IRISH COAST: AUTUMN.

Printed schedules were forwarded to forty light stations around the coast. Thirty stations replied by returning the schedules wholly or partially filled with daily entries, or by sending letters remarking on the absence of migratory birds or on their general movements.

To the Commissioners of Irish Lights we are indebted for the facilities afforded us in conducting this enquiry. We have to thank Captain Boxer, R.N., Inspector of Irish Lights, for his friendly co-operation—his knowledge of the coast and intimate acquaintance with the light stations rendered his advice and assistance especially valuable.

On the whole the returns have been as satisfactory as was anticipated; some of the schedules have been carefully filled, and although others contain very few entries, this is to be accounted for rather by the absence of migratory birds than by any unwillingness on the part of the light-keepers to assist us. When we remember their many and various duties, and that the observations are entirely voluntary, there is reason to be well contented with the first attempt of this kind to collect information on the Irish coast; and we return our sincere thanks to all the lighthouse-keepers who have given their time and attention to the subject.

The entries in all the schedules have been collected under each day of the month as they occur; this method of arrangement shows the movements of all birds as entered on each day, and the number of observations on that day. The effect of the weather on the migratory movement can thus be studied, and the general direction of flight of the various species compared.

The daily weather-charts show last winter to have been exceptional in the number and violence of the cyclonic disturbances, which moved generally in a north-easterly direction along our west coasts; but the entries in the schedules are too few to generalise or draw any conclusions regarding the influence of the successive storms on the migratory movement.

A table showing the days on which entries were made in the schedules has been drawn up in, the hope that, if the extent of the migratory movement on any particular day varied with the number of entries, some inference could be drawn; but here also generalisation is premature.

In a few returns names are given to birds from which it is not easy to identify the species, and occasionally there is reason to fear one species has been mistaken for another. In all cases, however, the name entered in the schedule has been allowed to stand without comment.

The general remarks of the light-keepers are given consecutively, and as contributions to the Ornithology of the lighthouses they are interesting.

A table showing the number of birds striking each lantern, the number of daily entries in each return, the number of species of birds mentioned in each schedule in the daily entries, the height of each lantern above high-water mark, and its approximate distance from the mainland is given.

Whatever results are obtained from this investigation, they will only be arrived at by patiently collecting observations for some years. If the light-keepers continue to assist us, this can readily be done—without their co-operation annually we are helpless.

Alexander G. More.
Richard M. Barrington.

Names of Stations to which Schedules were sent in the Autumn of 1881.

No. and name of light-station, and situation on coast.Birds striking lantern.No. of daily entries.No. of species in entries.Height of
lantern above
sea-level.		Miles from shore.
1.Fastnet, Co. Cork9105148ft.8
2.Galley Head, do.—64174—
3.Old Head, Kinsale, do.522236—
4.Mine Head, Waterford—34285—
5.Coningbeg Lt.-ship, Wexford2323810
6.Barrels Rock, do.12611?4
7.Tuskar, do.large
numbers		12181017
8.Arklow S. Lt.-ship, Wicklow—174397
9.Wicklow Head, doNo reply.
10.Kish Bank Lt.-ship, Dublin—185367
11.Howth Baily, do.—126134—
12.Rockabill, do.138101485
13.Copeland Island, Down—18241313
14.Maidens, AntrimNo reply.
15.Rathlin, do.—35112436
16.Innishtrahull, Donegal37121816
17.Dunree Head, do.———1501
18.Lough Swilly, do.No reply.
19.Tory Island, do.—111309
20.Arranmore, do.—1622335
21.Rathlin O'Birne, do.11761162
22.Killybegs, do.No reply.
23.Oyster Island, N., Sligo—155401
24.Broadhaven, Mayo—18387—
25.Eagle Island E., do.———2202
26.Eagle Island W., do.———2202
27.Blackrock, do.Numbers——2839
28.Blacksod Point, do.No reply.
29.Clare Island, do.—1773414
30.Slyne Head N., Galway121291158
31.Slyne Head S., do.4551043
32.Arran Island N., do.—1741159
33.Straw Island, do.No reply.
34.Arran Island S., do.6761106
35.Loop Head, ClareNo reply.
36.Samphire Island, KerryDo.
37.Tearaght, do.Do.
38.Valentia, do.———54—
39.Skelligs, do.———1759
40.Calf Rock, CorkDestroyed in storm, Nov. 1881.

Table showing Date on which Entries were made in Schedules, with No. of Station making same.

Nos. and Names
of Stations.		Day of
Month.		September.October.November.December.January.
1.Fastnet1st15 6, 812, 2115, 21, 24, 8010
2.Galley Head2nd15, 31, 32 1, 10, 11, 13, 15, 23, 3212, 15, 24, 3424
3.Old Head, Kinsale3rd 2, 8, 15, 29, 82 8, 10 2, 4 1, 13, 24
4.Mine Head4th 8, 1512, 15, 23, 24 6, 21, 29
5.Coningbeg Lt.-ship5th29, 30 6, 8, 15, 31 7, 10 1
6.Barrels Rock, do.6th 1, 29 6, 10, 242121
7.Tuskar7th 8, 11, 15, 3230 6, 15, 3215 1
8.Arklow S. Lt.-ship.8th 6, 8, 32 6, 13, 2310, 1624 1, 10, 24
10.Kirk Bank, do.9th 6, 8 61124
11.Howth Baily10th10, 13, 15, 29, 3411, 12, 13, 15, 19, 2315, 29, 3010, 15, 24, 29, 31
12.Rockabill11th 6, 10 1, 1623 4, 28, 30
13.Copeland Island12th7, 29, 30, 32 6, 10, 11, 16, 21, 23, 3215, 30 3, 4, 15, 2421, 24
15.Rathlin13th 8, 32 6, 321023
16.Innishtrahull14th 2, 8, 321, 3211
17.Dunree Head15th 8, 11, 13, 2120, 2413, 2915
19.Tory Island16th 6, 8, 1315, 21, 3211, 15 7
20.Arranmore17th13, 231515 2, 13
21.Rathlin O'Birne18th 6, 7, 16, 8 6, 12, 20 5, 10, 13, 2315, 24
23.Oyster Island N.19th 7, 8 6, 31, 3221
24.Broadhaven20th23, 29, 30 6, 11, 15, 29, 82 2, 5, 17, 30
25.Eagle Island E.21st 6, 7, 13, 21 6, 13, 21, 34 515
26.Eagle Island W.22nd 8, 13, 313134
27.Black Rock (Mayo)23rd 8, 11, 21 7, 16, 23 6, 15
29.Clare Island24th21 3, 6, 7, 2113, 15, 24
30.Slyne Head N.25th 1, 8 6, 7, 23, 29, 30, 32, 34 7, 2924
31.Slyne Head S.26th 6, 29, 34 1, 7, 15, 21, 29 6, 16
32.Arran Island N.27th 8 6, 7, 12, 15, 3215, 16, 2910, 29
34.Arran Island S.28th 8, 13 6, 7, 10, 12, 3221, 2313, 15
38.Valentia29th 1, 15 224
39.Skelligs30th 7, 11, 1811, 303024
31st34

General Remarks of Light-Keepers.

1. Fastnet.—"Very few birds came on or passed the rock this winter. It must be in consequence of bad weather on this coast. No sea birds build nests near this station."—John Tottenham.

2. Galley Head.—"This is one of the worst stations I have been at for birds; in fact we think it rare to see any only those that are natives of the place. This year they are very scarce. The Starling has not come down to us from the mountains yet."—John Whelan.

3. Old Head, Kinsale.—"No birds, only the above (i. e., five Golden-crested Wrens on Oct. 24th, and several flocks of Lapwings on Dec. 12th) have appeared in the vicinity this season. The Gannet usually proceeds to the eastward in August and September, and flies westward from January to March. The Guillemots, Razorbills, Cormorants, Kittiwake, and Herring Gulls all arrive here to breed in March, and depart in August and September."—John Dunleary.

4. Mine Head.—"Birds of all descriptions were not so scarce at this station for the last seven years as during the year 1881."—Joseph Hammond.

5. Coningbeg Light-ship.—"There were no birds about the station in the month of December, or up to the 20th of January, with the exception of a few Sea Gulls each day."—Patrick Cullen.

6. Barrels Rock Light-ship.—General remarks none, but a full schedule of daily entries.—Joseph Oxford.

7. Tuskar.—General remarks, none. A full schedule.—Richard Hamilton.

8. Arklow, South, Light-ship.—General remarks, none. A full schedule.—William Shea.

9. Wicklow Head.—No reply.

10. Kish Bank Light-ship.—"Less birds passed the station this winter than ever. No birds have been killed by striking our lantern for some years."—William Daly.

11. Howth Baily.—General remarks, none.—Joseph Brownell.

12. Rockabill.—"Sept. 1st. Received schedule; a great number of different species of Gulls in vicinity of Rock, and on smaller rock called the Bill, from about the second week in August to the third week in September, when they almost entirely disappeared. Cannot name the species; there were also Puffins, and occasionally two or three Gannets. This is an annual occurrence, but not always at the same time. Birds have been unusually scarce this season. Since stormy weather set in early in November no birds have been about the Rock, except a few Sand Larks, and a few Gulls, Puffins, and Cormorants flying about this and the smaller rock during a storm."—William Dunne.

13. Copeland Island.—"There were no birds struck the light this winter owing to the strong gales which prevailed."—Henry Williams.

14. The Maidens.—No reply.

15. Rathlin Island.—A second schedule partly filled. Remark:—"The Sea Parrot begins to arrive for the purpose of cleaning out its nest on March 17th, and then goes away until the 1st of April, when the different species of sea birds commence to arrive for the season. They begin to go away about 1st of August, and finally disappear by the end of the month."—John A. Murray.

16. Innishtrahull.—"September, Gannet daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Curlew daily. The 'Grey' Gull, 'Little' Gull, Black-backed or Royal Gull, Common Gull, and Grey Crow remain on the island all the year. Gulls nidify on the rock called Torr near the island; Grey Crows nidify on the island. In November flocks of twelve to twenty Starlings daily. Owing to this winter being very stormy little birds of any sort visited the island. During the months of January and February, 1881, a great number of Woodcock and Snipe were killed here."—W. H. James.

17. Dunree Head.—Daily entry, none. Remark:—"I beg to state there are no migrations of birds to be seen at this station, except Cormorants; they remain the year, round, also a small number of Sea Gulls. No other birds resort or pass this station."—John Stapleton.

18. Lough Swilly.—No reply.

19. Tory Island.—"The Petrel, Raven, Common Sandpiper, Common Guillemot, Black Guillemot, Razorbill, Diver, Puffin, Cormorant, Kittiwake, Common Gull, Herring Gull breed on the east end of the island, and are annually decreasing. Breed in larger numbers on Horn Head. Have not observed birds migrating. No birds struck the lantern this winter. Have not observed the Gannet or other sea birds taking a continuous flight."—Thomas Sweeney.

20. Arranmore.—"Barnacle Geese generally commence to come from the north on the 15th or 16th of October in flocks averaging four to eighty, that being the most counted in one flock. They pass at intervals of from two to twelve hours both day and night until the end of the month, when they cease. They commence to appear again on the 10th or 12th of April, coming from south, but in larger flocks and shorter intervals. No other species but Gannet and Barnacle resort this locality."—John Walsh.

21. Rathlin O'Birne.—"Sky Larks, Titlarks, and Stonechats continued arriving in numbers of two, four, and six until about the 10th of May. At that time there were about twenty of each species on the island. They nidificated on the island. By the 10th of September the Sky Larks had departed; by the 20th of October the Titlarks had departed; by the 16th of November the Stonechats had departed. None of these species were observed after that date until Dec. 22nd, when five or six Titlarks returned, and are here still. On June the 3rd twelve to fourteen Common Terns alighted on a small island outside lighthouse, nidificated, and left about Aug. 1st. Sea Gulls nidificated on small island above referred to, and one pair of 'sepoys' on this island. In July several pairs of Skua Gulls passed, and some remained in vicinity. Curlew frequent this island from 1st of May until 1st of October. They come at night time, and leave the following day generally. Unless with frosty and snowy weather, Starlings, Snipes, Woodcocks, Blackbirds, or Thrushes do not visit. Sandpipers and Jack Curlew are about the shores all the year round. No Gannets seen since Nov. 8th. Sea Gulls in vicinity all the year. Barnacle continue coming and departing until about Feb. 15th. No Starling or Snipe visited since last winter."—Joseph Hill.

22. Killybegs.—No reply.

23. Oyster Island, North.—"From the middle of October to the last week in November several large flocks of Gulls were to be seen in the bay after herrings, principally of the Kittiwake species, with a few large Grey Gulls and an occasional Royal or Black-backed Gull; also large flocks of Puffins, which all left when the herrings disappeared. Large flocks of Barnacle and Wigeon arrive in this locality early in October, and remain until latter end of March, passing to and fro to feeding-ground according to tide, besides those going further south."—John Young.

24. Broadhaven.—"The above (i.e., Barnacle, Wild Geese, Wild Duck, and Solan Geese) are the only description of birds seen in the locality; they are generally passing inland, and at times alight near the lighthouse to feed on the swampy land. No Sea Gulls build near this station, but a few come into the harbour in the summer months after the fry of fish."—Joseph Williams.

25. Eagle Island, East.—No entry in schedule. Remark:—"Up to the present no birds are visible, only on occasions when fish are seen on the surface of the water, and these are Gannets and large-sized Gulls. I have not noticed any kind of birds pass or rest at this station in their flight of migration."—Robert Redmond.

26. Eagle Island, West.—No entry in schedule. Remark:—"This island is very small, and the adjacent shores being all bog for miles inland very few birds alight on island. The Stonechatter is to be seen here all the year round. In May the sea-fowl come round the island in great numbers; as a rule they go gradually to the south, following shoals of fish, and very few are to be seen during the winter months. To-day (Jan. 15th, 1882) I have seen a few Gannets and Sea Gulls flying about. No birds have struck the lantern since my arrival at this station eighteen months since."—Mathew Healy.

27. Black Rock (Mayo).—No daily entry, but schedule filled by following general remarks:—"Gannets seen passing south all the year round, most seen in calm weather, ten to twenty in each flight. Puffins from April 15th to Aug. 15th; build on the Rock. Cormorants here all the year round; build on the Rock. Kittiwake Gulls build on an island three miles away; also Royal Gulls. Small Gulls, commonly called 'Wheelons,' build on the Rock. Barnacles here from October to March. Two 'Falcon Hawks' build on an island three miles away; here all the year round. Two 'Sparrowhawks' seen in the mornings. Rooks, in flocks of 100 to 500, mostly seen in snow and frosty weather. Starlings from September to March, morning and evening, 1000 to 5000 in a flock, seen with all winds, mostly in frosty weather; hundreds killed against lantern. 'Missel Thrushes' from November to March, 50 to 100 in each flock, most in frosty weather; seen at all hours; a large number killed. Snipe from November to March in flocks of two to four, in frost and snow; some killed. Woodcocks from November to March in frost and snow; some killed. Curlews, twenty to thirty in a flock, from daylight till dark; seen all the year round. Wrens seen very seldom in the spring. Blackbirds only seen in frosty weather; some killed by striking lantern. 'Titmouses' seen in all weathers; build on the Rock. Stormy Petrels from March to September, at all hours of the night; build on the Rock. Larks in flocks of 100 to 300, only seen in frosty weather; a large number killed by striking glass. I have seen some strange birds rest here on their passage to the mainland, but do not know their names. I have seen a Hoopoe on one occasion rest here. There has been a species of Sea Gull of a deep cream-colour on the coast last August, supposed to be a North American bird. I have seen large flights of Rooks rest here after coming in from the sea in a S.W. direction, which seemed so much fatigued that they would fall over after resting, and remain to be caught."—Martin Kennedy.

28. Blacksod Point.—No reply.

29. Clare Island.—"The following varieties of birds build their nests round the cliffs here; they come on the 1st of April and leave about the 20th of August:—Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Kittiwakes."—James Reilly.

30. Slyne Head (North).—"The 'Purr' is the only sea-bird that breeds near this station. They arrive in April and depart in August. The arrival of birds to this island during the past autumn and winter was very few in comparison with other years, and the only reason I can assign for it is that we had very little snow. During the snow of 1880 we had large flocks of Starlings, Thrushes, and Blackbirds arriving daily from the east."—John Gillan.

31. Slyne Head (South).—No general remarks. Schedule partly filled.—William Callaghan.

32. Arran Island, North.—"The only birds seen in the vicinity of this station since July are the Gannet, the Royal or Black-backed Gull, and the Common Gull. They do not breed on this island, as it is low and flat. The Gulls breed on the cliffs of the large island of Arran and cliffs of the Co. Clare. Do not know dates of arrival or departure. The Gannets and Gulls that visit this station come from the direction of the Co. Clare, remain during the day, and return in the evening. No flocks seen after Nov. 7th."—John Kelly.

33. Straw Island.—No reply.

34. Arran Island, South.—"Have never known less birds strike the lantern."—Francis Ryan.

35. Loop Head.—No reply.

36. Samphire Island.—No reply.

37. Tearaght.—No reply.

38. Valentia.—"I have been at this station 4½ years, and have never seen any birds migrating or resorting this locality except sea-birds, such as Gannet, Puffin, Cormorants, &c. They are not very numerous, and seldom visit except from August to the end of October. Very few land-birds visit here, except in severe frosts and snow in winter; then the Starling, Thrush, Blackbird, Lark, &c., come down from the mountains. Hundreds of Starlings, Thrushes, and Curlews died last January in this locality by severe frost and snow. There are not any birds strike this lantern. Very few strike land-lights, but on the South Maiden lighthouse I have seen hundreds of Starlings, Thrushes, and Blackbirds strike and kill themselves in one night, and frequently Snipe and Woodcock. On the Tuskar Rock lighthouse I have counted twelve hundred killed in one night, and hundreds more fell into the sea that we did not get. At Rockabill lighthouse also I have got great numbers killed, and frequently four and six Teal or small duck, and Snipe and Woodcock. I have not seen since I came to this station one Wild Duck or Goose, nor any flock of migrating birds. I have kept a good look-out for the last two months, and have not seen any birds except a few Gannets and Sea Gulls."—Thomas McKenna.

39. Skelligs.—No entry in schedule. Remark:—"The only birds observed at present in this locality are a few Gannets and Sea Gulls occasionally."—Henry Gardiner.

40. Calf Rock. No reply. Destroyed by storm in Nov., 1881.