Linnet, Linota cannabina.—From the two stations at Lundy we learn that, from 8th Sept., a great many Linnets "mixed" have been seen daily, and on Oct. 30th have left the island. The earliest recorded is Sept. 1st, when at Skerries, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., fresh S.W. breeze, clear, small flocks appeared with Finches, many strike, and a few are killed; 23rd, 9.30 to 11 p.m., mod. S.W. breeze, clear after fog, small flocks with Larks, many strike, but none are killed. At Morecambe Bay, Sept. 17th, 7 a.m., four Grey Linnets pass S.E., mod. N.W. by W. breeze; 21st, noon, nine going N., light S. by W. breeze, misty; and on 27th, during the forenoon, fog, flocks of Linnets and Wagtails pass, and several small birds are killed. At Caldy, Sept. 24th, some Linnets were seen. At Smalls, Oct. 29th, one was caught with a Redwing, fresh N.E. breeze, cloudy but clear horizon. At South Stack, Oct. 30th, 7 a.m. to noon, fresh N.W. breeze, Linnets, Larks, Starlings, and Chaffinches passed in flocks to N.W. From Godrevy, we hear from Mr. Trahair that "several flocks of Green and Red Linnets come on the island from September to latter part of December."
Starling, Sturnus vulgaris.—We have more notices of this bird than of any other. Its occurrence seems to have been general and frequent. Twenty-two stations have reported on it, besides St. Bees, whence Mr. Pizey writes, "An occasional Starling or Lark may be sometimes seen on the lantern-window"; and Trevose Head, where, Mr. Bowen states, "Starlings and Crows can be observed all the year; they build their nests about the cliffs." The earliest date given is July 24th, where, at Scarweather, 11 a.m., a flock was observed, clear, with breeze from E.N.E. This, however, is the only occurrence noticed till Aug. 29th, when, at Sevenstones, a large flock passed S.W. at 5.20 a.m., fog, light N.N.E. air. The next date is Sept. 10th, when, at Nash, a large flock passed overhead at 6 p.m., fresh S.W. breeze. From this date several instances occur in the Bristol Channel, but it is Sept. 28th before we hear from a station as far north as Skerries. The occurrences then become frequent and general along the coast, increasing to Nov. 3rd, after which they gradually decrease in numbers and frequency till Jan. 14th, when, at Godrevy, a great number, in company with. Lapwings, Thrushes, &c., were seen from noon to 4 p.m., fresh E.S.E. breeze, and clear horizon. The greatest number of individuals are recorded from Oct. 16th to 21st, and again Oct. 29th to Nov. 3rd; we have the greatest number of occurrences noted in November, and especially from 1st to 3rd. In September we have returns from six stations, Flatholm to Skerries. The flight when noticed being (except in one instance) in daylight—mostly from sunrise to about 11 a.m. Direction of flight scarcely ever noticed. Wind various, generally light, and never exceeding a fresh breeze; weather in some cases clear, but more generally overcast to misty. The next date, after 10th, is Sept. 17th, when, at Flatholm, fresh W.N.W. breeze, a small flight appeared and remained on the island till 19th; 22nd, from both stations at Nash, a flock of young Starlings is reported as flying N.E., fresh W. breeze, misty; 23rd, a flock of Starlings, mixed, was seen at North Stack, light N.W. breeze, drizzly rain; 24th, continuous flocks were seen from Flatholm; after this no further occurrence is noted in Bristol Channel till Nov. 1st. At Skerries, Sept. 28th, 29th, and 30th, Starlings were seen at sunrise, light W.S.W., S.E. and N.E. breezes. Throughout October we have constant notices. At Morecambe Bay, Oct. 1st, two flocks of young, mixed, passed S.W., light W.N.W. breeze. At Nash, Oct. 3rd, continuous flocks all day passed N., against a light N. to N.E. breeze; and at Flatholm, 3.30 p.m., mod. N. breeze, blue sky but cloudy, there was a small flight, and four old birds were killed. At Caldy, Oct. 4th, 8 a.m., strong E. by S. breeze, about twenty were seen (first appearance). At Lundy, Oct. 6th, strong E. breeze, rain, a great number appeared and were seen daily till 29th, after which only one or two seen. At Smalls, Oct. 8th, 7.30 to midnight, fresh N.E. to E. breeze, misty. Starlings, Redwings, and Sky Larks passed in continuous flocks (about twenty struck). At Morecambe Bay, Oct. 10th, one seen; 11th, one passing S.E. very tired, fresh E. by N. breeze. On 11th, we first hear of them so far south as Scilly, where Starlings and Woodcocks passed at 8.30 a.m., fresh E.S.E. breeze; and on 12th, at Bishop Rock, Starlings at 10 a.m. These, however, are the only instances recorded from these two stations. At Smalls, Helwick, and Caldy respectively, during the nights of Oct. 14th, 15th, and 16th, several struck and many were killed. At Caernarvon, Oct. 16th, "continuous flocks of Starlings and Spinxes" (?) passed during the day, gentle S.S.W. breeze, and hazy. At South Stack, Oct. 17th, 6.30 a.m., light E. breeze, a very large flock passed. At Morecambe Bay, Oct. 21st, 5.20 p.m., gentle E.N.E. breeze, clouds but clear horizon, two to three hundred passed W.N.W. At Caernarvon Bay, Oct. 22nd, mod. E. gale, hazy, a flock with Larks passed S.E.; and on 24th, during the day, similar flocks S.S.E.; wind now mod. and from N.N.W. At Flatholm, same day, 8 a.m., gentle E.N.E. breeze, small flights appeared and remained till Oct. 26th, at 7.30 a.m., when they departed S.W., fresh W.S.W. breeze, cloudy. At South Stack, Oct. 29th, 7 a.m., fresh N.N.E. gale, clear, very large flocks passed; 30th and 31st, fresh N.W. breeze, continuous flocks passed to N.W. At Sevenstones, Oct. 30th, 3.30 p.m., light E. air, clear, several flocks were seen flying to W. and N.E. At Nash, Nov. 1st, 9 a.m., gentle N.N.E. breeze, clear, a flock of Crows and Starlings passed overland. At Smalls, same day, from sunset to midnight, three were seen about the lantern. At Morecambe Bay, Nov. 2nd, 4 p.m., from two to three dozen passed, flying S.; and at the same hour, at Helwick, a flock of male Starlings passed, flying from S.W. to N.E., and at 8 p.m. several were killed. At Longships, 7 p.m., a few fluttered against the glass; at Caldy, 10.30 p.m., one was noticed flying about the lantern; at Godrevy, 11 p.m., four struck, several others hovering around; and at Smalls, before midnight, mod. E. breeze, misty and drizzling, eight were seen with other birds. At South Bishop, from midnight (of 1st), when they first arrived, till morning, a very great quantity, with Thrushes, &c.; and all day after, continuous flocks of same flying towards N.W. Again, on the 3rd, enormous quantities of Starlings came at midnight (of 2nd) and continued till morning, and at 6 a.m. the Starlings began to fly E. At Caernarvon also, Nov. 3rd, nine young Starlings were killed, gentle E.S.E. breeze, hazy; and at Smalls, before sunrise, twenty-three female and four male Starlings, among Blackbirds and Thrushes, were counted; several struck and went overboard. At Nash, 9 a.m., large flights passed overland, with Crows; and at Godrevy, 2 a.m., two, with Thrushes and Blackbirds, struck. Thus there appears to have been a decided "rush" lasting from Oct. 29th, 7 a.m., to Nov. 3rd, 9 a.m. From Nov. 1st to 3rd alone, we hear from no less than eleven stations. It was on the 2nd and 3rd that the slaughter, already mentioned (see "Song Thrush"), took place at South Bishop, and Starlings were numbered among the slain. On Nov. 6th, eight were killed at Lundy, many others striking; and after this we have almost daily returns from the two stations at Nash, of flights, the direction, when noticed, being overland. At Helwick, Nov. 15th, a flock passed N.E. At Bull Point, Nov. 18th, a flock was seen flying E. At Godrevy, Nov. 29th, mod. S.W. breeze, clear, a flock flying S. Throughout December we have almost daily returns from Nash, of flights passing overland (on 10th and 25th they are noticed as passing S.) At Godrevy, Dec. 2nd, 5 to 8.30 p.m., light S.S.W. breeze, misty, seventeen male and female, mixed, struck. At Caernarvon Bay, Dec. 16th, 1 to 4 a.m., strong W.N.W. breeze, three killed; 27th, 9 to 11 p.m., gentle E. by N. breeze, two young Starlings were killed; 28th, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., gentle N.N.E. breeze, misty, flocks passed, flying N.W.; and on 31st, between 10 and 11 p.m., strong N.W. by N. breeze, misty, three were killed and fell overboard. At Lundy, Dec. 25th, fresh N.N.W. breeze, clear, a great many Starlings came on the island during the night. At Nash, Jan. 7th, 2 a.m., fresh E. breeze, misty, several struck; 11th, 10 a.m., misty, some seen with flocks of Plovers and Peewits. At Milford (Low), same day, a quantity with Plovers and Larks arrived, and remained all day. At South Stack, Jan. 12th, fresh N.E. breeze, with passing showers of snow, a large quantity of Starlings and Larks, old and young, passing all day; 13th, on the islands all day. At Godrevy, Jan. 14th, noon to 4 p.m., fresh E.S.E. breeze, clear, a great number with Thrushes and Lapwings were seen.
Chough, Hooded Crow and Rook, Fregilus graculus, Corvus cornix and Corvus frugilegus.—From Caldy Mr. Ebben reports, "The Chough breeds upon the island, and never goes away." We do not hear of it from any other station. The Hooded Crow is only once distinguished, but may perhaps be referred to under the general style of "Crow," the Rook being sometimes distinguished by that of "Black Crow." At S. Stack, Oct. 22nd, 11.30 a.m., fresh E. breeze, clear, a flock passing to N.W. Of the Rook or, indeed, of Crows generally, the first appearance noted is Sept. 9th, when "Black Crows" were seen at Caldy, 9 a.m., a strong breeze E. by S., misty. At N. Stack, Sept. 12th, 6 p.m., three Black Crows flying N.E., before a mod. S.W. breeze; 19th, 5.20 p.m., four passed S.E., a fresh N.W. breeze; 24th, 9 a.m., ninety were seen flying E., before a strong W. breeze. From this station we have no further record till Dec. 20th. At Nash, Sept. 10th, 3 p.m., about 100 Rooks passed N.; 13th, from the low station, hundreds were seen flying overland; 22nd, 9 a.m., a flight of young Rooks, Starlings and Jackdaws flying N.E., fresh W. breeze; 24th, at noon, a flock passing S.E.; 30th, 3 p.m., from both stations we hear of a flight passing N.E.; Oct. 2nd, 2 p.m., fresh N. breeze, misty, large flock of Crows pass S.W.; the only instance reported from Nash for October. At Morecambe Bay, Oct. 3rd, 5.30 p.m., fifteen common Books passed, flying E.N.E., fresh N.E. breeze; 5th, same hour, mod. gale E. by N., overcast, misty and rainy, twelve going E.S.E.; 10th, 11 a.m., fresh E.N.E. breeze, two passed S. by E. At Bull Point, Oct. 12th, 7 a.m., fresh E. breeze, two dozen Black Crows, old and young, seen flying W., before fresh E. breeze; only record of a W. direction of flight. The next occurrence dates Nov. 1st and 3rd, 9 a.m., when, at Nash, large flights, with Starlings, passed overland. We next hear, on 13th, of similar flights flying overland at noon; a fresh W. gale, mist and showers. From the low station (only) we have like returns on 20th, 24th, 25th, and 28th, 29th, 30th, between 9 a.m. and noon, winds various, clouds or mist. There are no returns from any other station. At the same station, Dec. 1st to 10th, 9 a.m., mod. breezes, more or less W., overcast and misty, like flights overland. At Holyhead, Dec. 16th, 9 a.m., flights of Black Crows passed E. across the bay, against a strong E. breeze. On Dec. 18th, from both stations at Nash, and on 20th, 23rd and 25th, from the low stations (9 a.m.), flights of Crows and Starlings are reported; winds various, generally mist. On Dec. 25th, the high station reports such a flock passing S. at the same hour, fresh E. breeze, clear; and on 28th, 30th and 31st, same hour, with breezes from W.S.W., E. and N., overcast, showery or misty, flights of Crows and Starlings were seen from both stations. At N. Stack, Dec. 20th, 9.5 a.m., a flock passed, flying E., fresh N.W. breeze; 30th, 2.15 p.m., a flock flying S.E., fresh N.W. breeze. This is the latest return. Besides Caldy and Nash, in the Bristol Channel, the returns are from four stations off the coast, viz.:—Bull Point, N. Stack, Holyhead, and Morecambe Bay. The direction of flight is from E.N.E. through E. to S.E. At Nash the direction seems to vary greatly, but is mostly reported as being "overland."
Common Wren, Troglodytes vulgaris.—At Scarweather, Aug. 10th, one was found in the morning lying dead on deck, W.N.W. breeze. At Nash (W. or low), Sept. 8th, in the early morning, one struck; mod. N.E. breeze, clouds and mist. At Smalls, Sept. 14th, 1 a.m. to daylight, gentle E. breeze, overcast, but clear horizon, a Wren, Starling and Larks struck; and on 15th, about same time, gentle breeze, E.S.E. to S.E., Blackbirds, Starlings, Thrushes, Greenfinches, and Wrens, a large number striking the glass, but very few the roof.
Swallow, Hirundo rustica.—Earliest notice, Aug. 31st, from Caldy, as also the latest, Nov. 11th, "when Swallows disappeared." At Caldy, Aug. 31st, Swallows seen from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., N.N.E. to N. wind, blue sky, but clouds; Sept. 5th, mod. W.S.W. breeze, about twenty; and on 17th, at noon, W. wind, a few noticed. At Nash (E. or high), Sept. 15th, large flocks passed E., a strong N. breeze and rain; and, the note added, "not seen after this date"; 21st, 26th and 30th, Swallows are reported from Caldy, with various winds, not strong, and generally with clouds and mist. At Morecambe Bay, Sept. 24th, mod. W. breeze, cloudy, but clear, two dozen were seen flying S.E. At Caernarvon Bay, Sept. 25th, mod. S.W. breeze, clear, a flock flying S.W. At S. Bishop, Sept. 28th, light N.E. air, twenty were seen. In October we have only two dates. At Godrevy, Oct. 12th, 1 p.m., a small flock hovering about the island, fresh N.E. breeze, clear; and at Helwick, 4.30 p.m., fresh E.N.E. breeze, misty, a flock passed, flying from S.W. to N.E. At Caldy, Oct. 18th, Swallows seen. The eight stations reporting give each but a solitary instance, except Caldy. Five of the stations are off the coast; the remaining three in the Bristol Channel. The direction of flight is not once reported from Caldy. When from the other stations reported it is S.E. or S.W., except at Helwick, N.E.; Oct. 12th, at 4.30 p.m. This would be the course to the nearest land.
Swift, Cypselus murarius.—At Flatholm, Sept. 15th, 10 a.m., mod. W.N.W. breeze, clouds, but clear horizon, a large flight appeared; on 16th, they disappeared.
Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis.—Earliest record Sept. 5th, when, at Caldy, two Plovers were seen; mod. W.S.W. breeze. The next occurrence noted is at Scilly, Oct. 4th, Plovers and Lapwings; mod. E.S.E. gale, rain. At Nash (E. or high), Oct. 14th, fifteen or twenty; 21st, a large flock passed W.; Nov. 20th, 10 p.m., six flew round the light several times. We have no further record till from both stations at Nash, Jan. 3rd, several were observed flying W.; 10th, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., gentle N.E. breeze and mist, flocks of Plovers and Peewits, overland, passed S.W. Also, at Scilly, 4 p.m., Plovers and Lapwings; and on 11th, calm and misty, flocks of Peewits and Starlings passed N.W. At Milford (Low) a quantity of Plovers, Larks and Starlings arrived, and remained all day. From Bardsey we hear that, on Feb. 11th, flocks of four or five Golden Plovers were seen flying about the Island; fresh N.E. gale. Except at Nash, Nov. 20th, and Scilly, Jan. 10th, these occurrences were all noticed from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and on every occasion with mist or rain, and with light or gentle E. breeze (except at Caldy, W.S.W.). The direction of flight, recorded only from Nash (E. or high), is W., except on Jan. 10th, S.W., and 11th, N.W.
Lapwing, Vanellus cristatus.—Earliest notice at Sevenstones, Aug. 26th, 10 a.m., fifty were seen flying to S.W., light N.W. breeze, haze. The next is dated at Scilly, Oct. 4th, Lapwings and Plovers were seen at noon, a mod. E.S.E. gale, rain. We next hear from Caldy, Nov. 3rd, when one was seen flying near the light; a strong E. breeze, mist. Another space of time, and at Nash, Nov. 21st (E. or high), 8 a.m., a large flock is seen overland, mod. E. breeze; and at Burnham, 8 a.m., large flocks of Peewits were noticed flying from N., light N. breeze, mist. We do not again hear till Dec. 20th, when, at Lundy, a number of Lapwings were seen at 9 a.m., mod. E.N.E. breeze; and the other Lundy station reports, "about thirty came on the island during the night." Again, on the 30th, Mr. Parsons notes a flock came on the island the night previous. At Skerries, Dec. 29th, light S.E. breeze, misty, rain, a few Lapwings about all night. This is the only record from a station further N. than Bristol Channel. At Nash (E. or high), Jan. 3rd, gentle E. breeze, mist, a large flock of Peewits passed W.; 6th, a similar flock, N.W.; 10th, during the day misty, light N.E. breeze, flocks of Peewits, with Plovers, passed overland S.W.; and on 11th, at 10 a.m., misty and calm, flocks, with Starlings, passed N.W. At Scilly, same day, 4 p.m., Lapwings and Plovers were seen. At Sevenstones, Jan. 11th, two large flocks passed W.; a light W.N.W. breeze, hazy. At Godrevy, Jan. 14th, we first hear of a great number seen during the day, with Starlings, Thrushes, &c.; fresh E.S.E. breeze, clear, frost, and a little snow on the ground. Of the nine stations reporting, Nash has the most instances; the greater numbers occur in January. The direction of flight when noticed, from N.W. through W. to S.W., the wind, except at Sevenstones, being from N.E. and E.S.E., but more generally E.; force, mostly two to five.
Sanderling, Calidris arenaria.—At Godrevy, Sept. 10th, 11.30 p.m., two were killed; light S.W. breeze, clear horizon.
Oystercatcher, Hæmatopus ostralegus.—At Air, Aug. 6th, a large quantity seen about 1 p.m., gentle E.S.E. breeze, mist; Oct. 4th, a large quantity flying E. throughout the day, light S.E. breeze, mist; Oct. '29th, 10.30 a.m., with mod. N. gale, clear, a similar flight E. From Bideford, Sept. 1st, we have the following record:—"Hundreds of Sea-pies, Common Gulls, Curlews, and a few Shags, visit the mussel-beds all the winter, being seen every day and night from half-ebb to half-flood, coming from N.W. in all weather."