Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924090281423 CORNELL LAB of ORNITHOLOGY LIBRARY AT SAPSUCKER WOODS Ilustration of Snowy Owl by Lauis Agassiz Fuertes MANOMET BIRD OBSERVATORY STUDIES IN BIRD MIGRATION ayunig apbogq unuvgy f q bump JT 9 WoL) ‘dIHSLHDIT NOONM HSILNAY AHL ‘ispiece. [Front Vol. IL.) MANOMET Bipp OBSERVATUKY STUDIES BIRD MIGRATION BY WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE Keeber of the Natural History Department, the Royal Scottish Museum WITH MAPS, WEATHER CHARTS, AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS VOLUME il. LONDON GURNEY AND JACKSON EDINBURGH: OLIVER AND BOYD IgI2 CONTENTS CHAPTER XVIII A MoNTH ON BOARD THE KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP: A STUDY CHIEFLY DEVOTED TO THE EAST-TO-WEST AUTUMN MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE NORTH SEA CHAPTER XIX Fair ISLE, THE BRITISH HELIGOLAND CHAPTER XX A YEAR WITH THE MIGRATORY BIRDS AT FAIR ISLE CHAPTER XXI THE BIRDS OF FarIR ISLE, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE SEASONAL MOVEMENTS OF THE BIRDS OF PASSAGE CHAPTER XXII BIRD-MIGRATION AT ST KILDA, BRITAIN’S OUTERMOST ISLE IN THE WESTERN OCEAN . CHAPTER XXIII THE BIRDS OF ST KILDA, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE MIGRATORY VISITORS Vv PAGE 41 56 102 183 202 vi CONTENTS CHAPTER XXIV THE FLANNAN ISLES AND THEIR BIRD-VISITORS: ANOTHER STUDY OF THE FAR-WESTERN PASSAGE MOVEMENTS ° CHAPTER XXV SULE SKERRY, WEST OF ORKNEY, AND ITS BIRD-VISITORS . CHAPTER XXVI (1) THE ISLE OF USHANT AS A STATION FOR OBSERVING BIRD- MIGRATION: BIRD -WATCHERS WATCHED! (2) ON MIGRATORY BIRDS OBSERVED AT ALDERNEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS INDEX 5 5 f ‘ : Z 3 PAGE 250 286 305 329 XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS . THE KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP. from a drawing by Marian Eagle Clarke . FAIR ISLE FROM THE SOUTH-WEST . FaIR ISLE: THE NORTH-WEST CLIFFS XIII. Fair IsLE: A RIFT IN THE WESTERN CLIFFS FAIR ISLE: THE SHEEP CRAIG FROM THE SOUTH-WEST . , ‘ F 7 Fair ISLE: THE SOUTH-WEST CORNER AND SKADAN LIGHTHOUSE é é FAIR ISLE: PART OF THE CROFTED AREA ST KILDA: THE VILLAGE AND BAY FROM THE ISLAND OF DUN : : - ST-KILDA: THE HEAD OF THE BAY, THE VIL- LAGE, AND CONNACHER ST KILDA: THE MANSE, AND LOOKING WEST St KILDA: THE VILLAGE STREET St KILDA: THE VILLAGE AND CROFTS FLANNAN ISLANDS: EILEAN MOR FROM THE East < ‘ ‘ . FLANNAN ISLANDS: EILEAN MOR FROM THE SOUTH . - ‘ FLANNAN ISLANDS: THE EasT LANDING- PLACE FLANNAN ISLANDS: THE SOUTH LANDING- PLACE. . . . . SULE SKERRY FROM THE SOUTH-EAST USHANT: THE SOUTH-WEST COAST AND PHARE DE CREACH . P Frontispiece To face page 40 42 44 46 46 48 182 184 186 186 188 250 252 254 256 286 304 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION CHAPTER XVIII A MONTH ON. BOARD THE KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP: A STUDY CHIEFLY DEVOTED TO THE EAST-TO-WEST AUTUMN MOVEMENTS ACROSS THE NORTH SEA. Amonc the most interesting of the varied movements of birds observed in the British Isles and their vicinity are those remarkable intermigrations which take place in spring and autumn between the south-eastern coast of England and the opposite shores of the Continent, and which mainly come under notice at the numerous lightships stationed between the mouth of the Humber and the Straits of Dover. If these important flights across the southern waters of the North Sea were not actually discovered through the investigations of the Migration Committee appointed by the British Association, it is assuredly owing to the labours of that body, and especially to those of my late and most intimate friend, Mr John Cordeaux, that attention was first seriously drawn to them. During the preparation of the ‘Digest of the Observations on the Migrations of Birds made at Lighthouses and Lightships, 1880-1887,” it became evident to me that much remained to be learned concerning these movements and the various species which participate in them, and I conceived the idea of IL. 1 A 2 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION undertaking some researches regarding them. To accomplish this, however, it was essential that I should spend some weeks on board one of the lightships—a course which demanded some consideration, since life on one of these floating observatories is inseparable from discomforts peculiarly its own. Encouraged, however, by the experience gained at the Eddystone lighthouse in the autumn of 1901, I decided to make the venture, and an application was forwarded on my behalf by the Royal Society to the Trinity House for permission to spend a month during the autumn of 1903 on board one of the Corporation’s lightships in the North Sea. This privilege was graciously granted, and every facility was offered for visiting any vessel that might be selected. The selection of a suitable station demanded careful consideration, and I finally decided upon the Kentish Knock lightship. This vessel appeared to me to lie at or near the centre of the migratory stream that I desired to investigate, and its remote situation, out of sight of land, promised to afford an excellent opportunity for witnessing the various movements, and the conditions under which they were performed, free from the influences which might prevail at stations nearer to our shores; lastly, the character of its light, a most important factor, seemed to be especially adapted for attracting the migrants which might pass in the night. The geographical position of the lightship will be best realised by a reference to the map on page 4, which shows its situation in relation both to the English shores and those of the Continent. It is stationed in latitude 51° 38’ 50” N., and in longitude 1” 39’ 55” E., lying 21 miles north-east-by-north of Margate, and 21.5 miles south-east of the Naze, which A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 3 are respectively the nearest points of land, while it is moored two miles east of the extensive sandbank from which it takes its name—a bank which is entirely submerged at all states of the tide. The following table affords some further information regarding its geographical relations :— Miles from Kentish Knock. Direction from Kentish Knock. Points struck on the English and Continental Coasts, North A little south of Southwold on the Suffolk coast . 49 North-north-west | Mouth of River Deben on the Essex coast . ss 42 North-west The Naze on the Essex coast . 21.5 West South-east coast of Essex near the mouth of the River Crouch 31 South-west North coast of Kent near Reculver . 7 : 3 F 28 South-south-west East coast of Kent 21 South North coast of France a ‘Tittle east of Cape Griz Nez 53 South-south-east Gravelines, on the north coast of France . 48.5 South-east Belgian coast near to the frontier of France 56 East Mouth of the East Schelde, coast of Holland. 88 The vessel is equipped with a white revolving light, throwing out three beams each of 12,000 candle-power, and making a complete revolution in three minutes. As it lies in the direct course of all the east-coast traffic passing north and south vwza the English Channel, and en route to and from the Thames, it is furnished with a siren of exceptional power, for use in times of fog or haze. This horn was a veritable dé¢e notre to me during my early days on board the ship, though I afterwards, except during the night, came to regard its hideous and nerve-rending blasts with indifference. 4 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION Life in a lightship (apart from mad de mer, from which even the crew are not on all occasions immune) is un- doubtedly one of considerable hardship and discomfort. It is the life of a seaman spent under the most trying condi- tions—namely, of one whose ship is ever the sport of the winds and waves. Off the Kentish Knock sands the set of the tide is so strong from north to south, and wzce versa, that the lightship rides out gales from the east and west NoRTH SEA. eqthe Naze aKentish Knock C qniz Nez -“ broadside to the waves. It was on these occasions that life on board became most trying. Then I was compelled to remain in my bunk, where I was sometimes so violently rocked in my cradle on the deep, that I found it decidedly difficult to avoid being ruthlessly tossed out of it. On these occasions, too, all the skylights were battened down, and artificial lights were burned below, and these, along with the galley close at hand, raised the temperature of the cabin to a degree that A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 5 was almost intolerable. My only consolation on these occasions was the knowledge that I missed nothing, bird-migration being impossible. However, I enjoyed the best of health while on board, and the almost incessant watchfulness necessary for the successful prosecution of my work rendered my sojourn free from that extreme tediousness which would otherwise have been inseparable from residence in such a vessel. I sailed from Blackwall in the Trinity tender ‘‘ Vestal ” on the morning of 15th September, and, after visiting the various lightships and “ pile” lighthouses within the Thames estuary, and the outlying Galloper lightship, was placed on board the Kentish Knock lightship at noon.on 17th September, and remained there until 18th October. I found the bird-migration at the Kentish Knock of a very varied and complex nature, in which respect it is probably not surpassed by any other station on or off the British coasts. The ship lies about the centre of a broad junction where many lines of flight cross each other—a result of the close approximation of the British and Continental land masses just to the south of it. Here, in addition to (1) the extensive movements (I speak of those of the autumn, the spring migrations being in an opposite direction) of immigrants from east to west and south-south-west and north-west, there are (2) movements of a similar nature from south-east to north-west, and (3) of birds of passage along the first- named route; while (4) emigrants, including many birds of passage, pass from north to south-south-west, and (5) from north-west to south-east. There appeared to be no Continental migration whatever from points north of east. It will thus be realised that much “‘cross-migration” takes IL. A2 6 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION place, and this, too, strange to say, is sometimes per- formed by identical species on the same day and even at the same hour. Another feature of importance is that at the Kentish Knock and neighbouring lightships the day movements equal, if they do not surpass in magni- tude, those observed during the night, whereas at other stations around our coasts the nocturnal movements vastly exceed in extent those occurring during the day. As at the Eddystone in 1901, I found it extremely difficult to detect small birds travelling. singly or in twos and threes during the daytime. The great majority— nearly all of them, in fact—flew close to the water, and the surface, almost always in motion, forms a most unsatisfactory background against which to pick up migrants, unless they are passing in large flocks. The rougher the sea the more difficult is the task of observa- tion, and the higher the wind the more closely do the birds hug the surface of the sea; thus, except during a dead calm, many migrants escape notice, in spite of the utmost watchfulness on the part of the observer. In connection with the movements witnessed at such isolated stations, it must be remembered that these observatories are mere specks in the open sea, and the marvel is that one sees so much, especially during the daytime. At night it is somewhat different, for then, under certain atmospheric conditions, numbers of birds are attracted to the lantern—many of them, no doubt, being allured from afar- In the preparation of these results I have grouped the observations under the particular set of movements or problems to which they relate, reserving certain information to be dealt with under the various species. The first migratory movements to come under notice A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 7 were those of birds seeking winter homes far to the south of the British Isles. I was much gratified to find that, although such an outlying station, the lightship lay in the course of the southerly passage of numerous summer birds departing from the more northern counties of Great Britain, as well as from Northern and Central Europe. Many migrants from the north when skirting our shores find themselves far to the eastward on reach- ing the coast of Suffolk, and on leaving that county proceed over sea towards the east coast of Kent, a course which carries them near the lightship, where not a few of them were observed proceeding to the south-south-west, as did others which had travelled westwards from the opposite shore of the North Sea. Numbers of such emigrants passed between 18th and 29th September—a genial spell of weather, with much sunshine and light breezes, following a particularly cold and stormy period for the time of the year. Between these dates many Wheatears, Redstarts, Sky- larks, Pied Flycatchers, and Tree-Pipits flitted by ; and fewer Meadow: Pipits, Starlings, Goldcrests, Pied Wag- tails, Yellow Wagtails, and Swallows, all semg/y except the Skylarks and Swallows, which passed in small parties. These migrants arrived singly and not unfrequently followed each other in quick succession, but there were usually greater or lesser intervals between their appear- ances. Not a few alighted on the ship, where some of them being both tired and hungry, spent a considerable time resting or busying themselves in an active search for insects, of which we had numbers on board at the time.’ 1 For an account of some of the insects observed on board the Kentish Knock lightship, see the Extomologist’s Monthly Magazine for December 1903, p. 289. 8 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION Others remained for a few moments only, and then took their departure. In all cases these birds on leaving the ship winged their way towards the coast of Kent.’ No doubt many birds of the species named and others passed without coming under notice, for a very slight deviation to the west, or east, would carry them beyond the range of observation. Among the rarer species observed were an Icterine Warbler and a Blue-headed Wagtail. The latter, in common with many other species, most probably arrived from the east, though it was in most cases impossible to tell from what quarter these birds came, for they appeared, as it were, mysteriously, not being observed until they perched on the rail or rigging. A Phalarope, probably Phalaropus hyperboreus, was observed on the water some little distance from the ship on 13th September. It was one of the very few Limicoline birds that came under observation, and was the only one detected during the daytime. These movements of summer birds on their way southwards were prolonged beyond the limits of September. Thus Wheatears and Chiffchaffs were observed on 3rd October; Starlings, Chaffinches, and Swallows passed on the 13th ; Sand-Martins on the 15th, and Swallows again on the 16th. Here, too, may be mentioned the Rock-Pipits observed on 23rd September, and on 8th and rath October. 1 The 19th of September was a great day for migrants (probably most of them immigrants from North-Western Europe) on the coasts of Lincolnshire and Norfolk, where, as I am informed by Mr Gurney, Redstarts, Pied Fly- catchers, Redbreasts, Goldcrests, Ring-Ouzels, Lesser Whitethroats, Blue- throats, Blackcaps, and Grasshopper Warblers occurred. On the same day Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, Wheatears, Willow-Warblers, and Tree-Pipits were passing south-south-west during the afternoon at the Kentish Knock. A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 9 The day movements were chiefly observed during the forenoon, but on some occasions were continued until sunset; while the hour and duration of the nocturnal visits entirely depended upon the advent and prevalence of weather conditions suitable for bringing night migration under observation. Continuing the observations relating to emigration, I have next to notice a series of movements from the north-west towards the south-east—that is to say, from the Essex coast, at or about the Naze, to the Belgian coast near the French frontier—a line of migration which seems to have been overlooked, but one to which I have recently drawn attention when treating of the spring migrations, in the reverse direction, of the Rook and Starling. The emigrations observed along this route, though marked, were confined to a few species, but it formed the main line across this part of the North Sea, by which the House-Martin, Meadow-Pipit, and Pied Wagtail sought the south, and was also a minor route for Wheatears, Starlings, and Skylarks. Considerable numbers of the three first-named species traversed it on 7th, 9th, and 14th October, days on which there was little or no migration along other lines of flight. These movements to far southerly winter quarters were by no means confined to the daytime, but were in progress at night, when the weather was favourable for migration and the atmospheric con- ditions for their observation. All the species already mentioned (excepting the Wagtails), with the addi- tion of Common Whitethroats, Spotted Flycatchers, Thrushes, and Blackbirds, were observed around the lantern, sometimes for several hours and in great numbers, 10 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION We now approach the East-to-West flights, which are certainly the most interesting of the migra- tions observed, and are also the main diurnal over- sea movements regularly witnessed on the British shores. The lightship, I found, occupied a central position amid this great feathered stream, since the vast majority (90 per cent. or more) of these migrants were moving direct from east to west, while others flew to the south-south-west and north-west. At stations off the Norfolk coast their chief line of flight is to the north-west, off the Lincolnshire coast to the north- north-west, while off the east coast of Kent it is to both west and south-west.’ On certain days, when general movements are in progress, these flights have often been known to cover the entire coastline be- tween the Humber and the Straits of Dover. On arriving on our shores many of these immigrants proceed inland and settle down for the winter, while others traverse the south coast and cross St George's Channel to winter in Ireland; others, again, cross the English Channel en route for Southern Europe. Owing, perhaps, to the unexpected spell of summer weather that characterised the latter half of Septentber, and to the high and uniform temperatures which pre- vailed then and during the first week of October, the east-to-west movements of the autumn of 1903 were very slightly in evidence in the earlier days of my residence on broad the lightship. During the period indicated only a few Skylarks, Tree-Sparrows, Swallows, Meadow-Pipits, and single Starlings were seen. The night movements of waders, however, appeared to be of ! For general information on these lines of flight, see Vol. I., pp. 83-87. A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 11 more importance; but, alas! only the notes of Ring- Plovers and Lapwings could be identified among the many voices that reached me as the migrants sped west- wards under the cover of darkness. The first extensive movement immediately followed a decided fall in temperature on the Continent. This commenced at 9 A.M. on 8th October, and from that hour until 2 p.m. flock after flock of Skylarks and Chaffinches and small parties of Tree-Sparrows and Meadow-Pipits followed each other in rapid succession. Starlings, which had hitherto only been noted singly, also passed in small troops. It was an important morning for east-to-west migration, and not only did hundreds of birds pass quite close to the ship, but far greater numbers, in fact many thousands, were observed pur- suing a like course at distances too great to render their identification certain, especially amid the dull weather and heavy rain which prevailed, and from the fact that all were flying close to the surface of the sea. On 1oth October there was another considerable fall in temperature, and our thermometer registered 10° lower than on any previous occasion since my residence in the lightship. This was followed on the 11th by the greatest diurnal movement of birds that I have ever witnessed. It set in at 8 a.m. with a marked passage of Starlings, Skylarks, and Tree-Sparrows. By midday it had assumed the nature of a ‘‘rush,” which was maintained without a break until 4 p.m. It was a remarkable movement in many ways. Skylarks, Star- lings, Chaffinches, and Tree-Sparrows not only passed westwards in continuous flocks, but many of these companies consisted of hundreds of individuals. So 12 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION numerous were the Starlings composing some of these bands that when first observed in the distance they resembled dark clouds, and formed a conspicuous con- trast to the leaden, white-crested billows. The elements contributed to the singularity of the scene. The weather, which had been fine up to 9 a.., rapidly changed, and by noon it had become, in nautical parlance, a “dirty day”—a character which it main- tained to the end. The rain, which fell steadily at first, became a downpour, and finally torrential. Indeed, so rain-laden did the atmosphere become, that it was necessary to sound the fog-horn, whose hideous yells added a weird accompaniment quite in harmony with a scene which, apart from its intense interest to a natural- ist, was dismal and depressing in the extreme. The wind, too, had been gradually rising, and by 3 p.m. had increased to a “strong breeze” with a velocity of 34 miles an hour. There were squalls at intervals, which lashed the rain against my face with such violence as to cause the skin to tingle for a considerable time. How the migrants braved such a passage was truly surprising. How they escaped becoming waterlogged in such a deluge of wind-driven rain was a mystery. Yet on they sped, hour after hour, never deviating for a moment from their course, and hugging the very surface of the waves, as if to avoid as much as_ possible the effects of the high beam wind. It was surely migration under the maximum of discomfort and hardship, indeed under conditions that approached the very verge of disaster for the voyagers. It is probable that the birds would not have quitted the Continent had these later conditions prevailed at the hour of their departure. That they did not do so A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 13 is made clear by a reference to the ‘Daily Weather Chart” issued by the Meteorological Office, and also by the observations registered at the lightship. The fact is that the weather changed rapidly under a falling barometer and a southerly wind; and thus, although the migrants set out under favourable conditions for the passage, they were overtaken while en route by the changes which became more and more unfavourable as they neared the English coast, and approached more nearly the storm-centre which lay off our own western shores. Thus were they trapped, and had to make the best they could of a bad passage. There were also westward flights of considerable magnitude on the part of the same species on the following day, 12th October, and again on the 15th. These were performed under conditions which were not unfavourable to the migrants, On the latter date some remarkable cross-migrations were observed on the part of Skylarks and Chaffinches, passing flocks of which were coming from both the north and east, sometimes simul- taneously, during the morning. On 17th October, Skylarks and Starlings were passing west at intervals during the day, in spite of a somewhat high northerly wind. Late in the afternoon the first Rooks and Jackdaws appeared in small numbers, as they did also, as I afterwards ascertained, at the Galloper lightship, a vessel moored over thirteen miles to the east-north-east of us. The advent of these birds was of great interest to me. I had been expecting them for some time, for they were overdue. Several individuals of each species appeared at 4.30 p.m. and alighted on the ship, but did not remain long ere they departed westward, At 6.30 P.M., in continuance, no doubt, of 14 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION the movement referred to, several Rooks and Jackdaws appeared at the lantern and flew around for some hours, indeed until daybreak the following morning, and one adult Rook and two Jackdaws were captured. A great number of Starlings, Skylarks, Chaffinches, Mistle- Thrushes, Song-Thrushes, Goldcrests, Meadow-Pipits, Wagtails, and other undetermined passerines were present, and doubtless also came from the east. The 18th added some interesting experiences. The “relief” at the Kentish Knock lightship was effected by the Trinity yacht “Irene” at 9 a.m. A great westerly movement was in full swing at the time, under weather conditions which were eminently favourable to the migrants ; these comprised the usual species—namely, Starlings, Skylarks, Chaffinches, and Tree-Sparrows. At 10.30 a.M., we bade adieu to the lightship and steamed south-west towards the Kentish coast, on nearing which our course was changed, and we proceeded west in the direction of the Thames estuary, and finally to the mouth of the river, where, at 3 p.m., I was put ashore at Southend. During the entire passage of four and a half hours— the distance travelled being close upon fifty miles—we were at first crossing the course of, and afterwards running parallel to, the flight of continuous flocks of Starlings and Skylarks, and of fewer Chaffinches and Tree-Sparrows, all proceeding westwards, and all flying just above the surface of the calmest of seas and in the finest of weather. These flocks, especially those of the two first-named species, were never absent from view, and we must have encountered tens of thousands of these birds during the passage. It was a revelation even to one—shall I A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 15 admit it >—painfully familiar with the voluminous records of such movements chronicled in the migration sched- ules; but it is one thing to study in cold blood, as it were, masses of statistics, and quite another to witness these bird-streams actually flowing unceasingly before one, hour after hour. It was the marvellous continuity and apparently inexhaustible nature of these movements that were a revelation to me, both on this and other occasions. The flocks ceased to be so numerous as we approached the mouth of the Thames proper, but groups of Starlings and Skylarks were still moving westwards when I left the “Irene” at Southend at 4 P.M. A Mistle-Thrush, observed flying somewhat high and to the west soon after we left the Kentish Knock, was the only Thrush that came under my notice during the daytime. In addition to the species named as participating in the great diurnal movements I have endeavoured to describe, Swallows and Martins in considerable, and Wheatears in lesser, numbers were also observed moving westwards independently. The fact that these species proceed along this route in autumn is the clearest possible evidence, if such were necessary, that it is also a true passage fly-line for migrants proceeding from the Continent vza the English shores to their winter quarters south of the British Isles. These birds of passage, after arriving in south-eastern England, sooner or later take their departure from our southern coast, en route for Africa in some cases, and South-Western Europe in others. Occasionally during the daytime small numbers of the summer birds just mentioned, 16 STUDIES IN ‘BIRD-MIGRATION remarkable to relate, were proceeding from south-east to north-west: proceeding north ere they sought the south! but this was exceptional, and the movements were never important. It will have been noticed that the species recorded aS participating in these great east-to-west movements are comparatively few in number—at any rate,’ those observed during the daytime. At the Eddystone, like- wise, a few species only cross the Channel by day, but a great variety at night. May not the same be the case at the Kentish Knock? I am decidedly of opinion that this is so. I am inclined to think that we have here the true explanation of what takes place. The phe- nomena of migration as witnessed at this station are, however, exceedingly complicated, as has already been stated, and it was found impossible to determine from actual observation whence came the birds that were so abundantly noticed during the hours of darkness. The occurrence of such characteristic east-to-west migrants as Rooks and Jackdaws at night, also favours this opinion. I shall return to this subject anon when discussing the night movements. The reason why the movements of these species are performed so largely during the daytime, instead of entirely at night, as is the case of most over-sea migrations, may be the comparative shortness of the passage (about 180 miles at most), if direct east to west in the latitude of this lightship. The few hours necessary for its accomplishment would not interfere unduly with the time that must be devoted to the daily search for food—a most important consideration for all migrating birds. It is a fact worthy of mention that each of the flocks, A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 17 great and small, that came under observation during these great movements, was composed of a single species. I never saw a flock or party consisting of _ mixed species—each kind kept strictly to itself, even when passing simultaneously with others and moving in the same direction. An interesting problem in connection with these east-to-west movements is: Whence came these vast hosts of autumn migrants—Continental emigrants? I was somewhat uncertain when I prepared the “ Digest” in 1896. Now I am decidedly of opinion that they are birds of Central (Western) European origin. I have little doubt of this from their lines of flight, from their species, and other considerations. These migrants, I believe, quit the Dutch coast at the mouths of the Maas, Rhine, and Schelde, which they have reached mainly by pouring down the courses of these great rivers from inland districts, some of which may lie far away in the interior of Europe. This would account for the vastness of their numbers. The extraordinary persistency with which these hosts follow definite lines of flight during their passage across the North Sea is very remarkable and also bears out my view. Thus at lightships lying only a few miles off the coast, and well within sight of land, the birds are xot recorded as making for the nearest points of the land, but as persistently following particular lines of flight. It is quite reasonable to suppose that the same definite course has been maintained during the entire journey ; and if we trace such lines back to the shores of the Continent, we shall find, whether the observation be made off the coast of Lincolnshire or Kent, that they have their origin on that section of the coast of Holland which I have indicated. I. B 18 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION I was much struck with the small number of essenti- ally marine birds that came under my notice at this pelagic station. The only Gulls that were fairly numerous were the Lesser Black-backed and the Kitti- wake. The Great Black-backed Gull was occasionally observed, but only a single Herring-Gull came under notice. Skuas, chiefly Arctic, and a few Pomatorhines, were frequently in attendance on the Gulls. I saw one Tern—an immature example of the common species. There were no Shearwaters, but I saw a single Fulmar. Gannets, all adults, were not unfrequent as passing visitors. Common Scoters, Guillemots, and Razorbills were numerous along the edges of the sands, and were chiefly in evidence during the prevalence of strong westerly winds, when they sought our side of the banks —the easterly—for shelter and food. I also saw a few Red-throated Divers. One of the crew of the lightship, who has been on board for over a year, and who, being a bird-fancier, knows all the small cage-birds well, informed me that he had never seen a Goldfinch, Linnet, or Redbreast on or about the vessel since he had been stationed there. He had seen two Greenfinches, which had arrived together during the spring. The night movements were of a varied and interest- ing character, occasionally of considerable magnitude, and problematical in their nature. I may say at once that, so far as direct observation was concerned, it was on all occasions quite impossible to tell from what quarter the birds approached the ship after darkness had set in. This I much regretted, for I was particularly wishful to ascertain whether the east- A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 19 to-west movements were performed during the night as well as the day. I did ascertain beyond a doubt that Rooks, Jackdaws, Lapwings, Ring-Plovers, and a number of wading birds did move in this direction during the night-time, and I think that there is strong presumptive evidence that the great movement on the night of the 17th to 18th October was chiefly if not wholly from east to west, and I believe that birds from the east were present on several other occasions.’ The nocturnal passage southwards during the latter part of September has already been alluded to, and but little more remains to be said concerning it. On the night of 18th September and during the earliest hours of the 19th, Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, Thrushes, and an adult male Kestrel were at and around the lantern, along with other species unidentified; and several Common Sandpipers were heard passing, but did not show themselves. This was probably the commencement of a movement southward which was in full swing all the following day. Soon after midnight on 20th September a large party of Skylarks appeared, accompanied by other small passerines. A considerable number struck the lantern and fell into the sea, the wind being moderately strong and the ship riding with her beam to it. At 8.45 P.M. on 22nd September a number of Wheat- 1 It is a very significant fact (one which favours the opinion that many, perhaps most, of these night migrations were from the east westwards), that although I witnessed movements as late in the season as 18th October, yet I never saw a single essentially northern species, such as the Redwing, during the whole of my residence in this lightship. At the Galloper light- ship, east of the Kentish Knock, on 22nd October 1887, Rooks, Starlings, and Larks were at the lantern all night, clearly proving that these east-to- west passages are performed during the hours of darkness. 20 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION ears arrived and continued to fly around while the sky remained overcast. On 25th September, between 1 and 4 a.m., during light rain, many Wheatears, Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, Whitethroats, Willow-Warblers, Tree-Pipits, Skylarks, and a Richard’s Pipit (examples of all of which were killed at the lantern), doubtless with other species, were flying round the vessel, and great numbers struck the glass and were lost in the sea. The presence of Richard’s Pipit, a Central European summer bird, suggests that this movement was, at least in part, from east to west. On 29th September, between 2 and 5 a.m., Black- birds (those killed being immature males), Redstarts, Pied Flycatchers, Wheatears, Goldcrests, and Skylarks were present in great numbers, and hundreds struck the lantern and fell overboard. On 3rd October, from 1.30 to 4 a.m., Goldcrests, Mistle-Thrushes, Song-Thrushes, Blackbirds, Chiff- chaffs, Meadow-Pipits, Wheatears, and others were flying round. The rays of light were not very brilliant, however, and comparatively few perished at the lantern. The fortnight that followed was devoid of night movements. There were days on which much east-to- west migration was witnessed, but the nights were bird- less, so far as observation was concerned, for the weather conditions were not such as to render the lantern attractive to passing migrants. From 6.30 p.m. on the night of 17th October to 5 a.m. on the 18th, Starlings, Larks, Chaffinches, Jackdaws (a few), Rooks (a few), Mistle-Thrushes, Song-Thrushes, Wagtails, Goldcrests, Meadow-Pipits, and probably many other species were careering around the ship, and A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 21 examples of those named were either killed or captured -at the lantern. This was the most important of the night movements witnessed, for some thousands of birds struck the lantern and fell overboard during the ten and a half hours that it was in progress. In this movement, I think, we have most unmistakable evidence in favour of its being, in part at least, an east-to-west migration. It commenced as soon as it was dark, and some of the species participating in it, notably the Rooks, Jackdaws, Chaffinches, Skylarks, and Starlings, had been observed moving in that direction, as long as it was possible to see them in the gloaming—that is to say, down to within an hour, or a little more, of the first appearance of the birds at the lantern. Thus it must be regarded as a continuation westward of the flights witnessed during the day. The presence, too, of the Rook and the Jackdaw, and the entire absence of any essentially northern species, must be considered as favourable to this view. These night movements were very interesting to witness, and were novel to me, since they were seen from an entirely new standpoint-—namely, from below. Of these new experiences, perhaps the one which im- pressed me most was that, from the deck of a lightship, one realised more fully the terrible loss of life that is involved by these nights at the lantern. Here one saw birds actually falling thickly around, and even heard them dropping on to the surface of the water. Such scenes often lasted for hours—ten anda half hours on the 17th to 18th October—and the sacrifice of life on this and other occasions was simply appalling. Some of the victims, indeed the majority, were only stunned or slightly injured, and thus met with a miserable death Il. B 2 22 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION at sea. Few fell on board, unless the night was still, and then chiefly those which struck the lantern with: considerable force, and fell like stones below. ‘Seen from the deck, the three beams from the lantern appeared to be thrown towards the surface of the surrounding waters at an angle of 45°. The birds— brilliant glistening objects—-seemed to ascend, as it were, these streams of light by a series of short jerky flaps performed by wings which appeared to be only half spread for flight. Some of them paused when within a short distance of the lantern, remaining almost stationary, as if to sun themselves in the radiance of the slowly passing beam. Others were bolder -and approached the light more closely, but ere they reached it spread their tails like fans, in order to check, at the last moment, their perilous onward course, and then sheered off, returning in a moment or two to repeat the performance. This spreading of the tail was a pleasing trait, especially in the Wheatear, whose black-and-white rectrices formed a very pretty fan. Others, again, approached the light gently, and either fluttered against the glass, or, as was particularly the case with the Starling, perched on the iron frame-work of the lantern- windows and seemed to revel in the light. In this respect the Starling differed from the rest, and when one brilliant beam had passed, the bird craned its neck and appeared to gaze longingly towards the next, which was slowly approaching. Indeed, the actions of the Starling in particular showed the birds under the spell of some overpowering fascination. A number of the visitors made their début with a wild dash for the light, and these, if they struck the glass direct, were killed out- right ; while if the contact were made obliquely, they A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 23 glanced off stunned, and, slightly injured, descended with a curious zigzag flight which sometimes carried them some little distance ere they were lost amid the waves, The Rook cut the sorriest figure of all the migrants seeking the light. He too tried to obtain foothold on the frame of the lantern, whereon to sit amid the blaze of light, but failed, and flapped and struggled against the windows in a singularly clumsy fashion. Finally, to complete the scene, there was the singular effect produced by its central feature—namely, the great lantern, which, placed high up on the mast, swung slowly to and fro amid the glittering hosts that danced attendance upon its mystic charms, On occasions when the rays were not particularly conspicuous the migrants flew aimlessly around, passing from ray to ray, sometimes for many hours. It is extraordinary how long some birds will fly round a light without resting. As a good example may be mentioned the case of a Kestrel which appeared at 8 p.m. on 18th September, and careered around without a break or rest of any. kind until 1.30 a.m. on the 19th. This bird often came close up to thé light, but checked itself by spread- ing its tail ; and it also frequently flew to windward, and then dashed back over the lantern at a tremendous pace. It paid no attention to the few birds which were some- times present during its prolonged visit. When the wind was somewhat high, the birds resorted almost entirely to the lee side of the ship, and approached the lantern head to wind. Although some of the night movements witnessed were of considerable magnitude and remarkably pro- longed, yet the migrants, on the whole, were singularly silent—indeed, disappointingly so, for thus a useful aid 24 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION to identification was denied me. Nor could I walk around the lantern and inspect them, as they fluttered against the glass. A novel method for the capture of specimens for determination was, however; resorted to with considerable success: a sailor was stationed on the sloping roof of the lantern, where, armed with an angler’s landing-net, he captured the birds, like so many moths, as they streamed up the beams of light towards him. In this way many birds, ranging from a Goldcrest to a Rook, were secured for the purpose of identification. The weather conditions, under which the rays from the lantern became conspicuous and attractive, were identical with those I had noted at the Eddystone (see Vol. I., p. 284)—namely, the existence in the atmosphere of moisture not necessarily in the form of rain or haze, but actually present, thoughnot visible, on dark starless nights. In order to put my views on this subject toa scientific test, I took with me to the lightship a hygro- meter, with the object of ascertaining the actual percentage of humidity in the air on such occasions. I had not many chances of using the instrument, as either rain or haze was, in most instances, present, but on several occasions when it was not so manifested, I found the hygrometer indicated a very large percentage of moisture, in two instances reaching as high a figure as 86—a more pronounced result than I had anticipated, There was hardly a single occasion during my visit on which the rays were conspicuous and the birds absent; on the other hand, there was not a single instance of migrants visiting the light when the night was bright and starlit or the moon was visible. The birds which appear at the lantern are, by some authorities, considered to be birds that have lost their A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 25 way, and hence make for the light in default of any other directive impulse. After my experiences at the Eddystone and the Kentish Knock, I am convinced that this is not the true explanation. I believe that the migrants are actually decoyed from or arrested on their course by the influence of the light itself. At the Eddystone, the emigrants which ] saw in such numbers had practically only just left the land behind them, and had not had time to get lost when they appeared at the lantern. Another important fact in support of my contention is that the birds never appear at the light- stations at night except when the rays are remarkable for their luminosity; and in this connection it is important to bear in mind that this brilliancy does not depend upon such a thickening of the atmosphere as would cause inconvenience to the birds during their passage, for 1 have seen them in great abundance at the lanterns when I could make out neighbouring lights that were ten miles or more distant. Another signifi- cant fact is that they do not seek stations having red or green lights. Such lanterns, I am informed by the keepers, are seldom if ever visited under any conditions, for, owing to the subdued nature of their lights, the rays never become sufficiently conspicuous to prove attractive. When the Galloper lightship had white lights, great numbers of birds were allured to its lanterns, but now that the light is red, bird-visitors are almost unknown. If the birds were lost, why should they seek a white light and avoid one that is red or green? That the migrants may and do become confused, and for a time, perhaps, lost after the excitement and fatigue occa- sioned by their attendance upon the lantern, I can well imagine. 26 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION There is another very remarkable fact concerning these visitors to the lights to which I have never seen any allusion made—namely, that ¢he vast majority of them are passerines! 1 have seen tens of thousands of migrants around the lanterns of the Eddystone and Kentish Knock stations, and all were passerines except two—namely, a Storm-Petrel and a Kestrel. And yet I have heard waders and other birds passing during these stirring nights at the lantern, though beyond giving tongue they passed by unconcerned and invisible. How are we to account for this? Why should the Passeres be allured to the light and not the Limicolea? Can it be because the former—the most specialised of birds—are rendered, by reason of their higher organisation, more susceptible to the mysterious influence of the light? I merely throw out this suggestion as a possible explana- tion. As to the meteorological aspects of the migration phenomena witnessed at the Kentish Knock, not much remains to be said, for frequent allusions have already been made to them when treating of particular move- ments. In dealing with this section of the subject, I have consulted a set of the “ Daily Weather Reports,” issued by the Meteorological Office, wherein are shown the conditions prevailing over the whole of the western half of Europe. The conditions most favourable for passages across the southern waters of the North Sea prevail when the central area of an anticyclone lies to the east of our islands, when, as already explained (see Vol. I., p. 173), the winds would range from south to east. The main weather-influences for investigation were naturally those associated with the east-to-west move- A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 27 ments. These movements, I found, did not begin in earnest until a decided fall in temperature took place in Western Central Europe, and this important factor was the precursor of each of the pronounced movements observed. Before such incentives to migration were experienced, unusually high temperatures had prevailed, and this was undoubtedly the reason why the movements prior to 8th October had been of such a straggling and feeble nature. These falls in temperature were not on all occasions experienced on our shores, and this again demonstrates the necessity for consulting the meteoro- logical data at the place where such movements have their source. The strongest wind prevailing when migration was in progress was on 13th October, when, with a westerly moderate gale blowing with a velocity of from 34 to 40 miles an hour, Swallows were proceeding in numbers to the south-south-west, and some House-Martins to the north-west—no other species being on the move. Under like conditions on the 9th, Martins were the only migrants observed, and were moving from north-west to south-east. The weather conditions under which the other move- ments were witnessed do not call for any special remarks, for my experiences were similar to those at the Eddy- stone, and supported the views already expressed in that “Study” on the bearing of meteorology on_ bird- migration where the sea-passage is a short one. As at the Eddystone, whenever a number of individuals of a species were obtained during any movement, they showed a considerable range of varia- tion in their wing measurements, bearing out fully what I 28 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION have previously said on this subject (see Vol. I., p. 307). As showing how much individuality may enter into these measurements, it is of interest to note that in six Wheat- ears, all females in identical plumage, killed or captured on the early morning of 25th September, the range of wing varied from 3.62 to 3.88 inches. It may also be noted that of twenty-two Skylarks obtained on 29th September, the wing range was only from 3.78 to 4.35 for young and old males and females, the average being 4.07 inches; while of ten examples captured on 17th to 18th October it varied from 3.93 to 4.70 inches, the average being 4.3 inches. The height at which birds fly when migrating is a subject on which much has been written, and the fact that they have been observed proceeding at considerable elevations has been advanced as explaining the mystery of their being able to find their way, especially when a considerable extent of sea has to be crossed. That some birds do fly at great heights, and that under certain conditions (probably during fine weather) it may be an advantage to them to do so, I will not for a moment deny, but I am convinced that it is not a necessity as a means of finding their way. The birds observed crossing from east to west in the latitude of the Kentish Knock would have a flight of at least 120 miles to perform between the Continental and the English coasts. When observed at that lightship, they had over one-fourth of their flight still before them, so that it was an excellent station for studying this and the various other conditions under which the journey was performed. During all these movements, great and small, the migrants of every species flew close to the A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 29 surface of the water under all conditions of weather. On certain occasions, notably on 11th October, the - state of the atmosphere was such that it must have been quite impossible for them to see more than one, or at most two, hundred yards ahead; and yet under these conditions, when it might possibly have been an advantage to fly high, they sped onwards, just skimming the crests of the waves, and never departing from a true east-to-west course. On fine clear days, with a light wind, these flights were performed in a precisely similar manner. Such facts as these, as well as many others, afford, I think, conclusive evidence that birds are endowed with a sense of direction which, even under exceptional circumstances, seldom fails them. The speed at which birds fly while actually on migration is another moot point on which I was able to obtain some information at this remote station in the North Sea. Speaking generally, the migrants pursued their way at the steady rate characteristic of their respective species. There was no hurry, but at the same time there was a business-like manner about them which was in keeping with the important event on hand. Certain species habitually fly faster than others: thus the flight of the Meadow-Pipit was slower than that of the other species observed; that of the Skylarks, Chaffinches, Wagtails, and others was decidedly faster ; while that of the Starlings, Martins, and Swallows was the speediest of all. I had an excellent opportunity for roughly gauging the speed of both Skylarks and Starlings on 18th October. The “Irene” ran for some hours in the same direction as the flight of these species. Flock after 30 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION flock flitted alongside of the ship, and, at my request, the captain ascertained from the engine-room the precise rate at which we were steaming, the result being a speed of exactly eleven knots (12.6 miles) an hour. At this speed the Skylarks passed us with the greatest ease, and, as near as it was possible to estimate, were pro- ceeding as fast again as the ship, or at a rate of about 25 miles an hour, but certainly not more. It was more difficult to estimate the speed of the Starlings, but they were probably travelling at least half as fast again as the Larks, and therefore at not less than from 35 to 40 miles an hour. The following list affords, in an epitomised form, and for each of the species observed, the information relating to their various movements and the dates on which they were performed :— Turpus viscivorus, Jistle - Thrush.—With one exception, a night visitor, observed in some numbers at the lantern and around the ship on the early morning of 3rd October, and again on the night of the 17th and in the early hours of the 18th, examples being captured on both occasions. One was flying high to the west at Ii A.M. on the 18th. Turpus musicus, Song-Thrush.—A night visitor only. Numbers were flying around the ship between 2 and 4 a.m. on 18th September and 3rd October, some being killed on the latter date. Many were again present during the great night movement of 17th-18th October, when several were killed at the lantern. Turpbus MERULA, Blackbird.—Was observed between 2 and 4 A.M. on 27th September and 3rd October, along A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 31 with other species. On the former date two were killed against the lantern, both immature males. SAXICOLA GNANTHE, Wheatear.—This bird was observed migrating on ten days. It was noticed singly, but numerously, during the daytime, on 19th, 2oth, 22nd, and 27th September, and 1st October; and at the lantern on 22nd, 25th, and 29th September, and on 2nd and 3rd October. On a few occasions single birds were seen flying to the south-east, evidently en route for the coast of Belgium or France ; and some, likewise singly, to the north-west. When attracted to the light, how- ever, the bird was present in numbers. RuTICILLA PHcNICURUS, Aedstart.—Passed to the south-west on seven days between 18th and 26th September, and was also numerous after dark. During the daytime it was observed to flit by, singly but con- tinuously; and at night several were at the lantern simultaneously, though they may have appeared singly. On 25th September, a beautiful pinkish-buff variety, with paler under surface and almost white wings, but with normally coloured lower back and tail, was killed at the lantern at 2 a.m., and proved to be a young male. Sytvia syLvia, Whitethroat.—Participated in the great migratory movement witnessed on the early morn- ing of 25th September, when a bird of the year was killed at the lantern. REGULUS REGULUS, Goldcrest.—The first Goldcrests appeared on board singly during the forenoon of 23rd September, others again on the 29th and on 1st October, when they were moving southwards during the daytime. Numbers were flying in the rays, and fluttering against the lantern during the early morning movements of 29th 32 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION September and 2nd and 3rd October, and on the night of 17th to 18th October. PHYLLoscopus couLysiTa, Chiffchaf.—At the lantern with other species on 3rd October. One was captured at 3 A.M. PuyLLoscopus TrocuiLus, W2llow- Warbler. — Was moving southwards during the daytime on roth, 2oth, and 22nd September; and on the early morning of the 25th was flying around the light, when several examples were killed. Came on board freely, but singly, in the daytime, and on leaving went south-south-west. Hypotais icrerina, /clerine Warbler.—One came on board on the afternoon of 22nd September, and allowed an inspection at close quarters before it quitted the ship for the coast of Kent. MoraciLtta LucusRis, Pied Wagtail.—A few were moving to the south-south-west, during the daytime, late in September; but the bird was chiefly observed migrating to the south-east and south-south-east, towards the coast of the Continent, between daylight and 10.30 A.M. on Ist, 7th, 14th, and 16th October. Motacitia FLAVA, Blue-headed Yellow Wagtarl — A fine adult male, in newly assumed winter plumage, was captured on the ship at 3.30 p.m. on 22nd September, a great date for diurnal movements. MoraciLtta Rat, Yellow Wagtatl—One alighted on the deck at 1 P.M. on 22nd September, remained a few moments, and then flew south-south-west. Many other species were moving southwards at the time, and probably other representatives of this species. ANTHUS PRATENSIS, (Zeadow-Prpit. — This, one of the most frequent migrants, was observed passing on seventeen days. The main line of flight for emigrants A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 33 was from north-west to south-east (from the Essex coast towards that of Belgium), and considerable numbers passed in that direction from 18th September to 14th October between 6 a.m. and noon. Smaller numbers were observed moving to the south-south-west. The immigrants came from both the east and south- east, chiefly from the former quarter, and passed in numbers towards the Essex coast, from 7th to 16th October, the chief flights being on the 8th, when some of the parties were forty strong. Was present during the night movements of 3rd and 18th October, but in small numbers, a few being killed. ANTHUS TRIVIALIS, 7vee-P2pit.—Was moving south- wards during the daytime between 19th and 23rd September, when several individuals came on board singly, some of which were captured. In the early morning of the 25th one was killed at the lantern along with other emigrant summer birds. Antuus ricnarpi, Richara’s Pipit.—A male, in first plumage, was captured at the lantern at 3 a.M. on 25th September, during a considerable movement of summer birds, and, no doubt, came from the east. Antuus opscurus, Rock-Prpit.—Rock-Pipits, prob- ably moving southwards, came on board on 23rd September and 12th October during the daytime, and one was captured at the lantern at 6.45 p.m. on 8th October. MuscicapPa GRISOLA, Spotted Flycatcher.—Was flying around the ship, with a number of other species, from 1 to 4 A.M. on 25th September, and two were killed at the lantern. MUscICAPA ATRICAPILLA, Pred Flycatcher.—Was first observed, and captured, on the night of 18th September ; Il. c 34 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION some alighted on the ship on the following day, when they proved their expertness in both finding and capturing insects, a “gamma” moth not being too much for them. On the 29th one was taken off the lantern at 3 A.M. Hirunpo rustica, Swallow. — Swallows, old and young, were flying together to the south-south-west on 26th September, and 2nd, 13th, 14th, and 16th October ; and to the west on 26th September and 14th October. The chief movements were on 13th and r4th October, when parties, some of them one hundred strong, passed southwards, all flying low over the surface of the water. On the latter date, they were observed passing both westwards and southwards—z.e., making for and depart- ing from the English coast! The earliest hour for these migrants was 7.45 A.M., and the latest 2 P.M. CHELIDON uRBICA, /fouse - Martin.—The first and greatest movement of this bird was observed on oth October, when, after a decided fall in temperature, numbers were passing from north-west to south-east, from 9 A.M. to I P.M., some of the parties containing as many as fifty individuals. Smaller numbers passed in the same direction on the 13th. On the 14th and 16th small flocks were moving from east to west in the fore- noon. On the 16th several went north-west during the morning. CoTILE RIPpARIA, Sand- Martin.—On 15th October the watch reported that he had seen twenty “swallows ” passing south-south-west at 5.45 a.m. and of these, seven alighted on the rail and rested for ten minutes. They were quite tame and allowed a close approach, and were described as being ‘brown above and white below.” : PassER MONTANUS, 7Z7ee-Sparrow.—From 2 ard A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP = 35 September until 8th October single birds or pairs came on board from the east at intervals. On the last-named date the bird passed in considerable numbers going due west, and again on the 11th and 18th. On the 11tha small party was observed flying to the north-west. Was not seen at night. This species came on board more frequently than any other, and displayed many of the traits characteristic of its commoner cousin, being very noisy, and having the knack of making itself at home, even at sea. When aboard during high winds and heavy rain, the birds used to hustle each other in the scramble for the most sheltered places in the rigging and on the lee side of the lantern, and showed much pugnacity. FRINGILLA CELEBS, Chaffinch. = Fis seen on 29th September, when an adult male came on board at 5 p.m. Not observed again until 8th October, when the great east-to-west flights set in, in all of which this bird participated largely, passing in flocks in the fore- and afternoon. On the morning of 15th October, it was passing in flocks to the south-south-west as a British emigrant, and to the west as an immigrant. Many were present during the great night movement of 17th to 18th October. STuRNus vuuearis, Stardeng.— First observed on 24th September, but down to 8th October single birds only were seen, passing occasionally to both the south- south-west and west during the daytime. On 8th October small parties passed from east to west, and this, the first decided movement in this direction, was followed by others of considerable magnitude, which have already been described. Small numbers were occasionally ob- served emigrating from north-west to south-east during 36 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION October. A solitary individual only came under notice at the lantern during the important nocturnal movements which took place in the latter half of September. The second occasion on which this species was observed at the light was during the great night movement of 17th to 18th October, when thirty-two examples were killed or captured, all of them of the ordinary green-headed race. I secured only one specimen of the purple-headed form, and this came from the east on the afternoon of 28th September. I much regretted not being able to ascertain to what race the vast numbers passing from east to west belonged, for not a single bird came aboard during the larger movements. It was impossible to say from what quarter the birds taken during the night movement alluded to came. Some of my friends regard the purple-headed birds procured by me at the Eddy- stone as merely fresh-moulted specimens of the ordinary bird. If this be so, how is it that all the fresh-moulted examples obtained at the Kentish Knock at an almost identical date had green heads ? Corvus MONEDULA, /ackdaw.— A few appeared from the east at 4.25 p.m. on 17th October, and others followed and were flying round the ship until 5 a.m. on the 18th. Two were captured. Corvus FRUGILEGUS, Rook.—The first Rooks appeared in small numbers from the east at 5 p.m. on 17th October, being preceded by a few Jackdaws. Later several appeared at the lantern, and flew in the rays of light from 7 P.M. to 3 AM. on the 18th, an adult being captured. ALAUDA ARVENSIS, Skylark.—This species was more in evidence than any other, and its movements were of a singularly varied nature. As an emigrant from Britain A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 37 it was observed moving to the south-south-west, south, and south-east ; and as an immigrant, to the west and north-west. It participated largely in the southerly migrations, both by day and night, during the latter half of September. It was also the most frequent visitor to the light, and was never absent from any of the night movements. As with other species, its pronounced flights from east to west were not observed until 8th October, but after that date it took a prominent part in all the great westerly flights. It was present in numbers during the great night migration of 17th to 18th October. Many were killed or captured at the lantern. Fatco TinnuncuLus, KestreZ—An adult male flew in the rays and approached the lantern continually between 8 p.m. of 18th September and 1.30 a.m. on the 1gth. PHALACROCORAX CARBO, Cormorant. — Single birds were seen on 18th and 21st September. Suta sassana, Gannet.— Not unfrequently seen, moving chiefly southwards, and always in adult plumage. Did not fish in the vicinity of the lightship. CEpEemMIA NIGRA, Common Scoter.— First seen on 28th September, and frequently afterwards, usually fly- ing towards the feeding grounds on the fringe of the Kentish Knock sands. AEGIALITIS HIATICOLA, Ringed Plover.—This species was heard on five occasions, between the hours of 6.40 P.M. and 1.15 A.M., passing over the ship towards the west or north-west—namely, on 17th, 19th, 24th, 25th, and 29th September. The unknown notes of other Limicole were, on three of these occasions, heard at the same time. VANELLUS VANELLUS, Lapwing.—Between 9.45 P.M. and 11 p.m. on 30th September, during moonlight, Il. C2 38 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION Lapwings were heard passing overhead from east to west. ; PHALAROPUS HYPERBOREUS, Ked-necked Phalarope.— At midday on 30th September, one was seeking food on the water at some little distance from the ship. ToTANUS HYPOLEUCUS, Common Sandpiper.—Heard passing southwards at 10.45 p.m. during the night movement of 18th September, when Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers were flying around the lantern. STERNA FLUVIATILIS, Common Tern.—An immature example appeared and alighted on the rail during the forenoon of 29th September. Rissa TRIDACTYLA, Aztézwake.— Adults and young were common from 22nd September onwards. Larus arcEnTaTus, Herring-Gul/—An adult seen on 15th October was the only example of this species observed. Larus Fuscus, Lesser Black- backed Gull. — Seen almost daily, but in greater numbers after 2nd October. Larus Marinus, Greater Black-backed Gull,—A few seen daily after 3rd October. I never noticed any decided movements on the part of gulls. STERCORARIUS POMATORHINUS, Pomatorhine Skua.— From 7th October was seen daily in attendance upon the Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Kittiwakes. Few mature birds were seen. STERCORARIUS CREPIDATUS, Arctic Sua. — Present daily from 24th September onwards, chiefly engaged in bullying the Kittiwakes and sometimes the Lesser Black- backed Gulls, The dark form largely preponderated. FULMARUS GLACIALIS, Fudmar.—-On 2nd October one was observed flying southwards at 5.45 p.m. COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, Red - throated Diver.— A MONTH ON KENTISH KNOCK LIGHTSHIP 39 Both adults and young were seen not unfrequently from 22nd September onwards. They were always fishing singly near the ship. URIA TROILE, Common Guillemot.—Not uncommon off the edge of the sand, where the shallow water prob- ably affords good fishing ground. These birds, and others seeking similar situations, were most numerous during strong westerly winds, when the east side of the sand afforded shelter and the possibility of obtaining food. Atca Torpa, azorbcll.—The same remarks apply to this species as to the last. FRATERCULA arctica, Puffin.— A single bird seen on the wing on 1oth October was the only record. The following additional species have also been observed at this lightship. Some of them were sent to me after I left the vessel, while the records of the rest have been culled from the schedules of observations furnished to the British Association’s Committee from 1880 to 1890. FRINGILLA MONTIFRINGILLA, Brambling.—The wings of six Bramblings killed at the lantern on 9th October 1887 were sent to Mr Cordeaux. Hundreds of birds were present at the light on this occasion. Parus Major, Great Titmouse.'— Five on deck at midday on 26th November 1903. One of these, an adult female, allowed itself to be captured, and was sent to me. “All the birds were of the same species, and uttered a note like a Chaffinch” (G. E. Highton). Syivia BoRIN, Garden Warbler.—One struck the lantern on the morning of 4th May 1904, and was sent to me. 1 Probably the typical Continental race. 40 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION Eriruacus rupecuta, Redbreast.— There are five records in the schedules for the occurrence of this familiar bird. Only one of these is for spring—namely, for 17th April 1888, when a single bird was on deck at 6 A.M. The autumn records are for 21st October, and 8th, roth, and 12th November. On 10th November, fifty or sixty were at the lantern from 2 a.m. to daylight. TROGLODYTES TROGLODYTES, Wren.—Two appeared on board at 4 p.m. on 13th October 1885, and roosted in the reefed sail. Atcepo 1spipa, Kiugfisher.— One found on deck at 10 P.M. on 20th March 1904 was forwarded to me. CucuLus canorus, Cuckoo.—One which struck the lantern at 5 aM. on roth May 1904 was sent to me. ScoLopax RusticuLta, Woodcock. — There are only two records of the visits of this well-known migrant. On 30th October 1885, one was killed at the lantern at 11.30 P.M. ; and another on 24th October 1890, at 2 A.M. Trinca aALPina, Dunfin.—-On 20th March 1904, one was found on deck, along with the Kingfisher, and sent to me. NuMENIUS aRQUATA, Curvlew.— Two occurrences only are recorded. On 6th August 1880, one was seen at 11 A.M.; and on 30th April 1888, many were at the lantern at 9.30 P.M., and one struck and was killed. PROCELLARIA PELAGICA, Storm Petrel.—A few were at the lantern from 6.30 P.M. to 12 A.M. on 11th Novem- ber 1885. NOTE.—The sequence of the species of Passerine birds in this chapter is not quite the same as that followed in the rest of the studies. It is that of a paper which appeared in Zhe /dzs for 1904. Vol. IL. {To face p. 40- (Photo: C. Dick Peddie. FAIR ISLE FROM THE SOUTH-WEST. CHAPTER XIX FAIR ISLE, THE BRITISH HELIGOLAND On consulting a map of Scotland, with a view to select- ing a bird-watching station in which to spend my autumn vacation in 1905, I was much impressed with the favour- able situation of Fair Isle for that purpose. It seemed, theoretically, to afford quite a number of exceptional advantages. It appeared to me to lie right in the line of flight of the hosts of migrants which in spring and autumn traverse our shores and islands when proceeding to and from their summer homes in Northern Europe. Another important feature was its isolation, which would render it a most welcome resting-place for the migrants performing these seasonal passages. Here, too, the bird visitors would be concentrated within narrow limits, and its moderate size would make it possible to ascer- tain, with some degree of accuracy, what species were present daily. All these factors are of extreme import- ance to the would-be observer of bird-migration, Besides these considerations there was yet another —namely, the fact that practically nothing was known concerning the bird-life of this little-visited island, though it may be noted that its falcons were famous some three hundred years ago. My forecast of the importance of Fair Isle as a 41 42 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION bird-observatory has been more than realised. Seven years’ investigations have made it the most famous bird-observatory in our islands; indeed it has become the British Heligoland. Quite a number of species which were previously regarded as rare casual visitors to our isles, have, as the result of these observations, been found to be regular migrants. They doubtless occur on the mainland, too, but owing to its broad acres they almost entirely escape notice. In addition, several species have been added to the British and many to the Scottish avifauna through the Fair Isle investigations. Though lying midway between the Orkney and Shetland groups, Fair Isle has remained among the least visited of all the numerous inhabited islands in the British seas. This is, no doubt, to be accounted for by there being no. regular communication by steamer with the island, a fact which is probably due to the entire absence of a reasonably good natural harbour, and to the fierce tidal streams which rush along its rugged and precipitous coasts. The island is situated some 24 miles south-south- west from Sumburgh Head, the southernmost point of the mainland of Shetland, and 26 miles east-north-east of North Ronaldshay, the most northerly of the Orkneys. It is somewhat oblong in form, having an extreme length of about 2% miles from north to south, and averaging about 1 mile in breadth. Though a circuit of the island may be made by a walk of 9 miles, yet so indented and irregular is the coastline that its in-and-out circum- ference is not much short of 20 miles. Except a small portion of its southern coast, and a little inlet on the east, the island is everywhere surrounded by a belt of precipitous cliffs, ranging from PLATE XII. [Photo: W. Norrie. FAIR ISLE: THE NORTH-WEST CLIFFS. Vol. II.J (To face p. 42. FAIR ISLE, THE BRITISH HELIGOLAND 43 100 to close upon 600 feet in height. At intervals this lofty coastline juts out into remarkable peninsulas and bluff headlands ; and its face has been scooped out to form great picturesque geos and innumerable caverns ; while many natural arches, detached pillars of rock, lofty stacks, and skerries add much to the grandeur and interest of the coast scenery. This great belt of natural precipice—the resort of hosts of sea-fowl in the summer —is highest on the west side; and though the cliffs on the east are not so lofty, yet here they are graced by the picturesque ‘“‘ Sheep Craig ”—a noble mass of rock rising almost perpendicularly from the sea to a height of some 500 feet, which is one of the greatest resorts of sea-fowl in the island, and formerly afforded a fitting home for the Sea Eagle. Seen from the south harbour, the appearance of the isle is decidedly picturesque and “fair.” In the centre of the foreground are the crofts, about 200 to 300 acres in extent, and all golden and green at harvest time. These are flanked on either side by high grass-clad ground, and a fine skyline is formed by the singularly irregular outline of the cliffs, and the undulating contour of the high ground on the north. The northern two-thirds of the island are mostly barren, being either carpeted with stunted heather, grass, and a creeping species of juniper, or bare and stony, the turf having been torn off for fuel. The ground here is high, especially on the west, and culminates in the Ward Hill (712 feet), the highest point in the island. On the lower ground there is an extensive wet area known as ‘‘Sukka Moor,” with a number of small lochans, and traversed by a little burn. This portion of the island would seem to be well suited 44 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION as a nesting-haunt for the Golden Plover, Curlew, Whimbrel, Snipe, Lapwing, and Dunlin, but the presence of the descendants of the once famous Peregrines prob- ably accounts for the absence of these waders as breed- ing species, and now this fastness is sought only by Wild Geese as a safe retreat during their short sojourns, and as a resting-place for moulting Gulls in the late summer. There are two natural harbours. Of these, that on the south is the one used, weather permitting. It is, however, beset by numerous submerged rocks, and across its mouth rushes a furious tidal roost, making it neces- sary to have native experience ere one ventures to enter itin a boat. There isa smaller and better harbour on the northern section of the east coast, but it is somewhat removed from the inhabited portion of the island. There are several small burns which, after a short course, discharge themselves into the sea as waterfalls down the face of the cliffs; and there are two small sheets of water at the north end of the island. There are no trees or shrubs of any description, either native or cultivated, and thistles and bracken, the latter chiefly confined to a small belt on the north-east side, are the giants of the indigenous flora. The natives number about 130. They are crofter fishermen, and, though well-housed, live in the same primitive manner as their forefathers. They have always been most kindly disposed towards me, and have afforded me every facility in their power for carrying out my investigations. That Fair Isle has been inhabited for many centuries is manifest from the presence of tumuli, in which cinerary urns have been discovered. Since 1892, there have been two lighthouses on the island—namely, at Scaddon, at the extreme south-west, PLATE XIII. [Photo: IV. Norrie. FAIR ISLE: A RIFT IN THE WESTERN CLIFFs. Vol. II.) [To face p. 44. FAIR ISLE, ''HE BRITISH HELIGOLAND 45 and at Skroo, at the north-east limit. Both are furnished with powerful white revolving lights, the beams of which are arranged into groups. The island is hardly known to the general public save perhaps as the scene of the wreck, in the autumn of 1588, of “ El Gran Grifon,” one of the ships of the Spanish Armada, whose crew spent several months there in a more or less starving condition, and in great wretchedness, for the dwellings of the inhabitants were then the filthiest of hovels, and the natives poverty- stricken in the extreme. It can boast, however, of having received some distinguished visitors in the past, for Sir Walter Scott landed there on 14th August 1814, and spent several hours on the island; and Mr R. L. Stevenson paid a short visit on 21st June 1869. I have visited Fair Isle for five consecutive autumns, 1905-1909, remaining for five weeks on each occasion ; and I made three visits in spring—namely, in 1909, 1910, and 1911. On my first two visits I had the valuable co-operation of Mr Norman B. Kinnear, and since then George Stout, d Fair Islander, who had been trained by Mr Kinnear and myself, has rendered me great service. During the springs and autumns of 1909, 1910, and 1911, Her Grace the Duchess of Bedford added materi- ally to the results obtained. In the year 1908 the investigations entered upon a new era. Being then convinced that the island was a most important station for observing the movements of migratory birds, I determined, if the necessary help were forthcoming, to obtain a day-to-day record of its feathered visitors; to appoint, in fact, an observer whose whole time would be devoted to the investiga- tions. Thanks to the generosity of a few friends, I was 46 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION enabled to carry out my project, and George Stout was appointed recorder. Through his assiduity and excellent work, most satisfactory results were obtained. In 1909 George Stout left the island, and his brother Stewart, also an enthusiastic bird-watcher, took up the work with success. Since January 1910 Jerome Wilson has proved himself to be an assiduous and careful observer. As the result of six and a half years’ investigations, this insignificant island has been visited by no less than 207 species, or about one-half of the birds that have ever been known to have occurred in the British Isles! Nor are its resources in this respect by any means exhausted ; on the contrary, each year adds its quota of important records and novelties ; and it is intended to continue the investigations for some time to come. The outstanding feature of its bird-life is the importance of the passage movements, for the observa- tion of which it is not only unrivalled as a British station, but has few equals anywhere. Extraordinary numbers of these migrants appear regularly during the spring, when on their way to, and in the autumn when returning from, their wide and far-extending nesting- grounds in Northern Europe, Iceland, and Western Siberia. The knowledge gained from the Fair Isle statistics has thrown a flood of light upon these important and in some respects obscure migrations, such as was never before possessed for the British Islands. It has been ascertained with a surprising degree of accuracy what species participate regularly in these great movements, and the dates between which they are performed at both seasons. It has been possible, also, to note the increase in the stream of migrants under incentives highly favourable for their performance, its PLATE XIV. (Photo: N. B. Kinnear. FAIR ISLE: THE SHEEP CRAIG FROM THE SOUTH-WEST. (A former breeding-place of the Sea Eagle.) {[Photo: C. Dick Peddie. FAIR ISLE: THE SOUTH-WEST CORNER AND SKADAN LIGHTHOUSE. Vol. II.) (To fuce p. 46. FAIR ISLE, THE BRITISH HELIGOLAND 4a arrest during stressful periods, or, again, its even flow under ordinary conditions: in other words, the island has afforded the opportunity of correlating the divers movements with the weather conditions, and ascertaining what the meteorological incentives, checks, and barriers, as the case may be, to migration are—a knowledge of the relations existing between the two sets of phenomena which was highly desirable. This superiority of Fair Isle for these important researches arises from its isolation and its small size; otherwise it has no advantages over the other Isles of the Shetland and Orkney groups. In both these archi- pelagos, however, the islands are many, not a few of them are large, none are far apart, and hence the migrants visiting them are widely and thinly scattered, and in this way the great majority of their bird-visitors entirely escape notice. Fair Isle itself, with its 24 square miles of varied surface, and its extensive belt of lofty cliffs, is too spacious even for several observers ; and there were many days, when migrants were abundant, that we were conscious that in spite of strenuous and unremitting endeavours much had been missed—indeed, that the great majority of the visitors had not come under notice. The experience gained during many vacations spent in some of the most favoured observing-stations in the British Isles and elsewhere, has convinced me that we see an infinitesimal portion of the migrants which visit our shores. This is especially the case on the mainland, with its vast extent of coastline, its enormous acreage of enclosed ground, and its extensive woodlands and other forms of cover. On reaching the mainland, the migrants, particularly the Passerine birds, seek suitable 48 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION haunts where cover abounds, and thus few—very, very few—come under notice. We should remember, too, that we have not in the British Isles, where bird-watchers are more numerous than elsewhere, anything like one daily observer for every 100 square miles of country! Small wonder, then, that so very much escapes notice. It is well to bear this in mind when drawing deductions from migration data covering large areas. To return to Fair Isle: it must not be supposed after a great immigration overnight, that birds will be in evidence everywhere on the following day. This only applies to species that show a predilection for the open country, such as Fieldfares, Wheatears, Pipits, and the like. The various species of Warblers, the Bluethroat, Thrush, Blackbird—indeed, the majority of the arrivals (I allude to the autumn)-—are either in hiding among the turnips, potatoes, and standing corn of the crofts, or are quite beyond the range of observation on the face of the great cliffs. The crofts are the great hunting-grounds, and fortunately my numerous friends among the islanders have most kindly permitted me to search their cultivated ground. If this great privilege had been denied, the labours of myself and my coadjutors would have been well-nigh in vain. The crofts require to be searched in a most thorough and systematic manner, for the birds, being more or less exhausted by their long flight overnight, lie very close among the variety of cover they afford and are not easily discovered. When disturbed, the migrants only fly a few yards ere they drop into cover again—a trait which makes their identification a matter of great difficulty, for one only gets a hurried glimpse of them, and this, too, amid very unusual PLATE XV. "psofpag fo ssayonq :0}0Y4q)] ‘VaUV GHL40uO FHL dO LUVd : AISI viva [To face p. 48. Vol. IT.) FAIR ISLE, THE BRITISH HELIGOLAND 49 surroundings. However, in time one becomes more or less familiar with most species, and readily detects a stranger—but only as a stranger, until it has been brought to hand: one must shoot in such cases; if not, the identity of some of the visitors would remain a mystery. Those who have not engaged in this kind of bird-work have little idea how puzzling it is to identify common species under such very unusual conditions. Indeed, quite familiar species are not immediately recognised, unless they possess some very marked diagnostic character. The immigrants, too, are, with few exceptions, such as the Thrushes, remark- ably silent. During the spring movements, however, I have on several occasions heard some of the travelling birds (the Willow-Warbler, Whinchat, and Ring-Ouzel) indulge in a few notes of a very subdued song—one or two birds only out of thousands. The great cliffs, more particularly the western range, are, alas, also a great resort of the smaller bird-travellers, and of such rock-loving species as the Ring-Ouzel. The reflected heat of the sun renders these haunts particularly genial, and their faces, abundantly clad with lichens, are alive with insects on fine days. Here the insectivorous species swarm after a great arrival of migrants, Red- starts, Flycatchers, Warblers, Goldcrests, Tree-Pipits, Hedge-Accentors, and Redbreasts being much in evidence. The most remarkable visitor to the face of these cliffs is the Woodcock. In autumn not a few of these birds may be seen, where there are grassy ledges, resting in their usual posture, with their tails up and their bills down. I said “alas!” the reason for my lament being that these fastnesses are not only vast, but are almost entirely unapproachable, and hence all but impossible for observa- Il. D 50 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION tion. On this account thousands of the migrants which resort to these miles of precipitous cliffs entirely baffle the efforts of the most assiduous and venturesome of watchers. The only places where one can get a peep at them are on the very limited portion of the cliffs which flank the geos, but even there one sees the merest fraction of those present. What one does witness, however, is of great interest, for it demonstrates the hardships incurred, and the shifts for a living that have to be resorted to by birds during their migratory flights. On these rocky fastnesses, Goldcrests may be watched creeping in numbers on the faces of the gaunt lichen-spangled precipices in the pursuit of food, and, if near enough, may be heard uttering the while their feeble notes, which strike one as savouring of irritability —perhaps a natural reflection of their feelings on finding themselves committed to such very unusual hunting- grounds. Redstarts and Flycatchers (Common, Pied, and rarely Red-breasted), Wheatears, Pipits (Meadow and Tree), hitherto unseen, may be observed darting out from these retreats to capture some insect on the wing; and Thrushes, Redwings, Blackbirds, and Ring- Ouzels seen hopping about in search for what they can find (there are no mollusca), to allay the cravings of hunger. While the corn (bere and oats) is standing, it harbours various species of Warblers, and is the favourite retreat of the Ortolan Bunting. When it is cut, the stubbles afford suitable and much-frequented haunts for the different species of Finches and Buntings, and for the ubiquitous Twite, which is to be found there in thousands. Associating with the latter, most unfortunately, are several other species of the finch FAIR ISLE, THE BRITISH HELIGOLAND 51 family, such as the Little Bunting; these are most difficult, often quite impossible, to detect amid the restless, noisy crowd of undesirables, from an investi- gator’s point of view. The high ground is the chief resort, during the migratory period, of the Woodcock and Fieldfare. The former is sometimes extremely abundant there on the days following its arrival overnight, every stone and tussock being resorted to for concealment. Very few Woodcock are seen on the lower ground and in the crofts. In spring there is practically no cover to be found in the cultivated portion of the island, and the numerous passage migrants resort to the sides of the burns and drains, and other places where there is rough grass. The Finches and Buntings resort to the cultivated ground where corn has been newly sown. On this bare land during the spring rush of migrants on their way north, it is a strange spectacle to see such species as Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, Redstarts, Whinchats, Reed-Bunt- ings, Tree-Pipits, and even Wrynecks, in search of food. The cliffs at this season are the main resting-places, and are much resorted to by all kinds of migrants. The island does not look its best in spring ; indeed, it offers a great contrast to the attractive appearance it wears in the autumn. Migrants on arriving go into hiding, to rest after their overnight journey, and remain concealed until about midday, when they come out to search for food. In the autumn some of them may be sought for in the potatoes and turnips; in like manner in spring they are not to be found early in the day, for they lie hidden in places where it is impossible to find them, as they also 52 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION do during the time of high winds and heavy rain at both seasons. Inautumn the Warblers, Flycatchers, and other non- gregarious birds are very silent, and do not utter-any note when disturbed among cover. Sometimes, how- ever, one hears the pretty call-note of the Willow- Warbler, and the low plaintive note of the Yellow-browed Warbler, but I do not remember to have heard any other. Though these birds may be numerous they are only found singly, and not in company or in parties. It is otherwise with the Finches and Buntings. These birds continually “call,” even when in parties, but particularly so when met with singly, as if to get a response from another of their kind. The Blackbirds, Ring-Ouzels, and Fieldfares are noisy when alarmed ; the Thrushes and Redwings are less so. Fair Isle is richest in the number of its Passerine visitors, and poorest in those representing the Waders and Ducks. Its rock-bound coastline, with scarcely a break in it for the formation of a beach, offers little or no attraction for shore-birds. The reefs at the south- western corner of the island are the chief resort of the waders that do alight; but this haunt is a most difficult one to explore, owing to its remarkably rugged nature, due to the outcrop of the strata being almost per- pendicular, and their edges extremely irregular, sharp, and saw-like—a combination which renders investigation both a painful and a rough-and-tumble process, during which most of the birds slip away unnoticed. The Isle is also deficient in congenial haunts for the various kinds of ducks which obtain their food in fresh water, especially for the diving forms, and the few of the latter which have occurred have generally appeared singly. FAIR ISLE, THE BRITISH HELIGOLAND 53 For the marine forms, the Isle, being situated amid a stormy main, affords little shelter, and hence it is chiefly such hardy seagoing species as the Eider and the Long- tailed Duck that can brave the turbulent Fair Isle waters and find in them haunts congenial to their tastes. The surface-feeders, such as the Mallard, Teal, and Wigeon, are, however, to be found in small numbers, during the autumn, winter, and spring, on the few freshwater pools, and on the sea at the mouths of the burns. The numerous migrants arrive almost entirely during the hours of darkness, and after a longer or shorter sojourn, depending on the state of the weather, take their departure during the night, both their in- coming and outgoing being usually unobserved. An interesting exception to this rule came under notice on the evening of 9th October 1908. During this day there were thousands of Redwings on the island which had arrived during the previous night, and at 6 P.M. a large party of these birds were observed to rise high on the wing and leave the island, proceeding in a south- westerly direction towards North Ronaldshay — the northernmost island of the Orkneys. On fine sunny days during September, I have frequently seen Skylarks and Pipits leaving the island between 6 a.m. and noon. They usually left in parties (some of the Skylarks flying high), and these also shaped their course for the Orkneys. Fair Isle has produced a surprising crop of rare species—more so than any other portion of the British area during the period covered by the investigations, 1905-1911—and several of them have proved to be new to the British fauna and quite a number to that of Scotland. The occurrences of rare birds have always i, D2 54 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION had a peculiar charm for ornithologists; but to the student of bird-migration, their irregular, and in many instances presumably erratic visits, are the very reverse of helpful in connection with his researches. The appearance of Central, Eastern, and Southern European species far beyond their wonted homes, and quite off their regular accustomed lines of flight during migration, is distracting, and presents problems which do not admit of satisfactory explanation. All that we can opine is that such occurrences are possibly due to some un- accountable failure of that special faculty already alluded to, possessed by migratory birds, which leads them unconsciously to the particular seasonal haunts they should seek. The stimulus to migrate has certainly been strong within the wanderers, or many of them would never have reached such a far-off goal as Fair Isle. The following species obtained at Fair Isle are new to British fauna :—Pine Bunting, Thrush-Nightingale, Northern Willow-Warbler, Blyth’s Reed-Warbler, and Red-rumped Swallow. Among the other birds of ex- treme rarity as visitors to the British Isles are the Black-throated Wheatear, Subalpine Warbler, Siberian Chiff-chaff, Lanceolated Grasshopper-Warbler, Savi’s Warbler, Red-throated Pipit, Greenland Redpoll, Black- headed Bunting, Rustic Bunting, Yellowshank, etc. The discovery of the regular occurrence of such former rarities as the Yellow-browed Warbler, Red-spotted Bluethroat, Little Bunting, Ortolan, and Grey-headed Wagtail, and the not infrequent visits to Fair Isle of other species which were once supposed to be quite irregular in their appearance in the British Islands, has resulted in the necessity for their status as British FAIR ISLE, 'THE BRITISH HELIGOLAND 55 species being modified, since they can no longer be classed as ‘rare casual visitors,” which was formerly their designation as members of our avifauna. The Sea Eagle is one of the birds of the past as a native species. It formerly had an eyrie on the Sheep Craig, but was banished sometime between the years 1825 and 1840. There is another site of a former eyrie, but this was probably an alternative nesting-place of the birds alluded to, and not the domain of a second pair. The question as to whether young and old birds of the same species migrate in company is an interesting one, and perhaps, as bearing upon it, the following short list of birds which I have observed at Fair Isle so doing, may be worth giving :— Rook, Starling, Siskin, Snow-Bunting, Wheatear, Ring-Ouzel, Bluethroat, Brambling, White Wagtail, Lapland Bunting, Swallow, Martin, Blackcap, Redstart, Chaffinch, Wigeon, Mallard, Turnstone, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, and Iceland and Glaucous Gulls. A list of all the native and migratory birds known to Fair Isle, with an indication of their times of arrival, departure, and passage, will be found in a subsequent chapter. CHAPTER XX A YEAR WITH THE MIGRATORY BIRDS AT FAIR ISLE Tuis chapter is based upon the records contained in the diaries of George Stout and myself for the year 1908. Its aim is to furnish a chronological account of the movements witnessed during an entire year at a famous station. Such a record is useful, since it affords interesting and important information as to the dates covered by the migrations of the various species; the birds travelling in company; the habits of the voyagers when en route; the weather associated with the movements and its influence as an incentive to their performance, or as a deterrent to their progress ; and other points of interest. In connection with the weather, it has been thought best to give that recorded at Fair Isle itself, since the types of weather in the British Isles, and their influences on bird-migration, have been specially treated of in Vol. I., pp. 171-187. The year 1908 has been chosen because it was George Stout’s last on the island, and hence we have his best work. My contributions were made during a five-weeks’ sojourn in September and early October. A YEAR AT FAIR ISLE 57 1908 1st January.—It will be well to commence the year with a short account of the birds which pass the winter in the island. I. The following are RESIDENT species, and most of them are probably represented by the same individuals all the year round :— RAVEN. TwITE. E1per Duck. Hoopep Crow. Rocx-Pirir. GREAT BLACK-BACKED STARLING. WREN. GULL. Hovuse-SPARROW. PEREGRINE Fatcon. HERRING GULL. TREE-SPARROW. SHAG. Biack GUILLEMOT. The Kittiwake, Common Guillemot, and Razorbill breed and during the winter are seen at sea off the island. II. The Recutar WINTER VISITORS are :-— SKYLARK. FIELDFARE. SNIPE. CHAFFINCH. BLACKBIRD. PurpLe SANDPIPER. BRAMBLING. CoRMORANT. REDSHANK. Snow-BunTING. Lonc-TaILeD Duck. GLaucous GULL, REDBREAST. MALLARD. Common GULL. Sonc-THRUSH. WIGEON, LitTLe AuK. III. The following are OccastonaL WINTER VISITORS :— GREENFINCH. GANNET. BLACK-HEADED GULL. Meaty REDPOLL. TEAL. IcELAND GULL. Corn-BuNTING. WATERHEN. PUFFIN. REDWING. LAPwWING. LitTLE GREBE. KESTREL. OYSTER-CATCHER. FULMAR. HERON. CuRLEWw. 8th January.—Northerly breeze; clear. Black-tailed Godwit, one shot on a flooded croft. Several Rooks on the island. 58 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION oth January.—Northerly breeze ; clear. Lapwings, seven, arrivals. About a dozen Song- Thrushes also present. 13th January.—South-west breeze ; clear. More Lapwings, over a dozen. Three Rooks, arrivals. A small party of Mealy Redpolls seen. 20th January.—Guillemots and Razorbills visiting the breeding-ledges on the Sheep Craig for the first time this season. 28th January.—Two Mealy Redpolls observed among a flock of Twites. The Fulmars now very numerous. They began to come in about the first of the month, and now there are scores on the face of the Sheep Craig alone. A Curlew noted. 4th February.—Two Glaucous Gulls on land. This species is fairly common in winter, and in the stormy weather resorts to the crofts, along with the commoner Gulls. The Guillemots and Razorbills are beginning to visit the cliffs in numbers. Large numbers of Eider Ducks, males and females, are now appearing. Through the winter there are always a few females to be seen in the geos, but the old males are always in the minority, in the months of December and January especially. The numbers of Eiders to be seen round the Isle now are at least double those which nest. In late autumn large flocks constantly arrive and pass on, and it has been noticed that they are most numerous after a strong northerly wind. 8th February.—After a westerly breeze, numbers of Glaucous Gulls present. At least thirty in one of the sheltered bights on the east; and in their company, four Iceland Gulls, two adult and two young. 10th February.—First Oyster-catcher for the season A YEAR AT FAIR ISLE 59 observed. Shag with nest nearly complete, and several more building. 14th February.—Two Meadow-Pipits, the first for the season, noted+to-day. Also a Waterhen, which is a somewhat rare visitor. 17th February.—The Rooks which have been here for some time departed. 29th February.—During last week, numbers of Skylarks were observed arriving, and now they amount to considerable flocks. To-day three Curlews and one Merlin seen. 3rd March.—A Brambling seen among Chaffinches. A flock of Oyster-catchers, numbering about thirty, have arrived ; they may possibly be our summer residents. 4th March.—Two Golden Plovers. 5th March.—Two Lapwings, fresh arrivals. 7th March.—Wind south-east ; clear. Over six hundred Lapwings have put in an appear- ance to-day. Parties of Starlings in company with them are also undoubtedly immigrants. A Glaucous Gull, a Ringed Plover, and several Fieldfares seen ; latter may be the wintering birds. 8th March.—One Heron noted as an arrival. 9th March—Two Long-tailed Ducks, male and female. Meadow-Pipits, two more arrivals. A Pied Wagtail appeared; also three Golden Plovers. Lap- wings decreasing in numbers. 10th March.—Easterly breeze ; clear. The new arrivals to-day are a Wood - Pigeon and another Pied Wagtail. Several Redbreasts observed, some of which may be immigrants. Skylarks and Lapwings numerous, but the latter decreasing. The Kittiwakes in numbers at the Sheep Craig for the 60 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION first time this year. Three Mallards and several Glaucous Gulls also seen. 11th March. — Wind changed to north-east last night. Two Ringed Plovers are new arrivals. Several Fieldfares have appeared since yesterday. The Lap- wings are now reduced to two hundred birds. 12th March.—Same birds as yesterday, with the first Dunlin of the season. 14th March.—South breeze, A.M. ; south-west, P.M. Over a dozen Rooks appeared this morning. One Redpoll and a Gannet were also seen. 15¢h March.—Three Pied Wagtails to-day. 16th March.—First Corn-Bunting, also a Pied Wagtail. 17¢h March.—South wind continues. Two Lesser Black-backed Gulls, first of season. A male and female Merganser, a male _ Stone- chat, a Mallard, and Wigeon also noted. Very few Lapwings now. 19th March.—Two male Stonechats and a few Ringed Plovers are all that are noteworthy. 21st March.—Southerly breeze ; clear. The additions since yesterday are the first Wheatear of the season, a male; a Jackdaw; and an increase in the numbers of Rooks. A female Stonechat, a Mallard, and two Golden Plovers were also seen. 22nd March.—Only the dregs of the big flock of Lapwings which arrived on the 7th are now left; some thirteen seen to-day. 23rd March.—Strong south wind. Lapwings, about fifty new arrivals to-day. Many immigrant Starlings in company with Lapwings. A YEAR AT FAIR ISLE 61 Mealy Redpoll, one. Dunlin, one. Wood - Pigeon, one. 24th March.—South, strong breeze ; clear. A Scaup and a Woodcock are fresh arrivals. Two Herons, two Mallards, two Pied Wagtails, and many Blackbirds in since yesterday. In the early morn- ing many immigrant Starlings struck the lantern of the South Lighthouse. (Weather hazy.) These arrived in considerable numbers, for they far outnumber the native birds. 25th March.—South, strong breeze ; clear; rain last night. Many fresh immigrants are in evidence to-day. The first Goldcrest, Lapp Bunting (male), four Swans, several Mallards, a Short-eared Owl, several Wigeons, one Woodcock, and an increase in the numbers of Lapwings and Blackbirds noted. A Wood-Pigeon, a male Stonechat, and three Pied Wagtails were also seen. The Peregrines were busy among the migrants, and one was seen to catch a Starling, while another was in pursuit of a Woodcock. 26th March.—Continued south wind. The first Reed-Bunting (male), a Yellow Bunting, and an adult Black-headed Gull are new arrivals. Three Herons, three Woodcocks, and an increase in the numbers of Lapwings also noted. A Coot, seen this morning, is new to the Fair Isle list. 27th March.—Wind south, but too strong for birds. Yellow Bunting, Jackdaw, and Rooks again seen to-day. 28th March.—Teal (male), Coot, Pied Wagtails, and Yellow Bunting still here. 29th March,—South-west ; showers, 62 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION A Linnet, a Brambling, and about two hundred Skylarks seen. 304h March.—South-west ; clear. Many of the birds recorded still present—Rooks, a Jackdaw, Black-headed Gull, Common Gulls, Mallard, and two Mergansers, male and female. Decrease in the numbers of Lapwings. 31st March.-—North-west, strong ; clear. Two Linnets noted; and a decrease in the number of Skylarks, Starlings, and Lapwings evident. 3rd Apri.—Bands of Puffins here for first time. A Brambling as an arrival. 5th April,—Many Chaffinches have arrived. 6th April.—To-day the Chaffinches are gone. 7th April,—South-west ; light showers. A few more immigrant Rooks to-day. Several Wigeon and Mallard again seen. Lapwings decreased to three. oth April.-—Several Snipe arrived since yesterday. 10th April.—South, light, fine; clear. An adult male Lapland Bunting observed and heard singing. A Hedge-Accentor and two Jackdaws are new arrivals. Blackbird heard singing. 112k Apri/.—sSouth. A few immigrant Bramblings in to-day, also two Grey Wagtails. 13th April—South, light. A Hedge-Accentor, a Redbreast, and a Linnet observed. Rooks and Jackdaws still here, but no Lapwings seen. 14¢h April.—East-south-east, light breeze ; clear. Three Wheatears (two males and one female), several Bramblings and Chaffinches, three Lapwings, and six A YEAR AT FAIR ISLE 63 Golden Plovers—all arrivals. Puffins very numerous at breeding-grounds on the cliffs. 15th April.—Easterly breeze ; clear. More arrivals to-day. The first Whimbrels (a few), a White Wagtail, and several more Wheatears (ten males and a few females), seven Golden Plovers, and four Lapwings. 1622 April,—_North, light ; clear. A Yellow Bunting and a Mealy Redpoll noted. 17th April.North-west wind. Nothing seen to-day ; birds are scarce. 182k April,_North-east, strong breeze. One Grey Wagtail, two Pied Wagtails, and a White Wagtail seen. 24th April.—Wind east. Short-eared Owl and Yellow Bunting as immigrants. Corn-Bunting and two Chaffinches seen, probably also arrivals. 25th April-—Wind changed to north-east last night, very strong, with thunder and lightning; changed to east, strong breeze, this morning. Five Rooks, three White Wagtails, one Song- Thrush, and about twenty Common Gulls (young and old) observed. 26th April.—Easterly, light breeze ; clear. Numbers of immigrants present to-day. Many Wheatears have arrived, and are over all parts of the island. They are generally to be seen in scattered parties of twenty or so, and among the numbers present only two females were seen. Three Song-Thrushes, a Redwing, a Ring - Ouzel, and a Great Grey Shrike are also arrivals.