Heligoland, March 13th and 14th, several, and on to April 12th. Autumn:
the autumn of 1882 will be long remembered amongst ornithologists
from the extraordinary immigration of Goldcrests on to the east
coasts of Scotland and England. On the east coast of England the
migration extended over ninety-two days, commencing Aug. 6th. Cromer
L.H., midnight, two stunned against lantern, and a week later at
Redcar, Aug. 13th, wind S.W., forty to fifty, at 8 a.m., seen on the
breakwater, and forward, at many stations and in immense numbers, to
Nov. 5th, Cockle L.V., 5 a.m., one caught against glass. They arrived
somewhat sparingly in August and through September, and day after day
in enormous numbers in October; in this month they are recorded at
twenty-one stations between the Farne Islands and the Hanois L.H.,
off Guernsey. There appear to have been two great rushes, one on the
night of Oct. 7th and morning of 8th, and again on night of 12th
and morning of 13th, the latter with the Woodcock.[6] Many also are
likewise reported during the month to have alighted on fishing-boats,
steam-vessels, &c., in the North Sea. At Heligoland, on Oct. 8th, all
the island swarmed with them; they had also been exceedingly numerous
there from Sept. 8th, continuing also to arrive and depart throughout
October, and on the night from 28th to 29th Mr. Gätke remarks, "a
perfect storm of Goldcrests we have had,--poor little souls!--perching
on the ledges of the window-panes of the lantern of our lighthouse,
preening their feathers in the glare of the lamps; on the 29th all the
island swarmed with them, filling the gardens everywhere, and over all
the cliff--hundreds of thousands; by 9 a.m. most of them had passed on
again." On English coast, Farne Inner L.H., Oct. 8th, "never remember
seeing so many at one time." Whitby L.H., 8th and 12th, "great rush."
Flamborough, 7th to 14th, "never more seen." Spurn, 7th to 8th, "in
turnip-fields, hedges, and everywhere, never more seen." Great Cotes,
8th, great many everywhere, and even on the piles of timber on the
dock-quays and timber-yards at Grimsby. Dudgeon L.V., 12th, "flock
to W." Cromer L.H., 10th and 12th, latter night "large flocks," and
at other stations, too numerous to detail, in large numbers. General
direction E. to W., and E.S.E. to W.N.W., winds easterly over North Sea
nights of 7th and 12th, with fogs and drizzling rain on latter night.
These small wanderers reached the land in a very exhausted state, and
great numbers are supposed to have perished in mid-passage.
[Footnote 6: At this date the stream of Goldcrests extended quite
across England, the Irish Channel, and into Ireland.]
It is curious that the Fire-crested Wren, _R. ignicapillus_ (C. L.
Brehm), has not been observed at Heligoland during the autumn, although
generally it is tolerably numerous.
At the Newarp L.V., in March and April, 1883, an immense migration of
various birds was observed almost day by day; amongst those on April
14th three Golden-crested Wrens going eastward.
Phylloscopinæ.--Spring: East Yorkshire, Chiffchaff, _Phylloscopus
collybita_ (Vieill.), March 13th. Willow Wren, P. trochilus (Linn.),
Heligoland, April 22nd and 23rd, some. Autumn: Spurn and East
Lincolnshire, first week in September, many; latest. Spurn, Oct. 25th.
Chiffchaff also at Spurn on 29th. Heligoland, Willow Wren, Aug. 15th,
some, and forward in great numbers to Oct. 19th. Chiffchaff, Sept.
21st, and a great number at intervals to Oct. 27th. Wood Wren, _P.
sibilatrix_ (Bechst.), Oct. 27th, one. Yellow-browed Warbler, _P.
superciliosus_ (Gm.), Oct. 23rd, W., one; 27th, S.W., one seen.
Acrocephalinæ.--Spring: Spurn, May 29th, 11 p.m., misty, two Reed
Warblers, _Acrocephalus streperus_ (Vieill.), killed against lantern;
Spurn, Aug. 20th, midnight, three old males killed; Great Cotes, Sept.
2nd, in bean-fields. On Sept. 12th, 1881, two Grasshopper Warblers,
_Locustella nævia_ (Bodd.), were killed in the night against the
lantern of Spurn lighthouse (omitted in report for 1881). Heligoland,
Sept. 19th, one Grasshopper Warbler.
Hedgesparrow, _Accentor modularis_ (Linn.).--Spring: Heligoland,
March 12th, some; 13th and 14th, some; 20th to April 12th, daily
some. Autumn: At Spurn and in East Lincolnshire great numbers were
observed during the first fortnight in September. Spurn, Oct. 8th,
most abundant, and on the Lincolnshire side, same date, extraordinary
numbers; in some localities, as stack-yards and marsh hedgerows,
swarming. Heligoland, Sept. 20th, S.E., beginning to arrive; 22nd,
great many; on Oct. 6th and 7th, marvellous numbers; also on 8th, and
continuing to arrive and pass forward in very great numbers up to the
29th. It will be seen that their extraordinary abundance at Spurn and
in East Lincolnshire on Oct. 8th corresponds with the immense flight
at Heligoland at the same period, Oct. 6th, 7th and 8th. At Languard
Point, on March 1st, 1883, a large flock was seen at 12.30 p.m., going
eastward.
Bearded Reedling, _Panurus biarmicus_ (Linn.).--Heligoland, Oct. 9th,
S.S.E., later thick and hazy, one, a male.
Paridæ.--Autumn: Heligoland, Blue Titmouse, _Parus cœrulæus_, Linn.,
Sept. 20th, beginning; Oct. 23rd, some. Great Titmouse, _P. major_,
Linn., Oct. 7th, a sprinkling; 8th, numerous; 14th, great many. Coal
Titmouse, _P. ater_, Linn., one on Oct. 15th; _Paridæ_ continuing
to pass up to 29th. Languard Point L.H., Oct. 29th, one Long-tailed
Titmouse. Galloper L.V., Oct. 8th, one Titmouse dead on deck. Farne
Inner L.H., Oct. 13th, E.S.E., Great and Blue Titmouse, old males,
many. 5 Buoy Tees L.V., 13th, 3 p.m., five on board. Newarp L.V.,
several on deck, with Goldcrests and Redbreasts. Two "rushes," Oct. 8th
and 13th, with Goldcrests.
Common Wren, _Troglodytes parvulus_, Koch.--Spring: Flamborough L.H.,
March 18th, W., many round lantern, several struck. Hunstanton L.H.,
17th, 3 a.m., S.W., one caught against lantern. Corton L.V., April
14th, one, E. to W. Cromer L.H., June 17th, 9.50 p.m., two struck, one
killed. Autumn: Heligoland, Oct. 9th, S.S.E., calm, a great many; 14th,
many. Flamborough L.H., Sept. 15th, Spurn L.H., 20th, Galloper L.V.,
21st, and Shipwash L.V., 26th, a great many, both during day and night.
Oct. 7th to 8th and 12th to 13th, great rushes at six stations from
Farne Islands to Galloper L.V.; at the latter on night of 12th many
round lantern, and night of 13th, 8 p.m. to daybreak of 14th, with many
other birds, Larks, Starlings, Thrushes, and two Robins--altogether
many thousands of birds; 160 of various species picked up on deck, and
it is calculated one thousand struck and went overboard.
Motacillidæ.--Spring: Heligoland, Feb. 20th, 1882, Pied Wagtail,
_Motacilla lugubris_, Temm., one fine old male, "never so early; once
I got one on Feb, 28th"; April 23rd, Blue-headed Wagtail, _M. flava_,
Linn., some; Yellow Wagtail, _M. raii_, Bp., one; 28th, _flava_ pretty
numerous. Inner Farne L.H., March 29th, one Pied Wagtail. 5 Buoy
Tees L.V., 28th and 29th, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., great many in flocks of
about twenty, flying S.E. to N.W. Whitby L.H., 23rd, many. Autumn:
Heligoland, Aug. 14th, White Wagtail, _M. alba_, Linn., some; Sept.
9th, _M. flava_, many. Great Cotes, Sept. 2nd, Grey Wagtail, _M.
melanope_, flocks of twenty to thirty in bean-fields; only one old bird
seen. Spurn, 7th, several. Heligoland, April 26th, W.N.W., Richard's
Pipit, _Anthus richardii_, Vieill., one, a small male bird; 28th, one
male, very pale, but not faded or abraded. Autumn: Heligoland, Sept.
28th, S.W., fresh, _A. richardii_, a few; Oct. 8th, a few shot. Meadow
Pipit, _A. pratensis_ (Linn.), Sept. 7th, potato-fields crowded with
them, and up to Oct. 19th a great many; Oct. 17th, marvellous numbers.
Tree Pipit, _A. trivialis_ (Linn.), Sept. 19th to Oct. 11th, numerous.
Rock Pipit, _A. obscurus_ (Lath.), some with _pratensis_. Great Cotes,
Sept. 2nd, Meadow and Tree Pipits in small flocks in bean-fields. Inner
Dowsing L.V., Sept. 12th, fifty Titlarks during day. Farne Inner L.H.,
Nov. 20th, 2 p.m., sixty to S.W.
Laniidæ.--Spring: Spurn, May 28th. Red-backed Shrike, _Lanius
collurio_, Linn., two, male and female, night of 27th or morning of
28th. Autumn: Great Grey Shrike, _L. excubitor_, Linn., Spurn, Sept.
18th, one; 19th, one; and several during the first fortnight in
October. Heligoland, Oct. 5th, _L. major_, one, a second during day;
15th, one; 18th, _L. excubitor_, one, an old male.
Waxwing, _Ampelis garrulus_, Linn.--Heligoland, Nov. 21st, one female.
Seaton Carew, Jan. 5th, 1883, several seen near Middlesborough and
Guisborough, some shot. Cleethorpes, near Grimsby, early morning,
15th, one in a garden close to coast; same time, one near Wragby,
Lincolnshire; 17th, large flocks, several scores, near Goole, fourteen
obtained. Several also in Norfolk near East Coast early in 1883.
Muscicapidæ.--Pied Flycatcher, _M. atricapilla_, Linn.--Heligoland,
June 27th, pretty numerous, young, and forward to Sept. 20th in large
numbers; during the latter time with many Spotted Flycatchers, _M.
grisola_. Spurn, Sept. 12th, Pied Flycatchers, a few, very small birds
comparatively, measuring one inch less in length than those obtained in
1881. The Common Flycatcher was last observed in North Lincolnshire on
Sept. 25th. "Flycatchers" are frequently mentioned as occurring round
the lanterns at night; it is, however, impossible to say what birds are
intended, as the term is used indiscriminately for many of the small
insect-eating birds.
Hirundinidæ.--Swallow, _H. rustica_, Linn.--Spring: First at
Hunstanton L.H., April 13th, several. Heligoland, April 23rd. Longstone
L.H., May 1st. Autumn: Heligoland, August to Oct. 31st, with House
Martins at the latter date. Sand Martins crossed the island on Aug.
15th, and large numbers of both _rustica_ and _urbica_ from Sept.
13th to 19th. On East Coast of England, Great Cotes, Aug. 12th, dusk,
starlight, about one hundred N.E. to S.W.; main body passed up the
coast in September, and very few seen after first week in October. The
last occurrences are North-East Lincolnshire, Nov. 8th, two at Laceby.
Flamborough, Nov. 11th, N., cold, two about lighthouse. Patrington,
Yorkshire, on Oct. 27th I saw ten or twelve House Martins hawking in
the village street.
Goldfinch, _Carduelis elegans_, Steph.--Spring: Spurn, April 20th,
11 a.m., six from S. remaining all day. Autumn: Spurn and East
Lincolnshire, some in October. Heligoland, Oct. 16th, a few.
Siskin, _Chrysomitris spinus_ (Linn.).--Seaton Carew, Durham, Oct.
19th, one. Spurn, 25th, a few. Heligoland, Oct. 16th and on to 23rd,
some.
Greenfinch, _Ligurinus chloris_ (Linn.).--N. E. Lincolnshire, Feb. 5th,
1883, large flocks on stubbles near the coast. Great Cotes, Sept. 7th,
large migratory flocks in bean-fields and on stubbles during month,
feeding on seeds of _Atriplex angustifolia_ and _Polygonum aviculare_,
showing a decided preference for the latter. Languard L.H., Oct. 23rd,
very large flock came in at noon.
Hawfinch, _Coccothraustes vulgaris_, Pall.--Inner Dowsing L.V., Oct.
20th, S.S.W. [No. 5], two came on board and remained all night, then in
the morning left, flying S.E. to N.W. At Heligoland, Mr. Gätke says,
"the Hawfinch here is a well-known customer, never in any numbers, but
every spring and fall some, betraying itself forthwith by its peculiar
call-note, so out of all proportion with its colossal beak."
Common Sparrow, _Passer domesticus_ (Linn.).--From Sept. 23rd, Shipwash
L.V., "flights to N.N.W. to Farne Inner L.V.," Nov. 2nd, eight House
Sparrows, "seldom seen here." Altogether observed at twelve stations,
with one exception, as above, all south of the Humber. Goodwin L.V.,
Sept. 27th to Nov. 14th, on ten days large and continuous flights to
W., and in large numbers in October at other stations.
Tree Sparrow, _P. montanus_ (Linn.).--Spring: Heligoland, March 20th,
a score; April 24th, daily; and 15th to 20th, some; 29th, "eating off
buds of gooseberries in garden." Corton L.V., June 8th, one on board.
Autumn: Shipwash L.V., Sept. 22nd, 2 to 6 p.m., large numbers to S.W.,
to Spurn, Oct. 25th; altogether at seven stations south of the Humber
in very considerable numbers in October.
Chaffinch, _Fringilla cœlebs_, Linn.--Corton L.V., from Sept. 28th,
"several flocks during forenoon to W.," to Galloper L.V., Oct. 14th, 9
p.m. to 4 a.m., "many with Larks." Seven stations report Chaffinches,
all in October, between the Tees and South Sand Head L.V., Goodwins.
Heligoland, Oct. 6th and 7th, enormous numbers crossed--hundreds of
thousands.
Brambling, _F. montifringilla_, Linn.--Heligoland, March 13th and 14th,
1882, one each day; April 8th a few, and on to 28th. Autumn: Longstone
L.H., Sept. 21st, 10 a.m., N.E., fresh and stormy, several. Spurn, Oct.
9th, some; 18th, an immense flock of males, extending two hundred yards
in length, and flying as closely as a flock of Knots. Teesmouth, 12th
and 13th, some. Heligoland, Sept. 4th, E. by N., some; Oct. 19th, great
many.
Linnet, _Linota cannabina_ (Linn.).--Scarcely any reported.[7] Lesser
Redpoll, _L. rufescens_ (Vieill.), a few in N. E. Lincolnshire, first
week in September. Spurn, October, several. Heligoland, Oct. 24th,
storm S.W., No. 11, one, "first capture of species on island"; Nov.
7th, S.E., windy and heavy rain, one shot in garden, second specimen.
Twite, _L. flavirostris_ (Linn.), Heligoland, scarcely any during
autumn. Spurn, Oct. 25th, some small flocks, examples obtained had very
pink rumps.
[Footnote 7: East Coast of Scotland, vast rush in October (9th to
23rd). See J. A. H. B., p. 14 of Report.]
Common Bullfinch, _Pyrrhula europæa_, Vieill.--Hasbro' L.V., Oct. 12th,
4 p.m., two S.E. to N.W.
Common Crossbill, _Loxia curvirostra_, Linn.--Farne Inner L.H., July
15th, one found near lighthouse, had been dead some days.
Emberizidæ.--Yellow Bunting, _E. citrinella_, Linn., Hunstanton L.H.,
Oct. 23rd, 10.30 a.m., great many round lighthouse. Ortolan Bunting,
_E. hortulana_, Linn., Heligoland, April 28th and 29th, some. Meadow
Bunting, _E. cia_, Linn., Heligoland, March 8th, S.S.W., clear, warm
and fine, a fine old male, the first after forty years. Reed Bunting,
_E. schœniclus_, Linn., Great Cotes, first week in September, many
in bean-fields. Autumn: Heligoland, Aug. 14th, Ortolan Bunting, some;
28th, numerous; first fortnight in October, _E. schœniclus_, great many
daily; 17th, great many, and to end of month.
Snow Bunting, _Plectrophanes nivalis_ (Linn.).--Spring: Heligoland,
Feb. 28th, 1882, great many; March 28th, many. 5 Buoy Tees L.V., Spurn,
and Inner Farne, in March; large flocks at Spurn on 4th. Autumn: A
few old birds in September; 7th and 8th, one each day at Skitter
Haven, within the Humber. Young birds first at Great Cotes, Sept.
28th; occurred at stations north of Humber in October, November, and
December, to January 2nd. Teesmouth, Dec. 1st, large flocks preceding
the heavy snow-storm on 5th. Heligoland, Oct. 24th, S.S.E., strong and
increasing, thick, "with thousands of others during forenoon racing
past overhead"; night, storm S.W. [No. 11]; 29th, "in great masses in
the fields"; and at intervals great numbers to Nov. 21st.
Sky Lark, _Alauda arvensis_, Linn.--Spring: Heligoland, Jan. 18th,
1882, N.N.W., all night great many, all day thousands upon thousands
over island, all to E.; miles out at sea the same; Feb. 8th and 9th,
great numbers across island; 10th and 11th, the same with Starlings,
all to W.; 15th, S.W., rain, from early morning and all day, thousands
from the east. Starlings same, all very high; 25th, S.S.W., early,
calm and fine, "flights on flights" to E. by N.; 28th, Woodlark, _A.
arborea_, Linn., "a small party, the first"; March 2nd, a flight.
Spurn, March 27th, flocks of Sky Larks all day passing. Autumn: First
at Galloper L.V., Sept. 20th, midnight to 4 p.m., "shoals," to Jan.
10th, 1883, at 5 Buoy Tees L.V.; altogether at twenty-nine stations,
crossing the whole east coast of England, and in immense numbers both
by night and day, direction E. to W., or S.E. to N.W.; Oct. 7th and
8th, great "rushes," again 10th and 13th, and again on 20th; Nov. 12th,
and on Dec. 13th to 15th inclusive, in the latter case up the coast
from N. to S., as well as directly inland from sea. Larks appear to
have been tolerably equally distributed over the whole coast-line,
and as usual to have crossed the North Sea in enormous numbers, far
outnumbering any other species. At Heligoland, in the autumn, they
appear, from Mr. Gätke's notes, to have passed on Oct. 11th, "great
many passing above fog," call-notes heard; and subsequently in large
numbers to Nov. 21st.
Shore Lark, _Otocorys alpestris_ (Linn.)--Spring: Heligoland, March
20th, eight to ten; April 8th, E. by N., great many flights of twenty
or over; 9th, same; 11th, very numerous; 14th, flights of thirty to
forty; and to 24th, some daily. Autumn: Oct. 4th, great many; 6th,
"some" (that means with us here, say a hundred); and subsequently at
intervals to 28th, when they passed by thousands; Nov. 27th, many still
passing over. Spurn, Oct. 26th, flock of seven; November and December,
tolerably abundant; about eighty shot near Yarmouth in October, the
greater portion being male birds.
Starling, _Sturnus vulgaris_, Linn.--Spring: April 4th, flocks to
N. Autumn: First at Whitby, Aug. 3rd, 4th, and 5th, great many near
lighthouse to Dec. 15th, at Spurn; altogether at nineteen stations
covering the east coast of England, the bulk crossing in October;
great rush from 10th to 13th inclusive, from E. to W. and to W.S.W.
Heligoland, Oct. 10th, flights of sixty to seventy; 22nd, S. by E.,
flights of "hundreds of thousands," and great many to Nov. 13th.
Rose-coloured Starling, _Pastor roseus_ (Linn.), Sept. 24th, S.E.,
calm, one young bird.
Common Jay, _Garrulus glandarius_ (Linn.).--Heligoland, Oct. 6th,
strong, clear, later stormy, "flights of hundreds"; Oct. 7th, S.E.,
clear, not warm, blowing nearly a gale, "without interruption thousands
on thousands passing overhead like Crows"; 8th, S.E., fresh, clear,
"actually still more than yesterday, over the sea north and south
of the island, multitudes like a continual stream--never seen such
masses"; 15th, eight to ten. Mem.: "Jays requiring strong, dry, clear
east wind; Tits and _pratensis_ the same; Chaffinches want east wind
strong, but overcast, and cloudy sky." The great abundance of the Jay
in our English woodlands has been remarked upon from many districts
during the winter of 1882-83; more especially, however, south of a line
drawn from Flamborough Head to Portland Bill, Dorset.
Magpie, _Pica rustica_ (Scop.).--Spurn L.H., March 24th, remained in
neighbourhood three days. Weybourne, Norfolk, Oct. 16th, arrival of
Magpies noticed.--J. H. G.
Daw, _Corvus monedula_, Linn.--At several stations with Rooks in
October and November. Heligoland, Oct. 6th, about one hundred; 24th,
towards evening, flights of about five hundred; 27th, one shot from
a flock with light grey neck; on this day all birds in great haste,
flying as a rule _very_ high; enormous flocks of Jackdaws seen but as
the finest dust; of many birds only heard call-notes without being able
to see them; wind S., S.E., and E. by S.
Carrion Crow, _C. corone_, Linn.--First at Orfordness L.H., Sept. 23rd,
seven to N.E.; and at several stations from Farne Inner L.H. to Goodwin
L.V., in October, November, and December; sometimes with Hooded Crows,
occasionally in separate flocks. On Oct. 9th, at Spurn, Mr. Hewetson
shot a Crow from a flock passing inland, which had a few white feathers
under the chin and some of the claws white. Heligoland, Oct. 27th, a
small flight.
Hooded Crow, _C. cornix_, Linn.--Spring: Spurn L.H., March 11th, to
S., many all day. Corton L.V., from March 21st to April 14th, large
numbers of Rooks and Hooded Crows going from W. to E. Heligoland, March
2nd, flights high over head to E.; March 4th, same; 12th, N.W., clear,
great flights to E.; 13th and 14th, same; and to 17th, pretty numerous
daily; April 8th, very many high overhead; 9th, same; 11th, great
many. Longstone L.H., April 31st, eleven came on island, appeared much
fatigued, and then left for land, mod. gale N.N.W. Inner Farne L.H.,
16th and 17th, many to W.S.W.; a great many Crows (Rooks?) same time.
Autumn: Orfordness L.H., Sept. 19th, first seen, one. In large numbers
through October and November at stations from Farne Islands to Goodwin
light-vessels; great rush Oct. 11th and 13th. Nothing special to note
of migration across Heligoland in the autumn, which as usual was in
immense numbers in October and November. As a rule, few Hooded Crows
cross south of Languard Point, and few Carrion Crows north of Spurn.
Rooks and Jackdaws sparingly north of Spurn, and gradually increase
southward; and most plentiful at southern stations.
Rook, _C. frugilegus_, Linn.--Spring: Heligoland. Feb. 22nd, N.W., a
very great flight; 28th, several flights going due E.; March 4th, same;
13th and 14th, less. Autumn: Sparingly north of the Humber, and in
large numbers at the southern stations throughout October and November,
and on to the middle of December. Immense numbers remain in North
Lincolnshire during the winter, feeding in the lowlands on both sides
of the Humber, and moving in the afternoon to the high wolds, where at
dusk they retire to the great woods to roost.
Raven, _C. corax_, Linn.--Whitby L.H., May 20th, one, "comes each year
about this time."
Common Swift, _Cypselus apus_ (Linn.).--Hunstanton L.H., May 22nd,
several. Autumn: Spurn L.H., June 17th, 18th, and 20th, great many to
S., sometimes a flock remaining on gallery of lantern at night. Corton
L.V., Aug. 1st, many to W. Heligoland, Aug. 14th, S., some.
At the Inner Farne L.H., Aug. 19th, "a very large Swift, supposed to
be a foreigner, flying about island." About the end of July an Alpine
Swift, _C. melba_, Linn., was shot by Mr. Wm. Rogerson, of Newcastle,
at Alnmouth, Northumberland, and recorded at the time in the 'Newcastle
Journal,' Aug. 2nd, 1882, as 9¼ inches in length, and 21 inches between
the tips of the wings; and that it was identified by Mr. John Hancock.
Common Nightjar, _Caprimulgus europæus_, Linn.--Spurn, Sept. 11th, one.
Wryneck, _Jynx torquilla_, Linn.--Heligoland, April 23rd, several.
Kingfisher, _Alcedo ispida_, Linn.--Great Cotes, Sept. 1st, several in
marshes. Hasbro' L.V., 23rd, 10 p.m., one struck lantern and killed,
was flying S.E. to N.W.
Hoopoe, _Upupa epops_, Linn.--Heligoland, April 23rd, one. Spurn, Aug.
18th, one shot on Kilnsea Warren. Inner Farne, Aug. 29th, one shot on
mainland; one also near Yarmouth in October.
Cuckoo, _Cuculus canorus_, Linn.--Spurn, May 1st. Whitby, 8th. Inner
Farne, 11th. One on each occasion.
Striges, Owls.--Long-eared Owl, _Asio otus_ (Linn.), Languard L.H.,
Oct. 26th, 4.30 p.m., one. Short-eared Owl, _A. accipitrinus_,
Heligoland, scarcely any. On English coast also remarkably scarce;
a few during the first fortnight in October at stations from Redcar
to Languard Point; appears to have come over at the same time as the
Woodcocks, from Oct. 11th to 13th. Hasbro' L.V., Nov. 16th, one "Grey
Owl" at sunrise to W.
Falconidæ.--Heligoland, March 4th, 1882, S.E. to S.W. Greenland
Falcon, _Falco candicans_, Gmel., a very fine white bird. Sparrowhawk,
_Accipiter nisus_ (Linn.), Sept. 15th, great many over the sea north of
the island, none on Heligoland; 19th, following flights of Chaffinches;
Oct. 5th, many with Kestrels also, and on to 12th. Sea Eagle,
_Haliaëtus albicilla_ (Linn.), Sept. 16th, Nov. 13th, 14th, and 20th,
one each day. Peregrine Falcon, _Falco peregrinus_, Tunstall, Sept.
20th, some, and many young Merlins. Merlin, _F. æsalon_, Nov. 12th,
a very red-breasted old male obtained. Hen Harrier, _Circus cyaneus_
(Linn.), Nov. 20th, one. On English coast. Kestrels, a few in September
and October. Sparrowhawks from Aug. 3rd to September, and through
October; also Jan. 9th, 1883, Goodwin L.V., one; not unfrequently
alight in the evening on the rigging of the light-vessels, leaving
again at daybreak. One, caught on the Corton L.V., Aug. 3rd, had a
piece of copper wire round one leg. An Osprey was seen near Lowestoft
on Oct. 7th; a Honey Buzzard shot at Welwick, near Spurn, on Sept.
15th; and another, Dereham, Norfolk, on Oct. 3rd; a few Buzzards were
seen about Spurn in October. Altogether the larger birds of prey have
been extremely scarce during the autumn.