Report on the Migration of Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First Report] J. A. Harvie-Brown and John Cordeaux 253 downloads.pdf

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Report on the Migration of
Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First Report]
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will
have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using
this eBook.

Title: Report on the Migration of Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First
Report]

Author: J. A. Harvie-Brown
John Cordeaux

Release date: June 15, 2021 [eBook #65621]
Most recently updated: October 18, 2024

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/65621

Credits: Tom Cosmas compiled from files generously provided by The
Internet Archive and placed in the Public Domain.

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REPORT ON
THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN THE AUTUMN OF 1879. [FIRST
REPORT] ***

THE ZOOLOGIST.
THIRD SERIES.

Vol. IV.] MAY, 1880. [No. 41

REPORT ON THE
MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN THE
AUTUMN OF 1879.[1]

By John A. Harvie-Brown and John Cordeaux.

[1] I would here direct attention to another paper of mine bearing upon this
subject, which was read at the meeting of the Glasgow Natural History Society
on Sept. 30th, 1879, and forms part of its 'Proceedings' for the Session 1879-80,
now in the press. It forms a Report upon Migration of 1878, Journal of the severe
winter of 1879-80, and Observations on the effects of the weather, under the
different species of Mammals and Birds noticed. I read a similar Report on 1879-
80 at the meeting of the same Society in March last.—J. A. H.-B.

CONTENTS
PAGE
EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND 161
Separate Report of Each Species Observed 162
EAST COAST OF ENGLAND 172
Separate Report of Each Species Observed 173
WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND 189
Separate Report of Each Species Observed 190

EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.
Printed forms of enquiry and letters of instructions were sent to twenty-six
lighthouses on the east coast of Scotland. Thirteen stations have sent in
returns, and thirteen have either sent in none, or have returned blank forms,
owing to unusual scarcity of birds. The stations from which co-operation
was asked are the following, commencing with the most northerly. Those
from which returns have been received are marked with a *.
*North Unst, Shetland; white and red sectors, fixed. Robert
Burnett.
Whalsey Skerries, Shetland; white, revolving every minute.
Bressay Sound, Shetland; red and white alternately, rev. every
minute.
*Sumburgh Head, Shetland; white, fixed. William Anderson.
*North Ronaldshay, Orkney; white, flash every 10 seconds. John
Tulloch.
Start Point, Orkney; red, fixed.
*Auskerry, Orkney; white, fixed. Charles C. Irvine.
*Hoy Sound (Low), Orkney; white, fixed. Alex. Harp.
" (High) Orkney; red and white sectors, fixed. W.
Gordon.
Cantick Head, Orkney; white, revolving every minute.
*Pentland Skerries, Orkney; white, fixed. D. M'Donald.
*Dunnet Head, Caithness; white, fixed. George M'Lachlan.
Holborn Head, Caithness; white and red, flash every 10 sec. D.
Charleson.
*Noss Head, Caithness; white and red, revolving every ½ m.
Alex. Creig.
*Tarbet Ness, E. Ross-shire; white, int. visible every 2½ m. W.
Davidson.
Cromarty, E. Cromarty; red, fixed. Robert S. Ritson.
Chanonry Point, Elgin; white and red sectors, revolving every
minute.
Covesea Skerries, Elgin; white and red sectors, revolving every
minute.

Kinnaird Head, Aberdeen; white and red sectors, fixed. F.
Harvey.
Buchan Ness, Aberdeen; white, flash every 5 seconds. Thomas
Gallie.
*Girdleness, Aberdeen; white, fixed. Wm. Gulcher.
Montroseness, Forfar; white, fixed. Patrick E. Reid.
*Bell Rock, off Coast of Fife; white and red revolving. James
Jack.
*Isle of May, Firth of Forth; white, fixed. Joseph Agnew.
*Inch Keith, Firth of Forth; white, revolving every minute. R.
Grierson.
St. Abbs Head, Berwick; white, flash every 10 seconds. Robert
Seater.
A general scarcity of birds is reported by a great majority of the observers
on our east coast, which partly accounts for the absence of returns from
several stations. Those sent in have been carefully prepared by the various
reporters so far as materials allowed. Excluding Swans, Geese, Ducks, and
Rock-birds, notes have been made on about twenty-eight different species.

SEPARATE REPORT OF EACH SPECIES
OBSERVED.
At North Ronaldshay, an Owl—species unknown, but probably the Short-
eared Owl, Asio acciptrinus—was seen on Nov. 3rd, flying south, at 10
a.m.; and at Dunnet Head a Horned Owl, also probably of the same species,
struck three times, but got away. This was at 6 p.m.
From Pentland Skerries we have all the records of hawks. Two early records
(July 7th and 14th) may refer to autumn migration or not. Thus, "a black
hawk" was seen on July 7th at 3 p.m., and on the 14th another of the same
at 7 p.m. On Sept. 17th one hawk struck at 11.30 p.m. The species is
probably, the Sparrowhawk, Accipter nisus.
Accounts forwarded by other correspondents, however, show that Hobbies
(Falco subbuteo, Linn.), visited the Lewis in some numbers this year.[2] At
Sumburgli Head the appearance of a White-tailed Eagle is recorded, but is
only of local interest, as these birds are known to breed near that station.

That a migration, however, does take place amongst Eagles, and mostly of
this species, is undoubted. Mr. D. Dewar, an experienced ornithologist,
writes me:—"Every winter, for this longtime back, when we have a strong
east wind in November, Eagles and Rough-legged Buzzards appear over
Loch Tay. In November, this year, I saw four Eagles together, all White-
tailed, and three Rough-legged Buzzards along with them."
[2] I have referred more fully to this in my "Report on Scottish Ornithology" for
the Nat. Hist. Soc. of Glasgow for 1879-80.—J. A. H.-B.

Swift, Cypselus apus.—Only one at Sumburgh Head on May 25th,
doubtless on the spring migration. Two were seen at 10 a.m., wind light
S.W., breeze and haze. "Swifts, however, do not breed in Shetland" (vide
Saxby's 'Birds of Shetland,' p. 147).
Swallow, Hirundo rustica.—I have returns from four stations, Sumburgh
Head, Auskerry, Tarbet Ness, and Isle of May. At the northernmost station
(Sumburgh Head) "a number were seen flying about," at 11 am., wind at
W.S.W., fresh and hazy. But this record was on June 12th, so probably
refers to the spring migration. Their earliest appearance noted is August
21st, when four struck at Auskerry at 1 a.m., wind S.E., strong with fog; the
latest Oct. 27th, when two were killed at Tarbet Ness at 7.10 p.m., wind
N.W., light with fog. This shows migration between Aug. 21st and Oct.
27th. A "rush" appears to have taken place at the Isle of May on Sept. 19th,
at 2 a.m., wind light E. with fog, when a flock of young birds was seen and
four of them were wounded against the glass. Swallows migrate in August
and September with an E. to S.E. wind, light to strong. In October my only
record at Tarbet Ness gives wind N.W., light with fog. When the wind has
been N.W., S.E. or E. there has been fog; when, in summer, at Sumburgh
Head, W.S.W., there has been haze and rain. The last Swallow was seen in
Berwickshire by Mr. J. Hardy on the 30th Sept. 1879.
Martin, Hirundo urbica.—From Pentland Skerries one record in which this
species is distinguished from the Swallow. On August 25th one struck at
2.30 p.m. during a light W. wind with haze. The last was seen in
Berwickshire by Mr. J. Hardy on the 3rd October, 1879.
Wren, Troglodytes europæus.—At North Ronaldshay five seen during the
daytime on Nov. 21st, fresh breeze (direction not noted) with haze.

Reported as usually appearing in large numbers at Auskerry, but the above-
mentioned were the only ones seen.
Goldcrest, Regulus cristatus.—The almost total absence of this species is
specially remarked at the Isle of May. Usually they are abundant. These
birds were decidedly scarce in Scotland throughout the summer.
Robin, Erythaca rubecula.—Only two records of this species on the east
coast. At Tarbet Ness one was killed on August 6th at 10 p.m., wind light E.
breeze, fog and rain; and at Inch Keith one struck on August 10th at 11.30
p.m., in similar weather, but with wind light W.
Wheatear, Saxicola œnanthe.—The most northerly station of the two
recorded is Pentland Skerries, and to the south the Bell Rock. Between
Sept. 7th—when great numbers struck and were lost at the latter station,
and birds continued passing or flying round lantern between midnight and
dawn, wind S.E. and variable, fog and haze—and Sept. 17th, Wheatears or
"Stonechats" were on passage. If any rush took place it was between Sept.
7th and 11th, on which latter day fourteen were seen and two killed. Winds
veered from S. and S.E. on. Sept. 9th and 7th, to W. and S.W. on the 11th,
13th and 17th. All the birds passed at night between 8 p.m. and dawn.
Titmice.—At only one station were Titmice observed on our east coast, viz.,
at the Isle of May, were some were seen on Sept. 15th at 10 a.m., wind light
W. with haze. From Auskerry, however, there is the general report that they
are in most years abundant there, though none have been seen this season.
Song Thrush, Tardus musicus.—Recorded from a number of stations from
North Ronaldshay in the north to Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet
Head, Noss Head, Girdleness, and Bell Rock in the south. The greatest
numbers noted were at Pentland Skerries, but great numbers also were
noted at North Ronaldshay and the Bell Rock, where many "struck and
were lost." Their earliest appearance recorded is on Sept. 16th, when four
struck at Noss Head between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., wind S., moderate with
haze. The latest date is Oct. 25th, when numbers, along with Blackbirds,
struck at North Ronaldshay. The time thus occupied was from Sept. 16th to
Oct. 25th. A rush took place during October, and the greatest rush, perhaps,
between Oct. 14th and 25th. At North Ronaldshay, on Oct. 1st, numbers
struck, along with Blackbirds, and were flying about all night. Others seen
at Girdleness, the Bell Rock, at Pentland Skerries, and Dunnet Head.

Thrushes migrated when the wind was between E. through S.E., S.S.W. to
N.W., but principally when southerly. Fog, haze, and rain on all the dates
given. Time of migration, after dark and before dawn at all dates.
Blackbird, Turdus merula.—Appeared at North Ronaldshay and the Bell
Rock between Oct. 1st and Nov. 25th. A rush during this time recorded on
three dates:—Oct. 1st, "Numbers flying about all night," at North
Ronaldshay, wind S.E., strong, "along with Thrushes." Oct. 14th, four (two
males and two females) killed; number flying about between 8 a.m. and
dawn; wind N.E., fresh, with haze and rain. Nov. 25th, numbers, along with
Thrushes, flying about all night; wind light E. breeze, haze.
Ring Ouzel (or "Mountain Blackbird"), Turdus torquatus.—Reported from
Sumburgh Head only, where one struck at 4 a.m.; wind light N. at 5 a.m.,
S.W. gale at 4 p.m.; weather clear. A number of the same species were seen
in the country about the same time, and supposed to be young birds. At
Auskerry, where they generally pass in large numbers, none were observed.
Besides the above, "large Thrushes," probably Fieldfares,[3] passed or were
caught at Auskerry, in October; four on the 15th between 1 and 4 a.m., wind
light N., clear; six on the 16th between 2 and 4 a.m., wind S.S.W., strong,
haze; and two on the 22nd at 3 a.m., wind strong S.W., and haze. Large
numbers struck the lantern at the Bell Rock, and were lost in the sea
between midnight and dawn on Sept. 7th, and again at the same station on
Oct. 14th, between 3 a.m. and dawn. These were mixed in flocks of
Blackbirds, Thrushes, and "various" other species.
[3] Afterwards identified as such by the head, wings and tail sent in later
communication.

The great scarcity of Thrushes in Scotland all summer was caused by the
severe winter of 1878-79 and late spring of 1879, a consequent "crowding
down" upon lower latitudes taking place during that breeding season. I have
referred very fully to this in my first Report on Scottish Ornithology for the
Natural History Society of Glasgow for 1878-79 (now in MS., ready for
press), read Sept. 30th, 1879. This scarcity is still felt. In the birch-woods of
the west coast I saw small flocks on Oct. 28th, 1879.
Rook, Corvus frugilegus.—At Sumburgh Head numbers were seen about 9
am on Nov. 2nd, wind N.N.W., strong to fresh, with sleet and snow
showers. "Rooks do not breed in Shetland, but are often seen in the spring

time, but very seldom in the fall, crossing, as is supposed, between Norway
and Scotland." At Dunnet Head about 100 Rooks, mostly young birds, were
seen at 12 noon, with fresh breeze from S.E. to S.W.
Starling, Sturnus vulgaris.—Noted at only two stations. At Pentland
Skerries on October 19th six struck between 6 p.m. and 4 a.m., wind S.W.
and rain; on the 26th one at 8 p.m., wind W., and clear; and on Nov. 20th
two at 6 a.m., wind S.W., strong and haze. At Dunnet Head, on Oct. 20th,
seven struck and four were killed at night, wind N.W. and N.E., haze.
Siskin, Carduelis spinus.—At Inch Keith three young birds struck at 1 a.m.
on Sept. 16th, wind light W., fog.
Lark, Alauda arvensis.—Pretty generally recorded, but scarcer than usual;
the northernmost station Pentland Skerries. They are also noted at Tarbet
Ness and Girdleness. The most counted was thirty-six at Pentland Skerries
between 5 p.m. and 4 a.m. on October 13th-14th, and the next largest
number was sixteen, on Sept. 15th, between 8 and 10 p.m. Their earliest
appearance was on August 16th, when four struck at midnight at Tarbet
Ness, wind light S.E. and haze; the latest Nov. 19th, when nine struck (four
killed) at the same station at 8.10 p.m., wind S.W., light and haze. The time
occupied is thus between August 16th and Nov. 19th. A rush took place
between Oct. 13th and 14th, or say about the middle of October, and again
about November 19th at Pentland Skerries, Tarbet Ness, and Girdleness.
Larks migrated or came most under notice in S.W. winds, but also in S.E.,
N.E. (as at Pentland Skerries, when thirty-six were seen), and W. Our data
from the Scotch coasts are too limited this year to admit of conclusions,
unaided by the English returns. Haze and fog are recorded on all the days
noticed. All records give hours of passing at night from 6 p.m. in October,
and from 8 10 p.m. in November till 4 or 5 a.m.
Woodpecker, Picus (major?).—At Inch Keith two struck and an adult bird
was killed at 9 p.m. on Sept. 15th, wind W., light breeze and fog.
Lapwing, Vanellus cristatus.—Reported to have left the vicinity of Hoy
Sound in the third week of September. At Auskerry thirty or forty were seen
about 3 p.m. on Sept. 11th, wind light W. and haze, and at Tarbet Ness a
large flock was seen at 11 a.m., when the wind was N.W., light and haze on
Oct. 12th.

Plover, Charadrius pluvialis.—At Pentland Skerries a flock was seen at
1.15 a.m. on Sept. 3rd, wind S.W., almost calm, with fog, and another flock
at 2 p.m. on Dec. 7th, wind N.W. and clear. These represent earliest and
latest dates. At Dunnet Head about 160 Plovers passed with S.E. wind and
rain. At Tarbet Ness a large flock seen at 4 p.m., wind N.W., fresh and haze
on Oct. 12th. Plovers remained unusually late on the high hills of Perthshire
this autumn. On Oct. 15th I saw three on the hills around Glen Queich, and
two flocks on the 16th. On the 14th was a snowstorm and ice a quarter of an
inch in thickness on hill puddles.
Heron, Ardea cinerea.—At Girdleness on October 23rd two Herons were
seen at 3.30 p.m., wind S.W., clear.
Curlew, Numenius arquata.—Only three records, one of which no doubt
refers to local migration or to late spring or summer. On June 29th a flock
was seen at Pentland Skerries at 7.40 p.m. At Sumburgh Head, on July 30th,
"a number crying very loud" were heard about 11 a.m., wind W.S.W. (gale
on Aug. 1st), with haze and rain. At Pentland Skerries, on Dec. 11th, a flock
was noted at 7.40 p.m. during light W. wind and clear. Did the migration
last from July 30th to Dec. 11th? Curlews appear to migrate from early
dawn to dusk, as far as records show. These birds were nearly a month late
in arriving on our coast in Stirlingshire.
Sandpiper (sp.?).—At Pentland Skerries three struck and were killed; wind
strong S.W. and haze.
Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola.—The most northerly station was North
Ronaldshay. Thence southward, but nowhere in large numbers, seen or
struck at Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Tarbet Ness,
Girdleness, and Isle of May. The largest number seen at any station at the
same time being five at Tarbet Ness on December 3rd. A single bird is noted
at Dunnet Head as early as Sept. 17th. None again till Oct. 15th, when one
was killed at North Ronaldshay at 9 p.m., wind N.E., moderate, with sleet.
The latest recorded was Dec. 3rd, when, as related above, five were seen at
Tarbet Ness at 11.30 a.m., wind strong W., with snow. The length of time
occupied in migration was between Sept. 17th and Dec. 3rd. "Rushes" of
migrants took place between Oct. 15th and 21st, but the reports are very
meagre, being in most cases instanced by single birds striking at North
Ronaldshay, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Again a rush

between Nov. 11th and 19th at North Ronaldshay and Girdleness; and again
between Dec. 1st and 3rd at North Ronaldshay and Tarbet Ness. In two
cases only have more than single birds been recorded. The migration took
place principally when the wind was between S. and W.; but I have records
of their flights also in strong N. wind with snow, on Dec. 1st, at Tarbet
Ness; in N.E., moderate breeze with sleet, on Oct. 15th at North
Ronaldshay; and again, with an E. light breeze and clear, on Dec. 21st, at
the same station. When the wind has been S.W. or W., there has been fog or
haze; when S., rain, as in November, on the 14th and 15th. Woodcocks
appear to migrate principally at night, and are observed during the hours
between evening dusk and morning grey, or, in other words, between 7.30
p.m. and 5 a.m. Exceptions occur, as at 11 a.m. at North Ronaldshay 11.30
a.m. at Tarbet Ness, 2 p.m. at North Ronaldshay, and 3.30 p.m. at
Girdleness; these last being all in daylight. A flight came inland in
Stirlingshire about Nov. 22nd, on which day a party of five guns, of which
party I was one, killed eighteen in Torwood Covers.
Snipe, Gallinago scolopacina.—At the Isle of May one was seen at 10 a.m.
on August 6th, with light S.E. wind, fog and rain. Snipe scarce or much
scattered, owing to wet season. Entirely disappeared from inland localities
when the hard frost of beginning of December set in, and few returned all
winter.
Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus.—One record at Girdleness; on August 17th,
one was seen at 8 p.m., wind E. with rain.
Grey Geese.—At Dunnet Head, on Sept. 3rd, thirteen Grey Geese were
seen "going north" at 3 p.m., wind S.E., fresh, haze and rain.
Bernacle Goose, Bernicla brenta.—At Dunnet Head a mixed flock of old
and young (twenty-five) seen going W. on Sept. 7th, and five more on the
14th, during the day, wind light W. Fog on the 7th; clear on the 14th.
Anatidæ were a month earlier in appearing on Loch Tay in the autumn of
1879. Geese were reported as unusually abundant from many localities.
Swans.—Three Swans seen at North Ronaldshay flying south at 2.30 p.m.,
with W.N.W. fresh wind and clear, and again at same place at 9.30 a.m., on
Nov. 27th, swimming on the water; wind strong N.E., and clear. At Pentland
Skerries eight were seen at 2 p.m. on Oct. 26th; wind light W. and clear. At

Dunnet Head three old and one young seen going S.W., at 1 p.m., breeze
light, on Sept 14th; and three old birds again on Sept. 22nd.
Ducks.—At Tarbet Ness a large flock of ducks passed inland at 10 a.m.,
with a N. gale and snow, on Nov. 12th. At Girdleness, two ducks seen at
4.40 a.m., wind S.W., and haze, on Oct. 16th. At Tarbet Ness a large flock
seen at 9.15 a.m., wind W., strong and snow, on Dec. 5th. At Dunnet Head
seven ducks (Widgeon) stayed on the lake three days from Oct. 25th;
arrived with W. to N.W. breeze and cloudy.
Guillemot, Uria troile.—At Pentland Skerries a flock seen on June 25th, at
7.15 p.m.; wind E.N.E., and light haze. (Compare with notes on W. coast at
Cape Wrath and elsewhere.)
Puffin, Mormon fratercula.—At North Unst innumerable Puffins seen on
evening of April 24th.
Common Skua (or "Bonxie"), Stercorarius catarrhactes.—At North Unst,
usually appear about middle of April. "We do not see more than six or eight
in a season."
Petrel, Thalassidroma pelagica.—Seen at North Unst in August, and at
Dunnet Head on Oct. 10th, wind strong W., and haze, at 11 p.m.
Tern, Sterna.—Only one record. One struck at Pentland Skerries at 8.30
p.m. on Sept. 8th; wind strong S., and fog.
Terns always appear upon our Stirlingshire coast the end of August and
beginning of September, remaining usually about a fortnight to three weeks.
The unusual scarcity of migrants is very generally reported upon at almost
all the east coast stations. The remarks of the reporters, comparing the
observations with former years, generally show this to be the case. Thus,
commencing with our most northerly station. North Unst, I find it stated
that, in most seasons, "Land birds, as Snow Buntings, Stonechats, and
Starlings, strike the lantern." It is also stated that—"Until the last three
years, large flocks of Iceland Gulls were seen during the month of April,
going N.W. A few returned this way." They are seen, however, every year in
some numbers in October. At Sumburgh Head, Mr. Anderson says, "In
twenty-one years I have not seen so few birds strike the lantern"; and Mr.
Tulloch, writing from North Ronaldshay, says, "We have had so much of
N.W. winds here this fall, that I think the birds have been kept more

towards the south." Similar complaints of scarcity of migrants reach me
from Auskerry, Hoy Sound (High), Holborn Head, Ness Head, and Isle of
May; and an entire absence of all birds—"since the schedules came to
hand"—is reported at several of these stations. The reason assigned by Mr.
Tulloch is no doubt the correct one. From other stations local influences
probably have more to do with the scarcity, as, for instance, the
unfavourable positions of the lanterns. Thus, Cromarty is "situated on the
point of the town of Cromarty, and almost among the houses." During
seventeen years that the present principal light-keeper has been there, he
does not think that more than a dozen birds have struck the glass.
Altogether, few of our Scottish stations are situated in as favourable
positions for observation as the lightships of the English coast. Perhaps the
Bell Rock and Isle of May are the most favourable in the south, and the
Pentland Skerries and some of the Orkney and Shetland stations in the
north.
Besides the records under the various species which have been identified,
there are many records of birds striking or passing, which were not
identified. It is from a comparison of these and the other records that I
arrive at the conclusion that the above stations are the most favoured. Thus,
large numbers of birds struck the lantern of Bell Rock, and were lost
between midnight and dawn on Oct. 7th, and again on the 14th, between 3
a.m. and dawn; on both occasions in foggy, hazy, or rainy weather, &c., as
is almost invariably the case. I have not been able to trace from actual data,
except in a few cases, the direction of the flight of the migrants, as such has
not, as a rule, been noted by the reporters. It would be an advantage to have
this done next season, under the column in the schedule for "General
Observations." The species which have appeared in greatest numbers are
Thrushes and Blackbirds, Larks, Wheatears, and Swallows; whilst Hooded
Crows—noted as most numerous on the English east coast—are absent
from all the Scottish returns, and Rooks occur only in one very far north
instance, viz., at North Unst.
The line of flight of the Anatidæ is generally from N. to S., as explained
further on by Mr. Cordeaux. I may mention here that this holds generally
also on the west coast of Scotland, but that the lines of flight of the
Insessores are influenced by local causes, and configuration and trend of the
west coast. Thus the direction, according to previous experience, is often

from N.W. to S.E. When migrating over or near land the lines of flight
follow the great valleys and then the coast-lines, often cutting off
promontories, as at the Ross of Mull. These are probably birds having a
starting-point more to the N.W.,—the Hebrides, Iceland, and North
America,—and others which in their migrations from east to west overshoot
the land and "hark back"; but we will speak more of this in our remarks
under "West Coast." Land birds have passed at all hours of the day and
night, flying generally low, and in almost all kinds of weather. The Anatidæ,
as a rule, fly much higher, and consequently are only seen, or almost only,
in clear weather.
Almost all records of birds caught or killed, or striking at the lanterns, are
noted on dark or cloudy nights, with fog, haze or rain, or snow and sleet.
The isolated stations, such as the Bell Rock, are most deadly; many are
stunned and killed, and blown into the sea, at such localities. Birds on such
nights often remain around the lights all night or rest on the window-sills of
the tower and the balconies, or endeavour to obtain entrance to the tower.
Whenever dawn appears they resume their flight towards the nearest land.
A great northward rush appears to have taken place at Bell Rock lighthouse
between the 2nd and 11th of March, 1880, as noted in the duplicate
schedule by Mr. James Jack, lately received by me. On the 2nd March great
numbers of birds were seen flying about the lantern, apparently of various
species, of which Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Mavises were recognised; wind
S., light breeze, heavy sleet; sexes unidentified; a great number continued to
strike hard on lantern all night from 10 p.m., and rebounding off, fell into
the sea. On the 9th, great numbers, including Lapwings, Thrushes, Mavises,
"Snowflecks," Rooks and "Sea-piets," from 5 a.m. till good daylight, when
all disappeared in the fog; observer could not say in which direction they
flew; wind S.E., light breeze, fog, and rain. This has been the largest
migration seen this year; very large numbers of each species seen. On the
11th March great numbers of Lapwings, Curlews, Blackbirds, and "Sea-
piets," from 12 midnight till first streak of day, when all disappeared;
cannot say in which direction; wind N.E., light breeze, and haze. A few
struck lantern-lights and flew off again; sexes not made out. A perceptible
increase in our birds at inland localities took place about this time, and
notes on migration taken at various inland localities corroborate the rush at
coast stations. Curlews were seen passing inland on March 6th for first

time. Great Tits much increased in numbers, as also Chaffinches, Starlings,
Thrushes, Blackbirds, &c.

EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.
Printed forms of enquiry and letters of instruction were sent to thirty-seven
lighthouses and lightvessels on the east coast of England. Twenty-five
stations have sent in returns, and twelve have failed to do so. The stations
from which co-operation was asked are as follows, commencing with the
most northerly. Those from which returns have been received are marked
with a *.
Berwick.
*Longstone, on the most easterly of the Farn Islands; white light,
revolving every 30 seconds.
*Farn Islands (two lights); white, revolving every 30 seconds.
*Coquet Island, coast of Northumberland; two white lights in
same tower.
Souter Point.
*Teesmouth, No. 5 Buoy Lightvessel; one white light, fixed.
*Whitby, High Light; while, fixed.
Flamborough Head; two white, one red flash, revolving every
half minute.
Spurn Point.
*Spurn, Lightvessel, six miles S.S.E. of Spurn Point; white,
revolving every minute.
Bull, Lightvessel, mouth of Humber.
*Outer Dowsing, Lightvessel, 53 miles E.S.E. Spurn; red light,
revolving every 90 seconds.
*Inner Dowsing, Lightvessel, 17 miles E. Sutton, on Lincolnshire
coast; green, 20 seconds.
Dudgeon, Lightvessel, 35 m. E. Skegness, Lincolnshire coast;
white, fixed.
*Leman and Ower, Lightvessel, 48 miles E.N.E. of Cromer; two
white lights, one fixed, one revolving.
*Hunstanton, Lighthouse, white, fixed.
*Cromer, Lighthouse; white, revolving every minute.
Hasborough, Lighthouse; white, fixed.
Winterton, Lighthouse; white, fixed.

*Newarp, Lightvessel, 12 miles N.E. Winterton; white, three
quick flashes, and 36 seconds in a minute dark.
*Cockle, Lightvessel, 3 miles E. Yarmouth; white, revolving each
minute.
*Lowestoft, Lighthouse; white, revolving 30 seconds, and red
fight, fixed.
*Corton, Lightvessel, 4 miles E. Lowestoft; red, revolving 20
seconds.
*Orfordness, Lighthouse; white, fixed.
*Shipwash, Lightvessel, 8 miles S.S.E. of Orfordness; white,
fixed.
Languard Point, Lighthouse, entrance to Harwich River.
Cork, Lightvessel, 5 miles off mouth of Harwich River.
*Galloper, Lightvessel, 40 miles S.S.E. of Orfordness; two white,
horizontal, fixed.
*Kentish Knock, Lightvessel, 33 miles N.E. of North Foreland;
white, revolving each minute.
*Nore, Lightvessel, mouth of Thames; white, revolving 30
seconds.
*North Foreland, Lighthouse; white, fixed.
*Goodwin, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands; white, revolving, three
quick flashes in succession, 36 seconds darkness.
*Gull-stream, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands; white, revolving 20
seconds.
*East-side, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands, 13 miles E. of Deal;
green, revolving 15 seconds.
*South-sand Head, Lightvessel, Goodwin Sands; white, fixed.
South Foreland, Lighthouse; white, fixed.
Dungeness Point; white, fixed.
Great credit is due to the observers of the various stations for the careful
manner in which, as a rule, the returns have been made out. Taking them
altogether the reports show truthful, accurate, and painstaking observation.
Excluding the Anatidæ, Swans, Geese and Ducks, notes have been taken of
about thirty-two different species.

SEPARATE REPORT OF EACH SPECIES
OBSERVED.

Of Raptores two only are mentioned, the Sparrowhawk and the Short-eared
Owl. Of the former one visited the Inner Dowsing on Oct. 1st, at 8 p.m. At
the Gull-stream on Sept. 19th one alighted on deck and was caught. At the
South-sand Head on Sept. 23rd a very large Sparrowhawk stopped to rest
on the rail, going W. At the same station on Oct. 2nd another settled on the
lantern, also leaving for the west. These may have been hawks in passage,
or pirates beating in the track of small migrants. The Short-eared Owl
occurs only at Teesmouth; on Sept. 29th one passed at daybreak, one on
Oct. 1st at 7 a.m., and another on the 16th at 3 p.m.
I saw the first Short-eared Owl on the Lincolnshire coast on Oct. 30th.
Twelve were seen at Spurn the same morning. It thus appears that the
migration of this species has extended just over a month, from Sept. 29th to
Oct. 30th.
Flycatcher, Muscicapa grisola.—At the Galloper on Sept. 13th, from 10
p.m. to 4 a.m., hazy, 200 to 300 birds, mostly Flycatchers; twenty killed
against glass of lantern. At the Kentish Knock on Sept. 18th two dozen
Flycatchers through night around lantern, rain, going S.W. at daylight; none
killed. At the Nore, Aug. 22nd, at sunrise, mixed with Larks, and again on
Sept. 7th, same hour, without Larks. At the Gull-stream, on Sept. 17th, at
3.20 a.m., E., thick rain, large quantities of Flycatchers; lantern surrounded
by birds. On Oct. 11th-12th, 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., N.N.E., rain, large numbers
of Larks, Starlings and Flycatchers in vicinity of light; many struck and
went overboard. Time of migration extending over fifty-two days.[4]
[4] I find the following reference to this species in my note-book:—"Did not
observe any Flycatchers, old or young, in this neighbourhood after the end of
August: up to this time they were exceptionally numerous."—J. C.

Song Thrush, Redwing, Fieldfare, Blackbird, and Ring Ouzel.—With the
exception of the last, which is reported from Heligoland, the Turdidæ are
noticed at fourteen stations extending over the whole coast-line. At the
Longstone, on Sept. 11th, four Redwings killed at 3 a.m., gloomy and thick;
on Oct. 30th and 31st Thrushes, Blackbirds and Redwings passed, wind E.
and N. At the Farn Islands, Oct. 14th, Redwings, 9 a.m.; 15th, Thrushes and
Blackbirds, N.N.E. half a gale; 22nd, several Blackbirds; 30th, same, and
flocks of Redwings all day, E.; Nov. 20th, Fieldfares all day, E. strong;
22nd, same; Dec. 5th, 3 p.m., snow. Blackbirds and Thrushes. At Teesmouth
on Dec. 1st, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., snow. Redwings, Thrushes and Fieldfares,

going from N. to S.W.; Dec. 2nd, a few Redwings. At Teesmouth lighthouse
on Oct. 1st, at daylight, forty to fifty Thrushes, and twenty to thirty at 9 a.m.
on the 7th; on Dec. 4th, at 6 a.m., one Blackbird struck the glass and was
killed. At Spurn on Dec. 2nd, 9 a.m., large numbers of Thrushes. At the
Outer Dowsing, Sept. 24th, four Blackbirds; on the 29th, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
six Thrushes. At the Leman and Ower on Dec. 16th, Thrushes in company
with Larks and Starlings all through the night. At Cromer on Oct. 24th three
Thrushes struck the lantern during the night; on the 30th four, and on Nov.
16th five others. At the Newarp, Nov. 28th, 9 a.m., six Blackbirds passed.
At the Kentish Knock, Nov. 18th, one Thrush killed. At the Nore, Nov. 7th,
four Blackbirds, going W.S.W.; Nov. 3rd, Fieldfares. At the North Foreland,
Nov. 21st, 1 a.m., E.S.E., snow, one Blackbird killed. At the Gull-stream,
Nov. 21st, cloudy and showers of snow, Starlings, Blackbirds, and Thrushes
in the vicinity of light from 1 to 4 a.m.; six Starlings, four Thrushes, and
one Blackbird killed. At the South-sand Head, Oct. 12th, dense fog, many
Thrushes; several killed. General line of migration, with few exceptions, E.
to W., carried on both by day and night; a considerable proportion, however,
appear to arrive from daybreak to 10 a.m. Migration of Thrush extending
over seventy-seven days, from Oct. 1st at Teesmouth to Dec. 16th at the
Leman and Ower; of Redwing, sixty-five days, from Sept. 11th at the
Longstone to Dec. 2nd at Teesmouth; of Fieldfare, twenty-eight days, from
Nov. 3rd at the Nore to Dec. 1st at Teesmouth;[5] of Blackbird, seventy-two
days, from Sept. 24th at the Outer Dowsing to Dec. 5th at Farn Islands.[6]
On Oct. 29th, S.E. and E., Tardus iliacus crossed Heligoland in large
numbers, "thousands and thousands" passing on overhead; the same day, T.
torquatus, "a few"; T. merula and T. musicus, "limited numbers"; "T. iliacus
descending from invisible heights down to about one hundred feet above
island,—three hundred feet above the sea,—then all of them passing on;
when atmosphere got clear again, in afternoon, passage ceased." Again on
the night of the 30th, N.N.E., "enormous number of Turdidæ passing
overhead."
[5] Mr. W. Eagle Clarke reports that on the 24th of January last large numbers of
Fieldfares were seen between Easington and Kilnsea, near Spurn Point, and as
they were the first seen in the neighbourhood this season they were no doubt
immigrants, more particularly as the locality in which they were seen is one
where they are only observed during or immediately after arrival. Large flocks
appeared also in North-East Lincolnshire during the last fortnight in January, so
far as my own observations go, composed entirely of old birds. Mr. Gätke also

writes, "All January through, night from 10th to 11th, great many from the east;
21st to 24th, the same."—J. C.
[6] Numbers of fine old cock Blackbirds arrived at Spurn during the latter part of
January, and early in February at the same time with the Fieldfares.—J. C.

Redbreast, Whitethroat, Wren.—The same notes in the reports applying
generally to the three species, it is not necessary to treat them separately. At
Coquet Island, on Sept. 13th, 11 p.m., two Redbreasts struck glass, not
killed. At Hunstanton, on Oct. 13th, 1 p.m., fog, a Wren and Redbreast seen.
At Cromer, May 23rd, 1 a.m., a great many Wrens; two killed, also one
Redbreast; May 27th, 11 p.m., Wrens and Whitethroats, five killed (these
last notes are referable to the spring migration); Sept. 12th, Wrens and three
Redbreasts strike glass. At Spurn this autumn the Common Wren did not
appear before the middle of December; they usually arrive about the end of
October.[7] Redbreasts were very numerous at Spurn on Oct. 30th, wind
blowing very fresh from N.E. None reported from Heligoland, but a great
many Accentor modularis on Oct. 29th, wind S.E. and E.
[7] A friend, the owner of several steam-tugs, informs me that he has frequently
known the Common Wren to come on board his vessels when far from land on
the North Sea.—J. C.

Golden-crested Wren.—Most exceptionally scarce; only one mentioned, at
the Cockle, on Oct. 16th, at 3 p.m., wind N.N.E., when one came on board
and was caught. Three were seen in a garden near Spurn on Oct. 27th and
28th; none, so far as I am aware, on any part of the Lincolnshire and
Durham coasts, neither are they mentioned in the Heligoland report.
Titmice.—At the Gull-stream, Sept. 17th, 3.20 a.m., thick, rain, E., several
Titmice seen round lantern amongst the Flycatchers. Mr. Gätke remarks,
"There have been no Parus major all this autumn, and we have actually seen
only one bird"; early in October, "daily some Parus ater, that come here
rarely but when there is an appearance of easterly winds."
Wheatear.—At Hunstanton, May 24th, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., drizzly rain,
forty-one small birds killed, amongst them three Wheatears. At Cromer,
Aug. 16th, 1 a.m., several Wheatears; four killed.
Titlark, Anthus sp.?—At Spurn, May 25th, 1 a.m., rain, several Titlarks
killed (referable to the spring migration), At the South-sand Head, Oct.
12th, 3 a.m., N.E., dense fog, Titlarks, amongst thousands of other birds,
around and passing lantern.

Shore Lark, Otocorys alpestris.—On Dec. 19th two were shot, from a
small flock on the Humber side of Spurn Point; these were received in the
flesh on the 22nd by Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, of Leeds.[8] At Heligoland, on
Oct. 1st, "some flights"; 5th, "some score"; 8th, "a great many"; 10th,
"many flights"; on the 24th likewise, and again on the 29th, "many."
[8] Mr. Clarke subsequently informed me that on March 18th, this year, he saw a
flock of about twenty Shore Larks at Spurn, and that during the past winter
thirty-three have been shot there, in the proportion of two males to one female.—
J. C.

Sky Lark, Alauda arvensis.—None reported north of the Humber, and a
negative return from Heligoland. South of the Humber, from every station
making returns, and showing a gradual increase towards the more southern
stations, where they crossed in immense numbers. Earliest date of passage,
July 24th, at the Goodwin, 10 a.m., ninety to a hundred flying N.W. to the
nearest land, and again at the same station on Aug. 4th. After this no further
notice till Sept. 17th, when the regular and normal migration of this species
appears to have set in and continued without intermission till Dec. 27th.
Leaving out the two earliest dates as exceptional, we shall find that the
immigration of the Larks to our east coast was continued over 102 days.
During October, November and December (first fortnight) they crossed
continually, passing from E. to W., also from points S. of E. to others N. of
W., over the narrowest part of the North Sea, as is shown in the returns of
the most southern lightships—Galloper, Kentish Knock, Nore, North
Foreland, Goodwin, Gull-stream, East Side, and South-sand Head; time,
any hour of the day or night; direction of wind, variable. It would be quite
impossible in a limited space to give anything like a detailed statement of
the immigration of Larks, so a few extracts from my summary of the reports
must suffice. There was a "great rush" of Larks and other species between
Oct. 12th and 23rd. On the 16th October more birds appear to have crossed
than on any day during the autumn. There was again a "final rush" of the
laggards just preceding and during the outbreak of severe weather early in
December. At the Newarp, Sept. 29th to Oct. 27th, on fourteen days, going
W., no particular hour, some striking lantern at night. At the Cockle, Sept.
28th to Oct. 17th, as a rule, very early in the morning (4.30 to 9.20 a.m.), on
foggy, thick nights stopping to hover round lantern, some strike and are
killed; Oct. 9th to 16th, "great rush." At the Corton, Oct. 22nd and 23rd,
flocks passing all day to N.W.; Nov. 11th, many hundreds during day; and

again on Dec. 25th, all day from N.E. to S.W., Ducks and Larks; Dec. 27th,
hundreds of Larks during afternoon. At the Shipwash, from Oct. 9th to 16th;
all day on 15th and 16th. At the Galloper,[9] from Oct. 8th to 24th, Larks,
Starlings and Chaffinches, generally during night; between these dates 135
of these species killed against lantern. At the Kentish Knock, Oct. 23rd,
N.W., hazy, Larks and Chaffinches through night, "in clouds," sixty picked
up on deck, and probably double this number falling overboard; Dec. 1st,
from noon to 2.30 p.m., thick snow falling, Larks, Curlews, Starlings,
Ducks, Chaffinches and Linnets, too numerous to mention; they came in
clouds from N.E. to W.S.W. At the Nore, Aug. 4th to Dec. 6th and 7th, on
forty-four days; on Dec. 6th and 7th, by hundreds all day, often mixed with
Starlings, Linnets and Sparrows. At the North Foreland, on Sept. 17th, a
few; Oct. 16th, midnight, misty, fourteen Larks and ten Starlings; 17th,
between 3 and 4 a.m., ten Larks and nine Starlings struck. At the Goodwin,
Sept. 17th to Dec. 7th, on nineteen days, going W. or N.W. or W.N.W.; Oct.
13th and 15th, in shoals throughout night; 13th to 22nd, "great rush." At the
Gull-stream, Oct. 16th to 22nd, "great rush," flocks two hundred yards
apart, passing westward. At the East-side, Oct. 9th to Dec. 12th, on seven
days, E. to W.; on Sept. 23rd, going N. to S., with a N.E. wind blowing. At
the South-sand Head, Oct. 12th, 3 a.m., dense fog, "great rush," thousands
of Larks and other birds, many killed; Dec. 1st, 3 p.m., dense fog and snow,
"final rush," Larks, Starlings, and fifty Curlews; twelve Starlings caught on
board, but no Larks. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., writing from Lowestoft, says,
"On Wednesday (Oct. 22nd), the arrival of Larks here was regular
throughout the day." On Oct. 29th, at Spurn Point, Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, of
Leeds, says, "Sky Larks arriving and passing south in thousands the whole
day." Immense numbers also arrived on the Lincolnshire coast in the last
fortnight of October. (At Heligoland, Oct. 29th, S.E., and E., "Alauda
arboreus, many.")
[9] Birds passing this station were all passing to E. or E.S.E. or S.E. in October.
On Nov. 24th great numbers of Larks and Starlings were observed passing to
N.N.E. See general remarks at end of report.—J. C.

Snow Bunting, Plectrophanes nivalis.—None at stations south of the
Humber. At the Longstone, Sept. 5th, 8.30 a.m., wind S., one was seen on
the rocks; my correspondent remarks, "Earliest date I have ever seen a
Snow Bunting on these islands (Farn Isles)." At the Farn Islands, Oct. 3rd,
11.30 a.m., three Snow Buntings flying N.W.; Oct. 25th, afternoon, in

flocks flying W. At Teesmouth, Nov. 7th to Dec. 20th, several flocks
between these dates flying N.W. At Spurn, Snow Buntings were first seen
on the 28th. October; and large flocks of from 400 to 500 in the
Lincolnshire marshes during the first week in November. At Heligoland on
Oct. 30th, N.N.E., "Emberiza nivalis, a great many," and on the 31st, S.E.,
calm, overcast, "Snow Buntings and Finches." Leaving out the Farn Island
date as exceptional,[10] we find the regular migration of this species to have
commenced on Oct. 25th and finished Dec. 20th—fifty-seven days.
[10] In a note to Yarrell's 'British Birds' (vol. ii., p. 6, 4th ed.), Prof. Newton
cites, on my authority, the occurrence of a Snow Bunting on the Lincolnshire
coast on Sept. 16th, 1875, as perhaps the earliest date for England. The Farn
Island bird must now take precedence by eleven days.—J. C.

Chaffinch, Fringilla cœlebs.—Has occurred at several stations, and both
north and south of the Humber. At the Longstone, Sept. 28th and Oct. 1st, 6
a.m. till noon, S. strong, rain and mist, flocks of Finches and other birds
going W. At the Outer Dowsing, Oct. 18th, at noon, going E. to W.; Oct.
24th, 7 p.m., overcast, rain, thirty round lantern, two killed. At the Leman
and Owers, Oct. 7th, N.N.E., gloomy, mixed flocks of Larks, Chaffinches
and Starlings during day and night. At the Newarp, Sept. 26th to Oct. 23rd,
on several days. At the Cockle, odd birds, on three days, strike lantern or
come on board. At the Kentish Knock, Oct. 23rd and Dec. 1st (see Sky
Lark). At the Goodwin, Sept. 17th, 9 to 11 p.m., overcast, hazy, flying
round lantern. Migration extending from Sept. 17th to Dec. 1st—seventy-
six days.
Linnet, Linota cannabina.—None registered north of the Shipwash, off the
Essex coast, where from Oct. 9th to 16th flocks passed daily, all hours,
going E. to W. At the Nore, Oct. 14th to Nov. 12th, invariably mixed with
Larks. At the Gull-stream, Oct. 15th to 22nd, many flocks.
Twite, Linota flavirostris.—One station only, the Kentish Knock, Oct. 24th,
misty with rain, "Mountain Linnets," Larks and Starlings through the night;
sixty picked up on deck, as many more went overboard. Nov. 8th, one
caught on deck.
Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus.—Flocks of Sparrows[11] were noticed at
several stations south of the Humber. At the Outer Dowsing, on Sept. 29th,
at noon, and Oct. 13th, 2 p.m., travelling from E. to W. At the Kentish
Knock, Oct. 22nd to Nov. 8th, going from S.E. to N.W.; on Nov. 8th two

came on board. At the Nore, Oct. 27th and Nov. 15th, on latter day mixed
with Larks. At the Goodwin, Oct. 6th and 22nd, passing to W.N.W. At the
Gull-stream, Oct 16th, large numbers of Sparrows and Linnets going W.;
also on the 24th, 3.30 p.m., flocks 200 yards apart. At the East-side, Nov.
8th, 9 a.m., a flock going E. to W. At the South-sand Head, Oct. 8th,
"French Sparrows"; 16th, the same, some settled on board. Time of
migration Sept. 29th to Nov. 15th—forty-eight days. During September and
October Tree Sparrows usually arrive in North-East Lincolnshire in flocks
containing many hundreds. This year has been quite an exceptional one, and
only a few stragglers have been seen. I suspect the persistence of north-
westerly winds in the autumn has driven these and the great body of our
immigrants much further southward than is usual. The returns indeed show
this to be the case.
[11] It is not improbable that in some of the returns the entries may refer to the
Common Sparrow. We know, however, that Passer montanus is such a constant
and regular migrant to our east coast in the autumn that in the majority of cases it
will refer to this species.—J. C.

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus.—Only once mentioned, at the Corton,
Sept. 28th, 7.50 a.m., large flock going west, males and females. As the
female of the preceding is undistinguishable from the male, this entry
undoubtedly refers to the Common Sparrow. We know that the House
Sparrow is a migrant across Heligoland,[12] and my own observations on the
Lincolnshire coast tend to the same conclusion.
[12] See a letter by Mr. Gätke in 'The Times,' March 31st, 1877, on the
"Migration of Sparrows."

Starling, Sturnus vulgaris.—Next to the Lark, the Starling occupies the
most prominent position in the reports. It is noticed both north and south of
the Humber at seventeen stations:—the Longstone, Coquet Island,
Teesmouth, Outer Dowsing, Inner Dowsing, Leman and Ower, Cromer,
Newarp, Cockle, Galloper, Kentish Knock, Nore, North Foreland,
Goodwin, Gull-stream, East-side, and South-sand Head. Enormous numbers
passed the southern stations in October, November and December.
Sometimes in separate flocks, sometimes mixed with other birds. They
crossed at all hours of the day and night, and in all winds and weather.
Earliest recorded, Cromer, June 10th, 2 a.m., "quantity"; the Newarp, 7
a.m., on July 4th, going E. to W.; these were young birds.[13] Leaving out
the earliest dates as referring to the migration of the young, we find that the

regular immigration on to our east coast commenced on Sept. 22nd, when
four were killed against the lantern of the Longstone at 3 a.m., to Dec. 16th
at the Leman and Ower—eighty-six days; migration E. to W. The Starling,
like the Lark, appears to have a particular facility for immolating itself
against the lanterns. At the Leman and Ower large nmnbers of Starlings,
along with Larks and Chaffinches, were taken in October; at the Galloper
(see Sky Lark); also at the North Foreland, and many other instances too
numerous to mention. At Heligoland this year there have been no young
Starlings during July; Mr. Gätke says he may perhaps have seen a hundred,
and this is all.
[13] This bears out Mr. Gätke's observation in a letter dated Heligoland, 1879,
when he says, "Hundreds of thousands of young Starlings from end of June to
end of July. Hundreds of thousands of old birds during October, November, and
later; young and old strictly divided in their migrations."

Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix; Rook, C. frugilegus; Daw, C. monedula.—
The migration of Rooks is not noted on the English coast north of the
Humber; south of this they were noticed at nearly every station as either
Rooks or "Black Crows," to distinguish them from the Hoodie or Grey
Crow. Immense numbers of both Rooks and Grey Crows crossed on Oct.
16th from daylight to dark, travelling from E. to W. Noticeably at the Inner
Dowsing, on Oct. 16th, large number of Crowds, from N.E. to W.; at
Hunstanton, on the 17th, Hooded Crowds and Rooks all day; at the Newarp,
on the 16th; at the Cockle, the same day "height of rush," Crows and Rooks,
9 a.m. to 6 p.m., going W., and again on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th, large
numbers of Crows, Rooks, Starlings and Larks, from daylight to dark,
passing W.; again on Nov. 8th, large flocks of Crows. At the Corton, on Oct.
16th and 22nd, continuous flocks of Crows, Daws and Larks all day, E. to
W., also Nov. 8th and 11th and Dec. 27th. At the Shipwash, Oct. 15th and
16th, constant on 15th, till 12 a.m.; on 16th, 9 a.m. to 3.20 p.m., from S.S.E.
to N.N.W. At the Goodwin, Oct. 15th to 21st, Crows "in shoals." At the
South-sand Head, Oct. 16th, Rooks, 9.30 a.m., going W.N.W. and N.W.; and
seven other stations. In the returns it is impossible in many cases, under the
general entry of "Crows," to separate the Hooded Crow from the Rook. It
appears, however, that immense numbers of the Corvidæ crossed the North
Sea; Rooks at stations south of the Humber, and Hooded Crows at both
northern and southern stations from Oct. 15th to Nov. 19th. Both Rooks and
Hooded Crows appear to have started simultaneously on Oct. 15th, and

passed across the North Sea from E. to W. in almost continuous flocks on
the 16th and 17th; and after these dates in more scattered detachments, less
and less to Nov. 19th. And again during the latter, part of December; the last
entry is on Dec. 27th at the Corton, Crows passing E. and W. in afternoon
and Larks in hundreds. Daws are only mentioned at two stations; the Corton
on Oct. 10th and 2:2nd, continuous flocks of Daws and Crows all day; also
at the Shipwash on the 16th. At the Inner Dowsing on Oct. 22nd four Crows
remained all night on globe above the lantern, and five took up their
position in the same quarter on the night of Nov. 8th, leaving at daylight for
the Lincolnshire coast. The wind on the North Sea on Oct. 16th was N. to
N.E., force 4 to 7.
Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus.—On Sept. 17th, 10 p.m., at the North Foreland,
wind E., overcast, misty a Cuckoo struck the south side of the lantern, but
was not killed.
Swallow, Hirundo rustica.—The spring migration was noticed at two
stations—the Cockle, June 8th, 9.20 a.m., five Swallows passed towards
land; also on July 1st at 4.30 a.m., ten passing to W.S.W.; at the South-sand
Head, July 6th, twenty at 3.30 a.m., flying towards N.N.W. The autumn
migration was observed at several stations both north and south of the
Humber. At Coquet Island, Aug. 15th, midnight, S.E., three Swallows
struck glass of lantern, but were not killed; on the 20th great numbers were
seen flying about, two striking glass after dark, but were not killed. At
Whitby, on Oct. 4th, 9.30 a.m., flock going south. At Hunstanton, on Sept.
10th, 2 p.m., a flock alighted on lantern and gallery; and on Oct. 12th, 3
p.m., fog, twelve came up to light and dispersed in various directions. At
the North Foreland, on Sept. 9th, 10th and 11th, about forty passed each
day; and on the 21st, about one hundred flew round the lantern top for an
hour. At the South-sand Head on Sept. 28th, twelve. Swallows passed.
Migration extending from Aug. 15th to Oct. 12th—fifty-nine days.
Swift, Cypselus apus.—The autumn migration of Swifts, so remarkable in
1879 for the great numbers seen at various places on the north-east coast
(see Zool. Jan. 1880, p. 8), was observed at only two stations. At
Teesmouth, great numbers flying about during the last three days of August.
At the Nore, on Aug. 1st and 2nd, between 6 and 7 a.m., and again on the
20th; last on Oct. 10th, 9 a.m., Swifts mixed with Larks. At Heligoland,

Martins and Swifts, "rather great numbers during August; particularly noted
on the 10th, wind S.E., Swifts a great many; on the 20th, the same."
Charadriidæ.—The burst of severe weather during the early days in
December brought an immense influx of Plovers to our east coast from the
north; large flocks are noticed at this time at the more northern stations,
more particularly at Coquet Island on Nov. 26th and Dec. 6th, northerly and
westerly winds, force from 6 to 8. There is only one notice south of the
Humber, and this early in the season. At the Shipwash, Oct. 12th, flock of
thirty Lapwings, going westward.
Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola.—Was observed at the Farn Islands, Oct.
22nd, 30th (great flight), Nov. 1st, Dec. 2nd, N.E. to N.N.E. At Coquet
Island, Sept. 29th, S.W., strong, one; and Oct. 24th, also one; about noon on
both days. At Teesmouth, Nov. 2nd, three at daylight. At the Outer
Dowsing, a station more than fifty miles from the nearest land, on Dec.
12th, two flying W. At Heligoland, Oct. 30th, N.N.W., early at dawn, great
many Woodcocks; about 100 killed. Great numbers were shot on the
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coast on the morning of Oct. 31st, sixty at
Spurn Point alone; wind very fresh from N.E. on the previous night with
drizzly rain. The migration of Woodcocks extended from Sept. 29th at
Coquet Island to Dec. 12th at the Outer Dowsing—seventy-five days. The
"great flight," at Heligoland on the morning of Oct. 30th; east coast of
England, on the night of the 30th.
Snipe, Gallinago media.—At the Longstone, Sept. 17th, 2.30 a.m., misty,
one struck the lantern and was killed. At the Farn Islands, on Dec. 2nd, 10th
and 19th. At the North Foreland, on Nov. 14th, 1.30 a.m., N., moderate
gale, and again on the 21st, at 5 a.m., snow. Snipe were killed. Very large
numbers arrived in Holderness and North Lincolnshire, from the middle to
the end of November, just preceding the outbreak of severe weather in
December. They left the district again, almost to a bird, before the middle of
the month.
Curlew, Numenius arquatus.—Curlews were in large flocks at Teesmouth
on Sept. 27th. At the Inner Dowsing, Sept. 1st, three going from N.E. to
S.W. At Hunstanton, on Oct. 13th, 4 a.m., fog, one struck glass of lantern
and was taken. At the South-sand Head, Aug. 13th to 29th, large flocks, 100
to 200 in a flock, going S. and S.W. The Curlew migrates early in the

autumn, Aug. 13th to Sept. 29th. Most of these entries will probably refer to
young birds, the old Curlews coming later in October and November. At
Heligoland, Oct. 30th, many passed over.
Anatidæ.—Between Dec. 4th and 20th Swans passed the Teesmouth from
N. to S. in some numbers; on the 4th, six; the 8th, five (four old and one
young); 14th, nine (eight old and one young); 15th, forty-three; 16th, three;
18th, two; the 20th, ten at 10 a.m., and ninety-five at 11 a.m. On the 18th a
flock of thirty was seen near Spurn, one old white bird acting as pilot, the
remainder all young, in the brown plumage. Two Bewick's Swans were shot
on the Humber on the 8th. Four passed the Kentish Knock, on Dec. 4th,
2.15 p.m., N.E. to S.W. Two Swans, which may have been "escaped birds"
from some private waters, passed the Teesmouth on Sept. 30th, 10 a.m.,
flying S.E. Geese were observed at several stations both north and south of
the Humber, going south from Aug. 18th to Dec. 13th, the main body
passing south during the last half of November and in December. Brent or
"Black Geese" are noted at the Corton, going south, July 18th, twelve; July
30th, two flocks of from thirty to forty; on Sept. 17th, thirty. These are very
early dates for Brent Geese,[14] Mr. Cotton, the observer, might have
possibly been led into an error by passing flocks of black Scoters. As,
however, "black ducks" are frequently mentioned in his return, this could
hardly be the case, and he appears very well able to discriminate between
the two. At the Corton, Dec. 4th, hundreds of black geese from N.E. to S.W.
from sunrise to noon—i.e., towards the mouth of the Thames or Essex
coast. As might have been expected, large flocks of Ducks are constantly
noted, so frequently indeed, as to defy repetition; this is more particularly
the case in the returns from the lightships. They are noted sometimes flying
S., from the land or to the land, and in fact in every direction. Many of these
would be local flocks going to and from their feeding grounds. Immense
numbers, however, coming from the north, passed along the coast in
November and December. At Coquet Island, on Dec. 14th, 3 a.m., N.W.,
blowing a gale, two Eider Ducks (spelt phonetically, "Ida" in the report)
struck lantern and one was killed.
[14] Major C. Russell, writing from Essex, says, "The earliest occurrence of
Brent Geese on our coast I ever remember hearing of was Sept. 29th, when many
years ago one of our coast gunners, still living, killed ten at a shot."

Red-throated Diver, Colymbus septentrionalis.—Red-throated Divers and
Mergansers are mentioned in the report from Teesmouth during November.
With regard to the first of these, Mr. Gätke sends the following curious
note, dated Dec. 22nd, 1879:—"Colymbus septentrionalis, almost by the
million. During the last forty years there have never, during a single
autumn, been a fiftieth part of what we see here now every day—all passing
along, principally during the forenoon, east of the island in an E. by N.
direction, which I think they continue till coming to the Holstein coast, then
strike off in a northerly course up to the extreme north of Jutland, and from
thence cross over to the Dutch coast, perhaps next morning to renew the
trip. There are constantly so many that one scarcely can believe them
always to be fresh birds."
Procellaridæ.—At the Longstone, on Sept. 18th, at 3 a.m., two Petrels
were caught against the lantern-windows. At Coquet Island, on Nov. 4th, 3
a.m., one killed against the lantern. At the Goodwin, Oct. 11th, five were
seen with many Larks and Starlings round the lantern at night. Greater
numbers of Procellaria glacialis have been seen off Heligoland during the
autumn than has been the case for the last twenty years.

Independent of the notes of each species, as already given, numerous flocks
of small birds were seen passing the stations, but too far distant to
determine the species. This was specially the case at the Spurn, on Dec. 3rd
and 8th; at the Cockle, on Oct. 9th; and at the South-sand Head, on Sept.
20th. At the Kentish Knock, on Nov. 20th, half-a-dozen small birds came on
board at midnight, which, from the written description in the margin, were
probably Greenfinches. It is, however, impossible to give even a guess at
another species which visited another lightvessel on Sept. 20th, "Fifty very
small birds—in fact, the smallest of British birds—like a Sky Lark, but a
deal smaller." From the date, they may have been either Titlarks or
Flycatchers.
No rare migrants have been noticed, but this was scarcely to be expected. In
this respect the budget of notes supplied by that veteran ornithologist Herr
Gätke bears a striking contrast to our east coast reports. On that small
island, so favourably situated for observation, Mr. Gätke has trained up

quite a host of practical observers, and any rare visitant will have to be very
sharp if it succeeds in escaping detection. Quoting from Mr. Gätke's letter
dated Dec. 22nd, we have, on Sept. 17th, Sylvia fuscata, though not got;
Anthus Richardi on the 18th; A. cervinus on the 20th; Picus leuconotus on
the 21st; then some days S.W. with rain and no birds; 26th, calm and clear,
Emberiza pusilla; 27th, E.N.E., Anthus Richardi, Emberiza pusilla (two
shot), E. aureola (seen); 28th, E. pusilla (two seen), E. rustica (one shot);
29th, Sylvia superciliosus (one); 30th, Emberiza pusilla (one); Oct. 1st, E.
pusilla (one); Nov. 2nd, 3rd and 4th, westerly winds and nothing, but daily
some Parus ater; on the 5th, again, Anthus cervinus (seen and heard);
northerly winds, sometimes N.E. on the 8th, a Leaf Warbler seen at close
quarters, but not procured by Aeuckens, the Heligoland birdstuffer, which
Mr. Gätke feels tolerably certain was a very rare visitant; the same day there
were two or three E. rustica, and one each of A. pusilla and A. cervinus. The
rare Leaf Warbler was again seen on the 9th, but could not be obtained; an
Emberiza rustica was also seen. On the 10th, E. pusilla shot and E. rustica
seen. On the 12th, Muscicapa parva and Motacilla lugubris, which latter
comes there rarely in autumn. On the 14th, Sylvia superciliosus was shot by
Mr. Gätke's eldest son, and two more were seen by Aeuckens in a garden
where shooting was not permitted. On the 18th, one very fine E. pusilla
shot. On the 20th Lestris affinis was seen close by, but not shot, as it would
have fallen in the sea and drifted away. This is the third, if not the fourth,
known occurrence of the Siberian Herring Gull at Heligoland. On the 24th a
large Redpoll was shot, which Mr. Gätke thinks can only be the Greenland
bird, Linota Hornemanni.
A summary of the various returns show that four species, Larks, Starlings,
Rooks and Hooded Crows, in the order given respectively, far outnumber
any other, and of these four the Lark far exceeds the rest in migratory
numbers. As a rule, the lines of migration followed have been from E. to
W., or S.E. to N.W. direct on to the English coast. To the middle of October
we find birds rarely coming from points north of east; after this date they
appear to come occasionally from directions north of east, between east and
due north. The line of migration of the Anatidæ has been from north to
south, crossing the line of the Insessores at right angles.
There is one remarkable exception to the general rule of an east to west
route in the case of the lightvessel on the Galloper Bank, forty miles S.S.E.

of Orfordness. All entries in this return show birds passing to the E. or
S.S.E. or S.E. during October. We can only account for this anomalous line
by supposing the birds which cross the Galloper have previously struck the
English coast at some higher latitude, and after skirting the coast line shot
off again somewhere near Orfordness and crossed the North Sea to the
Belgian and French coasts between Nieuport and Dunkerque. On Nov. 24th
a great quantity of Larks and Starlings passed the Galloper towards the
N.N.E, a line which if persevered in would eventually bring them to the
Dutch coast.
At the East-side from the 2nd to the 5th of November flocks of "Crows"
were observed passing from the S. to the N., or from the French to the
Suffolk coast. The great body of the immigrants during 1879 have crossed
at the more southern stations, the four lightships on the Goodwin Sands,
also the Nore, the Shipwash and Kentish Knock showing a constant and
continuous stream on to the south-east coast. These birds would all cross at
the narrowest part of the North Sea directly from E. to W. to the English
coast. The long prevalence of north-westerly winds in October and
November may to a great extent have deflected the lines of migration much
farther to the south than is generally the case.
Migrants have passed the stations at all hours of the day and night, flying at
no great altitude and in almost all winds and weather. When the nights are
dark and cloudy, no stars appearing, in rain, fogs and snowstorms, flocks of
birds during the night migrations will crowd round the lanterns of the
lightships; many strike the glass and are killed, falling on deck or pitching
overboard. On these nights birds will often remain for hours in the vicinity
of a light, circling round and round, evidently having lost their way; at the
first break in the clouds, the stars becoming visible, or the first streak of
early dawn, they will resume their flight to the nearest land.
The "great rush" of immigrants was from the 12th to the 23rd of October.
The "final rush" took place just preceding and during the first burst of
winter, early in December.
The occurrences when birds travel dead to windward are very rare indeed,
and then only with light winds. In the great majority of cases birds migrate
flying within two to four points of the wind, sometimes with a "beam"
wind, or even a point or two "abaft of beam." If the wind changes during

the actual passage, birds will change the direction of their flight to suit the
wind. Thus at the Shipwash, on Oct. 16th, from 9.50 a.m. to 1.20 p.m. the
wind was N.N.W., flocks constantly passing from S.E. to N.W. from 1.20 to
3.20 p.m. the wind blew from N.N.E., and the birds passed S.S.E. to
N.N.W. If subsequent observations should prove the correctness of this rule,
it will go far to account for all the irregularities of migration—the "why"
birds are seen in great numbers in one year in any locality, and perhaps
absent altogether in following seasons.
Subsequent to the writing of this report I have received several
communications showing a large and very remarkable influx of immigrants
on to the east coast of England in January and the first fortnight in February,
1880. On Jan. 24th great numbers of Fieldfares were seen near Spurn Point,
between Easington and Kilnsea, and since this date they are reported as
very numerous in the locality; with the Fieldfares came many fine old cock
Blackbirds. In North-East Lincolnshire, also, during the last fortnight in
January I saw many very large flocks of Fieldfares, apparently entirely
composed of old birds; before this time scarcely any had been seen. Mr.
Gätke writes from Heligoland:—"T. pilaris all January, through night from
10th to 11th, great many; also Oystercatchers and other waders coming
from the E; also from 21st to 24th, the same." These dates agree very well
with the time of their arrival on our east coast. Short-eared Owls arrived in
some numbers at Spurn in the last week in January. A very large flock of
Snow Buntings was seen on the 8th February. On the Lincolnshire side I
noticed an immense flock of the same species, fresh arrivals, on the 5th; and
on the 11th thousands, also hundreds of Larks. This final and third "rush" of
immigrants so late in the winter is curious, and may perthaps be explained
by the comparatively milder winter over Northern Europe, compared with
what we have experienced in the central and southern zones of Europe. We
have indeed a recent precedent for this in the winter of 1877-78, when, after
a long continuance of mild weather in Scandinavia, a sharp and sudden
outburst of real winter drove the Fieldfares, as Mr. Gätke says, over
Heligoland, on the night from the 27th to 28th January, in "countless
flights."

WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND.
Printed forms of enquiry and letters of instruction were forwarded to thirty-
eight lighthouses on the west coast of Scotland and the Isles. Twenty-four
stations have sent in returns, and fourteen have either sent none, or have
returned blank forms, owing to the scarcity of birds. The stations from
which co-operation was asked are as follows, commencing with the most
northerly and those from which returns have been received are marked with
a *:—
*Cape Wrath, Sutherland; white and red alt., rev. every minute. J.
M'Gill.
*Rhu Stoir, W. Cromarty; white, interval 1 minute. William
Wither
*Butt of Lewis, Lewis; white, fixed. George Edgar
Stornoway, Lewis; 2 lights, white, rev. ½ m., & white, fixed. R.
Murray
*Island Glass, Harris; white, fixed. William Lines
Ushenish, North Uist; red, fixed
*Monach Island; same tower, upp. white fl., low. red, fixed. J.
Youngclause
Barra Head, Barra; white, interval 2½ minutes
Rona, Skye; white fl., every 12 seconds. David Dunnett
Kyleakin, Rosshire; white and red, fixed. David M'Culloch
*Isle Ornsay, Skye; white, fixed. David Ross
*Ardnamurchan Point, Argyleshire; white, fixed. David Laidlaw
*{Hynish, Skerryvore Signal Tower, Tyree; no lights. † William
Crow
{Skerryvore, off Tyree; white, revolving every minute. "
*Dhuheartach, S.W. of Ross of Mull; white, with red sector, fixed.
J. Ewing
*Sound of Mull, Tobermory; red, green, & white sectors, fixed.
W. M'Lellan
Corran Ferry, Loch Eil; red and white sectors, fixed. Thomas
Tulloch
Lismore Island, Oban; white, fixed
*Fladda, Easdale; white, with a red sector, fixed. James Langton

*Rhuvaal, Islay; white, with red sector, fixed. David Spink
*M'Arthur's Head, Islay; white and red sectors, fixed. Thos.
Sutherland
*Skervuile, Jura; white, revolving every ½ minute. John Ewing
*Rhinns of Islay, Islay; white fl. every 5 seconds. Andrew Lyall
Lochindaul, Islay; white and red sectors, fixed. William Mail
Mull of Kintyre; white, fixed. James Thompson
Sanda, Kintyre Sound; red, fixed
*Devaar, Kintyre; white, revolving every ½ minute. Charles
Black
*Pladda, Arran; 2 lights 8 yards apart, white, fixed. Thomas
Grierson
*Lamlash, Arran; green, fixed. David Waters
Turnberry, Ayrshire; white fl. every 12 seconds. Charles Black.
*Corsewall, Wigtown; white and red alternate every minute. R.
Laidlaw
*Loch Ryan, Wigtown; white, fixed. Ralph Ewing
*Portpatrick, Wigtown; white, fixed. James Beggs
*Mull of Galloway, Wigtown; white, intervals. M. Morrison
*Little Ross, Kirkcudbright; white fl., every 5 seconds. W. A.
Mackay
Point of Ayr, Isle of Man; white and red alternate every min. J.
Blythe
Douglas Head, Isle of Man; white, fixed. Alexander M'Donald
Chickens Rock, Isle of Man; white, revolving every ½ minute
† This station included by mistake, but retained for convenience,
bracketed with the next.
Thanks are due to the various observers for the careful way in which the
schedules have been filled in. Excluding the Natatores, notes have been
taken on about thirty species.

SEPARATE REPORT OF EACH SPECIES
OBSERVED.
Hawk.—At Dhuheartach on Oct. 5th, two struck lantern at 8 a.m., light S.E.
wind, and haze; and another on the 8th, at 7 a.m., calm, with fog. At Mull of
Galloway, on July 18th, a Sparrowhawk was killed at 11 p.m., S.E., light

and calm, thick haze; and one on Aug. 15th, at 1 a.m., wind variable, light
air, fog and haze.
Owl.—I have only two records—one seen at Dhuheartach on May 30th, at
4 p.m., wind N.W., fog; and the other at the same place on Oct. 20th, at 3
p.m., wind E.S.E., fresh, with haze.
Swallow, Hirundo rustica, L.—The most northerly station noted this year
on our west coast is Rhu Stoir, but two records here evidently refer to the
spring migration, being June 6th and 10th, when two were seen on each
day. The most northerly station noted during the autumn migration is
Ardnamurchan; thence southwards at Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Rhuvaal,
Skervuile, Rhinns of Islay, and Loch Ryan. The earliest date on which they
were recorded is 29th July, when one was seen at Dhuheartach at 6 p.m.;
wind N., fresh, with clear weather. The latest record is Sept. 25th, when
forty or fifty were seen at Rhuvaal, at 4 p.m.; wind S.W., fresh, with rain.
The length of time thus occupied by the migration along the west coast of
Scotland was, approximately, fifty-eight days. The greatest rush took place
between the 20th Aug. and 25th Sept.; and, as far as shown, at
Ardnamurchan and Rhuvaal. At Ardnamurchan, twenty rested all night on
Aug. 20th, and left in the morning. At Rhuvaal forty to fifty were seen, as
related above. Swallows appeared to migrate principally when the wind is
southerly (S.W. to S.E.), in light, variable, or fresh head- or side-winds, and
hazy weather. Exceptions are found, however, at Dhuheartach on July 26th,
when the wind was N., fresh, and weather clear; and at Skerryvore on Aug.
17th, when one appeared at the lantern about 10 p.m. (two hours after
lighting up) in a N.W. light breeze, with showers. Swallows migrate mostly
by day, resting all night. My returns show that they passed at all hours, but
mostly before dark.
Martin, Hirundo urbica.—Martins are noticed at two stations only, viz.,
Butt of Lewis and Corsewall. The migration lasted between July 29th and
Aug. 16th, or during eighteen days (but data are defective). They travelled
during the day, resting around the lighthouses at night, with S. to S.E. and
S.W. winds; the only one killed was when wind was N.N.E., at Corsewall.
Wren.—The records are few of this species: usually noticed on migration in
large numbers; they appeared at Monach Island and Dhuheartach. The
earliest date is Aug. 17th, when "some" struck at 10 p.m., and between that

and 3 a.m.; wind W., and haze. The latest date is Dec. 9th, when one was
seen at 3 p.m., with S.W. breeze, and showers. In fourteen years Mr. Edgar
never saw a Wren at the Butt of Lewis lighthouse.
Goldcrest, Regulus cristatus.—At Mull of Galloway on July 18th,
alighting all night and resting. Mr. Edgar's letter of 20th Sept. supplies the
information that he has never seen Goldcrests at the Butt of Lewis—a
negative fact of value in tracing their exact lines of flight. Perhaps in our
next reports observers will state in their remarks if any of the species
noticed in this one have hitherto been rare, or entirely absent from their
stations in past years.
Robin.—Appeared at Kyleakin, and thence southwards at Skerryvore,
Rhuvaal, Skervuile, Rhinns of Islay, and Corsewall. The largest number
recorded at Corsewall, where fifteen struck on Sept. 15th, at 11 p.m.; wind
S.W., light breeze, and haze. The earliest date is Sept. 10th—one at
Skervuile, at midnight; wind S.W., light, and cloudy. The latest is at
Rhuvaal, on Dec. 4th at 9 a.m., when one was seen; wind variable, light
breeze, clear. Thus, time occupied is between Sept. 10th and Dec. 4th. A
rush took place in September between 10th and 21st, but no large numbers
are recorded; in October another rush between 7th and 18th; on the former
date numbers migrated with Larks and other species not known, and many
were killed and fell into the sea at Skervuile. At Skerryvore one seen at 7
p.m.; wind S., fresh, with fog and rain. In September I have records on six
days at four stations; in October two at two stations, and in December one
at one station—Rhuvaal; they passed or struck mostly at night or morning,
but a few through the day; winds mostly southerly, and hazy or foggy; a few
in cloudy and clear.
Hedgesparrow.—At M'Arthur's Head, on Sept. 28th, one struck at 1 a.m.;
wind N.W., strong, with haze and rain.
Wheatear.—Wheatears or "Stonechecks" are recorded from Skerryvore as
the most northerly station this year, and thence southward at Rhuvaal,
Skervuile, Turnberry, Corsewall, and Mull of Galloway. The earliest
appearance noted is on Aug. 15th, and the latest on Sept. 28th; thus the
migration extended over forty-four days. The greatest rush was between
Aug. 17th and 22nd. The migration took place entirely at night, and
principally with southerly winds—S., S.W., and to W.; fewer in northerly or

easterly winds. The favoured stations were Skerryvore, Rhuvaal, and
Skervuile.
Titmice.—The negative information that Mr. Edgar never saw any Titmice
at the Butt of Lewis lighthouse is worthy of record. I have notes of their
occurrence at M'Arthur's Head and Lamlash; in each case a single bird
struck the lantern, Nov. 16th and Aug. 17th, at 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
respectively; both during west wind, and light air.
Fieldfare.—Occurred at Monach Island and Douglas Head, and is reported
as usually seen at Butt of Lewis, though not this year. At Monach Island a
number struck, and fifteen were killed, between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m., on Oct.
21st and 22nd; wind S.W., fresh, and drizzling rain. At Douglas Head one
was seen on Oct. 16th, at 10 a.m.; wind N., moderate breeze, and cloudy.
Thrush.—The most northern station is, for 1879, Isle Ornsay. Mr. Edgar;
however, adds the general information that in most years the Butt of Lewis
yields large numbers at the lantern; thence southward at Skerryvore,
Dhuheartach, Rhinns of Islay, Lochindaul, Lamlash, Corsewall, and Point
of Ayre. The earliest date is Sept. 19th, when a mixed flock of Thrushes and
Blackbirds passed in variable winds, and clear, at Lamlash. The latest date
is Dec. 3rd, when "Thrushes" passed Lochindaul in the "daytime." But this
may be due to local influences and hard frost then registered. The next latest
date is Nov. 24th, when one was seen in the daytime, 2 p.m.; wind N.E.,
fresh, clear; this would give sixty-six days for the passage, or, taking the
later date of Dec. 3rd, seventy-six days. The rushes were on Sep. 19th (ut
sup.); a "great rush" Oct. 21st to 28th. On Oct. 21st at Point of Ayr, two
hundred "along with Blackbirds" seen at 1.80 p.m.; wind N. and N.W.,
strong, clear, with occasional showers. Also at the Rhinns of Islay, five
seen, and so through records of Oct. 22nd, 18th to 28th, when three hundred
"dark grey birds larger than a common Thrush!!?" (probably Missel Thrush,
Turdus viscivorus) were seen at Point of Ayr; wind S.S.E., light, and hazy;
and at Skerryvore about forty (of which ten killed) at 7 p.m.; wind S.E.,
light breeze, and haze. Thrushes travel with winds from S.E. to S.W. by
preference, but also with winds from W. to N.E., through N.; observed
most, as with most other species at lanterns, in hazy and rainy weather, but
the great rush took place in "clear, with occasional showers," and "hazy and
fine." Returns show that out of sixteen dates reported upon, only three show

a diurnal migration, but one of these three is the rush of three hundred "dark
grey birds larger than a common Thrush"[15] on Oct. 28th, at Point of Ayr.
[15] We shall refer to these under "Birds unknown," but we have thought it
advisable to enter them here also; they can easily be erased in future comparisons
if better data come to hand.

Blackbird.—The northernmost locality is Rhuvaal, where one struck on
Dec. 1st, at 2 p.m., wind N.E., fresh; thence southwards at M'Arthur's Head,
Skervuile, Pladda, Lamlash, Corsewall, Mull of Galloway and Point of Ayr.
The earliest date is Aug. 26th, at M'Arthur's Head. The latest date is Dec.
1st, at Rhuvaal. The time thus occupied by the migration was ninety-seven
days. The rushes took place between 13th and 21st Oct., and the most
favoured locality recorded is Point of Ayr, where on Oct. 21st two hundred
"mixed Thrushes and Blackbirds" were seen at 1.30 p.m.; wind N.N.W.,
strong, and clear, with occasional showers. They were visible at the various
stations in all winds, apparently from W. to E. and from S. to N.N.W. They
appeared at all hours of the day and night, but most of the records apply to
night migration.
Starling.—The records of the Starling are very general; the most northern
station given is Butt of Lewis, where the remark is made that they generally
strike. This year, however, the most northern is Ardnamurchan Point, thence
southward at Dhuheartach, Sound of Mull, M'Arthur's Head, Skervuile,
Rhinns of Islay, Corsewall, Portpatrick, Mull of Galloway, and Point of Ayr.
The earliest date on record is Aug. 11th, at M'Arthur's Head and Loch Ryan;
at the former, one struck at 10 p.m., in S. wind, fresh, with haze; at the
latter, two struck at 11.30 p.m.; wind E., light, with fog. The latest date is
Dec. 18th, when one was caught at Skervuile at 11 p.m.; wind S.W., fresh,
with haze. Thus the time occupied in passage was one hundred and thirty
days, but the last date may have been due to local influence and keen frost
at that time registered. The next latest date is Nov. 23rd, which would make
the time spent in passage one hundred and four days. Rushes took place
more frequently than with most species noted; thus, Sept. 19th, Oct. 12th to
25th, and Nov. 11th and 17th, may all be characterised as dates of rushes.
The most favoured localities were Corsewall and Portpatrick, for frequency
of records; and Ardnamurchan Point, Dhuheartach, Portpatrick, and Point of
Ayr, for numbers of individuals. Starlings do not seem to have any choice of
wind, as far as returns show. We find them migrating with N., W., and S.E.

winds in almost equal proportions, with a preference—but very slight—to
W. winds. They also pass or strike in E., S., and N.W. winds, but in fewer
numbers. We do not think any deductions can be drawn from these data. But
Starlings breed at many of the lighthouses or in their vicinity, so it is not
always easy to determine whether, in every instance, they are on migration
or not (as remarked by more than one reporter, e.g., Mr. Edgar, at the Butt
of Lewis, &c.). Out of seventeen dates reported on, only three show
migration to have taken place during the day, viz., at Portpatrick (in two
instances), and Ardnamurchan Point (3 p.m. in a gale).
Finches.—At Dhuheartach on Aug. 24th, one hundred were seen and twenty
killed between p.m. and 2 a.m., wind N.N.W., with haze; on Oct. 4th, six
seen in afternoon, wind light and variable, with clear weather; again, on
Oct. 8th, two were killed at 7 a.m., calm, with fog. The above are all the
returns of "Finches."
Linnet.—Only two records. At Rhuvaal on Sept. 9th, thirty to forty old and
young, were seen around the lantern at 10 a.m.; wind E. to N., breeze to
stormy, with haze; and at Lamlash on same date and at same hour, fifty
were seen; wind fresh breeze from W., and clear.
Yellowhammer.—At Lamlash on Aug. 17th, one struck at 10 a.m., in light
W. wind, and fog.
Snow Bunting.—At Monach Island, farthest north recorded, and at
Dhuheartach and Corsewall. Earliest appearance Sept. 19th, when a flock
was seen at Monach Island at noon, with S.W. light wind, and clear weather.
Latest date Dec. 10th, when one was caught at Corsewall at 10 p.m.; wind
variable, light, and haze; thus, time occupied was eighty-two days. A. rush
took place probably about Sept. 19th, when a flock was seen at Monach
Island,—but our data are scanty,—and another about Nov. 10th, when a
flock passed Corsewall. Other dates of record are Oct. 10th and 18th; they
passed in N.W. and N. winds, in clear or cloudy weather; also in September
in S.W., with clear weather, and variable wind, with clear or haze. All the
records are during the night, except one at 12 noon, at Monach Island on
Sept. 19th; wind S.W., clear.
Lark.—The most northern station noted this year was Dhuheartach, and
thence southward they are noticed at M'Arthur's Head, Skervuile, Rhinns of
Islay, Lamlash and Corsewall. The earliest date is Aug. 17th, when twenty

struck at Dhuheartach between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.; wind W., with haze. The
latest date is Dec. 6th, when one struck at 9 p.m.; wind S.E., fresh, and
haze, at Corsewall; the time thus occupied was one hundred and twelve
days (but the last was no doubt due to the severe frost inland at that time).
The previous date is Nov. 18th, which would make the time only seventy-
nine days. The greatest rush appears to have been in October, about the 12th
to 24th, but the numbers observed are so small that it is difficult to judge.
The locality most favoured was Dhuheartach, whence I have returns on
eight different dates, between Aug. 17th and Nov. 24th. An earlier rush took
place about Aug. 17th to 21st, at Dhuheartach and Skervuile. A later rush
about Nov. 15th to 18th at Dhuheartach, Skervuile, and Rhinns of Islay, but
of small dimensions. Larks appear to migrate principally when the wind is
W. to S.W., or late in the season, when still more southerly, say S.
Exceptions occur at Dhuheartach on Nov. 24, when wind was N.E., fresh,
and weather clear; at Rhinns of Islay on Nov. 7th, wind N.W., light breeze;
at Skervuile on Oct. 10th, when wind was N.; they migrate in calm,
variable, light, or fresh winds, and are noticed at lanterns principally in haze
and fog. They migrate mostly at night, at all hours, but the majority pass
between 7.30 p.m. and 4 a.m. Those passing during the day were travelling
when the wind was N. or N.E.; those passing at night when the wind was S.
to W. So the returns show; but whether this indicates any law of migration
or not remains to be proved by further observation.
Lapwing.—The most northern station which they were observed to pass at
this season was Rhu Stoir; thence southward, they are reported at Isle
Ornsay, Lochindaul, Devaar, Pladda, and Portpatrick. The earliest date
given is Aug. 20th, when "flocks" were seen during the day in N. wind and
clear weather; the latest is Dec. 11th, when one was killed at Pladda, at 2
a.m., wind S.E., light breeze, with haze. The next latest date given is Nov.
14th, when twenty-two were seen at 8.30 a.m. at Portpatrick, wind S.E., and
haze. The time occupied, therefore, this year is from eighty-six to one
hundred and thirteen days. Rushes took place about the 20th to 25th August,
when several flocks passed Isle Ornsay and Lochindaul; again, Sept. 16th to
25th, a flock at Devaar, Portpatrick and Chickens Rock; another rush at Rhu
Stoir, Portpatrick and Lochindaul about Oct. 27th. Lapwings travelled in
clear or haze, rain, or showers, principally in S. and S.E. winds, on the west
coast; but also in N. wind on Aug. 20th, and in W. and S.W. at Rhu Stoir

and Lochindaul on Oct. 23rd and Nov. 1st respectively They appear to
travel equally by day and night.
Plover.—Three stations give returns of this species, viz., Skerryvore,
Rhinns of Islay, and Portpatrick. The earliest date is July 27th, at
Portpatrick. The latest date is Oct. 18th, at Skerryvore. The time thus
occupied by the migration was fifty-three days. The principal rush took
place about the beginning of September, and the favoured station was
Portpatrick, where they were always observed prssing inland with a S. to
S.W. wind, light or strong breeze, during the daytime. Individuals struck
lantern of Rhinns of Islay at night, when wind was N., N.W., or S.E.
Oystercatcher, Hæmatopus ostralegus.—At Isle Ornsay on Nov. 18th, one
struck at 10.30 p.m.; wind S., light, with haze, and rain.
Heron.—At Dhuheartach on Oct. 8th, one seen at 7 a.m.; calm, fog. At
Rhuvaal, Oct. 1st to 30th, "Storks" (afterwards identified as Herons) passed
at 9 a.m.; wind variable, light, with showers.
Curlew.—Island Glass is the most northern station noted for this species;
southwards at Dhuheartach, Pladda, Portpatrick and the Mull of Galloway.
The earliest date recorded is Aug. 3rd, when eighteen were seen passing
Portpatrick at 10 a.m., wind E.S.E., strong breeze, with haze; the latest date
is Nov. 20th, when eight were seen passing Island Glass, flying southward,
at 2 p.m., wind light S.W., with clear weather Thus the time occupied was
one hundred and nine days. A rush took place in August—say 3rd to 26th—
and again in November, 15th to 20th. Dhuheartach seemed to be a favourite
station. Curlews migrated in all winds, and "boxed the compass" from
E.S.E., through S. to S.W., W. and N.N.W.; they passed mostly at night.
Two exceptions were at 10 a.m. on Aug. 3rd, and 2 p.m. on Nov. 20th, at
Portpatrick and Island Glass respectively.
Whimbrels ("Small Curlews"), Numenius phæopus.—At Lochindahl on
Sept. 20th, seen for several days in flocks; wind S. to W., and rainy.
Sandpiper (sp.?)—At Rhinns of Islay on Aug. 22nd, one struck at 1 a.m.;
wind S.E., light, and haze.
Turnstone, Strepsilas interpres.—At Rhinns of Islay on Nov. 8th, one
struck at night; wind S.W., fresh, and haze.

Snipe.—At Isle Ornsay, a single Snipe takes position as the northernmost
recorded at the lighthouses of the west coast in 1879, as late as Oct. 20th,
killed at 10 p.m.; wind N., clear. Thence, records at Skerryvore,
Dhuheartach, Rhinns of Islay, Pladda, Mull of Galloway, and Douglas
Head. The earliest date, Aug. 20th ("sp. not known"), 4 a.m. at Pladda; wind
S.E., strong breeze, and haze.[16] As a doubt occurs, next earliest date—a
long jump later—is Oct. 11th at Rhinns of Islay when one was killed
between 12 p.m. and 3 a.m.; wind N., light, with haze. The latest date is
Nov. 15th, when, at Rhinns of Islay, sixteen were killed between 6 p.m. and
4 a.m., wind S., breezes and haze; and another record occurs at Pladda.
Thus from Oct. 11th to Nov. 15th marks thirty-five days for passage. Snipe
are thus seen to make a rapid passage. (Local migrations occur earlier from
moors to lowland marshes in Scotland, September always producing home-
bred birds in our lowland marshes.) Rush of foreign birds middle of
November, 1879, as far as we can judge; but on Oct. 18th "numbers" kept
about all night round lantern of Skerryvore; wind S.E., light breeze, fog,
and rain. Migration mostly at night, judging from records, but also by day.
[16] This may have been a Sandpiper.

Woodcock.—The northernmost station on west coast in 1879 is Island
Glass; thence southwards at Dhuheartach, Rhinns of Islay, Lochindaul,
Devaar, Corsewall, Mull of Galloway, and Douglas Head. Small numbers
recorded in all cases, except at Lochindaul, when about forty passed during
the daytime on Dec. 12th, when the wind was variable, light, and the
weather clear. The earliest date was Oct. 11th; one killed at Rhinns of Islay
at 10 p.m., wind N., light, clear; the latest Dec. 12th. Too few data to fix
rushes, except the one in December, which no doubt was directly caused by
the severe frosts then recorded; wind N. and W., except on two occasions,
on Oct. 7th at Douglas Head, wind E.; and on Oct. 30th at Mull of
Galloway, wind E.; and on two others, viz., variable and light, when (in the
hard frost) the forty were seen.
Corn Crake, Crex pratensis.—Heard for first time at Lochindaul, June 2nd;
at Kyleakin, June 9th, wind S.W., clear; and at Skerryvore, June 20th, wind
strong S.E., with fog.
Wild Geese (sp.?).—At Monach Island a flock "mixed old and young"
passed south at 10 a.m. on Dec. 13th, wind S.S.W., fresh breeze, with haze;

this is the most northerly station noted. Thence southward they were seen at
Kyleakin (passing N.W.) at 8 a.m., wind N.W., fresh breeze, and clear
weather; also at Sound of Mull, M'Arthur's Head and Devaar. The earliest
date is Aug. 17th (passing N.W.), and the latest Dec. 15th (twenty-four
passing W., at Sound of Mull). A migratory movement is thus seen to have
extended over one hundred and nineteen days. A rush took place on Oct.
20th and 21st, at Sound of Mull and M'Arthur's Head; and again on
December 18th, 14th and 15th, at Monach Island, M'Arthur's Head, and
Sound of Mull respectively; the direction of their flight was usually W. or
N.W. On Dec. 13th a flock passed S.; most passed with a S., S.S.W. or S.W.
breeze, in cloudy or clear weather; in two instances with a N.W. wind. They
were observed during daylight.
Wild Swan.—At Devaar on Dec. 11th, six seen at 4 p.m., light airs, with
haze; and on Jan. 4th, three were seen flying south, in clear weather, at
Rhuvaal lighthouse. We say nothing of the reported occurrence of Cygnus
americanus on our coasts, but think the record (p. 111) premature.
Wild Duck.—At Butt of Lewis a Duck was killed on Dec. 1st, at 8 p.m.,
wind E., light and clear. Others occurred in November and December at
Rhuvaal and Devaar. At Rhuvaal, between Nov. 1st and 30th, three or four
hundred Ducks passed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.; wind variable, light, and
showery weather. Most of the migration seems to have been observed
through the day. In none of the reports are the species identified, being
described as either "Ducks" or "Wild Ducks."
Widgeon, Anas penelope.—At Monach Island on Oct. 27th, a few were
seen at 12 noon; wind S.S.E., fresh, and clear.
Sheldrake, Tadorna vulpanser.—At Pladda, on May 23rd, six (two males
and four females) seen at 1 p.m., wind N.E., light, and haze; remained on
the island till the middle of June.
Eider Duck.—At Rhu Stoir on June 30th, two males and two females seen
at 11 a.m.; wind S., fresh breeze, showers. At Dhuheartach on Dec. 3rd,
twenty seen at 10 p.m.; wind N.E., light, clear. At Devaar on Dec. 13th,
twelve seen at 1 p.m.; wind N.N.W., light breeze, haze.
Storm Petrel.—At Butt of Lewis in July, August, and September, an
occasional bird at the glass, always at night, always in hazy or rainy

weather, generally "haze and rain" together; wind in three out of four
instances S.W., and once on July 3rd, W.N.W., stormy. At Rhu Stoir a good
many were observed "not on passage" between 17th and 20th Aug. between
6 p.m. and 10 p.m., wind N. to E., light, haze and rain; and at Rhinns of
Islay on Sept. 17th, one struck at 2 a.m., wind S., light, and haze.
Sea-fowl.—The following notes upon sea-fowl as observed at several
stations—notably at Cape Wrath—will, we think, prove interesting:—At
Cape Wrath, Mr. M'Gill reports all the sea-fowl as deserting their breeding-
haunts there on Aug. 16th, and both old and young flying westwards. He
roughly estimated the numbers which passed within his ken as follows:—
300 to 400 Guillemots, 800 to 900 Razorbills, 800 to 900 Puffins, 100
Scarts, and 300 Sea-gulls. This was performed in an east wind, during hazy
or rainy weather (see also under Solan Goose), and all left Cape Wrath in
one day and about the same time, viz., 10 a.m. The Gulls passed
continuously between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Notes from other stations can
hardly be considered as applying to anything but local daily migration in
search of food, as is constantly witnessed at any rock-bird station on the
coast; thus, at Rhu Stoir large numbers passed towards S.W., and are
specially noted on June 12th to 15th; also at Kyleakin, a large flock passed
southward at 2 p.m., wind S.E. When at the Shiant Isles this summer, at the
end of June, I witnessed a regular departure of thousands of Puffins to their
feeding-grounds in the Little Minch, about 9 to 10 a.m.
Sea Gulls.—At Cape Wrath on Aug. 10th, three hundred passed west
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; wind E., haze, and rain. "Sea Gulls bred at the
station, and all left on the same day, both young and old. The migration
goes all to the west."
Kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla.—At Skervuile on May 31st, two at noon flying
north; calm, clear.
Tern.—At Dhuheartach, six seen on the evening of Aug. 27th, wind S.,
cloudy; and four at the same station on the morning of Sept. 4th.
Birds unknown.—At Portpatrick on July 12th, a flock of small birds passed
overhead at 8.30 a.m., wind S.S.E., fresh, and rainy; and on Oct. 13th a
flock passed inland at 4.20 p.m., wind S.W., and rain; on Nov. 13th "a flock
of birds not known" passed inland, wind E. by N., and clear. At Pladda on
Aug. 20th, one Snipe, species not known, at 4 a.m., wind S.E., strong, and

haze; and another on Nov. 15th. At Skervuile, on Nov. 14th, a number from
10 p.m. to 2 a.m., wind variable, light, and haze; and others on Oct. 7th at
Skervuile; "many killed and fell into the sea."
Red-breasted Merganser.—At Corsewall, on July 20th, a "strange Duck"
(since identified as a Red-breasted Merganser) was killed at glass at 2 a.m.;
wind E., light, with haze.
Solan Goose, Sula bassana.—At Cape Wrath and other stations upon our
coasts, an extraordinary annual migration of Solan Geese is witnessed. Mr.
M'Gill has reported to me specially on that of 1879, and kept as accurate a
record as possible of the numbers which he estimated to pass westward. He
writes as follows:—"The number of Solan Geese that migrate past Cape
Wrath is beyond anyone's power to number, but I have come as near to it as
possible. The first half of July the flocks were composed of old birds, and
the rest of the time they were mixed old and young." Mr. M'Gill then gives
the following list of Solan Geese seen passing west on fifteen days, between
14th July and 9th August, which I reproduce here:—
July 14th. 600 to 700. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wind E. Clear.
" 15th. 200. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. " E. Haze.
" 16th. 40 to 90. 12 noon to 7 p.m. " E. Haze.
" 22nd.200 to 400. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. " N.-N.E. Fog, rain.
" 24th. 100 to 200. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. " S.W. Clear.
" 26th. 300 to 400. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. " S.W. Haze.
" 28th. 90 to 100. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. " S.W. Haze, rain.
" 31st. 60 to 80. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. " S. Haze, showers.
Aug. 1st. 100 to 300. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. " W. Haze, rain.
" 3rd. 300 to 400. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. " E. Clear.
" 4th. 60 to 70. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. " E. Fog, clear.
" 5th. 20 to 30. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. " N.E. Fog, rain.
" 7th. 40 to 50. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. " N. Fog, rain.
" 8th. 20 to 40. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. " N. Fog, rain.
" 9th. 20. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. " N. Haze.
Thus it will be seen that from 2150 to 3080 were estimated to pass
westward within view of Cape Wrath, between July 14th and August 9th,
during fifteen days occupied on migration. All which were observed passed

during the day—say between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.—and apparently in all
winds and weather. From the Butt of Lewis Mr. Edgar supplies the general
information that the Solan Geese pass the station, arriving first in May, and
leaving in the latter end of October, but giving no particulars as to direction
of flight. At Mull of Galloway Solan Geese are reported as passing, on July
19th, in flocks. Mr. N. B. Morrison reports as follows:—"Saw them flying
past to W.S.W. in wedge-shaped flocks as if on a passage, or changing
locality." This was during the forenoon; wind S., light, and haze. "At 1 p.m.
it began to rain, and continued for twenty-four hours; rain guage at 9 a.m. of
20th, 1·72 inches. On 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, very strong breeze, and
showers; wind W.N.W. to S.W." Again at same station (Mull of Galloway)
flocks continued passing all day; wind S.E., fresh, fog, and rain, flying in
same direction. On 8th and 9th, wind S., gale; 10th, wind W., strong. In a
later note Mr. M'Gill believes "that the Solan Geese strike the land first at
Cape Wrath," and that the Geese which pass it are from Suliskerry.

On the west coast of Scotland, also, many observers make particular
mention of the scarcity of autumnal migrants in 1879. At several principal
and important stations this scarcity is of course most remarked upon, such
as Butt of Lewis, Monach Island, Island Glass, Skerryvore, and
Dhuheartach. During long experience at these and other stations, the several
observers do not remember such great scarcity of birds during the autumn
migration. From other observers' remarks it would appear that several of the
west coast stations are not suitable for observations being made, from their
land-locked situations or other local influences, such as Kyleakin, Sound of
Mull, Corran Ferry, and others.
Many birds are killed at the lanterns of the more isolated lighthouses and
are blown into the sea. Thus, in 1877, at Skerryvore, in the month of
October, the number of birds killed was six hundred, chiefly the Common
and "Mountain Thrush" (Ring Ouzel), but including also Blackbirds,
Snipes, Larks, and one Wild Duck. The observer, Mr. W. Crow, was of
opinion that about two hundred more were killed and blown into the sea.
They came every night from the 1st to the 6th, about 8 p.m., and went away
at daylight. "I would estimate," he says, "the number about the light on each

of the above nights to be about a thousand." The direction of the wind was
from S.S.E. to S., with haze; and no migration of birds was observed during
the day. On Dhuheartach lighthouse rock, "two Hawks are seen every
morning" while the migration lasts, which come to prey upon the small
birds resting on the rock. A considerable flight of migrants took place about
Oct. 7th, as upon the east coast.
The direction of the flight of migrants appears to be from east to west at the
north coast stations, but from N.W. and N.N.W. to S.W. or S.S.W. at the
stations farther south; and this is borne out by previous observations in
former years by my west coast observers at Tyree and elsewhere. Our
observers have not usually reported the direction taken by the migrants, but
there are enough data to prove the above lines. It would appear, therefore,
that birds when passing from east to west often overshoot the land, and are
compelled to turn back upon a new course, according to the direction of the
wind. In 1878, Mr. W. Boyd (since deceased) wrote regarding the migration
in Mull as follows:—"In the month of October I was fishing on Loch
Assapol, near Bunessan. Almost every day I saw flock after flock of little
birds—Larks, Buntings, Robins, and even Wrens—flying across the loch.
All these birds were steering the same course, having apparently come from
the outlying Hebrides, viá Tyree, Iona, up the Rose of Mull, and were
steering for the mainland. Fresh arrivals of different species of Ducks rested
and then passed on. Wild Swans and Geese were seen far up in the air, all
taking a bee-line for the south." On another occasion Mr. Boyd visited
Tyree in December, 1878, and both he and a companion remarked "the
extraordinary scarcity of common birds, and the unusual number of winter
visitors." One day every Snipe they put up, instead of flying a bit and
settling again, rose high in air, and went off due south-east as far as they
could see, right across the sea, to Mull. The remark was then made, "The
sooner we go south for powder and provisions the better; we are going to
have an arctic winter," which, as is well remembered, was a perfectly
correct surmise. It will thus be seen that the flights of wildfowl almost
invariably are from N. to S. on both coasts, but that the smaller birds—land
birds—as they fly lower, are more influenced by the configuration of the
coast-lines, and also, no doubt, by the direction of the wind at the time. Our
data are at present too scanty to lay down with precision the minutiæ of
their lines of flight, but another year's observations will probably greatly
assist us. The same rules, as to time of day or night at which birds strike the

lantern, holds upon the west coast which also obtain on the east, and the
same remarks as to weather also hold good.
The above remarks upon the direction of the flights upon our west coast
may prove of value in a comparison with Mr. Cordeaux's notes upon the
direction of the flights at the Galloper Bank. We are aware here that birds
pass overland on migration, crossing Scotland between the Firths of Clyde
and Forth, as they have been heard on calm nights crying as they passed
over from W. to E., or from points N. of W. to points S. of E.; and day-
flights have often been observed passing here from N.N.W. towards S.S.E.,
or from N.W. to S.W. I would instance here Bramblings, Fringilla
montifringilia, natives of Northern Europe. (See Gray's 'Birds of the West of
Scotland,' p. 137. The "column" of Bramblings there described as on
migration were not "proceeding in a north-easterly direction," however, as
stated by Mr. Gray, but were coming from a north-westerly direction, and
were proceeding in a south-easterly direction.)

Transcriber Note
Minor typos were corrected. Several quotaion closures were missing and added in the
most likely place. Table of Contents added to assist reader.

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK REPORT ON THE
MIGRATION OF BIRDS IN THE AUTUMN OF 1879. [FIRST REPORT]
***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will be
renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright law
means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the
Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States
without permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules,
set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying
and distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the
PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a
registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for an eBook,
except by following the terms of the trademark license, including paying
royalties for use of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge
anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is
very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation
of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project Gutenberg
eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may do
practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected by
U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark license,
especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG™ LICENSE
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free
distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or any
other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project Gutenberg”), you
agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Gutenberg License
available with this file or online at www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing
Project Gutenberg electronic works

1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg electronic work,
you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and accept all the
terms of this license and intellectual property (trademark/copyright)
agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the terms of this agreement,
you must cease using and return or destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg
electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy
of or access to a Project Gutenberg electronic work and you do not agree to
be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the
person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on
or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be
bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can
do with most Project Gutenberg electronic works even without complying
with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a
lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg electronic works if you
follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to
Project Gutenberg electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.

1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation”
or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
Gutenberg electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the
collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual
work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are

located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative works
based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are
removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg
mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely sharing
Project Gutenberg works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for
keeping the Project Gutenberg name associated with the work. You can
easily comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the
same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg License when you
share it without charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in a
constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the
laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement before
downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or creating
derivative works based on this work or any other Project Gutenberg work.
The Foundation makes no representations concerning the copyright status
of any work in any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
access to, the full Project Gutenberg License must appear prominently
whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg work (any work on which the
phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project
Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied
or distributed:

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States
and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no
restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it
under the terms of the Project Gutenberg™ License included with
this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in
the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country
where you are located before using this eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg electronic work is derived from
texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a notice
indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright holder), the
work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the United States without
paying any fees or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a
work with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on
the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs
1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
Project Gutenberg trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg electronic work is posted with the
permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution must comply
with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional terms imposed
by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked to the Project
Gutenberg License for all works posted with the permission of the
copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg License
terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this work or any
other work associated with Project Gutenberg.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without prominently
displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with active links or
immediate access to the full terms of the Project Gutenberg License.

1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or
distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg work in a format other than “Plain
Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version posted on the
official Project Gutenberg website (www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no
additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a copy, a means of
exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work
in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format
must include the full Project Gutenberg License as specified in paragraph
1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, performing,
copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg works unless you comply
with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing access to
or distributing Project Gutenberg electronic works provided that:

• You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the
use of Project Gutenberg works calculated using the method you
already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed to the
owner of the Project Gutenberg trademark, but he has agreed to donate
royalties under this paragraph to the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid within 60 days
following each date on which you prepare (or are legally required to
prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly
marked as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information about
donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.”

• You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he does
not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ License. You
must require such a user to return or destroy all copies of the works
possessed in a physical medium and discontinue all use of and all
access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ works.

• You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of
receipt of the work.

• You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free distribution
of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™
electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set forth in
this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of the Project

Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3
below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread works
not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project Gutenberg™
collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, and
the medium on which they may be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as,
but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription
errors, a copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or
damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that
damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except
for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the
Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all liability to
you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE
THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT
EXCEPT THOSE PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE
THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY
DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE
TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL,
PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE
NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you
discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you
can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you
received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the
defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a refund.
If you received the work electronically, the person or entity providing it to

you may choose to give you a second opportunity to receive the work
electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you
may demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the
problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in
paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO OTHER
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied warranties or
the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. If any disclaimer or
limitation set forth in this agreement violates the law of the state applicable
to this agreement, the agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum
disclaimer or limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity
or unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the
remaining provisions.

1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in accordance
with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works,
harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, that
arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause
to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg work, (b)
alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg
work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project
Gutenberg

Project Gutenberg is synonymous with the free distribution of electronic
works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers including
obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists because of the

efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from people in all walks of
life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the assistance
they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg’s goals and ensuring
that the Project Gutenberg collection will remain freely available for
generations to come. In 2001, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation was created to provide a secure and permanent future for
Project Gutenberg and future generations. To learn more about the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations
can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at
www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation

The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)
(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the state of
Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service.
The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification number is 64-6221541.
Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation are tax
deductible to the full extent permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s
laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 41 Watchung Plaza #516,
Montclair NJ 07042, USA, +1 (862) 621-9288. Email contact links and up
to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website and
official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread
public support and donations to carry out its mission of increasing the
number of public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed
in machine-readable form accessible by the widest array of equipment

including outdated equipment. Many small donations ($1 to $5,000) are
particularly important to maintaining tax exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United States.
Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a considerable effort,
much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up with these
requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations where we have not
received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or
determine the status of compliance for any particular state visit
www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we have
not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against
accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who approach us
with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make any
statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from outside the
United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation methods
and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other ways including
checks, online payments and credit card donations. To donate, please visit:
www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg
electronic works

Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg
concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared with
anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project Gutenberg
eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed editions,
all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in the U.S. unless a

copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily keep eBooks in
compliance with any particular paper edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search facility:
www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg, including how
to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation,
how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email
newsletter to hear about new eBooks.