Report on the Migration of Birds in the Spring and Autumn of 1881. Third Report

It is much to be wished that some of the light-keepers of our lighthouses would make notes of their observations concerning seals, whales, birds, fishes, and other animals. Such records would be valuable; and might not some of them occupy their leisure hours in the study of Natural History?.... Interesting observations would then certainly be made, and new facts added to our stores of knowledge. —'Chambers's Journal,' p. 831; Dec. 23, 1876.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WEST, NEWMAN & CO., 54, HATTON GARDEN.
1882.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WEST, NEWMAN AND CO.
HATTON GARDEN, E.C.
The following Report contains a summary of investigations of a Committee, appointed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, at York, in 1881, to consist of Professor Newton, Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown, Mr. John Cordeaux, Mr. Philip M. C. Kermode, Mr. J. Hardy, Mr. R. M. Barrington, and Mr. A. G. More, for the purpose of obtaining (with the consent of the Master and Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, the Commissioners of Northern Lights, and the Commissioners of Irish Lights) observations on the Migration of Birds at lighthouses and lightships, and of reporting upon the same at Southampton in 1882. Mr. Cordeaux to be the Secretary.
An abstract of the Report was read by Mr. Philip M. C. Kermode at the meeting of the Association, held at Southampton, in August, 1882.
The returns relating to Scotland have been arranged by Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown; for the East Coast of England, by Mr. Cordeaux; the West Coast of England, by Mr. Kermode; and those for the Coasts of Ireland, by Mr. R. M. Barrington, and Mr. A. G. More.
Iceland and Faroe.—Schedules, &c., were, as before, forwarded to Iceland and Faroe. Returns have come from Faroe, the results of which I prefer to keep under a separate heading, as they usually come in when the rest of the Report is well advanced.
Of Saxicolinæ there is one record on May 13th, when one Wheatear was seen on board the 'Arcturus,' thirty miles east of the Orkney Isles. Of Hirundinidæ , one seen at Thorshavn on May 22nd. Of Otidæ , one Long-eared Owl was seen at Vivalvig, Strómó, on June 27th. Of Ardeidæ , one Night Heron, Nycticorax griseus (Linn.), was killed at Videreijde on May 4th. In autumn several Turtle Doves, Columba Turtur , were seen, and one shot at Nólsó on Sept. 7th. Of Rallidæ , one Water Rail was killed in the hospital garden, at Thorshavn, on Oct. 31st. Of Laridæ, one Pomatorhine Skua (young), was killed near Kirkebó on Oct. 26th. Of Rallidæ, one Coot, Fulica atra , was shot at Nólsó on Nov. 8th.