SPRING MIGRATION AT LITTLE ROSS IN 192O 147 



20th March (N.E. light, haze and fog). Great animation ; 

 the rays were closely packed with circling birds of various 

 species ; we had again Curlews, Lapwings, Starlings, Wheat- 

 ears, Larks, Fieldfares, Thrushes, Redwing, Oystercatchers, 

 Knots, Redshanks, Ring-plover, Ring-ouzel, and although 

 none were seen, the call of the Snipe could be distinctly 

 heard. 



22nd March. Another great night with same weather 

 conditions ; all the above again were represented ; extras 

 were Goldcrests, Robins, Turnstones. 



8th April (E. fresh breeze, haze). Curlews, Golden Plover, 

 Ring-plover, Wigeon, Redshanks, Water -rails. Ring-ouzel ; 

 several Ring-ouzel, Water-rail, and Redshanks were killed. 



9th till 13th April. From 10 P.M. nightly, and until break 

 of day on the following morning, we had all the above species. 

 14th April. At 1 1 P.M. came a rush of Fieldfares, there then 

 coming on a drizzle of small rain which continued until i A.M. 

 of the 1 5th. The rain clearing with a shift of wind from 

 S.E. to S.W., they then all disappeared ; several were killed. 



15th April. During the first two hours of darkness, only 

 a few Wheatears with one Lesser Whitethroat ; this night was 

 excellent, it being a haze with very light breeze from S.E. 

 At 1 1 P.M. I was out on the balcony walking round and 

 taking notes : an odd Fieldfare came, but only flying round. 

 At 11.20 P.M. a slight rain began to fall; then such a night 

 I never witnessed. Fieldfares alone ; every ray was filled with 

 them ; no one could form any idea as to their numbers- 

 Although they were in such multitudes, the death-roll was 

 not heavy, they merely flushing, not striking, the lantern ; 

 but when one did strike, instant death was the result. After 

 breakfast on the i6th, I was down at the garden, and on 

 the part of the island I walked down, the sight of Fieldfares 

 was unprecedented for this station in my six years here. In 

 the garden I found a male Redstart, several Lesser White- 

 throats, one Redwing, and a few Blackbirds. At 5 P.M. I 

 went for a turn of the island. At the north-east end I rose 

 Fieldfares : I may without exaggerating put them at several 

 thousands. I had a great sight in observing the attitude of 

 this flock ; they rose in spiral formation for I should say 



