Shore Lark, Otocorys alpestris (Linn.).—Oct. 17th to 26th, great many almost daily, and Nov. 8th and 9th (see [Snow Bunting]). The only occurrence on the English coast is Oct. 26th, Yarmouth, two on North Denes.
Starling, Sturnus vulgaris, Linn.—Spring migration in 1881 observed at Dudgeon L.V. and Cromer L.H. from Feb. 25th to April 14th. In the autumn at nearly all our mid and south-east stations from August 30th to Dec. 11th. Heligoland, great rush Oct. 18th and 19th. On the English coast, during last fortnight in month, both night and day; often associated with other migrants. Line of migration to W., S.W., N.W., W.N.W. At Teesmouth (Redcar), on Nov. 4th, an immense flock, estimated to contain a million, "making a noise like thunder and darkening the air," came from E. at 7 a.m.; S.W. light, rainy to fair. Mr. John Odgers (Whitby L.H.) writes:—"We have had immense numbers of Starlings nesting in the cliffs up to this year; none, however, nested in 1881."
Daw, Corvus monedula, Linn.—Oct. 25th to Nov. 14th, occasionally with rooks at east-central stations.
Hooded Crow, Corvus cornix, Linn.—In the spring of 1881, at the Outer Dowsing on March 28th, 11 a.m., about one hundred from W.N.W. to S.E.; and at the Dudgeon L.V., on April 8th, 7 a.m., about sixty to east. Twenty were seen at Spurn on June 26th, at 3 p.m., S.S.E., clear. In the autumn are recorded at nearly all our stations from the Inner Farne to the Godwin's. First at Teesmouth, Sept. 23rd, fourteen; Sept. 30th, Suffolk coast, and for some days after. Last at South Sand Head L.V. (Godwin), Dec. 12th. The great flight crossed Heligoland on the 17th and 18th of October, E. clear, fine but fresh. Mr. Gätke remarks this migration "differed very markedly from usual habits in passing overhead, E. to W., at least twice as high as usual; further, by continuing passing on late in the afternoon, which accounts for your arrivals 'during night or early morn,' which, however, I do not think has been later than soon after nightfall. As a general rule C. cornix, coming here later than 2 p.m., do not proceed on their migration, but remain on cliffs and island all night." There was a great arrival also on the English coast on the nights or early morning of Oct. 18th and 19th, at north, middle and south-east stations. There was again a considerable flight across Heligoland on Nov. 8th and 9th, and again Dec. 10th and 11th. Thirteen Carrion Crows were observed at the Inner Farne L.H. on Oct. 26th, and a large Raven at Whitby L.H., 10 a.m. on Aug. 26th.
Rook, Corvus frugilegus, Linn.—In spring of 1881, at Dudgeon L.V., March 7th, 10 a.m., flocks to E.S.E. At the Leman and Ower L.V., on April 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th, continuous to S.E. In the autumn, at some mid and south-east stations, first at East Godwin L.V., Sept. 9th, all day W. to E.; last on Dec. 23rd, Lynn Wells, all day S.E. to N.W. Great rush Oct. 17th and 18th; also 25th to 27th same month.
Common Swift, Cypselus apus (Linn.).—May 1st, Hunstanton L.H., one; many on 7th. Were migrating south in large flocks last week in August and first in September. Seen last Sept. 22nd, Spurn, 7 p.m., o.m. flocks round lantern.
Nightjar, Caprimulgus europæus, Linn.—Spurn, May 25th, one; are scarce in vernal migration at this station, common in the autumn. This last year from Sept. 3rd to Oct. 3rd. The few that turned up in Heligoland, Mr. Gätke says, during all this bad weather (Sept.), "were minus the conspicuous white patches on primaries and remiges."
Green Woodpecker, Gecinus viridis (Linn.).—Cromer L.H., Sept. 25th, a bird, answering in every respect to this species, was seen for some hours near the lighthouse.
Hoopoe, Upupa epops, Linn.—Near Durham, Lincolnshire coast, and Spurn on Sept. 24th, 26th, and 29th. One, Nov. 10th, seen perched on telegraph wire near Whittlesea Station, Great Northern Railway.
Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus, Linn.—Cromer L.H., April 29th, noon, several seen. Many (young birds) passed Spurn last fortnight in September.