THE ISLE OF USHANT, ETC. 313 



These reports also tell us that the greatest number of 

 migrants appear in October, and it is then that les grandes 

 voldes occur. The following species are mentioned as 

 occurring annually, excluding those already given as 

 coming under the notice of Mr Laidlaw and myself: — 

 Black and Grey Crows, Starlings, Chaffinches, Gold- 

 finches, Siskins, Bullfinches, Buntings, Goldcrests, 

 Warblers, Thrushes of various species, Martins, Cuckoos, 

 Owls, Falcons, Herons, Wild Geese, Wild Duck, Teal, 

 Ring-Doves, Quails, Land-Rails, Water-Rails, Water- 

 hens, Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Woodcocks, Snipe, 

 Sandpipers, and Gulls of various kind. In addition to 

 these, M. Lucas, the Chef du Phare du Stif, very 

 pertinently remarks that " L'ile est encore visitee par 

 d'autres especes d'oiseaux, particulierement de I'ordre 

 des passereaux, mais dont les noms me sont inconnus." 



Both of these observers agree that fewer migrants 

 are observed in the spring, though the same species 

 appear at that season. 



In winters of great cold, and when the mainland is 

 under snow, immense numbers of Starlings, Chaffinches, 

 Thrushes, Blackbirds, Wild Geese, Wild Ducks, Teal, 

 Quails, Water- Rails, Waterhens, Plovers, Lapwings, 

 Snipe, and Woodcock, accompanied by Hawks of 

 various species, seek the milder climate of the island, and 

 usually remain until the end of February. In mild, 

 moist, rainy winters, very few birds indeed visit the 

 island. 



According to the same authorities, the following 

 birds nest annually on Ushant : — Ravens, Sparrows, 

 Linnets, Larks, Pipits, Redbreasts, Warblers (white- 

 throats). Wrens, and Swallows. 



How very much I wish I could have interviewed 



