Richard Manliffe Barrington

“ At North Unst there are several migrants which build on the rock, and I wondered to see no account of Mother Carey's Chickens, as they breed on the rock, and at the end of August they annoyed us a good deal by striking the lantern and emitting an oily substance on the glass. At Start Point the Sheldrake breeds, and I have seen the Stock Duck breed on it also; and I was told there were thirteen species of Ducks frequented that locality, and I have seen Teal and Widgeon there in hundreds. Also at Noss Head there are various classes of birds which visit it in the breeding season. ”

“ Mr Ross sends two well-filled schedules, but is disappointed with the results. He need not we think, as Fidra lies somewhat land-locked and out of the stream. We are much obliged to him for the first Schedules from the new Firth of Forth Station. Mr Ross writes under date of July 24: "Solan Geese, Gulls, and all sea birds have deserted our island entirely. About a dozen sparrows are now our only feathered visitors;" and on Aug. 4th—"Having been on the mainland, I was quite surprised to see the numerous and varied flocks of many kinds of birds, not one of which came near our island." ”

“ In the report for 1884, it is stated that no Gannets perched on the Little Skellig after October 20th, and in the present report February 28th is given as the date of their reappearance on this well-known Irish breeding station.
The most interesting stations are those on small islands or rocks, or light-vessels at a considerable distance from shore; and the regular occurrence of so many land birds of apparently weak powers of flight around these lanterns is a matter of surprise to those unacquainted with the facts of migration. ”

“ The question appears a natural one: by what route do these summer visitants reach us? or, by what route do birds reach us in autumn? Not, I believe, over the high cliff edge in the latter case, otherwise some migration would certainly be visible from the rock-bound- 8 - stations. As shown in one case, positive assurance is given by the reporter at Noss Head, that for eleven years scarcely a bird "had been observed on migration day or night," and we have scarcely any statistics to show a contrary view, as regards the said area all through our seven reports. ”

“ By a study of the area over which the Woodcock breeds, of the time they take in flight, and of a comparison of the dates of arrivals at Heligoland and East British Coasts with the above,—it seems pretty clear, I think, that the early flight, which extends along the whole Albanian coast is composed entirely of birds bred amongst the higher levels of their southern range, coming probably from the Carpathians and as far south as the Balkans, as well as from high localities even nearer to the Albanian coast and coverts. ”

“ The Black Redstart was recorded at several stations in the southern half of Ireland; specimens were forwarded from Mine Head, the Skelligs, and Rockabill. It is apparently a regular winter visitor to the Skelligs and Tearaght, generally appearing in October and November. With one exception (in February) there is no record of its occurrence during any other month. The autumn migration of the Goldcrest was the smallest yet recorded, but on the 12th and 13th April a spring movement was apparent. As usual, the Starling is the best marked migrant, occurring at almost every station. ”

“ Regarding the subject of the arrival of young' birds in advance of the adults in autumn, the Committee, we think, should look at the movements exhibited by, and distinctly observable in, certain species. Those, perhaps, most easily observed are the larger Natatores, such as Geese and Swans and Gannets, whose distinct movements can be watched year after year, and recorded with almost absolute certainty. ”

“ Another N.W. to S.E. rush took place during the day-time, of what must have been a very extensive migration, upon the 10th November; wind light south, and birds flying high. An unprecedentedly high gale as coming from the S.E. is recorded at Isle of May on the 23d.
We would like to ask our readers, and the British Association, of which we are a Committee, to recognise that the more we know about migration, apparently the less reason is there for scientists to use the term "Accidental." At present "Abnormal" is better. ”

“ Birds also continue persistently, year by year, to follow the same lines of flight both in the spring and autumn, and at least nine-tenths of the arrivals at the latter season come directly from the east or from points south of east, moving to the west and north-west. ”

“ There are no Scarts here in the breeding season. They and other rock birds leave for more suitable rocks as the season advances. Large flocks of Pictarnies arrive here in June, and breed in great numbers, the island being covered with their nests.
In the last quarterly schedule Mr Georgeson tells us ;—By the 24th August the land birds had all left, except a few "Linnets" (i.e., Twites—J. A. H. B.) , a few Rock and Marsh (i.e., "Meadow") Pipits. A Corncrake, a very unusual bird here, came to our garden on 11th August, but left on the corn being cut. ”

“ IRISH COAST.
The number of light stations returning schedules was only one less than in 1885, although four schedules less were sent out.
There was no light shown at the Tuskar Rock—the best Irish station—between from June 1st to November 20th, but since that date a more powerful light has been exhibited.
The great importance of forwarding a leg and wing of at least one specimen of each species killed, cannot be too strongly impressed upon on the light-keepers. ”

“ Second, when do Stonechicks (which I believe are all over Scotland) , Snow Buntings, Robins, Wrens, and several other small birds arrive which make their appearance only at certain seasons. In looking over the Report for 1884, the point that annoyed me most was, that I could not make out the names and terms of all the different species; but at John o' Groat's School thirty-five years ago there was no word of Latin. In '84's Report I expected to have seen better reports from some stations that I know, such as North Unst, Start Point, and Noss Head. ”

“ Each and all of these areas possess high and precipitous coast-lines, if we except the minor estuaries of the rivers of Tay and Dee, and a small portion of lower coast-line in Sutherland, which face towards the east. Nevertheless these areas partake to a very large extent of the numbers of migrants which visit Scotland. Nowhere in Scotland, perhaps, is summer bird-life more abundant than in, at least, the two more southern of these areas—Berwickshire, and the interior of Aberdeen and Banff, and the valley of Spey and its tributaries. ”

“ Previous to leaving, the Barnacle Geese assemble in immense flocks on the open sands, at low tide, in the Sounds of Benbecula and S. Uist; and as soon as one detachment is on the wing, it is seen to be guided by a leader, who points the way with strong flight northwards, maintaining a noisy bearing until he gets the flock into the right course. ”

“ On the 17th there is a "rush" recorded of Redwings at XXVII. at 1 A.M., light E. haze—six killed. Immense numbers of the several species of Turdidæ,—viz., Fieldfares, Song Thrushes, Redwings, but curiously we do not find a single entry of Blackbirds anywhere during the whole Autumn Migration, which extended all through December and January, though in smaller numbers as compared with November. Prevailing wind all October, northerly and easterly; south-easterly and easterly in November, but the rush came with due S. wind. When westerly winds occurred, as usual fewer records. ”

“ On the 16th November, at 2.30 A.M., with fresh (?) breeze and haze, two "Mavises" and six Starlings struck—the first birds known to strike the glass for the last eight years—and others seen in the rays of light. More birds have been observed this season in a few minutes than have been noticed for years. On the 27th November, wind S.W., fresh, gale with snow all night, and two hours after the gale took off, great flocks of Starlings passed from 10 A.M. till dark, only a few inches from the ground. ”

“ In the spring, when leaving the east coast, they travel in the reverse direction, but still following the old lines. The occurrences of migrants coming from points north of east is quite exceptional.
The fact of a double migration or passage of birds of the same species across the North Sea in the spring and autumn, both to the E. and S.E. and W. and N.W., is very clearly established (see General Remarks, 1884 Report, East Coast of England, pp. 69 and 70) . ”

“ Can this give rise to the conclusion that other species whose normal route of migration lays always very high, should under the influence of hoar-frost migrate so high that they can neither be seen nor heard, which would be in the case of Crows about 10,000 feet?
In rare cases I have seen Rooks and Daws pass so high, that my attention being roused by their call, they were only visible in the shape of very fine dust. ”

“ One Tree Sparrow. Wind easterly. October 17th. An enormous rush of Redwing and Starling; not many of the other kinds, only a few Blackbirds and Larks. One Woodcock was injured against the lantern, one Jacksnipe killed, also one Brambling. One female Redstart seen. Several Woodcock were shot on the adjacent islands by a boat from shore, so that there was a large flight. The rush of birds was continuous from 1.45 A.M. to 5.30 A.M. The greater part of the Starlings caught were young birds. There were also some Knot flying round the lantern, but none struck. ”

“ All birds went off at 6 A.M., going W.S.W. Redwings were most in numbers; Starlings came next. Blackbirds, Fieldfares, and Larks." The later rush in November seems to have taken place entirely at night also: "No birds were seen throughout the daylight of the 11th and 12th November, and the movement ceased at midnight of the 12th," when the wind became strong from S.W. All birds visiting here between October 18 till December 12 were composed of both old and young, also male and female; but young birds most in number. Many hundreds lost their lives. ”

“ September 7th, a few Scarts returned, and fifty to sixty Kittiwakes. Many Solan Geese. Two Herons seen feeding on rocks on September 8th flew off on the 10th seaward. October 5th, large flock of Snow Buntings part of the day, and then flew off in a N.E. direction. On the 20th October a large flock of Wild Geese came from N.E. with a N.E. wind, lighted to rest, and then flew off west (i.e., out to sea) . Snipe usually remain over the winter at Monach, but leave in the breeding-season. On night of November 10th to 11th a Woodcock—a rare bird here—struck, along with Terns, Mavis, and Blackbirds. ”

“ In autumn Mr Agnew says: "Up to 14th October migration was very meagre,—something like last year, and from the same cause; gales of wind from the W. and N.E. That we have any at all shows how determined the birds are to keep their usual time of migration, even when under great difficulties."
Under date of Oct. 17th—"A great rush of migrants at Isle of May "—Mr Agnew has the remarks: "The Woodcock was killed on the S.E. side, and the other birds on the N.W. side. Thus the migrants have been exactly meeting one another ”

“ On the return journey they are either confounded with the Curlew, or if they take the same - 134 - route, they may travel at a higher level without whistling, and thus escape the notice of the light-keepers. The schedules from the Skelligs and Tearaght have always a special interest, these rocks being the greatest breeding-places of sea birds on the Irish Coast. Mr M'Carron estimates the number of Stormy Petrels on the Tearaght in July at six or seven thousand. The changes of plumage in the Razorbill has been the source of much comment by Mr M'Carron. ”

“ A Woodcock was flushed on the 3d of April on the rock, which flew E. On April 7th, at 9.30 A.M., two flocks of Hooded Crows passed to mainland, wind W., strong; and on the 13th a small flock of Books passed to mainland at 7.30 A.M., wind S.E. and E. There was a great flight of Fieldfares, Redstarts, and Wheatears, and other kinds, round the lantern between 12 and 1 A.M. on the 28th April. As soon as the wind shifted to the N.E. all the birds left. ”

“ Continuous E. winds at the beginning of May caused a vast rush on 2d to 4th May of many species. Mr Agnew writes: "The long tact of S.E. wind has brought an extraordinary 'rush' of birds to the island yesterday (on the 3d) and to-day; the night of the 2d, and all day of the 3d, was constant rain and fog. For a day or two previous to the 3d, we had a few birds, and some strangers ”

“ The general rush took place between the 11th and 20th, and appears to have been unusually heavy, such terms being used, at all stations, as "numbers all night," "fifty," "forty," "great numbers," "rush all night," "hundreds all night," etc.- 101 - Perhaps 12th and 13th had the greatest share, but it would be difficult to say which station participated most largely. 109 (Turnberry) , however, has only one record of odd birds on 14th April. The May records are all at 93 and 94, and are all light. There are also two records of Whinchats at 114, on 21st and 2 2d of April. ”

“ The best thanks of the Committee are due to the above-named observers for their invaluable assistance, and for the faithful manner in which they have filled in their schedules. To Mr Henry Nicholas, Mr Robert Clyne, and Messrs Work and Clague, we are in addition indebted for their kindness in sending wings, etc., of the, to them, unknown species killed or captured at their respective stations, by which means we have been able to add not a little to the value and interest of the returns. We trust their good example may be followed by others. ”

“ In the same way it appears almost equally certain, that while few birds fly across over the cliff-edges of Berwickshire, but pour in vast streams up the open and wide Firth of Forth, still Berwickshire, and the interior of the south of Scotland, are well supplied with migrants ”

“ Arran Island, N.—July 14th, large flocks all day.
Straw Island.—Numbers of Grey-Backed Gulls remain throughout the winter. September 19th and 21st, flock of young gulls going S.W.
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Tearaght.—The Kittiwake remains long after the Puffin, Razorbill, and Guillemot are gone, but leaves before the Stormy Petrel. Only a few Herring Gulls breed on the island. They prey on the eggs of other birds, and carry them off in their bill without breaking them—Guillemots' eggs, some of which weigh eight ounces. They also carry off the young birds and devour them on a rock close by. ”