occupies the most prominent position in the reports. It is noticed
both north and south of the Humber at seventeen stations:--the
Longstone, Coquet Island, Teesmouth, Outer Dowsing, Inner
Dowsing, Leman and Ower, Cromer, Newarp, Cockle, Galloper,
Kentish Knock, Nore, North Foreland, Goodwin, Gull-stream,
East-side, and South-sand Head. Enormous numbers passed the
southern stations in October, November and December. Sometimes
in separate flocks, sometimes mixed with other birds. They
crossed at all hours of the day and night, and in all winds and
weather. Earliest recorded, Cromer, June 10th, 2 a.m., "quantity";
the Newarp, 7 a.m., on July 4th, going E. to W.; these were
young birds.[13] Leaving out the earliest dates as referring to the
migration of the young, we find that the regular immigration
on to our east coast commenced on Sept. 22nd, when four were
killed against the lantern of the Longstone at 3 a.m., to Dec. 16th
at the Leman and Ower--eighty-six days; migration E. to W. The
Starling, like the Lark, appears to have a particular facility for
immolating itself against the lanterns. At the Leman and Ower
large nmnbers of Starlings, along with Larks and Chaffinches, were
taken in October; at the Galloper (see Sky Lark); also at the
North Foreland, and many other instances too numerous to
mention. At Heligoland this year there have been no young
Starlings during July; Mr. Gätke says he may perhaps have seen
a hundred, and this is all.
[Footnote 13: This bears out Mr. Gätke's observation in a letter
dated Heligoland, 1879, when he says, "Hundreds of thousands of young
Starlings from end of June to end of July. Hundreds of thousands of
old birds during October, November, and later; young and old strictly
divided in their migrations."]
Hooded Crow, _Corvus cornix_; Rook, _C. frugilegus_; Daw, _C.
monedula_.--The migration of Rooks is not noted on the English coast
north of the Humber; south of this they were noticed at nearly every
station as either Rooks or "Black Crows," to distinguish them from
the Hoodie or Grey Crow. Immense numbers of both Rooks and Grey Crows
crossed on Oct. 16th from daylight to dark, travelling from E. to
W. Noticeably at the Inner Dowsing, on Oct. 16th, large number of
Crowds, from N.E. to W.; at Hunstanton, on the 17th, Hooded Crowds and
Rooks all day; at the Newarp, on the 16th; at the Cockle, the same
day "height of rush," Crows and Rooks, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., going W.,
and again on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th, large numbers of Crows, Rooks,
Starlings and Larks, from daylight to dark, passing W.; again on Nov.
8th, large flocks of Crows. At the Corton, on Oct. 16th and 22nd,
continuous flocks of Crows, Daws and Larks all day, E. to W., also
Nov. 8th and 11th and Dec. 27th. At the Shipwash, Oct. 15th and 16th,
constant on 15th, till 12 a.m.; on 16th, 9 a.m. to 3.20 p.m., from
S.S.E. to N.N.W. At the Goodwin, Oct. 15th to 21st, Crows "in shoals."
At the South-sand Head, Oct. 16th, Rooks, 9.30 a.m., going W.N.W. and
N.W.; and seven other stations. In the returns it is impossible in
many cases, under the general entry of "Crows," to separate the Hooded
Crow from the Rook. It appears, however, that immense numbers of the
_Corvidæ_ crossed the North Sea; Rooks at stations south of the Humber,
and Hooded Crows at both northern and southern stations from Oct.
15th to Nov. 19th. Both Rooks and Hooded Crows appear to have started
simultaneously on Oct. 15th, and passed across the North Sea from E. to
W. in almost continuous flocks on the 16th and 17th; and after these
dates in more scattered detachments, less and less to Nov. 19th. And
again during the latter, part of December; the last entry is on Dec.
27th at the Corton, Crows passing E. and W. in afternoon and Larks
in hundreds. Daws are only mentioned at two stations; the Corton on
Oct. 10th and 2:2nd, continuous flocks of Daws and Crows all day; also
at the Shipwash on the 16th. At the Inner Dowsing on Oct. 22nd four
Crows remained all night on globe above the lantern, and five took up
their position in the same quarter on the night of Nov. 8th, leaving at
daylight for the Lincolnshire coast. The wind on the North Sea on Oct.
16th was N. to N.E., force 4 to 7.
Cuckoo, _Cuculus canorus_.--On Sept. 17th, 10 p.m., at the North
Foreland, wind E., overcast, misty a Cuckoo struck the south side of
the lantern, but was not killed.
Swallow, _Hirundo rustica_.--The spring migration was noticed at two
stations--the Cockle, June 8th, 9.20 a.m., five Swallows passed towards
land; also on July 1st at 4.30 a.m., ten passing to W.S.W.; at the
South-sand Head, July 6th, twenty at 3.30 a.m., flying towards N.N.W.
The autumn migration was observed at several stations both north and
south of the Humber. At Coquet Island, Aug. 15th, midnight, S.E.,
three Swallows struck glass of lantern, but were not killed; on the
20th great numbers were seen flying about, two striking glass after
dark, but were not killed. At Whitby, on Oct. 4th, 9.30 a.m., flock
going south. At Hunstanton, on Sept. 10th, 2 p.m., a flock alighted
on lantern and gallery; and on Oct. 12th, 3 p.m., fog, twelve came up
to light and dispersed in various directions. At the North Foreland,
on Sept. 9th, 10th and 11th, about forty passed each day; and on the
21st, about one hundred flew round the lantern top for an hour. At
the South-sand Head on Sept. 28th, twelve. Swallows passed. Migration
extending from Aug. 15th to Oct. 12th--fifty-nine days.
Swift, _Cypselus apus_.--The autumn migration of Swifts, so remarkable
in 1879 for the great numbers seen at various places on the north-east
coast (see Zool. Jan. 1880, p. 8), was observed at only two stations.
At Teesmouth, great numbers flying about during the last three days of
August. At the Nore, on Aug. 1st and 2nd, between 6 and 7 a.m., and
again on the 20th; last on Oct. 10th, 9 a.m., Swifts mixed with Larks.
At Heligoland, Martins and Swifts, "rather great numbers during August;
particularly noted on the 10th, wind S.E., Swifts a great many; on the
20th, the same."
Charadriidæ.--The burst of severe weather during the early days in
December brought an immense influx of Plovers to our east coast from
the north; large flocks are noticed at this time at the more northern
stations, more particularly at Coquet Island on Nov. 26th and Dec.
6th, northerly and westerly winds, force from 6 to 8. There is only
one notice south of the Humber, and this early in the season. At the
Shipwash, Oct. 12th, flock of thirty Lapwings, going westward.
Woodcock, _Scolopax rusticola_.--Was observed at the Farn Islands, Oct.
22nd, 30th (great flight), Nov. 1st, Dec. 2nd, N.E. to N.N.E. At Coquet
Island, Sept. 29th, S.W., strong, one; and Oct. 24th, also one; about
noon on both days. At Teesmouth, Nov. 2nd, three at daylight. At the
Outer Dowsing, a station more than fifty miles from the nearest land,
on Dec. 12th, two flying W. At Heligoland, Oct. 30th, N.N.W., early at
dawn, great many Woodcocks; about 100 killed. Great numbers were shot
on the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coast on the morning of Oct. 31st,
sixty at Spurn Point alone; wind very fresh from N.E. on the previous
night with drizzly rain. The migration of Woodcocks extended from Sept.
29th at Coquet Island to Dec. 12th at the Outer Dowsing--seventy-five
days. The "great flight," at Heligoland on the morning of Oct. 30th;
east coast of England, on the night of the 30th.
Snipe, _Gallinago media_.--At the Longstone, Sept. 17th, 2.30 a.m.,
misty, one struck the lantern and was killed. At the Farn Islands, on
Dec. 2nd, 10th and 19th. At the North Foreland, on Nov. 14th, 1.30
a.m., N., moderate gale, and again on the 21st, at 5 a.m., snow.
Snipe were killed. Very large numbers arrived in Holderness and North
Lincolnshire, from the middle to the end of November, just preceding
the outbreak of severe weather in December. They left the district
again, almost to a bird, before the middle of the month.
Curlew, _Numenius arquatus_.--Curlews were in large flocks at Teesmouth
on Sept. 27th. At the Inner Dowsing, Sept. 1st, three going from N.E.
to S.W. At Hunstanton, on Oct. 13th, 4 a.m., fog, one struck glass of
lantern and was taken. At the South-sand Head, Aug. 13th to 29th, large
flocks, 100 to 200 in a flock, going S. and S.W. The Curlew migrates
early in the autumn, Aug. 13th to Sept. 29th. Most of these entries
will probably refer to young birds, the old Curlews coming later in
October and November. At Heligoland, Oct. 30th, many passed over.
Anatidæ.--Between Dec. 4th and 20th Swans passed the Teesmouth from
N. to S. in some numbers; on the 4th, six; the 8th, five (four old and
one young); 14th, nine (eight old and one young); 15th, forty-three;
16th, three; 18th, two; the 20th, ten at 10 a.m., and ninety-five at 11
a.m. On the 18th a flock of thirty was seen near Spurn, one old white
bird acting as pilot, the remainder all young, in the brown plumage.
Two Bewick's Swans were shot on the Humber on the 8th. Four passed the
Kentish Knock, on Dec. 4th, 2.15 p.m., N.E. to S.W. Two Swans, which
may have been "escaped birds" from some private waters, passed the
Teesmouth on Sept. 30th, 10 a.m., flying S.E. Geese were observed at
several stations both north and south of the Humber, going south from
Aug. 18th to Dec. 13th, the main body passing south during the last
half of November and in December. Brent or "Black Geese" are noted at
the Corton, going south, July 18th, twelve; July 30th, two flocks of
from thirty to forty; on Sept. 17th, thirty. These are very early dates
for Brent Geese,[14] Mr. Cotton, the observer, might have possibly been
led into an error by passing flocks of black Scoters. As, however,
"black ducks" are frequently mentioned in his return, this could hardly
be the case, and he appears very well able to discriminate between the
two. At the Corton, Dec. 4th, hundreds of black geese from N.E. to
S.W. from sunrise to noon--_i.e._, towards the mouth of the Thames or
Essex coast. As might have been expected, large flocks of Ducks are
constantly noted, so frequently indeed, as to defy repetition; this is
more particularly the case in the returns from the lightships. They are
noted sometimes flying S., from the land or to the land, and in fact in
every direction. Many of these would be local flocks going to and from
their feeding grounds. Immense numbers, however, coming from the north,
passed along the coast in November and December. At Coquet Island,
on Dec. 14th, 3 a.m., N.W., blowing a gale, two Eider Ducks (spelt
phonetically, "Ida" in the report) struck lantern and one was killed.
[Footnote 14: Major C. Russell, writing from Essex, says, "The earliest
occurrence of Brent Geese on our coast I ever remember hearing of was
Sept. 29th, when many years ago one of our coast gunners, still living,
killed ten at a shot."]
Red-throated Diver, _Colymbus septentrionalis_.--Red-throated
Divers and Mergansers are mentioned in the report from Teesmouth
during November. With regard to the first of these, Mr. Gätke sends
the following curious note, dated Dec. 22nd, 1879:--"_Colymbus
septentrionalis_, almost by the million. During the last forty years
there have never, during a single autumn, been a fiftieth part of what
we see here now every day--all passing along, principally during the
forenoon, east of the island in an E. by N. direction, which I think
they continue till coming to the Holstein coast, then strike off in a
northerly course up to the extreme north of Jutland, and from thence
cross over to the Dutch coast, perhaps next morning to renew the trip.
There are constantly so many that one scarcely can believe them always
to be fresh birds."
Procellaridæ.--At the Longstone, on Sept. 18th, at 3 a.m., two Petrels
were caught against the lantern-windows. At Coquet Island, on Nov. 4th,
3 a.m., one killed against the lantern. At the Goodwin, Oct. 11th, five
were seen with many Larks and Starlings round the lantern at night.
Greater numbers of Procellaria glacialis have been seen off Heligoland
during the autumn than has been the case for the last twenty years.
* * * * *
Independent of the notes of each species, as already given,
numerous flocks of small birds were seen passing the stations, but
too far distant to determine the species. This was specially the
case at the Spurn, on Dec. 3rd and 8th; at the Cockle, on Oct. 9th;
and at the South-sand Head, on Sept. 20th. At the Kentish Knock,
on Nov. 20th, half-a-dozen small birds came on board at midnight,
which, from the written description in the margin, were probably
Greenfinches. It is, however, impossible to give even a guess at
another species which visited another lightvessel on Sept. 20th,
"Fifty very small birds--in fact, the smallest of British birds--like
a Sky Lark, but a deal smaller." From the date, they may
have been either Titlarks or Flycatchers.
No rare migrants have been noticed, but this was scarcely to be
expected. In this respect the budget of notes supplied by that veteran
ornithologist Herr Gätke bears a striking contrast to our east coast
reports. On that small island, so favourably situated for observation,
Mr. Gätke has trained up quite a host of practical observers, and any
rare visitant will have to be very sharp if it succeeds in escaping
detection. Quoting from Mr. Gätke's letter dated Dec. 22nd, we have,
on Sept. 17th, _Sylvia fuscata_, though not got; _Anthus Richardi_
on the 18th; _A. cervinus_ on the 20th; _Picus leuconotus_ on the
21st; then some days S.W. with rain and no birds; 26th, calm and
clear, _Emberiza pusilla_; 27th, E.N.E., _Anthus Richardi_, _Emberiza
pusilla_ (two shot), _E. aureola_ (seen); 28th, _E. pusilla_ (two
seen), _E. rustica_ (one shot); 29th, _Sylvia superciliosus_ (one);
30th, _Emberiza pusilla_ (one); Oct. 1st, _E. pusilla_ (one); Nov. 2nd,
3rd and 4th, westerly winds and nothing, but daily some _Parus ater_;
on the 5th, again, _Anthus cervinus_ (seen and heard); northerly winds,
sometimes N.E. on the 8th, a Leaf Warbler seen at close quarters, but
not procured by Aeuckens, the Heligoland birdstuffer, which Mr. Gätke
feels tolerably certain was a very rare visitant; the same day there
were two or three _E. rustica_, and one each of _A. pusilla_ and _A.
cervinus_. The rare Leaf Warbler was again seen on the 9th, but could
not be obtained; an _Emberiza rustica_ was also seen. On the 10th, _E.
pusilla_ shot and _E. rustica_ seen. On the 12th, _Muscicapa parva_
and _Motacilla lugubris_, which latter comes there rarely in autumn.
On the 14th, _Sylvia superciliosus_ was shot by Mr. Gätke's eldest
son, and two more were seen by Aeuckens in a garden where shooting was
not permitted. On the 18th, one very fine _E. pusilla_ shot. On the
20th _Lestris affinis_ was seen close by, but not shot, as it would
have fallen in the sea and drifted away. This is the third, if not the
fourth, known occurrence of the Siberian Herring Gull at Heligoland. On
the 24th a large Redpoll was shot, which Mr. Gätke thinks can only be
the Greenland bird, _Linota Hornemanni_.
A summary of the various returns show that four species, Larks,
Starlings, Rooks and Hooded Crows, in the order given respectively, far
outnumber any other, and of these four the Lark far exceeds the rest
in migratory numbers. As a rule, the lines of migration followed have
been from E. to W., or S.E. to N.W. direct on to the English coast. To
the middle of October we find birds rarely coming from points north of
east; after this date they appear to come occasionally from directions
north of east, between east and due north. The line of migration of
the _Anatidæ_ has been from north to south, crossing the line of the
_Insessores_ at right angles.
There is one remarkable exception to the general rule of an east to
west route in the case of the lightvessel on the Galloper Bank, forty
miles S.S.E. of Orfordness. All entries in this return show birds
passing to the E. or S.S.E. or S.E. during October. We can only account
for this anomalous line by supposing the birds which cross the Galloper
have previously struck the English coast at some higher latitude,
and after skirting the coast line shot off again somewhere near
Orfordness and crossed the North Sea to the Belgian and French coasts
between Nieuport and Dunkerque. On Nov. 24th a great quantity of Larks
and Starlings passed the Galloper towards the N.N.E, a line which if
persevered in would eventually bring them to the Dutch coast.
At the East-side from the 2nd to the 5th of November flocks of "Crows"
were observed passing from the S. to the N., or from the French to
the Suffolk coast. The great body of the immigrants during 1879 have
crossed at the more southern stations, the four lightships on the
Goodwin Sands, also the Nore, the Shipwash and Kentish Knock showing a
constant and continuous stream on to the south-east coast. These birds
would all cross at the narrowest part of the North Sea directly from E.
to W. to the English coast. The long prevalence of north-westerly winds
in October and November may to a great extent have deflected the lines
of migration much farther to the south than is generally the case.
Migrants have passed the stations at all hours of the day and night,
flying at no great altitude and in almost all winds and weather. When
the nights are dark and cloudy, no stars appearing, in rain, fogs and
snowstorms, flocks of birds during the night migrations will crowd
round the lanterns of the lightships; many strike the glass and are
killed, falling on deck or pitching overboard. On these nights birds
will often remain for hours in the vicinity of a light, circling round
and round, evidently having lost their way; at the first break in the
clouds, the stars becoming visible, or the first streak of early dawn,
they will resume their flight to the nearest land.
The "great rush" of immigrants was from the 12th to the 23rd of
October. The "final rush" took place just preceding and during the
first burst of winter, early in December.
The occurrences when birds travel dead to windward are very rare
indeed, and then only with light winds. In the great majority of cases
birds migrate flying within two to four points of the wind, sometimes
with a "beam" wind, or even a point or two "abaft of beam." If the wind
changes during the actual passage, birds will change the direction of
their flight to suit the wind. Thus at the Shipwash, on Oct. 16th, from
9.50 a.m. to 1.20 p.m. the wind was N.N.W., flocks constantly passing
from S.E. to N.W. from 1.20 to 3.20 p.m. the wind blew from N.N.E., and
the birds passed S.S.E. to N.N.W. If subsequent observations should
prove the correctness of this rule, it will go far to account for all
the irregularities of migration--the "why" birds are seen in great
numbers in one year in any locality, and perhaps absent altogether in
following seasons.
Subsequent to the writing of this report I have received several
communications showing a large and very remarkable influx of immigrants
on to the east coast of England in January and the first fortnight in
February, 1880. On Jan. 24th great numbers of Fieldfares were seen near
Spurn Point, between Easington and Kilnsea, and since this date they
are reported as very numerous in the locality; with the Fieldfares
came many fine old cock Blackbirds. In North-East Lincolnshire, also,
during the last fortnight in January I saw many very large flocks of
Fieldfares, apparently entirely composed of old birds; before this time
scarcely any had been seen. Mr. Gätke writes from Heligoland:--"_T.
pilaris_ all January, through night from 10th to 11th, great many;
also Oystercatchers and other waders coming from the E; also from
21st to 24th, the same." These dates agree very well with the time
of their arrival on our east coast. Short-eared Owls arrived in some
numbers at Spurn in the last week in January. A very large flock of
Snow Buntings was seen on the 8th February. On the Lincolnshire side I
noticed an immense flock of the same species, fresh arrivals, on the
5th; and on the 11th thousands, also hundreds of Larks. This final and
third "rush" of immigrants so late in the winter is curious, and may
perthaps be explained by the comparatively milder winter over Northern
Europe, compared with what we have experienced in the central and
southern zones of Europe. We have indeed a recent precedent for this in
the winter of 1877-78, when, after a long continuance of mild weather
in Scandinavia, a sharp and sudden outburst of real winter drove the
Fieldfares, as Mr. Gätke says, over Heligoland, on the night from the
27th to 28th January, in "countless flights."
_WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND._
Printed forms of enquiry and letters of instruction were forwarded to
thirty-eight lighthouses on the west coast of Scotland and the Isles.
Twenty-four stations have sent in returns, and fourteen have either
sent none, or have returned blank forms, owing to the scarcity of
birds. The stations from which co-operation was asked are as follows,
commencing with the most northerly and those from which returns have
been received are marked with a *:--
*Cape Wrath, Sutherland; white and red alt., rev. every minute.
J. M'Gill.
*Rhu Stoir, W. Cromarty; white, interval 1 minute. William Wither.
*Butt of Lewis, Lewis; white, fixed. George Edgar.
Stornoway, Lewis; 2 lights, white, rev. ½ m., & white, fixed. R. Murray.
*Island Glass, Harris; white, fixed. William Lines.
Ushenish, North Uist; red, fixed.
*Monach Island; same tower, upp. white fl., low. red, fixed.
J. Youngclause.
Barra Head, Barra; white, interval 2½ minutes.
Rona, Skye; white fl., every 12 seconds. David Dunnett.
Kyleakin, Rosshire; white and red, fixed. David M'Culloch.
*Isle Ornsay, Skye; white, fixed. David Ross.
*Ardnamurchan Point, Argyleshire; white, fixed. David Laidlaw.
*{Hynish, Skerryvore Signal Tower, Tyree; no lights.† William Crow.
{Skerryvore, off Tyree; white, revolving every minute. "
*Dhuheartach, S.W. of Ross of Mull; white, with red sector, fixed.
J. Ewing.
*Sound of Mull, Tobermory; red, green, & white sectors, fixed.
W. M'Lellan.
Corran Ferry, Loch Eil; red and white sectors, fixed. Thomas Tulloch.
Lismore Island, Oban; white, fixed.
*Fladda, Easdale; white, with a red sector, fixed. James Langton.
*Rhuvaal, Islay; white, with red sector, fixed. David Spink.
*M'Arthur's Head, Islay; white and red sectors, fixed. Thos. Sutherland.
*Skervuile, Jura; white, revolving every ½ minute. John Ewing.
*Rhinns of Islay, Islay; white fl. every 5 seconds. Andrew Lyall.
Lochindaul, Islay; white and red sectors, fixed. William Mail.
Mull of Kintyre; white, fixed. James Thompson.
Sanda, Kintyre Sound; red, fixed.
*Devaar, Kintyre; white, revolving every ½ minute. Charles Black.
*Pladda, Arran; 2 lights 8 yards apart, white, fixed. Thomas Grierson.
*Lamlash, Arran; green, fixed. David Waters.
Turnberry, Ayrshire; white fl. every 12 seconds. Charles Black.
*Corsewall, Wigtown; white and red alternate every minute. R. Laidlaw.
*Loch Ryan, Wigtown; white, fixed. Ralph Ewing.
*Portpatrick, Wigtown; white, fixed. James Beggs.
*Mull of Galloway, Wigtown; white, intervals. M. Morrison.
*Little Ross, Kirkcudbright; white fl., every 5 seconds. W. A. Mackay.
Point of Ayr, Isle of Man; white and red alternate every min. J. Blythe.
Douglas Head, Isle of Man; white, fixed. Alexander M'Donald.
Chickens Rock, Isle of Man; white, revolving every ½ minute.
† This station included by mistake, but retained for convenience,
bracketed with the next.
Thanks are due to the various observers for the careful way in which
the schedules have been filled in. Excluding the Natatores, notes have
been taken on about thirty species.
SEPARATE REPORT OF EACH SPECIES OBSERVED.
Hawk.--At Dhuheartach on Oct. 5th, two struck lantern at 8 a.m., light
S.E. wind, and haze; and another on the 8th, at 7 a.m., calm, with fog.
At Mull of Galloway, on July 18th, a Sparrowhawk was killed at 11 p.m.,
S.E., light and calm, thick haze; and one on Aug. 15th, at 1 a.m., wind
variable, light air, fog and haze.
Owl.--I have only two records--one seen at Dhuheartach on May 30th, at
4 p.m., wind N.W., fog; and the other at the same place on Oct. 20th,
at 3 p.m., wind E.S.E., fresh, with haze.