greatly diminished by March 27th. One reappeared at sea September
25th. On October 16th they amounted to thirty, and on November 15th
about one hundred were enumerated. In December they nearly all left
the coast. On December 29th only nine remained.
Great Crested Grebe.--A party of twelve noted for the last time March
22nd, 1880. They reappeared, to the number of fifteen, on December
20th, and continued all winter.
Raven.--January 24th, one seen; storm of snow.
Curlew.--March 27th and 30th, most had left the coast; only one bird
left on April 17th. One reappeared June 7th, and more on the 9th. A
great flock on September 20th; shifted their ground before December
16th; only one or two left at the close of the year.
Pied Wagtail.--February 7th, one first seen; the next arrived March
27th. Left September 24th.
Wheatear.--March 25th, appeared off coast, but were absent on March
27th. March 29th, a little band of seven or eight arrived, but
disappeared. April 17th, a few appeared inland. Noted again on the
coast July 15th; September 17th, last seen. Were seen at Berwick,
October 14th, but the conditions are very different from here.
Whinchat.--A family newly hatched on the coast a mile to the south of
this on August 9th; not seen again.
Stonechat.--Not in some of its old haunts this year. On coast on
Cockburn's-path, April 30th.
Redstart.--May 2nd. Scarce this year.
Sedge Warbler.--May 20th, arriving in a band of late migrants.
Willow Warbler.--April 18th, in garden. April 23rd and 24th, singing
sweetly; last seen September 4th.
Swift.--May 16th.
Greater Whitethroat.--May 13th, arrived; 16th, general. August 6th,
haunts the garden; a single bird left September 19th. Observed in
some localities till end of October, but not here.
Landrail and Cuckoo.--Not heard in the neighbourhood this season.
Blackcap Warbler.--May 22nd, in Peasedean; not heard on 16th.
Spotted Flycatcher.--May 25th, numerous arrival along with other
migrants, as was the case last year. Last seen September 5th.
Black-headed Gull.--June 11th, two returned to the sea-side; more
appeared July 15th, 16th and 17th. By the end of the year the numbers
were reduced to one or two.
Fieldfare.--October 31st and November 9th, arrived, but few in
number, and only one remained to face the storms of 1881; very
scarce. No Redwings seen here. A great scarcity or total absence is
recorded from a large number of Scottish localities for the past two
years.--_J. A. H. B._
Wood Pigeons.--A large migratory band proceeding high over head
flying from N. to S., on October 30th.
Snow Bunting.--A very large flock of Snowflakes arrived at
Penmanshiel on October 30th, but left after resting a few days. Again
numerous there, November 30th. A few remained at Old Cambus, January
7th, 1881. October 18th, one landed in East Lothian in a storm of
wind and rain from the North, near Thornton Loch.
Grey-backed Crow.--November 5th, arrived.
Woodcock.--Did not leave till second week in May. Returned to
Peasedean, November 2nd. One flushed at Blackburn, Chirnside, October
20th.
Lark.--December 16th, flock of about one hundred seen; most of them
remained and departed in March.
Grey Linnet.--December 29th, flocks that fully numbered one hundred
birds feeding on the sea-coast ploughed fields infested by wild
mustard. Had all left, except four or five, by January 9th, 1881,
when that number came to the stack- and poultry-yards.
Brambling.--Only two present in the great snow on January 15th and
19th--at corn laid out for poultry--along with Finches.
Wild Geese (_Greylag_ probably).--February 8th, first band returning
north. Continued in neighbourhood till April 24th. In autumn return
first seen October 11th and 30th. Did not rest.
Lapwing.--In inland fields, March 7th. July 15th, returned to
turnip-fields. Disappeared in January, 1881.
Grey Wagtail.--March 8th, a pair returned. On May 25th several new
arrivals along with a rush of migrants, consisting of Flycatchers,
Sedge Warblers, and Common Martins.
Waterhen.--March 9th returned to its breeding pools.
Heron.--April 17th, still three on the coast. On July 15th there were
seven or eight. On August 6th there were sixteen, and on August 31st
twelve.
Cormorant.--Began to disperse about March 9th, when there were six.
Only one on March 18th, and two on March 25th. March 27th and 30th,
only one. Were not again noted till August 9th and 12th, when only a
pair had returned. Scarcer this winter than usual.
Rare Birds recorded by others on my List.--Hoopoe in Northumberland.
One Greater Shrike in Berwickshire, others in Northumberland.
Bohemian Chatterer, Kelso; Turtle Dove, Rough-legged Buzzard (one).
=Notes from the Faroe Isles.=
The following notes from Herr H. C. Müller and Dr. Madsen, of
Thorshavn, Faroe, have been received too late for insertion in the
General Report, but not too late for addition as an Appendix. These
notes were all made after the 1st January, 1881. They came to hand on
May 1st, 1881:--
_Cygnus musicus._--Five Wild Swans were seen on Jan. 1st, 1881; three
killed at Suderö on 22nd; one seen near Thorshavn on 10th; probably
all belonging to the same flock. Wind S.W., force 3-4. Rain.
_Numenius arquata._--One killed at Hvidenov, near Thorshavn, on Jan.
30th. Wind S.S.E., force 4. Rain.
_Columba palumbus_, Linn.--One seen along with _Columba livia_ at
Thorshavn on Feb. 7th. wind E., force 5. Rain and hail.
_Larus tridactylus_.--Four seen at Thorshavn at 10 a.m. on Feb. 10th.
Wind E., force 3-4. Snow.
_Alauda arvensis._--One hundred in a flock seen at Thorshavn at 9
a.m. on March 8th, 1881. Wind S.W., fine. For the five days previous
storm from S.E.
_Vanellus cristatus._--Four seen same time as the above noted Larks,
in and after similar weather.
EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.
Printed forms of enquiry and letters of instruction were sent to
thirty-seven lighthouses and light-vessels on the east coast of
England, and, through the kind co-operation of Mr. Cecil Smith, to
two of the principal lighthouses in the Channel Islands: independent
reports have also been received from four stations on the east
coast; and my best thanks are due to T. H. Nelson and C. Donald
Thompson, Teesmouth; M. Bailey, Flamborough; Wm. Eagle Clarke and H.
Bendelack Hewetson [Leeds]; notes from Spurn Point. J. H. Gurney,
jun., Northrepps, and Major C. Russell, Essex, for supplying notices
of the movements of birds in their respective districts. These
reports have either been treated separately or incorporated with
the nearest lighthouse. I have also received many interesting notes
from Mr. Gätke, on the migration of birds over Heligoland from the
commencement of June to the end of December, which are especially
welcome as a most valuable addition to the report. Special thanks I
also must tender to those various observers in the lighthouses and
light-vessels scattered along the east coast. Altogether, out of
forty-four stations, returns have been sent in from thirty-eight;
two other stations report no birds seen during the autumn, from the
circumstances of their situations in the midst of houses; and only
from four have no returns been made. The observations are in many
respects an improvement on those of the preceding year, exhibiting in
a marked degree the intelligent interest taken by the observers in
their work--work which it must be remembered is entirely voluntary,
and often carried on under circumstances of considerable difficulty
and discomfort.
The east coast stations are as follows, those making returns being
marked with a *:--
40. *Longstone, on the most easterly of the Farne Islands; white
light, revolving every 30 seconds.
41. *Farne Inner, two lights; white, revolving every 30 seconds.
42. *Coquet Island, coast of Northumberland; two white lights in
same tower.
43. *Souter Point. Nil return--no birds seen.
44_a_.*Teesmouth, No. 5 Buoy, Lightvessel; one white light, fixed.
44_b_. *Teesmouth.
45. *Whitby, High Light; white, fixed.
46. *Flamborough Head; two white, one red flash, revolving every half
minute.
47. *Spurn Point; red and white sectors.
48_a_. *Spurn (Newsand), Lightvessel, 6 miles S.S.E. of Spurn Point;
white, revolving every minute.
48_b_. *Great Cotes.
49. *Outer Dowsing, Lightvessel, 53 miles E.S.E. Spurn; red light,
revolving every 20 seconds.
50. *Inner Dowsing, Lightvessel, 17 miles E. Sutton, on Lincolnshire
coast; green, 20 seconds.
51. *Dudgeon, Lightvessel, 35 miles E. Skegness, Lincolnshire coast;
white, fixed.
52. *Lynn Well, Lightvessel, off Nook of Longsand, Lynndeeps; one
white, revolving 20 seconds.
53. *Hunstanton, Lighthouse; white, fixed.
54. *Cromer, Lighthouse; white, revolving each minute.
55_a_. *Northrepps.
55_b_. *Leman and Ower, Lightvessel, 48 miles E.N.E. Cromer; two white,
one fixed, one revolving.
56. *Hasborough, Lightvessel; two white, fixed horizontal, north end
Hasborough Sound.
57. *Hasborough, Lighthouse; white, fixed.
58. *Newarp, Lightvessel, 12 miles N.E. Winterton; white, three quick
flashes, 36 seconds in a minute dark.
59. *Winterton, Lighthouse; white, fixed.
60. *Cockle, Lightvessel, 3 miles E. Yarmouth; white, revolving each
minute.
61. *Corton, Lightvessel, 4 miles E. Lowestoft; red, revolving 20
seconds.
62. *Lowestoft, Lighthouse. Nil return--no birds seen.
63. Orfordness, Lighthouse; white, fixed.
64. *Shipwash, Lightvessel, 8 miles S.S.E. Orfordness; white, fixed.
65. Cork, Lightvessel, 5 miles off mouth of Harwich River.
66. *Languard Point, Lighthouse, entrance to Harwich River; returned
by Major Russell.
67. *Galloper, Lightvessel, 40 miles S.E. Orfordness; two white,
horizontal, fixed.
68. *Kentish Knock, Lightvessel, 33 miles N.E. North Foreland; white,
revolving each minute.
69. *Swin Middle, Lightvessel, off Thames; white, revolving every
minute.
70. *Tongue, Lightvessel, off Thames; two lights, fixed: higher
white, lower red.
71. Nore, Lightvessel, entrance to Thames; white, revolving 30
seconds.
72. *North Foreland, Lighthouse; white, fixed.
73. *Goodwin, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands; white, revolving, three
quick flashes in succession, 86 seconds dark.
74. *Gull, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands; white, revolving 20 seconds.
75. *South-sand Head, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands; white, fixed.
76. *East-side, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands, 13 miles E. Deal; green,
revolving 15 seconds.
77. South Foreland, Lighthouse; white, fixed.
78. *Heligoland.
79. *Casquets, Lighthouse, off Alderney; white, triple, flashing
every 30 seconds.
80. *Hanois, Lighthouse, Hanoveaux Rocks, W. end Guernsey; one red,
revolving 45 seconds.
As many of the reports range over a twelve-month, it is necessary to
divide the remarks on the separate species into spring and autumn
migrations. The numbers of species noticed are very greatly in excess
of 1879.
SPRING MIGRATION, 1880.
SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.
Pied Flycatcher, _Muscicapa luctuosa_ (_atricapilla_, Linn.).--At
Heligoland, Mr. Gätke reports, May 4th, great many fine old males;
5th, the same; 15th, E., many females, few males; 19th, S.S.E., all
females.
Blackbird, _Turdus merula_.--At Cromer L.H., Feb. 12th, two killed
against lantern, with thirteen Larks at midnight o.m.
Redbreast, _Erithacus rubecula_.--At Whitby L.H., March 1st,
daylight, a flock of Robins.
Bluethroat, _Ruticilla suecica_.--At Heligoland, May 22nd, all
males--perhaps one in ten a female.
Redstart, _Ruticilla phœnicurus_.--At Heligoland, May 1st to 10th,
all males. Thenceforward females increasing. May 4th, E. by S. or E.
by N., millions all males; 19th, all females.
Wheatear, _Saxicola ænanthe_.--At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V., April 23rd,
W.S.W., many, with Wagtails, passing to land. At Heligoland, March
31st, S.E., to April 3rd, S.E., male birds; and to May 1st, when
females began to arrive. May 13th, E., all females.
Greater Whitethroat, _Sylvia rufa_.--At Cromer L.H., May 18th, 10
p.m., four killed and stunned against lantern.
Wren, _Troglodytes parvulus_.--At Whitby L.H., March 22nd, E.,
several at daylight. At Cromer L.H., May 16th, 4 a.m., one killed
against lantern.
Pied Wagtail, _Motacilla lugubris_.--At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V. (see
Wheatear). At Whitby L.H., May 9th, daybreak, many.
Sky Lark, _Alauda arvensis_.--At Cromer, Feb. 12th (see Blackbird).
Feb. 16th to March 24th, several with Starlings killed and stunned
during night.
Short-toed Lark, _Calandrella brachydactyla_.--At Heligoland, May
18th, a fine male captured.
Tree Sparrow, _Passer montanus_.--At Outer Dowsing L.V., April 18th,
11 a.m., sixty to S.E.; two came on board. April 26th, 3 p.m.,
hundreds to W.N.W.; ten came on board. From the position of this
light-vessel it will be apparent that in the first instance the
Sparrows were making for the coast of Holland, and on 26th for the
English coast.
Starling, _Sturnus vulgaris_.--At Cromer L.H., Feb. 16th to April
10th, several struck lantern and killed along with Larks.
Carrion Crow, _Corvus corone_.--At Cockle L.V., June 8th, six to S.E.
Cuckoo, _Cuculus canorus_.--At Farne Inner L.H., May 26th, W. strong,
one seen. At Hunstanton L.H., April 18th, heard close to lighthouse.
Swallow, _Hirundo rustica_.--At Farne Inner L.H., May 15th, two
passed. At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V., May 9th, 2 p.m., two from S.E. to
N.W.; May 22nd, great many S.E. to N.W., fresh breeze from W. At
Hunstanton L.H., April 17th, one to S.; 19th, five to S. At Leman
and Ower L.V., June 9th, five on board at sunset; 21st, one at 11
a.m. At Cockle L.V., June 23rd and 24th, 4.20 a.m., two each day to
W. At Corton L.V., May 22nd, one to W.N.W.; 20th, two to W.N.W. At
Kentish Knock L.V., May 26th, 10 a.m., two very high to N.W. At East
Goodwin L.V., May 4th, 10 a.m., four S. to N. The observations tend
to confirm what I have observed and remarked upon, that the Chimney
Swallow in spring migrates in pairs; even when in flocks the pairs
may be distinguished, as the males and females keep close company.
Swift, _Cypselus apus_.--At Whitby L.H., May 14th, several at noon to
N.W. At Spurn L.H., June 7th, 7 p.m., fifty perched on gallery, none
killed. At Hunstanton L.H., May 17th, one.
Wood Pigeon, _Columba palumbus_.--At Hasbro' L.V., May 28th and 30th,
one each day to E.
Dotterel, _Eudromias morinellus_.--At Spurn L.H., May 15th, four seen
near Kilnsea; 25th, small flock of eight.
Ringed Plover, _Ægialitis hiaticula_.--At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V.,
April 2nd, first arrival at their breeding quarters on neighbouring
sand, where about ten couples nest each year, leaving with the young
in the autumn.
Limicolæ.--From the 1st to the 18th of May, northerly and easterly
winds blew persistently day and night on to the Lincolnshire coast;
the consequence was that we had an almost entire dearth of all those
many flocks of shore birds--as Godwit, Grey Plover, Knot--which visit
the Humber mud-flats during the first fortnight in May, on their
passage to the north. On the opposite coast of Yorkshire, under
shelter of the sandy promontory of Spurn, they assembled in large
numbers, feeding daily on the great expanse of muds left uncovered at
ebb, and at flood crossing to the sands on the sea side of Spurn. A
correspondent writes that, on May 7th, "countless thousands of waders
lined the beach, like wreck, on the sea-side about a mile above
Spurn; there were more than had ever been seen at once before."
Anatidæ.--At Flamborough L.H., July 2nd, a flock of Grey Geese were
seen flying N. At Goodwin L.V., June 6th, 7.30 a.m., a flock flying
to the E. Mr. Gätke reports from Heligoland that, on May 19th, three
Snow Geese, _Anser niveus_, passed boat quite close, "whiter than
snow, bills and feet redder than oranges, but alas! no gun at hand."
King Eider, _Somateria spectabilis_, is reported from the Farne
Isles on May 29th, and during the summer (Zool., 1880, p. 514; 1881,
p. 62). On Feb. 27th, 1880, large flocks of Widgeon came into the
Tees, and thirteen were shot by one discharge of a single-barrelled
shoulder-gun. At the Outer Dowsing L.V., April 18th, Wild Ducks
were seen migrating to N.W.; and on April 30th, every hour during
day, to N.N.W. At the Goodwin L.V., May 19th, shoals of Ducks from
W. to E. From the Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V., May 25th, 11.30 a.m., my
correspondent writes, "Saw two Sheldrakes leave their nest with ten
young ones at low water; had to travel half a mile before they
reached the water; the male kept about six yards behind the young,
the female leading; they were fifteen minutes in reaching the water;
appeared just hatched; cock bird often looked behind to see nobody
was coming." With reference to the spring migration of Wild Geese,
Major Russell sends me the following notes from a correspondent on
the Essex coast, whose house is situated on the south slope of a
steep high hill:--"The Grey Geese were seen on Saturday, Feb. 21st,
from 600 to 1000 flying in a triangular form, in a N.E. direction.
I have repeatedly seen them sometimes passing for whole days, and
have always noticed that we have never had any winter to speak of
afterwards. They generally fly about a mile high. We very seldom see
them going south. I suppose because the days are shorter, or possibly
some may go another way; but they generally go north about this time
of the year. I used to try to shoot them with a rifle to see what
sort of Geese they were."
Alcidæ.--At Longstone L.H., March 9th, Guillemots and Razorbills
assembled; 24th, Puffins. At Flamborough L.H., May 3rd, hundreds of
Puffins arriving throughout the day, and on the same day a great
number of Guillemots. From May 28th to June 2nd, great numbers of
Guillemots and Razorbills were seen all day in the neighbourhood of
the Spurn L.V., at sea six miles S.S.E. Spurn Point. The Guillemots,
Razorbills and Puffins are later in their arrival and departure at
the southern than their northern breeding-stations.
Pelecanidæ.--At Longstone L.H., March 9th, numbers of Gannets flying
N. At the Farne Inner L.H., April 16th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Gannets were seen flying N. At Teesmouth 5 Buoy L.V., March 15th,
twelve Cormorants came into Tees, about fifty in every year at this
time, leave again after breeding-season till next March.
Laridæ.--At Farne Islands, April 8th, Gulls commenced assembling at
their nesting-quarters. At Whitby L.H., Feb. 18th, Herring Gulls
first appeared on the cliffs near lighthouse. July 4th, first young
was seen on the wing. Sept. 2nd, all left, both young and old. At
Spurn L.V., May 28th to June 2nd, large numbers of Gulls were seen
all day in the neighbourhood, along with Guillemots and Razorbills;
these birds were probably not migrating, or even contemplating such
a movement, but wanderers from Flamborough, following the shoals
of small fry which approach the Humber about that period. At the
Longstone L.H., April 29th, W., weather fine, first Sandwich Tern
seen, and the last seen Sept. 8th. The Arctic Tern was first seen
May 10th; last, Sept. 14th. At the Farne Inner L.H., Sandwich Terns
were seen on May 12th, and the Arctic May 15th, both species leaving
together on Aug. 28th. The Siberian Herring Gull, _Larus affinis_,
was seen at Heligoland on June 5th, and the Caspian Tern, _Sterna
Caspia_, on the 22nd, the first Mr. Gätke has got there. July 23rd,
repeatedly seen.
GENERAL SUMMARY SPRING MIGRATION.
Compared with the autumn notes on migration, the spring reports are
very meagre, and few and far between. This is probably due to the
fact that in the spring birds migrate, with rare exceptions, at
night; and, as the weather is then finer, and the nights clearer and
shorter, they do not run their heads so much against the lanterns of
lighthouses and lightships. The spring migration is also carried on
much more leisurely, migrants proceeding by easy stages northward,
and we have none of those great rushes which are so characteristic
of the autumn migration, when, with sudden changes of weather, flock
after flock pour continually during the whole day and night on to our
east coast. In the spring also the males of the Insessores migrate
some time in advance of the females, as is very clearly shown in the
Heligoland notes, as well as by the well-known arrival of our summer
immigrants, as the Nightingale, Whitethroat, &c. The notes on spring
migration taken in 1879, as well as in 1880, seem to point to the
conclusion that, during the vernal migration, migrants strike the
lanterns of lighthouses from 11 p.m. to the dawn of day, the majority
after midnight; and not in the early hours of night, as is the case
in the autumn.
AUTUMN MIGRATION, 1880.
SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.
White-tailed Eagle, _Haliæetus albicilla_.--At Heligoland, Sept.
10th, S.S.E., windy, eight or ten.
Peregrine Falcon, _Falco peregrinus_.--At Heligoland, Oct. 24th, "all
latter time and _F. æsalon_, scattered." As in every autumn a few on
passage have been recorded in the eastern counties; one, an immature
male, was shot near Spurn on Jan. 1st, 1881.
Hobby, _Falco subbuteo_.--At Heligoland, June 19th and 20th, S.E.,
some.
Kestrel, _Falco tinnunculus_.--At Heligoland, Sept. 25th, S., very
little wind, a great many, few old.
Sparrowhawk, _Accipiter nisus_.--At Heligoland, enormous numbers
crossed in the autumn, commencing Aug. 7th, eight or ten young birds;
from thence to Sept. 18th, almost daily in greater or less numbers,
all young birds. Sept. 29th, evening, the first old birds. Oct.
9th, young interspersed with old; 20th, many; 28th, still daily. An
enormous majority of these must pass down the European coast, as
the notices on our east coast are few and far between. At the Outer
Dowsing L.V., Oct. 8th, one at sunset flying round lantern. At Leman
and Ower L.V., Oct. 6th, 4.30 p.m., one to S.E. At Corton, L.V., Oct.
9th, one settled on ship. At Heligoland, Mr. Gätke says Sparrowhawks
often arrive towards evening.
Common Buzzard, _Buteo vulgaris_.--At Heligoland, Sept. 18th, many.
Honey Buzzard, _Pernis apivorus_.--At Heligoland, Sept. 10th, with
Sparrowhawks.
Rough-legged Buzzard, _Buteo lagopus_.--At Heligoland, June 19th and
20th, some. There was a considerable flight on to the east coast
in October, Mr. J. H. Gurney recording (Zool., 1880, p. 570) about
a dozen in Norfolk between Oct. 16th and the end of the month. Two
were shot Nov. 1st on the Lincolnshire coast near Mabblethorpe, and
one at Spurn later in the season. Several others have been recorded
from time to time in the 'Field' and local papers, as either seen
or obtained in various parts of England and Scotland. The following
notices from the lighthouses may or may not refer to this species.
At Whitby L.H., July 24th, 9 a.m., a large Hawk going S. At Hasbro'
L.H., Oct. 24th, 11 a.m., four very large birds with heavy flight to
S. At Kentish Knock, L.V., Oct. 13th, one very large Hawk soaring
overhead. At Corton L.V., Oct. 19th, a large brown Hawk about
ship--may perhaps have been a female Kestrel.
Hen Harrier, _Circus cyaneus_.--At Heligoland, Oct. 20th, some.
Long-eared Owl, _Asio otus_,--At Heligoland, Oct. 22nd, some.
At Spurn, Oct. 28th, one shot. At Hasbro' L.V., Sept. 30th, 10
a.m., o.m. from E. to S.W., horned owl--probably this species. The
Long-eared Owls arrive on our east coast, as a rule, later than _Asio
accipitrinus_, and in much less numbers.