The scarcity of the Woodcock, Goldcrest, and Short-Eared Owl is worthy of note. This is the more remarkable in the case of the Woodcock, since it occurred in almost unprecedented numbers on the east coast of England.
W. Eagle Clarke.
IRISH COAST.
The number of light stations returning schedules was only one less than in 1885, although four schedules less were sent out.
There was no light shown at the Tuskar Rock—the best Irish station—between from June 1st to November 20th, but since that date a more powerful light has been exhibited.
The great importance of forwarding a leg and wing of at least one specimen of each species killed, cannot be too strongly impressed upon on the light-keepers. Unless the birds are correctly identified, the value of this inquiry is materially diminished, and ornithologists may refuse to accept the statements of the observers.
In the schedules sent out in the spring of 1886, the request to forward the legs and wings of birds was conspicuously printed on the top of each schedule. Mr Edward M'Carron, who had already proved himself a most intelligent observer at the Tearaght Rock (removed to Mine Head in the autumn), has been the largest contributor of specimens, and his careful notes prove the interest taken in this inquiry.
Anticipatory of the report for the spring of 1886, it may be mentioned that several rare species have occurred, which would probably have passed under another name, were it not for the distribution of six copies of "Morris's British Birds," with coloured plates, and the production of specimens. We trust the Commissioners of Irish Lights will distribute six additional copies of Morris in the present year. We believe these volumes are greatly appreciated, and that in placing them in their annual list of books to be purchased for the light-keepers, a wise selection has been made.
No specimen of the Greenland Falcon or Snowy Owl was observed in 1885. The former species cannot, therefore, be regarded as a more than an accidental winter visitor to the West Coast; and only one specimen of the Snowy Owl was recorded since these observations were commenced. Thrushes, including probably Redwings, were noted in considerable numbers about the lights, over a range of sixty miles on the Wexford and Wicklow coasts, between the 11th and 15th February. There was no hard frost at the time. These lights are all seven to ten miles from shore. During the second week in April, at several stations. Thrushes are recorded. The great autumn rush took place between the 6th and 10th November, and a smaller one between the 17th and 20th October. Blackbirds accompanied the Thrushes, but in smaller numbers.
"A Blackbird with a white breast" was observed at Mine Head from the 8th to the 10th December. A further description given of this bird shows it may have been a Ring Ouzel. The Hedge Sparrow seems to be resident in small numbers during the winter on the Tearaght Rock, nine miles off the Kerry coast, and possibly it breeds there. No clear indication of the migration of the Robin has yet been shown on the Irish Coast. The records of its occurrence are few and scattered. The Black Redstart was recorded at several stations in the southern half of Ireland; specimens were forwarded from Mine Head, the Skelligs, and Rockabill. It is apparently a regular winter visitor to the Skelligs and Tearaght, generally appearing in October and November. With one exception (in February) there is no record of its occurrence during any other month. The autumn migration of the Goldcrest was the smallest yet recorded, but on the 12th and 13th April a spring movement was apparent. As usual, the Starling is the best marked migrant, occurring at almost every station. There is no record yet of the Chough having been seen on the east coast by the light-keepers. The Magpie is apparently not a migratory bird in Ireland. The observations on the Cuckoo and Corncrake are few, when it is remembered they are well-known and regular visitors. There is, so far, no record of the Cuckoo having struck the lanterns, and but one instance of the Corncrake so doing. It has been stated as an "undoubted fact" (Yarrell, 4th ed., vol. iii., p. 324), by Mr Howard Saunders, that the Woodcock often makes its appearance on the south and west coasts of Ireland before it is noticed in the north and east. The light-keepers' schedules do not contradict this statement; but their observations are not yet sufficiently numerous to confirm it beyond a doubt. The northward movement of the Whimbrel (May Bird or young Curlew) has been well marked every year. On the return journey they are either confounded with the Curlew, or if they take the same route, they may travel at a higher level without whistling, and thus escape the notice of the light-keepers. The schedules from the Skelligs and Tearaght have always a special interest, these rocks being the greatest breeding-places of sea birds on the Irish Coast. Mr M'Carron estimates the number of Stormy Petrels on the Tearaght in July at six or seven thousand. The changes of plumage in the Razorbill has been the source of much comment by Mr M'Carron. The sudden and almost complete disappearance of the so-called "Black-billed Auk," and the reappearance of the Razorbill in breeding plumage in a short interval, show that when the old birds arrive to breed, the young birds of the previous year leave the neighbourhood of the Tearaght, and probably go out to sea.