Some stations report a marked scarcity during the past, in comparison with other years. Thus, from Holyhead, Mr. Prichard writes, "Being a very mild winter have not seen anything of note; not a bird striking this winter." At Bardsey the inhabitants say they "never observed so few birds before;" and Mr. Bowen suggests that "the fog-horn sounding may prevent birds striking." With respect to this we hear from Skerries that "few birds have been seen since they had a fog-horn." At Morecambe, Caernarvon, and other stations where there are fog signals, however, we hear of birds striking or killed. At St. Judwalls the entire absence of Starlings for the whole winter was remarked. (Pigeons were seen here from second week in May to first week in August.) From Nash it is reported that "during November and December sea-birds were very scarce, and all birds singularly scarce at latter end of October, and extremely so during the nights both of September and October; and, again, all sea- and land-birds have been more scarce during the nights of the present winter than ever I recollect" (John Richards). Mr. Nicholas attributes it to the very mild winter. From Smalls we hear that during December no birds were seen about the lighthouse. From Hartland Point Mr. Griffiths writes, that "for twenty-five years he had always seen and caught birds, but not this year; nor have any struck, as in other years." At Burnham (Aug. 14th) and at Usk (September) a Land Rail only bird killed.
Concerning the circumstances under which birds strike, the returns bear out the conclusions expressed in last year's report, that dark or cloudy nights, with fog, haze or rain, are most hazardous. Three or four exceptional instances are recorded of striking in daylight. October and November appear to be the most dangerous months, and South Bishop the most deadly station. Mr. T. Bowen writes, from Bardsey, that "birds strike in general with the wind; without, very rare exception." Mr. Crask, from Wolf Rock, in reply to a question on which side they strike, writes, "when they strike the lantern it is generally N.W." Other stations have not noticed.
Of the species reported on, the Starling has received by far the most notice; and next come Larks, Crows, Wild Ducks, Gulls, Thrushes, &c. Possibly some of the notices may refer to local migrations, or movements from one feeding-ground to another.
The notices of the Anatidæ are all in the daytime. The direction of their flight (seldom recorded) is, sometimes, directly N. and S.; but, to judge merely from the few recorded instances, the prevailing direction at the following stations is N. or north-easterly—towards the land: Caernarvon, Helwick, and Scarweather. At Smalls it appears to be, towards the Bristol Channel, S.E. At Nash, Godrevy and Sevenstones it is W.; while at Morecambe Bay it varies very greatly. The lines followed by the Insessores are difficult—with data supplied by one year only—to make out, but seem to be towards the mainland or along the coast. The following are the chief instances where the direction is reported as being from the land:—South Stack, Oct. 29th, 30th, 31st, Starlings flying N.W.; Bull Point, Oct. 13th, Black Crows flying W.; South Bishop, Nov. 2nd, Blackbirds, Larks, Starlings and Thrushes flying N.W.; Scilly, Oct. 13th, Fieldfares flying W.; and at Wolf Rock, Jan. 16th, and Sevenstones, Jan. 11th, two large flocks of Lapwings flying W.
The returns seem to support the conclusion expressed in last year's report as to birds preferring to migrate with a "beam" wind, or even a point or two abaft of beam.
Erratum.—[Page 65], line 3, for N.E., read N.W.
[Transcriber Note: This correction has been applied.]
WEST, NEWMAN AND CO., PRINTERS, 54, HATTON GARDEN, LONDON, E.C.