Several stations filled two, and some light-keepers, who took a special interest in Ornithology, returned as many as three and four schedules, both in spring and autumn. Observers placed on isolated rock stations at a distance from the coast, or on light-vessels, have, as a rule, taken the most interest in the subject of migration. This is fortunate, as such stations are least influenced by the local movements of birds on the mainland.
Observations have now been taken on the Irish coast for three years and a half, during which period a large body of statistics has been collected. Their value cannot be questioned; but as the records accumulate the importance of correctly identifying every species becomes more apparent. To attain this object the light-keepers were asked to forward the leg and wing of all birds about which they felt any doubt. Several wings, &c., have been sent, and a list of them is subsequently given. In future, it is hoped that the light-keepers will not think it too much trouble to preserve and label the wings and legs of at least one specimen of each kind of bird which is killed at their station. This is very desirable, since it cannot be expected that with so short experience as they have had the light-keepers would be able to identify all species beyond a doubt.
With the view of still further attaining accuracy of identification, a request was made to the Commissioners of Irish Lights to supply to the Lighthouses some copies of the eight-volume edition of Morris's 'British Birds.' The Commissioners very kindly consented to purchase and distribute six copies, and we are greatly indebted to them for thus placing in the hands of the light-keepers this useful book, which will at once assist their observations and relieve the monotony of some lonely stations. The stations which have received copies of Morris are the Tuskar, Tearaght, Rathlin, Innishtrahull, Rockabill, and Coningbeg Light-ship.
Since the volumes have been distributed in the summer of 1884, some records have appeared in the schedules which are highly improbable. They appear due to the fact that the bird seen had some slight resemblance to a rare species figured in Morris. On the other hand, the coloured figures have been the means of correcting many errors.
The schedules for 1884 exhibit or emphasize the following points:—
In 1884 the number of birds has been equal to, and in a few instances above, the average.
The bulk of the migrants arrive on the southern half of the east coast of Ireland, and on the easternmost of our southern counties,—in other words, along the shore extending from Dublin to Waterford, and having its limits at Rockabill Lighthouse and Dungarvan Lighthouse.
A marked migratory movement might be expected in our northeastern counties between Scotland and Ireland, where the Channel is narrowest; but we have no evidence that such is the case.
The usual course taken by birds seems to be either N.W. or S.E. The number of birds which only occur singly and do not seem to migrate in flocks is large. In such instances it is difficult to trace the line of migration.
The occurrences now noted of the Greenland Falcon, properly belong to the same flight that has already been noticed in last year's Report.