Note.—Mr. E. Warren, in lit., notes the unusual scarcity of Golden-crested Wrens at Ballina at the end of July, 1880.
Robin, Erithaca rubecula.—The most northern station where it is noted is Cape Wrath, where one bird arrived upon Oct. 20th, and remained until Jan. 11th (when the schedule was returned), or later. It came at 11.30 a.m., with an E. wind and snow. My correspondent adds, "It is much thought of." I have ten records from eight stations, viz., Cape Wrath, Stornoway, Kyleakin (2), Isle Ornsay, Dhuheartach, Rhuvaal, Lismore, and Turnberry. These date from Aug. 18th (Dhuheartach) and Sept. 4th (Kyleakin) to Dec. 31st (Stornoway), where one was observed for several days previous to that date. Other dates are, Sept. 8th, (Isle Ornsay), 24th (Turnberry), Oct. 20th (Cape Wrath, as above), Nov. 7th (Kyleakin and Lismore), Dec. 15th (Lismore), Dec. 27th (Rhuvaal). All the observations were made during the daytime, except at Lismore and Turnberry. In August the wind at Dhuheartach was light S.W. on 18th, with haze; the one Robin seen flew off S. after resting. At Kyleakin, Sept. 4th, four birds seen were flying S.W., wind light W., clear. At Turnberry, Sept. 24th, one struck at 3 a.m., in light S. breeze, and haze. At Isle Ornsay, one seen. At Cape Wrath, in October. At Kyleakin, Nov. 7th, three, wind S.E., clear; and numbers seen at Lismore mingling with Starlings and Larks all night, wind strong S.W., haze and rain. At Rhuvaal, Dec. 27th, after stormy weather, two flew about and stayed for a few days; and at Stornoway, Dec. 31st and a few days previously, one was seen. On 15th, numbers were round the lights at Lismore, along with Thrushes, Blackbirds, Grey and Green Linnets, in large flocks, wind strong N.E., and snow. In 1879, Robins were not reported from stations further north than Kyleakin.
Wheatear, Saxicola ænanthe.—I have eight or nine records from three stations on the west coast in autumn, viz., Butt of Lewis and Dhuheartach. The earliest date is Aug. 13th, when one was seen at Dhuheartach between 7 and 8 p.m., arriving with light N. wind, and remaining; and about one hundred, mostly young birds, left the neighbourhood of the Butt of Lewis, where—about a mile from the lighthouse—they had been collecting for some days before. Up to Aug. 17th and 18th, a few—seven on 17th and six on 18th—were seen at Dhuheartach about 8 a.m., wind light and haze, where they rested and flew off south. On Aug. 19th, one was killed on the lantern of Douglas Head lighthouse at 11 p.m., wind E.N.E., and haze. At Dhuheartach, Sept. 10th, thirty rested, light S. wind, and haze; and between Sept. 16th and Oct. 1st, large numbers were seen at the lantern of the Butt of Lewis lighthouse, and many were caught and released. Skerryvore was the most northerly station in 1879. Aug. 15th was the earliest record in 1879, and the latest on Sept. 28th.
Note.—Late occurrences of the Wheatear are noted by Mr. Hardy in Berwickshire. On Sept. 17th they were seen at the shore and not again afterwards, but a few were present at Berwick, behind the pier, on Oct. 12th. This is the latest date I have on the east coast of Scotland. I place the note here—under the west coast report—for special comparison with the following:—Wheatear.—An unusually late stay of this species is recorded by Mr. Service in Wigtonshire (vide 'Zoologist,' Feb. 1881, pp. 54, 55). Since the note appeared in 'The Zoologist,' I have had some more correspondence regarding these late Wheatears—7th December. Mr. Bruce is strongly of my opinion, that these birds were really migrating when they flew away northwards, as they were seen still carrying on when fully a mile away. Before this they had remained for two or three days with Bullfinches. About six weeks afterwards "these same Bullfinches" took a similar route and disappeared; they were seen departing. I am inclined to agree with my friend and fellow-worker, Mr. Cordeaux, that these Wheatears probably belonged to the larger race, which have more arboreal habits than our own. If this is so, the observation made by Mr. Bruce still further bears out the probability of their foreign origin. As regards the more arboreal habits of the larger race, I have explained elsewhere ('Ibis,' 1876, p. 310) that arboreal habits of such species as Gulls, Curlews, Snipe, Snow Buntings, &c., in North-east Russia, are probably brought about by the flooded conditions of the country there, at the time of the arrival in spring of these migrants. The habit no doubt grows and even becomes hereditary, and is carried into other countries and other climes in autumn. Larger races usually indicate more northern extension, and, in my opinion, abnormal arboreal habits of certain species indicate that they are natives of a land subject to constantly recurring floods. For these reasons I am still inclined to adhere to my opinion that these Wigtonshire Wheatears, at the late date of Dec. 9th, 1880, were resting during their regular migration, and departed again upon an extension of that same migration. They were, in my belief, strangers, and not bred in the country.
Hedgesparrow.—See under Linnet.
Wagtail.—At Dhuheartach, a rush of Wagtails was observed upon Aug. 17th, 18th, 24th, and 26th, wind light and from S.W. on 17th and 18th, when twelve were seen each day flying in a south-easterly direction—to E.S.E. and S.E. on 24th—when two or three rested upon the rock. We had no records of this in 1879.
Thrushes, Blackbirds, and Ring Ouzels.—Numerous returns from eleven stations, viz., Rhu Stoir, Butt of Lewis, Stornoway, Monach, Kyleakin, Rhuvaal, Lochindaul, Corsewall, Point of Ayre, Douglas Head, and Bahama L.V. Earliest date July 19th, at Point of Ayre, when about 160 young Thrushes (Turdus musicus) were seen to go off at 9 a.m., flying S. Latest dates Jan. 8th, 9th and 10th, 1881, when large flocks of Blackbirds, Thrushes and Snow Buntings flew about all day; and all left on the 10th when the haze and fog cleared away; fresh E. breeze during this time. Between these dates, a migration appears to have taken place on Sept. 21st to 30th, shown, however, by records from only one station, viz., Stornoway. There, a good many Blackbirds and Thrushes arrived on Sept. 21st and left on 30th. These were accompanied also by Stormcocks (Turdus pilaris, or Fieldfare); weather and wind not noted; but see notes from Mid-Atlantic, infra. On 29th also, a number of Thrushes seen hovering round the lights at Douglas Head, along with Starlings and Blackbirds, in fog and haze. A desultory migration appears to have been carried on throughout October; I have the following records:—At Rhu Stoir, Oct. 1st, forty, besides Linnets, stayed four days (this comes also under the rush at end of September), wind variable, light breezes. At Bahama L.V., Oct. 8th, three were killed at 10.20 p.m., wind light E.N.E. breeze, and cloudy. At Butt of Lewis, in the north, Oct. 15th, a good many arrived and stayed till Jan. 15th, 1881, or later. At Kyleakin, Oct. 20th, two were seen flying south, with strong S.E. wind; and a few at Lochindaul. At Corsewall, one seen on 7th and one on 8th, one killed; strong N.E. wind and haze. In November, the earliest dates occur at the most southern stations; thus at Point of Ayre, Nov. 2nd and 3rd, about three hundred Blackbirds and Thrushes, mixed with Starlings, kept about the locality till 4 a.m. on the 3rd; wind S. to S.E., very foggy. The direction of flight on departure was not noted, but they were seen to pass off about 7.30 a.m. Also at the Bahama L.V., on the 3rd, five were killed and others fell overboard. At Corsewall, on the same dates, one and two were seen, wind fresh E., and haze. At Kyleakin, Nov. 4th, seven Blackbirds seen flying south at 9 a.m., wind S.E., and sleet; again on 11th, two seen flying S., wind E., haze. At Monach, Nov. 16th, one in the garden, wind S. to N.N.E., strong, with sleet and snow. In December, at Monach, a few Blackbirds were seen. Thus on Dec. 3rd, one male seen resting on the lantern at 10 p.m., wind strong W., haze. Another female on Dec. 4th, 2 p.m., flying about the garden, wind fresh S.S.W., haze and rain; and two Blackbirds, accompanied by Starlings, at 1 p.m., wind fresh S., clear in the garden and on the shore. As already noted, a still later flight was noted in January, 1881, at Point of Ayre, Isle of Man.
Note.—Thrushes, amongst other birds (vide Robins, Linnets, Snipe, Wagtails, &c.), were recognised by Capt. Roy in Mid-Atlantic, 400 miles on this side of Newfoundland. To Mr. Robt. Gray I am indebted for some interesting and useful notes regarding the occurrences of birds in Mid-Atlantic:—"The ship 'Rutland,' of Greenock, Capt. Roy. When about 400 miles on this side of Newfoundland, during continued heavy gales from the east, Capt. Roy observed numbers of birds taking refuge on the 20th September. He had had head-winds all the way home to England, and birds more or less numerous round the ship till the 25th October. When he was 400-500 miles from Ireland, a violent storm arose and blew prodigious flocks of birds before it. The deck and rigging were covered. Many died, and many were killed and used as food. The survivors, after staying a few days, were carried off by the force of the wind. Capt. Roy observed one Robin, lots of Linnets, Snipe, Thrushes, Wagtails, &c. Heavy rains accompanied the storm." Mr. Gray continues, "My brother-in-law, on his way to Boston in one of the Cunard steamers, saw a Jackdaw and a Starling come on board on Oct. 23rd, during a gale from the east, when 550 miles from the Irish coast, easterly winds having prevailed for several days. On Oct. 24th, 850 miles from land, one Starling perched for a few minutes. A small bird like a Linnet hovered about the rigging, but did not perch. One Water Rail was captured and detained ten days, 1200 miles from land, and two Sandpipers. Writing again on Dec. 21st, he tells me that on the outward passage, lat. 42° N., long. 54° W., he had in view at one time from five to six hundred Gulls, various species—an extraordinary number to be so far from land. When about 1080 miles from Ireland, going out, two Crossbills flew on board. Both were captured."
Thomas Anderson (son of Thomas Anderson, joint author with Mr. Robert Gray of 'The Birds of Ayrshire and Wigtownshire') and Mr. Gray inform me, a good observer, and who has for many years kept a bird-log, at Mr. Robert Gray's request. Being chief-engineer on board a Cunard liner, he has crossed the Atlantic some four hundred times, during most or all of which time he has kept careful notes. It is hoped that he or Mr. Gray will give us the benefit of these notes before long, as they cannot fail to be of great interest and use to students of migration.
Mr. T. E. Bruce, of Slogarrie, observed some Missel Thrushes flying south on March 4th, 1881, and on the same day Snow Buntings. Great storm of snow on March 4th and 5th, from N.E.; this no doubt a local and temporary migration caused by the severe weather. The Missel Thrushes having previously arrived on spring migration, compelled to return again.