Report on the Migration of Birds in the Autumn of 1879. [First Report] — John Shaqi
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
Blackbird, _Turdus merula_.--Appeared at North Ronaldshay and the Bell
Rock between Oct. 1st and Nov. 25th. A rush during this time recorded
on three dates:--Oct. 1st, "Numbers flying about all night," at North
Ronaldshay, wind S.E., strong, "along with Thrushes." Oct. 14th, four
(two males and two females) killed; number flying about between 8 a.m.
and dawn; wind N.E., fresh, with haze and rain. Nov. 25th, numbers,
along with Thrushes, flying about all night; wind light E. breeze, haze.
Ring Ouzel (or "Mountain Blackbird"), _Turdus torquatus_.--Reported
from Sumburgh Head only, where one struck at 4 a.m.; wind light N. at 5
a.m., S.W. gale at 4 p.m.; weather clear. A number of the same species
were seen in the country about the same time, and supposed to be young
birds. At Auskerry, where they generally pass in large numbers, none
were observed.
Besides the above, "large Thrushes," probably Fieldfares,[3] passed or
were caught at Auskerry, in October; four on the 15th between 1 and
4 a.m., wind light N., clear; six on the 16th between 2 and 4 a.m.,
wind S.S.W., strong, haze; and two on the 22nd at 3 a.m., wind strong
S.W., and haze. Large numbers struck the lantern at the Bell Rock, and
were lost in the sea between midnight and dawn on Sept. 7th, and again
at the same station on Oct. 14th, between 3 a.m. and dawn. These were
mixed in flocks of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and "various" other species.
[Footnote 3: Afterwards identified as such by the head, wings and tail
sent in later communication.]
The great scarcity of Thrushes in Scotland all summer was caused by
the severe winter of 1878-79 and late spring of 1879, a consequent
"crowding down" upon lower latitudes taking place during that breeding
season. I have referred very fully to this in my first Report on
Scottish Ornithology for the Natural History Society of Glasgow for
1878-79 (now in MS., ready for press), read Sept. 30th, 1879. This
scarcity is still felt. In the birch-woods of the west coast I saw
small flocks on Oct. 28th, 1879.
Rook, _Corvus frugilegus_.--At Sumburgh Head numbers were seen about
9 am on Nov. 2nd, wind N.N.W., strong to fresh, with sleet and snow
showers. "Rooks do not breed in Shetland, but are often seen in the
spring time, but very seldom in the fall, crossing, as is supposed,
between Norway and Scotland." At Dunnet Head about 100 Rooks, mostly
young birds, were seen at 12 noon, with fresh breeze from S.E. to S.W.
Starling, _Sturnus vulgaris_.--Noted at only two stations. At Pentland
Skerries on October 19th six struck between 6 p.m. and 4 a.m., wind
S.W. and rain; on the 26th one at 8 p.m., wind W., and clear; and on
Nov. 20th two at 6 a.m., wind S.W., strong and haze. At Dunnet Head, on
Oct. 20th, seven struck and four were killed at night, wind N.W. and
N.E., haze.
Siskin, _Carduelis spinus_.--At Inch Keith three young birds struck at
1 a.m. on Sept. 16th, wind light W., fog.
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