Fresh instances are constantly occurring which show the relation between the movements of birds and the state of the weather. In connection with this point I quote the words of Mr. Nicholas, keeper at Nash E., who writes:—"I've noticed whenever there is a lot of Gulls and Crows inland, it indicates a gale. I first noticed this Oct. 13th; on 14th there was a whole gale. I have since that date observed the same thing before every gale."
The prevailing winds on this coast were:—From August to Sept. 17th, easterly; thence, to Sept. 29th, gentle to mod. W.; thence, to Oct. 8th, E., viz., mod. S.E. and E. to 5th, then with more or less of N. On and after 9th, W. till 14th, with touch of N. and strong; on 16th a whole gale, E., thence, to 24th, S.E., strong breezes; after which, to the end of the month, E. and N.E.
Birds have not been noticed in such large flocks as last year, and there have been but faint traces of rushes. No rare birds are reported.
The most decided and general movement took place between Oct. 16th and 27th; after October, except among the Anatidæ, the occurrences being very scarce. The chief occurrences in September were Wrens, Wagtails, Swallows, and Finches; and in October Starlings, Sky Larks, and the Turdidæ.
In the autumnal migration the difference in date of arrival, as compared with last year, may be worth marking. So far as our records show the Redwing was first noticed a month later, the Blackbird six weeks, and Thrush three weeks, the Sky Lark a month, Goldcrest twelve days, Wheatear and Greenfinch five days, the Golden Plover fourteen days. The following are recorded earlier: the Meadow Pipit by two weeks. Swallow seventeen days, Starling nineteen days, Wagtail, Chaffinch, and Linnet a few days. Of the Anatidæ, Ducks are noticed a few days earlier, Geese considerably later.
It is difficult to say anything positive as to direction of flight, which is too seldom noted; in case of the Turdidæ scarcely at all. This in part is owing to many of the instances occurring at night in the dark. So far as I can make out all birds here follow the coast line very clearly. The main direction, to judge from the scant records in September, was southerly; in October one or two directly E.; the rest E., with more or less of N. With a few marked exceptions the movement has in almost every species been noticed at the southerly stations first, and appears gradually to have extended N. Whether this be accidental or a rule can only be decided by continued and careful observations from all the stations. Of the Anatidæ and water-birds the most frequent records are in October, and the direction S.W. and S., sometimes S.E.; but between Dec. 2nd to 11th, at Morecambe Bay, they passed N.W. After 11th to end of December S.W.
The best filled returns have this year been received from Morecambe Bay, Skerries, and Nash E. These observers have also given the fullest information; Nash especially in showing the direction of flight, a matter concerning which information is very desirable.
As to the circumstances under which the movement takes place, as affecting the flight or the striking of birds, &c., the reports bear out the conclusions previously expressed. Last year Mr. Bowen (Bardsey) referred to flight of birds before the wind (Rep., p. 119); Mr. Knott now writes from Skerries, "Many birds are killed in strong winds, as they then fly with greater force, and almost invariably in the same direction as the wind." Still the evidence shows that birds, as a rule, migrate with the wind on the shoulder, and not strong. When they do fly with the wind, and the wind strong, it is probably because they have been taken by surprise, and are unable to save themselves.
IRISH COAST: AUTUMN.
Printed schedules were forwarded to forty light stations around the coast. Thirty stations replied by returning the schedules wholly or partially filled with daily entries, or by sending letters remarking on the absence of migratory birds or on their general movements.