72 REPOKT— 1887. 



From the Tearaght, co. Kerry, a pied flycatcher was caaght at the 

 lantern, September 21, the species only having once before occurred in 

 Ireland — in April 1875. The repeated occurrence of the corncrake, 

 several miles from shore — killed striking against lanterns between 100 

 to 200 feet above sea-level — must satisfy the sceptical that this well- 

 known species can fly at a high level with great power and velocity. 

 The waterrail, which seems so unwilling to fly, was received from the 

 Fastnet and Tuskar on October 26 and 28 ; also fi-om Spurn L. V., 

 November 1, one; Llyn Wells L. V., November 4, two; and Coquet 

 Island L. H., same date, one ; showing a widely extended migratory 

 movement of this species during the last week in October and early in 

 November. 



The great spotted woodpecker occurred in considerable numbers in 

 the eastern counties of Scotland about the middle of October. Almost 

 all the specimens examined were either old birds or with very slight 

 traces of immaturity. This immigration extended southward to the 

 coast districts of Lincolnshire, where very considerable numbers were 

 obtained in the autumn and winter. 



At Rathlin O'Birne (West Donegal) immense flocks of birds — star- 

 lings, thrushes, and fieldfares — passed west from December 18 to 23. 

 The nearest land to the west of this rocky island is America. This is 

 not an isolated occurrence. The westerly flight of land-birds at stations 

 ofi" the west coast of Ireland has been noticed on other occasions ; the 

 movement is apparently as reckless as that of the lemmings. 



The autumnal passage of quails from England is shown by their 

 occurrence at the Smalls L. H., September 3, and the Eddystone on 

 October 5; also a wing from the Shipwash L. V., ofi" the Essex coast, 

 obtained on October 26. 



An enormous rush of immigrants is recoi'ded from the east coast of 

 England on October 4, 5, and 6, with easterly and south-easterly winds, 

 pressure system cyclonic, but the adverse meteorological conditions 

 during this period slowly passing away. Much fog and thick weather 

 at the time, which in a great measure may account for the immense 

 numbers of birds seen at the lanterns of lighthouses. The movement was 

 less apparent on the east coast of Scotland, the winds being E.N.B. and 

 N.E., having a tendency to crush down migration, giving it a more 

 southerly direction. On the west coast of Scotland, during the same 

 period, at the majority of stations the rush of birds was enormous ; but 

 the movement was much less accentuated on the west coast of England, 

 and to a less degree still on the Irish coasts. The rush is by far the 

 largest ever recorded since the opening of this inquiry. 



As usual on the east coast of England, rooks, daws, hooded crows, 

 starlings, and larks occupy a considerable portion of the returned 

 schedules. Chaffinches have crossed the north sea in extraordinary num- 

 bers. ^ They are always numerous, but this autumn the immigration has 

 been in considerable excess of previous years. With these exceptions, 

 however, there has been a singular and very marked falling off" in the 

 migration of some species whose breeding range lies chiefly in the north 

 of Europe. This has been especially noticeable in the small arrivals 

 recorded of fieldfares, redwings, ring-ousels, bramblings, snow -buntings, 

 short-eared owls, and woodcocks. 



Eight reports have now been issued by your Committee, and the 

 stations have again been supphed with the necessary papers for the re- 



