_Plectrophanes nivalis_ (L.), Snow Bunting.--September 26th, Bishop
Rock, one old bird.
_Emberiza miliaria_, L., Corn Bunting.--Autumn: September 3d, *Nash,
fifteen to twenty between 2.15 to 3 A.M., eight killed.
_Agelæus phœniceus_ (L.), Red-winged Starling.--October 27th, Nash,
one struck and captured at 3 A.M. Mr Nicholas had intended to forward
this specimen to me, but during his absence for a few moments it was
most unfortunately carried off by a cat. He had, however, no difficulty
in identifying the bird from the description given in John's "British
Birds," and promptly reported the occurrence. A skin of the species (an
adult) was at once forwarded to him in order to test his identification
of the bird, and he replied "that the bird killed very much resembled
the one sent, except that the yellow on the wings was rather paler; the
tips of the wings and the back of the neck were more sooty black, and
I think it was a little larger;"--a description indicating an immature
specimen. During the late hours of the 26th of October and the early
ones of the 27th an important migratory movement was taking place at
this station:--At 9.50 P.M., Missel Thrushes; at 10 P.M., Bramblings;
at 10.30 P.M., Snipe (four killed); at 12.40 A.M., Redwings (two
killed); at 2 A.M., Wrens (one captured); at 2.10 A.M., Robins, and
Black Redstart killed; and finally at 3 A.M., the Red-winged Starling.
The wind prevailing at the time was a strongly easterly breeze; the
weather cloudy, with passing showers of rain. Mr Nicholas is a most
careful, intelligent, and painstaking recorder, and shows particular
interest in our work, and there is little likelihood of his being
mistaken in this matter. As an unbeliever in the unassisted occurrence
of extra-Arctic American passerine birds in Europe, I would suggest
that this was probably an escape from some vessel approaching the
British coast.
_Sturnus vulgaris_, L., Starling.--The numbers and the frequency of
the occurrence of this species is again manifest in the returns. It is
impossible to do more than to refer to the diary portion of the report
for particulars. Mr Caton Haigh, in his notes from the N.W. coast of
Merioneth, remarks that many of the Starlings wintering there left
during the second week of February, large flocks passing over flying
due N. On the 26th of June, at 8 P.M., an immense flock passed over
going S. It looked like a long, narrow stream, half a dozen yards wide
and at least half a mile long.
_Pica rustica_ (Scop.), Magpie.--September 28th, Cardigan Bay L.V., two
Magpies flying around the ship at 9.30 A.M. October 22d, Langness, a
Magpie at 9 A.M.
_Corvus corone_, L., Carrion Crow.--April 22d, Carnarvon Bay L.V., six
at 8 A.M. going E. April 23d, Chickens Rock, one.
_Corvus frugilegus_, L., Rook.--Spring: March 23d, Langness, twelve at
9 A.M.
Autumn: October 20th, Cardigan Bay L.V., one.
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