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
Sea-fowl.--The following notes upon sea-fowl as observed at several
stations--notably at Cape Wrath--will, we think, prove interesting:--At
Cape Wrath, Mr. M'Gill reports all the sea-fowl as deserting their
breeding-haunts there on Aug. 16th, and both old and young flying
westwards. He roughly estimated the numbers which passed within his
ken as follows:--300 to 400 Guillemots, 800 to 900 Razorbills, 800 to
900 Puffins, 100 Scarts, and 300 Sea-gulls. This was performed in an
east wind, during hazy or rainy weather (see also under Solan Goose),
and all left Cape Wrath in one day and about the same time, _viz._, 10
a.m. The Gulls passed continuously between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Notes from
other stations can hardly be considered as applying to anything but
local daily migration in search of food, as is constantly witnessed at
any rock-bird station on the coast; thus, at Rhu Stoir large numbers
passed towards S.W., and are specially noted on June 12th to 15th; also
at Kyleakin, a large flock passed southward at 2 p.m., wind S.E. When
at the Shiant Isles this summer, at the end of June, I witnessed a
regular departure of thousands of Puffins to their feeding-grounds in
the Little Minch, about 9 to 10 a.m.
Sea Gulls.--At Cape Wrath on Aug. 10th, three hundred passed west
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.; wind E., haze, and rain. "Sea Gulls bred
at the station, and all left on the same day, both young and old. The
migration goes all to the west."
Kittiwake, _Rissa tridactyla_.--At Skervuile on May 31st, two at noon
flying north; calm, clear.
Tern.--At Dhuheartach, six seen on the evening of Aug. 27th, wind S.,
cloudy; and four at the same station on the morning of Sept. 4th.
Birds unknown.--At Portpatrick on July 12th, a flock of small birds
passed overhead at 8.30 a.m., wind S.S.E., fresh, and rainy; and on
Oct. 13th a flock passed inland at 4.20 p.m., wind S.W., and rain;
on Nov. 13th "a flock of birds not known" passed inland, wind E. by
N., and clear. At Pladda on Aug. 20th, one Snipe, species not known,
at 4 a.m., wind S.E., strong, and haze; and another on Nov. 15th.
At Skervuile, on Nov. 14th, a number from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., wind
variable, light, and haze; and others on Oct. 7th at Skervuile; "many
killed and fell into the sea."
Red-breasted Merganser.--At Corsewall, on July 20th, a "strange Duck"
(since identified as a Red-breasted Merganser) was killed at glass at 2
a.m.; wind E., light, with haze.
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