Petrel, Procellaria pelagica, Linn.—On Sept. 23rd, at Godrevy, one struck, 9.30 p.m. (not killed), mod. S.S.E. breeze, clear. At Morecambe, Nov. 22nd, a Stormy Petrel flying W., 2.30 p.m., mod. W. gale. At St. Tudwal's, Jan. 8th, 1882, four Stormy Petrels rested under lee of rocks, 3.30 p.m., mod. W. gale.
Razorbill, Alca torda, Linn.—From South Stack we hear Razorbills left after breeding in the beginning of August, At St. Bees the beginning of this year (1882), a bird was picked up dead on the shore, which, from the description and a sketch made by Mr. Pizey, P.K., I identified as a Razorbill.
Guillemot, Lomvia troile, Linn.—At South Stack they are mentioned in same note as Razorbills as leaving in beginning of August. At Holyhead, Sept. 1st, large flocks of Guillemots and Puffins, fresh N.E. breeze, clear. At Milford, on same date, it is noted that "several during the past week struck the lantern windows at night; they annually do so at this time and no other." At Morecambe, Sept. 20th, a great number of Divers (? Guillemots), with Gulls and Skuas, and so to 26th, when a few Divers throughout the day. At Hartland Point diving birds were observed near the shore in January, 1882. At Skerries Guillemots and Puffins are reported as remaining nearly the year round. (But if not all the year, when do they leave and when return? Could this be noticed for next year's report?)
Puffin, Fratercula arctica, Linn.—At Holyhead, Sept. 1st, large flocks with Guillemots. At Morecambe, Sept. 28th, small flocks of Gulls and Puffins continuous, and, on Oct. 1st to 28rd, flocks with Gulls seen in vicinity.
Birds unknown.—At Hartland Point, Oct. 27th, grey bird at midnight struck the lantern, fresh E. breeze. At Bardsey Mr. Bowen says grey birds, &c., are resident. Are Grey Crows meant? At Air, Oct. 29th, flocks of birds unknown passed before daylight, mod. N.E. breeze. At Scilly, Oct. 18th, a few migrants later part of the month. At Morecambe, Oct. 20th, small flocks of small birds going E.S.E., 8.30 a.m., strong S.E. by E. breeze, clear, a little misty.
Additional Remarks.
Holyhead, Menai, and St. Bees are reported as unfavourable stations for observation. From Bull Point Mr. Knott writes:—"Very few birds to be seen. It is a north aspect; more to be seen with a south aspect." And from Great Castle Head Mr. Spicer writes:—"This being an inland lighthouse there is scarcely a bird to be seen for days, and then by chance you might see some away in the fields."
Most of the stations report scarcity in comparison with other years, as South Stack, Lundy, Caldy, Usk, Burnham, and Trevose Head; the decrease appears to be ascribed to the mildness of the season. Whether this be the real or the main cause of a like scarcity or not from the following stations may be an open question; but I give the opinion of the observers, and they do not speak of it as the record of this year's observations alone, viz., Longships, from which Mr. Jones writes:—"Very few cases of birds coming against our lantern since (of late years) the light is red towards the shore." From Burnham it is reported "Birds very rarely strike, the lantern glass being only eight feet by four feet." And from Skerries report I extract the following:—"There is a small quantity of birds in comparison with years prior to introduction of fog-horn (see also Rep. 1880, p. 119). In thick and foggy weather during November and February great quantities were always seen, chiefly Starlings, with Blackbirds, Thrushes, Wheatears, Larks, &c. On one occasion I saw our lantern gallery full, and at the base of the tower the quantity killed necessitated the use next morning of the wheelbarrow to remove them to the garden for manure. On one occasion a monster pie, made by workmen employed here, contained two hundred Larks, besides other smaller birds. But since the fog-horn has been sounded in thick weather birds coming to the light have been few, though many seen and heard in the air."—H. Knott.
From the same station Mr. Garret, P.K., writes:—"These birds (Sea Swallows, which breed on the island) seem to take no notice of the fog-horn, while others, such as Starlings, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Larks, &c., keep off while the horn is sounding, so that very few are seen round the lantern now, while formerly, in thick or misty weather during February and November, the lantern-gallery would be full of birds; each on striking would drop into the gallery and remain till daylight, when, if not too much injured, they would fly; but with strong winds a great number, chiefly Starlings, would be killed."
It is easy to believe that the hideous sound of a fog-horn, till the birds get used to it, will keep them at a distance. That birds recognise landmarks cannot, I think, be doubted, and possibly a complete change in colour of a light they have grown accustomed to may for a time make them suspicious of it. I think that if a light be placed in a new, and not altogether unfavourable, situation, birds will be attracted to it, because, though not yet accustomed to see it in that spot, they will recognise it as a resting-place and sign of land. From some light-keepers I have heard that years ago (the lighthouse then not long erected) the slaughter among birds was much greater than now. Of course the nature of the season would partly account for this, but I think also that the unaccustomed light might attract many a weary wanderer to an untimely death. That birds profit by experience cannot, I think, be doubted, and I expect that the unrestrained destruction of them along a particular route will gradually effect a change in their ways. I believe that the scarcity now for some years generally noticed may be due in a measure to the ruthless destruction met with at certain points on the Continent in their line of annual flight.