rain.) Also a few Blackbirds at 9 A.M. _Selker_ L.V., flock of Skylarks
at 9.30 and 11.20 A.M. _Morecambe Bay_ L.V., two Starlings rested on
the ship at 3 P.M. (S. by W., 8; O. Q.) One Blackbird and one Chaffinch
rested on ship at 3.45 P.M. _Skerries Rock_ L.H., Starlings, Snipe,
and Chaffinch flying about island at noon. (S.W., 10; C. R. M.) _South
Stack_ L.H., Starlings, Larks, Finches, and Linnets from daylight to
noon. _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., Crows, Gulls, Rooks, and Starlings passing
inland all day. (S. to S.W., 8; C. Q. R.)
November 2d.--_Selker_ L.V., five Greenfinches at 7.45 A.M. One
Chaffinch flying round ship all night. (6, S. by E.; C. Q. P.)
_Morecambe Bay_ L.V., one Greenfinch caught on deck at 11 A.M. (W.S.W.,
4; B. C. V.) _Skerries Rock_ L.H., great numbers of Starlings, Larks,
Chaffinches, and Blackbirds all day. (S.W., 5; clear.) _Carnarvon Bay_
L.V., ten Blackbirds and eight Skylarks at 11 A.M., flying to S.E.
_Cardigan Bay_ L.V., many small flocks of Starlings and Larks going
S.E. and N.W. _South Bishop_ L.H., thirty or forty Larks flying round
the rock at 7 A.M. _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., Linnets and Rooks passing N.
at 8 A.M. (W.S.W., 7; C. Q. P. R.) Gulls, Crows, Rooks, and Starlings
passing inland from 7 A.M. to 3 P.M.
November 5th.--_Bahama Bank_ L.V., number of Thrushes and Larks flying
round lantern from 9 P.M. till 11 P.M.; one Lark killed. (S.S.E., 6;
O. M. K.) _Selker_ L.V., Larks, Thrushes, and Starlings at midnight;
three Thrushes killed. (4, S.S.E.; O. M.) _Skerries Rock_ L.H.,
Starlings, Chaffinches, and Linnets going N.W. from 8 A.M. to noon.
Two Goldfinches flying about island at 9.30 A.M.; "very rare." (N.W,
5; B. C. V.) _South Bishop_ L.H., companies of Larks passing from 8.30
A.M. until noon. _Helwick_ L.V., a good many Thrushes during the night;
one killed. (W.S.W., 5; Q. M.) _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., Starlings, Larks,
Fieldfares, and Lapwings; a good many passing to N.W. from 7 to 9 A.M.
(N.N.W., 5; C. G.) _Burnham_ L.H., flocks of Lapwings flying S. all day.
November 6th.--_Skerries Rock_ L.H., great quantity of Starlings,
Chaffinches, and Sparrows all day going about the island. "We never
noticed Sparrows here before." (E.S.E., 3; B. C. V.) _Holyhead_ L.H.,
seven Crows going E. in the morning. _Carnarvon Bay_ L.V., hundreds of
Larks and Finches going E. in the forenoon. _South Bishop_ L.H., about
200 Larks at 10.30 A.M. flying N.W. A flock of Larks going E. at 4.30
P.M. Seven Greenfinches struck the lantern at 7.15 P.M. _Helwick_ L.V.,
two to three dozen Larks going E. at 9.30 A.M. _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., a
good many birds flying around the lantern, but only one Skylark killed
at 9.30 P.M. (E.S.E., 4; O. M. R.) _Eddystone_ L.H., a Redwing and a
Starling struck at 8 P.M. (E.S.E., 6; B. C.)
November 7th.--_Skerries Rock_ L.H., Short-Eared Owl shot on island.
Snipe on island at 2.45 P.M. Large flock of Starlings settled on island
at 7.30 A.M. (E.S.E, 4, to E.N.E., 7; clear to misty, rain.) _Carnarvon
Bay_ L.V., Starlings and Finches, "without number," going S.E. all day.
_Cardigan Bay_ L.V., sixty or seventy "Black Crows" going W. at 10
A.M. _South Bishop_ L.H., several small flocks of Linnets during the
morning; ten Crows at 10.30 A.M. going E.; several Blackbirds on the
rock; several birds flying round the lantern from 7 to 9.30 P.M.; a
good number struck, and one Blackbird (young), one Thrush, one Redwing,
and two Starlings killed. (E.N.E., 4; B. C. M.) _Nash_ (_E._) L.H.,
a *male Chaffinch killed at 7 P.M.; six Starlings killed at 8 P.M.;
two Snipe struck at 8 P.M.; six *Redwings killed at 8.30 P.M.; and
eleven *Common Thrushes killed between 9.20 and 10 P.M. (N.E. to E.,
5; C. M. R.) _Breaksea_ L.V., two *Thrushes and a Lark killed at 7.45
P.M. (N.E., 5; O. M. R.) _Eddystone_ L.H., Golden Plover, Lapwings,
Thrushes, Blackbirds, Redwings, and Larks crossing in large numbers
from 6 to 10 P.M.; chiefly Thrushes. Eight Thrushes, five Redwings, and
three Larks killed, striking windward side of lantern; chiefly birds of
the year. (N. by E., 5; C. P. M.)
November 8th.--_Chickens Rock_ L.H., number of Rooks coming over from
Ireland, seemed much exhausted, during the day. (E. strong breeze;
haze.) _Skerries Rock_ L.H., *Jacksnipe shot on island at 2.30 P.M.
A female *Golden-eye killed against glass at 9.15 P.M. (E., 6 to 7;
misty, to C. G. M.) _South Bishop_ L.H., Linnets and Starlings all
day flying E.; five "Crows" at 9.30 A.M. _Helwick_ L.V., two hundred
Larks at 8.30 A.M. going S.E. _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., two Goldcrests, one
killed, at 9.40 P.M. (E., 3; B. C. M.) _Bull Point_ L.H., two Thrushes
found dead at foot of tower at daylight. _Eddystone_ L.H., hundreds
of birds--Blackbirds, Thrushes, Redwings, Fieldfares, Starlings,
and Larks, from 7 P.M. to 3 A.M. (9th). Caught eighteen Thrushes,
sixty-seven Redwings, three Fieldfares, three Blackbirds, twenty-three
Starlings, and one Lark; many scores killed and lost over. Four Tree
Sparrows seen. (E.N.E., 5; O. M. R.) _Portland_ (_Low_) L.H., a Lapwing
at lantern at 10 P.M. (E., 4; C. M.)
November 9th.--_Langness_ L.H., one female Blackbird killed on lantern.
A few Fieldfares and Redwings from 10 P.M. to daybreak; one Fieldfare,
one Redwing, and one Thrush found dead. (Light E.; haze.) _Chickens
Rock_ L.H., large flock of Blackbirds, Thrushes, Fieldfares, Larks,
Linnets, and two Goldcrests flying round the lantern all night; a few
struck. (E.N.E. strong breeze; haze.) _South Bishop_ L.H., Blackbirds,
Thrushes, and Larks passing singly all day to E. A few birds flying
round the lantern during the night; two Larks and two Thrushes killed.
(N.E.; C. V.) _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., a Woodcock at 7 P.M.; four Snipe from
7 to 7.30 P.M.; a small flock of Lapwings at 8 P.M.; all flying round
the lantern. Four *Grey Plover killed at 9 P.M.; eleven Starlings
killed at 9.30 P.M. (E.N.E., 2; O. M. R.) _Breaksea_ L.V., Larks and
Starlings at lantern from 6 to 12 P.M. (N.E., 4; O. M. R.) _Longships_
L.H., Chaffinches and Goldcrests at lantern at 7 P.M. (E.N.E., 3;
cloudy, misty.) _Eddystone_ L.H., a few Thrushes, Redwings, Larks, and
Starlings from 10 P.M. to 6 A.M. (10th). A Blackbird, one Starling, two
Thrushes, one Redwing, killed; a few lost over. (N. by E., 3; C. D. V.)
_Portland_ (_Low_) L.H., a Chaffinch caught at 10.20 P.M. (N.N.E., 4;
C. M.)
November 10th.--_Langness_ L.H., fourteen Lapwings flying S. at 11
A.M. One Robin at 3 P.M. One female Blackbird on lantern at 8 P.M.
(Light N.E.; haze.) _Chickens Rock_ L.H., very great flock of Thrushes,
Fieldfares, Larks, Linnets, Blackbirds, Starlings, Lapwings, Curlews,
and a few Goldcrests, from about an hour after lighting time till the
light was extinguished. A great number struck the dome of lantern and
were killed, falling into the sea. Mr Black says--"The flocks are most
dense to-night, and are all mixed together. It is no use trying to give
numbers. We captured a few Blackbirds and Fieldfares." (From N.E. to
S., strong breezes; slight haze.) _Bahama Bank_ L.V., number of Larks,
Thrushes, and Blackbirds all night; one Thrush and three Blackbirds
killed. (E., 4; O. G.) _Skerries Rock_ L.H., four Goldfinches on island
at 9 A.M. Flocks of Linnets at 10.20 A.M., all flying S.S.E. A Woodcock
and four Sparrows shot on island at 4 P.M. _Holyhead_ L.H., four
Goldfinches going S.E. at noon. _South Stack_ L.H., Fieldfare caught
at lantern at 2.30 A.M. Blackbirds, Thrushes, Redwings, Starlings,
and Larks from 7 P.M. till midnight; a great many flying around the
lantern; a few killed. (E., 3; C. M. P.) _South Bishop_ L.H., a few
birds striking the lantern from 9 P.M. to 2 A.M. (11th): one Land
Rail, three Thrushes, and two Blackbirds killed. _Helwick_ L.V., a
good many small birds at the lantern; one "Warbler" killed. (E, 2;
O. M. D.) _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., Lapwings at 1.10 A.M.; one killed; two
Common Snipe killed at 4.30 A.M. (E.N.E., 2; C. M. P.) _Longships_
L.H., a few Starlings, Thrushes, and Goldcrests at the lantern from
8 to 9 P.M. (E.N.E., 3; misty, rain.) _Eddystone_ L.H., many birds
passing--Thrushes, Snipe, Larks, and Redwings--from 8 P.M. to 4 A.M.
(11th); a few killed. (N.N.E., 3; C. G. M.)
November 11th.--_Cumberland_, an Isabelline Wheatear, female, shot
at Aigle Gill, near Allonby, by Mr Richard Mann. One Hooded Crow
at Allonby. _Chickens Rock_ L.H., a very large number of Thrushes,
Fieldfares, Larks, Linnets, Blackbirds, Starlings, Lapwings, Curlews,
and a few Goldcrests. Hundreds must have been killed by striking the
lantern, as they kept striking all night through. (Hazy, with light
winds varying from E. to S. and S.S.W.) _Bahama Bank_ L.V., number
of Larks, Thrushes, and Blackbirds all night; two Blackbirds killed.
(E. by N.; O. G.) _River Dee_ L.V., one Snipe found dead on deck
at daylight. (E.N.E., 2; O. M.) _Skerries Rock_ L.H., Blackbirds,
Starlings, and Larks nearly all night; several killed against glass.
(S.E., 2; misty.) _South Stack_ L.H., Blackbirds, Thrushes, Redwings,
Starlings, and Larks, in numbers round lantern, from 7 P.M. till
midnight. (E.S.E., 3; C. M.) _Cardigan Bay_ L.V., great numbers of
Blackbirds and Thrushes around the lantern. (S.E., 3; B. C.) _South
Bishop_ L.H., a large number of birds at the lantern from 9 P.M. to
3 A.M. (12th): sixty-four killed--Larks, Blackbirds, and Thrushes.
(E., 2; B. C. M.) _Helwick_ L.V., a great number of Larks, Starlings,
Blackbirds, and Thrushes during the night; several killed. (N.E. by
E., 2; O. M.) _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., Redwings passed to W. at 6.30 A.M.
Song Thrushes (four killed) at 7.30 P.M.; Blackbirds (two killed) at
9.5 P.M. (E.N.E., 4; C. M.) _Breaksea_ L.V., Thrushes and Larks from
9 to 11 P.M.; six killed. (E.N.E., 3; O. M.) _Bull Point_ L.H., a hen
*Chaffinch killed at 3 A.M. (E., 3; B. C. M.) _Longships_ L.H., Puffins
and Guillemots passing S. all day. (E., 3.) _Eddystone_ L.H., many
birds passing, see under 10th; a Jacksnipe caught at 2 A.M. (N.E. by
E., 3; C. M.) _Portland_ (_Low_) L.H., a Wren at lantern at 3.30 A.M.
(E.N.E., 4; C. M.)
November 12th.--_Chickens Rock_ L.H., a large flock of birds at 11.30
A.M. flying N., thought to be Fieldfares. (S. strong airs; clear.) Mr
Black says there were flocks of the same birds, as reported for the
10th and 11th (excepting the Linnets), here again to-night, but not in
such numbers as last night; very few struck, though the weather was
hazy. Found Redstart [? _Ruticilla titys_] killed on the dome. Number
of Moths on lantern. _Skerries Rock_ L.H., one Owl and one Fieldfare
on island. Fieldfares, Blackbirds, Starlings, Thrushes, Chaffinches,
and Larks all night; several killed. (S.S.E. to S., 2; misty and
gloomy.) _South Stack_ L.H., Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Larks around
the lantern, twenty-four killed, from 12.30 A.M. till 3 A.M. (S.E., 2;
O. M.) _South Bishop_ L.H., thirty Linnets at 11 A.M. A few birds at
lantern between 9 and 11 P.M.; eighteen killed--thirteen Larks, four
female Blackbirds, and one Redwing.
November 13th.--_Chickens Rock_ L.H., several large flocks of birds
seen at 10 A.M. flying S.S.W.; species not made out. Starlings, Larks,
Fieldfares, and Thrushes from 7 P.M. till morning, flying in the rays
of light. (E.N.E. strong breeze; clear.) _Morecambe Bay_ L.V., two
Chaffinches at 9 A.M.; two Greenfinches at 1 P.M. Several Starlings
about the lantern from 8 to 12 P.M. (S.S.W., 3; O.) _River Dee_ L.V.,
flocks of Sand Larks about the lantern from 6 P.M. to midnight.
(E.N.E., 1.) _Skerries Rock_ L.H., large flock of Greenfinches at
12.10 P.M. flying S. (S., 1; misty and gloomy.) _Holyhead_ L.H., a
Goldfinch caught at lantern at 2 A.M. _Carnarvon Bay_ L.V., Blackbirds
and Starlings going E. all day. _St Tudwal's_ L.H., a Blackbird struck
the lantern at midnight. _South Bishop_ L.H., a few birds at lantern
from 9 P.M. to 5 A.M. (14th); twenty-seven killed, mostly "female
Blackbirds." (E.N.E., 3; C. V.) _Helwick_ L.V., a Woodcock, a Lark,
and a Thrush killed between 5 and 6 A.M. (E. by N., 2; Q. M.) _Nash_
(_E._) L.H., three Snipe passed N.W. at 6 A.M. A large flock of
Lapwings from 6.30 to 10 P.M.--thirty striking, four killed; a "Hawk"
Owl flying round the lantern all night. Fieldfares from 6.30 to 10
P.M.; Goldcrests from 6.30 to 9 P.M., four killed; *Water Rail at 7.30
P.M., one killed; three Woodcocks killed from 7 to 8 P.M.; two Snipe
killed at 9.20 P.M.; continuous flocks of Redwings from 7 to 10 P.M.,
nine killed; eighty-two Skylarks killed from 9 to 11.30 P.M.; and seven
Song Thrushes killed at 11 P.M. (E.N.E., 3; C. M. O.) This movement
was continued in the early hours of the 14th. (_q. v._) _Breaksea_
L.V., many birds at lantern from 8 to 10 P.M.; a Quail, six Larks, one
Thrush, and one Redwing killed. (E.N.E., 4; O. M.) _Eddystone_ L.H., a
Blackbird killed at 5.30 A.M. (E. by S., 4; C. V.) Portland (Low) L.H.,
a Snipe struck at 2 A.M. (S.S.E., 4; C. M.)
November 14th.--_Cumberland_, one immature Velvet Scoter (another shot
off Burgh Marsh in December). _Chickens Rock_ L.H., six Rooks at 9.30
A.M. coming from S., flying towards Isle of Man. Large flock of birds
at noon, species unknown, flying N.N.W. Eight Geese at 3 P.M. flying S.
(N.E. strong breeze; clear.) Mr Black says--"I do not remember seeing
birds so plentiful in our vicinity, and continuing to visit us in such
large numbers." _Skerries Rock_ L.H., a Lapwing struck lantern and was
killed at 7.45 P.M. (S.E., 2; clear to M. R.) _Holyhead Breakwater_
L.H., thousands of Wild Ducks at 11 A.M. in the bay. (S.E., 1; C. H.)
_South Stack_ L.H., Blackbirds, Thrushes, Larks, Redwings, Fieldfares,
and one Robin at lantern from 8 P.M. till midnight; a few killed.
(E., 2; C. G. M.) _Cardigan Bay_ L.V., several flocks of Starlings
and Larks throughout the day going S.E. One Blackbird and one Thrush
struck the lantern. _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., Stonechats at 12.30 A.M., four
killed; *Blackcap from 12 P.M. (13th) to 1.13 A.M., "fifteen killed;"
four Snipe killed between 12 P.M. (13th) and 3 A.M.; twenty-two
Skylarks killed between 12 P.M. (13th) and 4 A.M.; Blackbirds from
3 to 4 A.M., three killed; Missel Thrushes at 4 A.M., one killed; a
Wood Pigeon struck at 4.20 A.M.; a large flock of Lapwings passed to
N.W. at 8 A.M.; Lapwings at the lantern at 6.30 P.M. (E.N.E., 2; B. C.
M.) _Eddystone_ L.H., Oyster-catchers, Plovers, Blackbirds, Thrushes,
Redwings, and Starlings, from 6.30 to 9.30 P.M., when the stars came
out and the birds disappeared. Caught three Blackbirds, one Thrush, two
Redwings, and five Starlings. (N.E, 4; C. V.)
November 15th.--_South Bishop_ L.H., from 100 to 150 Crows at 11.30
A.M. flying E.
November 16th.--_Skerries Rock_ L.H., six Blackbirds and four Redwings
killed against lantern-glass at 3.20 A.M. (S., 4.) One Snipe and some
Lapwings flying round lantern at 3.45 A.M., but did not strike. One
Waterhen killed against lantern-glass at 3.45 A.M. "Struck very hard."
A large flock of Greenfinches at 7.45 A.M. flying W. Great number
of Wild Fowl from 9 to 10.30 A.M. flying W. (W.N.W., 4; B. C. V.)
_Carnarvon Bay_ L.V., Starlings, Larks, Thrushes, and Snipe at 4 A.M.;
one Starling, Thrush, and Snipe killed. (S., 4; B. C.) _Nash_ (_E._)
L.H., one Skylark killed at 8 P.M. (E., 3; B. C. M.) _Burnham_ L.H.,
Fieldfares about all day.
November 17th.--_Carnarvon Bay_ L.V., Blackbirds and Starlings going
S.S.E. at 10 A.M. _South Bishop_ L.H., a party of ten Crows at 7 A.M.
_Nash_ (_E._) L.H., two Snipe passed N.W. at 7 A.M.; and a flock of
Golden Plover passed W. at 7.30 A.M. A great rush of Lapwings to-night.
They commenced to arrive at 7.40 P.M., and continued until 11 P.M.;
hundreds constantly flying round the lantern, within the rays of light.
A few struck at times, and seven were killed. They were very noisy, and
kept up quite a concert. They all left at 11.10 P.M. (E.S.E., 4; B.
C. M.) _Breaksea_ L.V., a Thrush killed at 11.40 P.M. _Seven Stones_
L.V., a Crow flew on board at 6 P.M.; passed the night, and left for
Scilly at 7 A.M. (18th). _Eddystone_ L.H., a Jacksnipe caught at 3 A.M.
(E.S.E., 5; B. C. V.) Flocks of Lapwings from 6 to 9 P.M. (E.N.E., 6;
O. R. M.) Several Starlings, Thrushes, Redwings, Blackbirds, passing
all night from 5.30 P.M. till 6 A.M. (18th); a few caught. (N.E., 3; O.
M.)
November 18th.--_Chickens Rock_ L.H., one "Rock Starling" and one Lark
perched on lantern at 2 A.M. Four "Sea Snipe" and one Lapwing at 10
A.M. Lapwings going E. (2, N.E.; clear and frosty.) _Skerries Rock_
L.H., large flock of Linnets and Chaffinches going S. at 8 A.M. Two
large flocks of Wild Fowl going E. at 10 A.M. (S., 3; clear.) _South
Bishop_ L.H., several birds flying round the lantern from midnight to
3 A.M.; eight Blackbirds, two Starlings, two Larks, and three Thrushes
killed. _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., a Jacksnipe killed at 3 A.M. Blackbirds
from 3 to 4 A.M., three killed; Redwings from 3 to 4 A.M., six killed;
Skylarks from 3 to 4 A.M., two killed; Song Thrushes from 3 to 4
A.M., four killed; Snipe, one killed at 3.30 A.M. (E., 3; B. C. M.)
_Breaksea_ L.V., Thrushes and Starlings from midnight (17th) to 4 A.M.
(E.N.E., 4; O. M.) _Burnham_, the first Grey Wagtail seen. _Eddystone_
L.H., for early morning movement see yesterday. A Land Rail on the
gallery at 7 A.M. (N., 2; O. M.) Many birds passing from 11 P.M. to
3.30 A.M. (19th). Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Redwings. Caught two ♀ and
one ♂ Blackbird; one Fieldfare, and fifteen Redwings killed. Numbers
striking lantern and lost over. (N., 4; O. R. M.)
November 19th.--_River Dee_ L.V., Thrushes, Larks, and Blackbirds
round the lantern at 9.15 P.M.; one Thrush killed. (W.S.W., 2; B. C.
V.) _Cardigan Bay_ L.V., a flock of Greenfinches going S.E. at 2 P.M.
_Helwick_ L.V., a few Blackbirds from 8 P.M. to midnight; one (young)
killed. (N., 3; G. M.) _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., a *Knot killed at 2 A.M.
(E., 2; O. M. R.) _Breaksea_ L.V., Thrushes and other birds from 12
P.M. (18th) to 4 A.M. (N.E., 1; O. M. R.) _Longships_ L.H., a good many
Larks, Starlings, and Thrushes, from 1 A.M. till daylight. (E.N.E. to
N.N.E., 4; misty.) _Eddystone_ L.H., for early morning movement see
yesterday.
November 20th.--_Helwick_ L.V., a few Larks and Starlings around the
lantern. (N.E., 4; C. M.) _Breaksea_ L.V., many Lapwings, Thrushes,
Blackbirds, Starlings, and other birds, from midnight to 4 A.M. (N.E.,
5, 6; O. M. R.) _Eddystone_ L.H., several Starlings and Redwings from
3.30 A.M. till 7 A.M. (N.N.E, 4; C. M.)
November 21st.--_Chickens Rock_ L.H., one Fork-Tailed Petrel flying
about the rock at 7.30 A.M. One male Blackbird struck the lantern and
was caught at 9.30 P.M. (3, S.S.E.; thick haze.) _Breaksea_ L.V., a
*Coot caught at 5 A.M. (E.S.E., 4; O. F.)
November 22d.--_Chickens Rock_ L.H., one Redwing struck heavily at 2
A.M., but was lost over. Number of Crows from daybreak till 9 A.M.
going E. Ten Kittiwakes at 10 A.M. going E. These birds are seldom here
at this season in such numbers, (3, E.; clear.) _South Bishop_ L.H.,
sixty to seventy Crows at 10.15 and 11.30 A.M. flying E.
November 23d.--_South Bishop_ L.H., seven flocks of Crows, of from six
to thirty in a flock, from 8.30 to 11 A.M., flying to E. (E., 7; C. B.
V.)
November 24th.--_South Bishop_ L.H., Crows passing E. in single numbers
from 9 to 11 A.M.
November 25th.--_Cardigan Bay_ L.V., a large flock of Lapwings flying
round the lantern at 2 A.M. _South Bishop_ L.H., a flock of about
thirty Crows at 10 A.M. flying E.[10] _Eddystone_ L.H., a few Redwings
from 1 to 3 A.M.; one caught. (W. by N, 4; O. V.)
[Footnote 10: Messrs Nicholas & Pell remark on the Crows passing this
station since the 15th inst.:--"We never saw such a quantity of Crows
pass before, during the ten years we have been stationed here."]
November 26th.--_South Bishop_ L.H., a Magpie alighted on the rock at 2
P.M. (S.W., 7; C. M.)
November 28th.--_Cumberland_, a female Great Grey Shrike, var.
"_major_," shot at Cumwhinton, near Carlisle.
November 29th.--_Skerries Rock_ L.H., a few Blackbirds, Thrushes, and
Starlings flying round lantern from 5 to 6 A.M. (S.E., 4; O. M. R.)
DECEMBER.
December 3d.--_Chickens Rock_ L.H., a number of Razorbills from
early A.M. till 1 P.M. sitting on water. _Skerries Rock_ L.H., a few
Razorbills about to S.E. of island at 1.30 P.M. (S.W.,8; stormy.)
December 7th.--_Cumberland_, an immature Richardson's Skua at Allonby,
felled by a stone while feeding on the carcase of a Pig.
December 9th.--_South Stack_ L.H., one Fieldfare and one Lark struck
the lantern and killed at 11.40 P.M.
December 10th.--_St Tudwal's_ L.H., a Bullfinch in the garden.
December 11th.--_Chickens Rock_ L.H., a number of Larks, one Song
Thrush, one Starling, and one Brambling flying round light at 3.30 A.M.
(2, E.; sleet shower.)
December 12th.--_Breaksea_ L.V., many Lapwings, Starlings, Blackbirds,
and others, around the lantern from 12 P.M. to 4 A.M. (E.S.E., 4; O.
M.) _Eddystone_ L.H., "a few Thrushes and Warblers" passing from 12
P.M. to 7 A.M. (E., 2; C. V.)
December 17th.--_Langness_ L.H., one Redshank caught on lantern at 7
P.M. (S.W. strong breeze; clear.)
December 21st.--_Nash_ (_E._) L.H., Fieldfares and Redwings passing at
intervals from noon to 3 P.M. (N.E., 3.) _Eddystone_ L.H., a Jacksnipe
killed at 3 A.M. (N.N.E., 3; B. C. V.)
December 22d.--_Langness_ L.H., three Snow Buntings at 3 P.M. (N. fresh
breeze; clear.) _Nash_ (_E._) L.H., eight to twelve Song Thrushes going
S.W. at 9 A.M. Starlings and Fieldfares going W.S.W. from 9 A.M. to 3
P.M. _Portland_ (_Low_) L.H., two Thrushes at 11.30 A.M.
W. Eagle Clarke.
Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh.
IRISH COAST.
The Report for 1887 on the Irish coast is satisfactory. The schedules
number seventy-five, from thirty-one stations. As a rule they never
were better or more carefully filled, and the number of legs and
wings and specimens is almost 150. In addition to the schedules, many
letters have been received, either inquiring the names of species
or remarking on the special movements of birds. This shows that the
Irish light-keepers display an intelligent and increasing interest
in birds, and are quite as anxious and as willing as their English
and Scottish brethren to further the objects of this inquiry. It is a
difficult task to select from so many observers any special names; but
the schedules from the Fastnet, Tuskar, and Coningbeg Light-ship, and
the number of specimens accompanying them, deserve to be gratefully
recorded. Messrs George Dunleavy, Patrick Cullen, W. Clydesdale, Peter
Page, Edward M'Kenna, J. M. Leary, and P. Corish were the contributors.
Some light-keepers are more fortunately situated than others, and the
excellence of a schedule is to some extent dependent on locality. At
the same time at a bad station a watchful observer can often supply
notes which enable us to comprehend more clearly the range over which
the movements of certain species extend.
At all times it has been a matter for regret that the identification
of birds by the light-keepers was not more accurate. Even trained
ornithologists might readily err in distinguishing species flying past
or around the lanterns, and it cannot be too strongly impressed on the
light-keepers that _it is of vital importance to send a leg and wing of
at least one specimen of every species killed striking. Uncommon birds
should be forwarded in the flesh_.