations:--Barra Head (88), Kyleakin (90).

88. April 25th, 100, "flying over;" light N.E., clear. May 1st, 150, fresh N.E., clear. Sept. 22nd, about thirty arrived, light S.W., haze and rain. Nov. 10th, about fifty seen flying S., var. W., showers.

90. Nov. 30th, seven flying S.W. ("first I have seen here"), light N.W., clear. Five species of Geese.

Eider Ducks, _ut sup._ 82, 95, 103.

82. May 26th, six, passing N., light S.W., clear. June 30th, sixteen, passing N., light E., var.

95. Oct. 12th, one, first seen this season. Oct. 15th, six, fishing round rock. November, forty (twenty males and twenty females), fishing round rock, light N.W., clear.

Wild Duck, only at 83, 88, 90.

83. March 21st, two males and two females, killed at lantern; slight S.E., haze.

88. Sept. 21st, twenty, flying W., light E., haze.

90. Sept. 19th, four, flying S.W., light E.

Eider Ducks at Rhu Stoir, Dhuheartach, and Rhinns of Islay. Three at first named locality on April 14th; light S., haze and rain. Six on May 26th; strong S.W., passing north. Sixteen on June 30th, passing north, with light var., and clear. Then at Dhuheartach, the first seen this season was on Oct. 12th, in autumn migration, and at Rhinns of Islay, three seen during a S.W. gale. At Dhuheartach again, twenty males and twenty females, seen fishing round the rock, during strong W.N.W. wind, and clear on Dec. 7th. Two species.

Columbidæ.--A large flock of Rock Doves is resident at Butt of Lewis, and is seen daily flying inland to feed. At Kyleakin a Woodpigeon was seen flying S.E. at noon on Dec. 15th, with light W. wind, and clear; at same station, on 23rd, four Rock Doves flying south, wind light W.S.W.; and at same place two more flying south, with E.S.E. and haze, on Jan. 2nd. One species.

Rallinæ.--Corn Crake.--At Stornoway, first heard on May 2nd. At Barra Head, one seen on July 1st, var., S.E., and fog. At Kyleakin, first heard on May 16th, S., clear. At Rhinns of Islay, one found dead on May 23rd, light W., haze. One species.

Charadriadæ.--Spring. Oystercatchers are resident all the year at Cape Wrath. At Barra Head, three pairs arrived on April 10th. At M'Arthur's Head they were present all April.

In autumn oyster catchers appeared in flocks, along with the rush of land migrants, about Aug. 23rd, at Stornoway, at which place they are generally seen all September.

Golden Plover records quite absent for 1883.

Lapwing.--Spring record at Rhu Stoir, two seen on April 4th. In autumn, at Kyleakin, ninety were counted flying S.E., and crying loudly, with N.W. wind and haze, on Aug. 15th. Eight more on 23rd, flying east, wind S.E., and haze; and at Lamlash, a single bird rested on the Island on Aug. 13th. At Barra Head, seventeen were seen at two p.m., light east wind, and haze (direction of flight not given), on Sept. 21st; one record there also in October. At Loch Ryan, a flock flying S.E., on Nov. 15th, S.E. wind; and at Dhuheartach, where migration appeared to cease on Dec. 29th, the last migrant seen was a Lapwing, resting on the Lantern on that date. At Kyleakin seven were seen flying S.W. on Jan. 4th, 1884. Two species.

Scolopacidæ.--Woodcock, Snipe, Curlew, Whimbrel. No records of Woodcock till October. Then a few at Monach Island, Dhuheartach, Lismore, and Loch Ryan; and in November, at Kyleakin and Lismore. Single entries on 16th at Kyleakin, and 5th at Lismore. Two killed at Monach on Oct. 29th, one killed at Dhuheartach on 31st, and three on 29th, at Lismore; and one on 31st, at Loch Ryan, showing a general movement at these dates.

Snipe were even scarcer; earliest Oct. 22nd, at Monach, and occurring on the same dates as Woodcock, or nearly.

Curlew.--Numerous records at most of the stations, dating from Feb. 5th, at Rhuvaal, on to November. An appearance of a rush northwards on May between 14th and 16th, when flocks seen flying north at Rhinns of Islay; also on 16th, at Lismore, during the day. Records also at Loch Ryan, Skerryvore, &c.

In autumn, at Stornoway, Monach, Barra Head, and most stations indeed; earliest, July 25th, at Skerryvore, when five Curlews seen flying N.E., on to Nov. 16th, at Sound of Mull. Between Sept. 16th and 30th, at Stornoway, seen every day on the shore, and large numbers on the 30th.

There is only one record of Whimbrel under the name "The Small Curlew," when two were seen at Skerryvore flying about the rocks. I wish we could more exactly trace the lines of migration of the Whimbrel, or "May fowl" of the Hebrides, in both spring and autumn (see remarks of Mr. D. Gray in the Atlantic, _antea_). No records of Redshanks or Sandpipers. Four species.

Laridæ; Sterninæ.--Arrivals in spring recorded as follows:--At Rhu Stoir, three Terns on May 10th; light N. breeze. At Stornoway, Terns "arrived as usual about this time," and left in August. At Skervuile, arrived on 14th, and more seen on 16th. The first came with a fresh S. breeze and rain. At Corsewall first observed was on May 11th.

In autumn. Terns, as already stated, left Stornoway in August, but "about ten days later than usual." The last seen at Skervuile was on Sept. 6th. At Sound of Mull, on Sept. 30th, a flock rested for two hours, and then flew away S.E., composed of old and young together. Moderate wind.

An utter absence of records of any Gulls, Skuas, "Boatswains," or any other Laridæ. One or two species?

Procellariidæ.--One record of Storm Petrel at Lismore, where it is accounted very rare, on Oct. 3rd, when one was killed; strong N.W. wind, and haze. One species.

Alcidæ.--At various stations taken notice of as follows:--At Barra Head, a few seen on Feb. 4th; fresh S.W., banks of fog. No records in April. "Marrots" and "Razorbills." At Barra Head, numbers seen of same, and Puffins, on April 27th; light S.E. wind. A few Puffins seen on May 1st; and fresh N.E. A great many more on May 2nd; fresh N.E. At Butt of Lewis, first Razorbills seen on April 25th.

In autumn, Marrots leave Barra Head Aug. 12th, along with the bulk of Razorbills, but Puffins not till Aug. 25th. Marrots and Razorbills left with fresh E. wind. Puffins left in fresh S. wind.

Cormorants arrived about same time as Razorbills and Aleidæ, but remain about six weeks later at Butt of Lewis; and at Kyleakin there is record of a flock of twenty-eight flying W. on 13th, with S.W. breeze. Four species.

Colymbidæ.--On June 10th one great N. Diver seen swimming near Lighthouse, at Kyleakin, moving N. (but this movement may be due to set of the tide only, hour not given, J. A. H. B.). In autumn, at Sound of Mull, a G. N. D., passing S., var., light breezes. At Lismore, one flying south; stormy W., rain, on Oct. 17th. At Sound of Mull, two passing south, at noon; light airs. If the movement is only local and due to tides, this should be mentioned in schedules, and the words "drifting with tide," or "swimming with tide," used instead of "passing." They are not likely to swim against the tide, but if this phenomenon is observed it should be recorded. One species.

Weather Notes for General Remarks on Spring Migration, 1883.

Fearful snow-storm over the north of Shetland on March 17th, and N.E. gales and snow prevailed from March 5th to 24th; E. and N.E. and N. winds prevailed all over Scotland with gales, notably on March 6th and 17th; from 6th to 24th slight changes to S.E., but of short duration; on 25th (Sunday) wind S.W. strong to gale and rain, the first rain since February, but only lasted half a day; wind backed again to N.E. In Orkney the sea rose suddenly very high on the E. coast on March 21st; very cold and fine on 22nd, wind light S.W. "Large quantities of Cormorants, Razorbills, and Shags, &c., are coming ashore along the E. coast of Orkney." Deaths supposed to be from scarcity of food, _viz._, coal-fish; and great damage done to rabbits by Hawks, in some cases nearly exterminating them (daily papers of March 23rd, 1883). At Dunipace 12° of frost on night of March 27th. Fearful gale at 9 a.m. on March 30th, bar. at 28′ 9″; gale all night from S.W., bar. rising all day; again till 9 p.m. to 29′ 6″, wind S.W. at 10 p.m.; again at 30′ 2″. S. gale at Isle of May on March 29th and 30th.

As already mentioned in our General Remarks on 1882 Report (Fourth Report, 1882, p. 67) the effects of these gales and N.E. winds in spring of 1883 was almost to stop migration at Isle of May, which migration had "set in pretty briskly" on March 2nd, and almost ceased on the 5th. From the latter date only a few "stragglers of the strongest wings" up to the 19th; while a great concourse of Wagtails was observed inland in Edinburgh (see report as above quoted); few were seen at Isle of May till the 30th, when five came with S. gale (_op. cit._, p. 68).

The general migration was much weaker in numbers this season in spring, and this is doubtless owing to the prevalence of strong S.E. gales and winds at the time of migration, moderate S.E. or easterly winds being preferred. Still there were considerable rushes at the more favourable localities for observation especially of Thrushes and other _Turdidæ_.

The anomalous migration recorded by Mr. Cordeaux on to part of the English coast between Feb. 18th and May 18th,[29] with strong E. and S.E. winds, changing occasionally by N.E. to W. and N.W., is somewhat difficult of explanation, unless we could correlate data from the opposite coasts at the same dates in spring of 1883; but the fact stated by me that migration began briskly at Isle of May on March 2nd and almost ceased by the 5th may indicate that the migration thus retarded by adverse winds, or altered in direction thereby, passed N. by more inland routes, avoiding the Scottish coast-line, and hugging every sheltering hollow of land. Blown across the North Sea at the more southerly stations, they then crept northwards silently and more inland. Being all adult birds, and having crossed the North Sea not at the widest part if they came with a S.E. wind, less exhaustion would occur, and thus, passing inland, they would escape notice near the coast.

[Footnote 29: See p. 60 of this Report.]

Before we can speak with much certainty as to the progress of spring migrations into the further districts influenced by them, we require more full and continuous data from Faroe and Iceland. Still, the earliest appearance noted in Iceland of the Redwing, _Turdus iliacus_, on April 7th, 1882, should be noted as a possible means of comparison in that year with the returns from our own coasts. Data from our West Coast of Scotland help us little in 1883 in spring, and even less so in 1882, as regards _Turdidæ_. Wheatears again, in 1882, are noted not before April 24th, and on West Coast of Scotland the migration, though but scantily observed, began on March 9th and terminated as late as May 17th (see 1882 Report, p. 57).

The autumn migration of 1883 was pronounced, and confined principally to end of October and November, of _Turdidæ_, _Cinclidæ_ (one of which, seen at Isle of May, was afterwards described to me as having no brown between the black and white of the breast); also of Snow Buntings, Sky Larks, Robins (small numbers), Linnets, Chaffinches, Starlings, culminating in a grand rush past of the bulk between Oct. 28th or 30th and Nov. 3rd. The heaviest rush, observed at the time of a south wind, as compared with other years, at Isle of May, was on Oct. 13th and 14th, a S.E. wind, according to Mr. Agnew, being usually more favourable at that point. This October to November rush is undoubtedly the principal feature of our returns over the whole country. Of the expansion of the fan or wave our returns from both E. and W. coasts give a very fair indication. It seems likely that, although most land-stations have not returned very heavily-laden schedules,--not to compare, for instance, with 1882,--yet, as noticed by Mr. Cordeaux, quite as many, if not more, birds were observed at the light-ships; that the reason for this may be found in the normal and favourable direction of the winds prevailing in the North Sea at the time of autumn migration, resulting in greater numbers of birds passing inland without resting, and being thus less liable to come under observation, except at specially suitable stations. And, if we / compare the schedules of 1883 and those of 1882 on the West Coast of Scotland we find that, while larger numbers are recorded at the more northerly stations in 1883 than in 1882, there is a lighter return at more southerly stations in the autumn of 1883 than there was in the autumn of 1882. Thus to no inconsiderable degree the order of the statistics of two years is reversed. It would almost appear in this way that when a "spread fan" reaches our E. coast with S.E. winds--reaching, as it did in 1882, from Faroe S. to the English Channel--the birds, being tired and worn out, promptly seek shelter, and then, when rested, pursue their migration on more southerly lines, and do not reach so far west, except such as fail to catch up the land, and are driven forward helplessly. This would cause comparative desertion of the more northerly stations of the W. coast and Outer Hebrides, as in 1882. But on the other hand, when a "closed fan" reaches our E. coast with prevailing westerly and north-westerly winds, and, having much less expansion to the northward, as in 1883, as regards the E. coast, it seems that birds arriving, less exhausted with the winds best suited for their successful passage, pass on inland, the same lines of flight being persevered in, and thus reach further north upon the West Coast of Scotland.

Thus the Goldcrest, in 1883, reached as far north as Dhuheartach and Lismore in some numbers; but in 1882, when they came in such vast hordes to our east coast, we had no records north of Rhinns of Islay, and none others until we found them in "great numbers" at stations south of the Firth of Clyde.

Rushes took place on August 16th at Isle of May, and again on 22nd, with easterly wind and fog, principally of Wheatears, culminating on night of Sept. 2nd-3rd, and being accompanied by Redstarts, Chiffchaffs, Robins, Sedge Warblers, Wood Warblers, and Golden and Grey Plovers; Thrushes apparently totally absent. A single adult Blue-throated Warbler, with bright blue breast, was observed at Isle of May. The rush was on Sept. 4th, at Pentland Skerries, with strong N. wind. Another rush, about Sept. 15th, of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs; and, on 22nd, of Robins, accompanied by a single recorded Goldcrest. A rush of the latter took place on Oct. 10th at Isle of May. Common Wrens, not in large numbers, also migrated on Sept. 22nd and 23rd.

Another feature of the 1883 Report is the abundance of Finches, which usually travel with the Thrushes, but whose migration appears to be extended over a longer period of time than that of the Thrushes in 1883.

It will be gathered from the Report that the dates of rushes on our E. Scottish coasts were slightly later than those on the E. English coast, averaging from twenty-four to thirty hours by the schedules, and that the migration past the more northerly stations of Scotland were in proportion later than in the south. And also that the dates of the heaviest rushes on the E. coast agree fairly well with the dates of the W. coast.

While closing our 1883 Report it is perhaps desirable to call attention to the very great spring migration of Woodcocks, which appears to have crossed Scotland between Clyde and Forth on March 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th, 1884. On the 10th our covers here (Dunipace) were full of Woodcock. Torwood also held large numbers on 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th; at Glenbervie, close to this, also unusual numbers were observed. From the Ayrshire coast they are reported numerous, but not more so than usual at this season, indicating that the Ayrshire coast, or properties along the coast, are usually visited in the spring migration. At Fassaroe, Bray, Co. Wicklow, Mr. Barrington made enquiries, but no extraordinary numbers have been noted there. At Islay Mr. Ballingall reports unusual numbers about the time mentioned.

At Ross Priory, east side of Loch Lomond, a good many were observed, there being snow on the ground at the time; but at Arden, on the west side, and almost immediately opposite, no additions were observed. At Aberfoyle and neighbourhood very large numbers were observed. In East Kilbryde Parish, to the south of Forth and Clyde isthmus, two were seen at a locality where none were ever seen before. At Callander no unusual number was noticed, a good many appearing here at this season, which is usually called "The Return of the Woodcocks." Mr. Robert Ferguson, on the 11th, flushed eight within a mile-radius, "a most unusual circumstance here,"--at Whitehill, Rosewell, Midlothian,--and large numbers were observed near Innerleithen in Holylee Woods and vicinity. To the east of this county no numbers of any consequence were noted at Tulliallan or West Grange, in Fife.[30] All the birds seen by myself were small red Scandinavian birds, which I consider are quite unmistakable and distinct from home-bred birds. One with an injured muscle under the wing was brought into the house,--also a red bird,--which was found alive in a ditch close to.

[Footnote 30: Subsequently I received a note from Mr. Seton Thomson, of Kinnaird House, Stirlingshire, to the effect that the gamekeeper, on March 1st, on taking a bee-line to Airth, two and a half miles over moss-land (Airth is on the Stirlingshire side of the Firth of Forth, where about three hundred yards of water separate it from Tulliallan) put up half a dozen Woodcocks in a place where Woodcocks are very rarely seen. Many also were seen about the garden at Kinnaird House; these were observed not to be the usual Woodcocks, but a much redder-looking bird. There appears to have been a great flight of Woodcocks at Aberfoyle about March 15th. Mr. R. Ker's keeper flushed five in about two square yards, and kept putting them up all over. Two were seen also at Crutherland, by East Kilbryde, on the 12th, where a Woodcock was never seen before.]

I would like further to have ascertained the boundaries within which this migration was observed; how far to the north and how far to the south of the catchment Basin of Forth it extended. Here I can do little more than direct attention to the facts, so far as known to me. But it seems evident that, though so abundantly observed at Airth and Kinnaird, scarcely any increase was noticeable just across the Forth at Tulliallan or West Grange, or in Fife; and though numerous at Ross Priory and Loch Lomond on the east side, no increase was observed at Arden and the west side of the loch. When the birds "lifted" from Kinnaird and Airth, their next probable resting place would be Norway or the continental coast, possibly Heligoland, as no notice is taken of them in the 1884 spring returns from Isle of May or Bell Rock. Nor does there appear to have been any corresponding movement through the Pentland Firth.

I should like in this place to record the occurrence of the Black Redstart in the following form. It is previously recorded by me in the Proc. Royal Physical Society, Edinb. of April 23rd, 1884:--