Part 8

Petrel, _Procellaria pelagica_, Linn.--On Sept. 23rd, at Godrevy, one struck, 9.30 p.m. (not killed), mod. S.S.E. breeze, clear. At Morecambe, Nov. 22nd, a Stormy Petrel flying W., 2.30 p.m., mod. W. gale. At St. Tudwal's, Jan. 8th, 1882, four Stormy Petrels rested under lee of rocks, 3.30 p.m., mod. W. gale.

Razorbill, _Alca torda_, Linn.--From South Stack we hear Razorbills left after breeding in the beginning of August, At St. Bees the beginning of this year (1882), a bird was picked up dead on the shore, which, from the description and a sketch made by Mr. Pizey, P.K., I identified as a Razorbill.

Guillemot, _Lomvia troile_, Linn.--At South Stack they are mentioned in same note as Razorbills as leaving in beginning of August. At Holyhead, Sept. 1st, large flocks of Guillemots and Puffins, fresh N.E. breeze, clear. At Milford, on same date, it is noted that "several during the past week struck the lantern windows at night; they annually do so at this time and no other." At Morecambe, Sept. 20th, a great number of Divers (? Guillemots), with Gulls and Skuas, and so to 26th, when a few Divers throughout the day. At Hartland Point diving birds were observed near the shore in January, 1882. At Skerries Guillemots and Puffins are reported as remaining nearly the year round. (But if not all the year, when do they leave and when return? Could this be noticed for next year's report?)

Puffin, _Fratercula arctica_, Linn.--At Holyhead, Sept. 1st, large flocks with Guillemots. At Morecambe, Sept. 28th, small flocks of Gulls and Puffins continuous, and, on Oct. 1st to 28rd, flocks with Gulls seen in vicinity.

Birds unknown.--At Hartland Point, Oct. 27th, grey bird at midnight struck the lantern, fresh E. breeze. At Bardsey Mr. Bowen says grey birds, &c., are resident. Are Grey Crows meant? At Air, Oct. 29th, flocks of birds unknown passed before daylight, mod. N.E. breeze. At Scilly, Oct. 18th, a few migrants later part of the month. At Morecambe, Oct. 20th, small flocks of small birds going E.S.E., 8.30 a.m., strong S.E. by E. breeze, clear, a little misty.

Additional Remarks.

Holyhead, Menai, and St. Bees are reported as unfavourable stations for observation. From Bull Point Mr. Knott writes:--"Very few birds to be seen. It is a north aspect; more to be seen with a south aspect." And from Great Castle Head Mr. Spicer writes:--"This being an inland lighthouse there is scarcely a bird to be seen for days, and then by chance you might see some away in the fields."

Most of the stations report scarcity in comparison with other years, as South Stack, Lundy, Caldy, Usk, Burnham, and Trevose Head; the decrease appears to be ascribed to the mildness of the season. Whether this be the real or the main cause of a like scarcity or not from the following stations may be an open question; but I give the opinion of the observers, and they do not speak of it as the record of this year's observations alone, _viz._, Longships, from which Mr. Jones writes:--"Very few cases of birds coming against our lantern since (of late years) the light is red towards the shore." From Burnham it is reported "Birds very rarely strike, the lantern glass being only eight feet by four feet." And from Skerries report I extract the following:--"There is a small quantity of birds in comparison with years prior to introduction of fog-horn (see also Rep. 1880, p. 119). In thick and foggy weather during November and February great quantities were always seen, chiefly Starlings, with Blackbirds, Thrushes, Wheatears, Larks, &c. On one occasion I saw our lantern gallery full, and at the base of the tower the quantity killed necessitated the use next morning of the wheelbarrow to remove them to the garden for manure. On one occasion a monster pie, made by workmen employed here, contained two hundred Larks, besides other smaller birds. But since the fog-horn has been sounded in thick weather birds coming to the light have been few, though many seen and heard in the air."--H. Knott.

From the same station Mr. Garret, P.K., writes:--"These birds (Sea Swallows, which breed on the island) seem to take no notice of the fog-horn, while others, such as Starlings, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Larks, &c., keep off while the horn is sounding, so that very few are seen round the lantern now, while formerly, in thick or misty weather during February and November, the lantern-gallery would be full of birds; each on striking would drop into the gallery and remain till daylight, when, if not too much injured, they would fly; but with strong winds a great number, chiefly Starlings, would be killed."

It is easy to believe that the hideous sound of a fog-horn, till the birds get used to it, will keep them at a distance. That birds recognise landmarks cannot, I think, be doubted, and possibly a complete change in colour of a light they have grown accustomed to may for a time make them suspicious of it. I think that if a light be placed in a new, and not altogether unfavourable, situation, birds will be attracted to it, because, though not yet accustomed to see it in that spot, they will recognise it as a resting-place and sign of land. From some light-keepers I have heard that years ago (the lighthouse then not long erected) the slaughter among birds was much greater than now. Of course the nature of the season would partly account for this, but I think also that the unaccustomed light might attract many a weary wanderer to an untimely death. That birds profit by experience cannot, I think, be doubted, and I expect that the unrestrained destruction of them along a particular route will gradually effect a change in their ways. I believe that the scarcity now for some years generally noticed may be due in a measure to the ruthless destruction met with at certain points on the Continent in their line of annual flight.

Fresh instances are constantly occurring which show the relation between the movements of birds and the state of the weather. In connection with this point I quote the words of Mr. Nicholas, keeper at Nash E., who writes:--"I've noticed whenever there is a lot of Gulls and Crows inland, it indicates a gale. I first noticed this Oct. 13th; on 14th there was a whole gale. I have since that date observed the same thing before every gale."

The prevailing winds on this coast were:--From August to Sept. 17th, easterly; thence, to Sept. 29th, gentle to mod. W.; thence, to Oct. 8th, E., _viz._, mod. S.E. and E. to 5th, then with more or less of N. On and after 9th, W. till 14th, with touch of N. and strong; on 16th a whole gale, E., thence, to 24th, S.E., strong breezes; after which, to the end of the month, E. and N.E.

Birds have not been noticed in such large flocks as last year, and there have been but faint traces of rushes. No rare birds are reported.

The most decided and general movement took place between Oct. 16th and 27th; after October, except among the Anatidæ, the occurrences being very scarce. The chief occurrences in September were Wrens, Wagtails, Swallows, and Finches; and in October Starlings, Sky Larks, and the _Turdidæ_.

In the autumnal migration the difference in date of arrival, as compared with last year, may be worth marking. So far as our records show the Redwing was first noticed a month later, the Blackbird six weeks, and Thrush three weeks, the Sky Lark a month, Goldcrest twelve days, Wheatear and Greenfinch five days, the Golden Plover fourteen days. The following are recorded earlier: the Meadow Pipit by two weeks. Swallow seventeen days, Starling nineteen days, Wagtail, Chaffinch, and Linnet a few days. Of the Anatidæ, Ducks are noticed a few days earlier, Geese considerably later.

It is difficult to say anything positive as to direction of flight, which is too seldom noted; in case of the Turdidæ scarcely at all. This in part is owing to many of the instances occurring at night in the dark. So far as I can make out all birds here follow the coast line very clearly. The main direction, to judge from the scant records in September, was southerly; in October one or two directly E.; the rest E., with more or less of N. With a few marked exceptions the movement has in almost every species been noticed at the southerly stations first, and appears gradually to have extended N. Whether this be accidental or a rule can only be decided by continued and careful observations from all the stations. Of the _Anatidæ_ and water-birds the most frequent records are in October, and the direction S.W. and S., sometimes S.E.; but between Dec. 2nd to 11th, at Morecambe Bay, they passed N.W. After 11th to end of December S.W.

The best filled returns have this year been received from Morecambe Bay, Skerries, and Nash E. These observers have also given the fullest information; Nash especially in showing the direction of flight, a matter concerning which information is very desirable.

As to the circumstances under which the movement takes place, as affecting the flight or the striking of birds, &c., the reports bear out the conclusions previously expressed. Last year Mr. Bowen (Bardsey) referred to flight of birds before the wind (Rep., p. 119); Mr. Knott now writes from Skerries, "Many birds are killed in strong winds, as they then fly with greater force, and almost invariably in the same direction as the wind." Still the evidence shows that birds, as a rule, migrate with the wind on the shoulder, and not strong. When they do fly with the wind, and the wind strong, it is probably because they have been taken by surprise, and are unable to save themselves.

IRISH COAST: AUTUMN.

Printed schedules were forwarded to forty light stations around the coast. Thirty stations replied by returning the schedules wholly or partially filled with daily entries, or by sending letters remarking on the absence of migratory birds or on their general movements.

To the Commissioners of Irish Lights we are indebted for the facilities afforded us in conducting this enquiry. We have to thank Captain Boxer, R.N., Inspector of Irish Lights, for his friendly co-operation--his knowledge of the coast and intimate acquaintance with the light stations rendered his advice and assistance especially valuable.

On the whole the returns have been as satisfactory as was anticipated; some of the schedules have been carefully filled, and although others contain very few entries, this is to be accounted for rather by the absence of migratory birds than by any unwillingness on the part of the light-keepers to assist us. When we remember their many and various duties, and that the observations are entirely voluntary, there is reason to be well contented with the first attempt of this kind to collect information on the Irish coast; and we return our sincere thanks to all the lighthouse-keepers who have given their time and attention to the subject.

The entries in all the schedules have been collected under each day of the month as they occur; this method of arrangement shows the movements of all birds as entered on each day, and the number of observations on that day. The effect of the weather on the migratory movement can thus be studied, and the general direction of flight of the various species compared.

The daily weather-charts show last winter to have been exceptional in the number and violence of the cyclonic disturbances, which moved generally in a north-easterly direction along our west coasts; but the entries in the schedules are too few to generalise or draw any conclusions regarding the influence of the successive storms on the migratory movement.

A table showing the days on which entries were made in the schedules has been drawn up in, the hope that, if the extent of the migratory movement on any particular day varied with the number of entries, some inference could be drawn; but here also generalisation is premature.

In a few returns names are given to birds from which it is not easy to identify the species, and occasionally there is reason to fear one species has been mistaken for another. In all cases, however, the name entered in the schedule has been allowed to stand without comment.

The general remarks of the light-keepers are given consecutively, and as contributions to the Ornithology of the lighthouses they are interesting.

A table showing the number of birds striking each lantern, the number of daily entries in each return, the number of species of birds mentioned in each schedule in the daily entries, the height of each lantern above high-water mark, and its approximate distance from the mainland is given.

Whatever results are obtained from this investigation, they will only be arrived at by patiently collecting observations for some years. If the light-keepers continue to assist us, this can readily be done--without their co-operation annually we are helpless.

Alexander G. More. Richard M. Barrington.

Names of Stations to which Schedules were sent in the Autumn of 1881.

No. of Height of Birds No. of species lantern Miles No. and name of light-station, striking daily in above from and situation on coast. lantern. entries. entries. sea-level. shore.

1. Fastnet, Co. Cork 9 10 5 148 ft. 8 2. Galley Head, do. -- 6 4 174 -- 3. Old Head, Kinsale, do. 5 2 2 236 -- 4. Mine Head, Waterford -- 3 4 285 -- 5. Coningbeg Lt.-ship, Wexford 2 3 2 38 10 6. Barrels Rock, do. 1 26 11 ? 4 7. Tuskar, do. large numbers 12 18 101 7 8. Arklow S. Lt.-ship, Wicklow -- 17 4 39 7 9. Wicklow Head, do No reply. 10. Kish Bank Lt.-ship, Dublin -- 18 5 36 7 11. Howth Baily, do. -- 12 6 134 -- 12. Rockabill, do. 13 8 10 148 5 13. Copeland Island, Down -- 18 24 131 3 14. Maidens, Antrim No reply. 15. Rathlin, do. -- 35 11 243 6 16. Innishtrahull, Donegal 3 7 12 181 6 17. Dunree Head, do. -- -- -- 150 1 18. Lough Swilly, do. No reply. 19. Tory Island, do. -- 1 1 130 9 20. Arranmore, do. -- 16 2 233 5 21. Rathlin O'Birne, do. 1 17 6 116 2 22. Killybegs, do. No reply. 23. Oyster Island, N., Sligo -- 15 5 40 1 24. Broadhaven, Mayo -- 18 3 87 -- 25. Eagle Island E., do. -- -- -- 220 2 26. Eagle Island W., do. -- -- -- 220 2 27. Blackrock, do. Numbers -- -- 283 9 28. Blacksod Point, do. No reply. 29. Clare Island, do. -- 17 7 341 4 30. Slyne Head N., Galway 12 12 9 115 8 31. Slyne Head S., do. 4 5 5 104 3 32. Arran Island N., do. -- 17 4 115 9 33. Straw Island, do. No reply. 34. Arran Island S., do. 6 7 6 110 6 35. Loop Head, Clare No reply. 36. Samphire Island, Kerry Do. 37. Tearaght, do. Do. 38. Valentia, do. -- -- -- 54 -- 39. Skelligs, do. -- -- -- 175 9 40. Calf Rock, Cork Destroyed in storm, Nov. 1881.

Table showing Date on which Entries were made in Schedules, with No. of Station making same.

Nos. and Names of Stations.

1. Fastnet 2. Galley Head 3. Old Head, Kinsale 4. Mine Head 5. Coningbeg Lt.-ship 6. Barrels Rock, do. 7. Tuskar 8. Arklow S. Lt.-ship. 10. Kirk Bank, do. 11. Howth Baily 12. Rockabill 13. Copeland Island 15. Rathlin 16. Innishtrahull 17. Dunree Head 19. Tory Island 20. Arranmore 21. Rathlin O'Birne 23. Oyster Island N. 24. Broadhaven 25. Eagle Island E. 26. Eagle Island W. 27. Black Rock (Mayo) 29. Clare Island 30. Slyne Head N. 31. Slyne Head S. 32. Arran Island N. 34. Arran Island S. 38. Valentia 39. Skelligs

Day of Month. September. October. November.

1st 15 6, 8 12, 21 2nd 15, 31, 32 1, 10, 11, 13, 15, 23, 32 12, 15, 24, 34 3rd 2, 8, 15, 29, 82 8, 10 4th 8, 15 12, 15, 23, 24 5th 29, 30 6, 8, 15, 31 7, 10 6th 1, 29 6, 10, 24 7th 8, 11, 15, 32 30 6, 15, 32 8th 6, 8, 32 6, 13, 23 10, 16 9th 6, 8 6 11 10th 10, 13, 15, 29, 34 11, 12, 13, 15, 19, 23 15, 29, 30 11th 6, 10 1, 16 23 12th 7, 29, 30, 32 6, 10, 11, 16, 21, 23, 32 15, 30 13th 8, 32 6, 32 10 14th 2, 8, 3 21, 32 15th 8, 11, 13, 21 20, 24 13, 29 16th 6, 8, 13 15, 21, 32 11, 15 17th 13, 23 15 15 18th 6, 7, 16, 8 6, 12, 20 5, 10, 13, 23 19th 7, 8 6, 31, 32 21 20th 23, 29, 30 6, 11, 15, 29, 82 2, 5, 17, 30 21st 6, 7, 13, 21 6, 13, 21, 34 5 22nd 8, 13, 31 31 34 23rd 8, 11, 21 7, 16, 23 6, 15 24th 21 3, 6, 7, 21 25th 1, 8 6, 7, 23, 29, 30, 32, 34 7, 29 26th 6, 29, 34 1, 7, 15, 21, 29 6, 16 27th 8 6, 7, 12, 15, 32 15, 16, 29 28th 8, 13 6, 7, 10, 12, 32 21, 23 29th 1, 15 2 30th 7, 11, 18 11, 30 30 31st 34

Day of Month. December. January.

1st 15, 21, 24, 80 10 2nd 24 3rd 2, 4 1, 13, 24 4th 6, 21, 29 5th 1 6th 21 21 7th 15 1 8th 24 1, 10, 24 9th 24 10th 10, 15, 24, 29, 31 11th 4, 28, 30 12th 3, 4, 15, 24 21, 24 13th 23 14th 11 15th 15 16th 7 17th 2, 13 18th 15, 24 19th 20th 21st 15 22nd 23rd 24th 13, 15, 24 25th 24 26th 27th 10, 29 28th 13, 15 29th 24 30th 24 31st

General Remarks of Light-Keepers.

1. _Fastnet._--"Very few birds came on or passed the rock this winter. It must be in consequence of bad weather on this coast. No sea birds build nests near this station."--John Tottenham.

2. _Galley Head._--"This is one of the worst stations I have been at for birds; in fact we think it rare to see any only those that are natives of the place. This year they are very scarce. The Starling has not come down to us from the mountains yet."--John Whelan.

3. _Old Head, Kinsale._--"No birds, only the above (_i. e._, five Golden-crested Wrens on Oct. 24th, and several flocks of Lapwings on Dec. 12th) have appeared in the vicinity this season. The Gannet usually proceeds to the eastward in August and September, and flies westward from January to March. The Guillemots, Razorbills, Cormorants, Kittiwake, and Herring Gulls all arrive here to breed in March, and depart in August and September."--John Dunleary.

4. _Mine Head._--"Birds of all descriptions were not so scarce at this station for the last seven years as during the year 1881."--Joseph Hammond.

5. _Coningbeg Light-ship._--"There were no birds about the station in the month of December, or up to the 20th of January, with the exception of a few Sea Gulls each day."--Patrick Cullen.

6. _Barrels Rock Light-ship._--General remarks none, but a full schedule of daily entries.--Joseph Oxford.

7. _Tuskar._--General remarks, none. A full schedule.--Richard Hamilton.

8. _Arklow, South, Light-ship._--General remarks, none. A full schedule.--William Shea.

9. _Wicklow Head._--No reply.

10. _Kish Bank Light-ship._--"Less birds passed the station this winter than ever. No birds have been killed by striking our lantern for some years."--William Daly.

11. _Howth Baily._--General remarks, none.--Joseph Brownell.

12. _Rockabill._--"Sept. 1st. Received schedule; a great number of different species of Gulls in vicinity of Rock, and on smaller rock called the Bill, from about the second week in August to the third week in September, when they almost entirely disappeared. Cannot name the species; there were also Puffins, and occasionally two or three Gannets. This is an annual occurrence, but not always at the same time. Birds have been unusually scarce this season. Since stormy weather set in early in November no birds have been about the Rock, except a few Sand Larks, and a few Gulls, Puffins, and Cormorants flying about this and the smaller rock during a storm."--William Dunne.

13. _Copeland Island._--"There were no birds struck the light this winter owing to the strong gales which prevailed."--Henry Williams.

14. _The Maidens._--No reply.

15. _Rathlin Island._--A second schedule partly filled. Remark:--"The Sea Parrot begins to arrive for the purpose of cleaning out its nest on March 17th, and then goes away until the 1st of April, when the different species of sea birds commence to arrive for the season. They begin to go away about 1st of August, and finally disappear by the end of the month."--John A. Murray.

16. _Innishtrahull._--"September, Gannet daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Curlew daily. The 'Grey' Gull, 'Little' Gull, Black-backed or Royal Gull, Common Gull, and Grey Crow remain on the island all the year. Gulls nidify on the rock called Torr near the island; Grey Crows nidify on the island. In November flocks of twelve to twenty Starlings daily. Owing to this winter being very stormy little birds of any sort visited the island. During the months of January and February, 1881, a great number of Woodcock and Snipe were killed here."--W. H. James.

17. _Dunree Head._--Daily entry, none. Remark:--"I beg to state there are no migrations of birds to be seen at this station, except Cormorants; they remain the year, round, also a small number of Sea Gulls. No other birds resort or pass this station."--John Stapleton.

18. _Lough Swilly._--No reply.