The same stations were selected as in the autumn of 1881, with the exception of Dursey Island, which was substituted for the Calf Rock; and Dungarvan, which was added in the autumn of 1882.
Some improvement in filling the schedules is apparent. A few errors in the identification of species probably have been made, but no blame is attached to the light-keepers, who gratuitously observe for us to the best of their ability.
In accordance with a desire expressed by the other members of the Committee, and for the sake of uniformity, the observations have been arranged under each species instead of under the day of the month, and the light-stations are arranged geographically, beginning at the Fastnet, in Cork, and going round by the east and north to the west coast. The entries in the spring schedules are placed first under each species.
The severe frost which visited these islands for about ten days, beginning on December 6th, caused a local migration of many land-birds to the sea-coast, and several entries occur in the schedules at this time.
The weather observations taken by the light-keepers, when of an ordinary character, have been sometimes omitted; but with scarcely an exception every entry in the schedules, which refers to the occurrence of a particular species on a given date, is recorded.
The name given by the light-keepers to the birds is always adopted, and generally without comment; but occasionally inverted commas are used when it appears advantageous to insert them.
Looking through the records, and comparing them with reports from the English coast and elsewhere, it is evident that Ireland lies comparatively out of the track of migrants, and its western stations are especially poor.
The Tuskar Rock, on the Wexford coast, is certainly the best station. Large numbers of migrants strike the lantern there, and many are killed. Being the nearest land to the Welsh coast, and the extreme south-eastern point of Ireland, the Tuskar is well situated for observation.
A Snowy Owl was shot on the Island of Innishtrahull, off the coast of Donegal, and forwarded by the light-keeper there to the Museum of Science and Art, Keldare Street, Dublin.
Observations on Gulls and Gannets are numerous, and it is difficult to estimate their value, as some light-keepers have given them much attention, while others have scarcely noticed these species owing to their frequent occurrence.