Report on the migration of birds in the spring and autumn of 1885. 7th report / by J.A. Harvie-Brown [and others].

Date:
1886
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the migration of birds in the spring and autumn of 1885. 7th report / by J.A. Harvie-Brown [and others]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Wrens, Lapwing, Snipe, Starlings, Golden Plover, Daws, and “ Black Crows.” A pair of Wheatears on February 22d, at 5 P.M., and again a pair on March 25th. A small flock of Snow- Bunting on March 13th, and three Fieldfare on the .30th. Galloper l.v.—Mr P. Frost:—From January 21st to April 12th, 1886, is specially interesting as recording the enormous migration of Larks and Starlings, and in less numbers of Chaf- finches, Sparrows, Linnets, and Plover. On the nights of January 21st to 23d, two hundred and twenty-six were killed. Unfortun- ately Mr Frost fails to state the directions of flights, but, judg- ing from the entries in the schedules sent in by other light- vessels on the south-east coast, they refer to birds on passage both to the Continent and our own shores. New ARP L.v.—Messrs C. Campbell and W. Eees :—From October 21st to March 21st, 1886, up to February 14th. Crows, Starlings, Larks, Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Fieldfares, Bramblings, and Linnets in greater or less numbers to the W., ceasing on December 11th, and again recommencing on January 23d to February 14th, and then from March obh to 21st, Star- lings, Larks, and Crows passing to the E. SwiN Middle l.v.—Messrs Pender and J. Barrett:—From January 21st to April 3d, 1886 ; between January 21st to February 15th. Immense- flights of Larks, generally during the night, and large numbers killed; also Starlings, Sparrows, and some Chaffinches. On January 24th, five flocks of small birds travelling from N.W, to S.E. On the night of February 14th to 15th, Larks still in great numbers, ninety on deck, and a great many falling into the water, “ for two hours the Larks were like a shower of snow.” March 28tli and 29th, and April 1st, 2d, 3d, Chaffinches at intervals during the morning three or four together, all were male birds, only one female seen. “ Ducks ” (probably Scoters) “can be seen from this vessel eight or nine months in the year, but on February 10th, 11th, 12th, we had calms and fogs, and the Ducks sat on the water, covering about a mile, the water being black with them.” Lord Clifton writes :—“ About twenty Swallows were picked up dead after the northerly gales and rain of October 13th and 14th. Seven were found huddled together alive in a duck’s nesting-box in a stable, and one was found dead in a slipper in a bedroom, so desperate were the efforts of the poor birds to find
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