CONTENTS
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.
*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.
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 somenumbers 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.
[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" (videSaxby'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 timethus 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.
[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., withsnow. 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.Anatidæwere 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 thisway." 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 entireabsenceof 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 theAnatidæis 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 theInsessoresare 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. TheAnatidæ, 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 speciesseen. 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.