Up to the night of the 2d the conditions had been cyclonic and unsettled. At the beginning of the week an anticyclone lay over the North Sea, while depressions of considerable size, but of no great depth, moved northwards along our extreme western coasts. South-easterly or southerly winds, therefore, prevailed generally; in the west they were strong in force, and the weather cloudy; but in the east and south-east light breezes and fine weather were reported. On the 4th the thermometer exceeded 75° in many parts of England. By the 5th the anticyclone had moved northwards to Scandinavia, and as it did so a second high pressure system appeared over Spain. These conditions were accompanied, as usual, by the formation of shallow depressions in the intervening regions, one of which lay over the east of England on the morning of the 6th, subsequently moving northwards to Scotland; and a second, which advanced over our south-west coasts on the 7th, and ultimately filled up over the north-east of France. On the 9th a larger and much deeper depression had appeared in the west, and in the course of the day it moved northwards, occasioning south-easterly or southerly gales at many of our western and some of our northern stations.—(From Weekly Summary, "Daily Weather Report," October 11, 1886.)
October 3d.
Langness L.H.—A few Thrushes and Blackbirds on lantern at 2 A.M. (Fresh E.; haze.)
Chickens Rock L.H.—Large flocks of Thrushes and Blackbirds, a few Larks, and one Ring Ouzel, from 9 P.M. till daylight; large numbers killed. (S.E., fresh breeze; haze.)
Selker L.V.—A few Thrushes, Blackbirds, and Larks flying about the lights throughout the night; six killed.
Menai L.H.—A Thrush caught alive at 2 A.M. A number of Linnets caught at 10 A.M. old birds.
South Stack L.H.—A Blackbird caught on lantern at 11.50 P.M.
Wolf Rock L.H.—One "Turtle Dove" at 11 A.M. (S., 5; B. C. V.)
Eddystone L.H.—Several small birds (Wheatears and Warblers), a Blackbird, and a Ring Ouzel, from 7 P.M. till 3 A.M. several killed. (E. by N., 4; C. M.)
October 4th.