254 Mr. W. Eagle Clarke on Birds 



There can be no doubt that had we been permitted to 

 remain in peace upon the island until the early days of 

 October, as we intended, we should have obtained some 

 interesting details regarding the species and their movements. 

 Enough, however, thanks chiefly to the lighthouse-keepers, 

 has been demonstrated to prove that Ushant is a station of 

 first-rate importance as an observatory for witnessing the 

 movements of migratory birds ; and thus the primary object 

 of our visit has been accomplished. 



The Consul strongly advised us to quit France, lest further 

 annoyance should be experienced elsewhere, and we decided 

 to proceed to the Channel Islands, selecting Alderney as 

 being the most favourably situated for our investigations. 



It should be remarked that Alderney is singularly desti- 

 tute of trees, and therefore many of our usual resident and 

 summer birds are absent, while others are uncommon, 

 though some of them may, and do, occur as birds of passage. 

 Here, between the 22nd and 29th of September, we 

 witnessed two decided movements, namely on the 25th and 

 26th ; when, among other species, the Missel-Thrush, Ring- 

 Ouzel, Goldcrest, ChiffchafP, Willow- Wren, Spotted Fly- 

 catcher, Pied Flycatcher, Turtle-Doves, Water-Rail, and 

 Common Snipe appeared as immigrants. 



Some of our notes relating to the birds observed on the 

 island are at variance with the experience of the late 

 Mr. Cecil Smith, the author of that useful little book 'The 

 Birds of Guernsey, and neighbouring l!>lands of Alderney, 

 &c.,' published in 1879. Such critical remarks as I have to 

 offer are reserved for the list, where they will be found 

 under the respective species to which they relate. 



I cannot close this contribution without acknowledging, 

 on behalf of Mr. Laidlaw and myself, our indebtedness to 

 Mr. Hoare the Consul and Mr. Bonar the Vice-Consul. 

 These gentlemen both before, during, and after our visit to 

 Ushant, rendered us much assistance; and it is our pleasure 

 as well as our duty to express our grateful apprecia- 

 tion of their courtesy and of the value of the services 

 rendered. 



