Fringillidæ.—As in 1883, both in spring and autumn, Finches show themselves well to the front in migration; but while in some years Thrushes and Finches travel much together; in this year, whilst still many travelled simultaneously, as a glance at our data shows, yet the great rush of Thrushes did not take place till the rush of Finches was over. Thus, as will be seen, Green Linnets made a rush over in spring as early as 10th February, but the rush of Thrushes did not take place till later—about the 6th March. In the same way, while the greatest rush of Finches in autumn took place on the 4th November, Thrushes were not in force till the 10th and 12th. The extension of the migration of Finches in 1884, in time, dates Feb. 15th (three Grey Linnets at Pentland Skerries at noon, wind strong S.E. and clear) to Jan. 26th (four Green Linnets at Isle of May, wind variable, light, clear). The extension of the migration of Finches (of sorts) in 1884 in N. and S. direction, ranges from Sumburgh Head,—a single record of great numbers on the 3rd April, with strong S.E. and haze,—to Isle of May; earliest date 10th February, followed by rush on 12th; latest date Jan. 26th, four Green Linnets. To compare with the above, the extension in time of the Thrushes' migration dates also from Feb. 10th, but movements were much fewer so early—a single Redwing and a few Blackbirds and Thrushes, strong S.E., clear, up to 23rd January; rush between 19th and 23rd of Fieldfares, &c. The extension in N. and S. distribution ranges from North Unst,—a dozen Fieldfares flying S., light W., clear,—through Sumburgh Head; large numbers; and a rush on 1st April, strong S.E., along with Linnets, rushes at more southern stations taking place in March, on till our southern stations of Isle of May and Bell Rock are reached.
Now, taking the above general remarks, we will treat it more in detail, as this affords a good opportunity of making final tabular comparisons.
In spring, earliest at Pentland Skerries, three Grey Linnets at noon, as already recorded, light S.E., clear; latest Green Linnets (and latest Finches), 17th June, one at Isle of May. An early rush of Green Linnets on 10th Feb., after a N.W. gale previous night, and a great rush on 12th, with other migrants; and of Thrushes, Bramblings, Chaffinches and House Sparrows, at Isle of May. Intermittent movements during March at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May and Inchkeith, flocks of Chaffinches, Grey Linnets (25th), Bramblings, Green Linnets, and four Siskins (at Inchkeith on 25th, with light S.W. wind, with which, being a land-locked station, this species usually occurs), two Bullfinches, at Bell Rock, on 31st March, flying W. In April Chaffinches, Grey Linnets, and one Sparrow at Pentland Skerries, between 5th and 22nd; wind prevailing S.E., except on 12th and 17th, when light N.E. At Bell Rock one House Sparrow (female), exhausted, died after feeding on 31st. From the 9th April, when one Bullfinch was seen (and one the day before), scarcely any migration observed until Sept. 3rd—a few records only of "small birds" on April 28th and 30th and May 7th and 9th. At Isle of May a rush ("evidently") of many species, including Tree Sparrows, Bramblings (males), Chaffinches (males, but some females), from the 3rd, and during 4th, 5th and 6th, to 10th. The female Chaffinches came on 6th to 10th, but mixed males and females on the 10th. Tree Sparrows abundant. Rush tailing off, with light returns, on 10th, 16th, 17th and 23rd to 30th. In May Grey Linnets are reported to arrive, for the purpose of breeding, at Isle of May on the 29th. Other records run rarely of this species, and only a few intermittent records of birds flying W. or N.W. at Pentland Skerries, and a single bird at Bell Rock between 9th and 30th. One Sparrow (male) on 7th, and two on 9th, at Pentland Skerries; and two Bullfinches, flying W., with strong E.S.E. and haze—the only other May records. In June the last of the Tree Sparrows on 13th at Isle of May, strong S.E., completely ends the spring records, and we do not have another of any Finches till Sept. 8th.[15]
[15] The bulk of the autumn records will not admit of treatment in extenso, as they are heavy, so we will cut them shorter than the spring ones.
In autumn, no records in July or August recorded. Very light in September: two records of Grey Linnets on the 8th at Pentland Skerries, and of Siskins at Inchkeith on 10th; latest on Jan. 26th, four Green Linnets. Rushes (or indications) at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May, between 4th and 7th, of several species; Grey and Green Linnets, Bramblings, and an increase of Chaffinches on 25th and 27th. A rush of Linnets (and Larks) at Inchkeith on 23rd, with light S. breeze; "continuous flocks all day flying round." Most northern records of Finches in autumn at Sumburgh Head on 12th October. Great rush, 4th November, with many other birds; wind S. and haze during the night, S.E. in morning, and rain at 10 a.m. ("perfection of weather for visible migration"). At 9 p.m., gale from S.W. and heavy rain. Nevertheless, so persistent or so vast was this rush, that, even with W. gales and showers, a few Chaffinches, Tree Sparrows, House Sparrows, and Green Linnets were seen migrating at Isle of May—the largest numerical rush of migrants there this season; continued intermittently to end of December.[16] Large numbers on 12th December, flying N., light W., haze. Mr. Agnew has the note, "Never saw so many Finches in one year as this."
[16] Since the above was written out I have received the January schedule from the Isle of May, and in it intermittent movements of Green Linnets and Bramblings up to 26th—the latest date—are recorded.
Corvidæ.—In Spring, Rooks are recorded from Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and Isle of May. Earliest date, Pentland Skerries 14th February, two seen on island, fresh S. Latest also at Pentland Skerries on 14th May. Light S. No rushes very apparent. Largest numbers, six on March 10th at Pentland Skerries, and eight on April 19th at same station. Most records (on different dates), in March six, and in April four. Fewest records (on different dates) in February two, and in May two. Direction of wind and weather on dates of record in February:—Fresh S., on 14th, two birds seen on Pentland Skerries; Fresh S. clear, on 23rd one seen at Pentland Skerries. In March, S.E. gale, rain on 9th, two or three seen at Pentland Skerries; light airs, variable, snow on 10th, six seen at Pentland Skerries; calm, haze on 4th, one seen flying S.W. at Bell Rock; light S.E. on 8th, one rested on dome of lantern. Fresh S. breeze on 13th, one seen flying W.S.W.; light W.S.W., haze, one flying S.W. on 22nd. In April:—light S.E. on 3rd, one seen at Pentland Skerries; light S.E. on 5th, four seen at Pentland Skerries; fresh N.E. on 19th, when eight seen at Pentland Skerries; N.E. light clear on 3rd at Bell Rock, one resting on window. In May:—strong N. on 6th, at Pentland Skerries, two seen; light S. on 14th, one seen at Pentland Skerries.
In July one record of Rooks at Pentland Skerries, fresh N.W.
In autumn, Rooks are recorded from N. Unst, Sumburgh Head, Girdleness, but much scarcer than in spring. Earliest date, 12th September, a pair, seen at N. Unst, flying S.W., and one on 19th at same place, also flying S. Latest, December 4th, at Girdleness, "large flocks,"[17] rushes, none apparent, unless any accompanied the rushes in October of Hooded Crows, but none recorded as accompanying the latter. Only records on two days in September, one day in November, and one day in December.
[17] May only have been of local significance, but cannot say, as direction of wind and flight is not given in schedule.