Chickens Rock, Isle of Man.—A very heavy rush is recorded between 15th Oct. and 21st to 26th, "the flocks being so dense that no approximate number could be given; they formed by far the most numerous flocks of migrants seen this season" (James Black, principal keeper). We were singularly unfortunate at the Isle of May, the winds there being N. of E. or W.; while here, in the Isle of Man, they were, during the heaviest filled dates, 15th and 21st Nov., strong W. and haze, the migrants crossing the wind, and showing largely at these more southerly stations of our West Coast.
To Mr. M'Iver, Teacher at Culken, in Assynt, Sutherland, I am obliged for some land notes of interest, which will appear under the various species in connection with Stoir Head Lighthouse.
Report under Species.
Turdidæ.—While in 1883, Spring migration almost escaped notice on the West Coast, in 1884 a rush was very evident between the 18th and 20th Feb., at stations south of Clyde, such as at Corsewall, and indications of same movement north of Clyde, at Skerryvore; but most records south of Clyde. Doubtless Isle of Man could also testify to this, but we have no schedules thence till date of July 20th, when Mr. Clyne went there. There are also a few movements in March at Skerryvore and Skervuile. In both months winds light S.S.E. or S.E. In autumn, much greater than on the East coast. Every station from Cape Rhu Stoir, south, gave movements, as follows:—Rhu Stoir (slight), Barra Head (six seen, 19th Nov.), Rona (light, and only in July), Kyleakin (light indication, 15th Nov.), Skerryvore (a number, 12th, 15th and 16th Nov.), Dhuheartach (light, 15th, 16th to 24th Oct., a few as early as 4th July and 1st Aug., probably local), Sound of Mull (few only, on 19th Sept. and 19th Dec.), Skervuile (light, in November), Rhinns of Islay (enormous rush of Redwings, Thrushes, Fieldfares, Blackbirds, with Woodcocks, Larks, Crows, 14th to 19th Nov.), and southwards, at Lamlash, Arran (good indication on 10th), at Corsewall (a rush on 10th), at Mull of Galloway (rushes, between 10th and 13th and 23rd), and at Little Ross (mostly of Blackbirds). Winds, north of Clyde, in October northerly and westerly, and in November southerly and easterly; for the most part returns lighter in October than in November, and great rushes in November at stations south of Clyde, where winds, during latter half of October and November, were S. and easterly. Great rushes all this time, correlating with East Coast of England, but not so much observed on East Coast of Scotland, owing to winds then being N., and never S., of E. or W. The species mentioned are for the most part Thrushes and Blackbirds, Fieldfares and Red-wings, but there is reason to believe that the latter really bulk largely in the migration, as where the bird is distinguished from the Thrush or Mavis they appear to have come in numbers,, as at Isle of Man (R. Clyne) and Rhinns of Islay (Peter Anderson and Wm. Ross). The migration extended over a considerable time; yet the rushes were remarkable for intensity and uniformity in time at the various stations. The earliest record given is at Dhuheartach (July 4th), but may have been a local movement, along with two other summer records. Next in August (1st, 10th and 28th, a few). Actual first migration in mass commencing Sept. 19th, 21st, and 25th at Sound of Mull, M'Arthur's Head, and Corsewall, respectively. The latest records reaching me date Dec. 19th, at Sound of Mull,—a solitary Blackbird; and by the 19th Nov. the body of the rush was past, the latest record being on that date at Rhinns of Islay. The rush was strictly defined, and there are not many full records before the last week in October. The earliest species recorded (excluding July) is Thrush, and the next Fieldfares, at Skervuile. The latest species recorded are Blackbirds, at Sound of Mull. Those species which bulk largest are Blackbirds and Thrushes; and those least, Fieldfares. Redwings are probably more numerous than actually recorded, as all our reporters do not perhaps distinguish them.
Saxicolinæ.—Note.—For all purposes of this Report, "Stonechats" and Wheatears are identical. Where true Stonechats are recognised and mentioned, the records relating to these are kept distinct. In Spring: earliest Wheatears at Sound of Mull (29th March); latest, single bird at Skerryvore, 14th May, and one on 11th; appearance of rush at Skerryvore on 22nd, twelve birds at the lantern, fresh S., haze; and at Skervuile indications on 22nd to 24th, light E. and S.E. In Autumn: earliest at Isle of Man stations, 2nd, 9th, and 10th Aug.; almost a rush on 10th at Chickens Rock; and several, 9th and 10th, at Langness. [Note.—Chickens Rock reporter calls them "Stonechats," but Langness reporter correctly terms them "Wheatears.">[ Then at Rhu Stoir, in the north, comes the next earliest date, 16th Aug. Thereafter stations returning them are Rhu Stoir, Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Skervuile, Chickens Rock, and Langness. Bush appears most decided at the early dates at Isle of Man; and again between 20th and 24th Aug. at Dhuheartach, N. of Clyde, and at Skervuile; whilst a third considerable movement is noticeable on 15th and 26th Sept., at Isle of Man. The latter is also the latest date on record. Besides Wheatears we have the following records of true Stonechats (Stonechat, Pratincola rubicola). Earliest at Dhuheartach, August; and at Skervuile between 20th and 26th, accompanying rush of the last species. Of Redstarts only one record; and two or three at Langness on 8th Sept. Winds in August at most localities, S., S.E. and S.W., light or fresh.
Silviinæ.—In spring only one record, viz., Robin; one, at Monach Isles, on 7th April, S.E., clear; and a rush at Corsewall on 29th March. In autumn: earliest at Kyleakin, 24th Aug., light S. (Two previous records on 19th and 28th July at Rona, Skye, are in the debatable ground between local and general migration.) In September two single records only, at Sound of Mull and M'Arthur's Head, both on 19th, at which latter station it is reported as "arriving in winter." One Blackcap, female, sent me for identification from Skerryvore, on 16th Nov., moderate N.E., haze, completes our records of this group.
Phylloscopinæ, Gold-crested Wren.—Evident rush noticeable in spring, when great numbers, along with the Robins, were seen at Corsewall on 29th March. One bird occurred at Monach Isles, "new to Mr. Youngclause," but accurately described, therefore hitherto rare at that station; and one is recorded from Rona Skye, but no date given. In autumn a considerable migration, beginning with the earliest at Sound of Mull, on 28th Aug., strong S., with showers. Ending with latest at Lamlash, on 16th Nov., a single bird. (Note here the exactness of how even single records on West coast agree with movements on the East coast.) Scattered records occur at Lamlash, Firth of Clyde, and at Corsewall, between 10th and 19th Sept.; almost a rush on latter dates. Rush on 24th at Little Ross, and indications of ditto at Langness, on 17th and 18th; desultory records at Little Ross before these dates, 11th to 22nd. In October evidence of rushes on night of the total eclipse of the moon, viz., 4th Oct., between the same hours, 9 and 12 midnight, the hours of total eclipse of greatest darkness, just as was observed by Mr. Geo. E. Paterson and myself at Isle of May, on the East coast; another indication of a rush, between Oct. 19th and 23rd, at Mull of Galloway. Only single records at Dhuheartach, Skervuile, and Lamlash in November; but, as before remarked, these single records marvellously coincide with East Coast records, and are therefore important. Wind at stations returning, mostly light and various, W., E., and S. Night of eclipse, light W., cloudy and dark. Of Willow Warblers, a few on 10th and 11th Sept., at Little Ross.
Acrocephalinæ.—No records either spring or autumn. The negative evidence is worth positive record.
Paridæ.—Two records only. At Mull, of Galloway, on Sept. 10th, two Titmice, in strong S. wind at lantern, and at Sound of Mull, two struck, but not killed, on Oct. 30th, light S.W. How far these are only local movements or not, it is difficult to know with the small data yet to hand.
Troglodytidæ.—On March 30th, one Common Wren returned in schedule from Monach Isles. Fresh south haze. It would be interesting to know the original starting place of this solitary Wren. The newly-discovered insular variety of St. Kilda is, however, probably entirely resident there all winter. Nevertheless we would like specimens of Wrens from Monach Isles at all seasons for examination. In September, one occurred at Lismore, sitting on rock, on 22nd, light N.E. wind and haze. In October a single bird at Rhu Stoir, at noon, strong S. and rain, and three occurred at Lamlash on Nov. 4th, flying south against a strong S.W. wind and showers.