SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.
Song Thrush, Tardus musicus, Linn.; Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris, Linn.—Spring: At Scilly, from Jan. 13th to 25th, large flocks of Thrushes, Fieldfares, Larks, and Starlings remained during the snow. At Godrevy, on 14th, a great number of Thrushes, Starlings, and Lapwings from noon to 4 p.m., fresh E.S.E. breeze, frost and snow. At Air (River Dee), on March 30th, a Common Thrush was seen, at 9 a.m., light N.W. breeze, mist.—Autumn: Earliest date recorded Oct. 24th, when one killed at Godrevy, 1.30 a.m., mod. S.S.E. breeze, mist and rain; latest notice Dec. 24th, at Skerries, one killed, 3 a.m., strong S.S.W. breeze, misty.
Redwing, Turdus iliacus, Linn.—Separately noticed at Godrevy only, namely, Nov. 4th, at 3.30 a.m., one killed, fresh S.W. by S. breeze, mist and rain. On Nov. 13th, one killed, 6.10 p.m., fresh S.S.W. breeze, fog. On 22nd, at 2 p.m., one struck, fresh W.S.W. gale, squally and misty.
Blackbird, Turdus merula, Linn.—Autumn: First notice Sept. 28th, at Morecambe Bay, "one cock Blackbird in the vicinity." Through October the notices are more frequent and general. At Skerries, South Stack, and at Bull Point, on 25th and 26th, several struck and some were killed. At Bull Point, Oct. 31st, "a female" struck against the W. side of the lantern, 1.40 a.m., light S.E. breeze, cloudy, misty. The only stations reporting occurrences in November are Allonby, where through the month "a good many were about the hedgerows"; and one instance at Morecambe Bay (where none were seen in October), viz. on 4th, "a young female in vicinity." The next and last notice is Godrevy, where on Dec. 25th, at 6 a.m., one struck, gentle S.W. breeze, clear.
Wheatear, Saxicola œnanthe, Linn.—On Sept. 23rd, at South Stack, between 12 and 2 a.m., several struck and one was killed, light S.E. gloomy, misty. This is the only instance given.
Redbreast, Erithacus rubecula, Linn.—Spring: At Great Castle Head, on Jan. 20th, also on Feb. 1st, 4th, and 24th, "two or three Robins and Sparrows" were noticed about 7 a.m., mod. S.S.E., E.S.E., S.W., and N. breezes respectively. On March 1st, at 9 a.m., two Robins and two Magpies, fresh N.W. breeze, gloomy and showery, with snow. Autumn: On Oct. 28th, at Morecambe Bay, "a female Redbreast" in vicinity, 10 a.m., mod. N.N.E. breeze.
Nightingale, Daulias luscinia, Linn.—Spring: On April 22nd, at Burnham, "heard at 5 a.m. for first time, being one day later than last year, and in the very same spot."—W. Lewis, P. K.
Goldcrest, Regulus cristatus, Koch; Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita, Vieill.—Spring: On May 2nd, at Nash E., 200 Chiffchaffs were counted from 1 a.m. to sunrise, light E. air, haze; 196 were killed. Autumn: On Oct. 26th, at South Stack, a few Goldcrests from 12 to 4 a.m., one killed, gentle E. breeze. The same day, at Morecambe Bay, one (cock) Goldcrest flew on board, struck the deck-house and fell on deck, but was not killed; and at Nash, the same day, 12 to 18 Chiffchaffs passed at 4 a.m., and 6 were killed, light E.N.E. breeze, rain. On Dec. 31st, at 3 a.m., one Goldcrest struck at South Stack, light S.W. breeze, cloudy. From Flatholm, Mr. Dale reports "Gold crested Wrens and Chiffchaffs not so numerous as usual in the autumn." Taking the whole family of the Turdidæ, the chief movement as observed on the west coast occurred the latter end of October: this, we find, agrees with a general movement of the family noticed on both coasts of Scotland, and also a rush from E. to W. observed on the English east coast. On Oct. 14th was "a whole gale" from the E., after which the winds continued E. and S.E. to the end of the month—the force when noted ranging from 2 to 7. With the exception of the Redwing, and excepting the note of Blackbirds and of Robins seen at Allonby, there has scarcely been an instance recorded of any of the family seen throughout November. There is an absolute absence of Fieldfares, and the scarcity of the family generally is remarked on from many stations. Thus, from Allonby, Mr. Thompson writes (Nov., 1881), "No Fieldfares seen in this part, which is very unusual." At Skerries, of Blackbirds, Thrushes, Fieldfares, &c., "very few are now seen." At Lundy, "till January," Mr. Parsons writes, "we had no birds on the islands, only now and then a Blackbird or Thrush." At Usk, Blackbird and Thrush seen occasionally. And from Nash E., Mr. Nicholas, P.K., writes in October, "Blackbirds and Thrushes have been very scarce since the gale and snowstorm of Jan. 18th last," and "not one Thrush has been seen here since January." Note:—At Bardsey, however, Mr. Bowen says of Blackbirds, Grey-birds (?), Jackdaws, House and Common (?) Sparrows, and Starlings, that they are resident. Does this mean that they are seen all the year round; even so, is there no increase and decrease in the number noticeable, and if so, when? Are Grey-birds the Grey-backed Crows? What is the difference between "House" and "Common" Sparrow? Does the latter mean the Hedgesparrow, or is one the Tree Sparrow? If there be any doubt, a specimen, or the skin, head, or wings sent through the post would serve to identify the species.
Wren, Troglodytes parvulus, Koch.—Autumn: First notice Sept. 4th, at Skerries, at 2 a.m., several struck the glass and remained till daybreak, light S.S.W. breeze, hazy. On 24th, at South Stack, a few struck between 9 and 10 p.m., W.N.W., fog. And on Sept. 30th, at Bull Point, one struck N.E. side of the lantern, with a mod. S.S.E. breeze, hazy (not a following wind). On Oct. 23rd, at Skerries, Wrens with Linnets were flying about all day; and—the latest notice—on 26th, one passed Morecambe Bay L.V. at sunrise, flying N.
Wagtail, Motacilla (?).—Spring: On Feb. 10th, at Great Castle Head, four Dishwashers at 5 a.m., strong S.S.W. breeze, showery and foggy.—Autumn: The first notice at Nash E., on Aug. 21st, "thirty to forty Wagtails passed S.W.," 6 a.m., mod. S.S.E. breeze, very clear. They are not again noticed till Sept. 8th, at Bull Point, when about two dozen "Dishwashers and Linnets" passed inland, 6 a.m., S.S.W., calm, clear. On the 19th, at Morecambe Bay, three Wagtails flying S.W., 7.30 a.m., gentle N.W. breeze; and on the 25th, "one" flying about the ship in the forenoon. On Oct. 5th, one flying S. by E., mod. N.E. by N. breeze; and on 7th, one flying N.W., light S.S.W. breeze. This is the last recorded, except at Allonby, where, Mr. Thompson writes on 20th, "Wagtails are common in these parts."