with the mass of facts at our disposal, be expected to draw deductions,
which, if they do not explain, will serve at least to throw some light
on the causes influencing the migration of birds. We might reasonably
reply that the work undertaken by us was not to theorise, or attempt
explanations, but simply to collect facts and tabulate them. This we
have endeavoured to do in the shortest and simplest manner consistent
with accuracy of detail. There is, however, one circumstance which can
scarcely fail to present itself to those who have gone carefully into
the reports issued by the Committee, namely, the marvellous persistency
with which, year by year, birds follow the same lines of migration when
approaching or leaving our shores: the constancy of these periodical
phenomena is suggestive of some settled principle or law governing
the movement. It is clearly evident, from the facts already at our
disposal, that there are two distinct migrations going forward at the
same time; one, the ordinary flow in the spring and ebb in the autumn,
across the whole of the western Palæarctic regions, which of course
includes the British Isles, of a great migratory wave moving to and
from the nesting-quarters of the birds in the coldest part of their
range, N.E. in the spring and S.W. in the autumn. Quite independent
of this there is a continual stream of immigrants, week by week and
month by month, to the eastern shores of these islands, coming directly
across Europe from E. to W., or more commonly from points S. of E.
to others N. of W., and the reverse in the spring. These are mainly
composed of those common and well-known species which annually make
these islands their winter resort, and take the place of our summer
birds: they come in one broad stream, cutting the line of ordinary
migration at nearly right angles; one flank brushes the Orkneys and
Shetlands, pouring through the Pentland Firth, even touching the
distant Faroes; the southern wing crosses the Channel Islands, shaping
its course in a north-westerly direction to the English coast. In
our explanation of the causes which first induced, and perhaps still
influences, this E. to W. migration, we must probably go back a long
way in the history of the world, when the distribution of the land
and water of continental Europe was very different to what it now is;
when there was no North Sea, and the western coast-line of Europe was
represented by what is now known as the hundred-fathom line off' the
West of Ireland, a coast which on the one side touched Scandinavia, and
on the other was linked with the Spanish peninsula. Great as is now
the contrast between the winters of Central Russia and those of these
islands, the difference would then be much more marked,--arctic cold on
one hand, and semi-tropical warmth on the other.[11] It requires then
no stretch of imagination to believe that great flights of birds would
on the approach of winter be driven before the intense cold of Eastern
and Central Europe to seek refuge and find food in the warm regions
of the west, regions which then would feel the full effects of the
warm equatorial currents, and enjoy an almost perpetual summer. This
movement once begun would, by the very necessities of existence, and in
time by an hereditary instinct, be continued. Gradually the land now
occupied by the North Sea has been withdrawn from beneath the migrating
flocks; year after year the middle passage became wider and more
difficult; yet the habit once formed would be continued, and hereditary
instinct, or whatever other name we choose to give it, supply the rest.
[Footnote 11: There are ninety species of plants, all told, common
alike to Southwestern England and Ireland, and to the Pyrenean and
Italian region. They represent an old flora no longer adapted to the
country,--a flora of warmth and sunshine,--and now dying out under
the advance of hardier, more vigorous and congenial species. They
may be regarded as the last floral relics of the submerged land,
that semi-tropical western land whose plants and flowers are not of
Scandinavian origin, but derived from Southern Europe.]
Mr. Wallace has told us how, in the Eastern Archipelago, comparatively
narrow, and probably very ancient, straits of water divide and wholly
separate distinct races of birds; and we have instances of this in
Europe, where species, common on the opposite coast of the Continent,
rarely or never occur in the British Islands.
Small birds, like the Goldcrest, do not cross great breadths of water
from choice; they doubtless would prefer a migration over land, from
field to field, or hedge to hedge; or at the most closely following
some old established coast-line. Why, except on some such hypothesis as
stated, should they attempt the North Sea, not alone at the narrowest
part, the straits of Dover, or from Ostend to the coast of Kent,
but in the very widest parts also, from the Elbe to the Humber, or
Danish coast to the Pentland Firth and Scotch islands? What impels
our autumn visitants, the young weeks in advance of their parents, to
launch westward across what, for anything they can possibly know to the
contrary, may prove an Atlantic, an ocean without a further shore?
There are doubtless several causes, working separately or together,
which influence migration, and we must not look for an explanation
of the phenomena attending these great periodical movements to one
cause only, for by doing this we lose sight perhaps of other equally
powerful incentives. I have spoken in previous reports of the
probability of birds following ancient coast-lines once linking now
distant lands, impelled by what we call, for want of a better term,
hereditary instinct, that is, an instinct derived through ancestors.
It is, perhaps, an open question whether the young, which undoubtedly
arrive in the autumn weeks in advance of the great mass of old birds,
depend entirely on this, or whether they are in any way dependent on
guidance and direction. It is a curious fact, which we have frequently
remarked, that the very earliest of their kind are frequently a few old
birds,--flocks of young, too, often contain a sprinkling of old female
birds,--such as may be supposed have made the journey before; but it
must be also borne in mind that on dark or even starlight nights,
when these movements mostly take place, any guidance, even that of
call-note, would be futile at any but a very limited range.
WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND.
Schedules, &c., were sent to forty stations, the same number as in
previous years. We have received filled-in schedules from thirteen
stations.[12]
[Footnote 12: But the Isle of Man stations--five in number--have been
taken over by Mr. P. Kermode, as he is on the spot, and as they really
lie more into his district,]
Generally the returns are light, lighter than last year.
We have notes upon thirty-two species of land birds from this coast,
and about fourteen species of water-birds, whilst the species of Waders
or Littoral species may be placed at eight.
The Spring Migration I have kept distinct in this report. Weather notes
included in General Remarks.
Here follows the usual list of stations, with asterisks which point out
the annual returns from the beginning of the scheme, from each station.
West Coast of Scotland.
Mainland.
1879, '80, '81, '82.
* * * 81. Cape Wrath, Sutherland 400 ft.
* * * 82. Rhu Stoir, W. Cromarty 195 "
Outer Hebrides.
* * * * 83. Butt of Lewis 170 " Alex. Thompson
* * 84. Stornoway 56 "
* * * 85. Island Glass 130 "
* * * * 86. Monach Island { 150 " } J. Youngclause.
{ 62 " }
* * 87. Ushenish 176 "
88. Barra Head 683 "
Mainland, Skye, and Inner Hebrides.
89. Rona, Sye 222 "
* * * 90. Kyleakin, Rosshire 53 " D. McCulloch.
* * 91. Isle Ornsay, Skye 58 ft.
* * 92. Ardnamurchan, Pt. Argyle 180 "
* * * * {93. Hynish Signal Tower, Tyree{150 " Alx. McEachern.
{94. Skerryvore, off Tyree {
* * * * 95. Dhuheartach, S. of Ross
of Mull 145 " John Ewing.
* * * * 96. Sound of Mull 55 " W. McLellan.
97. Corran Ferry, Loch Eil 38 "
* * * 98. Lismore Island, Oban 103 " A. Murray.
* * 99. Fladda, Easdale 42 "
* * * 100. Rhuvaal, Islay 147 "
* * * 101. Mac Arthur's Head 128 " W. Maill.
* * * * 102. Skervuile, Jura 73 " John Ewing.
* * * * 103. Rhinns of Islay 159 " Andrew Lyall.
* * 104. Lochindaul 50 "
105. Mull of Kintyre 297 "
106. Sanda, Kintyre Sound 165 "
107. Devaar, Kintyre 120 "
108. Pladda, Arran 130 "
* 109. Lamlash, Arran 46 "
* * 110. Turnberry, Ayrshire 96 "
* * * 111. Corsewall, Wigtown 112 "
* * * * 112. Loch Ryan, Wigtown 46 " Ralph Ewing.
* * * * 113. Portpatrick, Wigtown 37 " Jas. Beggs.
* * * * 114. Mull of Galloway, Wigtown 325 " H. Morrison.
* 115. Little Ross, Kirkcudbright 175 "
116. Point of Ayr }
117. Douglas Head }
118. Chickens Rock } Isle of Man.
119.-1880. Bahama Rock L.V. }
120. Longness L.V. }
The last five stations are now placed at the head of the W. of England
stations under Mr. P. Kermode. We are sorry to find a falling off in
the returns this year and would have liked to know if any reason can be
assigned for the same.
We have to thank Mr. McCulloch, at Kyleakin, for the careful records of
directions of flight of the species observed. These are important, and
a great assistance at arriving at conclusions.
At Skervuile, owing to an accident to his hand, no notes were kept by
Mr. Ewing for some time between July and September, but fewer birds
were seen than for many years back.
Turdidæ.--In autumn, at Monach, Kyleakin, Skerryvore, Dhuheartach,
Rhinns of Islay, Corsewall, Loch Ryan, Mull of Galloway. No records
at any stations till Oct. 11th, when three Fieldfares were killed at
Monach. An indication of a rush was apparent all through October after
that date of _Turdidæ_ and other species, more especially at Rhinns of
Islay. Latest records on Nov. 22nd, prior to which date many Blackbirds
and Thrushes frequented Corsewall for a week during a covering of snow;
therefore probably only a local movement. At Kyleakin Song Thrushes and
Blackbirds resided all winter up to January, 1883. In October no great
rush observable, but indications of the same migration observable on
the E. coast were noticed at Corsewall on the 14th, and at Dhuheartach
and Rhinns of Islay on 17th; and a few Blackbirds and Thrushes showed
at Skerryvore on 13th. Eight Song Thrushes were killed one night
also at MacArthur's Head, and a single male Blackbird was seen in
the garden at Monach on Nov. 1st. A rush of "small birds" took place
during October, but in no large masses, at MacArthur's Head and Rhinns
of Islay, and at Corsewall and southward. Three species of _Turdidæ_
noticed.
Saxicolinæ.--Spring records, as usual, are scanty; some five records at
five stations, _viz._, Butt of Lewis, Skerryvore, Rhuvaal, MacArthur's
Head and Mull of Galloway. Earliest, March 9th at Butt of Lewis;
latest, on May 17th at MacArthur's Head, mostly of single Wheatears.
In autumn, a few records of Wheatears from Skerryvore, Dhuheartach,
Rhuvaal, and Rhinns of Islay: the earliest, Aug. 17th at Dhuheartach;
latest, Oct. 16th; and an evident rush on Aug. 23rd at Rhinns of Islay,
and again on Sept. 10th at Skerryvore, where over 100 were seen on the
rocks.
Silviinæ.--Of Robins one spring record at Skerryvore on April 9th, a
single bird resting; fair S.S.E. and haze. In autumn, at Kyleakin,
Skerryvore, Lismore, Skervuile and Little Ross. Earliest, a single
bird on Aug. 17th, at Skervuile; latest, two at Kyleakin (where,
however, Robins arrived on Nov. 15th, and remained all winter up to
close of schedule on Jan. 27th, 1883). An evident rush took place at
Butt of Lewis between Sept. 14th and 30th, with Wrens on the 26th, and
with Wagtails on the 28th, 29th, and 30th; in November, a few Robins,
accompanied by Wrens and Linnets, at Lismore on 11th; and in October
one Robin and one Wheatear, together, on 9th at Skerryvore. All the
records in August, September, and October accompanied by easterly
winds, the rush in September with N.E.
Phylloscopinæ.--Of Golden-crested Wrens one spring record at Mull of
Galloway, on March 8th and 9th, when "great numbers" were round the
lantern at midnight; wind S.W., light, clear. In autumn, earliest,
Sept. 21st, at Corsewall, and 22nd and 25th at Loch Ryan; latest, and
rush at Corsewall and Mull of Galloway, on 15th and 16th, when "great
numbers" round lantern; strong E. and haze; straggling birds also,
8th and 9th, at same places. A significant record is on Oct. 10th, at
Rhinns of Islay, north of which station we have no records. On that
date eight Golden-crested Wrens struck and one was killed; wind light
S.E., haze. The similarity of dates of occurrence at Mull of Galloway
on W. coast and Isle of May on E. coast this year worthy of notice (see
General Remarks).
Paridæ.--Of Titmice only two spring records, both at Mull of Galloway;
five killed at midnight, March 18th, and great numbers flying round
lantern on May 22nd; wind light E. Note approximation of dates on W.
and E. coasts (see General Remarks.)
Troglodytinæ.--Of Wrens one spring record at Skerryvore; two flying
about rock on May 24th; wind light N.W., clear. In autumn one on Sept.
22nd, at Lismore. Latest, Nov. 11th, a few at Lismore, and a partial
rush on Oct. 8th, 9th and 11th, at Corsewall, and on Oct. 11th and 26th
at Lismore, the two latter accompanied by Starlings and Robins.
Motacillidæ.--In autumn three Wagtails at Skerryvore, on Aug. 28th,
two--male and female--in a garden at Kyleakin, and a few on each day
at Lismore, on Oct. 28th, 29th, and 30th, with light N.E. winds. Of
Pipits, four struck and two were killed at Butt of Lewis, in strong
W. breeze, on March 17th; they were accompanied by Tree Sparrows. In
autumn, hundreds round the Little Ross on Sept. 6th, after 8 p.m.,
for two hours; one killed at 12 noon, in light N. breeze, clear,
at Dhuheartach, on Oct. 28th. It is not often they are recorded as
killed in the daytime in clear weather. _Land Notes._--An unusual
number of Pied Wagtails--fifty or more in one flock--on Sept. 25th, in
Kirkcudbright (J. J. Armistead, Esq.); also two Motacilla flava seen on
Sept. 11th,--a very rare occurrence at Douglas Hall.
Hirundinidæ.--Swallows: Spring records at Kyleakin, Skerryvore,
Dhuheartach, Lismore, Corsewall, and Loch Ryan. Seen first on April
12th at Corsewall, and April 15th at Loch Ryan, where fifteen Swallows
arrived with light N. wind and sleet. Latest records on June 15th at
Lismore, and 9th at Skerryvore; not seen at Dhuheartach till May 14th.
Other records at Lismore on 10th, a flock, and 13th, another flock. In
autumn, one Swallow rested on window of lighthouse at Dhuheartach, on
Aug. 11th, and a final movement was observed in September about the
14th and 15th, at Loch Ryan and Mull of Galloway, besides a few other
records at earlier dates. _Land Notes._--Swallow first seen at Douglas
Hall, Dumfriesshire on 7th. Mr. Howard Saunders, residing at St. Jean
de Luz, in the Basses Pyrénées, saw the first Swallow on March 25th,
along with many Wheatears and Redstarts. Woodcocks had passed but in
small numbers, and only two were seen in the market.
Fringillidæ.--Tree Sparrows seen at Butt of Lewis on Feb. 20th, when
four struck and two were killed; strong E. wind and haze. Again six
were seen at same place and two killed on March 20th; and again six
at the same place and one killed, on April 8th. House Sparrows are
recorded on May 27th, at Skerryvore, flying about; and at MacArthur's
Head--a number all day--on May 8th. House Sparrows were also seen at
Butt of Lewis on Feb. 25th, with strong S.W. breeze, haze, and rain.
In autumn, House Sparrows, a large flock at Lismore on Oct. 24th;
"Finches" on Oct. 10th, at Sound of Mull; Linnets, a rush about 7th
and 11th at Lismore, with a few earlier records; and on Dec. 29th, at
Monach, where all left on the 20th. Some of these records probably
apply to Grey Linnets, and the Monach one likely to Twites or "Mountain
Linnets." Four, possibly five, species. _Land Notes._--Four Siskins
seen on sand-hills on Solway Firth, on a patch of thistles; gone next
morning, Oct. 17th (J. J. Armistead.) Mr. Scot Skirving, of Edinburgh,
mentions, in lit., that the Chaffinch, was the most common of small
birds in Islay prior to the terrible winter of 1878, but after that
very rare indeed, until on Oct 22nd, 1880, a flock of some thousands
appeared, and since then they have again been fairly abundant.
Emberizidæ.--Two Snow Buntings were seen at Butt of Lewis on March
21st. Autumn records: Snow Bunting Oct. 15th at Kyleakin, to Dec. 12th
at Butt of Lewis. No rush apparent and records scanty; three or four
in all in October and November. One Yellow Bunting on Oct. 15th, at
Kyleakin. Two or three records at Dhuheartach also in October, November
and December.
Alaudidæ.--In end of migration of 1881-82, under date Jan. 12th,
16th, 1882, and 18th, large parties of Larks are recorded at Lismore;
wind light S. No more records till autumn, 1882. On Sept. 27th, at
Corsewall, one on lantern. Latest date, Dec. 27th, at Skerryvore, two
found dead; light S.S.W. and clear. Records of direction of flight
usually S.E., but these records are, as are too often the case, too
meagre to assist us. Direction of flight is earnestly asked for. A rush
distinguishable at Rhinns of Islay on Oct. 8th and 12th. Two Larks
remained all night on lantern at Dhuheartach, on Jan. 2nd, 1883.
Sturnidæ.--Starling: in spring a large flock on March 11th at Butt of
Lewis, but they are resident here, and rarely come to the light; two
were killed here, however, on June 7th. A record at Mac Arthur's Head;
great scarcity of records of Starlings. A few autumn records only;
numbers feeding for days at Rhinns of Islay, end of August. A rush
apparently took place at Mac Arthur's Head, along with many "small
birds," between first week of October and 31st. Records scattered
through November, December, and January (1883).
Corvidæ.--"Black Crows" (probably Rooks?) which are seldom seen at
Skerryvore, showed in March, when three were seen one day, and one
rested on May 29th, and a "Grey Crow" on 16th. In autumn, "Black
Crows," a large flock during snow, seen flying E. at Portpatrick on
Dec. 14th. One Hooded Crow on 26th at Monach, flying S.W. One Raven
at Kyleakin on 5th, flying S., light N.E. wind; and one Magpie ("very
rare" at Kyleakin) on Jan. 7th, 1883, flying S.E. One Jackdaw rested on
the rock on Feb. 11th (1883), and on the 19th two "Black Crows "were
seen flying in an easterly direction; wind S.W., fresh and clear.
Cuculidæ.--Records of arrivals of Cuckoos in spring are as follows:--
Mull of Galloway April 30th. Variable, light airs.
Loch Ryan May 5th. Strong N.W.
Corsewall " 5th. Strong N.W.
Skervuile " 19th. Light E., clear.
MacArthur's Head " 10th. Light E. airs.
Lismore " 15th. Light E. airs.
Kyleakin " 3rd. ? ?
_Land Notes._--
Kinharvie, near Dumfries May 3rd (_auct._ J. J. Armistead, Esq.).
Douglas Hall May 4th " "
If a series of records could be obtained like the above from the E.
coast stations, a comparison might be useful.
Strigidæ.--One record of Owl only. One "Owl" at Mull of Galloway;
strong E. breeze.
Falconidæ.--No actual migration of Hawks discernible from the records.
Visit Dhuheartach daily through the season, and seen at other stations
occasionally. One Falcon at Kyleakin seen flying S.; light E., rain
and sleet. Land Notes.--On Sept. 27th a Buzzard seen at Douglas Hall
(probably a migrant); and on Nov. 1st a pair of Buzzards seen (J. J.
Armistead, Esq.)
Pelecanidæ.--Movements of Gannets are noted at Lismore; two seen on
May 24th, and at Mull of Galloway on 21st--large flock flying west,
light E. breeze; and on 22nd about eighty also flying W., with strong
S. wind, clear. In July, great flights flying S. all day at Loch Ryan,
on the 8th, and two seen at Skervuile. Great flights in August at
Loch Ryan, flying N., wind N.N.W., strong; Sept. 29th and 30th, at
Skervuile, flying S. At Butt of Lewis, daily, from March 15th till
Sept. 15th. "Daily, all the year round," at Kyleakin. Solan Geese had
all disappeared from the vicinity of Dhuheartach by Nov. 14th, and they
reappeared there again on Jan. 25th (1883), and other records are up to
Feb. 6th (1883.)
Ardeidæ.--Only one record given at Portpatrick, Nov. 6th, N.W. gale,
flying N.; but there can be no doubt of the greater frequency of their
visits all through the season.
Anatidæ.--Wild Geese at Butt of Lewis, April 24th, when forty seen
flying S.W., and on 29th fourteen seen flying S.E.; wind on both days
fresh S. and rain. In August, at Monach, two flying N.W., strong N.
wind; on 30th and on 27th, two flying S., at Rhinns of Islay, light
E. In October, various flocks of sixteen, eighteen, twenty-four, &c.,
with general E. winds, coming and going in different directions at
Monach, mostly flying N.W., and at Kyleakin, but flying S.W. on Oct.
12th. Also in November, between 3rd and 6th, at Rhinns of Islay and
Loch Ryan, small parties flying S., with different winds A few records
in December also, at Monach. Records of Eider Ducks on Sept. 22nd and
27th, at Dhuheartach, males and females in equal proportions; eighteen
and twenty-four Eiders at Dhuheartach on Dec. 3rd and 10th, males
and females. A few "Pintail Ducks" (?) at Monach on Nov. 13th, and
one female shot. Swan: four at Corsewall, flying N.E., on Sept 27th,
fresh S.E. _Land Notes._--Black Scoters abundantly. Velvet Scoters
sparingly, but Scaup Ducks rarely seen on Solway Firth during June and
July. Common Scoter abundant in August; several Velvet Scoters seen.
Sept. 23rd, about fifty Wild Geese, finally flew away over sea to
S.S.E.; Oct. 1st, five Geese flew over Douglas Hall; 2nd, more seen;
twenty-four Geese seen on Oct, 14th (J. J. Armistead).
Rallidæ.--Corncrake at Rhinns of Islay, first seen on May 19th; at
Dhuheartach one seen on the rock on May 8th (never seen before here by
Mr. Ewing); and at Kyleakin one heard on May 31st. Directions of wind
not given.
Charadriadæ.--At Rhuvaal, three to four dozen young and old Golden
Plovers on Oct. 6th, and a few seen at Monach on Nov. 13th, and a good
many scattered over the islands at Monach on Dec. 14th. Lapwings are
also mentioned once or twice.
Scolopacidæ, Woodcock.--The rush barely indicated at Monach (odd bird)
Oct. 11th; Lismore (two killed), Oct. 8th; and one bird at Sound of
Mull, Nov. 5th. Snipe also very slight movement, principally at Rhinns
of Islay. Of Curlew, many records from Aug. 12th to Dec. 16th. Rush
appears, if any took place, to have been in September. Whimbrels are
reported "very scarce," only two records on July 21st, and on Aug.
15th, at Skerryvore. There are also a few spring records of Curlews,
from February to June. _Land Notes._--Aug. 8th, saw two Greenshanks
on Solway (J. J. Armistead, Esq.) It appears possible that this
bird breeds not far from the Solway, from other information I have
gained.--J. A. H. B. Four Turnstones seen Aug. 31st, Solway (_auct.
cit._); also two hundred Bar-tailed Godwits and thirty or forty Golden
Plovers. No Knots yet.
Laridæ.--Terns arrived at Rhinns of Islay on May 16th; at Dhuheartach
on May 12th; on Monach Islands, May 15th. They were last seen at
Skervuile on Sept. 6th. They leave Butt of Lewis about Aug. 12th.
They passed Lismore at night, striking lantern, on Aug. 13th, and on
14th more, accompanied by Larks. Of Gulls, "Boatswain Birds" were
seen on June 21st, at MacArthur's Head, and there are records of them
at Skervuile, along with Kittiwakes and Black-headed Gulls, from
May 1st to 9th. Two "Dirty Allans" amongst a large flock of Gulls,
at Butt of Lewis on July 10th; Iceland Gull, flying south, on Oct.
11th at Kyleakin; and great numbers of Kittiwakes at Skervuile, on
Oct. 3nd and 22nd. _Land Notes._--Common Terns at nesting haunts
in Kirkcudbrightshire, but no eggs laid by May 17th (_auct._ J. J.
Armistead, Esq.) By Aug. 12th Terns had left their nesting-ground
(_auct. cit._)
Colymbidæ.--Great Northern Diver seen at Kyleakin, near the lighthouse,
on May 10th, light E. wind; again on June 19th, light W. wind. In
autumn, at Monach, four seen, light S.E. wind, rain, and fog; two
flying S. at Corsewall on Nov. 21st, and two, resting, on 22nd; two
flying "towards N. Uist" (_i.e._ N.E.), at Monach, on Dec. 15th, and
one flying east at Corsewall on Dec. 16th.
General Remarks.