observed at Maryport.
_Vanellus vulgaris_, Lapwing.--Spring: February 15th, Langness, a flock
at 2 P.M. March 4th, three at Langness; 28th, seven at Seven Stones
L.V.; 31st, twenty at Langness.
Autumn.--October 3d, Langness, a flock. November 11th, Nash, along with
Golden Plover, nine killed. November 15th, Nash, a thousand at noon.
December 17th, Eddystone, several hundreds all night, many struck,
twenty-one caught. Appeared at Caldy Island on November 20th.
_Hæmatopus ostralegus_, Oyster-Catcher.--Spring: March 19th, Langness,
one. April 11th, four.
Autumn.--July 4th, Menai, "Sea-Pies and Puffins," at 5 P.M. August
30th, three at Langness.
_Phalaropus fulicarius_, Grey Phalarope.--Cumberland, one on
Derwentwater at end of September. October 8th, one at Silloth.
_Phalaropus hyperboreus_, Red-Necked Phalarope.--October 20th,
Cumberland, one at Kirkbride.
_Scolopax rusticula_, Woodcock.--September 30th, St Bees, two at 3 P.M.
October 16th, Skerries, "Woodcocks" between 12 P.M. and 4 A.M. November
1st, Eddystone, two at 11 P.M.; 2d, one at 1.45 A.M. Nov. 30th, St
Bees, one passed lantern at 4 A.M. December 25th, Nash, one passing
N.W. at 11 A.M.
_Gallinago cælestis_, Common Snipe.--Spring: March 13th, Langness, one.
Autumn: August 4th, South Stack, one killed at 11.30 P.M.; 5th,
Holyhead, one killed at 10 P.M. October 16th, Skerries, Snipes between
12 P.M. and 4 A.M. November 10th, observed at four stations between the
Isle of Man and South Devon, namely: Langness, one killed; Bishop Rock,
one killed at 8 P.M.; Eddystone, one killed at 8 P.M.; Start Point, one
at 6 P.M. November 12th, Langness, "some Snipe," along with Lapwings
and Curlews, at 11 P.M. December 25th, Nash, one at noon.
_Lymnocrytes gallinula_, Jack Snipe.--October 5th, Cumberland, at
Allonby.
_Tringa canutus_, Knot.--October 20th, Dee L.V., one killed. November
8th, Nash, one killed.
_Machetes pugnax_, Ruff.--September 5th, Cumberland; one shot out of a
small flock at Burgh. October 16th, another.
_Tringoides hypoleucos_, Common Sandpiper.--April 19th, Cumberland,
Gretna; April 22d, Carlisle. May 5th, two, Langness. November 9th, "one
Common Sandpiper killed" at Langness.
_Helodromas ochropus_, Green Sandpiper.--August 11th, Cumberland, first
seen this season.
_Tringa striata_, Purple Sandpiper.--October, on the Cumberland coast.
_Totanus calidris_, Redshank.--March 18th, four at Langness; and one on
the 27th.
_Totanus canescens_, Greenshank.--March 12th, Cumberland, several at
Ravenglass; 14th, one. August 10th, Cumberland, several at Rockliffe.
_Limosa lapponica_, Bar-tailed Godwit.--September 26th, Cumberland
coast, very abundant.
_Numenius phæopus_, Whimbrel.--Spring: Rockliffe Marsh, Cumberland,
April 25th, heard. May 15th, heard on the wing at 10 P.M. May 19th,
heard.
_Numenius arquata_, Curlew.--Spring: March 18th, Langness, a large
flock, but none seen after this date.
Autumn: July 24th, St Tudwal's, one hundred at 11 A.M. August 7th,
observed at the Dee L.V. At Menai on the 15th.
_Hydrochelidon nigra_, Black Tern.--April 26th, Cumberland, one at
Allonby.
_Sterna cantiaca_. Sandwich Tern.--April 4th, Cumberland, a pair at
Ravenglass.
_Rissa tridactyla_, Kittiwake.--July 10th, Chickens Rock, flocks of
Kittiwakes.
_Larus glaucus_, Glaucus Gull.--October 19th, Cumberland, one at Millom.
_Larus ridibundus_, Blackheaded Gull.--July 22d, Langness, flock at 7
P.M.
_Stercorarius_ ----, Skua.--September 4th, Cumberland, two on the
Eden. October 5th and 15th, one at the Bishop Rock, "very rarely seen
here."
_Procellaria pelagica_, Storm Petrel.--October 9th, South Bishop,
several at 1.30 A.M., flying round the lantern. November 9th,
Eddystone, one hilled, along with Thrushes, Blackbirds, etc., between
9 and 12 P.M.; 10th, Eddystone, one killed, along with a Snipe and
Redwing, between 7 and 12 P.M.; Dee L.V., one struck; 13th, South
Bishop, one killed at 5 A.M.; 15th, Carlisle, one.
_Procellaria leucorrhoa_, Leach's Petrel.--October 3d, Cumberland, one
at Bowness.
_Puffinus anglorum_, Manx Shearwater.--August 9th, Langness, "a large
number of Manx Petrels" at 3 P.M.
_Colymbus septentrionalis_, Redthroated Diver.--November 20th,
Cumberland, one at Silloth.
_Alca torda_, Razorbill.--April 14th, St Tudwal's, hundreds of Puffins,
Guillemots, and Razorbills arrived at sunrise. They left the island on
August 14th. Longships, numerous from August 20th to October 28th.
_Lomvia troile_, Guillemot.--March 12th, St Tudwal's, 200 arrived at
sunrise. Another arrival on April 14th. They left St Tudwal's on the
14th of August. Longships, observed from September 25th to October 29th.
_Fratercula arctica_, Puffin.--April 14th, St Tudwal's, hundreds
arrived at sunrise along with Guillemots and Razorbills, leaving on
August 14th. July 4th, Menai, Puffins at 5 A.M. Longships, observed
going S.W. between August 14th and October 26th.
General Remarks.
The Report for the West Coast of England and Wales, and the Isle of
Man, refers to the movements during the spring and autumn migrations of
about one hundred species.
The spring immigration commenced on the 25th of March with the advent
of the Swallow at the Bahama Bank light-vessel, and continued until the
15th of May, when "very many" Swallows appeared between 4 P.M. and 7
P.M. at Langness. A noteworthy incident of the vernal immigration was
the great rush of Wheatears observed at the Bahama Bank vessel and at
Langness on the night of the 13th of April, when many perished or were
captured.
The spring emigration did not escape attention, for on the night of the
20th of April the returning Fieldfares, Goldcrests, etc., were observed
at 11 P.M. at the Chickens Rock. Perhaps the continuous movements of
Thrushes and Blackbirds observed throughout February, and especially
between the 11th and 17th, are referable to this class of migrants.
The autumn emigration, so far as our summer visitants are concerned,
may be said to have been initiated with the appearance of the Cuckoo
at Langness on the 25th of July, and was prolonged until the 25th of
October, when the last Swallow was noted.
The first immigrant winter visitant from Northern Europe was the
Redwing, whose appearance at Carlisle was noted on the 20th of
September. The chief general movements which usually characterise
the southward autumnal passage were two in number, and affected the
stations along the entire coast from the Isle of Man and the Eddystone.
The first commenced on the 16th of October, and continued until the
20th. The second extended from the 8th to the 12th of November.
In connection with these general movements, which are so often--indeed,
we might say usually--participated in by a great variety of species
of very different orders seemingly seized by a simultaneous migratory
impulse, it would be, perhaps, well to consult the meteorological
record for an explanation of the phenomenon. Mr J. A. Allen tells us
that "birds discern approaching meteorological changes," and that
in the monthly weather reports of the United States Signal Service
Bureau reference is often made to the movements of birds. "From these
reports it appears that the southward migration of Geese and other
Waterfowl usually precedes, often only by a few hours, the approach of
heavy storms, and a sudden and very great reduction of temperature,
which they often wholly avoid by keeping in advance of the change."
It would seem probable, too, that birds await the approach of
favourable meteorological conditions, and then, having been detained
by unfavourable conditions, migrate _en masse_. Deeming that it would
be interesting in connection with the great movements during the
autumn of 1885, an examination of the weather reports issued by the
Meteorological Office has been made. The first of these, as we have
seen, commenced on the night of the 16th of October, and continued
until the night of the 20th. "The [weekly] Summary of Changes in the
Weather over the British Islands and their Neighbourhood[17] from the
11th to the 17th of October informs us that throughout this week the
pressure over our islands and their neighbourhood has been mainly
cyclonic; from the 11th to the 14th the type of gradient was northerly,
but on the 15th and 16th it was easterly. Two well-marked depressions
appeared in addition to the one which was passing away from us on the
morning of the 11th. The second of these depressions, which had become
a shallow subsidiary disturbance on the 15th over the south of France,
moved westward from our area during the 16th; and as this system passed
away, an anti-cyclonic "col" was formed over our islands, uniting an
anti-cyclone over France with another off our extreme western coasts.
With this anti-cyclone the cold northerly winds which had prevailed
changed, and on the 16th the weather became very fine over England,
the temperature rose, and the wind became a southeasterly breeze. The
summary for the 18th to the 24th of October informs us that "the
distribution of pressure over our islands and France was anti-cyclonic,
with light or moderate south-easterly and easterly winds, till the
20th, then cyclonic and complex, with northerly winds."
[Footnote 17: These reports and summaries refer not only to the British
Islands, but to North-Western Europe, from Bodo and Haparanda to
Corunna and Toulon. They are based upon numerous Continental returns
from the area indicated, as well as from all parts of our own islands.]
The second movement extended from the 8th to the 12th of November.
Regarding the meteorological conditions, the summaries tell us that
previous to the 8th the weather had been changeable and unsettled
generally, and the distribution of pressure mainly cyclonic, with
westerly, north-westerly, and southerly winds. From the 8th to 13th the
pressure system over North-Western Europe was anti-cyclonic, with light
(easterly in south, south-easterly in west, and southerly in the north)
breezes. On the 13th, however, a large and somewhat deep depression
advanced from the Atlantic, and spread quickly over all North-Western
Europe, with gradients for south-westerly and westerly winds.
Thus we had the two chief movements of the autumn ushered in by and
concurrent with anti-cyclonic conditions, preceded by and ceasing
with cyclonic depressions. These great barometric changes are also
frequently accompanied by equally great changes in temperature, and
this may be the cause of the mists which so commonly prevail on "a
migration night."
It would be well if a summary of all the sections of the reports could
be submitted to a competent meteorologist. This, it is thought, would
result in a few years in establishing a better understanding of the
relationship which exists between the weather and the great movements
of birds.
It cannot be said that the southerly flow of autumn migrants is evenly
distributed along the entire west coast of England, though such appears
to be commonly the case on the east coast. On the contrary, the
schedules again afford unmistakable evidence that the great majority of
these migrants are observed at stations south of Anglesey. But while
the north-west section of the coast is thus less favoured than the
rest, such is not the case with the Isle of Man, which comes in for an
important share of the west coast migratory movements. Now, since it
is a well-established fact that large masses of migrants from Northern
Europe, along with others from the Faröes, Iceland, and Greenland, pass
down the west coast of Scotland, whence many cross to Ireland, it seems
probable, from the evidence borne by the English West Coast returns,
that the majority of the remainder leave Scotland at some point on
the Wigtown coast, and pass to the west coast of Wales by way of the
Isle of Man, and thus avoid the English shores of the Irish Sea.[18]
Whether this is a reasonable and likely explanation, or not, the fact
remains that the schedules for the years 1884 and 1885[19] received
from the coasts of Flint, Cheshire, Lancashire, and Cumberland--and
they are among the most faithfully kept--make it evident that during
those seasons comparatively few of the ordinary migrants were observed
there, and that the great general movements did not affect them in any
considerable degree.
[Footnote 18: The remarks do not apply to migrants among the _Limicolæ_
and _Anseres_, which, as a rule, religiously follow coast lines, and
which are abundantly represented on the Solway and coasts of Cumberland
and Lancashire.]
[Footnote 19: The scarcity or entire absence of migratory birds at St
Bees is remarked upon ill the Reports for 1880 and 1881.]
The migratory movements of such partially resident species as the
Redbreast, Hedge Sparrow, Wren, Greenfinch, Sparrow, Bullfinch, Yellow
Hammer, and others are recorded.
Of the rarer and more interesting species included in the Report, the
Black Redstart, White Wagtail, Gadwall, Red-Necked and Grey Phalaropes,
Ruff, Black Tern, Glaucus Gull, and Leach's Petrel may be mentioned.
As an unusual species to observe at the lantern, we may allude to the
occurrence of the Moorhen (_Gallinula chloropus_) at the South Bishop,
a locality indicating that the bird must have been migrating.
The scarcity of the Woodcock, Goldcrest, and Short-Eared Owl is worthy
of note. This is the more remarkable in the case of the Woodcock,
since it occurred in almost unprecedented numbers on the east coast of
England.
W. Eagle Clarke.
IRISH COAST.
The number of light stations returning schedules was only one less than
in 1885, although four schedules less were sent out.
There was no light shown at the Tuskar Rock--the best Irish
station--between from June 1st to November 20th, but since that date a
more powerful light has been exhibited.
The great importance of forwarding a leg and wing of at least one
specimen of each species killed, cannot be too strongly impressed upon
on the light-keepers. Unless the birds are correctly identified, the
value of this inquiry is materially diminished, and ornithologists may
refuse to accept the statements of the observers.
In the schedules sent out in the spring of 1886, the request to forward
the legs and wings of birds was conspicuously printed on the top of
each schedule. Mr Edward M'Carron, who had already proved himself a
most intelligent observer at the Tearaght Rock (removed to Mine Head
in the autumn), has been the largest contributor of specimens, and his
careful notes prove the interest taken in this inquiry.
Anticipatory of the report for the spring of 1886, it may be mentioned
that several rare species have occurred, which would probably have
passed under another name, were it not for the distribution of six
copies of "Morris's British Birds," with coloured plates, and the
production of specimens. We trust the Commissioners of Irish Lights
will distribute six additional copies of Morris in the present year. We
believe these volumes are greatly appreciated, and that in placing them
in their annual list of books to be purchased for the light-keepers, a
wise selection has been made.
No specimen of the Greenland Falcon or Snowy Owl was observed in 1885.
The former species cannot, therefore, be regarded as a more than an
accidental winter visitor to the West Coast; and only one specimen of
the Snowy Owl was recorded since these observations were commenced.
Thrushes, including probably Redwings, were noted in considerable
numbers about the lights, over a range of sixty miles on the Wexford
and Wicklow coasts, between the 11th and 15th February. There was no
hard frost at the time. These lights are all seven to ten miles from
shore. During the second week in April, at several stations. Thrushes
are recorded. The great autumn rush took place between the 6th and
10th November, and a smaller one between the 17th and 20th October.
Blackbirds accompanied the Thrushes, but in smaller numbers.
"A Blackbird with a white breast" was observed at Mine Head from the
8th to the 10th December. A further description given of this bird
shows it may have been a Ring Ouzel. The Hedge Sparrow seems to be
resident in small numbers during the winter on the Tearaght Rock, nine
miles off the Kerry coast, and possibly it breeds there. No clear
indication of the migration of the Robin has yet been shown on the
Irish Coast. The records of its occurrence are few and scattered. The
Black Redstart was recorded at several stations in the southern half
of Ireland; specimens were forwarded from Mine Head, the Skelligs, and
Rockabill. It is apparently a regular winter visitor to the Skelligs
and Tearaght, generally appearing in October and November. With one
exception (in February) there is no record of its occurrence during any
other month. The autumn migration of the Goldcrest was the smallest
yet recorded, but on the 12th and 13th April a spring movement was
apparent. As usual, the Starling is the best marked migrant, occurring
at almost every station. There is no record yet of the Chough having
been seen on the east coast by the light-keepers. The Magpie is
apparently not a migratory bird in Ireland. The observations on the
Cuckoo and Corncrake are few, when it is remembered they are well-known
and regular visitors. There is, so far, no record of the Cuckoo having
struck the lanterns, and but one instance of the Corncrake so doing. It
has been stated as an "undoubted fact" (Yarrell, 4th ed., vol. iii.,
p. 324), by Mr Howard Saunders, that the Woodcock often makes its
appearance on the south and west coasts of Ireland before it is noticed
in the north and east. The light-keepers' schedules do not contradict
this statement; but their observations are not yet sufficiently
numerous to confirm it beyond a doubt. The northward movement of the
Whimbrel (May Bird or young Curlew) has been well marked every year.
On the return journey they are either confounded with the Curlew,
or if they take the same route, they may travel at a higher level
without whistling, and thus escape the notice of the light-keepers.
The schedules from the Skelligs and Tearaght have always a special
interest, these rocks being the greatest breeding-places of sea birds
on the Irish Coast. Mr M'Carron estimates the number of Stormy Petrels
on the Tearaght in July at six or seven thousand. The changes of
plumage in the Razorbill has been the source of much comment by Mr
M'Carron. The sudden and almost complete disappearance of the so-called
"Black-billed Auk," and the reappearance of the Razorbill in breeding
plumage in a short interval, show that when the old birds arrive to
breed, the young birds of the previous year leave the neighbourhood of
the Tearaght, and probably go out to sea.
A young bird, 8 inches long, and still carrying a few whitish downy
feathers at the back of the neck, sent up by Mr M'Carron, and obtained
on August 1st, has the chin and throat _black_. An older bird, killed
on January 13th, has the chin and throat white. In Yarrell, vol. iv.,
p. 60, the chin and throat of a bird a week old is said to be _white_;
and Seebohm says the young in down have the underparts _greyish white_.
In the report for 1884, it is stated that no Gannets perched on the
Little Skellig after October 20th, and in the present report February
28th is given as the date of their reappearance on this well-known
Irish breeding station.
The most interesting stations are those on small islands or rocks, or
light-vessels at a considerable distance from shore; and the regular
occurrence of so many land birds of apparently weak powers of flight
around these lanterns is a matter of surprise to those unacquainted
with the facts of migration.
We believe this inquiry has contributed not a little to enlighten
the general public as to the movements of birds, some of which were
partially known to ornithologists, and others suspected; but the
accumulated data of the observers (making all reasonable allowances for
errors in identification), are sufficient to satisfy the most sceptical
of the powers of flight and endurance possessed by many small birds,
and the wide range of the migratory impulse.
An effort has been made this year to shorten the Irish report, but
the number of birds which strike the lights is comparatively small,
compared with the large numbers arriving on the coasts of Great
Britain. It is therefore all the more necessary to give the records in
detail, in order to arrive at any general and trust-worthy conclusion.
To the Commissioners of Irish Lights, to the secretary, Mr Owen
Armstrong; and to Captain Boxer, R.N., we continue to be under many
obligations. It is, however, to the light-keepers themselves we are
most indebted, since they have gratuitously placed at our disposal much
of their leisure, and evinced an interest in this inquiry which could
scarcely have been anticipated. Some of their names must be specially
mentioned in connection with the occurrence of rare birds in the report
for 1886, which promises to be an interesting one.
Alexander G. More.
Richard M. Barrington.
Miles
from
List of Light-Stations. Sp. Au. Shore. Name of Observers.
1. Fastnet, Co. Cork, x o 8 James Walsh.
2. Galley Head, Cork, o x -- John Kelly.
3. Old Head, Kinsale, Cork, o o -- _No reply._
4. Mine Head, Waterford, o x -- { Hugh J. Dugan and
{ Edward M'Carron.
5. Dungarvan, Waterford, x x -- Wm. Higginbotham.
5. *Coningbeg Lt.-ship, Wexford, x x 10 { Patrick Cullen and
{ William Clydesdale.
6. Barrels Rock Lt.-ship, do., x x 4 { Michael Doyle and
{ Charles H. M'Cabe.
7. Tuskar Rock, do., x x 7 { Richard Hamilton
{ and Patrick D'Arcy.
8. Arklow Sth. Lt.-ship, Wicklow, x x 7 { Patrick Clancy and
{ Alfred B. Wall.
8. *Arklow North Lt.-ship, do., x x 8 William Daly.
10. Kish Bank Lt.-ship, Dublin, x x 7 { John Pinston and
{ Thomas Cooney.
11. Howth Baily, Dublin, o o -- _No reply._
12. Rockabill, Dublin, x x 5 Joseph Hammond.
13. Copeland (Mew) Island, Down, x x 3 John O'Donnell.
14. Maidens, Antrim, x x 5 Michael Barry.
15. Rathlin, Antrim, x x 6 John A. Murray.
16. Innishtrahull, Donegal, x o 6 R. Phelan.
17. Dunree Head, Donegal, x o -- John Stapleton.
18. Lough Swilly, Donegal, -- x -- James Keenan.
19. Tory Island, Donegal, x o 9 Henry Stocker.
20. Arranmore, Donegal, x x 5 Henry Williams.
21. Rathlin O'Birne, Donegal, o x 2 John Scallan.
22. Killybegs, Donegal, x x -- Joseph Hill.
23. Oyster Island, N. Sligo, o -- 1 _No reply._
24. Broadhaven, Mayo, x x -- Patrick Keenan.
25. Eagle Island, E., Mayo, o x 2 Daniel Hawkins.
26. Eagle Island, W., Mayo, -- -- 2 No schedule sent.
27. Blackrock, Mayo, x x 9 { John Redmond, J.
{ Young, R. Lyons,
{ and Edward Rohu.
28. Blacksod Point, Mayo, x o -- Robt. W. Redmond.
29. Clare Island, Mayo, x o 4 G. H. Brownell.
30. Slyne Head, N., Galway, x o 3 Robert Tyrell.
31. Slyne Head, S., Galway, -- -- 3 No schedule sent.
32. Arran Island, N., Galway, x x 9 Thomas Fortune.
33. Straw Island, Galway, x x 9 Charles Boyle.
34. Arran Island, S., Galway, -- -- 6 No schedule sent.
37. Tearaght, Kerry, x x 9 { Edward M'Carron
{ and Francis Ryan.
38. Valentia, Kerry, x x -- Joseph Williams.
39. Skelligs, Kerry, x x 9 Thomas Kerley.
40. Dursey Island, Cork, -- -- ½ No schedule sent.
Abbreviations:
o = No reply. x = Schedule returned partly or wholly filled,
Sp. = Spring, 34 schedules sent out; replies received, 27.
Au. = Autumn, 34 schedules sent out; replies received, 25.
_Legs, Wings, etc., Received._