J'-Y^^S V4> ;-..:>^ P-V /v///^^^ ^njiwi Z^y,Ql.OL^\^ OQ^ r FOR THE PEOPLE FOR EDVCATION FORSCIENCE 1 LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY BULLETIN BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' CLUB. EDITED BY W. R. OGILVIE-GRANT. Sy VOLUME XXII. ^ REPORT ON THE IMMIGRATIONS OF SUMMER RESIDENTS IN THE SPRING OF 1907: ALSO NOTES ON THE MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS DURING THE AUTUMN OF 1906. BY THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' CLUB. LONDON: AVITHERBY & CO., 320 HIGH HOLBORN. OCTOBER 1908. BULLETIN OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' CLUB. EDITKD BY W. R. OGILV IE-GRANT. VOLUME XXII. REPORT ON THE IMMIGRATIONS OF SUMMER RESIDENTS IN THE SPRING OF 1007: ALSO NOTES ON THE MIGRATORY MOVEMENTS DURING THE AUTUMN OF 1006. BY THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS^ CLUB. L 0 N D O X : WlTllEEBY & CO., 326 HIGH HOLEORX, OCTOBER 1908. ALERIi V I'LAM.MAM. PEINTKD BY TAYLOR AND T I{ A N C I S, JiEl) LION COLKT, KI.EET STREET. yl^, *^^//^4 a4ff/^ CO>i TEXTS. Prefack ^ Introductory ■; 9 EePOBT on the ImJIIGRATIOXS OF: — The Ring-Otjzel 37 Map 39 The Wheatear 41 Map ... 40 The Whinchat 46 Map ... 49 The Redstart ... 51 Map 50 The Nightingale ...- ... 55 Map 54 The Whitethroat 58 Maps ... ... GO and 61 The Lesser Whitethroat 05 Map 00 The Blackcap 09 Map ... 70 The Garden- Warbler 73 Map 74 The Grasshopper-Warbler 79 3Iap 78 Report on the Immigrations of (rontitwed) : — The Chiffchaff Map The ^VILL0W-^^'AI{BL^■;R Jlap ... The WoOD-WARIiLER Map ... The ]1eed-Warbler ... Map ... The Sf,dgk- Warbler ... 3Iap ... The White AVagtail ... Map The Yellow Wagtail... Map The Tree-Pipit... Map The Rkd-backkd Shrike Map The Spotted Flycatcher Map ... The Pied Flycatcher .. Map The Swallow Map Tin; I loisE- .Martin Map The Sand-]\Jartin Map TiiK Swift .Map PAGE 81 82 87 88 95 94 99 98 101 102 107 lOG 100 110 115 114 119 118 121 122 125 127 129 128 135 136 141 142 147 14.^ Thk Night.iar Report on the iMJriGRAXioNS of [continued): — The Wryneck ... Map The Guckoo Map The Turtle-Dove Map The Land-R.\il Map The Common Sandpiper Map The Common Tern The Little Tern Unscheduled Birds... Notes on the Migratory Movements during the Autumn OF 1906 List of Observers, etc P.\GE 155 154 157 158 103 102 167 166 169 170 174 176 179 187 195 P E E F xV C E. The twenty-second volnnic of the British Ornithologists' Club contains the lleport of our Migration Committee on the movements in England and Wales of a number of common migratory species during the spring and early summer of 1907. In the Introductory portion (pp. 29-36) interesting details will be found of the chief movements observed at the lights during the spring of 1907. The present Report differs somewdiat from its two pre- decessors, which form respectively Volumes XVII, & XX. of the ' Bulletin,' in containing notes received from a limited number of observers on the migratory inovemenls durino- the autumn of 1906. The Members of our Migration (Committee are jointly responsible for the following Report. W. R. OGILVIE-GRAXT, Kdltor. British Museitm (Xatueal Histoky), LoxDOx, S.W. mth October, 1908. REPORT ON THE IMMIGRATIONS OF SUMMER RESIDENTS IN THE SPRING OF 1907. INTRODUCTORY. Our Third Annual Report on the spring immigration o£ birds into this country in 1907 does not differ much from its predecessors, and, as before, deals solely with the move- ments of the year, no attempt having been made to compare it with the previous years' records. A chapter on the autumn movements of 1906 has been added ; but as this matter was undertaken by only a limited number o£ observers and the period of migration was so protracted, the short Appendix at the end of this Report can only be regarded as an attempt to place on record the few observations made. A more elaborate record of the autumn migration of 1907 has been prepared and will be embodied in the Report for 1908. To the Master and Elder Brethren of Trinity House, as well as to the numerous observers who have so kindly assisted us, we would here tender our heartiest thanks. The season under consideration was a somewhat ex- ceptional one, for though the latter part of March was brilliantly fine, wintry weather was experienced throughout the whole of April. The effect of these conditions on the immigration is somewhat doubtful. Stragglers of vai'ious species appeared at a somewhat early date ; but the main body of birds arrived later than usual, and the immigration was at its height during the early part of May. As a result of this, the " rushes " or waves of immigrants were less marked and the actual period was in many cases consider- ably prolonged. For example, the Sedge-Warbler appeared u 10 in small parties durint^- the whole of May, and the Swallow arrived continuously from the 8th of April to the 20th of May. As before, we have divided the areas of arrival on the south coast into four divisions. The route mcfst favoured is the south-westerly one, by which the birds first reach the Cornish and Devonshire coasts and appear in Hampshire about a day later. The Eastern Counties are generally somewhat late in receiving their share of immigrants, and in many instances parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire are populated a week or so earlier. After landing on our shores, the most favoured route seems to be that which leads due north, ?•/« Gloucester, Hereford, Shropshire, and Chester ; the eastward spread of the species taking place gradually. A few species landing on the south-east coastpursuea north- westerly course, notably the Nightingale, Wryneck, and Yellow Wagtail ; but it should be remembered that these species are all local in their distribution and of rare occurrence in tiie south-west. Again, a few species proceed in the opposite direction, for, arriving in the south-west, they follow a north-easterly course. This route, however, seems to be most favoured by late immigrations of species which have already become settled in this country, and the individuals composing them are on their way to more; northern l^recding- (juarters. The immigration was at its height in 1907 from the 15th of April till about the 20th of May, the princii)al arrivals taking place on the 15th, 23r(l, 21th, and 2l'ith of April, and on the Gth, 15th, and ] '.tth of May. These "rushes" usually lasted ibr about a week, tlie number of s[)ecies gradually increasing for several nights and then (liininishing. The largest and most important immigration was that recorded at St. Catherine's Jjighthouse in the Isle of Wight on the 15th of May, when individuals of no less than eighteen different sj)ecics killed themselves against the lantern. Between the 23rd of March and the 27th of May 11 immigration was daily recorded along our southern coasts. As in last year's Report, a daily account is given showing the date and area of arrival of the different species, and a daily weather-report is also added. The important months of April and May were singularly wet, cold, and foggy over our area, which is included in the quadrilateral between longitudes 10° E. to 10° W. and lati- tudes 40° N. to G0° N. Special attention was paid to the conditions prevailing over the Bay of Biscay and English Channel and the adjacent coasts of the Iberian Peninsula, France, and England. A. Species arriving solely on the western half of the south coast. Ring-Ouzel, White Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher *, House -Martin, Nightjar, Land-Rail, and Common Sandpiper. B. Species arriving along the whole of the south coast, but first and chiefly on the western half. Wheatear, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Garden-Warbler^ Chifechaff, Willow -Warbler, Wood-Warbler, Sedge- Warbler, Tree-Pipit, Swallow, Sand-Martin, Swift. C. Species arriving along the whole of the south coast, but first and chiefly on the eastern half. Whinchat, Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Grass- hopper-Warbler, Reed- Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Flycatcher, Cuckoo. D. Species arriving on the south-east coast from Essex to Hants. Nightingale, Red-backed Shrike, AVryneck, Turtle- Do ve t- * There seems to have been a single ininiigratory wave of this species, namely on the 6th and 7th of May, which was only noted on the S.E. coast. t An immigration of Turtle-Uoves arrived in Cornwall and Devon on the loth and 23rd of May, but were not noted elsewhere along the coast. ]i 2 12 March 14 .... B. Wheatear. March 15 March 6 . . . . B. Wheatear. March 17 . . . . B. Wheatear. March 18 B. Wheatear. Marcli 19 . . . . March 20 ... B. Wheatear. Mnrcli L'l . . . Fine weather over the whole of our area, with moderate or strong N.W. wind.** due to the presence of an extensive anticyclone, having its highest readings 30'*1 in. over the Iberian Peninsula. Temperature between 40° F.-oO'-' F. W'eather overcast, with light winds circulating round the centre over the Iberian Peninsula, Bay of Biscay, and South-western France. Temperature about the same as the previous day. Overcast, with south-westerly winds of mode- rate strength. A depression, having its centre to the north-westw^ard of the Hebrides (Bar. 29 in.) and with moderately steep gradients. Barometer over the north of the Iberian Penin- sula 30 in. Temperature about the same. Overcast over the whole of our area, with strong westerly winds. Temperature warmer, oO° F. over the Bay of Biscay to 45° F. over our southern coasts. The centre of cyclonic dis- turbance passed across to the Norwegian coast. Foggy or misty over the Bay of Biscay, English Channel, and adjacent coasts. Winds, baro- metric pressure, and temperature nearly the same as on the previous day. Fine along our southern coast, the greater portion of the western seaboard of France, and north coast of the Iberian Peninsula ; but misty over parts of Brittany. Winds from the west all over our area, increasing in intensity during the day. An anticyclonic state, with barometer 30"3 in., extending from the Iberian Peninsula up towards our southern shores. Temperature remaining the same. Fine and warm over our aiea, with light breezes circulating anticyclonically round a centre over the Bay of Biscay. Same as the previous day. The centre of the anticyclone had travelled eastwards and was situated over Central France ; the winds being consequently more from the eastward over ihe greati'r part of our area. l.-. March 22 March 23 A. Ring-Ouzel. }i. Wlieatear. Chift'chaff. Willow-AVarbler. March 24 11 ChiHchaff: Willow- Warbler. March 25 B. Chitichaff. Willow- Warbler. March 26 B. Willow-Warbler. Sand-Martin. March 27 B. WiUow-AVarbler. Swallow. Sand-Martin. March 28 A. Ring-Ouzel. B. Chitichaff. Willow-Warbler. Sand-Martin. D. Wryneck. March 29 A. Ring-Ouzel. Ji. Chiffchatt". Wheatear. Willow-Warbler. Sand-Martin. I). Wrviieck, Same as the previous day, except that during the day breezes were more northerly over our area generally. Fine, bright, and warm, with very light airs circulating anticyclonically round a centre situated to the south of Ireland. Same as the previous dav, but with some mist in the early morning over the eastern half of the English Channel. Barometer anticyclouic : liighest 30'4 in the English Channel. Very tine generally, easterly airs circulating anticyclonically ; calm, with dense fog along the coast of the Iberiau Penin- sula. Temperature low, 40'^ -45° F. Barometer anticyclouic : 30*4 in the English Channel. Moderate easterly winds or calms, with much fog. Temperature warm, over the Iberian Peninsula 60° F., but about 46° F. in the English Channel. Fine geueralh\ Same as the previous day. Fog in the English Channel. Temperature lower over the Iberiau Peninsula (under 60° ¥.), same elsewhere. Fog along our southern shores and also at Coruuna, with light airs from eastward over the English Channel and Bay of Biscay. Some fog, as on the previous day, over the English Channel and Bay of Biscay, but very fine generally. 14 ^larch 30 ]?. Blackcap. Chiflbhaff. "VVillow-Waibler. Sand-Maitin. D. Wr^-iieck. March 31 B. Blackcap. Sand-Martin. D. Wryneck. April ] B. Ijlackcap. Swallow. Sand-Martin. C. Yellow Wao-tail. April 2 B. Blackcap. Swallow. Sand-Martin. C, Yellow Wao-tail. Misty over the English Channel and Bay of Bis- cay ; calm or very light southerly airs ; general conditions very line. Aprils A. White Wagtail. B. Wheatear. Blackcap. Willow- Warbler. Swallow. C. Yellow AVajrtaiK Less mist over the Bay of Biscay, still some over the English Channel ; air calm, very fine and bright generally. Note. — The weather though often foggy was singularly bright, tine, and warm for the time of vear, and, as will be seen below, in marked contrast to that experienced during April and May. Foggy or misty in the English Channel. Light airs mostly from the south or south-east over our area. Conditions as for the preceding fortnight during the early hours of the morning, but with the approach of a deep depression in the North Atlantic ; a general change took place during the day, with rain on the west coast of Ireland and the shores of the Bay of Biscay, Fog in the English Channel and along the east coast of J^ngland, which disappeared as the southerly winds f,'aiucd force. Rapid fall of the barometer. Rain ; cloudy and colder over the greater part of the Bay of Biscay and iMiglish Channel, with winds increasing in force and becoming more westerly as the cyclonic depression continued its passage eastwards over our islands. IT) A])ril 4 A. White Wagtail. B. Wheatear. Blackcap. Chiffchaff. Swallow. C. Yellow Wagtail. April 5 B. Wheatear. Chiffchaff. April 6 A. White Wagtail. B. Wheatear. Chiffchaff. Saud-Martin. C. Lesser White- throat. April B. Willow-Warbler. Wheatear. Saiid-Martiu. C. Lesser White- throat. April 8 B. Wheatear. C. Lesser AVhite- throat. April 9 B. Wheatear. Swallow. April 10 B. Wheatear. Swallow. R.iiny and unsettled over the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, with winds circulating round a depi-ession, the centre of which was situated oft" northern coasts of the Bay of Biscay. Temperature between 40° and oO^" F. along the south of England and shores of the Bay of Bis- cay ; overcast generally, with light S.W. airs. Snow during the early hours of the morning over the south of England, with rain over the French and Spanish shores of the Bay of Biscay ; mode- rate winds from the west over our area. Tem- perature remaining low, under 50° F. Rainy and cold over our area, with westerly winds circulating cyclouically round a centre situated over Kent and the Straits of Dover. Same as the previous day. Fine over the northern coasts of Spain ; cold and rainy elsewhere : winds circulating cyclouically round a shallow depression situated over our islands. Fine over the northern coasts of the Iberian Peninsula ; overcast and thundery over the Bay of Biscay, west of France, and both shores of the English Channel, with winds circulating cyclo- nically round our western and southern shores. Temperature remaining low over our area. 16 April 11 B. Wheatear. Chitichaff. Swallow. C. Redstart. Lesser ~NVhite- tbroat. 1). Nightingale. April 1-2 B. AVheatear. Chiffchafl: Swallow. C. Redstart. April 13 A. Ring-Ouzel. B. Wheatear. Chiffchaft- ^Villow-^^'arbler, Swallow. C. Whinchat. Redstart. Lesser White- throat. D. Nightingale. April 14 A. Ring-Ouzel. B. Wheatear. Blackcap. Chiffchaff. Sedge- Warbler. Swallow. C. Redstart. Lesser White- tlirnat. Yellow AVagtail. Cuckoo. V. Wrvneck. Rainy and overcast over the shores of the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, with moderate winds circulating cyclonically round a shallow depression o\er the same region. Same as the previous day. Same as the previous day. Same as the previous day. 17 April 15 f <^?J-'y o\eT the Bay of Biscay, English Channel, \ Rino--Oiizel ^^^ adjacent shores. Temperature still remain- IIoir«e-Marlin ^"^ under 50° F. Centre of shallow depression, B Wheatear which had remained stationaiy over the entrance Whitethro-it ' **' ^^^ Knglish Channel, began to pass eastwards Blackcap. ' ' I '^"""? ^he day. Chiffchaff. Tree-Pipit. ' Swallow. I Sand-Mavtiii. C. Kedstart. Lesser Wliiti- throat. (irasshopjier- AVarbler. Cuckoo. 1). Nightingah'. Wryneck. Apiil 16 I Y^g or pain over the Bay of Biscay and English A. Ring-Ouzel. Channel ; owing to the shifting of the centre B. Wheatear. *^^ ^^^^ depression eastwards, the winds were Chifichaff. northerly over the coasts of the Bay of Biscay Tree-Pipit. ^"^ English Channel. .Swallow. C. Le.sser White- throat. Cuckoo. I). Wryneck. -^P^" 1 ' Misty or overcast over the Bay of Biscay and B. Willow- Warbler, t English Channel ; winds as on the previous day. Swallow. Temperature persistently low for the time of C. Ptedstart. I year. Cuckoo. I J). Wrvni-ck. April 18 ! Overcast over the Bay of Biscay, but fine over the English Channel ; rainy over St. George's Channel and Wales. Temperature remaining under 50" F. Winds northerly over the Bay of Biscay and greater part of the English Channel, but southerly over the Scilly Isles and west coast of Ireland. A. House-Martin. B. Swallow. C. Yellow Wagtail. Cuckoo. D. Wrvncck. 18 April 19 A. White Wagtail. B. Swallow. C. Yellow Wagtail. Cuckoo. I). Wrvneck. April -20 A. White Wagtail. B. WJiitethroat, Swallow. C. Yellow Wagtail. D. Wryneck. April L>1 B. Wheatear. Whitethroat. Chiffchati. Willow- Warbler. Swallow. Sarid-Martin. C. Kedstart. D. Wrvneck. April 22 A. House-Martin. Land-Hail. B. Whitetliroat. ChiffchaU: Willow-Warbler, Sedge- Warbler. Tree-Pipit. Swallow. C. Redstart. Cuckoo. Fine over the Iberian Peninsula, overcast or misty over the French shores of the Bay of Biscay and over both shores of the English Channel. Tem- perature still low. Moderate winds from variou.* directions over our area, viz. : — North-westerly over the Iberian Peninsula. South-easterly over Western I'rance, the J'lnglisli Channel, and Southern England. Foggy over the noilhern coast of the Iberian Peninsula ami entrance to the P^nglish Channel ; but tine over the greater part of the English Channel and adjacent coasts, with moderate south-westerly winds over the Bay of Biscay and English Channel. Temperature still under .50° F. Fog or rain over the Bay of Biscay and adjacent countries, with moderate westerly winds circu- lating cyclonically round a very large and deep depression with its centre over Iceland. Slightly warmer. Fine generally, but with .some mist over the eastern part of the English Channel. Winds light and northerly over the Bay of Biscay, and westerly over theEnglishChannel; warmer. Temperature 60° F. 10 April 2:3 A. White Wagtail. House-Martin. Land-Rail. Common Sand- piper. B. Chiffchaff. Willow-Warbler. Sedge- War bier. Tree-Pipit. Swallow. C. Redstart. Cuckoo. April 24 A. House-Martin. Common Sand- piper. B. Wheatear. Willow-Warbler. Sedge- Warbler. Tree- Pipit. Swallow. C. Redstart. Grasshopper- Warbler. Cuckoo. D. Turtle- Dove. April 25 A. Common Sand- piper. B. ^Vbeatear. Sedge-Warbler. Swallow. C. Redstart. Grasshopper- Warbler. Cuckoo. D. Tur tie-Dove. Finer generally, but misty over southern portion of the English Channel and Channel Islands ; warmer, winds circulating aiiticyclonically round a centre situated over the Bay of Biscay and France. Fine over the north coast of Spain and French shores of the Bay of Biscay, but foggy over the English Channel and adjacent shores ; warmer ; light airs geuei-allv from the west. Same as the previous day. 20 April 26 ' Foggy or rainy over the Ray of Biscay, English B. Wheatear. ' t^hannel, and adjacent coasts ; less warm. \\'iUow-Warbler. ' Temperature under 50° F. Calm at Cherbourg Sedge- Warbler. ' ^^^ ^^^® eastern part of English Channel ; Swallow. moderate northerly winds elsewhere. Sand-Martiii. C. Redstart. Grasshopper- ^^'arbler. Keed-Warbler. Yellow NN'agtail. Cuckoo. D. Ni Unsettled, witli strong .southerly winds over the B. Sedge-Warbler. Tree-Pipit. Swift. C. Cuckoo. D. Red-backed Shrike. Turtle-Dove. May 10 B. Wheatear. Wood-Warbler. Tree- Pipit. Sand-Martin. Swift. C. W'hincliat. Cuckoo. whole area. May 11 A. House-Martin. B. W^heatear. Whitethroat. Tree-Pipit. Swallow. Swift. C. Cuckoo. I). Nightingale. Turtle- Dove. Mav 19 B. Whitethroat. Sedge-Warbler. Tree-Pipit. Swallow. Swift. C. Grasslioppor- Warbler. Cuckoo. Fine over tlie eastern half of the Engli.sh Channel, with lijiht southerly winds ; warmer ; tempe- rature (iO'^ F. ; misty and dull elsewhere. Rain and fog in Spain, France, and the British Isles, with light southerly winds ; temperature 60° F. Cloudy or dull over Northern Spain, Western France, and the Bay of Biscay ; fog at the en- trance of the Engli.sh Channel, but line over the more eastern parts of the Channel, Straits of Dover, and North Sea ; winds of slight intensify circulating cyclonically round a centre over the upper part of the Bny of Biscay. Temperature 00° F. over Western France and Southern F.ngland, but only -V)^ F. over Nortliern Spain. 25 May 13 . . A. Spotted D. Fly- catcher. House-Martin. Land-Rail. Whitethroat. Garden-Warbler. Willow-Warbler. Sedge-Warbler. Tree-Pipit. Swallow. Turtle-Dove. Cltiudy over the extreme west of France, with fog at the Channel Islands and adjacent French coast ; fine and warm. 65° F. over East An^lia and the North Sea ; temperature under G0° F. in the English Channel, Bay of Biscay, and surrouudin"- shores. ^^*y 14 Fog at the entrance of the English Channel, rainy A. Spotted Fly- catcher. House-Martin. B. Whitethroat. Garden-Warbler. W'illow-A^\arbler. Sedge-Warbler. Tree-Pipit, Swallow. Swift. D. Turtle-Dove. elsewhere ; winds circulating cyclonically round a shallow depression with its centre in the Bay of Biscay. May 15 A. Spotted Fly- catcher. House-Martin. Land-Rail. Common Sand- piper. B. Wheatear. Whitethroat. Blackcap. Garden-Warbler. Tree-Pipit. Swallow. Swift. C. Whinchat. Reed- Warbler. Pied Flycatcher. D. Turtle-Dove. Same as the previous day; cold for the time of year • temperature nowhere reaching G0° F. over our area ; moderate winds, very irregular in direc- tion, southerly over the Bay of Biscay, easterly over the greater part of the English Channel, but westerly over the Channel Islands and adjacent French coast. 26 May IG A. Spotted Fly- catcher. House-Martin. B. AVheatear. Whitetliroat. Garden- Warbler. Willow- Warbler. Sedge-Warbler. Swift. D. Red-backed Shrike. May 17 A. House-Martin. B. Garden-Warbler. Sedge- Warbler. D. Ked-backed Shrike. May 18 A. IIouse-Martin. B. Sedge- Warbler. Swallow, C. Pied Flycatcher. D. Red-backed Shrike. May 19 A. House-Martin. B. Whitethroat. Garden- Warbler. Will o w-A\'arbl er. Sedge-Warbler. Swallow. Sand-Mart iu. Swift. I). Bed-backed Shrike. Overcast or rainy over Northern Spain and Western France, but hue along our southern coast. Temperature very low for the time of year ; 50° F., with moderate northerly winds. Fog in Northern Spain and along the French coast of the English Channel ; very cold, with moderate northerly winds. Fine over the southern part of the Bay of Biscay and adjacent coasts ; misty along the French shore of the English Channel. Temperature generally under 50^ F., with moderate winds from the north. Fine and warmer over Northern Spain ; tempe- rature 60° F. at Lisbon. Fine, but very cold, over Western France and Southern England ; temperature under 50° F., with moderate northerly winds. -Afay 20 A. Spotted Fly- catcher. House-Martin. B. Wheatear. Whitethroat. Blackcap. Garden- Warbler, Willow-Warbler. Wood-Warbler. Sedge-Warbler. Swallo-w. Sand-Mar tin. Swift. C. Whincbat. Reed-Warbler. D. Red-backed Shrike. May 21 A. Spotted Fly- catcher. B. W^heatear. "Whitethroat. Garden- Warbler. Willow- Warbler. Wood-Warbler. Sedge-Warbler. Sand-]Martiu. C. Whiuchat. May 22 A. Spotted Fly- catcher. B. Whitethroat. G arden- Warbler. Sedge-Warbler, Sand-Martin. Swift. Same as the previous day. Rainy, overcast, and gloomy : very cold, with slight north-easterly breezes over the whole of our area. Overcast over the Bay oF Biscay, English Channel, and adjacent shores of Spain, France, and England ; cold with easterly breezes, except over the north coast of Spain, where it was warmer ; temperature 60° F. c 2 28 May 23 | Fog along the north const of Spain and along A. .Spotted FIv- I ^^^^ shores of the English Channel ; slightly catcher. ' I warmer ; temperature about 00° F. ; winds of House-Martin. moderate force circulating cyclonically round Common Sand- ; ^ shallow depression with its centre in the Bay piper. 0^ Biscay. B. "WTiitethroat. Garden- Warbler. C. Cuckoo. D. Turtle-Dove. May 24 A. Spotted Fly- catcher. B. Swallow, May 25 A. House-Martin. B. Sedffe- Warbler. May 26 A. House-Martin. B. Sedffc- Warbler. May 27 May 28 May 29 A. House-Martin. May 30 May .31 A. Spotted Fly- catclier. li. Garden-Wai'bler. Eainy, gloomy, overcast, and tliundery, with a low temperature over our area; winds as on the previous day. Same as the previous day, with winds circulating cyclonically round a slight depression with its centre over Brittany. Fine over Spain and Portugal, misty and foggy over Western France, the English Channel, and the south of England, with light variable airs ; temperature everywhere under 60^ F. Fog along the northern coast of Spain ; overcast, gloomy, and cold elsewhei-e. Fine along the shores of the Bay of Biscay, but overcast over both coasts of the English Chan- nel; temperature about oo- F., with moderate easterly airs. Fine along the southern coast ofthe Bay of Biscay ; elsewhere dull and cold, witli easterly winds. Fine along the southern coasts ofthe Bay of Biscay, foggy with cold rain along both shores of the English Channel, southerly airs in the extreme west of our area due to the approach of a de- pression from the Atlantic; wind still easterly over the eastern half of tlie English Channel. Same as the previous day. Note. — The weather during the whole niontli was ]iersistently foggy and gloomy over the Bay of Biscay, English Channel, and adjacent coasts, with abnormally low temperatures througliout. 20 DETAILS OF THE CHIEF MOVEMENTS OBSERVED AT THE LIGHTS DURING THE SPRING OF 1907. April 3. — Age of Moun, 5 days. Eddjstone, Cornwall. Blackbirds, female Wheatcars, Willow-Warblers ; migration not observed after 4.30 A.M. At 4 A.M. a gale from N.W. sprang up. Leman and Ower L.V., Norfolk. Large flight between 7.30 and 8.30 p.m. 3 Chaffinches and 14 Starlings killed. Douglas Head, Isle of Man. Fairly large migration of Thrushes, Larks, and Pipits at 3 A.M. April 11. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Laro'e mio-ration from midnii>ht till 4 A.M. Hundreds of Chiffchatis and Willow- Warblers and a few Blackbirds, Wheatears, Redstarts, Skylarks, Star- lings, and Lapwings. Haisboro', Norfolk. Few Wheatears struck at 6.45 a.m. Spurn Head, Yorkshire. Migration of Golden Plover during the night, 2 killed. Douglas Head, Isle of Man. Small migration of Thrushes, Fieldfares, and Larks at 3 A.M., with many other small birds unidentified. 30 April 11-12.— New Moon. Eddystone, Cornwall. Small migration of Wheatoars, Redstarts, Willow- Warblers, Lapwings, and a few Blackbirds. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Laro;e migration started at 1 A.M. of 12th. Few Wlieatears and Redstarts, many Willow-Warblers and ChiffchafFs, a few Starlings, and one Lapwing. April 13. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Small migration from midnight till 1 A.M. Mostly Willow-Warblers and ChiflFchaffs, a few Song- Thrushes, Redwings, Wheatears, and Redstarts. April 14. Start Point, Devon. Fairly large migration from 12.30 a.m. to 4 a.m. Many Wheatears, Blackcaps, and Willow- Warblers, and a few Blackbirds and Starlings. Outer Gabbard L.V., Suffolk. A few Wheatears seen, and one killed. Leman and Ower L.V., Norfolk. Small flight at 3.15 a.m., two Fieldfares killed. Spurn Head, Yorkshire. A few birds passing all night, a Ring-Ouzel and two Redwings killed. Nif^ht of April 14-15. Eddystone, C'ornwall. Large migration, starting at 0 P.M., of female Wheat- ears and AN'illow-Warblers. Between 10 and 1 a.m., clear and no birds seen. From 1 till 3.20 A.M. large migration of female Wheatoars, Willow-Warblers, and Starlings, and a few Blackbirds and Kedsiarts. 3',) Willow-AVarblers, US AVheatears, and 9 Starlings killed. Portland Bill, Dorset. A moderate migration from 1 a.m. til daybreak. Many Wheatears, Kedstarts, Willow-Warblers, Wry- necks, and a Water- Hail. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Vast migration from 11 p.m. to 4- a.m. Hmidreds of Wheatears, Redstarts, Willow- Warblers; a few Song-Thrushes. Nightingales, Blackcaps, White- throats, ChiffchaflPs, Grasshopper- Warblers, Tree-Pipits, Sand -Martins, Wrynecks, Starlings, and one Swallow. Night of April 15-16. Eddystone, Cornwall. Small migration of female Wheatears, Willow- Warblers, Starlings, and Wagtails ? sp. Starlight at 2.30 A.M. and no more birds seen. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Fairly large migration from 1 A.M. to 4 A.M. of IGth. Many Willow-Wrens and Starlings, and a few Chili- chaffs, Tree-Pipits, and Skylarks. Spurn Head, Yorkshire. A few birds seen at 3 A.M. Song-Thrush killed. Nicrht of April 19-20. — First quarter of Moon. Eddystone, Cornwall. Small migration of Bramblings and White Wagtails. Douglas Head, Isle of Man. Small migration of Song- Thrushes and Grreenfinchcs at 5 A.M. April 21. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Large migration from 12 to 4 A.M. Mostly Willow- W' arblers and Chiffchaffs, a few Wheatears, lledstarts, and Whitethroats. Spurn Head, Yorkshire. 1 Dunlin killed. 32 April 22. Dungeness, Kent. Fairly large migration flying north at 2 a.m. Hundreds of Whitcthroats and Willow- Warblers. Spurn Head, Yorkshire. Few birds passed between 8 p.m. and daybreak. Redwing killed. -Douglas Head, Isle of Man. Small migration at 10 p.m. of Greenfinches and other small birds, unidentified. April 24. Eddystone, Cornwall. Small migration of Wheatears. Birds only struck during the few clear intervals of a Ibggy night. St, Catherine's, Isle of Wiglit. Large migration from 12 to 2 a.m.; consisting of many Willow-Warblers, several Wheatears, l{edstarts, Swal- lows, Martins, Cuckoos, and Dunlin. April 26. Eddystone, Cornwall. Small migration, from 12 P.M. till daybreak, of Wheat- ears and Willow-Warblers. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight, Large migration, from 12 P.M. till daybreak, of Willow- Warblers. None struck, owing to the moonlight. The Moon was full on the 2bth of April. Night of May 5-6. — Last quarter of the Moon on the 1th. Eddystone, Cornwall. Migration started at 10 P.M. and consisted chiefly of Whitcthroats, Willow-\Varblers, and Sedge- Warblers, together vith a few Wheatears. No birds were seen durin^i the clear intervals. Portland Bill, Devon. Migration lasted from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Large numbers o£ Whitethroats were recorded. St. Catherine's, Isle o£ Wight. Large migration from 10 p.m. on the 5th till daylight on the 6th. Many Whitethroats, ^Villow- Warblers, Sedge-War- blers; a few Wheatears, Redstarts, Blackcaps,aud Skylarks. Dungeness, Kent. Fairly large migration seen, but the only birds killed were Sedge- Warblers. Very few struck the lantern. Night of May 6-7. Eddystone, Cornwall, Migration started at 11.20 p.m. and continued till 3.25 A.M. Wheatears, Whitethroats, and Sedge- Warblers were fairly numerous. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Large migration from 10.30 p.m. on the 6th till 4 a.m. on the 7th, consisting of great numbers of Whitpfhroats, Willow-Warblers, and Sedge- Warblers; a fewWhinchats, Redstarts, Blackcaps, Garden-Warblers, Spotted Fly- catchers, and Dunlins. Haisboro', Norfolk. Two Sedge- Warblers and two Whitethroats sent. No remarks as to the number of birds or the time of the migration. Douglas Head, Isle of Man. A few Whitethroats at midnight and a "great rush" of Sand- and House-Martins at dawn. Mjrht of May 10-11. Eddystone, Cornwall. Migration started at 11 p.m. and lasted till 3.15 A.M. Small numbers of Wheatears, Whinchats, White- throats, Sedge-Warblers and Swallows. No birds were seen during the clear intervals. 34 Night of May 11-12. — New Moon. EJdystone, Cornwall. Small migration of Whitethroats and Sedge- Warblers, together with a few Wheatears. Migration started at 9 P.M. and lasted till 3.10 a.m. No birds were seen during the clear intervals. May 13. Start Point, Devon. Fairly large migration from 12.15 A.:\r. till 2 a.m. Many Lesser Whitethroats, Garden-Warblers, and Sedge- Warblers. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Large migration from 12 r.M. till 3 a.m., was at its height at 2 a.m. Many Whitethroats, Garden- Warblers, and Sedge- Warblers ; few Willow-Warblers, Tree-ri})its, Spotted Flycatchers, and Turtle-Doves. Ni-bt of May 14-15. Eddystone, Cornwall. Very large migration starting at 10.30 r.M. and increasing till 2.30 a.m., when it cleared and only a few birds were seen. Hundreds of Wheatears, ^Miincliats, Whitethroats, Garden - Warblers, Wood- Wrens, Sedge- Warblers, Spotted Flycatchers, Sandpipers ? sp. Several Turtle- Doves and a Hawk ? sp. Start Point, Devon. Very large nn'gration starting at 10 r.M. and lasting till 2.30 A.M. Large numbers of Wheatears, Whitethroats, Garden- AVarblers, Sedge- ^^'arblers, some Land-liails and Turtle- Doves. St. Catherine's, Tsle of Wight. Vcrv lar-jc miiiratiun fiiuu midni::ht till 3 a.m 35 Hundreds of Wliitethroats, Lcs.ser Wliitethroats (15 killed), Garden- Warblers (23 killed), Sedge-Warblers (34 killed), Spotted Flycatchers ; mmiy Whinchats, Blackcaps, Willow- Warblers, and Wood - Warblers ; several Wlieatears,Turtle-Doves, Dunlins, and Whinibrel; a few Reed- Warblers, Pied Flycatchers, House-Martins, and Tree-Pipits. May 16. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Fairly large migration from 12 p.m. till 3 a.bi. Many Whitethroats, Garden - Warblers, Willow - Warblers, and Sedge-Warblers ; few LesserWhitethroats, Turtle-Doves, Spotted Flycatchers, one House-Martin and one Quail. Spurn Head, Yorkshire. Many small birds seen about 1 AM., but the only bird killed was a Sedge-Warbler. May 17. St. Ckitherine's, Isle of Wight. Fairly large migration from 1 to 3 a.m. Many Whitethroats, Garden - Warblers, Willow - Warblers, Sedge-Warblers; and a few Whinchats, Lesser Whitethroats, Wood- Warblers, Sjjotted Flycatchers, and Starlings. May 20. — First quarter of the Moon. St. Oatlierine's, Isle of Wight. Fairly large migration between 1 and 2 A.M. Many Whitethroats, Garden - Warblers, Sedge - Warblers, and Spotted Flycatchers; and a few Whinchats, Blackcaps, Lesser Whitethroats, Willow- Warblers, Wood- Warblers, Reed-Warblers, one Starling, one Red-backed Shrike, and one Wheatear. May 21. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Large migration from 12 P.M. till 3 a.m. .3G Many Wliliieli:it<, AVliitctliroats, Willow- Wnrhlers, and Sedge- Warblers, and a few AVheatears, Lessor AVliiie- throats, Garden- WarWers, and Wood-Warhlers, May 22. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. Fairly large migration, but not many killed owing to the moonlight. Many AVhitethroats and Sedge- Warblers ; several Willow-Warblers and Spotted Flycatchers ; a few Lesser Whitethroats. Niylit of May 23. Eddy stone, Cornwall. Fairly large migration starting at l.;>0 a.m. and increasing till 3 a.bl, when the weather cleared. Many Whitethroats, Garden- Warblers, Spotted Fly- catchers, and Sandpipers ? sp. ; several TurtloDoves and Cuckoos. The Moon was full on the 27th of May. May SI. St. Catherine's, Isle of Wight. A fairly large migration from 12 to 1 A.M., when the moon rose, and no more were observed. Several Garden-^V^arblers and Spotted Flycatchers. F. G. Penrose, C/uuniiun. C. B. HiCKETT. C. B. TlCEIIURST. N. F. TlCEUUKST. J. L. Boxilo'J'E, Sccirtar^. 37 THE RING-OUZEL. Turdiis torqnatus L. The earliest recoi-J of this species was that of a bird seen in Yorkshire on the 21st of March ; single specimens were recorded from Essex and Somersetshire, respectively, on the 23rd, and from Devonshire on the 25th, and, on the same day, " many " were recorded from Dumfriess-shire, while one was seen in Lancashire on the 26th. The species was noted as " resident ^' in Breconshire and Yorkshire on the 29th. On the 1st of April there were many in Devonshire and "numbers " in Cheshire; but these latter were apparently merely passing through, as they had disappeared on the following day. The appearance of the species was first recorded in "West- moreland on the 3rd of April, and in Cumberland on the 7th. One was killed on the 14th at Spurn Head light, and on the 27th one was seen flying about that neighbourhood. Ring-Ouzels were also noted at a Norfolk light. These were the only records relating to this species received from the lighthouses. On the 15th-18th, and on the 22nd, there was apparently a migratory movement in Somerset. In Montgomeryshire the species was common on the 29th of April. A nest with four eggs was found in Yorkshire on the 5th of May, and four young were seen in Merionethshire on the IGth. During this same period a few migratory birds were still passing through the south-eastern and eastern counties. 38 Chronological Summary of the Records. [ai'i ch21. Yorkshire. r"? 23. Somerset, Essex. 5i 25. Devon, Somerset, Dumfries (many). 51 2G. Lancashire. i? 28. Devon (several), Yorkshire. )5 29. Somerset, Brecon and Yorkshire (resident). 'J 31. Brecon, Staffordshire. pri 1 1. Devon and Cheshire (many). 5» 3. Westmorehind. )» 4. Denbigh. ?? 7. Cumberland. 51 8. Yorkshire (many). :i 10. Merioneth. >' 11. Norfolk, Lancashire. 55 13. Carnarvon. i» 14. Norfolk lights, Yorkshire lights, Monmouth, 5' 15-16. Somerset. ?) 17. Somerset, Glamorgan. 5? 18. Somerset, Glamorgan. ?5 19. Derby. 55 20. Cheshire. 55 22. Somerset. )5 24. Cornwall. 55 26. Merioneth. 55 27. Yorkshire lights. 55 28. Denbigh. 55 29. Montgomery. 'ly 5. Radnor, Yorkshire (nest with eggs). 55 6. Derby (resident). 55 7. Norfolk. 55 8. Glamorgan. 55 11. Devon, Cumberland (many). 55 15. Radnor (nest with eggs). 3' 10. Surrey, Merioneth (nest with young). 39 RING-OUZEL. 40 WIIEATEAR. THE WHEATEAR. Sa.vicola cenantlie (L.). A FEW stragglers were reported i'rom Kent and Essex on March tlie 14th and IGth, and from Somerset on the 17th, but the majority must have passed rapidly northwards, as many were recorded in Dumfries on the lUth. The species was noted at the Portland Bill light, Dorset, on the lyth, but the imu)igration was apparently only a very small one. A slightly larger wave occurred on the 20th, birds being noted both at the Hanois light, Channel Islands, and at the Dorset lights. There is some evidence to show that this immigration passed on, aa an increase in numbers was noted in (Staffordshire and Pembrokeshire on the following day, but had disappeared again by the 22nd. Another immi- gration took place in Devon on the 23rd, when a migratory flock was noted in Glamorgan passing northwards. Some of these birds appear to have spread over the southern counties, while others were noted in Norfolk, Yorkshire and Cheshire. Some reached Merioneth on the 25th, the Jsle of Man on the 2t3th, and Lancashire on the 27th, while an increase in numbers in Yorkshire was reported on the 2yth, but the birds do not seem to have remained there. Cn the 29th a slight increase in numbers was noted in Devon and Sussex. The western portion of these apparently jollowed in the track of their predecessors, being noted in Wales on the 30th and in the Isle of Man, Cheshire and Yorkshire on the 31st, while some reached Northumberland on the same day. Between the 3rd and 14th of April small parties kejit on arriving every night on the south coast of England. These were the forerunners of a great immigration which occurred D 42 on the 1-ith and 15th. The line of this inimi<2;ration extended, as far as onr evidence ^oes, from the Eddystone Ho;ht, Cornwall, to St. Catherine's light, Hants. On A[)ril the 6th a small flock was ohserved at the Leman and Owers lights, Norfolk, but there is no evidence to show in what direction they were going ; another small flock noted at the Haisboro' light, Norfolk, apparently arrived from the east and continued westwards. On the l-ith small flocks were seen at the Norfolk and Essex lights, l)ut evidence as o the direction of their flight is lacking. On April the 15th, between midnight and daybreak, a large immiorration took place on the south coast, and the returns from the Eddystone, Portland Bill, and St. Catherine's lights showed that hundreds of Wheatears passi d into the country. Nearly all these birds belonged to the smaller race, but some taken at the Hants light belonged to the larger form. On A})ril the IGth at the Eddystone light, and on the 21st at St. Catherine's light, smaller flights consisting of indi- viduals of both the larger and the smaller race were observed; while on the 24:th, at the Eddystone light, only the larger race was seen and, at St. Catherine's, only the smaller race. On the 2Gth a rather larger flight v/as observed at the Dorset lights, and after April the 24th all the wings sent from the lights belonged to the larger race only. As by this time the species was fairly well dislributed, these immigrations cannot be traced with accuracy, but Wheatears became g(>n(M-ally more numerous, especially in the north and north-west. Many had scutled down in Suffolk and Yorkshire by the 22nd, and in Devon, ]Mont- gomerv, and Staflbrdshire by the 2'.tlli. while nesting was reported in Merioneth and Norfolk on the 25th. On Mav the 4th birds of the larger race were recorded fr()m the l>islH)p's b'ock light, Scilly Isles; the next day numbers were noted in Yorkshire, and on the night of May the 5th there was a large inunigration on the south coast, birds l)eing taken both at the Cornwall and Hants lights, while the larger race was noted in Kent and Sussex, 43 so tliat prohal)!}' tliis iiuiuigratioii was entirely composed ot" individuals o£ that form. On the niahts of the Gth, 10th, and 11th of May other smaller flights were recorded from the Eddystone light. On the night of the loth another large immigration was noted at the Cornwall, Devon, and Hants lights, the flocks including individuals of many other species. On the 16th, 20th, and 21st a few were recorded with large flights of many other species at St. Catherine's light. It is almost impossible to trace the movements of these various immigrations, but there is some evidence to show that they spread over the country and passed northwards. Chronological Summary of the Hecords. March 11. Kent. „ It"). Essex. ,, 17. Somerset, Kent. „ 18. Dorset light, Dorset, Kent, Norfolk. „ 19. Dumfries (many). ,, 20. Channel Islands light, Dorset light, Kent, Sussex. „ 21. Hants, Somerset, Pembroke (many), Stafford- shire. „ 22. Hants, Surrey, Wilts, Denbigh. ,, 23. Cornwall, Devon (many), Dorset, Glamorgan, Wilts, Surrey, Sussex, Kent. „ 24. Cornwall, Berks, Middlesex, Norfolk, York- shire, Cheshire. „ 25. Devon (few), Somerset, Norfolk, Merioneth. ,, 26. Kent, Oxford, Derby, Radnor, Isle of Man. „ 27. Pembroke (many), Wilts, Norfolk, Lancashire. „ 28. Kent (decrease), Shropshire, Yorkshire (many), Isle of Man. ,j 29. Cornwall, Devon (few), Sussex (many), Brecon (tew), Cardigan. „ 30. Dorset, Sussex (decrease), Surrey, Suffolk, Cardigan (several), Merioneth, Cheshire, Cumberland. d2 44 March 31. Suffolk (few), Yorkshire (many), Glamorgan, Staffordshire. April ]. Devon (several), Glamorgan, Berks^ Surrey, Norfolk, Cambridge, (.lieshire, Denbigh, Isle o£ Man (many), Northumberland. „ 2. Dorset, Glamorgan, Merioneth. „ '6. Cornwall and Devon lights, Kent, Somerset, Essex. „ 4. Scilly Islands light, Wilts, Merioneth, Yorkshire (several). „ .5. Dorset lights, Devon (many), Notts. „ G. Norfolk lights, Cumberland. „ 7. Hants and Dorset lights, Cumberland (sliglit incrensej. „ 8. Cornwall, Kent (increase), Surrey, Yorkshire (numerous). „ 9. Devon, Cumberland (further increase). „ 10. Cornwall and Dorset lights. „ 11. Cornwall, Dorset, Hants and Norfolk lights, Surrey, Isle of Man. „ 12. Cornw^all and Hants lights. „ i:'). Dorset and Hants lights, Suffolk (few). „ 14. Cornwall, Devon, Norfolk, and Essex lights, Cornwall, Somerset, Wilts, Berks, Merioneth (increase), Cheshire, Isle of Man. „ 15. Cornwall, Dorset, Hants, and Norfolk lights, Somerset, Wilts, Glamorgan (increase), Merioneth and Yorkshire (decrease). „ 1(5. Cornwall lights, Bedford (few), Norfolk (in- crease), Glamorgan (decrease), Cheshire. ,, 17. Somerset, Suffolk, Norfolk (decrease). „ 18. Shropshire. „ 21. Hants lights, Cornwall, Cambridge (many), Lancashire. „ 22. Kent (slight increase), Suffolk (well distributed), Derby, Yorkshire (many). „ 2;i Devon (few). 2'1. Cornwall and IIan(> lights. Wilts, Hereford. 45 April 25. Isle of Man, Norfolk (many nesting), Merioneth (building). „ 2G. Dorset lighis, „ 27. Sussex, Berks, OxforJ. „ 28. Somerset, Kent (increase), Surrey (few), Herts, Cambridge. „ 29. Devon (breeding), Suffolk (manj^), Stafford- shire (usual numbers), Montgomery and Merioneth (slight increase). „ 30. Glamorgan (slight increase), Suffolk (few), Derby. May 1. Berks. ,, 2. Glamorgan (increase). „ 3. Glamorgan (decrease). „ 4. Herts, Radnor. „ 5. Suffolk (full clutches of eggs), Radnor (nest nearly finished), Yorkshire (many). „ G. Cornwall and Hants lights, Sussex (many), Kent (many: nesting), Norfolk (increase), Derby (settled), Cheshire. „ 7. Cornwall lights. „ 8. Merioneth. „ 9. Hants (nest nearly finished), Middlesex, Gla- morgan. „ 11. Cornwall lights, Cardigan, Isle of Man (many). „ 12. Cornwall lights, Sussex (increase: nest with 5 eggs), Essex (nesting), Buckingham, Isle of Man. ,, 15. Cornwall, Devon, and Hants lights, Glamorgan, Merioneth. ,, 16. Hants lights. „ 18. Isle of ]\Ian (slight increase). ,, 19. Radnor (many). „ 20. Hantslights, Shropshire (few), Norfolk (increase). ,, 2] . Hants lights. „ 24. Suffolk (nest with young). „ 25. Kent (nest with G eggs). 4b THE WHINCHAT. l*ratinrola ruhetra (L.)- The arrival o£ tliis species took place laier than usual in 1907, and the first reconl is that ot a single bird observed in Dorset on the 5th of April. With the exception of a few strago-lers, it was not until the first week in ]\lay that the; Whinchat reached this country in numbers. The first real immigration began about the 5th of May, when the species was recorded from Somerset, Wilts, Sur- rey, Middlesex, Kent, Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincoln, Cardigan and Merioneth. On the 7th it was noted at the Hampshire lights, while many had reached Yorkshire, and during the next three or four days it gradually increased in numbers all over the countiy except in the north-west. Attention may here be drawn to the reeonl of a single bird which was seen at sea some distance south-west of Scilly on the 12th. It was probably a straguler, as the species usually arrives in this country on the eastern portion of the south coast. Another immigration was note0. Hants. ,, 31. Denbigh (nesting). 49 WHINCHAT. r>o REDSTART. 51 TPIE REDSTART. ButiciUa pJurjiirurvs (L.). A FEW individuals were recorded from Sussex, Kent and Essex during the last week in March and the first week in April. On April the 9th many were seen in Yorkshire, hut there was no evidence to show by which route they had reached that county ; they were probably on their way north, as only one bird was reported from there on the following day and no more were observed until April the 19th. The jirst immigration began on April the 11th, when an extensive flight, commencing at the Dorset and Hants lights and extending westwards to the Devon lights, continued to arrive during the early hours of April the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th, the largest numbers being observed on the latter date. This flight, which though prolonged did not include many individuals, spread through the southern counties of Somerset, Wilts, Hants and Surrey, and was noticed as far north as Merioneth and Cheshire on the west, and Suffolk on the east. The next immigration was a small one and was recorded from the Hants lights on April the 17th, and from the Channel Island lights on April the 18th. On April the 21st a few Redstarts were recorded as arriving at the Hants lights, and between the 22nd and 28th there appears to have been a gradual increase in the south-east. The fourth innnigration reached the Hants lights on April the 24th and Sussex on the 2Gth. These birds must have passed on in a north-westerl}' direction, a.s an increase was noted in Cardigan, Glamorgan, Herel'ord, Lancasliire, and Yorksliire. This was apparently the most numerous immigration of this species. On the 7th and 8th of May another immigratory wave of Redstarts was reported from the Hants lights, in company with large flights of seven other species. It is possihle that further " waves " may have reached this country, as the numbers from the midland and western counties continued to fluctuate during the next ten days, but as no birds were recorded from the coast, no definite movements could be traced. Nesting began on the 9th of May and became general during the following week, the first eggs being recorded on the 11th. Chronological Summary of the Records. March 28. Kent. A{)ril 5. Essex. ., G. Sussex. „ 10. Worcester, Yorkshire. „ 11. Dorset and Hants lights. ,, 12. Devon and Hants lights. „ 13. Hants lights, Wilts. „ 14. Dorset lights, Hants, Somerset, Suffolk, Cheshire. „ 15. Devon, Hants and Dorset lights, Surrey, Merioneth. „ 16. Kent (passing), Suffolk. „ 17, Hants lights. ,, 18. Channel Island lights, Chesliire. „ 19. Cheshire, Yorkshire. ,, 20. Hants, Surrey, Berks, Cheshire, Yorkshire. „ 21. Hants lights, (/ambridge, Staffordshire. „ 22. Herts, Merioneth. „ 22-28. Suff"olk (increase daily). „ 23. Wilts, Surrey, Bedford, Cheshire (few), AVest- morcland. 53 April 2L Hants lights, Devon, Glamorgan, Cardigan, Merioneth. „ 2(). Sussex (many), Cardigan, Yorkshire. „ 27. Sussex (decrease), Essex, Glamorgan, Merioneth (decrease), Hereford, Lancashire. „ 28. Kent, Oxford, Bedford, Cambridge. „ 29. Devon, Kadnor, Shropshire, Stafibrdshire, Cam- bridge (few), Derby. May 2. Sussex (passing). „ o. Cumberland, Yorkshire (slight increase). „ 4. Oxford, Merioneth (increase), Yorkshire (many). „ 5. Somerset, Worcester (full numbers), Cardigan (passing), Leicester, Derby, Merioneth (de- crease), Cheshire, Lancashire. „ G. Hants lights, Somerset, Wilts, Staffordshire, Merioneth (slight increase), Cheshire (full numbers), Yorkshire. „ 7. Hants lights, Oxford. „ 8. Somerset, Berks (slight increase), Merioneth (decrease). „ 9. Worcester (increase : nesting). ,, 10. Yorkshire (increase). „ 11. Derby (many), Yorkshire (nest with eggs). „ 12. Kent and Suffolk (nest with eggs). „ 13. Gloucester (few), Radnor (nest with engs), Shropshire (few), Cambridge (fall numbers), Derby (many). „ IS. Suffolk (nest with eggs). ., 19. Radnor (increase). „ 20. Berks (fairly numerous), Shropshire, Yorkshire (increase). „ 21. Radnor (decrease), Staffordshire, Yorkshire (nests with eggs). „ 22. Bedford and Derby (nesting), Lancashire. „ 24. Wilts (nesting), Cumberknd. „ 29. Derby (nest with young). 54 NIGHTINGALE. DO THE NIGHTINGALE. Daidia^ Inscinia (li.). On April the lltli several Nightingales were reported from Hampshire and one from Sussex ; and on the 13th one was recorded from Kent. Three Nightingales were observed at St. Catherine's light on April the 15th, and during the next few days this species seems to have arrived in small numbers in the south-eastern counties, as records came from Surrev, Berks, Bedford, Cambridge, Essex and Suffolk. A few were also recorded to the west of the Isle of Wight ; one on the IGth from Dorset, one on the 20th from Wilts, one on the 21st from Worcester, and one each on the 22nd from Somerset and Shrop>liire respectively. Erom the 24:tli onwards a general increase was noted in the southern and hoine-counties and records were sent in from Hereford, Leicester, Notts and Norfolk. A fresh innnigration reached our shores during the first week in May, arriving along the eastern half of the southein coast, and on May the 6th full numbers were reported from Hants, while the records from the western counties of Devon, Somerset and Wilts showed a general increase. It is probable that the species was fairly established, even in the extreme limits of its range, hy the first \\eek in May, and that the birds spread from Kent, Sussex and Hamp- shire to the north and north-west, as the following records intiicate : — May 3rd. Suffolk, Oxford. May 4th. Berks, Herts, Derby. Mav 5th. Oxforil, Norfolk, Leicester, Glamormm. Ob Fresh arrivals a]i[)oar to have reached our coasts duriiifr the second fortniurht in May, as increased numbers were observed in Kent, Sussex and Essex on the 11th, thoucrh no birds were reported from any ot* the lighthouses. The first nest was found in Sussex on May the 6th, but no others were recorded till about ion days later. lietween the 17th and the end of the month inany nests were recorded, and young birds were found in Suffolk on the 29th. As in the previous year, a few outlying birds bred in Devon and Glamorgan ; and it is worthy of note that the species again visited the neighbourhood of Exeter, where it arrived on the Gth of May, a nest being found by Mr. Housham on the 24th. All the specimens examined during the month of April proved to Ijc male birds. Chronological Summary of the Records. A[)ril 11. Hants (several), Sussex. „ 13. Kent. „ 15. Hants lights. „ IG. Dorset. „ 17. Berks, Essex. „ 18. Hants, Sussex. „ 20. Wilts, Suffolk. „ 21. Surrey, Bedford, Cambridge, Worcester. „ 22. Somerset, Shropshire. ., 2;}. Surr(!y, Worcester (increase). „ 21. Kent (slight increase), Essex, Leicester. „ 2;") Surrey, Suffolk. „ 2(1. Kent (slight luither increase), Kotts. „ 27. Essex (slight further increase), Bucks, Here- ford. 28. Herts, Norfolk. „ 2'J. Sussex, Somerset, Berks, Cambriilge (slight in- crease). ;')(>. Hants. May 57 3. Sussex (increase), Oxl'orJ, Suffolk (slight in- crease). 4. Kent, Hants, Berks and Herts (increase), Derby. ;■>. Glamoroan, Oxford and Norfolk (slight in- crease), Leicester. C). Sussex (nest), Hants (increase), Wilts (slight increase), Somerset, Devon, Notts. 7. Berks, Essex (increase). 8. Devon, Surrey (slight increase), Middlesex, Suffolk (increase), y. Oxford (increase), Bucks, Yorkshire. 11. Sussex, Kent and Essex (further increase). 13. Dorset, Berks (resident), Gloucester (few), S. Shropshire (several). 15. Lincoln. 17. Surrey (nest with eggs). 18. Cambridge (nest with eggs). 19. Dorset, Lancashire, Berks (nest with eggs). 24. Devon (nest). 29. Suffolk (nest with young). 31. Sussex (nest with young). 58 THE A\'HITETHROAT. Sijhia cinerea Bechst. At the end of March and in the beginning of x\pril a few straoolers arrived in the west : on March the 30th two were observed in Glamorgan^ and on April the 1st four were seen in Denbigh and one in Cornwall. There were records from Derby on the 2nd, from Dorset and Herts on the Ctli, and from Kent and Essex on the 8tb and 11th respectively. The first record from the lights was on the 15thj wlien a number of Whitethroats were noted amongst the great immigration at St. Catherine's, Hants ; a smaller lot was observed there on the 21st. On the 22nd a large immigration arrived on the south- east coast and many were seen at Dungeness light, Kent. Land records were very few, even at this date, and were mostly from the southern counties, though stragglers had reached Yorkshire on the 23rd, and by the 28th a few were scattered through most of the southern and midland counties. On the 29th there was a marked increase in Kent, (Suffolk, Cambridge and Nottingham, on the 3rd of May in Somerset, and on the 4th in Kent, Essex, Shropshire and (yheshire. On the Itli of May Whitethroats made their first recorded appearance on the Isle of ]\lan and were also noted at the Spurn Head light, S.E. Yorkshire, l)ut there was no evidence to show whether they were emigrants or not : the same re- mark apjilies to a few birds recorded from the Haisboro' and C^romer lights, Norfolk, on the following night. On the night of May the 5th the first large immigration no icaclu'd our southern shores, anil many hinls were seen at the Cornwall, Dorset and Hants lights, while there was a marked increase in the number of Whitethroats observed in many of the southern and midland counties. On the 7th about twenty were recorded from the Eddy- stone light, Cornwall, and a large number were observed in the Isle of Man — most probably a portion of those noted in the south on the previous day. An increase was also reported from Yorkshire, and the species was recorded from Cumberland for the first time that season. On the 10th and 12th small immigrations were noted at the Eddystone light, and a rather larger one was reported on the followino- night. On the 13th the species was numerous at the Hants lights, and on the 14th some individuals were observed there. There is evidence to show that during the week of the 8ch-14th the Whitethroat became much more numerous in many of the counties and that it spread northwards, for on the 10th there was an increase in Cumberland and it was recorded for the first time from Northumbeidand ; on the 11th there was an increase in Derby, Lincoln and Yorkshire, and on the 12th in Lancashire and N.E.Yorkshire. On May the 15th another large immigration reached our southern shores and many Whitethroats were recorded from the Cornwall, Devon and Hants lighrs, and many were again observed at the Hants light on the IGth. Subsequently, an increase was noted on the 20th, 21st and 22nd, wdien further large immigrations of Whitethroats were recorded at the Hants light, and on the 23rd at the Eddystone light. The movements of these birds cannot be traced. The first nests reported are from Sussex on May the 3rd and from Hampshire on May the 8th. Nesting did not become general until the 17th of May, and it thus seems probable that, as in the case of the Willow-Warbler, those immigrants which arrive in the country in the middle of ]\ray do not remain in the south, but pass onwards to more northern nestiiiii-iirounds. E 2 60 WIIITETHHOAT. Map 1. England akdWALES 61 WHITETHROAT. Map 2. G2 Chronological Summary of the Records. Leicester. Glamor(j;an. Cornwall, Denbi<;h. Derby. Dorset, Herts. Kent, Denbigh. Essex. Somerset, Glamorgan, Essex. Hants lights. Berks. Bucks, Herts, Notts, Derl)y. Essex. Hants, Surrey. Hants lights, Kent. Kent lights, Bucks, Cambridge, Notts, Denbigh (slight increase). Cornwall, Wilts, Bedford, Yorkshire. Essex, Worcester (few) Devon, Norfolk. Hants, Sussex, Kent, Berks, Suffolk. Dorset, Sussex, Wilts, Surrey, Denbigh (in- crease), Cheshire, Yorkshire. ., 21). Kent (many), Middlesex, Essex, SulVolk (few), C^^mbridge (many), Staffordshire, Notts (settled). „ 30. ('ornwall, Hereford, Shropshire. May 1. Devon, Wilts, Derby, Merioneth. „ 3. Sussex (building), Somerset (increase), A\'ills, Berks, Montgomery (few). „ 4. E. Yorkshire lights, Somerset (decrease), Kent (increase), Essex (many), Oxford, Shrupshire (several), Cheshire (few), Isle of Man. March 29. 30. April 1. 2. 6. 8. 10. 11. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. J? 27. 55 2S. 63 May 5. Hants, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Wilts, Esses, Herts, Suffolk (many), Norfolk, Yorkshire (few), Isle of Man. ,, G. Cornwall, Dorset, Hants and Norfolk lights, Hants, Somerset, Wilts (increase), Berks, Herts, Essex (increase), Sutiblk (decrease), Hereford, Badnor, Cardigan (many), Denbigh (several), Lincoln (slight increase), Lanca- shire. „ 7. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Kent, Herts, Wilts (decrease), Glamorgan, Hereford (increase), Cardigan (decrease), Worcester, Shropshire (increase). Isle of Man (great increase). ,, 8. Hants lights, Hants (building), Derby (slight increase), Denbigh (decrease), Yorkshire (in- crease), Cumberland, Isle of Man (many). „ 9. Hants, Berks (slight increase), Oxford, Bucks ; Glamorgan, Carnarvon and Cheshire (increase). ,y 10. Dorset, Oxford and Glamorgan (decrease), Radnor, Shropshire and Staffordshire (in- crease). ,, 11. Cornwall lights, Kent, Sussex, Somerset, Staf- fordshire (decrease), Derby (increase), Lincoln, Yorkshire (increase), Cumberland, North- umberland. „ 12. Cornwall lights, Cornwall, Kent (further in- crease), Oxford, Lancashire, N.E. Yorkshire (increase) . „ 13. Hants lights, Kent, Sussex, Gloucester, Oxford, Cambridge, Derby (increase), Lincoln (further increase), Yorkshire (decrease). „ 14. Hants lights, Denbigh (increase), Derby (de- crease). „ 15. Cornwall, Dorset and Hants lights, Devon, Kent, Surrey, Denbigh (decrease), Lancashire and Cumberland (increase). 16. Hants liedford (iiest with young). „ IK). Derby (nest with two eggs). 73 THE GARDEX-AVARBLER. Sijlria liovteii-als Bechst. The records of this species from the south-coast lights were much more numerous during the spring of 19U7 thun they were in either ot the two previous yeiirs. From these it may be seen that the great mass of birds arrived during the third week in May, and that they hinded along the western half of the south coast. On April the 14th single individuals were recorded from Kent, Surrey and Wilts. As shown by the Chronological Table, smuU numbers were recorded, during the latter halt of April, from th(; south coast as well as from Essex and Shropshire ; while in Lancashire and Yorkshire the species was said to be fairly numerous. During the first week of JMay records were sent in from the western counties and from Wales. Thejirst immigration was observed on May the e), Lancashire (de- creasej. „ 18. Surrey, Oxfoi'd. Sullblk (slight increase), J{a(hu)r (increase: nesting). ^May 1;1. Dorset, Glamorgan, Herts (decrease), Ivadnor (increase), Derby. „ 20. Hants lights, Kent, Berks, Herts (sliglit in- crease), Suffolk (nesting), Yorkshire (increase), Cumberland. 21. Hants lights, Derby (nests with eggs). 22. Wilts, Herts and Lincoln (increase), Berks (decrease). 23. Cornwall lights. 24. Glanioroan. 25. Yorkshire (nest). 26. Berks (slight increase). 2. Dorset and Hants lights, Surrey (slight in- crease), Somerset (increase), Glamorgan, Cardigan. 14. Devon lights, Dorset, Hants, Sussex (slight increase), Kent, Wilts (increase), Oxford, Leicester (increase). 1.5, Cornwall, Dorset and Hants lights, Hants, 91 Berks and Shropshire (increase), Somerset (decrease)j Cheshire, .pril 16. Cornwall and Hants lights, Dorset, Kent and Carnarvon (increase), Merioneth. „ 17. Hants lights, Cornwall (slight increase), Sur- rey (increase), Leicester, Merioneth (decrease), Cheshire (increase). „ 18. Hants and Channel Islands lights, Somerset, Wor- cester and Hereford (increase), Merioneth (slight increase), Derby, Cheshire (decrease). „ 19. Dorset, Sussex (further increase), Glamorgan, Shropshire, Leicester (increase), Yorkshire (slight increase), Cumberland. „ 20. Kent (further increase), Somerset (decrease), Wilts ; Surrey, Radnor, Merioneth and York- shire (increase), Leicester. „ 21. Hants lights, Surrey (decrease), Cambridge (in- crease), Derby (slight increase), Merioneth (de- crease), Isle of Man (many), Northumberland. „ 22. Kent lights, Cornwall, Hants and Kent (in- crease), Somerset, Wilts (still further increase), Essex (increase), Bedford, Radnor (slight increase), Shropshire, Notts, Derby (further increase), Cheshire, Lancashire (increase). Isle of Man (decrease), Westmoreland, York- shire (large increase), Northumberland. „ 23. Devon, Somerset (decrease), Berks and Middle- sex (increase), Bucks, Staffordshire (slight increase), Notts. „ 24. Hants lights, Surrey, Somerset, Wilts (f.urther increase), Essex and Suffolk (slight increase), Glamorgan and Merioneth (increase), Radnor. „ 25. Hants, Surrey, Norfolk (increase), Radnor (decrease), Staffordshire, Isle of Man (slight increase), Yorkshire (further increase). ,, 26. Dorset and Hants lights, Dorset (further in- crease), Somerset, Berks (decrease), Oxford, g2 92 Glamorgan, Denbigh (increase), Shropshire, Derby, Yorkshire (decrease), Westmoreland (increase). April 27. Kent, Essex, Surrey and Berks (increase), Ox- ford, Staffordshire and Denbigh (decrease), Lancashire (increase), Westmoreland (de- crease). „ 28. Dorset, Somerset, Wilts, Bucks, Glamorgan (slight increase), Radnor, Staffordshire, Lei- cester, Lancashire (decrease), Yorkshire (in- crease). „ 20. Dorset, Wilts, Berks (further increase), Oxford (slight increase), Suflblk (increase), Glamorgan, Radnor (decrease), Denbigh, Leicester and Derby (further increase). „ 30. Dorset, Hants (further increase), Somerset, Gloucester, Denbigh and Yorkshire (decrease) . May 1. Devon, Dorset (slight increase), Hants (build- ing), Somerset, Wilts (further increase), Surrey (increase). „ 2. Somerset (decrease), Yorkshire (increase). „ 3. Kent (increase), Somerset (slight increase), Shropshire (great increase), Staffordshire (in- crease), Cumberland. „ 4. Somerset, Radnor and Leicester (increase), Lincoln and Cheshire (further increase). ,, 5. Kent, Wilts and Yorkshire (further increase), Sussex, Somerset (great further increase), Essex, Oxford, Herts, Gloucester, Lancashire (increase), Isle of Man (several). G. Cornwall and Hants lights, Cornwall, Dorset, Hants, Berks, Herts (decrease), Hereford, Derby, Denbigh, Lincoln (increase), Lancashire (decrease). 7. Kent ('decrease). S. Hunts lights, Denbigh (decrease). ., '.I. Herts, Cambridge, Di'ubigh and Cumberland (increase). May 10. Denbigli (decroaso). „ 11. Derby (building) and Cumberland (further increase). „ 12. Staffordshire and Yorkshire (increase). 13 & 14. Hants lights. „ 15. Hants lights, Kent and Suffolk (increase). „ IG. Hants lights, Yorkshire (increase). „ 17, Yorkshire (nests with eggs). „ 18. Kent, Suffolk, Radnor, Derby, Cheshire (nests with eggs), Lancashire (increase). „ 19. Denbigh (increase). „ 20. Hants lights, Somerset (nest with eggs), Surrey (increase). „ 21. Hants hghts. „ 22. Hants lights, Sussex (nests with ;5. (\.nnv:ill, Dovoii, (ilamor-an. „ %\. Surrey. ■ „ 25. ('oruwall, Kent, Moutgoinery (lew). „ 26. Oonnvall. 28. Connvall. :U>. Glaniorf^an. May 3. Oxford. 4. Kent (lew), r>r(>con. 5. Nortolk, Denbigh, Isle ol' IMan. G. Montgomery (few). Isle of jMan. 8. Isle ol: Man, Luncasliire. 'I i). Montgomery, Isle o£ Man. 'I 10. Derby. 11. Isle of Man. 12. Montgomery, Denbigh, Isle of IMan. 13. Gloucester (few), Isle of Man. IG. Isle of Man. 1()!» THE YELLOW WAGTAIL. Motacilla rail ( Bonap.). All the evidence tends to show that the great majority o£ Yellow AYac^tails arrived on the south-east coast of England. The few stragglers which were recorded during the last week of March and the first week of April were all observed in Kent and Essex, the only exceptions being one in Hants on the 30th of March and one in Somerset on the 9th of April. After the 13th of April the numbers began to increase. The first arrival was recorded from Yorkshire on that date, from Camliridge and Suffolk on the 14th, from Norfolk, Surrey and Berks on the 15th, from Derby and Staffordshire on the IGth and from Cheshire on the 17th. There seems to have been an influx on April the 18th, for the species was observed at the Hanois light, Channel Islands, while a slight increase was noted in Surrey, many were seen in Glamorgan, and other birds had pushed on into Shropshire and Lan- cashire. On the 20th there seems to have been a slight increase in the south-east and an increase of males only was noted in Yorkshire. Another immigration probal)ly took place on the 22nd on the south-east coast, as an increase of males was noted in Cambridge and Bedford. Larger numljers were noted in Norfolk on the 2Gth, and on the 27th a further increase was recorded on the Kentish coast, whence the birds apparently spread westward and northward, as they were recorded in Hants, Surrey and Cambridge on the 28th and in Devc^n and Worcester on the 29th. On May the 1st this species was recorded from the Hants 110 YELLOW WAGTAIL. Ill Ho;]ifs and l)y that date many had settled down in Surrey. On May the 3rd a migratory movement was noted in Devon, Oxford and Staffordshire, and on the -Ith in Dorset, from which county but few had previously been recorded, while in Kent many had become resident. On the 6th the Yellow Wagtail was generally distributed in Derby. From the 9th to the 15th there was evidence to show that small migratory movements had been going on in the more northerl}' counties, but in most counties nesting had already begun by about the 12th of May. Chronological Summary of the Records. March 21. Kent (Dungeness). „ 24. Essex. „ 26. Kent (Dungeness). „ 30. Hants. April 3. Kent (Thanet). „ 4. Kent (Thanet and Dungeness). „ 5. Kent (Dungeness). „ 6. Kent (Thanet and Dungeness). „ 7. Essex, Herts. „ 9. Somerset. „ 10. Kent (Dungeness), Essex. „ 11. Kent (Thanet). „ 13. Essex, Yorkshire. „ 14. Somerset, Suffolk, Cambridge. „ 15. Kent (Dungeness and Thanet), Surrey, Berks, Norfolk (few). „ 16. Kent (Dungeness and Thanet), Hants, AVilts, Surrey, Staffordshire, Derby. ., 17. Kent (Thanet), Derby, Cheshire. „ 18. Channel Isles light, Surrey, Glamorgan (many), Shropshire, Lancashire. „ 20. Kent (Thanet and Dungeness), Surrey, Yorkshire (increase). . „ 21. Sussex. 112 April 22. Kent, Bedford (few), Cambridge (man)-). „ 23. Dorset, Glaniorfran (decrease), Staffordshire, ( "liesliire (few). „ 24. Devon. „ 26. Kent, Sussex, Somerset, Notts, "Westmoreland. ,, 20. Norfolk (many), Merioneth. „ 27. Kent (Dungeness and Thanet), Essex (few), Oxford, Yorkshire (increase). „ 2S. Hants, Surrey (many), Cambridge (increase). ., 29. Devon (few), Somerset, Sufrblk, Worcester. „ 30. Kent (Dungeness and Thanet), Dorset, Here- ford. M.iy 1. Hants lights, Lancashire, Surrey. „ 3. Devon (few), Oxford, Shropshire, Staffordshire (many), Derby. „ 4. Dorset (many), Kent (Romney — many, Dunge- ness and Thanet), Wilts (few),' Oxford, Staffordshire (decrease). „ .5. Sussex, Surrey (^few), Yorkshire (increase). „ (). Kent (Dungeness — many, Thanet — few), Sussex (numy). Bucks, Norfolk, Derby, Cheshire, Lancashire. „ 8. Sussex (few), Berks, Shrojishire, Yorkshire (decrease). „ 9. Dorset (few), Cambridge (increase). „ 10. Sussex (decrease), Oxford. 11. Kent, Hants, AVilts (buihHng), Essex (few), Staffordshire. „ 12. Sussex (few nesting), Oxford (decrease), Cheshire (increase : nesting), Yorkshire (increase). ,, 13. Kent (many nesting), (ilouei'ster (few), Shroji- shire, Staffordshire (iiian\), Cheshire and Yorkshire (decrease) . , 14. Oxford (increase). „ 15. Oxford (di'crease). ll). Dorset (few). ,, J 7. Sussex (dccri-asc). „ IJS. Derby (nest with six <'ggs). n;', May 19. Dorset (few), Radnor (many), Yorkshire (three finished nests). „ 20. S]u-opshir(> (few). „ 24. Eadnor. June 1. Wilts (nest with youno). „ 2. Sussex (nest with three youno-). 114 TREE-PIPIT. 115 THE TREE-PIPIT. Antlivs frirudis (L.). During the first fortnio-ht of A})ril a few strao-o-lors of this species were observed in some of the southern and western counties, but no definite immigration could be traced. The jirst marked imraigTation was observed at the Hants lights on the 15th and 16th, and from that date the species gradually spread over most of the country. It wns noted from Suffolk and Norfolk for the first time on the 17th, and in increasing numbers in Yorkshire on the ISth, while by the 19th it had pushed into the extreme west (Glamorgan, Cardigan and Merioneth). On the 20th a further increase was noted in Yorkshire, and on the following day many more birds arrived and some were also recorded in Cumberland. On the 22nd, 23rd and 24th Tree-Pipits gradually became more abundant in the south-eastern counties, and on the latter day there was an increase in the west (Radnor anil Merioneth). The usual breeding-stock of Tree-Pipits seems to have arrived in Hants by the 2Gth o£ April, and in most of the counties some birds had settled down by the first week in May. There was, however, some evidence to prove that small migratory movements were still going on, chiefly in the w^est, for in many counties the increase continued until about the 8th of May. Between the lOth and 15th the species continued to arrive almost without cessation along the south coast, from the Isle oi" Wight to Kent, and there is some slight evidence to show that this immigration passed on to more northerly parts. Nesting was first reported from Hants on May the 8th, IIG Berks on tlio llili, Canilirido-o on ilio 12tli, Dorhy on llir j;5ili, and Cornwall on the l-ith. By May the 21st nestin;x had become general. Chkonological Summary of tiik Becords. April 4. Hants. „ G. Surrey. „ 7. Worcester. „ 8. Kent. „ 12. Sussex, Cheshire, Yorkshire. „ 14. Hants, Sussex, Wilts, Berks. „ 15. Hants liohts, Kent. „ 16. Hants lights, Kent. „ 17. Suffolk, Norfolk, Leicester. „ 18. Hants, Yorkshire (increase). „ 19. Dorset, Kent, Sussex, Glamorgan, (J.irdio;an, AVorcester, Leicester, JMerioncth, (jheshire. „ 20. Sussex, Surrey, Notts, Yorkshire (further in- crease). „ 21. Cambridge, Cardigan, Merioneth, Shropshire, Yorkshire (large increase), Cumberland. „ 22. Bedford (many), Hereford, Shroj)shire, Derby, Carnarvon (few). „ 23. Kent (increase), Sarro}- (many), Norfolk, Gla- morgan, Brecon, Radnor. „ 24. Devon, Berks, Herts, Radnor (few), ]\Ierion('th (many). „ 25. Dorset, Hants, Surrey (decrease), Suffolk, Staf- fordshire, AVestmoreland. ., 20. Hants (usual numbers), Derby, Denbigh. ,, 27. Essex, (Jheshire, Lancashire. '2H. Cornwall, Somerset, Surrey (many), Oxford. Bucks, Radnor, Stafl'ordshire. „ '2'X Devon, SiJUicrset, Suffolk (few), Cambridge and Shr()|)shire (several), Notts, Derby. „ ?)0. Cornwall, Dorset, Merioneth (decrease). 117 May 1. Devon (tow), Wilts (sevenil). 2. Herts, Norfolk. „ 3. Oxford, Brecon (few), Norfolk, Merionetli (in- crease), Shropshire, Cumberland. „ 4. Kent, Dorset, Radnor, Leicester, Derby, Cheshire (few), Yorkshire (slight increase). „ 5. Sussex, Kent, Surrey (few), Cheshire (many), Lancashire, Yorkshire. „ i). Sussex (decrease), Berks (few), Herts, Glamor- gan, Shropshire (many), Staffordshire (few), Merioneth (few), Notts (usual numbers), Lin- coln, Yorkshire (increase). „ 7. Kent and Staffordshire (decrease), Derby and Merioneth (many) . „ 8. Hants (nest), Wilts (few), ( Cambridge (increase), Radnor (decrease), Westmoreland. „ 9. Dorset (few), Merioneth (decrease). „ 10. Hants (usual numbers), Radnor (increase). „ 11. Somerset, Merioneth (many), Berks (nest). „ 12. Kent (increase), Merioneth, Cambridge (nest with eggs). J, 13. Hants lights, Glamorgan, Radnor (decrease), Denl)igh, Derby (nests wath eggs) ,, 14. Cornwall (nest), Kent (increase). „ 1.5. Hants lights, Radnor and Cheshire (increase). „ 16. Radnor (decrease). „ 17. Surrey (increase). „ 18. Kent (decrease), Merioneth (many). ,, 19. Radnor (increase). „ 20. Suffolk and Staffordshire (increase). „ 21. Suffolk and Radnor (nests with eggs). ,, 22. Shropshire (nest with eggs), Lincoln. ,, 25. Kent and Lincoln (nests with eggs). ,, 26. Lancashire, Yorkshire (nests with eggs). „ 31. Denbigh (nest with eggs). 118 llED-BACKED SlIUIKE. 110 THE RED-BACKED SHRIKE. Lanius colhirio L. This species appears to have arrived somewhat late, either singly or in very small numbers, on the south-eastern portion of the coast of England. The jtlrd record was that of a bird observed in Hants on April the 20th ; other individuals were reported from Essex on the 28th, Norfolk on May the 4th, Kent on the 7th, Sussex and Worcester on the 8th, Berks and Somerset on the 9th, Cambridge on the 10th, Merioneth on the 12th, and Hereford and Radnor on the 13th. The species was seen in Yorkshire on the 23rd, a rather rare occurrence. Nests with eggs were reported on May the 13th from Cambridge and on the 17th from Hants and Sussex. All ths evidence tends to show that the species begins nesting operations very shortly after its arrival. The only record from the lighthouses was one bird taken at St. Catherine's on May the 20th. Chronological Sumbiary of the Records. April 20. Hants. „ 28. Essex. May 4. Norfolk. „ 7. Kent. „ 8. Sussex, Worcester. „ 9. Kent, Hants, Sussex, Somerset, Berks. „ 10. Somerset (slight increase), Surrey, Cambridge. „ 11. Middlesex. „ 12. Devon, Wilts, Merioneth. 120 May 1)>. Gloncostor (few), Hereford, HaJnor, Shropsliirc, Cambridge (nest with eggs). „ 14. Sussex, Berks. „ 15. Suffolk. „ l(j. Berkshire (building), Oxford, Hereford. „ 17. Sussex (nest with eggs), Hants, Wilts, Herts. „ 18. Essex, Bedford. „ 20. Hants lights, Kent, Berks, Shropshire (several). 21. Dorset. „ 22. Radnor (nest with eggs). „ 23. Brecon, Yorkshire. „ 24. Kent (slight increase). „ 26. Surrey. „ 27. Suffolk. June 1. Wilts, Glamorgan (nests v/ith eggs). 121 THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. Muscicapa grisola L. Although a few stragglers were recorded during the first week in May, it was not until the 6tli and 7th of that month that the Spotted Flycatcher arrived in numbers. (Jn those dates, however, it was recorded from the seaboard counties between Hants and Suffolk, and durino; the next few days it had spread in small numbers in a north-westerly direction, but did not reach any counties to the south-west of a line drawn from Hants to Merioneth. Between the 13th and 16th immigrations arrived on the western half of the south coast and spread over the south- western counties, the numbers over the rest of the country remaining unaltered. Immigrations arrived on the same portion of the coast between the 20th and 23rd of May, the eastern flank arriving in Kent and Sussex on the 24th. After that date the species appears to have settled down in its breeding-quarters, although a further small influx was noted in the Isle of Wight on the 31st. A half-built nest was found in Radnorshire on the 22nd. On the 24th the species was observed building in Suifolk, and on the same day a nest with one egg was found in Cheshire. Chronological Summary of the Records. April 23. Bucks. Ma}^ 2. Staffordshire. 122 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. 123 May 4. Horts. ,, 5. Berks, Staffordshire. „ G. Kent, Essex, Suffolk, Staffordsliire, Laucji- shire. „ 7. Hants lights. „ 8. Hants, Leicester. ,, 9. Yorkshire, Cheshire. „ 10. Sussex, Wilts, Worcester (several), Radnor, Shropshire, Westmoreland. „ 11. Sussex, Berks, Herts, Suffolk (few resident), Cardio-an, Derby, Yorkshire (several). „ 12. Kent,Wilts(slio-ht increase), Middlesex (London), Berks, Glamorgan, Merioneth, Staffordshire, Cheshire. „ 13. Hants lights, Dorset, Wilts (some resident), Berks (few), Hereford, Shropshire (few), Derby (resident), Yorkshire (slight increase). „ 14. Hants (several), Somerset, Glamorgan. „ 15. Cornwall and Hants lights, Dorset (few resident), Middlesex, Oxford, Gloucester (few), Wor- cester, Merioneth. „ 16. Hants lights, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Essex, Oxford (few resident), Hereford, Denbigh. 17. Kent. 18. Norfolk, Isle of Man. „ 19. Radnor (few resident), Isle of Man, Lanca- shire. „ 20. Hants lights, Kent (few), Berks (usual numbers), Suffolk, Radnor, Shropshire (usual numbers), Derby (slight increase), Yorkshire (increase), Isle of Man. ,, 22. Hants lights, Sussex (slight increase), Hants, Middlesex, Hereford, Radnor (nest), Denbigh. „ 23. Cornwall lights, Devon, Staffordshire. „ 24. Sussex lights, Kent (increase), Surrey, Suffolk, Norfolk, Glamorgan, Radnor (slight increase), Cheshire (nests). „ 25. Dorset (slight increase), Berks (nest). i2 124 May 26. Surrey, Wilts (increase), Derby (nest). „ 27. Kent (slight increase). 28. Glaraoroan, Isle o£ Man. 29. Cornwall. 31. Hants liohts, Carabridore, Denbigh. 125 THE PIED FLYCATCHER. Musclcapa atrkapilla L. The few records of this species are from such widely scattered localities that they afford little or no clue as to the points of arrival, or to the routes pursued by the immigrants. Most of the records refer to single individuals. The only Pied Flycatcher reported from the lights was one killed at St. Catherine's on the 15th of May. The first arrival was recorded from Oxford on the 14tb of April. On the 23rd six, apparently on passage, were reported from Carnarvon. One appeared in Westmoreland on the 27th and one in Somerset on the 28th. Birds were reported from Hants on the 2nd of May and from Montgomery on the 3rd. On the 4th " a few " were seen in Radnor and three in Yorkshire ; while sinnle individuals were noted in Cornwall and Norfolk respectively on the 6th. On the 19th a nest with two eggs was found in Radnor. The species was nesting in Yorkshire on the 22nd, and birds were said to be incubating in Brecon on the 23rd. Chronological Summary or the Records. April 14. Oxford. „ 23. Carnarvon (passing). „ 27. AVestmoreland. ,, 28. Somerset. May 2. Hants. „ 3. Montgomery, Somerset. ,, 4. Radnor (tow), Yorkshire. ]2r. M;iy 5. Jk'i-ks, ivadiior (few), York^Lire (passing). (). Cornwall, Norfolk, Uadiiur. y. Norfolk. 10. Cambrido-e. 11. Had nor, Lincoln. 13. Eadnor, Merioneth (resident). 15. Hants lights, Itadnor (Few). IG. Yorkshire. 17. Norfolk. IS. Merioneth. 19. liadnor (many : nest with eggs). 22. Yorkshire (nest). 23. Brecon fnest). 127 riEU FLYC^ATCHER, 128 SWALLOW. 129 THE SWALLOW. Hirundo rustka L. The Swallow is so well known, and its advent is so generally looked £oi', that the records of its arrival are more complete than those of: any other species, and it is therefore compara- tively easy to trace the arrival and dispersal of the various immigrations through the country. Tempted most probably by the fine weather in the spring of 1907 the first arrivals were earlier than usual. The species was first recorded from Leicestershire and Denbigh on March the 27th, and between the 29th and 31st scattered stragglers were noted in Cornwall, Hants, Berks, Mont- gomery, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Dumfries. It seems probable that these early arrivals followed a westerly course ; but, with the exception of the two indivi- duals seen in Cornwall on the 29th, we have no record of their actual route. During April and May Sw^dlows continued to appear almost daily along the whole of the western half of the south coast, each immigration arriving first in Cornwall and Devon, then in Hants, and subsequently in the south-eastern counties. During the first half of April the birds appear to have remained chiefly in the south-western and western counties, those seen in the other counties being merely solitary strag- glers ; but from the 15th of April onwards their distribution became more general, and the contingents landing in the south-west passed on to the north and north-east in rapid succession. The immigration was so sustained and coniinuous that it would serve no good purpose to trace each successive move- ment, and iho following nummary of the earlier oue^ whieh 130 comiiioiiC(Ml on April the liUli will be sufficient lo illiistrato tlio Diodo of iirrival. On the 13tli and 14th i\\e jh'st ininiifiration reached Corn- wnll and Devon, and was followed on the 15th by lighthouse records from Hants and Sussex, accompanied by a slight increase in Kent and a decrease in Somerset and Wilts, and a further increase in Kent on the following day. On April the 17th an increase was noted from Essex, Worcester, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Lancashire and Yorkshiro, with a decrease in Surrey and Berks. On the 18th there was a further increase in (^ornwall and a decrease in Hants followed by another increase in Hnnts and Kent on the lUth and 20th. On April the 21st there was a great increase in Cornwall, Devon, Hants and Sussex, but a decrease in Berks and Surrey, while on the following day an increase was evident in Kent, Somerset, Surrey, Bucks, Bedford, Suffolk, Cambridge, Shropshire, Cheshire and Yorkshire, and a decrease in Corn- wall, Devon, Hants, Sussex and Wilts. These dates show very clearly how each wave passed onwards, making way for others to succeed it. On April the 2-4th a fresh immi- gration was noted in Cornw^all, Somerset and AVilts, and the following day Swallows were seen to arrive at the Kent lights and there was an increase in Sussex and Dorset, but a decrease in Devon and Somerset. Until the bth of May, by which time the birds had settled down in most parts of the country and had begun nesting-operations, there was practically no break in the innnigrations. During the hitter half of the month fresh contingents still continued to arrive, though it became more difficult to trace their course; the main bodies landed on the south-western seaboard counties on the l()th and 11th, 20th and 2-4th. Late records were sent in from the Varne light- vessel off Kent, between the 20th of May and the 10th of June, and it seems prol)able that tlu^se referred to emigrating birds, more especially as previous to May the 2()th they wen; only noted at this light on two occasions, vi/. the 2.")ih of -Vpril and llu- Olh of May. 131 The records fi-om tlic lalc of Man arc [)articul:irly interostino;. Swallows were first observed on the island on April the 14th and a few were occasionally seen between the 18th and 27th, all being noted as on passage. None were seen from April the 28th till May the 4th inclusive, but the next week, May 5th-13th, a few were seen to arrive at the lighthouse and pass over the island. The following week the residents arrived and, almost immediately, began to build, and no further records were received showiuij; changes in number. Chronological Summary of the Records. March 27. Leicester, Denbigh. „ 28. Leicester. „ 29. Cornwall. „ 30. Mcntgomery, S. Yorkshire, Dumfries. ,, 31. Hants, Berks, Lancashire, Dumfries (many), April 1. Cornwall, Herts. „ 2. Dorset lights, Oxford, Cheshire. „ 3. Dorset, Kent, Somerset. ,, 4. Hants. „ 5. Dorset (few), Somerset. „ 6. Devon, Dorset (few), Somerset, Denbigh. ,, 7. Devon (few), Dorset (decrease), Surrey, Staf- fordshire. ,, 8. Devon (decrease), Hants (increase). „ 10. Hants lights, Shropsliire, Leicester, Lancashire. „ 12. Cornwall lights, Bucks, Glamorgan, „ 13. Devon (increase), Wilts, Essex, Glamorgan, Worcester, Denbigh. „ 14. Cornwall (slight increase), Devon (decrease), Hants, Sussex, Somerset, Wilts, Surrey, Essex, Berks, W^orcester (increase), Cardigan, Merio- neth, Derby, Isle of Man, Yorkshire. ^. 15. Dorset, Hants and Sussex lights, Hants, Kent, Somerset and Wilts (decrease), Berks and Bucks (slight increase), Herts, Bedford, Suf- folk. Norfolk, Glamorgan, Cardigan. 132 April 16. Dorset, KcMit (sli;j;]it increase), Surrey, Herts, Cardigan and Shropshire (increase), Notts, Leicester (decrease). „ 17. Hants, Surrey, Essex (slight increase), Berks, Worcester, Cardigan and Shropshire (decrease), Staffordshire, Cheshire, Lancashire and York- shire (increase). „ 18. Cornwall (slight further increase), Hants, Surrey and Berks (increase), Essex and Lancashire (decrease), Isle of Man. „ 19. Kent, Berk?, Glamorgan (slight increase), Staf- fordshire and Yorkshire (decrease). „ 20. Hants (slight increase), Kent (decrease), Wilts, Berks and Herts (increase), Bucks (slight further increase), Glamorgan (decrease), Rad- nor, Isle of Man, Yorkshire (slight increase). „ 21. Cornwall (great increase), Devon, Hants (further increase), Sussex (slight increase), Surrey and Berks (decrease), Cambridge, Carnarvon (many), Denbigh (increase). Isle of Man. ,, '22. ('Ornwall, Devon, Hants, Sussex, Kent, Somer- set, Wilts, Surrey (slight increase), Bucks (further increase), Bedford, Cambridge, Suffolk, Shropshire, Carnarvon (decrease), Cheshire, Yorkshire (increase). „ 23. Devon, Somerset (decrease), Surrey and Gla- morgan (increase), Denbigh and Cheshire (decrease) , AV^estmoreland. „ 2-1. Cornwall lights, Somerset and AVilts (increase), Surrey and Glamorgan (decrease), Merioneth, Denbigh (slight increase). Isle of Man (few). „ 25. Kent light, Devon (decrease), Dorset (increase), Sussex, Somerset (decrease), Glamorgan (slight increase), Essex, Suti'olk, Shropshire (turther increase), Notts (increase). „ 2t). Cornwall lights, Dorset, Sussex and Essex (de- crease), Surrey und Norfolk (increase), Shro[»- shirc (further increase). 133 April 27. Cornwall (further increase), Sussex, SonKsrset, Berks and Oxford (increase), Glanioroan (de- crease), liadnor (slight increase), Staffordshire (increase), Isle of Man. ., 2S. Hants, Berks (decrease), Cambridge (slight further increase), Leicester, Staffordshire (decrease), Derby (slight increase), Denbigh (increase). „ 21). (Cornwall (usual numbers), Dorset, Kent and Suffolk (increase), Hants, Somerset, Oxford, Radnor, Shropshire and Leicester (decrease), Staffordshire, Notts and Yorkshire (increase). „ 30. Kent and Yorkshire (decrease). May 1. Cornwall and Derby (increase). ,, 3. Devon and Wilts (increase), Surrey (resident), Cumberland. ,, -1. Shropshire (slight increase), Lancashire (in- crease). „ 5. Kent and Isle of Man lights, Hants and Kent (increase), Somerset (large numbers), Wilts, Berks, Oxford, Suffolk, Radnor, Staffordshire, Leicester, Lincoln and Yorkshire (increase). Isle of Man. „ G. Cornwall (resident), Sussex (increase), Kent (further increase), Essex, Berks, Herts, Suffolk and Hereford (increase), Radnor (further in- crease), Cardigan, Merioneth, Denbigh, Shrop- shire and Staffordshire (increase), Yorkshire (great increase) . „ 7. Devon (further increase), Hants (nesting), Somerset (decrease), Glamorgan, Cambridge and Norfolk (increase), Hereford (decrease), Shropshire (nesting) and Staffordshire (de- crease) . „ 8. Sussex, Somerset and Surrey (increase), Glamor- gan (decrease), Merioneth (further increase), Denbigh (decrease), Lancashire, Yorkshire and Isle of Man (increase). 134 May 9. D(!Voii :mtl Somerset (dt'crcasc), Oxford and Canibridoo (furtlior increase), Merioneth (de- crease), Denbigh (increase), Shropsliire (further increase), Derby, Cheshire and Cinnberland (increase), Yorkshire, (decrease). „ ](). Somerset and Wilts (increase), Glamorgan (further decrease), Berks (decrease), Suffolk (resident). „ 11. Cornwall lights, Devon (increase), Somerset (decrease), Berks (nesting), Bucks, Stafford- shire and Lincoln (increase), Lancashire and Cumberland (further increase). Isle of Man (increase). „ 12, Cornwalllights, Cornwall, Staffordshire (nesting), Lincoln and Lancashire (decrease), Yorkshire (increase). „ 13. Dorset (increase) , Cambridge and Staffordshire (decrease), Derby (further increase), Lincoln- shire (increase), Yorkshire (decrease). ,, 14. Dorset (decrease), Sussex, Essex and Wilts (further increase), Norfolk (further decrease). „ 15. Kent and Surrey (further increase), Berks (increase). „ IG. Denbigh (decrease), Yorkshire (increase). ,, 17. Lancashire (increase), Yorkshire (decrease). ,, 18. Kent (further increase), Lancashire (decrease). „ 20. Kent light, Devon, (Cambridge and Norfolk (increase), Radnor (further increase). „ 21. Yorkshire (increase), Norfolk (decrease). „ 22. Devon (decrease), Wilts (further increase), Lancashire (increase), Yorkshire (decrease). „ 24. Cornwall and Kent lights. „ 25. Isle of Man (increase). „ 20. Cheshire (nesting). 135 THE HOUSE-MARTIN. Chelidon urhica (L.). The first aiTival of this species was recorded in Hampshire on the 30th of March, and on the 1st of April two House- Martins were noted in Cornwall, one in Somerset and ten or twelve '■ on passage " in the Isle of Man. During the first week of the month straoolers were reported in Dorset, Surrey, Herts, Radnor, Warwick and Lancashire. On the 13th of April "many," apparently fresh arrivals, were recorded in Devonshire, but passed on imme- diately. On the same date " first arrivals'' were noted from Essex, Suffolk and Yorkshire. On the 14th there was an increase in Cornwall, Somerset and Hants, and a few indi- viduals were noted in Surrey and Worcester. On the 15th they were noted at the Devon liohts, and during the next few days were observed on passage in Shropshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire and the Isle of Man. The first records from the east were a few seen in Kent on the 19th and in Cambridge on the 22nd, while on the 23i d and 2-ith several were noted at St. Catherine's light in the Isle of Wight ; on the latter date there was an increase in Essex and the first birds were recorded in Norfolk. On the 26th this species was noted at the Norfolk lights with an increase in Norfolk on the following day. From April the 29th to May the 5th numbers coming from the south-east and " going inland ■" were recorded from Yorkshire, and on the former date numbers were noted in Shropshire. On the 6th there seems to have been a great increase in Yorkshire. Between the -Ith and the 7th of May a large immigration took place along the whole of the south coast, but chiefly on the western half, and these birds seem to have spread 13G HOUSE-MARTIN. 137 throughout England generally, an increase being noted in many counties, especially in the north, where hitherto the numbers had been small, and by this time the bulk of our breeding-stock had evidently arrived. Further immigrations, however, continued to make their appearance, notably between the 13th and loth, and chiefly on the eastern half of the south coast ; again between the 18th and 20th, chiefly on the western half ; and possibly also on the 25th and 26th in Cornwall and Sussex. House-Martins were first seen in Cumberland on the 3rd of May and in Westmoreland on the 6th. They were building in Yorkshire on the 6th, in Hants and Staffordshire on the 7th, in Sussex on the 9th, in Berks on the 11th, in Kent, Lancashire and Staffordshire on the 12th and in Derby on the 17th. Chronological Summary of the Records. Hants. Cornwall, Somerset, Isle of Man. Dorset. Radnor. Herts. Surrey, Warwick. Dorset, Lincoln. Devon (many), Hants, Essex, Suffolk, Yorkshire. Devon (decrease), Hants (increase), Somerse-, Wilts (few), Surrey, Berks, W^orcester, York- shire. 15. Devon lights, Hants (decrease), Somerset, Wilis, Berks, Shropshire. 16. Shropshire (increase), Leicester. 17. Shropshire (decrease), Staffordshire Cfevv). IS. Dorset (few). 19. Kent, Somerset, Staffordshire (decrease). 20. Radnor, Lancashire, Isle of Man. K ^larch 30 April 1 ii 2 55 3 1? 5 55 7 )5 9 13 55 14 138 April 22. Dorset, Hants, C;iiiil)ri(ln(' and Sliro[»sliii-o (few), Staffordshire, Yorkshire (increase). Isle of Man. „ 23. Hants lights. „ 24. Hants lights, Devon, Kent, Wilts, Surrey, Essex (increase), Norfolk, Glamorgan, Derby, York- shire, Isle of Man. „ 25. Somerset, SuiFolk, Shropshire (increase), Derhy. „ 2G. Norfolk light, Surrey (few), Norfolk, Shropshire (few passing), Derby (decrease). „ 27. Glamorgan, Herts, Norfolk (increase). „ 28. Hants (decrease), Berks (slight increase), York- shire (many). „ 29. Wilts, Essex (decrease), Suffolk (few), Shrop- shire, Yorkshire (many). May 2. Cornwall, Surrey. „ 3. Suffolk, Montgomery (many), Cumberland. „ 4. Devon (increase), Kent,Wilts, Hereford, Radnor, Derby (few), Lancashire (slight increase), Yorkshire (many). „ 5. Hants (increase), Sussex, Kent (decrease), Som- erset (many), Wilts (increase), Berks, Oxford, Surrey (few), Herts, Suffolk, Glamorgan, Hereford, Radnor (slight increase), Merioneth, Carnarvon (many), Cheshire. „ G. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hants, Sussex, Kent, Somerset, Wilts, Berks, Surrey (decrease), Oxford, Herts, Suffolk (increase), Cambridge, Hereford, Radnor, Carnarvon, Denbigh, Shrop- shire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Notts (slight increase), Lincoln, Lancashire, Yorkshire (great increase), Westmoreland (decrease). „ 7. C\)rnwall, Devon, Hants (nesting), Kent, Somer- set, Berks, Oxford (increase), Herts (nesting), Worcester, Hereford, Denbigh and Staffordshire (decrease). Isle of Man (great increase), Derby (slight increase). 139 May 8. Coruwjill, Kent, Somerset, Surrey ; Cainl)ri(lo;o, Glamorgan and Worcester (increase), Radnor (decrease), Shropshire, Staffordshire. „ 9. Sussex (nest). Somerset, Bucks, Glamorgan (de- crease), Denbigh, Derby (decrease), (Cheshire (great increase), Cumberland (slight increase). „ 10. Sussex, Somerset and Wilts (increase), Denbigh (decrease). „ 11. Cornwall, Hants, Sussex (usual numbers), Kent, Berks (nest), Denbigh and Shropshire (further increase), Derby, Lancashire, Cum- berland (increase), Northumberland (slight increase). „ 12. Cornwall, Radnor (increase), Denbigh, Derby, Yorkshire (increase), Cumberland, Northum- berland (decrease). „ 13. Kent (great increase), Herts, Denbigh and Derby (increase), Radnor (decrease), Cheshire (further increase), Lancashire (decrease). „ 11. Sussex, Kent (further slight increase), Essex (increase), Glamorgan (slight increase). „ 15. Hants lights, Cornwall, Surrey, Suffolk (decrease), Glamorgan and Cardigan (increase). „ 16. Hants lights, Cornwall (slight increase), Hants (increase : nesting), Wilts (increase), Derby (large increase). „ 17. Corn wall, Hants and Glamorgan (decrease), Herts and Norfolk (increase), Derby (nesting). „ 18. Dorset (slight increase), Hants and Kent (further increase), Suffolk (increase). „ 19. Devon (slight increase), Hants, Norfolk (de- crease), Somerset and Radnor (increase), Denbigh (slight increase), Derby (decrease), Lancashire (increase) . „ 20. Devon (large increase), Somerset, Wilts, Surrey, Glamorgan, Derby (increase), Cheshire (de- crease). K 2 140 May 23. Hants, Kent, Somerset (slight increase), Oxford, Denbigh and Cheshire (increase). Isle of Man. „ 24. Kent, Wilts (further increase), Cambridge (in- crease), Radnor (nesting), Denbigh, Cheshire (decrease). „ 25. Cornwall (increase). „ 2G. Sussex (increase). 141 THE SAND-MARTIN. Cotile rij)aria (L.). DuRiXG the latter half of March the arrival of a few Sand- Martins was recorded along the south coast between Devon and Hants. These seem to have passed on rapidly to the north and west, as birds were recorded in Anglesea on the 27th, in Brecon and Cheshire on the 29th, in Staffordshire on the 31st, and in Shropshire, Derby, Yorkshire and Dumfries- shire (in numbers) on April the 1st. It would thus appear that the entire movement was confined to the more western counties, as the species was not recorded either from Kent or Essex until the 1st and 4th of April respectively. A marked increase in the south-west was noticeable on the 6th and 7th of April, and about 200 individuals were noted in Cheshire on the latter date. During the second week of April the movements were small and confined to the south-west and west, and hardly any birds were observed in the east and south-east until the 1.5th, when some were noted at the Hants light and an in- crease was recorded in Kent, Essex, Norfolk and Yorkshire. During the third week of April there was a slight increase in the number of birds throughout the country, especially in the south-eastern counties. During the following week larger migratory movements were observed everywhere except in the north, and many birds had become resident. During the first part of May several immigrations seem to have passed across the country. On the 7th great numbers of birds passed over the Isle of Man, and an increase was recorded in Cumberland on the 9th. On the 10th another migratory flock was observed passing the Isle of Man and on the 11th a further increase was noted in Cumberland. 142 SAND-MARTIN. ilui- ch 18. )» 26. 5? 27. ?) 28. ?» 29. ?» 30. 5? 31. li.ri 11 1. 143 Between the 12th and the 22nd there was sufficient evidence to prove that Sand-Martins were still moving throughout the country, and on the latter date some were observed at the Itoyal Sovereign light-ship approaching the Sussex shore. After the 22nd the movements decreased and by the end of the month they had entirely ceased. Chronological Summary of the Records. Surrey. Dorset. Hants, Anglesey. Devon (many), Dorset. Brecon, Cheshire. Devon, Hants, Glamorgan. Devon, Somerset, Staffordshire. Kent, Somerset, Shropshire, Derby, Yorkshire, Dumfries (many) . 2. Cornwall, Cardigan and Cheshire (slight in- crease). 3. Radnor, Worcester. 4. Kent, Essex (few), Cardigan (many). 5. Devon (few), Dorset, Shropshire. 6. Dorset, Essex, Yorkshire (few). 7. Cornwall, Devon (few), Shropshire, Cheshire (many). 8. Cornwall (few), Hants (many), Kent, Shropshire (few), Lancashire. 9. Cornwall, Dorset (few), Kent, Shropshire and Lancashire (decrease). 10. Cornwall, Dorset (decrease), Wilts, Essex. 11. Devon, Kent and Essex (decrease), Surrey, Glamorgan, Lancashire (few). 12. Glamorgan, Worcester, Shropshire (many). 13. Devon and Dorset (increase), Kent. Glamorgan and Cheshire (increase), Shropshire and Lancashire (decrease), Yorkshire. 14-i April , 14. Devon, Dorset(decrense),Somerset,Wilts(many), Berks, Glamorgan (further increase), Worces- ter (increase), Cheshire (decrease). „ 15. Hants lights, Devon, Kent, Somerset, Wilts (slight increase), Berks (decrease), Essex, Norfolk, Glamorgan, Yorkshire (increase). „ 16. Hants, Wilts and Surrey (slight increase), Wor- cester, Yorkshire (decrease). ,, 17. Essex (increase), Leicester, Lancashire, York- shire (slight increase). ,, 18. Kent (slight increase), Essex (decrease), Derby (increase), Yorkshire (decrease). „ 19. Dorset, Berks (slight increase), Glamorgan, Derby (decrease), Lancashire (increase), York- shire. „ 20. Wilts, Surrey, Berks (decrease), Bucks and Herts (increase), Yorkshire (slight further increase), Glamorgan (decrease), Isle of Man. ,, 21. Cornwall, Devon and Hants (increase), Sussex (slight increase), Kent and Surrey (decrease), Herts, Denbigh, Isle of Man. „ 22. Cornwall, Devon and Sussex (decrease), Kent (slight increase), W^ilts, Surrey, Berks, Bed- ford and Suffolk (increase), Cambridge, Shrop- shire, Cheshire, Isle of Man (decrease). „ 23. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wilts (increase), Surrey and Berks (decrease), Gla- morgan and Yorkshire (increase), Cheshire (decrease). ,. 24. Cornwall (decrease), Berks (increase), Glamorgan and Shropshire (docroiiso), Isle of Mixn (few). „ 25. Sussex, Somerset, Surrey, Berks, Essex, Gla- morgan, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Notts and Lancashire (increase). „ 26. Cornwall and Devon (increase), Dorset, Somerset and Berks (decrease), Norfolk and Shropshire (increase), Staffordshire, Notts and Lancashire (decrease). 145 April 27. ("ornwall, Wilts, Surrey and Oxford (increase), Glamorgan (decrease). „ 28. Hants (increase), Surrey, Oxford and Glamorgan (decrease), Derby (slight increase), Yorkshire (further increase). „ 29. Dorset ; Hants and Wilts (decrease), Essex, Suffolk, (Cambridge, Brecon, Statfordshire, Leicester, Notts and Yorkshire (increase). „ 30. Devon (decrease). May 1. Cornwall, Surrey, and Derby (increase), Lan- cashire (decrease). „ 2. Surrey (decrease). „ 3. Devon (further decrease), Wilts, Surrey and Oxford (increase). „ 4. Kent and Wilts (increase), Oxford (decrease), Derby (increase). „ 5. Devon and Hants (increase), Kent (decrease), Herts, Suffolk (further increase), Carnarvon and Cheshire (increase). „ 6. Dorset, Hants, Somerset, Essex, Cardigan, Den- bigh (slight increase), Staffordshire (increase), Derby and Cheshire (decrease). „ 7. Isle of Man light, Devon (slight decrease), Kent, Somerset, Wilts, Surrey, Oxford, Glamorgan, Denbigh (decrease), Shropshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire (slight increase), Yorkshire (in- crease) . „ 8. Devon, Kent and Glamorgan (decrease), Berks, Cambridge and Lancashire (increase), „ 9. Berks, Oxford and Glamorgan (increase), Shrop- shire (decrease), Derby (slight increase), Lanca- shire (decrease), Cumberland (increase). „ 10. Lsle of Man lights (many), Herts, Glamorgan (decrease), Radnor, Merioneth and Derby (increase). „ 11. Kent and Berks (increase), Herts, Radnor and Merioneth (decrease), Cumberland (further increase). 146 May 12. Surrey, Berks, Suffolk, Norfolk, Radnor, Shrop- shire, Staffordshire and Derby (increase). „ 13. Kent and Norfolk (decrease), Glamorgan (slight increase), Staffordshire (decrease), Cheshire (increase). „ 14. Kent and Wilts (increase), Surrey, Cambridge, Glamorgan and Radnor (decrease), Derby (increase). „ 15. Oxford and Lincolnshire (increase), Suffolk (slight further increase). „ 16. Wilts, Oxford and Suffolk (decrease), Derby (further increase). „ 17. Isle of Man. „ 18. Berks, Oxford, Suffolk and Cambridge (increase). „ 19. Cornwall, Devon and Surrey (increase), Berks (decrease), Radnor (increase). „ 20. Devon, Herts, Suffolk and Glamorgan (increase), Cambridge and Radnor (decrease), Stafford- shire (increase), Cheshire (decrease). „ 21. Cornwall and Devon (decrease), Radnor (in- crease). ,, 22. Royal Sovereign light (many), Wilts and Beiks (increase), ]\liddlesex (London), Herts, Radnor and Derby (decrease). „ 23. Berks (decrease). „ 24. Cambridge and Radnor (increase). „ 25. Cornwall (increase). „ 26. Kent, Norfolk and Denbigh (increase), Lan- cashire (nests with full clutches of eggs). „ 27. Suftblk and Denbigh (decrease). ,, 28. Yorkshire (several nests with one or two eggs). 147 THE SWIFT. Cypselus apus (L.). During the last week in April a few scattered birds were reported from the south coast (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset) and from Surrey. On April the 29th a slight increase was noted in Devon, and individuals were seen in Shropshire; others were observed in Derbyshire on May the 1st and in Worcestershire on May the 2nd. On May the 4th a large immigration evidently reached the south coast between Cornwall and Hants, and the birds seem to have dispersed over all parts of the country except the extreme north and east. On the 5th the numbers seem to have been still further augmented, but no birds were recorded from Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, the Isle of Man, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Durham, or Northum- berland, and only a few stray birds from Sussex, Kent, Herts, Cambridge and Yorkshire. On May the 6th another immigration probably arrived on the south coast between Cornwall and Hants, for an increase was noted in the extreme western counties of Wales and the first arrival was recorded in Essex. There was evidence to show that the birds arriving in the south passed on to the north, for on the 7th there was a decrease in numbers in the south-west, and an increase in the north-west, the first arrivals being noted in the Isle of Man and Westmoreland. On the 8th there was a slight increase in the east (Surrey. Essex, Berks and Cambridge), and the species was recorded from Suffolk for the first time. By the 11th and 12th there was a general increase in the number of Swifts, especially in the east, but there was no evidence to show whether they came from the west or from 148 SWIFT. England ahdWALES All dates are in May. 140 the south-cast coast. The species was not recorded from Northumberland till the 16th. On May the 14th some were noted at the Hants lights, and from that time onwards till about the 24th there seem to have been smaller ' waves ' of immigrants passing through the country; but as the species was by that time resident, they could not be traced with certainty. Nests with eggs were reported from Cambridge on the 17th. Chronological Summary of the Records. April 23-24. Devon. „ 25. Devon, Glamorgan. „ 26. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset. „ 27. Cornwall. „ 28. Surrey. „ 29. Devon (many), Glamorgan, Shropshire. „ 30. Devon (decrease), Hants. May 1. Devon, Surrey, Derby. „ 2, Scilly Isles, Devon, Surrey, Worcester. „ 3. Cornwall, Devon, Hants, Wilts, Worcester, Brecon. „ 4. Devon (increase), Dorset, Hants, Kent, Somerset, Wilts (many), Surrey, Berks, Oxford, Bucks, Herts, Hereford, Radnor, Shropshire, Merioneth, Lincoln, Derby, Cheshire, Lancashire. „ 5. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Hants, Sussex, Kent, Somerset, Wilts, Surrey, Berks (many), Oxford, Cambridge, Herts, Glamorgan, Worcester, Hereford, Radnor, Carnarvon (few), Denbigh, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Leicester, Derby, Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire. ,, 6. Cornwall (few), Devon, Hants (many), Sussex, Somerset, Wilts (increase), Berks, Essex, Gla- morgan, Worcester, Hereford, Radnor, Cardi- gan, Shropshire (slight increase), Staffordshire, Cheshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire. 150 I\Iay 7. Cornwall, Devon, Hants (many), Kent, Wilts, Berks, Glamorgan (increase), Cardigan (slight increase), Merioneth, Shropshire, Staffordshire (decrease), Westmoreland, Isle of" Man. „ 8. Hants (decrease), Essex, Suffolk, Berks, Oxford and Cambridge (increase), Radnor, Denbigh, Shropshire and Lancashire (decrease). „ 9. . Wilts (increase), Surrey (slight increase), Berks, Oxford and Glamorgan (decrease), !Notts. „ 10. Devon (increase), Suffolk (slight increase), Lin- coln, Isle of Man. „ 11. Cornwall, Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Essex and Ox- ford (increase), Cambridge (decrease), Radnor, Denbigh, Shropshire, Notts, Derby and Lan- cashire (increase). „ 12. Scilly Isles, Devon (decrease), Kent, Bei-ks, Herts, Radnor (further increase), Lincoln (increase). ., 13. Sussex, Somerset, Cambridge, Radnor (decrease), Denbigh (further increase), Stafl'ordshire, Cheshire (increase), Yorkshire. „ 14. Scilly Isles and Hants lights, Somerset (de- crease), Wilts and Radnor (increase), Surrey (decrease), Oxford and Suffolk (increase), Cam- bridge (decrease). „ 15. Hants and Glamorgan (increase), Essex (further increase), Suffolk (decrease), Lincoln, Cumber- land (few). „ 1(5. Devon (increase), Northumberland. „ 17. Devon (decrease), Cambridge (nest with eggs), Glamorgan (further increase), Denbigh (de- crease) . „ 18. Surrey (increase), Essex (decrease), Suffolk (in- crease), Glamorgan and Radnor (decrease), Isle of Man. „ 10. Devon and Somerset (increase), Hants and Wilts (decrease) . ,, 20. Devon, Sussex, Somerset (decrease); Surrey 151 (further increase), Essex, Glamorgan, Radnor and Staffordshire (increase), Derby (further increase) . May 21. Devon, Sussex and Surrey (decrease), Cambridge (increase), Staffordshire (decrease). „ 22. Kent, Wilts, Berks and Suffolk (increase), Cam- bridge (decrease), Lincoln (increase). „ 23. Surrey (increase), Berks (decrease), Staffordshire (increase) . „ 2-4. Surrey (decrease), Norfolk ; Cambridge, Gla- morgan and Denbigh (increase). „ 25. Surrey and Cheshire (increase) , Denbigh (de- crease). ,, 26. Glamorgan (decrease). „ 27. Denbigh (increase). „ 30. Wilts (nest with eggs) . ]r;2 THE NIGHTJAR. Capriviulgus eiiropmis L. Thr records for this species were so few that it was practically iinj)ossihle to trace its movements with any certainty. The first arrivals were observed on the south and south-east coasts durino' the second week in May and by the 10th and 11th sin<^le birds were noted as far north as Lancashire and North- east Yorkshire. On the 18th, 19th and 20th the number o£ Nightjars seems to have increased along the whole of the south coast, and was again augmented on the 24th, after which date no further movements could be traced. The first full clutch of eggs was reported from Hants on the 27th. Chronological Summary of the Records. May 6. Somerset, Suffolk (several). „ 8. Hants (few), Essex. „ 9. Dorset. „ 10. Dorset, Somerset, Carnarvon, Lancashire. „ 11. Essex, Surrey, Suffolk, Shropshire, N.E. Yorkshire. „ 12. Hants, Clamorgan. „ 13. Dorset, Radnor, Yorkshire (increase). „ 15. Surrey, Worcester, Lancashire. „ 16. Sussex, Surrey, Worcester. „ 17. Hants, Glamorgan. „ 18. Devon, D()rs(>t, Hants (increase), Sussex, Surrey. „ 10. Dorset, Herts, Radnor (several), Lancashire. „ 20. Sussex, Kent (several), Essex, Lancashire. „ 21. ^Icrionelh, Shropshire (few). 153 May 22. Glamorgan. „ 23. Devon, Brecon. „ 24. Devon, Hants, Kent, Wilts, Surrey, Herts, Norfolk, Glamorgan. „ 25. Suffolk. ,, 26. Dorset, Berks, Herts (several), Cardigan, „ 27. Hants (two eggs), Kent, Wilts, Berks. „ 2S. Yorkshire, Lancashire. „ 29. Dorset, Derby. June 1. Dorset, Herts. „ 9. Derby (one egg). 154 WRYNECK. Iro THE WRYNECK. lynx torqnilla L. The Wryneck, like some other migratory species, seems to arrive singly or in very small parties. It appears to have landed on the south-eastern portion of the coast, for, with the exception of a single bird killed at the Portland Bill light on the 15th of April, it was not recorded from Cornwall, Devon or Dorset. On the night of April the loth five were killed at St. Ca- therine's light, Hants, but, with the exception of these, no others were recorded from the lights. The earliest records were received from Suffolk and Herts on the 26 th of March, and between that date and the end of the month single birds were noted in Hants, Sussex, Kent and Monmouth. On the 1st of April single individuals were reported from Berks and Leicester respectively ; on the 2nd two were noted in Somerset, and single individuals were seen in Surrey and Worcester on the 4th and in Denbigh on the 6th. After the 15th there was an increase in the number of birds in various counties, and they were reported as " settling- down " in Sussex, Wilts, Surrey and Berks during the last fortnight of April. Wrynecks were recorded from Bucks on the 17th, and from Shropshire and Staffordshire on the 20th, but as the species was not recorded again from the two last-named counties, these birds may have been merely stragglers. None were observed in the eastern counties till late, a single bird was seen in Suffolk on the ?thanda slight increase was noted on the 19th ; the first birds were seen in Essex on the 20th, in Cambridge on the 21st, and in Norfolk on the 25th. h 2 ir)(; ?' 28. ?5 29. J' 30. pril 1. ,, 9_ ?5 4. » G. 5< 7. During the first week in May they were reported to have "settled down" in the counties of Essex, Herts, Suffolk and Cambridg'e, and in Berks they commenced to nest on the 13th of May. Chronological Summary of the Records. March 26. Suffolk, Herts. Hants. Sussex. Sussex, Kent, Monmouth. Hants, Sussex, Kent, Leicester. Berks, Kent. Kent, Somerset, Surrey, Worcester. Somerset (slight increase), Surrey, Denbigh. Berks. „ 8. Hants, Worcester. „ 9. Sussex, Suffolk, Leicester. „ 8-14. Somerset (few resident). „ 10. Leicester. „ 14. Kent (resident). „ 15. Hants and Dorset lights, Kent, Surrey. „ 16. Sussex (slight increase), Wilts, Herts. „ 17. Hants (increase), Bucks. ,, 18. Sussex (slight increase). „ 10. AVilts, Berks, Suffolk (increase). „ 20. Essex, Herts, Shropshire, Staffordshire. ,, 21. Cambridge. „ 22. Surrey (resident). „ 23, Kent (resident), Cambridge. 24. Berks, Denbigh. ,., 25. Oxford, Norfolk. „ 2G. Bucks (many), Cambridge. „ 28. Berks (resident). May 6. Essex (few), Herts and Suffolk (resident), Cambridge. „ 13. Berk< (nesting). 157 THE CUCKOO. Cuculus canorus L. The Cuckoo reached our shores rather earlier than usual in the spring of 1907, and there is little doubt that stragglers had arrived in the south and west before the end of March. It was not, however, until the 14th of April that this species arrived in numbers, and between that date and the 19th they were recorded along the greater part of the southern seaboard, whence they spread to the eastern counties, while stragglers were recorded from Leicester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Yorkshire. The main immigration took place between the '22nd and 29th of April, when great numbers of Cackoos arrived along the whole of the south coast and spread northwards through- out the country as far as Yorkshire and westward to AVales, where the first birds were recorded on the 22nd, though it was not until May the 5th that they reached those parts in any great numbers. On the 2'4th at the Hants light and the 25th at the Corn- wall light this species was observed on migration, and during the following days an increase was noted in many of the southern counties and the first birds reached Westmoreland. ' Between the 3rd and 12th of May there was a steady increase in numbers, the majority arriving on the south-east coast, while smaller numbers were observed along the rest of the southern seaboard. These birds spread throughout the country generally, and the first arrivals were recorded from Cumberland on the 5th. After the 12th the majority of the birds seem to have I5i> CUCKOO. 159 become settled in their summer-haunts, but smaller movements seem to have continued in the west till the 20th of May. The first e^g was recorded from Yorkshire on the 18th. To account for the unusually early arrival of the Cuckoo in 1907 one must take into consideration the exceptional climatic conditions of the spring, the summer-like weather which prevailed during the latter half of March over the whole of England and Wales, as well as South-western Europe. Chronological Summary of the Recordh. March 26. Gloucester. „ 29. Hereford. „ 30-31. Wilts. „ 31. Dorset, Hants, Gloucester. April 1. Devon, Sussex, Gloucester. „ 5. Wilts. „ 7. Kent, AVilts. „ a. Devon, Sussex, Kent, Lancashire. 9. Wilts. „ 10. Devon. „ 11. Oxford. 12. Devon, Wilts. „ 13. Devon, Kent. „ 1-1. Hants, Kent, Surrey, Berks, Cambridge, Leicester. „ 15. Devon, Kent. „ 17. Kent, Essex, Somerset, Leicester, Yorksliire. „ 19. Sussex, Norfolk, Hereford, Cheshire. „ 20. Dorset. „ 21. Lincoln. „ 22. Hants, Surrey, Herts, Shropshire, Merioneth, Denbigh. „ 23. Dorset, Somerset, Gloucester, Suffolk. „ 24. Hants lights, Hants, Sussex (increase), Kent (slight increase), Berks, Bucks. April 25. Cornwall lights, Devon, Hants, Surrey and Berks (slight increase), Bedford, Suffolk (few), Wor- cester, Staffordshire, Derby, Westmoreland. ,, 2G. Middlesex, Notts, Lancashire. „ 27. Kent, Wilts, Surrey (few), Essex, Norfolk, Glamorgan, Hereford, Yorkshire (many). „ 28. Somerset, Wilts, Surrey (increase), Bucks, Bed- ford, Norfolk. ,, 29. Cornwall, Surrey (decrease), Oxford, Suffolk, Brecon (many), Shropshire, Staffordshire (resident), Derby. May 3. Devon and Sussex (few), Kent, Norfolk (resi- dent). „ 4. Kent (increase), Wilts (few), Herts, Worcester. „ 5. Cornwall, Devon, Kent (increase), Somerset, Wilts, Surrey, Essex, Suffolk, Cambridge, Glamorgan, Worcester, Radnor, Cardigan, Shropshire, Carnarvon (few), Cheshire, Notts (several), Derby, Yorkshire (many), Cumber- land. „ 6. Hants, Essex (increase), Berks, Herts, Glamor- gan, Hereford, Radnor, Cardigan (full numbers) , Merioneth, Cheshire (fair numbers), Isle of Man. ,, 7. Radnor (slight increase), Shropshire (increase). ,, 8. Radnor (slight decrease), Lincoln, L 4. »» 5. ?> 6. )9 7. 1J •J. ?5 10. 5? 11. J' 12. 55 la. 5 5 14. 5? 15. 1C5 May 22. Somerset (slight increase), Hereford, Shropshire (many). „ 23. Cornwall lights. „ 24. Somerset (increase). „ 25. Sussex (slight increase), Yorkshire (resident). „ 27. Wilts (increase). June 1. Wilts (nest with two eggs) . 166 LAND-RAIL. Englahd akdWALES Ap. = April' All other dates .are in May. I i Map only indicates first arrivals. .| i in each locality. 167 THE LAND-RAIL. Cre.r pratensis Bechst. There were very few records o£ this species, especially from the southern, south-eastern and eastern counties. The lighthouses furnish only a single record, one bird havino- been killed at Start Point at 2 A.M. on the 15th of Ma)'-, at the tail end of an enormous flight of six or more different species. The first arrival noted was in Surrey on the 10th of April, and on the 17th one v:as heard in the Isle of Man. Subse- quently birds were recorded from Cornwall and Wilts on the 22nd, from Somerset, Lancashire and Norfolk on the 23rd, from Worcester on the 26th, from Lincoln on the 27th, from Leicester, Norfolk, Yorkshire and Nottingham on the 29th, from Cheshire on the 4th of May and from Cumberland on the 5th. Until the end of the first week in May the records, with two exceptions, refer only to single individuals ; but after that date the birds appear to have settled down in their breeding-haunts in various parts of the country, such as Cornwall, Cambridge, Staffordshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumberland. Many Land-Rails were reported from the Isle of Man between the 13th and 19th of May and from Cumberland on the 18th. With regard to the occurrence of this species in 1907, there is little to be said beyond the fact that it arrived and remained chiefly in the western counties. It should, however, be noted that it was neither heard nor seen by any of the observers in the following counties : — Hants, Sussex, Middle- sex, Essex, Bucks, Herts and Suffolk, while it was only once 168 recorded from Kent, twice from Berks and Lincoln and three times from Norfolk. Chronological Summary of the Records. April 10. Surrey. 17. Isle of Man. 22. Cornwall, Wilts. 23. Somerset, Norfolk, Lancashire. 26. Worcester, Lancashire. 27. Wilts, Merioneth, Lincoln. 28. Lancashire. 29. Somerset, Norfolk, Leicester, Notts, Yorkshire. 30. Derby, Denbigh. May 1. Lancashire. 2. Worcester, Staffordshire. 3. Brecon, Denbigh, Staffordshire. 4. Cornwall, Surrey, Cheshire. 5. Cumberland. t). Cornwall, Norfolk, Warwick, Cardigan, Shrop- shire, Yorkshire, 7. Cornwall, Berks, Cheshire. 8. Somerset, Wilts, Oxford, Isle of Man. 0. Kent, Merioneth, Cheshire (increase), Cumber- land. 11. Wilts, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Northumberland. 12. Radnor, Merioneth, Staffordshire, Derby, Lan- cashire, N.E. Yorkshire (increase). 13. Staffordshire, Isle of Man (many). 14. Cornwall (resident), Denbigh, Isle of Man (increase). 15. Devon lights, Cumberland (few) IG. Wilts. 18. Lincoln, Cumberland (many). 19. Lancashire. 20. Glamorgan, Shropshire (few), Lancashire. it;y THE COMMON SANDPIPER. Totamis hypoleiiCKS (L.). The first records of this species were from Yorkshire on the 17th of March and from Denbigh and Staffordshire on the 21st of March. With the exception of a single bird observed in Surrey on April the 8th, no additional records were received until the second half of April, when more scattered occurrences began to be recorded, though these were mainly in the northern, north-western and western counties. Between April the 22nd and the 25th birds were recorded in some numbers from the southern counties as well as from the north and west. Thus, on April the 22nd records were sent from Kent, Bedford and Cambridge ; and on April the 23rd from Cornwall, Devon, Glamorgan and Herts ; while on April the 24th some were heard passing the Eddystone light- house in the early morning. The birds from the south-western and western counties increased rapidly in numbers during the following days, but very few were recorded from the south-eastern and eastern counties until the end of April and the beginning of May. The earliest nests were found in Staffordshire and Lan^ cashire on May the 3rd. Large numbers were observed in the Isle of Man on May the 5th, but these decreased during the following davs. Birds of this species were heard passing the Eddysione light on May the 15ch and again on the 23rd. In studying the distribution of this species in England and SI 170 COMMON SANDPIPER. 171 Wales during the migration, we must take into consideration the following points : — 1. That the species was first recorded during the third ■week in March from counties where it is known to breed, but there is no record to show from whence these earliest arrivals came. 2. That after our own residents had settled down and begun to breed, birds continued to pass across England on their way to more northern localities. Thus, though nests were found in Staffordshire and Lancashire on May the 3rd, two days later large numbers were seen in the Isle of Man, but these had decreased by May the 7th and 8th. Others were heard passing the Eddystone light on May the 15th, but by the 19th nearly all had left South Devon. It should also be remembered that a certain number of individuals of this species winter in Cornwall and Devon, and possibly these were the birds recorded early in the season from the more northern counties, to which they repair before the main flocks of immigrants reach our shores. Chronological Summary of thk Records. March 17. Yorkshire. )? 21. Staffordshire. »j 21- -April 6. Denbigh. April 1. Cornwall. ?5 4. Staflfordshire. 95 6. Yorkshire. ?» 8. Surrey. 9? 9. Yorkshire. ?5 17. Denbigh. 51 18. Shropshire. 55 19. Yorkshire, Merioneth (plenty"). 20. Lancashire. m2 172 April 21. Hants, Radnor. „ 22. CornwalI,Kent, Bedford, Cambridge, Carnarvon, Lancashire (few), Yorkshire (increase). „ 23. Cornwall, Devon, Glamorgan, Plerts. 24. Eddystone light, Cornwall, Devon, Surrey, Cheshire, Lancashire (many). 25. Dorset, Wilts, Merioneth (few), Derby, York- shire (increase). „ 26. Cornwall, Devon, Cheshire, Lancashire (many). „ 27. Cheshire (slight increase). „ 28. Cornwall (slight increase), Surrey, Glamorgan, Isle of aian. „ 29. Suffolk, Merioneth, Shropshire. May 1. Devon, Kent, Wilts, Surrey. „ 3. Oxford, Suflblk, Norfolk, Staffordshire, Derby, Lancashire (nesting), N.E. Yorkshire, West- moreland. „ 4. Kent, Essex, Wilts, Bucks, Derby, Cheshire. „ 5. Kent, Wilts, Berks, Cambridge, Leicester, Lan- cashire, Isle of Man (many). „ 6. Cornwall, Glamorgan, Merioneth (many), Staf- fordshire, Derby (many), Cheshire (few), Yorkshire (many). Isle of Man (decrease). Douglas Head light, Isle of Man. Sussex, Wilts. Wilts, Surrey, Oxford, Glamorgan (decrease), Radnor (few). Wilts, Radnor (decrease). Dorset, Radnor (few). Berks, Radnor (decrease), Staffordshire, Lan- cashire (many nesting). 1.5. Eddystone light, Glamorgan, Worcester, Radnor (slight increase). li*. Devon (decrease), Radnor (nests with eggs). 20. ('ornwall (settled), Shropshire (nesting), Derby, Isle of Man. >» 7. >J 8. >) 9. !r 10. )■> 11. 1) 12. 11 13. 173 Maj 23. Eddystone light (many), Brecon (nest with eggs). „ 24. Suffolk. „ 25. Yorkshire (nest with eggs). „ 26. Wilts. „ 29. Isle of Man. „ 31. Bedford. 174 THE COMMON TERN. Sterna JluviatU'iK Naum. The first record of the Common Tern was a single bird seen in Lancashire on the 14th of April. In Kent a few arrived on the 20th, others on the 22nd, and by the 29th many had arrived at their breeding- grounds. On the 13th of May there was a further increase and bv the 20th there were many nests with eggs. In Suffolk it was first seen between the 24tli and 2Gth of April. On the 21st of April a few were seen in Lancashire, but after that date no further records were received till the 4th of May, when it was noted both in Lancashire and in South-east Yorkshire. Nests were first recorded from Liincashire on the 2*jth. It is impossible to trace any migratory movement from these records, but after reaching this country the species seems to pass along both the east and west coasts simultaneously. Chkonological Summary of the Records. April 14. Lancashire. 19-20. Kent (few). 21. Kent (none), Lancashire. 22. Kent (increase). 23. Kent (none). 24. Suffolk. 2(i. Suffolk (increasing daily). 29. Kent (many). May 4. Lancashire (few), S.E. Yorkshire. „ 5. S.E. Yorkshire (several). 175 May (). Cumberland (t'cAv). •). Dorset. 10. Sussex. 13. Kent (increase). 20. Kent (many nests with eggs), Norfolk (many). 26. Lancashire (many nests). i7i; THE LITTLE TERN. Sterna miuuta L. The records of this species agree closely with those of the Common Tern, and it would seem as though both species migrated in company. A few were seen in Kent on the 20th of April and again on the 22nd, and by the 20tii many had arrived at their breeding-ijrounds. During the first week in May a few Little Terns were geen in Essex, and on the 7th and 8th the species appeared in Sussex and North Wales in some numbers. Between the 11th and 15th there was a slight increase in tlie numbers in Cumberland and Glamorgan, and by the 20th it was recorded as nesting in Essex, Kent and Norfolk. The first and only record from Lancashire states that this species was nesting on the 2Gth, and on the following day it was reported to be nesting in Wales. Chkonolooical Summary of the Records. April 20. Kent (few). „ 21. Kent (none). „ 22. Kent (few). „ 23. Kent (none). „ 21). Kent (many). ,, 30. Yorkshire (many). May 1-5. Essex (few). „ ('). Kent (inland) (few), „ 7. Sussex (many), N. Wales (several). „ 8. Sus:-»'X (number?). 177 jM;iv Jl. (Tlainorganj ('umbei'laiid. 12. Essex, Glamorgan (increaso). 1'). ( 'Umberland (increase). 20. Kent, Es.sex (many nesting), Norfolk (niany^ 2(j. Lancashire (many nesting). 27. N. Wales (nesting). 179 [JXSGHEDULED BIRDS. SUMMARY OF THE RECORDS. THE FIELDFAKE {Turdus pilaris). March 29th, 30th and 31st, Wilts, Hants and Yorkshire, large migratory flocks. April 1st, Douglas Head Lt. i^Isle of Man), "great rush." April 2nd and 3rd, Hants, Wilts and Yorkshire, increase. April 9th, Douglas Head, several. April 10th, 11th and 12th, Hants, Wilts, Cheshire and Yorkshire, many passing. April 13th, Suffolk, many. April 14th, Leman and Ower Lts. (Norfolk), few. April 15th to 21st, Wilts, Cheshire and Yorkshire, numbers passing, most numerous on 19th and 20th, especially in Yorkshire. April 17th, Glamorgan, many. April 22nd and 2.3rd, Cheshire, numbers. April 21st to 28th, Somerset, Shropshire, Yorkshire, passing in gradually diminishing numbers. April 29, Suflolk, large flock. May 1st and 2nd, Devon, Bucks, Cheshire and Yorkshire, large flocks. May 4th, Somerset, Bucks, Cheshire and Spurn Head (Yorkshire), a few. It will be seen from the above notes that the migTation of this species lasted during the whole of April, the chief movements taking place on April 1st, 10th to 12th, 19th and 20th, 29th, and on May 1st and 2nd. THE REUW IN (j, {Turdus iliacus). The records apparently show two chief migrations — one in March from the 9th to 16th, the other from the 6th to 22nd of April. March 9th and 13th, St. Catherine's Lt. (Isle of Wight), few, many on the 16th. March 14th, Spurn Head Lt. (Yorkshire), few. March 24th to 31st, Shrop- shire, moderate numbers throughout the week. March 26th, Surrey, large flock. April 7th, Hants, few ; St. Catherine's, few ; Spurn Head, few ; Smith's Knoll Lt.-v. (EssexJ, few. April 13th and 17lh, St. Cathe- rine's, few. April 14th and 22nd, Spurn Head, flighting all night. ],S0 THE liLACKJJlRD (^Tnnlus merula). .March 13th, 16th and 16th, St. Catherine's Lt. (Isle of Wight), few. March 14th, Spurn Head Lt. (Yorkshire), several. March 18th and 2oth, Douglas Head Lt. (Isle of Man), many. April 3rd, 12th and loth, Eddystone Lt. (Cornwall), few. April 11th, St. Catherine's. April 16th, Douglas Head. April 17th, Inner Dowsing Lt.-v. (Norfolk). May 10th, Eddystone, one. May 14th, Douglas Head, one. THE SONG-THRUSH {Turdus musicus). March Dtli, St. Catherine's Lt. (Isle of Wight), few. March 13th- ]6tli, St. Catherine's, many. March 13th, Start Lt. (Devon), few going west. March 14th, Spurn Head Lt. (Yorkshire), few. March 20th, Ilanois Lt. (Channel Isles), two. March I'lst-Uoth, Douglas Head Lt. (Isle of Man), many. March 31st, Portland Bill Lt. (Dorset), small flocks seen all day. April lst-4th, Douglas Head, many. April 11th and 19th, Douglas Head, several. April 16th, Spurn Head, few. THE MISTLE-THRUSH ( Turdm viscivoms). March 13th, Start Lt. (Devon) and Portland Bill Lt. (Dorset). March 1.5th, St. Catherine's Lt. (Isle of Wight). March 19th and 26th, Douglas Head Lt. (Isle of Man), few. THE STONECHAT {Prafuicola rubicola). March 15th, Bucks, one. April 17th and 18th, Cumberland, many arrived. [N.B. — This species is not, strictly speaking, migratory, several notes of resident birds have therefore been omitted.] THE BLACK REDSTART (Ruiicilla titys). April 10th, l»ichmond Park (Surrey), one. THE ROBIN {ErUhunix rubcaila). April 7th, St. Catlierine's Lt. (Isle of Wight). This specimen is an example of the Continental form. THE DARTFOKD WARBLER (Sylvia undata). During the last week in February, this species, which is rarely seen in Hants in winter, appeared in some numbers. THE (JOLDCREST {lieyulus cns(atus). March l.'")tli, Would Lt. (NorfnlKi, ;j t^cen exhausted at luxm. 181 THE BLUE TIT {Farm cfwuleu!^). April 7th, Douglas Head Lt. (Isle of Man). Large iinmigration after south-west wind with snow. THE PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla higubris). March 9th, St. Catherine's Lt. (Isle of Wight), one. March 2l3t, Staffordshire, many. March 28th, 29th and 80th, Cheshire and York- shire, many. April lOth to 14th, Merioneth, large immigration. April 20th, Yorkshire, many females. May 3rd, Yorkshire, passing OA-er in flocks. It appears from the notes that this species continued to arrive from the middle of March to the middle of April, the males being a few days in advance of the females. Many, of course, winter in this counti'v. THE GREY W^\GTAIL {Motacilla melanope). March 23rd, Cheshire, many in nesting-haunts from which they had been absent during the winter. THE MEADOW-PIPIT {Anthus pratmsis), March 13th, St. Catherine's Lt. (Isle of Wight), one. March 30th, Cheshire. March 31st, Isle of Man, few. April Ist, 2nd and 3rd, Douglas Head Lt. (Isle of Man), many. April 2nd, E. Goodwin Lt.-v. (Kent) and Outer Gabbard Lt.-v. (Essex), few. April 10th, Merioneth, large migration. April 12th, Lancashire, many passing. April J8th, Yorkshire, many, and Ilanois Lt. (Channel Islands), few. [N.B. — This species generally migrates in company with the Pied AVagtail.j THE EOCK-PIPIT {Anthus obscurus). March 30th and 31st. Douglas Head (Isle of Man). THE GOLDEN ORIOLE {Oriolus galbulu). April 22nd and 23rd, Yorkshire (reported). May 7th, Kent, one shot. May 23rd, Hants, one heard. THE CHAFFINCH {Frmgilla ccekbs). March 21st and 24th, Smith's Knoll Lt.-v. (Essex), few. March 22nd to 28th, Douglas Head Lt. (Isle of Man), numbers. March 26th to April 3rd, Leman and Ower Lts. (Norfolk), several. April 18th, Leman and Ower Lts.. few. 182 THE BRAMBLING {FriiujUla mojitlfrimiilla). April 10th to 14tli, Cheshire, abundant, unusually late. April 15th to 17th, Yorkshire, many. April 17th and 20th, Cheshire, lari>-e mi^ ^ ■ ■■ V %; -5?^ > >"-^-^ >^ "V *"■> ^. 'l. 1^:^