Report on the Migration of Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First Report]Harvie-Brown, J. A. (John Alexander)
Science
Report on the Migration of Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First Report]
Harvie-Brown, J. A. (John Alexander)
Birds -- Migration -- Great Britain -- Periodicals
Wild Geese (sp.?).--At Monach Island a flock "mixed old and young"
passed south at 10 a.m. on Dec. 13th, wind S.S.W., fresh breeze, with
haze; this is the most northerly station noted. Thence southward they
were seen at Kyleakin (passing N.W.) at 8 a.m., wind N.W., fresh
breeze, and clear weather; also at Sound of Mull, M'Arthur's Head and
Devaar. The earliest date is Aug. 17th (passing N.W.), and the latest
Dec. 15th (twenty-four passing W., at Sound of Mull). A migratory
movement is thus seen to have extended over one hundred and nineteen
days. A rush took place on Oct. 20th and 21st, at Sound of Mull and
M'Arthur's Head; and again on December 18th, 14th and 15th, at Monach
Island, M'Arthur's Head, and Sound of Mull respectively; the direction
of their flight was usually W. or N.W. On Dec. 13th a flock passed
S.; most passed with a S., S.S.W. or S.W. breeze, in cloudy or clear
weather; in two instances with a N.W. wind. They were observed during
daylight.
Wild Swan.--At Devaar on Dec. 11th, six seen at 4 p.m., light airs,
with haze; and on Jan. 4th, three were seen flying south, in clear
weather, at Rhuvaal lighthouse. We say nothing of the reported
occurrence of _Cygnus americanus_ on our coasts, but think the record
(p. 111) premature.
Wild Duck.--At Butt of Lewis a Duck was killed on Dec. 1st, at 8 p.m.,
wind E., light and clear. Others occurred in November and December at
Rhuvaal and Devaar. At Rhuvaal, between Nov. 1st and 30th, three or
four hundred Ducks passed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.; wind variable,
light, and showery weather. Most of the migration seems to have been
observed through the day. In none of the reports are the species
identified, being described as either "Ducks" or "Wild Ducks."
Widgeon, _Anas penelope_.--At Monach Island on Oct. 27th, a few were
seen at 12 noon; wind S.S.E., fresh, and clear.
Sheldrake, _Tadorna vulpanser_.--At Pladda, on May 23rd, six (two males
and four females) seen at 1 p.m., wind N.E., light, and haze; remained
on the island till the middle of June.
Eider Duck.--At Rhu Stoir on June 30th, two males and two females seen
at 11 a.m.; wind S., fresh breeze, showers. At Dhuheartach on Dec. 3rd,
twenty seen at 10 p.m.; wind N.E., light, clear. At Devaar on Dec.
13th, twelve seen at 1 p.m.; wind N.N.W., light breeze, haze.
Storm Petrel.--At Butt of Lewis in July, August, and September, an
occasional bird at the glass, always at night, always in hazy or rainy
weather, generally "haze and rain" together; wind in three out of four
instances S.W., and once on July 3rd, W.N.W., stormy. At Rhu Stoir a
good many were observed "not on passage" between 17th and 20th Aug.
between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., wind N. to E., light, haze and rain; and at
Rhinns of Islay on Sept. 17th, one struck at 2 a.m., wind S., light,
and haze.
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