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
Goldcrest, _Regulus cristatus_.--The almost total absence of this
species is specially remarked at the Isle of May. Usually they are
abundant. These birds were decidedly scarce in Scotland throughout the
summer.
Robin, _Erythaca rubecula_.--Only two records of this species on the
east coast. At Tarbet Ness one was killed on August 6th at 10 p.m.,
wind light E. breeze, fog and rain; and at Inch Keith one struck on
August 10th at 11.30 p.m., in similar weather, but with wind light W.
Wheatear, _Saxicola œnanthe_.--The most northerly station of the two
recorded is Pentland Skerries, and to the south the Bell Rock. Between
Sept. 7th--when great numbers struck and were lost at the latter
station, and birds continued passing or flying round lantern between
midnight and dawn, wind S.E. and variable, fog and haze--and Sept.
17th, Wheatears or "Stonechats" were on passage. If any rush took place
it was between Sept. 7th and 11th, on which latter day fourteen were
seen and two killed. Winds veered from S. and S.E. on. Sept. 9th and
7th, to W. and S.W. on the 11th, 13th and 17th. All the birds passed at
night between 8 p.m. and dawn.
Titmice.--At only one station were Titmice observed on our east coast,
_viz._, at the Isle of May, were some were seen on Sept. 15th at 10
a.m., wind light W. with haze. From Auskerry, however, there is the
general report that they are in most years abundant there, though none
have been seen this season.
Song Thrush, _Tardus musicus_.--Recorded from a number of stations
from North Ronaldshay in the north to Auskerry, Pentland Skerries,
Dunnet Head, Noss Head, Girdleness, and Bell Rock in the south. The
greatest numbers noted were at Pentland Skerries, but great numbers
also were noted at North Ronaldshay and the Bell Rock, where many
"struck and were lost." Their earliest appearance recorded is on Sept.
16th, when four struck at Noss Head between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., wind
S., moderate with haze. The latest date is Oct. 25th, when numbers,
along with Blackbirds, struck at North Ronaldshay. The time thus
occupied was from Sept. 16th to Oct. 25th. A rush took place during
October, and the greatest rush, perhaps, between Oct. 14th and 25th. At
North Ronaldshay, on Oct. 1st, numbers struck, along with Blackbirds,
and were flying about all night. Others seen at Girdleness, the Bell
Rock, at Pentland Skerries, and Dunnet Head. Thrushes migrated when
the wind was between E. through S.E., S.S.W. to N.W., but principally
when southerly. Fog, haze, and rain on all the dates given. Time of
migration, after dark and before dawn at all dates.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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