Transcriber Note
Text emphasis denoted as _Italics_ and =Bold=.
REPORT
ON THE
MIGRATION OF BIRDS
IN THE
SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1884.
BY
Mr. J. A. HARVIE BROWN, Mr. J. CORDEAUX,
Mr. R. M. BARRINGTON, Mr. G. A. MORE,
AND
Mr. W. EAGLE CLARKE.
SIXTH REPORT.
(Vol. II., No. 1.)
"A good practical naturalist must be a good observer; and how many
qualities are required to make up a good observer! Attention, patience,
quickness to seize separate facts, discrimination to keep them
unconfused, readiness to combine them, and rapidity and yet slowness of
induction; above all, perfect fidelity, which can be seduced neither
by the enticements of a favourite theory nor by the temptation to see
a little more than actually happens in some passing drama."--_Essays,
Bishop Wilberforce_, Vol. I.
LONDON: PRINTED BY WEST, NEWMAN & CO., 54, HATTON GARDEN.
1885.
PREFACE.
The following Report contains a summary of investigations of the
Committee re-appointed by the British Association for the Advancement
of Science, at Montreal, Canada, in 1884, to consist of Professor
Newton, Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown, Mr. John Cordeaux, Mr. W. Eagle Clarke,
Mr. R. M. Barrington, and Mr. A. G. More, for the purpose of obtaining
(with the consent of the Master and Elder Brethren of the Trinity
House, the Commissioners of Northern Lights, and the Commissioners of
Irish Lights) observations on the Migration of Birds at Lighthouses
and Lightships, and of reporting on the same at Aberdeen in 1885. Mr.
Cordeaux to be the Secretary.
The returns relating to Scotland have been arranged by Mr. J. A. Harvie
Brown; for the East Coast of England, by Mr. Cordeaux; for the West
Coast of England, by Mr. W. Eagle Clarke; and those for the Coasts of
Ireland, by Mr. R. M. Barrington, Mr. A. G. More, and Mr. Eagle Clarke.
Having obtained an additional grant from the British Association, we
venture this year to add a new feature to our Report in the form of a
sketch-map, showing all the stations in _red_. We have done this at the
intelligent request of several of our reporters; and the map has been
executed for us by Messrs. Macfarlane & Erskine, of St. James' Square,
Edinburgh.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Ocean Notes 1
East Coast of Scotland 10
East Coast of England 39
West Coast of Scotland 74
West Coast of England and Wales 101
Irish Coast 125
[Illustration:
MAP
OF THE
British Islands
SHOWING POSITION of THE
LIGHTHOUSE & LIGHT VESSEL STATIONS
TO WHICH SCHEDULES ARE SENT BY
THE COMMITTEE.
]
LIST OF STATIONS.
1. Iceland. =England--East Coast.=
2. Do.
3. Faroe. 30. Longstone L.H.
3_b_. Fair Isle. 31. Inner Farn L.H.
32. Coquet Island L.H.
=Scotland--East Coast.= 33. 5 Buoy Tees L.V.
34. Whitby High L.H.
4. N. Unst. 35. Flamborough Head L.H.
5. Whalsey Skerries. 36. Spurn Point L.H.
6. Bressay Sound. 37. Spurn L.V.
7. Sumburgh Head. 38. Inner Dowsing L.V.
8. N. Ronaldshay. 39. Dudgeon L.V.
9. Start Point. 40. Outer Dowsing L.V.
10. Auskerry. 41. Llyn Wells L.V.
{11. Hoy Sound (Low). 42. Hasbro' L.V.
{12. Hoy Sound (High). 43. Leman and Ower L.V.
13. Cantick Head. 44. Hunstanton L.H.
14. Pentland Skerries. 45. Cromer L.H.
15. Dunnet Head. 46. Hasbro' L.H.
16. Holborn Head. 47. Winterton L.H.
17. Noss Head. 48. Newarp L.V.
18. Tarbat Ness. 49. Cockle L.V.
19. Cromarty. 50. Corton L.V.
20. Chanonry Point. 51. Orfordness L.H.
21. Covesea Skerries. 52. Languard Point L.H.
22. Kinnaird Head. 53. Shipwash L.V.
23. Buchan Ness. 54. Swin Middle L.V.
24. Girdleness. 55. Nore L.V.
25. Montroseness. 56. Tongue L.V.
26. Bell Rock. 57. Kentish Knock L.V.
27. Isle of May. 58. Galloper L.V.
28. Inchkeith. 59. North Foreland L.H.
28_b_. Fidra (1885). 60. North Sand Head L.V.
29. St Abb's Head. 61. Gull L.V.
62. Eastside L.V.
63. South Foreland L.H.
64. South Sand Head L.V.
65. Varne L.V.
=Scotland--West Coast.= =England--West Coast.=
81. Cape Wrath. 119. Bahama Bank L.V.
82. Rhu Stoir. 120. St Bees L.H.
83. Butt of Lewis. 121. Selker L.V.
84. Stornoway. 122. Morecambe Bay L.V.
85. Island Ghlais. 123. Dee L.V.
86. Monach Isles. 124. Air L.H.
87. Ushenish. 125. Menai L.H.
88. Barra Head. 126. Skerries L.H.
89. Rona. 127. Holyhead Breakwater L.H.
90. Kyleakin. 128. South Stack L.H.
91. Isle Ornsay. 129. Carnarvon Bay L.V.
92. Ardnamurchan. 130. St Tudwall's L.H.
93. Skerryvore and Hynish 131. Bardsey Island L.H.
Signal Tower, Tiree. 132. Cardigan Bay L.V.
94. Dhuheartach. 133. South Bishop L.H.
95. Sound of Mull. 134. Smalls L.H.
96. Corran Ferry. 135. Great Castlehead L.H.
97. Lismore. 136. Milford L.H.
98. Fladda, Easdale. 137. Caldy L.H.
99. Rhuvaal. 138. Helwick L.V.
100. M'Arthur's Head. 139. Scarweather L.V.
101. Skervuile. 140. Nash L.H.
102. Rhinns of Islay. 141. Breaksea L.V.
103. Lochindaul. 142. Flatholm L.H.
104. Mull of Kintyre. 143. English and Welsh
105. Sanda. Grounds L.V.
106. Devaar. 144. Usk L.H.
107. Pladda, Arran. 145. Avon L.H.
108. Lamlash. 146. Burnham L.H.
109. Turnberry. 147. Bull Point L.H.
109_b_. Ailsa Craig 148. Bideford L.H.
(building, 1885). 149. Lundy L.H.
110. Corsewall. 150. Hartland Point L.H.
111. Loch Ryan. 151. Trevose Head L.H.
112. Portpatrick. 152. Godrevy L.H.
113. Mull of Galloway. 153. Longships L.H.
114. Little Ross. 154. Sevenstones L.V.
155. Wolf-Rock L.H.
=Isle of Man.= 156. Scilly L.H.
157. Bishop's Rock L.H.
115. Point of Ayre. 158. Lizard L.H.
116. Douglas Head. 159. Falmouth Harbour L.H.
117. Langness (1880). 160. Eddystone L.H.
118. Chickens Rock. 161. Plymouth Breakwater L.H.
162. Start L.H.
=Ireland.=
1. Fastnet. 20. Arranmore.
2. Galley Head. 21. Rathlin O'Birne.
3. Old Head, Kinsale. 22. Killybegs.
4. Mine Head. 23. Oyster Island.
5. Dungarvan. 24. Broadhaven.
5*.Coningbeg Lt.-ship. 25. Eagle Island, E.
6. Barrels Rock Lt.-ship. 26. Eagle Island, W.
7. Tuskar. 27. Blackrock, Mayo.
8. Arklow S. Lt.-ship. 28. Blacksod Point.
8*.Arklow N. Lt.-ship. 29. Clare Island.
10. Kish Bank Lt.-ship. 30. Slyne Head, N.
11. Howth Baily. 31. Slyne Head, S.
12. Rockabill. 32. Arran Island, N.
13. Copeland Island. 33. Straw Island.
14. Maidens. 34. Arran Island, S.
15. Rathlin. 36. Samphire Island.
16. Innishtrahull. 37. Tearaght.
17. Dunree Head. 38. Valencia.
18. Lough Swilly. 39. Skelligs.
19. Tory Island. 40. Dursey Island.
=Outlying Stations.=
Heligoland.
Stevns Fyr, Zealand.
Malmo, Sweden.
Casquets L.H., Alderney.
Hanois L.H., Guernsey.
SIXTH REPORT:
ON
THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS
IN THE
SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1884.
OCEAN NOTES.
Thanks again to Messrs. Gray and Anderson, I have some interesting
items of migration to record, taken by the latter gentleman on board
the steamship 'Marathon' in the Atlantic. These are best given _in
extenso_; and land-notes will be given after the paragraphs on each
species or group.
_Steamship 'Marathon,' outward bound from Liverpool, April 16th, 1884._
April 17th.--A small bird came on board at 7 p.m., 15 miles from
nearest land. (Position of ship at noon, Queenstown). Wind easterly for
ten hours previous, and was increasing to moderate gale from E.N.E.
when the bird was seen. From the description of this bird it can
scarcely have been other than a Whinchat or Stonechat. No Petrels.[1]
[Footnote 1: The lat. and long, give the ship's position at noon each
day.]
April 18th.--At 7 p.m., another, precisely the same species as
yesterday's, 310 miles from land; not caught. Eight Kittiwakes and four
Manx Shearwaters. Wind light E. all day. (Position of ship at noon,
lat. 51° N., long. 15° 47′ W.). No Petrels.
April 19th.--Two Kittiwakes all day, till 580 miles from land. Little
Auks[2] (?) seen frequently in parties of two to eight all day. Two
Shearwaters, 600 miles from land. Lat. 60° 1′, long. 22° W.
[Footnote 2: Called "Little Puffins," size of Water Ouzel, in notes.]
April 20th.--At 8 a.m., one Manx Shearwater, 770 miles out. Several
pairs of little Auks during forenoon. At 5 p.m., two Black-backed
Common Shearwaters, 870 miles from land, outward bound. No Petrels.
April 21st.--At 7 a.m., two Common Shearwaters, 1090 miles from
Fastnet. At 11.30 a.m., two Wilson's Petrels, 1145 miles out. Lat. 46°
37′, long. 36° 18′; calm. (_Note._--Previous to this date the note was
appended to each day's entry, "No Petrels.")
April 22nd.--At 8 a.m., one Wilson's Petrel (_i.e._, _Oceanites
oceanicus_, Kuhl.), 1400 miles out from Fastnet; and one at 4 p.m.,
1500 miles. At 7 p.m., two large Puffins[3] flying south. Wind light E.
Lat. 44° 11′, long. 42° 22′.
[Footnote 3: Common Puffin, "Tammy Norie," _Fratercula arctica_
(Linn.).]
April 23rd.--At 11 a.m., two black-looking birds, like Gulls (? Skuas)
flying rapidly to N.E. During the day saw several specimens of the
large sea-bird usually seen on the banks (of which we are now within
sixty miles). [Probably from description the immature of some species
of large Gull.--J. A. H. B.]. Numerous small parties of two or three of
the Little Auk, and two large Puffins. From 6 to 7 p.m., saw numerous
parties of ten to twelve of some kind of (apparently) Plover, flying
south. No Petrels. Lat. 42° 28′, long. 43° 39′; wind light N.E.
April 24th.--At 7 a.m., three Black-footed Petrels,--Fork-tailed Petrel
(_Thalassidroma leucorrhoa_),--and two Wilson's Petrels. At 5 p.m., one
Little Auk and one Gull (yellow beak and legs), 700 miles from Boston
at noon. Lat. 42° 24′, long. 55° 05′; wind light easterly.
April 25th.--At 8 a.m., six "Shore" Gulls and two Little Auks. At 5
p.m., one Skua. No Petrels. Lat. 42° 24′, long. 61° 21′; calm.
April 26th.--Occasional Gulls all day. No Petrels. Wind light N.; 141
miles from Boston at noon.
_Return Voyage of Steamship 'Marathon' from Boston, May 3rd._
May 3rd.--At 11 a.m., when 220 miles from Boston, one Common
Swallow (by description a Martin.--J. A. H. B.) going west(!). Eight
Black-footed Petrels; one Solan Goose, immature; numerous Gulls. At
6 a.m., apparently the same Solan Goose, twelve Wilson's Petrels,
numerous Gulls, five Puffins, and two Little Auks. Lat. 42° 16′, long.
65° 58′; wind light W.
May 5th.--At 8.30 a.m., one Skua. Thirty to forty Wilson's Petrels all
day. At 6 p.m., a couple of Gulls, and some Puffins. Lat. 42° 10′,
long. 59° 56′; wind light to mod. W.
May 6th.--From 8 a.m. till dark, thirty Wilson's Petrels, two Little
Auks, and one Gull. Lat. 42° 04′, long. 53°; wind mod. N.W.
May 7th.--All day, twenty Wilson's Petrels, and four Manx Shearwaters.
Lat. 42° 56′, long. 46° 46′; wind fresh N.W.
May 8th.--At 8 a.m., one Black-footed Petrel (Fork-tailed Petrel
probably, Wilson's being yellow-webbed between the toes--J. A. H. B.).
Wind strong N.
May 9th.--At 8 a.m., five Terns flying N. At 8.30, twelve Terns
resting on sea ahead, flew north. At 5 p.m., seven or eight Wilson's
Petrels flying north, very tired-looking, and never heeded the ship.
One "Black-footed Petrel" flying N. Lat. 47° 29′, long. 36° 09′; wind
strong N.
May 10th.--Very numerous parties of Terns all day, flying north, three
to twelve in number. At 9 a.m., one Skua, one Black-footed Petrel, and
one Kittiwake. Lat. 49° 12′, long. 30° 04′, or 794 miles from Fastnet;
wind strong to mod. N.
May 11th.--At 8 a.m., several parties of Terns, and three Skuas, all
going north. At 8.30 a.m., one Kittiwake. At 5 p.m., three Kittiwakes.
At 7 p.m., three Skuas circling about. No Petrels. Lat. 50° 81′, long,
23° 19′; wind mod. N.
May 12th.--At 8 a.m., sixteen Kittiwakes, 10 Wilson's Petrels, and
four Manx Shearwaters. At 6 p.m., three Skuas, and two very dark
hawk-looking birds, evidently in company, one very dark and the
other had white vest and throat (Mr. Anderson's "Skuas" are probably
Pomatorhine Skuas, and these last Richardson's Skuas.--J. A. H. B.). At
6.30 a flock of eighty or ninety Terns flying high and going N. and W.,
and circling frequently as if in doubt as to the proper course. They
approached the ship from N.E., and were lost to sight astern, still
undecided. One Puffin.
May 13th.--At 8 a.m., one (by description) Richardson's Skua flew
past, seaward, ten miles from Queenstown, at noon. No Petrels.
May 14th.--Only Gulls and Puffins.
The 'Marathon' is again advertised to sail for Boston on June 18th.
_Cunard Royal Mail Steamship, 'Gallia.'_
At a later date Mr. Anderson sends a note on Solan Geese:--"On Jan.
20th we passed numerous Solan Geese at Cape St. Vincent. They could not
fly, and many had a hard job to flutter off on the surface sufficiently
far to clear the ship. I saw one black one. The others were mostly
white, with yellowish heads and greyish beaks. They all had the
appearance of being fully fledged. One Robin stayed a day on board
between Naples and Burriana, in Spain."
We suspect the regular appearance of Solans so far to the southward
will turn out to be closely associated with the migrations of fish,
possibly pilchards; and that, gorged with these fish, they were unable
to rise off the water, this difficulty not arising from any state of
moult in the bird's plumage.--J. A. H. B.
_Union Steamship 'Athenian.'--First Voyage, 1884._
Thanks also to Mr. Spearman Swinburne, of Union Steamship 'Athenian,' I
have several good schedules returned from two voyages--one in spring,
between April 5th and 29th; and the second between Aug. 24th and Oct.
4th.
April 5th.--One Robin, one Yellowhammer, a flock of Jackdaws, three
Lapwings, and one Crested Lark (_A. cristata_), between 7 a.m. and
2 p.m.; strong S.S.E.; v. c. r. The Robin alighted, so did the
Yellowhammer. The Jackdaws were flying to eastward. The Lapwings
followed the ship, and the Crested Lark alighted on board. The Robin
and Yellowhammer were seen in lat. 53° N., long. 9° E.; the others in
lat. 54° N., long. 10° E.
April 12th.--Seven Red-throated Divers, flying E.; one lot of three,
the rest singly, all with white throats; 6 to 7 a.m.; light N.W.,
clear; off Schelling light-vessel.
April 20th.--One Wheatear, 2 p.m. till dark; light N.E., v. c.;
alighted on board. Lat. 46° N., long. 8° W.
April 22nd.--Bulwer's Petrels, throughout the morning; W., strong,
v. c.; about nine or ten in all flying singly, generally against the
wind. Lat. 34° N., long. 16° W. Also one "white-breasted" Petrel, at 7
a.m., same lat. and long., fluttering on surface. One Black Tern (in
full black plumage); and on April 29th, Sooty Terns and Common Terns;
a large flock at 9 a.m., wind light S., including with these species a
dark species of Gull.[4] Lat. 1° S., long. 13° W.
[Footnote 4: Or Falcon (?).--J. A. H. B.]
_Remarks._--Oct. 19th, off Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope). Passed
through numbers of Great Shearwaters, and continued seeing them up to
Algoa Bay. This is the first time I have seen them on this coast, and
they are not included among the birds of S. Africa. On our return, on
November 2nd, we passed smaller numbers of them, chiefly flying to
the S.W. Nov. 16th, off Bejouga Islands, observed a Skua in uniform
brown plumage chasing two grey and white birds, apparently some kind
of pigeon. While one bird was being attacked, the other would rise in
the air and attack the Skua in turn, and this continued till I lost
sight of them. The same day, at 1 p.m., saw what looked like land; on
approach turned out to be enormous flocks of sea-birds feeding and
moving to the N.E. Those we saw afterwards were nearly all Greater
Shearwaters.
Migratory Birds seen at Sea.--Dec. 18th, 1884, to Feb. 17th, 1885.
--------+--------------------+-----------+--------
Date. | Lat. | Long. | Wind. |Weather.
--------+--------------------+-----------+--------
Dec. 19 | Plymouth| Sound. | |
" 29 | 6° 45′ N.|15° 16′ W.| N.E., 2 | b. c.
" 30 | 2° 31′ N.|12° 16′ W.| Vble. | b. c.
" 31 | 1° 43′ S.| 9° 30′ W.| S.E., 2 | b.
" " | 1° 43′ S.| 9° 30′ W.| S.E., 2 | b.
1885. | | | |
Feb. 3 | 9° 23′ S.| 3° 22′ W.| S.E., 1, 2| b. c.
" 4 | 4° 54′ S.| 6° 44′ W.| S.S.E., 2 | b.
" 6 | 3° 54′ N.|13° 18′ W.| S.S.E., 2 | b. c.
" 9 |18° 03′ N.|17° 36′ W.| N.E., 4 | b.
" 10 |22° 56′ N.|16° 56′ W.| N.E., 3, 4| b.
| | | |
" " |22° 56′ N.|16° 56′ W.| N.E., 3, 4| b.
| | | |
--------+---------+----------+-----------+--------
-------+---------------+----------------------------
Date. | Birds. | Remarks.
-------+---------------+----------------------------
Dec. 19| |
" 29|1 Hoopoe. |Flying about ship; alighted.
" 30|1 Black Tern. |Close to ship.
" 31|Sooty Terns. |A large flock.
" "|Black Terns. |Several.
1885. | |
Feb. 3|Sooty Tern. |1.
" 4|Black Tern. |1.
" 6|Black Tern. |1.
" 9|Grey Phalarope.|Small flock flying N.
" 10|2 Terns (Common|
| Arctic). |
" "|Grey Phalarope.|A flock flying N.; some
| | swimming.
-------+---------------+----------------------------
(Signed) S. Swinburne.
Steamship 'Athenian.'--Second Voyage, 1884.
-------+-------------------------------+---------------+---------------------
| | |
| Number, Name, or | | Force and Direction
Date. | Species of Bird. |Time when seen.| of Wind.
-------+-------------------------------+---------------+---------------------
Aug. 24| 3 Curlews | 7 a.m. | Ely., Vble., 1 to 4
" "| 3 Curlews | 7.30 to 8 a.m.| Ely., Vble., 1 to 4
| | |
| | |
| | |
" "| 4 Sandpipers (Common) | 7 to 9 a.m. | Ely., Vble., 1 to 4
" 25| 1 Yellowhammer | 9.30 a.m. | E., 4
" 26| 1 Sandpiper (Common) | Noon. | N.E., 3 to 4
" 26| 1 Sandpiper (Common) | 9 a.m. | N.E., 4 to 5
" 31| 23 Curlews | 5.30 p.m. | N.W., 3
Sept. 2| 1 Sandpiper | 7 a.m. | W., 1 to 2
| | |
" 14| 1 Rook (or Carrion Crow) | 6 a.m. | E., 4
" "| 2 Small birds | 9 a.m. | E., 4
" "| 4 Sandpipers | 5.30 p.m. | E., 4
" "| Several small birds heard about the ship during the night.
" "| 3 flocks of Scoters | 7 a.m. | E.S.E., 4
" "| 1 Skylark | 7 a.m. | E.S.E., 4
" "| 4 Starlings | 8 a.m. | E.S.E., 4
" "| 1 large flock of birds | 8 a.m. | E.S.E., 4
" 19| 1 Wheatear | 8 a.m. | N., 2
" "| Several birds (prob. Wheatears) 8 a.m. | N., 2
" "| 1 Rock Pigeon |10 a.m. | N.N.E., 2
" 28| 1 Hobby | 6 p.m. | N.W., 3
Oct. 2| 2 Black Terns | 7 a.m. | N.E., 5
" "| 1 Swallow | 4 p.m. | N.E., 4 to 3
" 3| 1 Swallow | 7 a.m. | Nly., 1 to 2
" "| 1 Wagtail | 5 p.m. | W.N.W., 2
" 4| 1 Black-crested Grass Warbler | 5 p.m. | W.N.W., 2
" "| 3 Black Terns | 8 a.m. | Variable, 1
" "| Several flocks of Terns seen at times. | Variable, 1
" "| 1 Curlew | 9 a.m. | Variable, 1
" "| 1 Turnstone | 9 a.m. | Calm
" "| 3 Swallows | 4 to 6 p.m. | Calm
" 5| 1 Swallow | 6 p.m. | S.S.W., 2
Nov. 16| 2 Pigeons (?) | 8 a.m. | N.W., 2
" "| 1 Pigeon | 9 a.m. | N.W., S
" "| Sandpiper | 9 to 10 a.m. | N.W., S
" "| Small bird | 1 p.m. | N.W., a
" 21| 1 Snipe | -- | N.E., 4
" 24| Small bird | -- | N.N.W., S
-------+-------------------------------+---------------+---------------------
-------+--------------+--------------------------+-------------------------
|Weather, Clear| |
| or Fog, Rain,| Ship's Position at Noon.|
Date. | Snow,&c. | Lat. Long. |General Observations.
-------+--------------+------------+-------------+-------------------------
Aug. 24| o. c. r. | 11° 25′ N. | 17° 28′ W. |Flying E.
" "| o. c. r. | 11° 25′ N. | 17° 28′ W. |2 flew round the ship
| | | | for ½ hour, when they
| | | | were joined by another,
| | | | and flew S.W.
" "| o. c. r. | 11° 25′ N. | 17° 28′ W. |Flying E.
" 25| b. c. | 16° 19′ N. | 17° 33′ W. |Alighted on board.
" 26| b. c. | 21° 01′ N. | 17° 21′ W. |Flying E.
" 26| b. c. | 25° 20′ N. | 16° 53′ W. |Flying E.
" 31| b. | 41° 16′ N. | 10° 44′ W. |A flock flying S.
Sept. 2| b. c. | 49° 00′ N. | 7° 00′ W. |Markings very bright;
| | | | not common species.
" 14| b. c. | 52° 31′ N. | 3° 30′ E. |Flying E.
" "| b. c. | 52° 31′ N. | 3° 30′ E. |Flying E.
" "| b. c. | 62° 31′ N. | 3° 30′ E. |Flying E.
" "| | | |
" "| b. | Off Heligoland. |Flying S.
" "| b. | Off Heligoland. |Flying S.E.
" "| b. | Off Nieuwarke. |Flying E.
" "| b. | Off Nieuwarke. |Flying E.
" 19| c. | Off Terschelling Lt.-Sh. |Flying E.
" "| c. | Off Terschelling Lt.-Sh. |Flying E.
" "| c. | 18 miles S.W. of do. |Flying E.
" 28| b. c. | 41° 53′ N. | 11° 06′ W. |Flying S.
Oct. 2| c. | 22° 59′ N. | 17° 34′ W. |Black plumage.
" "| b. c. | 22° 59′ N. | 17° 34′ W. |Flying about ship.
" 3| b. | 17° 32′ N. | 17° 54′ W. |Flying S.E.
" "| b. | 17° 32′ N. | 17° 54′ W. |A greyish species.
" 4| b. | 17° 32′ N. | 17° 54′ W. |Alighted on board.
" "| b. | 12° 19′ N. | 17° 30′ W. |
" "| b. | 12° 19′ N. | 17° 30′ W. |
" "| b. | 12° 19′ N. | 17° 30′ W. |Flying W.
" "| b. | 12° 19′ N. | 17° 30′ W. |Flying round ship.
" "| b. m. | 12° 19′ N. | 11° 30′ W. |One caught on board.
" 5| b. c. | 7° 40′ N. | 15° 18′ W. |
Nov. 16| c. r. | 12° 47′ N. | 17° 50′ W. |Plumage grey, white.
" "| c. r. | 12° 47′ N. | 17° 50′ W. |Similar to Blue Rock.
" "| c. r. | 12° 47′ N. | 17° 50′ W. |
" "| c. r. | 12° 47′ N. | 17° 50′ W. |Alighted on board.
" 21| c. | 35° 35′ N. | 15° 20′ W. |Flying round ship.
" 24| b. c. | 47° 33′ N. | 7° 37′ W. |
-------+--------------+------------+-------------+-------------------------
Thanks to Mr. T. Southwell, of Norwich, I have the following returns
from the Polar Seas:--
_Voyage of Steamship 'Eclipse' in Polar Seas, from the Log of Capt.
David Gray._
The 'Eclipse' left Peterhead on Feb. 28th, 1884, and Lerwick on March
12th. On that day Bottlenose Whales were seen hurrying northward, as
well as a few "Mallemauks." Lat. at noon 60° 25′ N., long. 0° 41′ W.;
wind true S.; force 4[5]; temp, of air 42°, of sea 44°. At 8 p.m.,
temp, of water 47°.
[Footnote 5: The strength of the wind is according to Beaufort
scale.--D. G.]
March 14th.--Lat. at noon, 66° 4′ N., d. r., long. 3° 50′ W., d.
r. South. Force 9. Temp, of air 42°, of water 40°. Numbers of
"Mallemauks," and one or two "Looms."
March 17th.--Noon. Lat. 72° 23′ N. d. r., long. 5° 44′ W. d. r. E. ½
N. Force 5. Temp, of air 25°, of water 29°. Made the ice at 11.30 a.m.
Slight sludge. Saw several "Snow Birds" (Ivory Gulls), as well as a
flock or two of "Rotges" (Little Auks).
March 20th.--Noon. Lat. 73° 0′ N. d. r., long. 5° 30′ W. d. r. N. 6 E.
½ E.; force 10. Temp, of air 20°, of water 29°. Young ice. "Snow Birds"
and "Burgomasters" were flying N.N.E., which was significant, as these
birds are always present in vast numbers where a large herd of seals is.
April 25th.--Noon. Lat. 73° 28′ N., long. 2° 50′ E.; S. ½ W.; force 5;
temp, of air 36°, of water 29·5°. We passed through the sealing grounds
(where on the 4th to 7th the young brood of seals had been killed).
Many crangs [skinless bodies of the young seals] covered with snow were
still visible, and around them flocked myriads of "Snow-birds" and
"Burgomasters."
April 26th.--Noon. Lat. 73° 25′ N., long. 5° 6′ E.; N.N.W.; force 4;
temp, of air, 24°, of water 29°. Saw many flocks of Eider Ducks going
N.E.; and "Mallemauks" numerous.
April 27th.--Noon. Lat. 74° 15′ N., 4° 30 E.; W.N.W.; force 4; temp,
of air, 17·5°, of water 29°; at the pack-edge. Several "schools" of
old Saddle-back Seals seen going N.E.; and "Rotges," "Looms," and
"Dovekies" also on their northward journey.
May 3rd.--Noon. Lat. 78° 36′ N., long. 1° 13′ E.; N.E. by N.; force
8; temp, of air 15°, of water 29°; at the pack-edge. "Rotges" very
numerous to-day and yesterday.
May 9th.--Noon. Lat. 78° 35′ N., long. 0° 10′ W.; W. ½ S.; force 3;
temp, of air 24°, of water 30·5°; among floes. At five o'clock got into
a large water surrounded with floes. A few "Unicorns" were sporting
about in the still water; flocks of "Rotchies" and "Looms" were flying
hither and thither, and some were swimming about engaged in diving for
"whales'-food," upon which they subsist. A bear or two seen on the floe.
May 12th.--Noon. Lat. 78° 47′ N., long. 2° 41′ E.; N.N.W.; force 2;
temp, of air 18°, of water 29°; among floes. Got into the land-water of
Spitzbergen. Saw many "Mallemauks."
May 15th.--Noon. Lat. 79° 20′ N., long. 2° 55′ E.; S.E.; force 3; temp,
of air 26·5°, of water 29·5°; at pack-edge. A few "Unicorns" seen; and
a Hawk came on board, apparently dying of hunger.
May 16th.--The Hawk seemed to be recovering, but on May 17th fell
overboard and was drowned.
May 27th.--Noon. Lat. 77° 40′ N., long. 3° 20′ E.; S. ½ W.; force 6;
temp, of air 27°, of water 31° The water is very rich with "whales'
food"; "Unicorns" are numerous, and birds in thousands.
June 6th.--Noon. Lat. 77° 53′ N., 4° 25′ W.; temp, of air 35°, of water
31°. "Whales' food" abundant, and birds numerous. A few "Unicorns"
seen, and one bear.
June 7th.--Noon. Lat. 77° 57′ N., 4° 52′ W.; N.W. ½ W.; force 1; temp,
of air 36°, of water 33·5°; floes and loose ice. Narwhals have been
numerous; also birds, chiefly "Rotchies"; and one or two bears.
June 10th.--Noon. Lat. 78° 3′ N., long. 0° 24′. W.; S.W. by S. ½ S.;
force 3; temp, of air 33°, of water 33·5°. Many birds. Quantities of
whales blowing, and greasy water. "Rotchies," "Looms," and Narwhals
numerous.
June 11th.--Noon. Lat. 73° 38′ N., long. 0° 4′ E.; S. ½ W.; force
3; temp, of air 35°, of water 35°. Birds and Seals numerous; a few
"Unicorns" seen; and some bears in sight at 12 p.m.
_Steamship 'Persia.'_
Mr. John S. Alston writes under date of November 4th, 1884,--a date as
will be noted correlating with date of a great rush on our E. Coast
of Britain (J. A. H. B.),--as follows:--"We hope to make Port Said
to-morrow, after a very fair run all the way from home. During the last
three days we have been visited by more little birds than I ever saw
before at sea. So far as I can judge, they were mostly Finches; but
we saw two Quails and, of all birds in the world, a Robin-redbreast,
who most characteristically seemed quite at home; and when he was
frightened by a Hawk, which was in close pursuit of this flock of
birds, Robin quietly hopped down the 'companion' into the engineers'
quarters. I had seen another Robin off Tarifa, the southern point of
Europe, but I was much struck to see this little fellow come on board
flying due south, the nearest land being Cape Matapan, hundreds of
miles away. Of course he may have been blown off shore by a northerly
gale, but when we met him he was flying against a southerly breeze.
The Hawk followed these birds, hovering about the ship all day, but
took his departure in the night. He was a small one--a Merlin, I
think."--(Signed) John S. Alston.
EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.
The usual schedules were distributed to thirty stations on the East
Coast of Scotland, Faroe, and Iceland. Twelve stations on East Coast
of Scotland have sent in forty-one schedules out of the twenty-eight
stations, including Faroe and Iceland.
From the Isle of May we have, as usual, the heaviest returns--fourteen
schedules in all. Pentland Skerries again comes second with twelve
schedules, and Bell Rock is the next in weight of returns.
In the following List of Stations, we indicate in Arabic type the
number of years in which each station has returned records, and the
consecutive numbers of the stations, as these coincide with those on
the map. Hitherto we have indicated by asterisks, under each year as
a heading, these particulars of returns, but after the fifth year
these become cumbrous, occupying too much room. This year's returns,
however, will again be indicated by asterisks. As will be seen below in
an analysis of the returns for the past six years (see General Remarks
end of W. C. of Scotland), the character of the lights at each station
appears to have considerable influence on the bulking of records, the
_white-fixed-lights_ having the largest as a rule. We mark in the list
of stations therefore their different values as migration stations.
The numerals indicate the true _migration values_, though the class
of light may not _always_ correspond; and it remains to be seen if
their character be kept up in the future. These are indicated by the
following Roman numerals:--
First Class.--I., usually _fixed white lights_, but may be
otherwise, if the situation is particularly favourable, as in
the case of Bell Rock (see below).
Second Class.--II., usually white-revolving, also intermittent.
Third Class.--III., white and red revolving
Fourth Class.--IV., white flash, and red and white sectors.
Fifth Class.--V., bad situation, or exposure, combined with other
disadvantages; _red fixed_; landlocked. All considerations bad.
EAST OF SCOTLAND.
Shetland.
3 * 4. North Unst, Shetland IV. 230 T. Edgar.
3 5. Whalsey Skerries, Shetland II. 143
1 6. Bressay, Shetland III. 105
5 * 7. Sumburgh Head, Shetland. I. 303 D. M. Scott.
Orkney.
4 * 8. N. Ronaldshay IV. 180
9. Start Point V. 80
5 10. Auskerry I. 110
11. Hoy Sound (Low) V.(_a_) 55
12. Hoy Sound (High) V. 115
13. Cantick Head III. 115
5 *14. Pentland Skerries I. 170 J. Gilmour.
5 *15. Dunnet Head V.(_a_) 346
Mainland.
16. Holborn Head, Caithness V. 75
1 17. Noss Head, Caithness V.(_a_) 175
18. Tarbat Ness, East Ross V.(_a_) 175 R. S. Ritson.
3 *19. Cromarty, East Cromarty V. 60 John McGill.
2 *20. Chanonry Point, Elgin V. 40
1 21. Covesea Skerries, Elgin V. 160
*22. Kinnaird Head, Aberdeen V. 120
23. Buchan Ness, Aberdeen V. 130
1 *24. Girdleness, Aberdeen V. 185
25. Montroseness, Forfar V. 124
5 *26. Bell Rock, Fife I. 93 James Jack.
5 *27. Isle of May, Firth of Forth I. 240 Jos. Agnew.
4 *28. Inch Keith, Firth of Forth IV. 220 R. Grierson.
29. St. Abb's Head, Berwick V. 224
Note.--Read in this place part of the General Remarks at the end of
West Coast of Scotland.
(_a_) Notwithstanding the favourable description of light.
_Diary from the Stations._
_N. Unst._--Mr. James Edgar--formerly at Butt of Lewis--has sent useful
schedules embracing from Feb. 15th to 21st Sep. and to Nov. 28th. "We
have plenty of Ravens and Hooded Crows all the year, therefore I only
notice uncommon flocks." "One pair of Hoodies, which has been about
the rock for years, attends regularly at dinner time (1 p.m.) to eat
up scraps. Their right is sometimes disputed by a half-tame Sea Gull.
I had a good opportunity of examining 'Jenny Wren' this season. She
remained for a fortnight."--_In lit._
_Sumburgh Head._--The old natives say they never before have seen such
vast numbers of Gulls as during this year, around this station all the
season onward from 8th March, 1884.[6]
[Footnote 6: Mr. D. M. Scott has removed to Lamlash, Arran, since the
date of his last schedule, Sept. 15th, 1884, and is succeeded by Mr.
Youngclause from Monach Islands. Mr. Youngclause sends a light schedule
from Sept. 19th to Nov. 16th, of interest in showing the northerly
extension of the migration of Linnets and Turdidæ (see General Remarks
under Gulls).]
_N. Ronaldshay._--Mr. John Tulloch sent one schedule embracing the
whole season from July 5th to Sept. 21st. I did not receive this
till the first week in March. In future I would always like to have
schedules returned immediately after last day of January, or as soon
as possible after that date, as it is more difficult to work in stray
schedules after the Report is written out.
_Pentland Skerries._--Mr. J. Gilmour was called away from August 13th
till Sept. 1st on a Board of Trade inquiry. During that interval a
Solan Goose struck the Lantern Dome, and was found, but not killed
("this is very unusual"). A few Wheatears and one Goldcrest were seen
also, during this interval. Gulls (a pair) bred on the island--a very
unusual circumstance.
Easterly and southerly winds prevailed from March 10th to April 12th,
with occasional S.W., varying to N.; 12th to 19th, N.E., fresh; 19th
to May 4th, again S.E. and E., and N. on latter date, and so on till
August with very slight variations, or light, variable.
In autumn, winds continued to prevail easterly, till about the 20th
Sept., when they changed to westerly and northerly, and this appeared
to be characteristic along the whole E. coast, thus making a visit
paid by me to Isle of May, for three weeks in September and October,
rather unproductive of visible migration. This N. & W. prevalence
caused migration to be much dispersed, and no great rushes are recorded
at Pentland Skerries or other stations. But on the 14th Oct., during
mod. E., after N.N.E. and N.W. gales, a rush of Thrushes and Woodcocks
will be found recorded. Between Oct. 17th and Nov. 7th winds very
variable round three-fourths of compass, but almost never entering the
fourth quarter between S. and E.--indeed only on three days. Strong
N.E., weather cloudy and clear, very little haze. This continued till
Nov. 30th, except on Nov. 11 a S. gale, on 8th S.W. gale, and on 20th a
N. gale.[7]
[Footnote 7: Read the above in connection with General Remarks.]
_Dunnet Head_ gives a light return. The daily to-and-fro migration of
Gannets is spoken of in _general terms_, and the dates of arrival and
departure of rock birds were "about the same dates as stated in last
year's report."
_Cromarty._--The prevailing wind at this land-locked station at the
times of records, given between March 24th and Dec. 26th, were from W.
and S.W. Dates of arrivals in spring and departures in autumn given.
As before remarked, such land-locked stations give abnormal returns as
compared with freely exposed stations, and the S.W. or W. winds were
local.
_Chanonry._--Practically blank as regards actual migration, all
movements being local, Mr. J. McGill finding Scarts and Cormorants
flying up and down the Firth, Wild Ducks feeding in frosty weather,
and many Larks on Jan. 17th, 1884. Local movements of Green Plover in
November and December. No certain migration discernible.
_Kinnaird Head_ returns a blank schedule, with the positive statement
"No birds." I am obliged to the head lighthouse-keeper for returning
this schedule. Such if regularly returned would enable me to give
always, year by year, a positive statement of negative value. I wish
others on the Aberdeenshire coast would follow his good example.
_Girdleness._--A light return during November 14th to 17th and December
1st to 12th. "Birds at this lighthouse very scarce, the situation
being very exposed." A record of a Fork-tailed Petrel (seen by me on
15th August, J. A. H. B.) is of considerable interest. Dead calm and
hazy; on E. side of lantern; about 12 p.m. Stomach contained only
an oily matter (Geo. Sim) _vide_ Proc. Ryl. Phyl. Soc. Edin. 1884.
Bell Rock sends excellent schedules as usual. The early advent of a
swallow--March 13th and 14th--is commented upon by letter. "It seemed
much exhausted." Mr. Hutton, Bank Manager, Royal Bank, Arbroath--a
gentleman much interested in ornithology--gave a full account of the
occurrence in the 'Dundee Advertiser' of April.[8]
[Footnote 8: "About four o'clock in the afternoon of the 13th and 14th
March the light-keeper on duty at the Bell Rock Lighthouse observed a
swallow fluttering in front of the kitchen window. After watching it
for some little time he opened the window and stood aside to see if
the bird would come in. This in a minute or two it did, and alighted
on the inside of the windowsill. So exhausted did the little wanderer
appear from its long flight and the buffetting of the weather that it
allowed itself to be lifted up and put into a cage. It immediately
lay down on the bottom of the cage and instantly fell fast asleep,
remaining in this state till next morning about eight o'clock (sixteen
hours). So sound were its slumbers that the keepers watching it as
it lay could scarcely detect any signs of life in it, and at times
they were almost certain that it had died. On awakening at the hour
mentioned the swallow was taken out by one of the keepers and given a
drink of water. It was put back into the cage again, where it lay in an
apparently dormant condition till 10 a.m., when it was supplied with
more water, under the influence of which and the rays of the sun it
became quite lively and strong. The kitchen window was now lifted up
and the bird taken out and laid on the open hand of Mr. Jack, principal
light-keeper. Resting there for a moment, it gave one cheery twitter,
and, springing upwards from the outstretched palm, it winged its way
in the direction of the land and was lost sight of in the space of
a minute or two. The appearance of the bird so far north at such an
early season is remarkable. The swallow migrates to Africa at the end
of October, and it is not till the middle of April that the flight
northward begins, so that the one which surprised the light-keepers
before March was half run was several weeks earlier than the usual time
for their appearance here. It may be added that, the Swallow being an
insectivorous bird, the lighthouse keepers were unable to supply it
with its ordinary food, and abstained from giving it any other for fear
of injuring it."]
Between April 9th and Sept. 3rd scarcely any migration was observed
at Bell Rock--only four records in that time on April 28th, April
30th, May 7th and 9th. But before and after these dates in spring
and autumn, considerable migration is recorded in comparison, but
decidedly slack, as compared with other seasons, in autumn, owing to
northerly and westerly winds. This, however, was followed by a great
rush in November, for particulars of which the reader is referred to
the details under Species. The marvellous congregations of Gulls and
their prey the Sprat or Garvie (_Clupea sprattus_) are commented upon.
(General Remarks).
_Isle of May._--In January, 1884, intermittent migration continued. The
great gale of 27th to 29th produced nothing of any consequence--one
Yellowhammer, however, being the first of the species seen for some
time.
While rushes took place in spring at Bell Rock in March, with the wind
prevailing E., at Isle of May much smaller movements are recorded,
local winds apparently being more S. & W. (See especially "Thrushes,"
but the remark applies to other species also.) This is curious at
two stations so close to one another. Bush of land birds in April.
Movements of Guillemots and rock birds somewhat different (see
details). Partial albino of the Willow Warbler captured (seen by me,
J. A. H. B.) Long spell of E. winds in April and rushes; but a light
S.W. wind on 30th, changing from S.S.E., brought a "wonderful rush of
land birds." This seems to me interesting, as proving the station to
lie in the direct route of migration, rushes occurring both in the most
favourable winds--S.E. or E. (_i.e._ for spring migration), and those
supposed to lie less favourable, and following winds, _viz._ S.W.
A later schedule--April 30th to June 3rd--shows evidences of a
decidedly late spring migration, for which it seems difficult to assign
a cause. This was also noticeable on land. It took place in second week
of May, with light S.W. and W. wind, mist, fog, and rain; principally
of Warblers and insect-feeding species.
Very few records are given between June 11th and August. A usual return
of Warblers, &c., noted as rather early by August 10th. Bush of same
species, 19th and 24th. In end of August and all September, on till
about October 18th, winds retarded migration, being N. and W.; never,
or very rarely, S. and E., or S. of W. I spent three weeks and three
days on Isle of May, between September 24th and October 17th, and
during that time only witnessed intermittent and slack migration; the
only attempt at a night rush apparent being on the night of October
4th, at the time of total eclipse of the moon--wind Light W. at the
time--some twelve Goldcrests being caught at the lantern.[9] A male
Black Redstart was shot on October 24th, and a second seen on 25th. The
principal rush of the year on November 4th instances the effect of a
sudden change of wind. This must have been a very vast and determined
rush, as many came also with a W. wind afterwards. This rush was
composed principally of Finches and Larks, with considerable numbers
of Turdidæ; but the great rush of the latter (Thrushes) did not take
place till the rush of the Finches was past. Whilst the Finches and
Larks greatest rush was on Nov. 4th, the greatest rush of Thrushes,
Blackbirds, and Turdidæ generally was on 12th to 16th. (For particulars
see details under Species).
[Footnote 9: Our Isle of May notes containing a few items of interest
will be used in a separate paper on that island, but actual results
will be worked into this report also.]
Thereafter migration continued with less force up to Jan., 1885, the
date of the last schedule to hand.
_Inchkeith._--This land-locked station returns a light schedule--of
considerable interest, however, as carrying out what has been remarked
by us in previous reports, that when birds do occur here on migration
it is usually with S.W. and westerly winds, whether in spring or in
autumn. The Siskin seems to frequent Inchkeith as a regular migrant,
and Titmice are also regular in appearance.
Separate Report under Genera and Species.
Turdidæ.--In spring, migration at Sumburgh Head (April only, large
flocks of Common Thrushes on 1st, wind light S.E., clear, along with
Starlings and Linnets), and Pentland Skerries (indication in March,
and partial and remittent in April, but no great rush evident). At
Bell Rock (great rush recorded on 6th and 8th March of Thrushes, Ring
Ouzels, light S.E. wind), and at I. of May, but rush not observable
here on 6th and 8th, there being only two records of Blackbirds and a
few Redwings, owing to local wind being light W. and haze. Earliest
record at I. of May, Feb. 20th, one Redwing with Blackbirds and
Thrushes; a rash, and latest records, also at I. of May, on 29th and
30th April, along with Robins, Redstarts, &c., with S.E., or light
S.W., of Ring Ouzels. Light records in March; on 9th and 10th twenty
Fieldfares--"a good number"--with light N.E., clear, and N.N.E. and
rain.
In autumn the migration was pronounced, and whilst desultory movements
continued during September and October, the heaviest rushes are
recorded in the middle of November. Records of Dippers, one on Aug. 2nd
and another (well described) on Aug. 29th, at I. of May; wind light W.,
clear. The place where they were observed was afterwards pointed out
to me--_viz._, at the edge of a stagnant pool of water near the "Mill
Door" on the I. of May. Earliest record of Fieldfare, Sept. 10th, at
I. of May, light S., haze; latest of same species, on Dec. 31st, and
Jan. 19th, 1885, also at I. of May; variable, haze. Earliest record of
Common Thrush, also at I. of May, the day after, _viz._ Sept. 11th,
light S., haze; and latest, at I. of May also, on Dec. 22nd, when "a
few" were noticed. Earliest Missel Thrush on Sept. 27th (seen by J. A.
H. B.), also at I. of May, with gale, W.S.W., and latest Oct. 14th;
but others, no doubt, have escaped special records, and have been
confused with other species. Earliest Redwings do not appear in the
schedules till Oct. 2nd, also at I. of May (J. A. H. B.); on 7th a few
more, followed by scattered records till Nov. 12th, when old and young
struck in numbers at Bell Rock, and the rush of this and of Fieldfares
took place on the 4th and 5th of November, continuing till the 17th,
with Blackbirds, male and female, and intermittently until December.
Earliest Blackbirds Sept. 11th,--"not many,"--at Isle of May.
Rush of Thrushes, Nov. 7th (light) at Pentland Skerries, and Nov.
30th, at I. of May (considerable). Rush of Fieldfares and Redwings
(indicated) at N. Unst, on Nov. 5th, with a few Blackbirds,--all flying
S.,--indicated at Pentland Skerries, 5th, 7th, to 12th, with Blackbirds
and a few Thrushes and Woodcocks, on 12th. At Dunnet Head a few
Blackbirds and Thrushes seen daily between Oct. 1st and Nov. 13th. Rush
of Ring Ouzels ("great numbers") at Bell Rock; and rush of Fieldfares
and Redwings at I. of May on 4th and 5th. At N. Ronaldshay also a rush
visible on the 8th, with Woodcock, Crows and Rooks; Nov. 7th and 8th,
wind E.S.E., a great rush. All during October the above-named _Turdidæ_
appeared in small numbers, the wind prevailing N. and W., and scarcely
ever S. and E. Stations sending returns of Thrushes are N. Unst,
Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Bell Rock, and I. of May. At the dates
of the rushes they were accompanied by many other species. The rush
at I. of May on 4th and 5th continued in great force after the wind
shifted to S.E., with rain, after wind S. at noon, on 4th ("perfect
weather for witnessing migration"), so fewer Fieldfares again on 5th,
with wind--a W. gale, instancing the abruptness with which migration
ceased owing to changes in the wind. A vast rush of Blackbirds, females
predominating, on 12th, at I. of May, with S. haze and drizzle, but
ceased utterly with change of wind to W. at 9 p.m. All birds striking
on S.E. side, _with_ the wind. Along with this rush came large numbers
of Redwings and Fieldfares, Hooded Crows, one Yellow Bunting, large
number of Larks, Robins, Bramblings, Chaffinches, eight Hedgesparrows,
a few House Sparrows, two Woodcocks (shot). On the 15th Blackbirds
as numerous as ever, but fewer Redwings and Fieldfares; hundreds of
Snow Buntings, flying N. By the 17th Blackbirds were mostly males, but
females had predominated up to that date. In January, 1885, between
4th and 21st, a few light records of Fieldfares and Thrushes, and a
large number (rush?) on latter date. The rush on Nov. 4th consisted of
Siskins and other _Fringillidæ_ (these continuing in small numbers to
the 6th, notwithstanding the change of wind). Mr. Agnew describes this
as the largest rush of migrants this season at the I. of May, and it
must have been very vast, close, and determined, when even on the 6th,
with light W. wind, large numbers of Bramblings and Chaffinches still
appeared. Other species participating besides the above were Siskins,
Woodcocks (six killed), Rock Pipits, one Owl, two Falcons. (See notes
upon weather under "Notes under Stations." We refer back to this
account under other species, to dates).
Saxicolinæ.--Wheatears in considerable numbers at Pentland Skerries and
Isle of May (a rush). Earliest at Isle of May March 26th, light S.,
two; and a few more on 28th at same station, including two old males.
Rush with S.E. to S.W. wind at Pentland Skerries, on April 6th, and
considerable numbers at I. of May on April 3rd. Beyond these there are
no other spring records of this species. On March 31st a single Black
Redstart (_in mus._ Feilden & Harvie Brown) is recorded from Pentland
Skerries; light S.E., haze.[10] We have also three single records of
the true Stonechat at I. of May, on 2nd, 28th and 30th April, and one
at Pentland Skerries on May 14th, light E. wind, struck lantern, not
killed. On April 30th a rush of Redstarts along with Robins, Ring
Ouzels, &c., at Isle of May. This concludes spring records.
[Footnote 10: A full record of this rarity, and of previous occurrences
in Scotland, is given by me in Proc. Ryl. Phyl. Soc. Edin., read 23rd
April, 1884; and a system of Record Forms recommended for tabular and
formal records of rarities in future (see also Report for 1883, p. 81).
We wish observers would recognise the use of some such uniform method,
and we are certain it would save much time and trouble for future
compilers.]
In autumn records from N. Unst, one Redstart (the only one seen this
year) and one Wheatear, on 7th and 12th September respectively; flew
S.W. This is the earliest 1884 record of _Saxicolinæ_ in autumn. Also
from N. Ronaldshay, a number on 15th striking, and Pentland Skerries,
Bell Rock, and I. of May, of Wheatears, a few Redstarts, Whinchats,
&c., and one Black Redstart, old male, shot (_in mus._ I. of May,
present curator Mr. Joseph Agnew). Another was seen the following
day--first on 24th, second on 25th Oct. (recorded in full in Ryl. Phyl.
Soc. Proc. 1885, read 21st Jan., 1885); a Common Redstart seen at
same time.[11] The records of all the species are light, and no rush,
unless of Wheatears, _ut sup._, Oct. 22nd, at Isle of May, increasing
by the 25th. During our stay on the island (27th Sept. to 17th Oct.) we
observed a good many straggling birds. A few accompanied the rush of
other species on Nov. 12th (see Turdidæ). One Whitethroat is returned
from I. of May, striking face of lantern, "facing the wind," on Sept.
12th. Mr. Agnew has the note,--to date of the 19th of September,--"I am
surprised at so few birds with such thick fog." Log, light to strong
E., thick fog, or haze between the 12th and 19th, yet migration was
tardy.
[Footnote 11: All the previous records of this species in Scotland
relate to localities the position of which shows comparatively easily
how they arrived at each. These records now amount to six in all, of
which I have recorded the last three since Mr. Gray wrote his 'Birds of
the West of Scotland.' They are as follows:--
One: collection of Mr. Sinclair of Wick (R. Gray, _op. cit._, p. 84).
One: obtained at Cullen, Banff, by Mr. T. Edward (_ditto_).
One: Kirkwall, Orkney, 20th Dec, 1859 (R. Gray, _op. cit._).
One: Higginsneuk, Stirlingshire, 10th Nov., 1875 (J. A. H. B., Proc. Ryl.
Phyl. Soc, vol. iv., p. 142).
One: Pentland Skerries (J. A. H. B., _op. cit._).
One: Isle of May (as given above).
]