or sixty on February 11th (evening, flying due E.). Ravenglass, last
seen on April 23d. Flights of this and other fowl began to pass over
Rockliffe in an E. or N.E. direction on April 21st, but the movement
became accentuated on April 27th, on which evening large flocks began
to pass up the Eden at 9 P.M. The movement continued in full swing up
to 10.45, there generally being five minutes, and never more than ten,
between parties; after 11th they continued to pass, but the movement
had become less marked.
Autumn: Numbers at Monkhill on September 13th.
_Clangula glaucion_ (L.), Golden-eye.--Spring: April 26th, last seen at
Monkhill, Cumberland.
Autumn: October 21st and 24th, Allonby, Cumberland.
_Œdemia fusca_ (L.), Velvet Scoter.--December 23d, a fine adult male
shot on Eden.
_Mergus serrator_, L., Red-breasted Merganser.--April 13th, N.W.
Merioneth, a flock of about a dozen, the last seen.
_Turtur communis_, Selby, Turtle Dove.--Autumn: September 11th,
Minehead, Somerset, one. October 3d, Wolf Rock, a "Turtle Dove" at 11
A.M.
_Coturnix communis_, Bonnat., Quail--Autumn: September 3d, one in the
morning. October 5th, Eddystone, two caught at 2 A.M.
_Crex pratensis_, Bechst., Corn-Crake.--Spring: April 26th and 27th,
Carlisle and District. May 9th, Holyhead Breakwater, one at 2 P.M.
Autumn: October 9th, Skerries, one killed between 2 and 4 A.M.; 20th,
Smalls, one killed.
_Gallinula chloropus_ (L.), Moorhen.--Autumn: August 2d, *Nash, one
killed at midnight. September 3d, Dee L.V., one killed.
_Charadrius pluvialis_, L., Golden Plover.--Autumn: August 25th,
Burnham, one killed.
_Squatarola helvetica_ (L.), Grey Plover.--Spring: May 7th, Allonby,
Cumberland, six.
_Eudromias morinellus_ (L.), Dotterel.--May 6th, Allonby, four seen,
and again on the 8th.
_Vanellus vulgaris_, Bechst., Lapwing.--Spring: March 27th, Carnarvon
Bay, ten at 11 A.M.
Autumn: September 24th, Skerries, about twenty. October 25th, Nash,
flocks passing S. from 7 to 10 A.M. 26th, Nash, a large flock at
lantern at 1 A.M. November 23d, Nash, two killed at 11.30 P.M. 24th,
Eddystone, many at night; 26th and 27th, at Selker L.V., Carnarvon Bay
L.V., and Eddystone.
_Hæmatopus ostralegus_, L., Oyster-Catcher.--Spring: April 23d,
Chickens Rock, one.
Autumn: August 3d, Menai, two; 22d, Langness, seven; 27th, Eddystone,
flocks.
_Phalaropus fulicarius_ (L.), Grey Phalarope.--October 10th (about),
near Winchester, one shot.
_Scolopax rusticula_, L., Woodcock.--Spring: March 24th, Dee L.V., one
killed; 29th, Selker L.V., one caught.
Autumn: September 21st, Eddystone, one killed. October 18th and 23d,
Nash, one killed each night; 26th, Nash, two killed.
_Gallinago major_, Gm., Great Snipe.--Autumn: September 9th,
Cardiganshire, an adult male shot on Llanddewihip Mountain; 25th,
Baytor Mere, Devon, one shot. October 22d, North Devon, a bird of the
year shot; 30th, Carlisle, one shot.
_Gallinago cœlestis_ (Frenzel), Common Snipe.--Autumn: October 21st,
Carnarvon Bay L.V., one killed; 22d, Langness, one at 10 A.M.; 26th,
Nash, four passing to S.E. at 9.30 A.M., four killed at 10.30 P.M.
November 27th, Breaksea L.V., one killed.
_Limnocrytes gallinula_ (L.), Jack Snipe.--Autumn: October 31st,
Bardsey, one "Jack Snipe" killed.
_Tringa alpina_, L., Dunlin.--Spring: April 25th, N.W. Merioneth.
Autumn: August 4th, Langness, a large number at 5 A.M.
_Tringa striata_, L., Purple Sandpiper.--October 20th, Solway, one shot.
_Tringa canutus_, L, Knot.--Autumn: August 18th, Dee L.V., thirty at
lantern from 9 P.M. to midnight.
_Calidris arenaria_ (L.), Sanderling.--May 20th, observed on Solway.
_Totanus hypoleucos_ (L.), Common Sandpiper.--Spring: April 16th,
Carlisle; 17th, N.W. Merioneth.
Autumn: August 15th, Ilfracombe, passing E.; 19th, Barnstaple.
_Totanus canescens_ (L.), Greenshank.--March 26th, Solway, last seen;
returned August 16th.
_Numenius phæopus_ (L.), Whimbrel.--Spring: April 2d, N.W. Merioneth,
one, and on 28th a small flock. May 16th, Langness, several at 10 A.M.
20th, Allonby, Cumberland, a few; 25th, Allonby, eight.
Autumn: July 27th, Allonby, two. August 10th, Langness, two. September
4th, N.W. Merioneth.
_Numenius arquata_ (L.), Curlew.--Spring: March 22d, Selker L.V., one
at 8 A.M. April 9th, N.W. Merioneth, many passing overhead during the
night.
Autumn: August 22d, Eddystone, ten at 1 P.M. September 4th, Chickens
Rock, a few in the evening, also at the Skerries, November 27th, Selker
L.V., at lantern all night.
_Sterna ------ ?_ "Sea Swallow."--Spring: Skerries Rock.
Mr Rees says,--"The Sea Swallow always comes to this island true to the
morning of the 6th of May; then they leave for one week, and return
again for the laying season."
Autumn: September 9th and 28th, Wolf Rock. October 2d, 4th, 7th, 13th,
and 19th, a few observed at the Wolf Rock each day.
_Sterna fluviatilis_, Naum., Common Tern.--Spring: April 22d, N.W.
Merioneth, a small flock; 25th, several large flocks. May 13th and
14th, a very large number; the weather rough and wet, with much snow on
the mountains.
Autumn: October 16th, Minehead, Somerset, three.
_Sterna macrura_, Naum., Arctic Tern.--Spring: April 25th, N.W.
Merioneth, a few with Common Terns.
_Sterna cantiaca_, Gm., Sandwich Tern.--Spring: April 2d, Ravenglass;
16th, Allonby (both in Cumberland).
_Sterna minuta_, L., Little Tern.--April 29th, Ravenglass.
_Hydrochelidon nigra_ (L.), Black Tern.--Spring: May 13th, N.W.
Merioneth, three in adult plumage.
_Procellaria pelagica_, L., Storm Petrel.--Spring: May 21st, South
Bishop, six at lantern all night.
Autumn: October 16th, Nash, one killed. November 21st, Eddystone,
twenty-one captured between 6 and 12 P.M. 22d, Eddystone, in numbers
all night; 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th, Eddystone, in numbers, many
caught.
_Procellaria leucorrhoa_, Vieill., Leach's Petrel.--November 22d,
*Start, one captured at 10 A.M., resting inside one of the lantern
ventilators.
_Stercorarius catarrhactes_ (L.), Great Skua.--October 16th, Minehead,
Somerset, one seen along with other _Stercorariinæ_. (N.W., squally,
showers; sea very high.)
_Stercorarius pomatorhinus_ (Temm.), Pomatorhine Skua.--October 16th,
Minehead, Somerset, twelve, along with other Stercorariinæ. (N.W.,
squally; sea very high.)
_Stercorarius crepidatus_ (Banks), Richardson's Skua.--October 16th,
Minehead, Somerset, six, along with other _Stercorariinæ_. (N.W.,
squally; sea very high.)
_Puffinus anglorum_ (Temm.), Manx Shearwater.--September 3d, Bishop's
Rock, one killed.
_Puffinus ------?_, "Large Shearwater."--September 14th, Bishop's Rock,
"twenty Large Shearwaters during the day--not Manx Shearwaters."
_Colymbus glacialis_, L., Great Northern Diver.--December 21st, Hurst
Point, two injured against lantern in the early morning.
_Colymbus arcticus_, L., Black-throated Diver.--December 29th, Solway.
_Lomvia troile_ (L.), Guillemot.--Autumn: October 28th and 30th,
Longships, Guillemots and Puffins moving S. all the morning.
_Uria grylle_ (L.), Black Guillemot.--September 28th, Solway, a single
bird observed.
_Fratercula arctica_ (L.), Puffin.--Spring: March 3d, Bishop's Rock,
appeared. April 3d, Caldy, first appeared.
Autumn: October 16th, 25th, 28th, and 30th, and November 2d, Longships,
moving S.
Summary and General Remarks.
The Report for the West Coast of England and Wales, and the Isle of
Man, refers to the seasonal movements during 1886 of 104 species.
The first vernal migratory movement occurred on the 24th of March,
and was sustained until the 26th. During this interval _Phylloscopus
trochilus_, _Saxicola œnanthe_, _Pratincola rubicola_, and _Hirundo
rustica_, along with _Turdus iliacus_, _T. pilaris_, _Scolopax
rusticula_, and also _Turdus musicus_, _T. merula_, and _Alauda
arvensis_, were observed--all at the lanterns, save _Hirundo rustica_,
which occurred during the daytime. The weather prior to this
initiatory migration had been severe and unsettled, and the movement
was concurrent with the temporary prevalence of favourable conditions
(_see_ p. 82) over our Islands.
The spring immigrants flowed in gently at intervals during April and
early May. The only rush recorded was on the 23d of April, when many
Wheatears, Warblers, and "Flycatchers" occurred--the movement being
especially pronounced at the Nash and the Eddystone; minor barometric
depressions and low temperature, the wind being N.E., had prevailed
prior to the 23d, on which day more favourable conditions set in,
producing moderate southerly and south-easterly gales, and a rise in
the temperature. The immigration of summer visitors extended until the
10th and 11th of May, when _Phylloscopus trochilus_, _Acrocephalus
phragmitis_, and _Sylvia cinerea_ were killed, and _Cypselus apus_
observed at Langness. Of the transvolant spring migrants, _Numenius
phæopus_ was noticed at Langness on the 16th of May.
August.--The autumnal movements commenced with an emigration of
_Cuculus canorus_, _Cypselus apus_, and _Phylloscopus trochilus_,
several of which were killed at the Nash lantern on the 1st of August.
This was followed by movements of _Phylloscopus rufa_, _Turdus
torquatus_, _Sylvia cinerea_, _Saxicola œnanthe_, _Anthus trivialis_,
_Motacilla rayi_, _Cotile riparia_, and _Cypselus apus_, extending from
August the 3d to the 9th, and chiefly observed at southerly stations.
On the night of the 22d there was a great rush of birds at the Nash,
when some hundreds of _Acrocephalus phragmitis_, _Sylvia cinerea_, and
many _Saxicola œnanthe_ were flying around the lantern from 9 to 10.30
P.M., twenty-nine being killed. Emigrating summer visitors were also
observed on the 23d, 27th, and 31st of the month.
September.--On the 3d there was a decided rush of birds at the Nash, on
which Mr Nicholas remarks as follows:--"There was an enormous arrival
of small birds, the greatest number ever seen here at any one time."
This singular movement lasted from 2.10 A.M. to 3.15 A.M., or a little
over an hour, during which brief interval unfortunate individuals of
the following species perished at the lantern:--_Caprimulgus europæus_,
_Emberiza miliaria_, _Sylvia cinerea_, _Phylloscopus trochilus_,
_Cuculus canoras_, _Passer domesticus_, _Erithacus rubecula_, _Saxicola
œnanthe_, and _Turdus merula_.[16] A general emigration of summer
birds on the 23d and 24th, when a very decided fall of temperature was
recorded, was the only other movement during the month.
[Footnote 16: For further particulars of this interesting movement,
_see_ p. 88.]
October.--There were important migrations of summer birds and partial
migrants on the 3d, 4th, and 5th, commencing simultaneously with the
passing away of adverse meteorological conditions (_see_ p. 91).
Afterwards the records indicate a complete blank until the 18th, up
to which day the weather was exceedingly unsettled, with strong winds
and gales. From the 18th to the 31st, conditions were quieter, with
north-easterly, easterly, and south-easterly winds, and under what
may be termed mildly unfavourable conditions (_see_ pp. 94 and 96),
a steady and unbroken flow of migrants was kept up; during which the
winter visitors first appeared at the stations, where, also, the
departing summer birds put in a final appearance for the season.
November.--The only movement during the month took the form of rush,
and extended from the 22d to 27th. This was, doubtless, occasioned by
the outburst and prevalence of low temperature (_see_ Meteorological
conditions, p. 100) then experienced in our Islands, causing
birds--_Turdinæ_, _Alauda arvensis_, _Vanellus vulgaris_, _Scolopax
rusticula_, _Gallinago cœlestis_, _Numenius arquatus_, and a few
_Regulus cristatus_,--which would otherwise have been contented to
remain with us, to seek more genial winter quarters.
The returns for this section of the coast again bear out the opinions
expressed in former reports,--_First_, That the main body of the
autumnal migrants reach the west coast of Wales and the south-west
coast of England--and probably Ireland, too--by way of the Isle of
Man; the north-western coast of England only receiving a comparatively
small share in these movements; _Second_, That emigrants from Ireland,
and other birds migrating _viâ_ Irish routes, strike the British
coast at the mouth of the Bristol Channel, along whose north shore it
is believed many pass. It seems probable, however, from a careful
examination of the records, that the right wing at least of these Irish
migrants extends as far south as the Land's-End stations, and those
from Land's-End to Start Point. This is made evident by the several
independent--if they may be so termed--and important movements which
are recorded in the diary, for this portion of the coast alone, under
the following dates; August 22d, September 3d, and October 24th, 25th,
and 26th, and which not only indicate the route followed, but also its
origin (Ireland), by reason of the circumscribed area affected.
_Corvus cornix_, _Plectrophanes nivalis_, _Asio accipitrinus_,
_Bernicla brenta_, _Fringilla montifringilla_, and _Passer montanus_
are again absent, or very rarely mentioned in the returns; while
_Scolopax rusticula_ and _Regulus cristatus_ were not at all frequent
during the season under consideration.
Among the rarer or more interesting species observed may be mentioned
_Agelæus phœniceus_, _Ruticilla titys_, _Procellaria leucorrhoa_,
_Stercorarius catarrhactes_, _Anas streperus_, and _Pandion haliaëtus_.
_Gallinula chloropus_, _Pica caudata_, _Gecinus viridis_, and _Emberiza
miliaria_ (many of which occurred at the Nash on September 3d) may be
mentioned as somewhat unusual migrants.
In conclusion, the writer would suggest to his colleagues the
desirability of making an united report, instead of treating it by
sections. This, it is thought, might readily be done, if the diary form
were adopted, by giving under a common date-heading the information
for the various coasts for that particular day; in which case the
information for the East Coast of Scotland might lead, followed by
the east of England, then the West Coast of Scotland, the coasts of
Ireland, and finally the West Coast of England. By adopting such a
readily feasible plan the significance and importance of each movement,
the area covered by it, and the species participating in it, would be
ascertained at a glance; while under the present arrangement, to obtain
such very desirable and simple information, reference is necessary to
no less than five separate reports.
Wm. Eagle Clarke.
==============
The legs and wings referred to the Reed Warbler in the Irish Report are
reserved for further examination.
==============
IRISH COAST.
The number of stations returning schedules shows a slight falling off
since last year; but this is compensated for by some light-keepers, who
take a greater interest in the subject, sending three, four, and even
five schedules. A column has been added to the list of lighthouses,
showing the number of schedules received from each station.
Mine Head, Tuskar, Rockabill, and Innishtrahull are foremost in number;
but good schedules have been received from the Fastnet, Coningbeg,
Eagle Island (East), and Blackrock (Mayo), and a few other localities.
The marked feature of 1886 has been the number of legs and wings
forwarded--numbering about one hundred--cut from birds killed striking
the lanterns. In some cases specimens were received in the flesh; and
it is to be hoped that in all cases of rare birds this will be done in
future. Generally speaking, the legs and wings can be identified with
certainty, and they have been all carefully preserved for reference.
Any doubts which may exist about a species will be removed if the
light-keepers send a leg and wing of every bird killed striking, with
the schedule, in the envelopes provided for this purpose.
The stations sending most specimens were the Tuskar, Rockabill,
and Mine Head; but they were also received from eleven others. The
rarities received were numerous. Mr Thomas Fortune sent the second
Irish specimen of the Wryneck from Arran Island, N., Co. Galway, killed
striking at 2 A.M. on October 6th. The first specimen was shot at
Dunmore, Co. Waterford, October 5th, 1877. From Mr Francis Ryan, of
the Tearaght, Co. Kerry, only four wings and legs were received; but
two of these proved rarities, one belonging to the Pied Flycatcher,
caught at lantern September 21st, and the other to the Reed Warbler,
found dead October 4th. Both species had only once before been recorded
from Ireland. The Pied Flycatcher occurred at Ballina, Co. Mayo, in
April 1875. The Reed Warbler is said to have been shot near Dublin
on December 21st, 1843, but no specimen exists. Another leg and wing
of the Pied Flycatcher, killed striking October 5th, was sent by Mr
George Dunleavy from the Fastnet, Co. Cork. From Coningbeg light-ship,
Co. Wexford, a leg and wing of the Reed Warbler was forwarded by Mr
Patrick Cullen and Mr William Clydesdale. It was killed striking
October 4th, the same date as the Tearaght specimen.
These three species--Wryneck, Pied Flycatcher, and Reed Warbler--are
examples of birds which breed in Great Britain, and have only been
met with in Ireland during the autumnal migration, except the Pied
Flycatcher, which once occurred in April. All the birds were observed
on the south or west coasts.
Taking the other legs and wings in order. The Missel Thrush was sent
from the Tuskar, being the only specimen yet received. A male and
female Redstart were sent from Rockabill, Co. Dublin, by Mr Joseph
Hammond, having been obtained on April 24th and May 9th respectively.
The Redstart has quite recently been discovered to breed in Ireland,
at Powerscourt, Co. Wicklow. The Black Redstart was received from
the Fastnet, Co. Cork, found dead October 30th. It is recorded at
four other stations on the south coast. Its regular occurrence in the
south and east of Ireland has been established by this inquiry. On
July 10th a "Blackstart" is reported at Rockabill, Co. Dublin; but no
specimen having been sent, this unusual date requires confirmation.
The Whinchat, which is in Ireland a local bird, was killed striking
Coningbeg lantern on May 7th. Several Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats
were received from Rockabill, the Tuskar, and other stations. A
rush took place on May 9th. These Warblers were not previously
recognised--"Tits," "Wrens," "Flycatchers," and "Sally-pickers" doing
duty for them, and other allied species. The Grasshopper Warbler (rare
and local in Ireland) was obtained at the Tuskar, having been correctly
identified by Mr Richard Hamilton, from a copy of Morris' "British
Birds" supplied to that station by the Irish Lights Board. The Blackcap
was killed striking on Eagle Island, off Mayo, as late as October 31st,
the leg, wing, and head being forwarded by Mr Daniel Hawkins. A fine
old male Yellow Wagtail (_Motacilla Raii_) was killed at the Tuskar
on May 3d. It is rare and local in Ireland, occurring on the east and
south coasts. The wing and leg of a Skylark, caught striking at Mine
Head on 26th February, was of a much paler colour, and had shorter
toes than the ordinary form. A very large leg and wing of a Skylark
was received from Arklow South light-ship, killed October 28th. The
October immigration of the Chaffinch was evidenced by the production
of legs and wings, and extended to the lighthouses, several miles from
land, off the west of Ireland. A Turtle Dove was received from the
Tuskar in May, and some entries of "Doves" in the autumn, which have
been placed under the heading "Pigeons," are perhaps referable to this
species. The repeated occurrence of the Corncrake, several miles from
shore--killed striking against lanterns between 100 and 200 feet above
the sea-level--must satisfy the sceptical that this bird can fly long
distances and at a high level with great power and velocity. The Water
Rail, which seems so unwilling to fly, was received from the Fastnet
and Tuskar, and the Water Hen from Rathlin O'Birne, both having been
killed striking on 26th and 28th October. The first two stations are
seven or eight miles from the nearest land, and the last, two miles.
The Water Hen is stated by Mr Macginley of Rathlin O'Birne to have
struck "with tremendous force" at 11.30 P.M. This lantern is 116 feet
over sea.
The words "Sand Larks," and "Sea Larks," so vague, and signifying
almost any of the smaller Sandpipers, is now better understood by the
production of legs and wings--those of the Curlew Sandpiper, Purple
Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, and Turnstone having been sent. A leg and
wing of the Fork-tailed Petrel was forwarded from Eagle Island, W., off
Mayo, caught at lantern in second week of October.
An egg of this species is recorded to have been found on the Tearaght,
Co. Kerry (_Zoologist_, 1886, p. 367). Most of the legs and wings
were obtained at the autumnal migration. The autumn rush of Thrushes,
Starlings, Blackbirds, and Larks took place October 20th to 28th,
on the E. and S.E. coasts, there being little evidence of it on the
W. coast. From 27th February to 1st March another great movement
took place on the S.E. coast, and again about March 27th. At the
N.W. stations a great rush of Fieldfares, Blackbirds, Thrushes, and
Starlings occurred December 17th and 24th, under the influence of a
sudden pinch of cold. The Fieldfares were noticed in great numbers
at Innishtrahull, a rocky islet six miles north of Donegal. Mr M. S.
Kennedy "never saw the like." There was snow, with a very strong wind.
At Rathlin O'Birne (West Donegal) immense flocks of birds--Starlings,
Thrushes, and Fieldfares--passed west December 18th to 23d. The nearest
land to the west of this rocky island is America, and one is puzzled
to know where the birds were going; but this is not an isolated
occurrence--the westerly flight of land birds at stations off the west
coast of Ireland has been noticed on other occasions. The movement is
apparently as reckless as that of the Lemmings. The Ring Ouzel is again
stated to have been seen in the winter (January 15th) at Mine Head. It
is strange that not a single leg and wing of the Grey Linnet, or the
Twite (birds, doubtless, included under the name of "Linnets"), has
yet been received. They seem rarely to strike. There are two or three
instances of the Golden Plover having been killed striking in 1886.
The "Cream-coloured" Gulls seen off Blackrock, Mayo, November 5th, and
also seen in August 1881, April and May 1882, and October 11th, 1884
(see Report, 1884, p. 181), were probably Iceland Gulls. The Gannet is
well known to every light-keeper, and its movements are not likely to
be confounded with any other bird. The entries, therefore, under it may
be examined with confidence. Species which are ill-defined, or named
with doubtful accuracy in the Report, are put in in inverted commas. In
Ireland birds are far less numerous than in Great Britain, and their
movements are less distinctly marked. Few entries have, therefore, been
omitted, for their value cannot be estimated until a number of Reports
have been compared. It is proposed next year to analyse all the Irish
observations.
To all the light-keepers forwarding schedules our best thanks are
due; to those sending legs and wings, and specimens in the flesh, we
are under still further obligations. The interest evinced when three,
four, and five schedules are filled with careful notes, shows the
desire to further knowledge for its own sake, and speaks well for the
intelligence of such observers. The Commissioners of Irish Lights,
and their secretary, Mr Owen Armstrong, continue to give us their
very necessary assistance; and Captain Boxer, E.N., in his frequent
visits to the lighthouses, is ever ready to further the objects of this
inquiry.
Richard M. Barrington.
Alexander G. More.
List of Light-Stations.
Miles
Sched. from Names of
Filled. Au. Sp. Shore. Observers.