290 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xiit. 



said that there was no chance of birds. To-night it is bright 

 starlight, no birds expected at the light. The lighthouse' 

 keeper (Mr. Sunnaway) says that migrants steer by the stars. 

 They never come to the light if there is one star visible. 



22nd October. — Wind S.S.W., strong. Weather fine. 



Three Blackbirds, an abnormal Redwing with a grey back, 

 and a Starling killed against the lantern. All blown a good 

 way from the lighthouse precinct. Apparently it must have 

 clouded over during a part of the night. 7 a.m. — Flocks of 

 Starlings coming over, skimming the ground, perhaps on 

 account of the strong wind. Soon come considerable flocks 

 of small birds : Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Sky-Larks, etc. 

 II a.m. — A flock of Chaffinches and a good many Greenfinches 

 feeding. The loud call-note often heard as the Chaffinches 

 fly over. A few Chaffinches starting from the northern end 

 of the island fljang south ; a Goldcrest in lighthouse 

 garden ; a young Black Redstart by lighthouse yesterday 

 and to-day, dusky all over, wing-patch hardly visible, red 

 tail unmistakable ; a Kestrel ; two Lapwings (temporary 

 residents) . 



23rd October. — Wind S.S.W. Slightly foggy at night, stars 

 shining through mist. Afternoon rain and mist. 



Two Blackbirds, three Song-Thrushes, fourteen Redwings, 

 three Starlings and a Water-Rail killed against the lantern. 

 Total killed, twenty-three. There were two or three winged 

 Thrushes about which could not be caught. 



The lighthouse keeper says early in the morning it got 

 darker, stars disappearing altogether. Hence the number of 

 birds killed at the light. 



24th October. — Wind changed from S.S.W. to N.E. during the 

 night. 

 Two Blackbirds, six Redwings, four Water-Rails, two 

 Snipe and a Coot killed against the lantern. The birds 

 killed fell nearly all to the north of the light. Birds seen : 

 Blackbird, Song-Thrushes, a Redwing, Chaffinches, a few 

 Sky-Larks near lighthouse. Lapwing. 



25th October. — Wind N.E., not quite so strong. 



A Redwing and six Water-Rails killed against the lantern. 

 Seen : two Mistle-Thrushes, three Fieldfares, a Siskin (five 

 yards off, it soon flew wildly away in Linnet style), two 

 Wagtails and two Kestrels. 



26th October. — Wind N.E., strong. Night too light for birds 

 to be killed. Morning cloudy. 



