John Cordeaux

“ These all, then, must pass southward along the European coast, as do doubtless an immense majority of those countless Sparrowhawks, Siskins, and more familiar birds which cross the island in the autumn migration; and just as occasionally some species, whose line of migration lies farther to the eastward still, turn up as wanderers to the old rock from the regular track, so do occasionally now one and now another of the regular Heligoland immigrants get blown across to one side. ”

“ I have been told by an old fen farmer that, many years ago, when a great gale swept the Lincolnshire coast, at the time the Hooded Crow crossed, the coast was subsequently strewed with their bodies cast up by the sea.
Birds are noticed at the stations as sometimes flying high, sometimes low; often it will be observed with northerly and easterly winds they will fly high, and with winds in opposite quarters, low. The state of weather at the time of migration has more, we think, to do with the height at which birds travel than the direction of the wind. ”

“ Taking this line as a basis, we find birds also occasionally coming from points north of east; but in the vast majority of instances the migration has had a decidedly southerly trend, coming from points south of east, and even direct from the southward. Again, there is in the autumn always a steady stream of migrants which closely follows the coast-line from N. to S., composed of birds either moving from more northerly districts of our islands, or of such immigrants coming from the east as strike the coast in more northern latitudes and then follow it to the south. ”

“ If we divide the east coast into three divisions, one north-easterly from the Farne Islands to the Humber, mid-east from the Humber to Yarmouth, and south-eastern forward to the South Foreland, we find that in 1879 the main body of migrants passed in the south-eastern division; in 1880 they have been tolerably equally distributed over the mid and south-eastern. During the principal month of migration, October, the wind blew persistently day by day and week by week from northerly and easterly quarters, and to this cause we may fairly attribute the deflection of migrants to the south. ”

“ On clear light nights they travel high, as a rule, but in fog, and thick murky weather, rain or snow, not far above the waves. On thick nights, indeed, lost birds will wheel for hours round a lightship, but with the first break in the clouds or streak of early dawn are on their course again. ”

“ Migration as observed on that island for many years points to the undoubted fact that the line followed by birds is, as a rule, from E. to W., and doubtless some portion of these Heligoland birds keep moving westward or south-westward, till eventually they strike our east coast. There are, however, many species which make Heligoland the western boundary of their autumn wanderings, and crossing, as they do, that island in enormous numbers, must eventually follow the coast-line to the south, for the simple reason that they never occur on our own coast, except as very rare or occasional wanderers ”

“ At our more northern stations the lighthouses for the most part stand at great elevations, and it is worthy of note that from such stations as the Bell Rock, Pentland Skerries, and Whalsey Skerries, on the east coast, and Dhuheartach and Skerryvore, on the west coast, &c., we have the best filled schedules, showing that stations upon lower and isolated elevations are the best points of observation. ”

“ The various numerical returns of those killed at lanterns are probably a good deal dependent on the height at which birds fly in foggy weather. We might call this the vertical area of birds' migration flight as opposed to lateral area.
Now it seems that light-vessels always return the best-filled schedules, and therefore a preponderance of birds are noticed all along the East English Coast, where light-vessels are most abundant. Whilst upon the East Scottish Coast the returns are infinitely smaller where there are no light-vessels, but only lighthouses, whose lanterns are at a greater height ”

“ Small birds have often much difficulty in making head against a strongly-opposing wind. Mr. John Cutting, writing from the light-vessel on the Galloper Bank, says, that out of the number of small birds passing that station in October and November against strong adverse winds, he could not think they would ever reach land, they made such very slow progress, the wind being too strong and the distance from land so great. Even such strong-winged birds as the Grey Crow do not always cross in safety ”

“ All the Limicolæ and other shore birds, as well as the Geese, Ducks, Divers, Gulls, and sea-fowl generally, move from north to south as a general rule, the sea-fowl at some distance at sea, the waders along the coast. Although so far we have no stations, excepting Heligoland, on the European coast of the North Sea, we may, I think, fairly presume that there is similarly another stream of birds passing down the coast-line of Europe. ”

“ With reference to the spring migration of Wild Geese, Major Russell sends me the following notes from a correspondent on the Essex coast, whose house is situated on the south slope of a steep high hill:—"The Grey Geese were seen on Saturday, Feb. 21st, from 600 to 1000 flying in a triangular form, in a N.E. direction. I have repeatedly seen them sometimes passing for whole days, and have always noticed that we have never had any winter to speak of afterwards. They generally fly about a mile high. We very seldom see them going south. ”

“ Attention should be drawn also to the admirable work being done on the subject of migration by Mr. J. J. Dalgleish (Bull. Nuttall. Orn. Club) , and by Mr. Percy E. Freke (Sc. Proc. Ryl. Dub. Soc, vol. ii., n. s., p. 373, and vol. iii., n. s., separate?) . These gentlemen also now propose to colour, or have already finished, maps showing the distribution of the occurrences of American birds in Europe recorded in their papers, which cannot fail to be of much service in our work. We would like to see not only American species mapped out in Europe, but rare European occurrences in Great Britain. ”

“ At times birds are seen passing high in air "almost beyond the range of vision," and when clouds or fogs rapidly lift or clear off during the time of migration, the said migration appears often to "cease to mortal vision," indicating, some say, a reascent to higher levels. Birds also are known to descend upon Heligoland almost perpendicularly from the sky, indicating, it is presumed, a course of migration at a great height, and a descent therefrom upon fog- or haze-covered land to rest or feed. ”

“ As regards the more arboreal habits of the larger race, I have explained elsewhere ('Ibis,' 1876, p. 310) that arboreal habits of such species as Gulls, Curlews, Snipe, Snow Buntings, &c., in North-east Russia, are probably brought about by the flooded conditions of the country there, at the time of the arrival in spring of these migrants. The habit no doubt grows and even becomes hereditary, and is carried into other countries and other climes in autumn. ”

“ From April and May, on through June and July, and all the autumn months they occur rather distinctly as resident, or as passing flocks, and it seems almost impossible to separate the movements in the end of summer which should be assigned as part of the spring migration from those in the beginning of autumn which more rightly belong to the autumnal migration. ”

“ On the same grounds it is not changes in the seasons which can induce young birds, having no knowledge from experience, to return south in the heat of the Arctic latter-summer; as to the how and the why of the whole matter, we must be content for the present to say nothing, but continue to collect facts. ”

“ The time of migration of any particular species extends over a considerable period; sometimes it is over in four or five weeks, in other cases going on for months, and even half a year; for, -67- practically, such birds as the Lark and Starling are migrating all the year round. ”

“ In the autumn migration we have more returns, but none before Nov. 1st, when the first Thrush was seen at 2 a.m.; wind strong W., with showers, at Auskerry. At Isle of May, Nov. 1st, "Mountain Thrush" was seen at 2 p.m.; wind light S.W., and haze. Thereafter on Dec. 15th, at the same place, a very large flock of "Mountain Thrushes" at 2 p.m.; wind light S., and snow. Again, on 22nd, two birds of same species, [2] and one on Jan. 1st; wind light E. to S.S.E., and haze. At Sumburgh Head, Jan. 14th, 1881, one Blackbird at noon; calm and clear. ”

“ At Monach, Dec. 27th, a flock of young birds, along with a large flock of Larks, flying about the garden and shores at 1 p.m., wind S., fresh and clear; and again on Jan. 14th, 1881, a great many flocks, mixed old and young, at 10 a.m., flying to and fro between the island and North Uist, apparently being local movements caused by heavy snow in Uist. In 1879, the most northerly record comes from Ardnamurchan, whereas this year, as is usually the case, they are much more general. ”

“ We also receive accounts of immense numbers of birds being seen this season in Mid-Atlantic, the dates of their appearance there agreeing very accurately with dates of observations at the land stations. In the 1879 migration the scarcity was accounted for by the prevalence of N.W. winds -92- deflecting the lines, and passing down upon the right shoulders (so to speak) of the passing birds. [19]
[19] Even the strong-winged Wild Geese and Swans are observed when flying well up in the wind to drift to one side a little, having the appearance of flying left-shoulder first instead of head first. ”

“ The great wide E. to W. stream of migration is composed of some few well-known species which regularly come to us in the autumn, the great body undoubtedly remaining to winter; placed in order of rotation according to their numerical superiority or otherwise, we find Alauda arvensis, Sturnus vulgaris, Corvus cornix and frugilegus, the Turdidæ, including two native and two northern species, with sparrows, linnets, and chaffinches compose -64- the bulk of the immigrants. ”

“ Larger races usually indicate more northern extension, and, in my opinion, abnormal arboreal habits of certain species indicate that they are natives of a land subject to constantly recurring floods. For these reasons I am still inclined to adhere to my opinion that these Wigtonshire Wheatears, at the late date of Dec. 9th, 1880, were resting during their regular migration, and departed again upon an extension of that same migration. ”

“ The earliest record in 1879 of autumn migration was on July 29th, and the latest Sept. 25th, as against this year, July 16th and Oct. 15th. Careful attention to the collecting of migrants at these Wigton headlands would surely result in some interesting data. Mr. Robert Service writes me that all the headlands, also along the Stewartry coast-line, are gathering-places for the land-birds before proceeding southward. At daybreak, in -75- September or October, Mr. Service has often watched departing flights of birds going off southward or seaward, over the Solway Firth. ”

“ During the week previous, "A number of Swans took shelter at Fair Isle, and a large flock of common Black Crows, with a few Jackdaws amongst them. The Hooded Crow is the common one here, and we never have the Black Crow here unless after, or during, gales of wind. Puffins and Guillemots arrived somewhat later this season, and a large increase appeared in the number of Gulls. Lapwings appeared, and one Coot was caught in a very disabled condition. Large flocks of Snowbirds are seen here. ”

“ Bees, Mr. Pizey, speaking of the scarcity of birds, says, "Even the Common Gull only makes an appearance just before heavy weather, or in following the plough, and then in but small numbers." From Godrevy Mr. Trahair reports, "Very few Skua Gulls (Lestris) observed this season."
Petrel, Thalassidroma pelagica.—At Godrevy, Sept. 28th, 9 p.m., one struck, fog, light S. breeze; Oct. 4th, from 1 to 2 a.m., mod. E.N.E. breeze, one was seen with a Lark and Wrens. Mr. Trahair adds, "Breeds on the island, most plentiful in July; never seen in daytime, except among loose stones, where they breed." ”

“ Wind various, generally light, and never exceeding a fresh breeze; weather in some cases clear, but more generally overcast to misty. The next date, after 10th, is Sept. 17th, when, at Flatholm, fresh W.N.W. breeze, a small flight appeared and remained on the island till 19th; 22nd, from both stations at Nash, a flock of young Starlings is reported as flying N.E., fresh W. breeze, misty; 23rd, a flock of Starlings, mixed, was seen at North Stack, light N.W. breeze, drizzly rain ”

“ Nov. 18th to 20th, sharp frosts and heavy snow-storms; Dec. 14th and 15th, the same; and Jan. 11th and 12th, same. Mr. Gätke has observed for some years a very marked decrease in the number of Snow Buntings crossing Heligoland. There has been a very great increase in the number arriving on our east coast for the last six or seven winters, and it is probable that, like the Shore Lark and other Arctic birds, the line of migration now runs further to the west than formerly. ”

“ At Bahama L.V., Oct. 8th, three were killed at 10.20 p.m., wind light E.N.E. breeze, and cloudy. At Butt of Lewis, in the north, Oct. 15th, a good many arrived and stayed till Jan. 15th, 1881, or later. At Kyleakin, Oct. 20th, two were seen flying south, with strong S.E. wind; and a few at Lochindaul. At Corsewall, one seen on 7th and one on 8th, one killed; strong N.E. wind and haze. In November, the earliest dates occur at the most southern stations; thus at Point of Ayre, Nov. 2nd and 3rd, about three hundred Blackbirds and Thrushes, mixed with Starlings, kept about the locality till 4 a.m. ”

“ At the -66- Casquets, which is a revolving light, the larger birds follow the rays, but do not often strike the glass.
With such favourable passages as light head winds afford, our immigrants are so little fatigued that they will not alight on reaching land, but keep on their course into the interior. ”

“ Many also arrived about Oct. 19th on the Norfolk coast. I have no notices of Short-eared Owls south of Yarmouth. The "great rush" took place on night of Oct. 18th or morning of 19th, the Woodcock arriving at the same time with a north wind. Heavy snow from north on Oct. 20th. The "great rush" over Heligoland was on Oct. 22nd.
Barn Owl, Aluco flammeus.—At Yarmouth, Oct. 19th, morning, one seen coming in from the sea.
Tengmalm's Owl, Nyctala Tengmalmi.—On Oct. 22nd a very fine example of this small Owl was shot at Saltfleet, on the Lincolnshire coast; wind strong from the north on 21st. ”

“ No doubt many perished in the sea." The next date is the 18th Sept., at Isle of May, when one was seen. "None seen last year." On Oct. 13th, on Isle of May, another large migration was noticed, many being seen upon the island, having arrived during the night. On Nov. 2nd, at Tarbat Ness, one struck at 8 p.m.; strong N.W. wind, with showers.
Wheatear, Saxicola ænanthe.—The northernmost locality given is North Unst, where a few strike the lantern during the -8- season, but no dates are given. ”