'Eclipse.'—March 28th, 1883, 70° 7′ north, 3° 40′ west, saw but one Hooded Seal to-day, but plenty of Rotches, Looms, Snow Birds, and Mallemauks. April 19th, 69° 53′ north, 5° 30′ west, saw a few Bottlenose Whales, and at night a Merlin lighted on the fore-topsail-yard, and there fell asleep, and was afterwards caught. He seemed very tired and weak. I made a box for him, and fed him on small pieces of meat. April 22nd, the Hawk seems to be thriving; he is kept below during the day and on deck when it is fine. April 24th, 68° 29' north, 9° 12′ west, let the Hawk away at 10 a.m. He flew straight to S.W. At 2 p.m. spoke the 'Catharine' brig. Whilst speaking the 'Catharine' I was astonished to see my old friend the Hawk sitting on one leg in the lower quarter boat, looking very disconsolate, and, when scared, immediately flew to the 'Catharine.' He had evidently come across that vessel at sea, and had flown on board her. May 2nd, 68° 20′ north, 11° 30′ west, a great many birds about the ship, a few hundreds of Mallemauks, and numerous Snow Birds, Burgomasters, Snow Buntings, two Eider Ducks, and one Iceland Falcon. May 4th, the vessel was followed by a good many Mallemauks, Burgomasters, Snow Birds, &c. May 18th, 69° 37′ north, 9° 9′ east, in the morning a Loom alighted on the main-topsail-yard, and Rotches have been numerous, besides the usual number of Mallemauks, Kittiwakes, Snow Birds, and Burgomasters. May 22nd, 69° 59′ 3° west, about 65 miles N.N.E. from Jan Mayen, "a few Bottlenose Whales seen during the day, and several Black-headed Gulls and Whimbrels." [This is an interesting note in the distribution of the Whimbrel, which species Capt. Gray knows well, having brought home skins before now, all the way from the coast of S. Greenland, and others have arrived, brought by other whalers, at least two of which are in our collection.—J. A. H. B.] June 10th (70° 32′ north, 1° 29′ west), a Swallow or Martin seen. May 16th (about 67° 41′ north, 14° 34′ west), two birds known at home as Wheatears and Water Wagtails ["Watee Wagtails" (sic) local in Forfar.—J. A. H. B.] came on board and died. They were experiencing very heavy weather at the time.
'Marathon.'—October 12th, 1883 (46° 43′ north, 35° 39′ west), six or seven Snow Buntings flew on board, winter plumage, wind fresh N.W., and only two remained, the others leaving to go to another vessel passed by the 'Marathon.' The other vessel had a deck-load of wood.—R. G.
'Camoens.'—Mr. T. H. Nelson writes:—"A friend of mine took a trip to Iceland in the 'Camoens' last October. On Oct. 14th, 150 miles N.N.W. of Orkney, a Starling flew on board. On the journey both there and back, viz., between Oct. 18th and Dec. 3rd, a great many small birds were seen flying south, but my friend was not well enough versed in Ornithology to be able to identify them."
Notes are presented upon about seventeen species of water-fowl and fifty-four species of land birds, and about thirteen species of waders or littoral species, by our east coast reporters.
Spring migration having been more considerable this season, I keep separate in this Report.
The movements recorded occupy the whole year, from date of February to June, during spring, and from date of July to January, during autumn.
Separate Report under Genera and Species.
Turdidæ.—In spring a considerable migration noticed at certain stations, viz., Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and Isle of May. Began Feb. 2nd, when a rush of Song Thrushes took place at Bell Rock, and terminated May 10th, when, and upon the 9th, there were indications of another rush of Fieldfares and Ring Ouzels. Whilst Song Thrushes, Redwings, and Blackbirds seem usually to travel together, the larger-winged Fieldfares and Eing Ouzels are usually associated in our returns, though not invariably. Although this spring migration was spread over such a very considerable time, none of the returns are very heavy; but indications of rushes are sufficiently distinct. At Bell Rock, as above stated, on Feb. 2nd, strong E.N.E., with haze. Fieldfares and Ring Ouzels; at Isle of May, on March 2nd, light W., clear, Thrushes and Blackbirds—a decided but not large rush, which stopped abruptly with wind changing to gales from S.E. to E.N.E. and to N.W. (see Third Report, General Remarks, p. 67.—J. A. H. B.). In April, light but fairly continuous entries at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May, but little indication of a general movement, except on April 27th, when a good many Fieldfares and Ring Ouzels were noted at Isle of May, wind fresh S.E. Prevailing winds up to termination of spring migration, easterly along whole coast. On May 2nd, and again on 9th and 10th, there were faint indications of rushes at Isle of May, principally of Fieldfares.
In autumn the migration was pronounced, and confined principally to October and November. Yet the earliest record we have yet received in Scotland in our schedules occurred on Aug. 28th, at Isle of May, of two Song Thrushes, followed by a single record on Sept. 21st; also at Isle of May, "a few Redwings and Ring Ouzels." Again, passing at present over October and November, only one record in December of a solitary Fieldfare on the 5th; and in January, 1884, a flock on the 7th and three birds on the 22nd, during a wild W. gale. The month of October has many entries, and I find the word "rush" opposite the following dates and stations:—At Pentland Skerries and Isle of May, but not at Bell Rock, on 13th-15th, hundreds of Redwings and Ring Ouzels, also Blackbirds and Thrushes, besides many other birds whose names I will give later. Also at N. Unst a few stragglers rested on the 16th, and then flew south, with strong S.E. wind and haze. Again, from about Oct. 28th to Nov. 5th, a great movement, developing into vast rushes, between Oct. 30th and Nov. 3rd, on which latter day a Dipper (Cinclus) was seen on the Isle of May; twice fired at for the collection, but escaped. The stations, N. Unst, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Tarbat Ness, Bell Rock, and Isle of May participated (maximum at Isle of May), but also large numbers at Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and goodly appearance at Sumburgh Head on Nov. 1st. On Oct. 13th-15th wind was S., but shifted to W. at Isle of May. On Oct. 28th and 29th wind was S., light and clear; and on 30th to Nov. 1st still prevailing southerly and westerly. Mr. Agnew states that the rush on 13th-15th was the largest ever witnessed by him at Isle of May with a due S. wind, S.E. being usually the most productive. Having detailed the movements and given dates and circumstances of these rushes, I will now name the other species which participated in them, and refer back to this paragraph afterwards throughout the Report. During the October rush, 13th-15th, Redwings in hundreds; Ring Ouzels, Bramblings, Larks, Woodcock, Short-eared Owl, Yellow Bunting, Eider Ducks in large flocks; Chaffinches, Crows (Carrion and Hooded), Jackdaws (the largest flock ever seen at Isle of May), Bramblings, Tree Sparrows, Blackbirds, Thrushes, and one Missel Thrush; besides, in smaller numbers. Wagtails, Redstarts, Hawks, &c. During the great October to November rush the following participated: Sandpipers, Snow Buntings, Skylarks, as far as N. Unst; and southwards. Lapwings, Grey Crows, Robins (smaller numbers), Linnets, Chaffinches, Starlings. At Sumburgh Head a large migration of Thrushes, with Starlings, Larks, and Linnets; many killed. At Pentland Skerries rush began on 20th, and also at Isle of May, principally Turdidæ and Emberizidæ. At Bell Rock, on Oct. 31st—Nov. 1st, rush began at 7 a.m. Mr. Jack writes:—"Immense numbers killed. I have no doubt they were killed in hundreds. What we think were Woodcocks struck with great force. Birds continued flying within the influence of the rays of light till the first streak of day, continually striking hard all night, and falling into the sea. Although we cannot be sure, we think there was a great number of Woodcocks struck and fell into the sea."[1] Species of Turdidæ seven, including Cinclus.
[1] What a loss of useful food to the lighthouse-keepers, which might perhaps be saved to them by a few long poles and an old herring-net stretched round and outside the balcony. This fact is surely worthy of the attention of the Commissioners and all Directors of our Lighthouse Stations.