Alcidæ.--Razorbills. Spring: Whalsey Skerries and Isle of May, along
with Guillemots. First arrivals at Isle of May, Feb. 25th. "Invariably
arrive at Isle of May, remain a day or two, and leave again." Second
visit March 16th, at Isle of May; arrived on third visit to breed,
April 15th, but at Whalsey Skerries not till 30th. N.B. Dates of
arrival, and of preliminary visits from all rock bird stations in
Scotland, much desired by committee. Autumn: All left Sumburgh Head
on Aug. 6th; all left Whalsey Skerries on Aug. 15th. Unusually large
rush, flying S., passed Pentland Skerries on Nov. 12th; at this
station they pass almost daily, but this is date of general stampede.
Hundreds swimming round Isle of May on Dec. 15th, the latest noted
record here this year; and Mr. Agnew considers their numbers at this
late date quite unusual. Besides the 75 identified species, or thereby,
I have innumerable records of species which cannot be recognised by
description; and especially numerous are the records from Isle of
May, Mr. Agnew being very desirous of learning more about them. He
sent me numerous birds for identification; amongst those not sent or
recognised, two birds, "never before seen," resemble a Cuckoo in every
respect, but smaller; others, called "Redtails" (? Redstarts), came in
a flock on June 3rd, and stayed till July 2nd. A great many entries
are simply "small birds" from Aug. 16th and 17th, and Sept. 14th to
30th. On Oct. 25th "a few more pretty birds, with red breasts, forked
tails, and two black stripes on head." On Oct. 27th, one "pure white
down belly and round back, black spot a little above tail, wings on top
side a dun black, head and neck same, red legs, bill like a Starling,
size of a Plover." Again on Nov. 2nd, two, "the general colour that of
a Lark, same size, three dark or black stripes down back, and one white
feather each side of tail." It is worthy of remark that these unknown
species struck most during easterly breezes (J. A. H. B.) I trust
another season to be better prepared to have some of these identified.
I have only mentioned them here to draw attention to the fact that
probably rare things, like the Blue-throated Warbler (C Wolfi), may
turn up. I might easily offer suggestions as to what these unnamed are,
but I do not think any practical use would come by doing so.
General Remarks.
I have embodied all remarks on both coasts at the end of the Report on
the West Coast of Scotland, to which I refer my readers.
EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.
Printed forms of enquiry and letters of instruction were sent to
thirty-four lighthouses and light-vessels on the east coast of England,
and two stations on the Channel Islands, thirty-six altogether against
thirty-seven in 1880, and returns have been received from twenty-five.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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