"Sky Larks seen at Lundy and at Scilly." On 11th, "a quantity" arrived
with Plovers and Starlings at Milford, and remained all day. On 12th
and 13th, at South Stack, "continuous flocks of Larks and Starlings
passed," fresh N.E. breeze, snow. Autumn: Sept. 24th, "a flock of
Sky Larks" passed S.E., 3 p.m., mod. S.E. breeze, mist. On 25th, at
Morecambe Bay, "three," and on 27th, at same hour, 10 a.m., "two
passed" N.E., gentle N.W. by N. breeze. On 29th, at Nash, "a few
Larks with Starlings" passed at noon, gentle E.N.E. breeze, mist. At
Morecambe, Oct. 5th, one passed S., mod. E. by S. breeze. On 16th,
three passed W.S.W., light N.N.E. breeze. At Skerries, throughout
October, notices of passing chiefly at night, striking, and some
killed; wind mod. S.E. to E.S.E. On 16th, at South Stack, "a flock of
Larks accompanying a flock of Linnets" passed W.N.W., light S.E. air.
On 21st, at Milford, a flight passed inland, 1 p.m., E.S.E. clear (the
following night there was a fresh gale). In November, at Morecambe,
on 4th, "a female"; and at Milford, 23rd, "a considerable number with
Linnets been about the last few days," S.S.W. to W. fresh breeze to
mod. gale. On Dec. 2nd, at Morecambe, "a male Sky Lark came on board
and was caught," 7.45 a.m., mod. S.W. breeze, gloomy, misty. At
Skerries, on 22nd, "a few Larks" struck from 10 to 11 p.m., one being
killed, gentle E.N.E. breeze.
Starling, _Sturnus vulgaris_, Linn.--Spring: At South Stack, Jan. 12th
and 13th, Starlings and Larks. On 14th, at Godrevy, "a great number
with Thrushes and Lapwings" from noon to 4 p.m., fresh E.S.E. breeze,
frost and snow. At Scilly, 13th to 25th, "large flocks with Larks and
Fieldfares." On 7th several at Nash, and on 16th "flocks" passing
N.W., light air, misty. On Feb. 16th, at Great Castle Head, "six were
seen with Ravens," 4 p.m., mod. S.S.E. breeze, rain; and at Scilly,
on 22nd, with Lapwings, Plovers, and Curlews, 9 a.m., strong E.N.E.
breeze. Autumn: First notice at Nash, Aug. 13th, "a small flock" passed
S.W., 9 a.m., gentle W. breeze, fog; so also on 19th, mod. E. breeze,
mist. On Sept. 24th "a small flock" passed S.E., mod. S.E. breeze,
mist, rain. On 29th, "twenty-four Starlings and a few Larks" passed
S.W. at noon, gentle E.N.E. breeze, mist. At Morecambe, Sept. 27th,
at 11.50 p.m., "two going W. and chirping loud," light W. air. On
Oct. 1st, at Scilly, "flocks flying about in the morning," mod. S.E.
breeze. On 13th, at South Stack, 7.30 a.m., "a very large flock rushed
on the island," fresh N.N.W. breeze; they passed to E.; on 17th a few
passed, two struck, but were not killed. On 19th, at Morecambe, one
going S.S.E. at 8 a.m., and at 3.23 p.m. three going S.E., mod. S.E.
gale. On 25th, one going E., mod. E. breeze. At Nash, on 21st, fifty
to sixty passed, 4 a.m., fresh E.S.E. breeze, mist, rain (11 killed);
and on 27th, at about the same hour, 100 to 150 passed to S.W., 10
to 20 struck, 4 killed, mod. E.N.E. breeze. At Bideford, throughout
October, hundreds seen often in the morning, flying past from N.W.
to E., to feed on Branston Burrows. In November, at South Stack, on
12th, flocks passed S., about fifty rested on the island, 8 a.m., mod.
S.W. breeze, fine, clear. On 15th, at Morecambe, a flock at 10.55 a.m.
passed, flying E.S.E., fresh S. breeze, mist, rain. At Nash, the same
day and hour, 200 to 300 passed S.W., fresh S. breeze, mist (one white
Starling among them); on 24th, twelve to eighteen passed at 8 a.m.,
strong S.W. breeze, clear. On Dec. 14th, 300 passed S.W. at noon, mod.
S.W. breeze, mist, rain; and constant occurrences are noted at this
station up to Feb. 7th, 1882. On Dec. 23rd a large flock passed to E.,
8.30 a.m., calm; and on 31st, at same hour, a large flock passed to
S.E., gentle S.S.E. breeze, fine and clear. On Jan. 16th, 1882, at 7.50
p.m., some struck the lantern, strong S. breeze, misty. At Skerries,
on 17th, a great many passed all night, fifteen killed, strong S.W.
breeze, mist; and at sunrise large flocks flying towards the land. On
20th, at Hartland Point, one struck, 9 p.m., calm. From Flatholm they
are reported to have been very scarce.
Magpie, _Pica rustica_, Scop.--On March 1st, Great Castle Head, two
Magpies and three Robins seen, 9 a.m., mod. N.W. breeze, gloomy,
showery.
Jackdaw, _Corvus monedula_, Linn.--Autumn: In October it is reported
from Allonby that a number of Jackdaws frequent these parts. On Oct.
25th, at Morecambe L.V., one seen at noon going S. by W., lighted on
mizen-mast a moment, and then flew away very tired, strong E. breeze,
clear.
Crow, _Corvus cornix_, Linn.; Chough, _Pyrrhocorax graculus_,
Linn.--Spring: Feb. 18th, at Great Castle Head, "four Muscle Crows,"
5 a.m., mod. to fresh E. breeze. On 22nd, at 7 a.m., six, E.N.E. On
March 22nd, at 8 a.m., four Crows with two Ravens, strong breeze W.S.W.
to mod. gale; and on 26th, four Crows. Autumn: Sept. 13th, at Nash, a
small flock of Choughs passed S.W. at 3 p.m., gentle N.N.W. breeze,
clear. At Morecambe, Sept. 28th, one Crow in vicinity, 11.20 a.m.,
gentle S. breeze, slight fog. On Oct. 13th, at Nash, a very large flock
of Crows and Gulls seen inland from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., mod. W. breeze,
very clear; and on Dec. 14th, 40 Crows (with 300 Starlings) at noon,
mod. S.W. breeze. On Jan. 20th, 100 with Gulls passed S.W., 11 a.m.
(Would some of these notices refer to Rooks?)
Rook, _Corvus frugilegus_, Linn.--Nov. 6th, at Allonby, a great many
Rooks coming from N., flying S., strong S.W. breeze.
Raven, _Corvus corax_, Linn.--Spring: At Great Castle Head, Feb. 14th,
two with Sparrows, 4 p.m., strong S. breeze, showers. On 15th, two with
Starlings at same hour, mod. S.S.E. breeze. On March 22nd, two, and
four Crows, 8 a.m., strong W.S.W. breeze, showers.
Cuckoo, _Cuculus canorus_, Linn.--Spring: At Air (River Dee), on April
10th, a male and female seen, 4.30 p.m., mod. S.S.E. breeze, clear. On
19th, at Burnham, Cuckoo heard, weather very cold. At Nash, on 15th,
eleven Cuckoos passed N.W. from 1 to 3 p.m., calm, mist. On 16th, five
passed N.W. from 8 to 9 a.m., light E.S.E. air, mist. On May 4th, four
passed S.W. at 9 a.m., gentle E.S.E. breeze, mist, rain.
Falcon, _Falco peregrinus_ (Tunstall).--At Morecambe L.V., Nov. 21st,
3.30 p.m., a Falcon Hawk fell in the water close to the L.V., very
tired, was drowned. At Hartland Point, Jan. 24th, 1882, a very large
Hawk seen at a distance, 3.30 p.m., calm and clear.
Cormorant, _Phalacrocorax carbo_, Linn.--At Skerries, from May to
September, Cormorants and Curlews seen occasionally. At Bideford, in
September, a few Shags. At Morecambe, Oct. 9th, one Cormorant going W.,
2.15 p.m., strong N.W. breeze, about through the day.
Gannet, _Sula bassana_, Linn.--Spring: At Holyhead, April 29th, four
crossed, 1 p.m., flying from E. to W., mod. S.W. gale. Autumn: At
Skerries, Sept. 11th, several at sunrise flying W. at a great height,
mod. N.E., clear. At Morecambe, Oct. 7th, 7 a.m., one going S.; and on
8th, one going E. On 9th a good many, and on 10th a few were seen. At
Hartland Point, Nov. 20th, several flying to and fro (and during the
whole of the month).
Heron, _Ardea cinerea_, Linn.--At Skerries, Sept. 8th, one alighted
close to the lighthouse, 6 p.m., calm and fine. At Allonby, Oct. 20th,
several observed at 11 a.m. coming from the north, flying S., fresh
N.E. breeze, clear.
Goose, _Anser (?)_--Spring: At Nash E., passing W. in January. At
Sevenstones, on 11th, several flocks passed, flying W.; and at Scilly
on 25th, three were seen. On Dec. 13th, at Hartland Point, Geese in
flights going E., and on 23rd several birds going in same direction.
On Jan. 17th, 1882, several (single birds, not in flights) during the
morning flying W. These are all the instances noted.
Sheldrake, _Tadorna cornuta_, Gmel.--March 29th, at Air (River Dee),
forty-one pairs at sunrise, gentle W.N.W. breeze. Oct. 17th, at
Allonby, two flying S., 8 p.m., mod. S.E. breeze.
Duck, _Anas boschas_, Linn.; _Mareca penelope_, L.; _Œdemia(?)_;
_Querquedula crecca_, Linn.--Spring: At Godrevy, on Jan. 6th, a flock
of Ducks and a Mallard flying W. On 13th and 14th, at Nash, flocks of
Wild Ducks flying W. On 26th, at St. Tudwal's, "Ducks." On March 18th,
Bardsey, three Ducks and one Drake Wigeon, at 1.30 a.m., mod. S.S.W.
breeze, sleet. Autumn: First notice Sept. 1st, at Holyhead, large
flocks of Wild Ducks in bay, 11.30 a.m., fresh N.E. breeze, clear. At
Godrevy, on 15th, four "Black Ducks" (? Scoters), 1.30 p.m., mod. N. by
E. breeze, clear. At Morecambe, on 14th and 15th, at 7 a.m., Wild Ducks
flying S.S.W., light W. breeze, clear. During the first two weeks of
October Wild Ducks are reported as passing towards the S.W., S.E., and
S., the greatest number on the 9th; and on 19th and 24th, Black Ducks
going S.E. or S.S.W. At Scilly, on 18th, three Wild Ducks, strong S.E.
breeze. At Nash, on 21st, four Wild Ducks (Black Ducks) at 3.30 a.m.
struck, one killed, strong E.S.E. breeze. On 26th, at Allonby, five
Grey Ducks at 1.30 p.m., strong E. breeze, clear. In November Black
Ducks and Wild Ducks were noticed from Morecambe Bay, Godrevy, and Air,
passing to S. or E. At Godrevy, Dec. 14th, at 8.30 p.m., one Wild Duck
was killed, fresh N. breeze, clear; and at Air, to Dec. 9th, flocks
of Wild Ducks passed inland about sunset. At Morecambe, on Dec. 2nd,
some were seen flying S.W.; and from Dec. 2nd to 11th Wild Ducks in
numbers--from one and two to thirteen--passed, flying N.W., N.N.W. (and
once W.N.W., with strong W.N.W. breeze), wind S.S.W. or mod. S.S.E.,
generally mist or rain. Time of observation varying from 8.30 a.m. to
3.30 p.m. On 27th one passed, flying S., gentle N.W. breeze. At Nash,
on 20th, fifteen Ducks passed at midnight, two struck (not killed). On
29th, forty to fifty passed S. at 3.20 p.m., light S.W. breeze, fog; on
same day, at 3.30 a.m., 100 to 150 Teal passed S.W. On 31st, four Ducks
passed S.W. at 4 a.m., strong S.W. breeze, clear. On Jan. 24th about
200 seen close to the cliffs all day.
Wood Pigeon, _Columba palumbus_, Linn.--On June 22nd, at Nash, two Wood
Pigeons struck (one killed), 2 a.m., mod. W. breeze. At Skerries, Aug.
--, two Pigeons seen in the afternoon, remained some time. On Oct.
21st, at Nash, at 4 p.m., one killed, fresh E.S.E. breeze. On Nov.
30th, at Allonby, flocks of Wood Pigeons coming from E., flying W.,
strong S.W. breeze, cloudy.
Landrail, _Crex pratensis_, Bechst.--At Nash, June 19th, one killed at
1 a.m., light N. air, fog; again on Oct. 29th, one killed, 3.50 a.m.,
light E.N.E. breeze, mist.
Golden Plover, _Charadrius pluvialis_, Linn.--Spring: At Nash, between
Jan. 3rd and 11th, flocks of Plovers, Peewits, and Starlings passed W.
or N.W. At Bardsey, Feb. 11th, flocks of four and five Golden Plovers
were flying about the island in the daytime, mod. N.E. gale, sleet.
Autumn: Sept. 19th, at Skerries, two remained till evening. At Allonby,
Oct. 20th, Golden Plovers in flocks. At Nash, Dec. 10th, fifty to sixty
Plovers passed W. at 2 p.m., light N.E. breeze, mist. In January, 1882,
at St. Tudwal's, two alighted on the island to rest, one flew away with
difficulty to W., mod. W. gale. On 7th, at Nash, three Plovers killed,
4 a.m., strong N. breeze, showers of hail.
Grey Plover, _Squatarola helvetica_, Linn.--At Allonby, Nov. 7th, three
Grey Plovers seen, one shot, strong S.W. breeze.
Ring Plover, _Ægialitis hiaticula_, Linn.--At Air, March 29th, forty
Ring Plovers at noon, gentle W.N.W. breeze, clear.
Dotterel.--At Bideford, in September, hundreds. (Would this be the
Ringed Dotterel?).
Lapwing, _Vanellus vulgaris_, Bechst.--Spring: At Nash, Jan. 3rd, large
flocks passed W., and on 6th N.W., mod. E. breeze. On 10th, Plovers
and Peewits passed S.W., gentle N.E. breeze; and on 11th, flocks (with
Starlings) passed N.W., light breeze, mist. At Scilly, Jan. 10th, 13th,
and 25th, large flocks of Lapwings and Plovers, mod. E. and N.N.E.
breezes. At Sevenstones, on 11th, large flocks flying W., gentle W.N.W.
breeze, hazy. At Godrevy, on 14th, Lapwings, Starlings, and Thrushes
at 4 p.m., fresh E.S.E. breeze, clear. On 15th, at Skerries, several
were seen flying round the lantern at midnight, strong S.S.W. breeze,
gloomy. At Scilly, Feb. 22nd, 9 a.m., Lapwings with Plovers, Starlings,
and Curlews, strong E.N.E. breeze, mist. Autumn: Aug. 30th, at Air, a
flock hovering about in the morning. This is the only notice from any
station till Oct. 1st, when, at Allonby, large flocks. On 16th, at
Nash, two Peewits and a few Starlings passed S.W., gentle E. breeze,
mist. At Allonby, Nov. 14th, several flocks coming from the north,
flying S., strong S.W. breeze, rain. So on 18th, with gentle E. breeze,
frost. At Morecambe, on Nov. 10th, at 11.30, a flock passed, flying
S.E., fresh W. breeze. On Dec. 12th, at Milford, a considerable number
(probably over 200) seen near, evidently on flight, were following a
leader from the way they flew, light N. breeze, fine sharp frost. On
Dec. 16th, at Nash, 1000 or more Lapwings passed W. at 1 p.m., light
N.E. breeze, mist. At Menai, Peewits all the year round (but is no
increase and decrease of their numbers observable?).
Turnstone, _Strepsilas interpres_, Linn.--At Allonby, Nov. 28th, small
flocks of about a dozen Turnstones noticed on the shore, gentle S.W.
breeze, clear.
Oystercatcher, _Hæmatopus ostralegus_, Linn.--On June 7th and 8th, at
Nash, twenty Curlews and Sea-pies passed N., mod. N. to N.W. breeze. At
Bideford, Sept. 17th, hundreds of Sea-pies visit the mussel-beds all
the year with Curlews, Gulls, and Stints. On Oct. 6th, at Air, several
flocks passed E. at different times of the day, mod. N.N.E. breeze. On
20th, at Allonby, flocks. At Skerries they are said to remain all the
year. (But do all remain all the year? What about the young? Is there
no movement noticeable at any time of the year?)
Woodcock, _Scolopax rusticula_, Linn.; Snipe, _Gallinago cælestis_,
Frenzel.--At Bardsey, Jan. 14th, two passed W. at noon, fresh E.
breeze, mist; on 20th one struck the lantern. At Nash, Jan. 5th, four
Snipe passed S.W. at 3 p.m., fresh E.N.E. breeze, mist. On Oct. 27th,
at Skerries, a Woodcock killed soon after midnight, fresh S.S.E.
breeze. At Nash, Nov. 2nd, two Snipe passed E., mod. E. breeze, rain.
On Dec. 21st, at Skerries, a Woodcock killed at midnight, mod. W.N.W.
gale; and on Dec. 29th, at Nash, four Snipe passed S.W., light S.W.
breeze, mist.
Stint, _Tringa (?)_; Godwit, _Limosa (?)_.--Sept. 17th, at Bideford,
hundreds of Stints with Sea-pies, &c., between half-ebb and half-flood.
At Allonby, Nov. 8th, a large flock of Stints and Godwits wheeling
about.
Sanderling, _Calidris arenaria_, Linn.--At Godrevy, Dec. 20th, and
21st, about 11 a.m., mod. S. and W. by S. breezes, a flock passed W.;
and on 25th, at 12.30 a.m., two Sanderlings struck and one was killed,
fresh S.W. breeze, mist.
Curlew, _Numenius arquata_, Linn.--Spring: At Scilly, from Jan. 13th
to 25th, large flocks, with Lapwings, &c. On 16th, at Skerries, an
unusual number seen all day, mod. breeze, mist. On 22nd Feb. at Scilly,
Starlings and Curlews, E.N.E., strong breeze; and from May to September
they are reported as occasionally seen. At Nash, June 7th and 8th,
twenty Curlews and Seapies passed N. from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., mod. N.
and N.W. breeze, rain. On 24th to 28th large numbers of Curlews and
Seapies passed S.W. from sunrise to 1 p.m., mod. N.W. to S. breeze,
rain. On July 11th twelve to fifteen Curlews passed S. 9 a.m., fresh W.
breeze, fine. At Air, July 18th, 9.15 p.m., large quantities passed E.,
light W.N.W. breeze, rain. Autumn: At Morecambe, first instance, Sept.
18th, one flying about the ship, followed by a Skua; and on 25th, two
flying S.S.E., gentle N.W. breeze. At Menai they are mentioned as being
more plentiful in August and September; and at Bideford, in September,
hundreds at the mussel-beds with Oystercatchers, &c. At Nash, Oct.
6th, eight passed N.W. at 1.30 p.m., light E. breeze. At Morecambe, on
19th, three passed S.W., strong S.E. gale. And at Skerries, on 18th,
Curlews flying about the island all day, mod. S.E. breeze; on 23rd they
were seen all day, light E.S.E. breeze, clear. At Usk, throughout the
winter, large flocks seen on the sands when tide in, and these remained
about till March, 3882.
Arctic Tern, _Sterna macrura_, Naum.; Lesser Tern, _S. minuta_,
Linn.--At Nash, June 24th to 28th, a large number of Sea Swallows (with
Curlews) passed S.W. from sunrise to 1 p.m., mod. N.W. to S. breeze,
rain. At Skerries, May 1st to September, innumerable quantities of
Arctic Terns or Sea Swallows (come to breed, leaving when young able
to fly). At Bideford, Sept. 17th, a Sea Swallow, 10 p.m., struck the
lantern, and was taken alive, fresh S. breeze, mist. On Sept. 27th, at
Morecambe, three Lesser Terns passed with two Titlarks, flying N.N.W.,
gentle N.W. by N. breeze.
Gull, _Larus_.--Spring: At Great Castle Head, in January up to 20th,
Gulls flew by. At Bull Point, from 11th to 26th, Sea Gulls (grey),
flying rather high, S.W., with mod. breeze from N.W. At Nash, on 9th,
a small flock of Gulls passed N., 11 a.m., light E.N.E. breeze. At
Great Castle Head, March 14th and 18th, four and six Gulls flying
S.S.E. and S.W. Autumn: At Nash, on Aug. 30th, a large flock of Gulls
passed N.W. at 7 a.m., gentle E.N.E. breeze. At South Stack Gulls are
reported as remaining till Aug. 29th. At Bideford hundreds of Common
Gulls seen in September. At Bull Point, on Sept. 16th, a Black-backed
Gull passed W.S.W., 10.15 a.m.; on 17th, at Morecambe, continuous
flocks of Gulls, Black-headed, Grey, and different species. Thence to
Oct. 19th. Flocks of Common Gulls and different species are constantly
recorded; winds from N.N.E. to S.E. by S. (never directly E. or N.,
nor indeed N. of E.); greatest number Sept. 19th to 22nd inclusive. At
Nash, Oct. 13th, a very large flock of Gulls and Crows seen inland from
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., mod. W. breeze, very clear. The same on 27th, gentle
E.N.E. breeze, mist. A great number passsed up and down the Channel
from August to October, about sunrise flying N. and at sunset S. At
Allonby, Nov. 14th, it is "noted for some time past a great quantity of
Kittiwakes been on the coast." At Skerries also an unusual number of
Kittiwakes this year; a few Gulls all the year. At Usk large flocks of
Gulls seen occasionally through the window. At Bardsey Gulls resident;
and at Menai always seen.
Skua, _Stercorarius catarrhactes_, Linn.--The only records from
Morecambe on Sept. 18th, one following a flock of Gulls, and again on
19th and 20th; several on 22nd, in vicinity all day; 23rd, a dozen
going W., 1.30 p.m., gloomy and misty; on 25th, 29th, and 30th a
good many seen. In October, one seen on 23rd chasing Gulls; on 8th,
one going S., gentle E.N.E. breeze; the latest notice on 11th, a few
chasing Gulls.
Petrel, _Procellaria pelagica_, Linn.--On Sept. 23rd, at Godrevy,
one struck, 9.30 p.m. (not killed), mod. S.S.E. breeze, clear. At
Morecambe, Nov. 22nd, a Stormy Petrel flying W., 2.30 p.m., mod. W.
gale. At St. Tudwal's, Jan. 8th, 1882, four Stormy Petrels rested under
lee of rocks, 3.30 p.m., mod. W. gale.
Razorbill, _Alca torda_, Linn.--From South Stack we hear Razorbills
left after breeding in the beginning of August, At St. Bees the
beginning of this year (1882), a bird was picked up dead on the shore,
which, from the description and a sketch made by Mr. Pizey, P.K., I
identified as a Razorbill.
Guillemot, _Lomvia troile_, Linn.--At South Stack they are mentioned in
same note as Razorbills as leaving in beginning of August. At Holyhead,
Sept. 1st, large flocks of Guillemots and Puffins, fresh N.E. breeze,
clear. At Milford, on same date, it is noted that "several during the
past week struck the lantern windows at night; they annually do so at
this time and no other." At Morecambe, Sept. 20th, a great number of
Divers (? Guillemots), with Gulls and Skuas, and so to 26th, when a few
Divers throughout the day. At Hartland Point diving birds were observed
near the shore in January, 1882. At Skerries Guillemots and Puffins are
reported as remaining nearly the year round. (But if not all the year,
when do they leave and when return? Could this be noticed for next
year's report?)
Puffin, _Fratercula arctica_, Linn.--At Holyhead, Sept. 1st, large
flocks with Guillemots. At Morecambe, Sept. 28th, small flocks of Gulls
and Puffins continuous, and, on Oct. 1st to 28rd, flocks with Gulls
seen in vicinity.
Birds unknown.--At Hartland Point, Oct. 27th, grey bird at midnight
struck the lantern, fresh E. breeze. At Bardsey Mr. Bowen says grey
birds, &c., are resident. Are Grey Crows meant? At Air, Oct. 29th,
flocks of birds unknown passed before daylight, mod. N.E. breeze.
At Scilly, Oct. 18th, a few migrants later part of the month. At
Morecambe, Oct. 20th, small flocks of small birds going E.S.E., 8.30
a.m., strong S.E. by E. breeze, clear, a little misty.
Additional Remarks.
Holyhead, Menai, and St. Bees are reported as unfavourable stations
for observation. From Bull Point Mr. Knott writes:--"Very few birds to
be seen. It is a north aspect; more to be seen with a south aspect."
And from Great Castle Head Mr. Spicer writes:--"This being an inland
lighthouse there is scarcely a bird to be seen for days, and then by
chance you might see some away in the fields."
Most of the stations report scarcity in comparison with other years,
as South Stack, Lundy, Caldy, Usk, Burnham, and Trevose Head; the
decrease appears to be ascribed to the mildness of the season. Whether
this be the real or the main cause of a like scarcity or not from the
following stations may be an open question; but I give the opinion
of the observers, and they do not speak of it as the record of this
year's observations alone, _viz._, Longships, from which Mr. Jones
writes:--"Very few cases of birds coming against our lantern since
(of late years) the light is red towards the shore." From Burnham
it is reported "Birds very rarely strike, the lantern glass being
only eight feet by four feet." And from Skerries report I extract
the following:--"There is a small quantity of birds in comparison
with years prior to introduction of fog-horn (see also Rep. 1880, p.
119). In thick and foggy weather during November and February great
quantities were always seen, chiefly Starlings, with Blackbirds,
Thrushes, Wheatears, Larks, &c. On one occasion I saw our lantern
gallery full, and at the base of the tower the quantity killed
necessitated the use next morning of the wheelbarrow to remove them to
the garden for manure. On one occasion a monster pie, made by workmen
employed here, contained two hundred Larks, besides other smaller
birds. But since the fog-horn has been sounded in thick weather birds
coming to the light have been few, though many seen and heard in the
air."--H. Knott.
From the same station Mr. Garret, P.K., writes:--"These birds (Sea
Swallows, which breed on the island) seem to take no notice of the
fog-horn, while others, such as Starlings, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Larks,
&c., keep off while the horn is sounding, so that very few are seen
round the lantern now, while formerly, in thick or misty weather during
February and November, the lantern-gallery would be full of birds; each
on striking would drop into the gallery and remain till daylight, when,
if not too much injured, they would fly; but with strong winds a great
number, chiefly Starlings, would be killed."
It is easy to believe that the hideous sound of a fog-horn, till
the birds get used to it, will keep them at a distance. That birds
recognise landmarks cannot, I think, be doubted, and possibly a
complete change in colour of a light they have grown accustomed to
may for a time make them suspicious of it. I think that if a light be
placed in a new, and not altogether unfavourable, situation, birds will
be attracted to it, because, though not yet accustomed to see it in
that spot, they will recognise it as a resting-place and sign of land.
From some light-keepers I have heard that years ago (the lighthouse
then not long erected) the slaughter among birds was much greater than
now. Of course the nature of the season would partly account for this,
but I think also that the unaccustomed light might attract many a weary
wanderer to an untimely death. That birds profit by experience cannot,
I think, be doubted, and I expect that the unrestrained destruction of
them along a particular route will gradually effect a change in their
ways. I believe that the scarcity now for some years generally noticed
may be due in a measure to the ruthless destruction met with at certain
points on the Continent in their line of annual flight.