clear.
July 26th, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks all day flying E.
and S.E.; fresh N., haze.
The last two entries appear to me to indicate decision in commencing
the autumn migration.
Aug. 15th, Dunnet Head, rock birds leave about this time.
Aug. 10th, Isle of May, all rock birds left, except a few
Kittiwakes; heavy westerly gale on 9th.
Oct. 23rd, Pentland Skerries, flocks flying E.; strong W., showers.
Nov. 2nd, Pentland Skerries, large flocks, noon, flying S.E. from
S.W. (?).
Nov. 27th, Isle of May, abundant in sea along with Gulls;
"Garvies," _i.e._, _Culpea sprattus_, abundant (J. A. H. B.).
Dec. 20th, Isle of May, large numbers; fresh W., haze.
Dec. 27th, Isle of May, large numbers; S.W., haze.
This completes our data of Guillemots and Razorbills, to which the
whole of the above records refer for 1883; and I think it shows pretty
plainly the life-history of these birds, at least in some important
particulars. A wider appreciation can be arrived at if similar tabular
returns come in from other salient points of observation, such as Isle
of May, Bell Rock, and one or two stations on the east coast; and Cape
Wrath, Butt of Lewis, Monach Isles, and Barra Head on the west coast;
and also for summer migrations, especially such stations as Island
Ghlais, Skerryvore, and Dhuheartach, and others on the inner line of
stations of the west coast.
These data are minutely detailed here this year, because I have felt
more at liberty to do so, owing to the light returns of most of our
land birds, thus having more space than usual at command.
Further remarks, should such occur to us, will appear in the "General
Observations," which I withhold till the close of the West Coast
Report.
EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.
Printed schedules and letters of instruction were forwarded to
thirty-seven lighthouses and light-vessels on the East Coast of
England, and two stations in the Channel Islands, and returns have been
received from twenty-five, against thirty in 1882.
Independent reports have also been received from Heligoland, and
certain land stations along the East Coast, namely, Seaton-Carew,
Redcar, Flamborough, Spurn, North-East Lincolnshire, Wells (on the
Norfolk coast), Northrepps, Great Yarmouth, and the coast of Essex.
Making altogether a total of thirty-five reporting stations, against
thirty-seven in 1882.
Our best thanks are due to H. Gätke, T. H. Nelson, C. Donald-Thompson,
Matthew Bailey, William Eagle Clarke, J. H. Gurney, jun., M. Vaughan,
of Haileybury College, Arthur Patterson, and Colonel Russell, for their
hearty co-operation and assistance, as well as to the numerous kind and
painstaking observers at the lighthouses and light-vessels, whose names
are given in the list of stations. Special thanks are due to Mr. Gurney
for having inaugurated along the Norfolk coast a parallel system of
enquiry, which for a first trial has worked well. In all doubtful cases
of identity, where birds are killed against the lanterns, a wing is cut
off, and with a label of the date attached these have been forwarded
in batches to Mr. Gurney for identification, and with satisfactory
results. We cannot too strongly urge upon our observers the advantages
of this system, and advise them to adopt it; nothing is easier than to
cut off a wing from each victim on any given night, wrap them in paper,
or tie them together, with the dates attached, or numbered on the
cover, and send them in one parcel by post either to myself or to Mr.
Gurney, for identification. It is intended that instructions for doing
this will be given in the next issue of schedules in the spring of this
year.
The East Coast stations included in this report are as follows, those
making returns being marked with a star (*):--
*Longstone L.H. + Thomas O. Hall.
*Inner Farn L.H. Thomas H. Cutting.
*Tees L.V. Henry Harbord.
Coquet Island L.H.
*Whitby High L.H. John Odgers.
*Flamborough Head L.H. Charles Hood.
*Spurn L.H. James B. Smith.
Spurn (Newsand) L.V.
*Outer Dowsing L.V. William Stock & J. N. Utting.
*Inner Dowsing L.V. William King.
Dudgeon L.V.
*Llyn Wells L.V. George Rees.
*Hunstanton L.H. William Westmoreland.
*Cromer L.H. Richard Comben.
*Leman and Ower L.V. John Artis.
*Hasbro' L.H. By Mr. Gurney from G. H. Dunsford.
*Hasbro' L.V. J. Nicholas & B. Darnell.
*Newarp L.V. C. Campbell & W. Rees.
*Winterton L.H. John Watson.
*Cockle L.V. Samuel Pender & C. Prefrement.
Orfordness L.H.
Corton L.V.
*Shipwash L.V. The Principal.
*Languard Point L.H. Owen Boyle.
*Galloper L.V. The Principal: two batches of wings
from Mr. Gurney.
Kentish Knock L.V.
Swin Middle L.V.
*Tongue L.V. John Webber.
Nore L.V.
North Foreland L.H.
Goodwin L.V.
*Gull L.V. Francis Harvey & Joseph Jenkins.
*South Sand Head L.V. Joseph Ditcham.
*Eastside L.V. Edward le Gallais.
South Foreland L.H.
Casquets L.H., Alderney
*Hanois L.H., Guernsey Charles Williams.
† For nature of light, position, and distances from the nearest land,
see Report for 1880.
SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.[5]
[Footnote 5: The sequence and nomenclature are adopted from the
'List of British Birds,' compiled by a Committee of the British
Ornithologists' Union. London: John Van Voorst. 1883.]
_Turdus viscivorus_, Missel Thrush.--Great Yarmouth, Oct. 20th,
hundreds arriving; 23rd, one shot from flock coming in from sea.
Longstone L.H., 30th, several, and at intervals to Nov. 15th, many
being killed between these periods against lantern; on Nov. 4th, great
rush, coming all night. Great Cotes, N.E. Lincolnshire, Nov. 13th, very
numerous, fresh arrivals.
_T. musicus_, Song Thrush.--Spring, 1883, Farn L.H., Jan. 20th to Feb.
1st, Thrushes with Blackbirds and Fieldfares on island, also through
March and at intervals to May 10th, at which date several of each
and one Ring Ouzel were seen. Whitby L.H., March 9th, E.N.E., snow
squalls, many with Fieldfares and other birds apparently moving south.
Flamborough, April 27th, first Thrush struck, and on May 7th four. In
the autumn at Farn, Flamborough and Spurn, Sept. 21st, great flight;
and at the majority of the east coast stations from Farn Islands
to Hanois L.H., Guernsey, up to Nov. 8th; great rushes, with other
_Turdidæ_, Oct. 13th, and all through first week of November. Longstone
L.H., Jan. 2nd, 1884, during the snow-storm before daylight, many,
with Blackbirds and Redwings, round lantern--perhaps a local migration
from north to south.[6] Heligoland, from Sept. 21st, S.S.E., to Nov.
12th; greatest rushes on Sept. 24th, Oct. 13th, 29th, and first week in
November.
[Footnote 6: At the Farn L.H., on Feb. 20th, 1884, and four following
days, numbers of Fieldfares, Thrushes, and Blackbirds were seen on the
island; wind S.S.W.]
_T. iliacus_, Redwing.--Seaton Carew, Sept. 21st, to Hasbro' L.V., Oct.
30th, great many round lantern, and at several stations between these
dates; rushes Sept. 21st, Oct. 29th and 30th. Heligoland, Oct. 3rd to
Nov. 6th; greatest flights on Oct. 13th and Nov. 6th.
_T. pilaris_, Fieldfare.--First at Yarmouth, Sept. 8th, flock of ten
to fifteen, 6 a.m., travelling N.E. to S.W., very high,[7] to Hasbro'
L.V., Nov. 8th, many round lantern, and Nov. 16th, at Farn L.H., four
to S.W. At several stations in large numbers between these dates,
but none south of Yarmouth; rushes occurred on Sept. 21st, Oct. 19th
(Yarmouth, along coast to S.), 28th to 31st, and Nov. 6th to 8th. Inner
Dowsing L.V., Oct. 31st, seven killed, 7 p.m., N.E., and at Longstone
L.H., several on same night. Flamborough L.H., Nov. 9th, 1 a.m. to
daylight, great many; direction of migration N.E. to S.W. and E. to W.
or S.E. to N.W. Heligoland, from Sept. 24th to Nov. 7th; Oct. 28th,
great flight overhead, travelling E. to W.; from night of Oct. 31st to
Nov. 4th an immense migration day and night, on 6th also large numbers
still passing.
[Footnote 7: In the autumn of 1880 Fieldfares were first seen in
Norfolk on Sept. 9th, in 1881 on Sept. 14th, and in 1883 on Sept. 8th.
The earliest occurrence in each case for England.]
_T. varius_, White's Thrush.--Heligoland, April 15th, one all day long
(Sunday) in the churchyard, and was not obtained.
_T. merula_, Blackbird.--First at Redcar, Sept. 18th, a few, to Whitby
L.H., Nov. 11th, several, and at Tees L.V., Nov. 15th, one overboard;
between these dates at a majority of the stations, chiefly those
north of the Humber;[8] the first flights young birds, young cocks
being greatly in excess. On Oct. 19th, at Spurn, flight of old cock
Blackbirds; rushes occurred on Sept. 21st, Oct. 28th to 31st, and Nov.
2nd to 8th. Heligoland, Oct. 11th, some.
[Footnote 8: At Great Cotes, on Nov. 13th, sharp frost on previous
night; the hedgerows in the marsh swarmed with Blackbirds, Missel
Thrushes, Redwings, and Fieldfares; the former were young cocks with a
few old females. There was an average of one Blackbird to each lineal
six feet of hedge.]
_T. torquatus_, Ring Ouzel.--Spring, Hunstanton L.H., April 31st, one
male. Inner Farn L.H. May 10th, one. Flamborough L.H., May 7th, one
very fine old bird struck. Autumn, at several stations between the
Farn Islands and Yarmouth, from Oct. 13th at the former to Nov. 1st at
the Spurn, flock at noon, wind N.N.E., light, and Nov. 2nd and 4th,
Longstone L.H.; the latter dates all night. Cock Ring Ouzels were
tolerably plentiful near the Spurn and Kilnsea during the fourth week
in October; rushes on Oct. 13th and Nov. 1st to 4th. Heligoland, Sept.
30th to Oct. 22nd; on the 20th two old males.
Summary.
Rushes
/---------------------------\
Species. Limit of Migration. Days. Sept. Oct. Nov.
Fieldfare Sept. 8th to Nov. 13th 67 21st 28th to 31st 6th to 8th
Blackbird " 18th to Nov. 15th 59 21st 30th to 31st 2nd to 8th
Common Thrush " 21st to Nov. 8th 49 21st 13th 2nd to 6th
Redwing " 21st to Oct. 30th 40 21st 29th to 30th --
Ring Ouzel Oct. 13th to Nov. 4th 23 -- 13th 1st to 4th
Missel Thrush " 20th to Nov. 15th 27 -- 20th 4th
Heligoland.
Fieldfare Sept. 24th to Nov. 7th 45 24th 28th to 31st to 4th
Blackbird Oct. 11th -- -- -- -- --
Common Thrush Sept. 21st to Nov. 12th 53 24th 13th & 29th first week
Redwing Oct. 3rd to Nov. 6th 35 -- 13th 6th
Ring Ouzel Sept. 30th to Oct. 22nd 23 -- 12th, 13th, 15th --
Missel Thrush -- -- --
Lines of migration, E. to. W., S.E. to N.W., and exceptionally from N.E.
to S.W.
_Saxicola œnanthe_, Wheatear.--Spring, Farn L.H., April 2nd to 24th;
many on 14th. Flamborough, 5th, 1.20 a.m., one struck. Tees L.V., May
10th, twenty going from S.E. to N.W. Autumn, Farn L.H., from July 20th,
2 p.m., N.E., several, to Nov. 7th; Llyn Wells L.V., one struck (wing
sent to Mr. Gurney). In considerable numbers in September and October,
covering the whole coast line; in the former month associated, as
usual, with Redstarts. At the Farn and Longstone lighthouses, Sept.
2nd and 3rd, E., great numbers of both crossing, and on 24th with both
Redstarts and Snow Buntings. Heligoland, Aug. 6th to 7th, a few, S.E.
wind, and on to 20th numerous, all young; 21st to 24th, in astounding
numbers; Sept. 10th, enormous rush, and 11th and 12th, less.
_Pratincola rubetra_, Whinchat.--Heligoland, Aug. 21st, 22nd, and 24th,
great many young birds.
_P. rubicola_, Stonechat.--Spring, Whitby L.H., Feb. 23rd, one. Autumn,
same station, Aug. 8th, many to S. Spurn, Oct. 23rd, many. Stonechats
have frequented the sheep-folds on the turnip-fields in Lincolnshire
throughout the whole of the late mild winter. Heligoland, Oct. 20th,
one young bird; Oct. 11th, S.S.W., _P. rubicola_ (_indica_)? "with
coloration just like a young autumn Whinchat, if not lighter, all the
breast buff or isabell, the rump also."
_Ruticilla phœnicurus_, Redstart.--Spring, Hunstanton L.H., April
13th, 4 a.m., S., one male against lantern. Autumn, same station, Aug.
30th, one male, 1 a.m., against lantern. Numerous between Farn Islands
and Yarmouth in September to the 24th, associated frequently with
Wheatears. Heligoland, Sept. 9th to Oct. 1st; on Sept. 10th enormous
numbers, 14th great many, and 17th to 21st also great many.
_Ruticilla titys_, Black Redstart.--Spurn, Oct. 23rd, one seen (in 1882
at the Spurn, Oct. 29th). Galloper L.V., Oct. 28th, one, young male or
old female (wing to J. H. G.); I have no doubt it occurs regularly as
an autumn immigrant on our east coast, and may be expected about four
weeks later than the Redstart.[9] Heligoland, Oct. 27th, eight or ten.
[Footnote 9: Messrs. Clarke and Roebuck state, in their 'Handbook of
Yorkshire Vertebrata,' p. 19, that "Mr. M. Bailey, of Flamborough,
has frequently observed these birds in spring on their arrival on the
headland, and has known them killed by flying against the light in
thick, foggy weather, with the wind E.N.E. He has also seen them on
their departure in September, and has noticed several in October and
November."]
_Cyanecula suecica_, Red-spotted Bluethroat.--One, coast of
Northumberland late in September; one, Redcar, 21st, on Tees
breakwater; one about same time at the Spurn, but not obtained; ten,
coast of Norfolk, in same month; and about twenty others seen there
by a competent authority, Mr. Power. All obtained were birds of the
year.[10] The gizzard of one of these Norfolk birds which I examined
was crammed with the broken remains of small beetles having a bright
metallic lustre, but the remains were much broken and comminuted.
[Footnote 10: Mr. Gätke says "the other form, _S. leucocyanea_, Brehm,
comes very rarely so far north as Heligoland, and when it turns up
it always does so four to six weeks earlier than the suecica in the
spring."]
_Erithacus rubecula_, Redbreast.--First at the Shipwash L.V., Aug.
13th, large numbers associated with Wrens, to Llyn Wells L.V., Nov.
3rd, one killed; the main migration Sept. 10th to Oct. 14th, covering
the entire coast-line; rushes on Sept. 21st and 30th, Oct. 6th and 7th.
Heligoland, Sept. 24th to Nov. 23rd; rushes on Sept. 24th, and Oct. 3rd
to 7th.[11]
[Footnote 11: At the Spurn, in the autumn, I have seen Redbreasts come
in directly from the sea, passing overhead inland; an a clear bright
day the orange-red of the breast shows very conspicuously.]
_Sylvia cinerea_, Whitethroat.--Hanois L.H. (Guernsey), Nov. 2nd,
E., about lantern all night with Blackcaps. Heligoland, Sept. 10th,
enormous numbers; 11th and 12th, less; Oct. 1st, last.
_S. atricapilla_, Blackcap.--Hanois L.H., as above. Heligoland,
Oct. 11th, one young bird shot in garden. _S. hortensis_, Garden
Warbler.--Sept. 24th, some.
_Regulus cristatus_, Goldcrest.--Spring, Tees L.V., March 29th, one
stayed all night, then to E. Farn L.H., April 2nd, several all day.
Hunstanton L.H., 3rd and 4th, S., against lantern. Newarp L.V., 14th,
three to E. Autumn, Shipwash L.V., Aug. 13th, large numbers; and at
most stations between Sept. 2nd and Nov. 9th; rushes, Sept. 21st,
Oct. 28th to 31st. At the Shipwash L.V., on Oct. 15th, flights passed
westward from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at 6 p.m. fourteen were killed at
lantern; the immigration of Goldcrests has been small compared with the
millions which crossed in the autumn of 1882, the period of migration
eighty-six days, against ninety-two in the preceding year; line E. to
W. Heligoland, Oct. 6th, not many yet; 7th, pretty numerous; 13th and
22nd, some. The Firecrest, _Regulus ignicapillus_.--Oct. 29th, many;
Nov. 2nd, many; 8th, some.
_Phylloscopus superciliosus_, Yellow-barred Warbler. Heligoland, Sept.
17th, N.E., calm and clear, one.
_P. rufus_, Chiffchaff.--Heligoland, Sept. 24th and 30th, some;
October, first seven days; 11th, early, great many and throughout day;
12th and 13th, less.
_P. trochilus_, Willow Warbler.--Aug. 14th, some; 18th, 19th, 20th,
pretty numerous, all young; 21st, 22nd, and 24th, astonishing numbers;
Sept. 9th, some; 10th, enormous numbers; 11th and 12th, less; 24th,
less; Nov. 1st, final rush, marvellous numbers.
_Hypolais pallida._--Heligoland, Sept. 20th, "first specimen got here,"
shot by Ludwig Gätke.
_Accentor modularis_. Hedgesparrow.--Languard Point L.H., March 1st,
12.30 p.m., large flock to E. In the autumn of 1882 there was an
enormous migration across Heligoland and on the East Coast of England;
this last autumn only five or six are recorded from Heligoland, and
none on our east coast.
_Acredula rosea_, British Long-tailed Titmouse.--Yarmouth, Oct. 25th,
about this date several seen, flock of eleven on telegraph wire, and
on the 22nd a furze-bush on the "denes" covered with them.
_Parus major_ and _cæridulus_, Great and Blue Titmouse.--Farn L.H.,
March 8th, two Tits. Flamborough, April 3rd, one struck. Farn L.H.,
Oct. 7th, two struck. Galloper L.V., 13th, one Great Tit (wing to J. H.
G.). Cockle L.V., 14th, both species. Shipwash L.V., 15th, two Great
Titmice (wings to J. H. G.). Spurn, 23rd, Blue Titmouse, a great many.
Heligoland, Great Titmouse from Oct. 14th to end of November; Oct. 29th
to 31st, a great many; Nov. 15th, same; Blue Titmouse from Oct. 14th
to Nov. 2nd; rush, Oct. 29th and 31st. _Parus ater_, Continental Coal
Titmouse.--Oct. 22nd, one.
_Troglodytes parvulus_, Wren.--Spring, Flamborough L.H., April 3rd,
9.20 p.m., one struck; May 7th, 11.45 p.m., one. Winterton L.H., May
14th, several, 12.30 a.m., S., three killed; 15th, two. Spurn L.H.,
24th, "large flock to south." Autumn, Shipwash L.V., Aug. 13th, 2 to
6.30 p.m., in large numbers. Tees L.V., Sept. 5th, one on board three
days. Whitby L.H., Oct. 10th, 8 a.m., Wrens to south. Cockle L.V., Nov.
1st, one. Outer Dowsing L.V., 2nd, great rush with others westward.
Heligoland, Oct. 31st, for several weeks past daily in great numbers;
Nov. 2nd, many; 7th and 8th, very many.
_Motacilla alba_, White Wagtail.--Heligoland, Oct. 12th and 13th, some.
_M. lugubris_, Pied Wagtail.--Spring, Whitby L.H., March 31st, two
pairs. Farn L.H., April 2nd, one; 4th to 14th, many. Flamborough, April
11th, a pair. Autumn, Cromer L.H., Aug. 12th, one Pied Wagtail (wing to
J. H. G.). Tees L.V., Sept. 17th, in flocks, twelve to fifteen. Whitby
L.H., Oct. 10th, last seen. Hanois L.H. (Guernsey), Oct. 29th, and on
Nov. 1st, all night.
_M. flava_, Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail.--Heligoland, Aug. 21st, 22nd,
and 24th, astonishing numbers; Sept. 2nd, some; Oct. 13th, some. _M.
citriola_, Sept. 16th, calm and fine, one.
_Anthus pratensis_, Meadow Pipit.--Heligoland, Sept. 24th, great many;
Oct. 1st, astounding numbers. _A. cervinus_, Sept. 16th, calm and fine,
one.
_A. trivialis_, Tree Pipit.--Heligoland, Aug. 21st, 22nd, and 24th,
astounding numbers; Sept. 2nd, some; 9th and 12th, many; 24th, ceased;
again, Oct. 12th and 13th, passing.
_A. richardi_, Richard's Pipit.--Heligoland, Sept. 16th and 17th; on
18th, two shot, 8½ in. long; 21st, some; 24th, some Oct. 11th, two.
_A. obscurus_, Rock Pipit.--October, last fortnight, common on
Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, and Norfolk coast. At Heligoland, on Oct. 1st,
great many (_A. obscurus_, var. _rupestris_.[12])
[Footnote 12: This, the Scandinavian form of the Rock Pipit, is not
infrequent on the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coast in the autumn.]
_Oriolus galbula_, Golden Oriole.--Heligoland, May, a male; the first
in thirty years.
_Lanius excubitor_ and _major_, Great Grey and Pallas's Great Grey
Shrike.--Heligoland, Oct. 5th, six or eight, and in last week in month
_major_, some; none on English coast.
_L. collurio_, Red-backed Shrike.--Languard L.H., March 16th, one. Farn
L.H., Sept. 23rd, one shot on island.
_Muscicapa grisola_, Spotted Flycatcher.--Spring, Whitby L.H., April
7th, great many small Flycatchers against lantern every night in the
week[13] (too soon by four or five weeks for _M. grisola_), Farn L.H.,
April 28th, several. Hunstanton L.H., May 17th, 2 a.m., S.W., seven
killed. Tees L.V., Dec. 27th, one came on board. Heligoland, Sept.
10th, enormous numbers; 11th and 12th, some; 17th, many; 19th and 20th,
less.
[Footnote 13: Probably this, as well as other entries in the schedules,
may refer to various small insect-feeding birds, as the term
"Flycatcher" amongst our observers is a very general one.]
_M. atricapilla_, Pied Flycatcher.--Yarmouth, Sept. 15th, one young
bird (J. H. G.). Heligoland, Aug. 14th, some, and on to Sept. 20th;
on Aug. 21st, 22nd, and 24th, and again on Sept. 10th, in enormous
numbers. _M. parva_, Red-breasted Flycatcher.--Sept. 19th, "one with
orange throat."
_Hirundo rustica_, Swallow.--Spring, Hunstanton L.H., April 5th,
one to S.W.; 29th, many. Farn L.H., 20th, two. In May, at Whitby,
Flamborough, Spurn, and Outer Dowsing L.V. At Tees L.V., on 10th, great
many, S.E. to N.W.; and 11th, 12th, and 13th, all through day in same
direction. Autumn, Cockle L.V., July 12th, six to S.; and from Sept.
25th to Oct. 13th, at several stations going south. Last observed at
the Spurn by myself, Oct. 24th and 25th; three young birds hawking in
the sun beneath Kilnsea cliff. Heligoland, Aug. 21st and 22nd, S.E.,
"astounding numbers" of Swallows, Martins, and Sand Martins; Sept.
3rd, S.S.W. (No. 9), great numbers; 4th, great flock of Swallows late
in afternoon; Nov. 8th, small flights.
_Chelidon urbica_, Martin.--Tees L.V., June 27th, 28th, 29th, great
many to S.W.; and at the Outer Dowsing L.V., on 23rd, two travelling
S.S.E. to W.N.W. Last observed at Seaton Snook, Tees, Oct. 2nd.
_Carduelis elegans_, Goldfinch.--Tees L.V., Nov. 22nd, one on board.
Heligoland, Nov. 8th, some.
_Chrysomitris spinus_, Siskin.--Yarmouth, Oct. 21st, small flights;
several taken by the birdcatchers. Heligoland, Oct. 27th, a few.
_Ligurinus chloris_, Greenfinch.--Spurn, Oct. 23rd and 24th, large
flocks near the coast associated with Linnets. Great Cotes, Nov. 16th,
small flights.
_Coccothraustes vulgaris_, Hawfinch.--Inner Dowsing L.V., Nov. 2nd, 9
p.m., one struck lantern; two at same station in 1882. Heligoland, Oct.
31st, Nov. 1st, many.
_Passer domesticus_, House Sparrow.--Spring, Outer Dowsing L.V., April
1st, 8 a.m., flock going S.E. by S. to N.W.; May 15th, six, and 18th
three to W.N.W.[14] Autumn, at several stations from Oct. 11th to Nov.
19th. Shipwash L.V., Nov. 8th and 17th, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m.,
continuous flights to W.S.W.
[Footnote 14: All birds, including Crows, Sparrows, Tree Sparrows,
Chaffinches, Wrens, Swallows, Martins, Yellowhammers, Larks, Titlarks,
and some ducks, passing this station in March, April, May, and June,
were steering in _westerly_ directions. The Outer Dowsing L.V. is moored
on the edge of the shoal of that name 53 miles E.S.E. of the Spurn.]
_P. montanus_, Tree Sparrow.--Are recorded at Newarp L.V., Oct. 14th,
Yarmouth, 14th, and Shipwash L.V., 15th; and at the Goodwin stations in
October.[15]
[Footnote 15: As a rule more Common and Tree Sparrows pass the Goodwin
stations than any other on the east coast. These light-vessels, as
well as those off the mouth of the Thames, are very uniform in their
returns, the birds scheduled being the most abundant and commonest of
our immigrants, and it is seldom a rare visitor is chronicled.]
_Fringilla cœlebs_, Chaffinch.--Spring, Newarp L.V., April 13th, all
day to E. Farn L.H., 29th, several. Autumn, between Sept. 21st, at
Redcar, to Nov. 29th and 30th, at Longstone L.H., immense flights are
recorded at the majority of stations along the east coast; great rushes
occurred Sept. 21st, Oct. 6th to 14th, and Nov. 1st and 2nd; line of
flight E. to W.[16] Heligoland, from Sept. 21st, E. by S., to Nov. 1st,
in immense numbers; great rush on Sept. 21st and 22nd, on which latter
day they passed in astounding numbers; Oct. 13th, all day passing on;
Nov. 7th to 29th, great many.
[Footnote 16: Chaffinches are recorded as dying on board some of
the light-vessels, on which they arrive in an exhausted state. Mr.
Patterson, of Yarmouth, says, under date Oct. 13th, "Picked up some
dead at high-water mark. I have found numbers occasionally dead,
drowned thus, every year. They fare worse in this respect than most
small immigrants."]