The following notes from Herr H. C. Müller and Dr. Madsen, of Thorshavn, Faroe, have been received too late for insertion in the General Report, but not too late for addition as an Appendix. These notes were all made after the 1st January, 1881. They came to hand on May 1st, 1881:—
Cygnus musicus.—Five Wild Swans were seen on Jan. 1st, 1881; three killed at Suderö on 22nd; one seen near Thorshavn on 10th; probably all belonging to the same flock. Wind S.W., force 3-4. Rain.
Numenius arquata.—One killed at Hvidenov, near Thorshavn, on Jan. 30th. Wind S.S.E., force 4. Rain.
Columba palumbus, Linn.—One seen along with Columba livia at Thorshavn on Feb. 7th. wind E., force 5. Rain and hail.
Larus tridactylus.—Four seen at Thorshavn at 10 a.m. on Feb. 10th. Wind E., force 3-4. Snow.
Alauda arvensis.—One hundred in a flock seen at Thorshavn at 9 a.m. on March 8th, 1881. Wind S.W., fine. For the five days previous storm from S.E.
Vanellus cristatus.—Four seen same time as the above noted Larks, in and after similar weather.
EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.
Printed forms of enquiry and letters of instruction were sent to thirty-seven lighthouses and light-vessels on the east coast of England, and, through the kind co-operation of Mr. Cecil Smith, to two of the principal lighthouses in the Channel Islands: independent reports have also been received from four stations on the east coast; and my best thanks are due to T. H. Nelson and C. Donald Thompson, Teesmouth; M. Bailey, Flamborough; Wm. Eagle Clarke and H. Bendelack Hewetson [Leeds]; notes from Spurn Point. J. H. Gurney, jun., Northrepps, and Major C. Russell, Essex, for supplying notices of the movements of birds in their respective districts. These reports have either been treated separately or incorporated with the nearest lighthouse. I have also received many interesting notes from Mr. Gätke, on the migration of birds over Heligoland from the commencement of June to the end of December, which are especially welcome as a most valuable addition to the report. Special thanks I also must tender to those various observers in the lighthouses and light-vessels scattered along the east coast. Altogether, out of forty-four stations, returns have been sent in from thirty-eight; two other stations report no birds seen during the autumn, from the circumstances of their situations in the midst of houses; and only from four have no returns been made. The observations are in many respects an improvement on those of the preceding year, exhibiting in a marked degree the intelligent interest taken by the observers in their work—work which it must be remembered is entirely voluntary, and often carried on under circumstances of considerable difficulty and discomfort.
The east coast stations are as follows, those making returns being marked with a *:—