Pizey.
111. *Morecambe Bay, L.V.; revolving red light, flash every 30 seconds.
Fog signal, one blast every 2 minutes. Henry Clavell.
112. *Air, L.H.; on the Point. Fixed, visible 9 miles, white, except
over West Hoyle Bank, between the bearings of S.E. 1/4 S. and
W. 3/4 S., where it shows red. C. H. Aveston.
113. Menai, L.H.; on Trwyn du Point. Fixed, red; visible 9 miles.
Bell in fog; three times in quick succession every 15 seconds.
114. *Skerries, L.H.; Highest Island. Fixed, visible 16 miles. Fog
signal, one blast every 3 minutes. J. Garrett.
115. *Holyhead Breakwater, L.H.; 66-1/2 feet above high water. Red;
flashes every 7-1/2 seconds; visible 13 miles. Appears as a
fixed red light at a distance of 3 or 4 miles. Bell in fog
(three times in quick succession) every 15 seconds. Fog
horn nearly continuous _when mail packets passing into
harbour_. Richard Prichard.
116. *North Stack, Fog Horn Station, L.H. Bell sounded during fog;
small white light revolving in 1-1/2 min., occasionally shown
40 feet above sea and 30 yards N. of S. Stack L.H. Gun
fired every 10 minutes during fog when mail packets
approaching. John Harvey, gunner.
117. *South Stack, L.H.; on S. Stack rock off N.W. point of Holyhead
Island; revolving every minute; visible 20 miles. W. R.
Burgess.
118. *St. Judwall, L.H., 151 feet above high water, occulting, light of
8 seconds duration, followed by eclipse of 2 seconds, white
and red; also a fixed red light (not occulting) from a window
16 feet below the high light. William Davies.
119. *Caernarvon Bay, L.V.; revolving with white and red flashes at
intervals of 20 seconds, in order of two white and one red;
visible 10 miles. Fog signal, one blast every 2 minutes.
W. Bowen.
120. *Bardsey, L.H. Fixed; visible 17 miles. Fog syren one blast every
5 minutes. Thomas Bowen.
121. Cardigan Bay, L.V. Red; revolving every 30 seconds; visible 10
miles going in.
122. Bull Point, L.H. White triple flashes. Fog signal, three blasts
quickly every 2 minutes. George Knott.
123. *South Bishop, L.H.; revolving every 20 seconds; visible 18 miles.
Gong in fog. John White.
124. *Smalls, L.H. Fixed, white; visible 17 miles. Bell sounded during
foggy weather, and a rocket every half hour. W. Boulton.
125. *Great Castle Head, L.H. (2). Fixed, white, 112 and 76 feet above
high water.
126. *Milford (Low), L.H. Fixed, red. G. Baker.
127. Milford (High), L.H. Fixed, red, 48 feet above sea.
128. *Caldy, L.H., S. of Island. Fixed; visible 20 miles; bright to
seaward, red in direction of Old Castle Head and Woolhouse
Shoal. W. Ebben, P. K.
129. *Helwick, L.V.; revolving every minute; visible 10 miles. Fog
horn, blasts of 5 seconds duration at regular intervals of
2 minutes. Thomas Cornell, mate.
130. *Scarweather, L.V.; revolving red, three times a minute, 38 feet
above level of sea; visible 10 miles. Fog syren, two blasts
quickly every 2 minutes. Henry Jenkins.
131. *Nash (Lower W.), L.H. Fixed; visible 17 miles. John Richards.
132. *Nash (E. or high), L.H. Fixed; visible 19 miles; red. Hy.
Nicholas.
133. Breaksea, L.V. Flashing every 15 seconds; 38 feet above sea; fixed
red light at a lower elevation. Gong in fog.
134. *Flatholm, L.H., S. point of Island. Fixed; visible 18 miles.
W. Dale, P. K.
135. *Usk, L.H., W. side of entrance to river. Fixed; visible 11 miles;
white and red. Amos Russell.
136. †Avon, L.H., E. of entrance. Fixed; visible 13 miles; white
seaward. William Taylor.
137. *Burnham, L.H. (2). Upper intermittent; visible 15 miles. Lower,
fixed; visible 9 miles. William Lewis.
138. *Bideford, L.H. (2). Low light visible from half-flood to
half-ebb, 14 and 11 miles. Leading lights for crossing the
Bar. Edward Roberts.
139. Lundy Fog Gun Station. During fog and thick weather, rocket
every 10 minutes; explodes at height of 600 feet. John
Morgan.
140. *Lundy, L.H., 1/2 mile from S. end of Island (2), in one tower.
Upper visible 30 miles, revolving every 2 minutes. Low light
fixed, only visible between bearings of S. by E. and N.E.
James Parsons.
141. †Hartland Point, L.H., 120 feet above high water; revolving, 30
seconds, two white and one red. Fog signal, blasts of
5 seconds duration every 2 minutes. John Griffiths.
142. †Trevose Head, L.H., on N.W. extremity (2). Fixed; visible 20 and
17 miles. W. Bowen.
143. *Godrevy, L.H. Flashing every 10 seconds; visible 15 miles. A
fixed red light in same tower, 27 feet below flashing light;
visible from S. by E. to S.E. Richard Trahair.
144. *Bishop Rock, L.H., on S. W. Rock. Scilly. Fixed; visible 16
miles. Bell in fog every 10 seconds.
145. *Scilly, L.H., St. Agnes, on summit of Island; revolving every
half-minute; visible 17 miles. E. L. Davis.
146. *Sevenstones, L.V. White, revolving. Syren fog signal, three
blasts quickly every 2 minutes. Daniel Norton.
147. *Longships, L.H., on highest rock off Land's End. Fixed; visible
16 miles. Bell in foggy weather. William Jones.
148. †Wolfrock, L.H., 8 miles S.S.W of Land's End, 110 feet above
high-water mark; revolving alternate flashes of red and white;
visible 16 miles. In fog a bell. W. D. Crask.
To the Elder Brethren at Trinity House our thanks are due for
their kind permission to make use of the light stations for taking
observations; and to the Trinity Superintendents, Mr. Davison
(Holyhead), Mr. Evans (Weyland), and Mr. Tregarthen (Penzance), we
are obliged for willing assistance.
The observers at the various stations are deserving of thanks for the
pains they have taken to keep an accurate record of the facts coming
under their notice. The reports are all interesting, those which show
a paucity of birds equally with those that record the passing of
many. Excluding the Anatidæ, notes have been taken of about fifty-two
different species.
SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.
Of the Raptores we have heard but little. A male Falcon (Peregrine?)
was seen at Sevenstones Oct. 13th, at noon, flying S.W., before
a moderate breeze from N.E.; at Smalls, Oct. 7th, a Kestrel was
observed flying round the tower; in Morecambe Bay Oct. 4th, 7.30
a.m., a Sparrowhawk flying from N.N.E., a gentle E.N.E. breeze,
rested on board the light-vessel. At St. Bees a hawk or two, we
are told, may be seen occasionally; "they build on the cliffs
thereabouts."
Owl, _Otus brachyotos_.--At North Stack, Oct. 13th, an Owl, probably
the Short-eared, was seen, at 8.55 a.m., flying S.W., before a mod.
N.E. breeze. At Smalls, Oct 15th, a little Horned Owl was observed
resting on the rock; Nov. 6th, at 4 p.m., another on the S.E. rock.
Fieldfare, _Turdus pilaris_.--Distinguished on one or two occasions;
possibly some of the notes on "Thrush" may refer to this. From Bishop
Rock, Oct. 13th, Fieldfares were seen at 10 a.m. passing W. before a
mod. E. breeze. At Smalls, Oct. 15th, from 1 a.m. to daylight. Grey
Thrushes were noticed, with Redwings, Starlings, and Blackbirds;
breeze gentle to moderate, E.S.E. to S.E. At Air (River Dee), Nov.
7th, "large quantities passed at sunrise."
Song Thrush, _Turdus musicus_.--Recorded from five stations. At
Caernarvon Bay, Oct. 1st, two were killed; hazy. At South Bishop,
Oct. 5th, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., a mod. N.N.E. breeze, rain and mist.
Thrushes and Blackbirds were passing, and, of the former, seven
killed. At Morecambe Bay, Oct. 8th, 10.20 a.m., one Song Thrush
passed S.S.W., very tired; a strong N.E. breeze. At Nash (E. or
high), Oct. 13th, one was killed; afresh N.N.E. breeze, with mist. At
Bull Point, Oct. 14th, 3 a.m., overcast and misty, light air S.S.W.,
one female is reported as striking. At Caernarvon Bay, Nov. 2nd, a
young Thrush and Lark were killed at 9.10 p.m.; gentle E.S.E. breeze,
hazy. At Bull Point, Nov. 3rd, two struck at 2 a.m.; fresh E. breeze,
clear. At the same time there appears to have been a rush farther
south. At South Bishop, Nov. 2nd, from midnight to morning, a fresh
S.E. breeze, very misty, a very great quantity of Thrushes, with
Blackbirds, Starlings, and Larks, of which many were killed; and,
with breeze still S.E., but moderate, continuous flocks of same all
day flying towards N.E.; Nov. 3rd, from 9 p.m. to midnight, a gentle
E. breeze, rather misty, large quantities, with Larks, Blackbirds,
and Starlings (many killed). At Nash (E. or high), Dec. 1st, one was
killed; fresh W. breeze, but clear. At Godrevy, Jan. 14th, 12 to 4
p.m., Thrushes were seen, with Lapwings and Starlings: this is the
only instance recorded in afternoon, the others being at night, the
weather in most cases misty or hazy, and the wind ranging from N.N.E.
to S.E.
Redwing, _Turdus iliacus_.--Separately noticed at one station
only--Smalls. Oct. 8th, 7.30 p.m., some were seen among Starlings
and Larks, N.E. to E., misty; twenty of the birds killed. Oct. 9th,
from midnight to 5 a.m., several, with Larks and Starlings; eleven
struck; breeze mod. to strong E. to E.N.E., clear. Oct. 15th, from
1 a.m. to daylight, large numbers, with Starlings, Blackbirds, and
Greenfinches. Oct. 29th, one was caught. Nov. 2nd, several, with Sky
Larks, Starlings, and Blackbirds; sixteen struck and were caught.
Nov. 3rd, three males and five females were distinguished among
Blackbirds, Starlings, and Larks. Nov. 5th, one male; mod. N. breeze.
Except the first, the instances occurred from midnight to sunrise,
with moderate N.E., E., and S.E. breezes, and generally with clouds,
mist, or drizzle.
Blackbird, _Turdus merula_.--Reported from ten stations. The earliest
date is Aug. 12th, when one was seen at Scarweather at 1 p.m., mod.
S.S.E. breeze; the latest at Skerries, Dec. 4th, when Blackbirds
and Snipe appeared, and a few were killed. The one occurrence only
is noted in August, and we do not again hear of its appearance till
at Skerries, Sept. 27th, 29th, and 30th, when Blackbirds were seen
(the two later dates in company with Starlings). At Caernarvon Bay,
Oct. 1st, Blackbirds and Thrushes were seen, and two killed; light
westerly breeze, hazy. At S. Bishop, Oct 5th, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.,
N.N.E., rain and mist. Blackbirds and Thrushes struck, and seventeen
Blackbirds were killed. At Helwick, Oct. 8th, one was killed. At
Caldy, Oct. 10th, one male was discerned flying about the lantern;
a mod. E. by S. gale, squally and cloudy. At Bull Point, Oct. 12th,
two females struck, but were not killed; a mod. E. breeze, clear;
and, on Oct. 14th, one female. At S. Bishop, Oct. 13th, nine were
killed, with five Larks. At Helwick, Oct. 14th, one and a Linnet.
At. Smalls, Oct. 15th, numbers struck, with Starlings, Thrushes, and
Finches; and, at Godrevy, two, with two Starlings and one Thrush,
not killed. At Helwick, Nov. 2nd, several killed, with Larks and
Starlings; and, from midnight to morning at S. Bishop, a fresh S.E.
breeze and very misty, a very great quantity of Blackbirds, Larks,
etc. (see Song Thrush). At Godrevy, Nov. 3rd, one struck, not killed.
At Smalls, Nov. 2nd, two were seen at midnight; 3rd and 5th six (two
males and four females), and one female. At Nash (E. or high), Dec.
1st, one was killed. At Skerries, Dec. 4th, a few. The time of the
occurrences noticed, except of the three in report, which were at
sunrise, was from midnight to morning, and they took place almost
always in cloudy or misty weather, with generally a mod. breeze more
or less easterly, _viz._, N.N.E., through E. to S.S.E. The greatest
number of instances noticed is in October, when we have returns from
seven stations, but the birds are only seen by ones or twos; they
seem to have appeared in numbers from Nov. 1st to 3rd; in December we
have only two instances.
Then the _Turdidæ_ have been noticed from Morecambe Bay (from St.
Bees we have the general remarks that an occasional Blackbird or
Thrush is to be seen) to Godrevy. The movement appears to have been
pretty evenly distributed, perhaps to have spread gradually from N.
to S., and to have lasted from Aug. 12th to Jan. 14th, being most
active from Sept. 27th to Nov. 27th, with a decided rush on Nov. 2nd
and 3rd. The direction of flight is seldom given, the notices almost
all referring to birds killed or striking. The greatest slaughter
occurred at S. Bishop on Nov. 1st, when, of Blackbirds, Thrushes,
Larks, and Starlings, 162 were immolated, and on Nov. 3rd 172. The
time when the occurrences were observed lies between twilight and
sunrise, but is chiefly about midnight, the weather being generally
hazy, misty, or overcast, with mod. breezes from E.N.E. through E.
to S.E. In the majority of instances the birds were accompanied by
others of their own family, or by Starlings or Larks.
Stonechat, _Saxicola rubicola_.--At Morecambe Bay, Aug. 29th, 4 p.m.,
moderate breeze E. by S., one came on board. The note is added that
it is "very seldom Seen here." This is the only occurrence noted.
Wheatear, _Saxicola ænanthe_.--At Bishop Rock, Aug. 17th, 1.30 a.m.,
three struck the glass, light E. breeze, cloudy; Aug. 22nd, midnight,
mod. E.S.E. breeze, cloudy and misty, Wheatears strike; none killed
on either occasion.
Chiffchaff and Goldcrest, _Sylvia hippolais_ and _Regulus
auricapillus_,--At Scarweather, July 30th, 1 p.m., a Goldcrest was
seen. At Flatholm, Oct. 14th, a large quantity of Goldcrests and
Chiffchaffs were seen at 9.40 a.m., gentle E. breeze, blue sky, but
clouds and mist. Mr. Dale reports that, at this station, "These
little birds generally make their appearance about the beginning of
October, and remain till about the middle of November. In spring
again, from about March 20th to May. Numbers are killed by striking
the lantern on dark nights."
Titmouse, _Parus cæruleus_.--At Burnham, Aug. 16th, 3 p.m., mod.
N.N.E. breeze, "a large flock of Blue Tits perched on the trees, &c."
At Caldy, midnight, a Titmouse (species not identified) was seen
flying about the glass.
Wagtail, _Motacilla_ (sp. ?)--Returns only from Morecambe Bay. Aug.
26th, 6.15 a.m., one alighted on deck; 27th, 7 a.m., one passed E.,
and at 8.30 a.m. one E.N.E.; 30th three, and 31st six passed; Sept.
1st two were seen, and on 4th six; 12th, one passed W., a gentle
breeze W.S.W.; 16th, five, S.E., a strong breeze from N.; 27th,
flocks, with Linnets, were observed during the forenoon, a light
breeze S. by W., and several small birds killed. These occurrences
all happened between 5 and 8.30 a.m. In almost every case the weather
was cloudy, misty, or foggy, with gentle breezes, varying, but mostly
E.S.E. or easterly. The direction of flight S.E. and E.S.E.
Sky Lark and Meadow Pipit, _Alauda arvensis_ and _Anthus
pratensis_,--On two occasions the Meadow Pipit is distinguished;
possibly some of the notes on "Larks" may refer to it. From Morecambe
Bay, Sept. 8th, 6 a.m., four Titlarks are reported flying S.W., a
gentle breeze E.N.E. From Smalls, Nov. 3rd, mod. E. breeze, one
was seen in company with Blackbirds and Redwings. Of Larks, the
earliest appearance noted is Aug. 27th, when, at Morecambe Bay,
seven passed flying S. by E., light E.S.E. breeze; Sept. 1st, 5.30
p.m., about thirty passed Nash, flying S., a gentle W.N.W. breeze;
and on 3rd, at noon, about twenty passed N., light E.S.E. breeze.
These occurrences are noticed from both stations. At Caernarvon,
Sept. 4th, one was killed. At Lundy, Sept. 9th, a number, with
Chaffinches, were seen, fresh E.S.E. breeze, rain and squally;
these were noticed from both stations. At Scarweather, same day, two
were seen. At Morecambe Bay, a dozen passed flying S. At Skerries,
Sept. 23rd, 9.30 to 11 p.m., many Larks and Linnets were striking,
but none killed. At Scarweather, Sept. 24th, mod. W. breeze, a large
number of Larks. From the two stations at Nash, Sept. 25th, a large
flock of Sky Larks were observed passing N.E. At Skerries, Sept.
26th and 27th, Larks were seen. At Caernarvon, Sept. 29th, 9.15
a.m., a flock passed S.E. At Caldy, same day, 10 p.m., two male Sky
Larks and a White Gull were flying about the lantern, light S.E.
breeze, fog. At South Bishop, Sept. 30th, four larks were killed,
fog. Through September they appear, as the month advanced, to have
been noticed in greater numbers and farther south. The appearances
are nearly all in the daytime; breezes light or gentle, varying from
W. through S. to E. Direction of flight, when noticed, towards S.
or S.E., except at Nash, where, on Sept. 3rd, some passed N., and
on 25th some N.E. At Godrevy, Oct. 4th, 1 to 2 a.m., mod. E.N.E.
breeze, a Lark, Petrel, and two foreign Wrens were seen, and three
birds killed. At Nash, Oct. 5th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., continuous flocks
passed S.E., with mod. E.N.E. breeze, and rain; the same direction
followed, though wind veered round to W.S.W. At Helwick, Oct. 8th,
2 a.m., one was killed, strong E.S.E. breeze, rain and lightning.
At Smalls, same date, 7.30 p.m. to midnight, continuous flocks of
Sky Larks, Redwings and Starlings, and about twenty struck; 9th,
midnight to 5 a.m., Sky Larks and Redwings, eleven struck, mod. to
strong E. to E.N.E. breeze, clear. At Nash, Oct. 10th, a flock of
Sky Larks was observed from both stations flying N.W., strong N.E.;
breeze; 13th, with mod. E.N.E. breeze, a like flock going E. At
South Bishop, Oct. 13th, 1 to 4 a.m., light S.E. air, clouds and
mist, five Larks and nine Blackbirds met their fate. At Smalls, Oct.
12th, about thirty struck the roof (with Starlings) from 1 a.m. to
daylight; and at Skerries, at intervals during same day, small flocks
were seen passing towards the land. At Morecambe Bay, same day,
about 10.20 a.m., a flock of Larks passed S.S.W. At Helwick, Oct.
15th, 4.30 a.m., several Larks and Starlings were seen. At Morecambe
Bay, Oct. 16th, 2.30 p.m., a flock passed E.N.E. At Caernarvon Bay,
Oct. 19th, 1 to 4 p.m., continuous flocks passed E.S.E., fresh E.
by N. breeze. At Helwick, Oct. 21st, gentle N.E. breeze, a flock
from S.W. to N.E. At Caernarvon, Oct. 22nd, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., mod.
E. gale, with haze, flocks of Larks and Starlings passed S.E.;
24th, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., similar flocks passed S.S.E., with a mod.
N.N.W. breeze. At Helwick, Oct. 30th, 11 a.m., light N.N.E. breeze,
"several hen Larks" passed from S.W. to N.E. At South Stack, same
day, 7 a.m. to noon, fresh N.W. breeze, clear, continuous flocks
(with Starlings, Linnets, and Chaffinches) passed to N.W. Throughout
October the movement appears to have been active and pretty general
along the coast; the time of occurrence in the greater number of
cases between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.; the direction of flight, when
recorded, generally easterly; in most instances mist, rain and fog,
with--generally--moderate E.N.E. to E. breezes. At Morecambe Bay,
Nov. 1st, five passed S.E., mod. N.N.E. breeze; 2nd, three in same
direction, mod. S.E. breeze. At South Bishop, from midnight to the
morning of 2nd, fresh S.E. breeze, very misty, "a very great quantity
of Larks, Thrushes," &c., and "continuous flocks" all day, flying
towards N.W.; 3rd, 9 p.m. to midnight, enormous quantities, &c. (see
"Song Thrush.") At Caernarvon, Nov. 2nd, 9.10 p.m., a young Lark was
killed, gentle E.S.E. breeze, hazy; 3rd, 1 to 4 a.m., still hazy,
two Larks killed. At Helwick, Nov. 2nd, 1 p.m., fresh S.E. breeze,
"a flock of hen Larks" passed to N.E., and at 8 p.m., several more,
of which some were slain; overcast and misty. At Nash (W. or low),
Nov. 14th, noon, flights of Sky Larks and Starlings passed overhead,
strong W.S.W. breeze, clouds and mist. These are all the instances
reported in November; most of them occurred at night, and, being of
birds striking, the direction of flight is not recorded; the winds
generally moderate and from E. to S.E.; on every occasion with mist,
haze, or fog. After Nov. 14th we have no record till Dec. 3rd, when
flocks of Larks passed Skerries at midnight, gentle S. breeze, misty.
At Scarweather, Dec. 8th, 11 p.m., two Larks, mod. W.N.W. breeze,
gloomy and misty. At Lundy, same day, S.W. breeze, a great number of
Sky Larks were seen, and Mr. Parsons adds, "these are seen daily,"
but for how long is not stated. At Caernarvon L.V., Dec. 13th, 2 to 5
a.m., four young Larks were killed, mod. N. by W. breeze, drizzling
rain. At Milford, Jan. 11th, a quantity of Larks, Plovers, and
Starlings arrived and remained all day. At South Stack, Jan. 12th,
strong N.E. breeze and passing showers of snow, continuous flocks
of Larks and Starlings passed all day; and on 13th, a large quantity
was on the island all day. This is the latest instance recorded. In
all, we have returns from fifteen stations, of which all but Milford
and the two at Nash are off the coast. The direction of flight,
judging from the instances given, seems to have been chiefly towards
S.E. and S. (this would be towards the mainland). The chief movement
seems to have been from Sept. 9th to Nov. 3rd, and increasing towards
November. In the majority of cases, with the breeze moderate, from E.
to S.E. and S.; in some from N. and N.E. to E.; generally with mist
or gloom.
Yellowhammer, _Emberiza citrinella_.--At Morecambe Bay, Oct. 12, five
passed about midnight, flying S.S.W., gentle breeze from N. to N.E.
by E.
Chaffinch, _Fringilla cœlebs_.--At Lundy, Sept. 9th, 1 p.m., a great
number, with Sky Larks, fresh E.S.E. breeze, rain. At Smalls, Oct.
25th, mod. W. breeze, till midnight, some struck and fell overboard;
three and a Starling caught. At South Stack, Oct. 30th, fresh N.W.
breeze, flocks, with Starlings, Larks and Linnets, passed flying N.W.
Mountain Sparrow, _Passer montanus_.--This species is distinguished
only in the returns from North Stack. Sept. 24th, 8.40 a.m., a flock
passed S.W.; 26th, 2.30 p.m., with mod. S.W. breeze, a flock passed
N.W.; Oct. 12th, 8.40 a.m., two flocks flying N.E.; 15th, 7.30 a.m.,
six passed S.W., mod. S. breeze; Dec. 24th, 3.10 p.m., fresh N.W.
breeze, thirty passed E.; Jan. 12th, 2.30 p.m., a flock passed S.W.,
before a strong N.E. breeze, with snow.
Common Sparrow, _Passer domesticus_.--At Nash, Sept. 27th, 6 a.m.,
a flight passed N.N.W. (observed from both stations), light N.E.
breeze. At North Stack, Dec. 3rd, 11 a.m., a flock of Sparrows was
seen flying N.E., against a mod. S.W. breeze.
Greenfinch, _Coccothraustes chloris_.--At Smalls, Oct. 15th, 1 a.m.
to daylight, many struck the roof, along with Starlings, Blackbirds,
&c., mod. E.S.E. to S.E. breeze, misty; Nov. 5th, before sunrise,
mod. W. breeze, cloudy but clear horizon, two males and one female
were caught alive, together with Thrush, Blackbird and Starling.
Linnet, _Linota cannabina_.--From the two stations at Lundy we learn
that, from 8th Sept., a great many Linnets "mixed" have been seen
daily, and on Oct. 30th have left the island. The earliest recorded
is Sept. 1st, when at Skerries, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., fresh S.W. breeze,
clear, small flocks appeared with Finches, many strike, and a few
are killed; 23rd, 9.30 to 11 p.m., mod. S.W. breeze, clear after
fog, small flocks with Larks, many strike, but none are killed. At
Morecambe Bay, Sept. 17th, 7 a.m., four Grey Linnets pass S.E., mod.
N.W. by W. breeze; 21st, noon, nine going N., light S. by W. breeze,
misty; and on 27th, during the forenoon, fog, flocks of Linnets and
Wagtails pass, and several small birds are killed. At Caldy, Sept.
24th, some Linnets were seen. At Smalls, Oct. 29th, one was caught
with a Redwing, fresh N.E. breeze, cloudy but clear horizon. At South
Stack, Oct. 30th, 7 a.m. to noon, fresh N.W. breeze, Linnets, Larks,
Starlings, and Chaffinches passed in flocks to N.W. From Godrevy, we
hear from Mr. Trahair that "several flocks of Green and Red Linnets
come on the island from September to latter part of December."