Heron, Ardea cinerea.—From Helwick only have we any record, Sept. 26th, 6 a.m.: "A flock flying from S. to N.W."; cloudy, but clear horizon, with light W. breeze.
Bittern, Botaurus stellaris.—Of this now rare bird we have a solitary instance. At Godrevy, Jan. 14th, two were seen during the day (with numbers of Lapwings, Starlings, and Thrushes); may they live long and be happy!
Curlew and Stint, Numenius arquata and Tringa (sp. ?).—At Air, earliest date Aug. 9th, 10 p.m., clear and calm, a large quantity passed; and Godrevy, Jan. 11th, the latest. At Noon, Aug. 14th, three were seen at Bishop Rock. At Bideford, Sept. 1st, some seen, and thereafter daily, with hundreds of Sea-pies and Gulls, from N.W. At Usk, Sept. 8th, we hear of their appearance, when through the day they were seen in great numbers with Gulls, E. and N.E. breezes; 10th, mod. S. breeze, they were observed through the day with Gulls and "Pearls" (Tringa ? minuta) in great numbers; 17th, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., W.N.W. to N.W., two; they appeared in very large flocks; and from Sept. 24th, to Oct. 8th. At Morecambe Bay, Sept. 12th, 6.30 p.m., one was seen flying S. against a moderate breeze. At Nash, Sept. 15th, 9 a.m., two passed N.E., strong N. breeze and showers; 18th, 6 p.m., two passed N.W., before a mod. N.W. gale, showery (these are noticed from both stations). At Skerries, Sept. 26th, light S.W. breeze, Curlews were seen at sunrise. At Air, Oct. 4th, a large quantity going E. all day; misty Through November and December we hear from Usk of large flocks (with numbers of Stints). At Skerries, Dec. 4th, 1 a.m., light S. air, misty and rain. Curlews were seen with Blackbirds and Snipes; 20th, a few all day, mod. W.S.W. breeze, fine; 29th, light S.E. breeze, mist and rain, a few all night. At Nash, also on 29th, 4 p.m., four passed W., mod. N. breeze, drizzle. The only record subsequent to this is from Godrevy, Jan. 11th, 9 a.m., when four were seen on the island, light E.S.E. breeze and mist; and Mr. Trahair adds, "they frequent the shore after the breeding-season." Most of the instances were noticed in the daytime; the winds various; but in the Bristol Channel, where recorded (Nash and Usk), from N. to W.N.W., force, four to six; while off the coast (Morecambe, Air, and Skerries), E.S.E. through S. to W.S.W., and light.
Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola.—At Lundy, Nov. 19th, 10 a.m., from both stations, four Woodcocks and three Snipes were seen, mod. N.E. breeze, clear; and Mr. Parsons adds, "one has been seen once or twice since." At Scilly, Oct. 11th, 8.30 a.m., fresh E.S.E. breeze. Woodcocks and Starlings appeared. At Nash (E. or high), Jan. 14th, at noon, two passed W., with five Wild Geese, before a mod. E. breeze, mist. At Bardsey, Jan. 20th, gentle E. breeze, with snow; one struck.
Snipe, Scolopax gallinago.—At Nash (E. or high), Oct. 24th, 9 a.m., two were seen flying W.; gentle N.E. breeze, misty. From the two stations at Lundy, Nov. 19th, three Snipes and four Woodcocks were seen. At Skerries, Dec. 4th, 1 a.m., light S. air, misty and rain. Snipes and Blackbirds were seen, and a few killed.
Corn Crake, Crex pratensis.—At Burnham, Aug. 14th, at mid-night, a Land Rail was killed; light N. breeze, clear horizon.
Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus.—At Smalls, Oct. 15th, one was seen on the rock.
Wild Goose, Anser ? palustris.—At Scilly, Sept. 26th, 7 a.m., calm and cloudy, nineteen were seen. We hear no more till Nov. 3rd, when, at Helwick, 11 a.m., one was seen passing from S. to N., mod. E.N.E. breeze; and on Nov. 6th, about the same hour, a flock passed from S.W. to N.E., mod. N.W. breeze, drizzly rain and showers. At Morecambe Bay, Nov. 23rd, 9.30 a.m., two flying S.E., strong S. breeze. At Scarweather, Nov. 10th, 4 p.m., fresh N.W. by W. breeze, four were seen. There is no return for December. At Nash (E. or high), Jan. 2nd, 9.30 a.m., two passed W.; and on 14th, at noon, five and two Woodcocks passed W., mod. E. breeze. At Hartland Point, Jan. 5th, a few were seen flying E. At Sevenstones, Jan. 11th, 4.15 p.m., light N.N.W. breeze, haze, several flocks passed, flying to westward.
Sheldrake, Tadorna vulpanser.—At Air, March 21st, 1880, at sunrise, mod. S.E. breeze, clear, about forty-five pairs. Mr. Aveson adds, "they arrive annually for breeding."
Wild Duck, Anas boschas, Oidemia nigra.—Returns from eleven stations. In some few instances the "Black Duck," probably the Common Scoter, is separately distinguished, viz.:—At Morecambe Bay, Sept. 5th, 6.15 a.m., five flying W., mod. W.S.W. breeze, mist; Oct. 1st, 9 a.m., light W. air, gloomy, misty, six flying W.S.W. At Scarweather, Sept. 20th, 6 p.m., fresh N.W. by N. breeze, four were seen; Nov. 25th, 3 p.m., mod. W. gale, two passed up N.E.; 30th, 10 a.m., gentle S. breeze, four were seen. At Burnham, Dec. 21st, 9 a.m., light N.N.W. breeze, flocks of the Black Surf Duck were seen on the water. In the other cases the species are not distinguished. The earliest date given is Sept. 18th, when, at Morecambe Bay, 3 p.m., seven Wild Ducks passed E., strong W.N.W. breeze; 27th, 7 a.m., six passed N.; 29th, same hour, three passed W., calm and fog. At Caernarvon, Oct. 6th, strong E.N.E. breeze. Wild Ducks passed N.N.E. At Godrevy, Oct. 8th, fresh E. breeze, clear, two flocks of Ducks and Mallards passed W. during the day; 10th, 7.15 a.m., wind from same quarter, one flock, S.W. At Nash (E. or high), Oct. 26th, 7 a.m., fresh E. breeze, two passed W. Throughout November the notices are more frequent. At Caernarvon, Nov. 1st, 10.40 p.m., fresh N.W. breeze, hazy, one was killed. At Morecambe Bay, 2nd, 7 a.m., one passed S.E. against a mod. S.E. breeze; slight fog. At Helwick, 4th, 8 a.m., gentle N.E. breeze, two flocks passed from S.W. to N.E.; 8th, about same hour, one Wild Duck passed to S.W., mod. N.E. and N. breeze. At Morecambe Bay, 9th, same horn-, strong W. by S. breeze, nine passed going N.; 18th, same hour, fresh E. by N. breeze, four going S. From Lundy, we hear on 18th, 7 and 8 a.m., three Wild Ducks (one male and two females) seen with Teal. At Smalls, 19th, fresh E.N.E. breeze, two Grey Ducks from N.W. to S.E. At Helwick, 22nd, 2 p.m., fresh S.E. breeze, clouds and mist, a flock passed from S.E. to N., fresh S.E. breeze, clouds and mist; Dec. 4th, strong S.W. breeze, twenty passed S.E.; 17th, from Holyhead Breakwater, hundreds of Wild Ducks were seen in the bay during the day. At Godrevy, same day, two flocks of Ducks and Mallards passed S.W. and W. before a fresh E.N.E. gale, which moderated and veered round to N.N.E.; Jan. 6th, 10.30 a.m., strong E. breeze, mist, a flock passed W. At Nash, Jan. 2nd, large flocks passed S.W.; 13th, 4 p.m., and 14th, 8 a.m., gentle E.N.E. breeze, mist, a flock passed W. At Milford, 11th, five or six Ducks passed, going more inland. At Bardsey, 13th, scattered flocks of Wild Ducks, about seven in number, crossing from mainland, N.N.E. wind, four; March 18th, 1881, 1.30 a.m., S.S.W. wind, four, three Ducks and one Drake Widgeons are reported. Thus in September we hear only from Morecambe Bay, and one instance of Black Ducks from Scarweather. In October the occurrences are more frequent and general, and the numbers greater; the direction of flight, except at Caernarvon Bay on the 6th, being W. or S.W., and the wind E. In November the most instances are recorded, but the numbers of individuals appear smaller; the direction of flight is N.E., S.E., N., or S., the winds varying, but more generally N.E., E., or S.E. In December we have two dates: the 4th, when twenty passed at Scarweather; 17th, at Godrevy, two flocks were seen; and at Holyhead, hundreds in the bay. In January we hear from Godrevy, Nash, Milford and Bardsey of flocks passing. The direction of flight in December and January is generally S.W. or W., in calm, or E. or E.N.E. breezes. The occurrences (except the last) are all noticed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and most about 8 a.m. In almost every instance it is misty, foggy, or gloomy.