Additions to our List of Stations are Fidra in the Firth of Forth, and also very shortly after this will be added a light-vessel off the Carr Rock, coast of Fife, holding an intermediate position between Bell Rock and Isle of May; and on the west coast the light upon Ailsa Craig. It is intended to introduce the electric light at Isle of May, and machinery and works are at present in course of erection.
We regret to learn that an order has been issued that lighthouse keepers shall no longer be allowed to read or write in the lantern-rooms; and we are glad that some little notice has been taken of the fact in the House of Commons on the 12th April 1886.
The 1885 schedules show distinctly the compressed nature of the migration, which, while very considerable in numerical importance, was, at the same time, short, sharp, and decisive. The principal spring rush was similar, occupying only a few days at the comparatively late date of the beginning of May, particulars of which can be gleaned directly from the Diaries of the stations, and especially under Turdidæ, Fieldfares being unusually plentiful. This appears to have been the heaviest movement, taking all species together, but Saxicolinæ travelled all April and May, and Silviinæ about the middle of April.
Shortly, we may describe the migration of 1885 thus:—
In spring of 1885 the rush was pronounced, somewhat late, compressed, and in many respects very similar, but not so extensive as 1884. The prevailing winds were easterly and southeasterly in April and May, and had been very continuous. The effect was the compression spoken of—a closed fan. The largest migration ever witnessed at the Isle of May was on 3d May 1885.
In autumn the rushes partook of a similar nature,—short, sharp, and decisive, but very considerable in numerical importance. Previous to middle of October, migration was very slight at any stations, but great rushes took place between then and about the middle of November. An interesting note of the cross-migration of Woodcocks, and other birds, is given at the Isle of May. Woodcocks travelling towards the N.W., and striking the S.E. side of the glass, whilst other species were flying S.E., and striking on exactly the opposite side of the lantern, both flights being equally favourable, or nearly so, by the light E. wind. Another N.W. to S.E. rush took place during the day-time, of what must have been a very extensive migration, upon the 10th November; wind light south, and birds flying high. An unprecedentedly high gale as coming from the S.E. is recorded at Isle of May on the 23d.
We would like to ask our readers, and the British Association, of which we are a Committee, to recognise that the more we know about migration, apparently the less reason is there for scientists to use the term "Accidental." At present "Abnormal" is better. "Of accidental occurrence" is a term or phrase which ought to be expunged, root and branch, from scientific records of migration. Every year's statistics prove this more and more fully. "Probably an escape" is, no doubt, a safeguard against undue admission to the British List; but we think it possible to carry this phrase too commonly into use, ignoring the fact that migration may account much more simply for such occurrences, under certain conditions, than escapes. A list of localities where foreign fowls, like Porphyrio melanotus, are kept throughout the United Kingdom, would greatly facilitate positive records of "occurrences;" and all such species as Canada Geese and ornamental Waterfowl, which are kept in confinement or partial domestication, might be returned to the Committee, or to the Association, by the proprietors, if they were asked to do so by circular.
From every succeeding year's statistics, we have come almost to similar conclusions regarding the lines of flight. Three salient routes on to our East Coast of Scotland are invariably shown, viz.: (1st) viâ the entrance of the Firth of Forth, and as far north as Bell Rock, both coming in autumn and leaving in spring; (2d) viâ the Pentland Firth and Pentland Skerries, both in spring and autumn; and (3d) viâ the insular groups of Orkney and Shetland, which perhaps may be looked upon as part of No. 2; and a fourth with almost certainty passes into the Moray Firth, but avoids the high cliffs of the east coast of Aberdeenshire.
On the other hand, three great areas of coast-line, including both favourably placed and favourably lighted stations, almost invariably, save in occasionally protracted easterly winds, and even then but rarely, send in no returns or schedules of the very scantiest description. These areas are Berwickshire, the whole E. coast south of the Moray Firth, and Caithness and E. Sutherland. Each and all of these areas possess high and precipitous coast-lines, if we except the minor estuaries of the rivers of Tay and Dee, and a small portion of lower coast-line in Sutherland, which face towards the east. Nevertheless these areas partake to a very large extent of the numbers of migrants which visit Scotland. Nowhere in Scotland, perhaps, is summer bird-life more abundant than in, at least, the two more southern of these areas—Berwickshire, and the interior of Aberdeen and Banff, and the valley of Spey and its tributaries. The question appears a natural one: by what route do these summer visitants reach us? or, by what route do birds reach us in autumn? Not, I believe, over the high cliff edge in the latter case, otherwise some migration would certainly be visible from the rock-bound stations. As shown in one case, positive assurance is given by the reporter at Noss Head, that for eleven years scarcely a bird "had been observed on migration day or night," and we have scarcely any statistics to show a contrary view, as regards the said area all through our seven reports.
How, it is known with considerable certainty that Caithness owes its periodical passing visits of such species as Blackcap and Pied Flycatcher, both in spring and autumn, to its immediate proximity to one of the chief highways of migration—the Pentland Firth; and the configuration of the N.E. peninsula of that county clearly points to the route by which spring passing migrants reach the E. coast of the county, as we have already explained in previous remarks. They cross over a low-lying depression in the land from Dunnet Bay, and cut off the peninsula of Canisbay. Coming again in autumn, the same birds, to some slight extent, may return across this peninsula, but the undoubted fact remains that the compressed and strongest flights cross over the Pentland Skerries and through the Firth.