62 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



Chiffchaffs were counted from 1 a.m. to sunrise, light E. air, 

 haze ; 196 were killed. Autumn : On Oct. 26th, at South Stack, 

 a few Goldcrests from 12 to 4 a.m., one killed, gentle E. breeze. 

 The same day, at Morecambe Bay, one (cock) Goldcrest flew on 

 board, struck the deck-house and fell on deck, but was not 

 killed ; and at Nash, the same day, 12 to 18 Chiffchaffs passed 

 at 4 a.m., and 6 were killed, light E.N.E. breeze, rain. On Dec. 

 31st, at 3 a.m., one Goldcrest struck at South Stack, light S.W. 

 breeze, cloudy. From Flatholm, Mr. Dale reports " Gold crested 

 Wrens and Chiffchaffs not so numerous as usual in the autumn." 

 Taking the whole family of the Turdidje, the chief movement as 

 observed on the west coast occurred the latter end of October : 

 this, we find, agrees with a general movement of the family 

 noticed on both coasts of Scotland, and also a rush from E. to 

 W. observed on the English east coast. On Oct. 14th was 

 "a whole gale" from the E., after which the winds continued 

 E. and S.E. to the end of the month — the force when noted 

 ranging from 2 to 7. With the exception of the Eedwing, and 

 excepting the note of Blackbirds and of Robins seen at Allonby, 

 there has scarcely been an instance recorded of any of the 

 family seen throughout November. There is an absolute absence 

 of Fieldfares, and the scarcity of the family generally is remarked 

 on from many stations. Thus, from Allonby, Mr. Thompson 

 writes (Nov., 1881), "No Fieldfares seen in this part, which is 

 very unusual." At Skerries, of Blackbirds, Thrushes, Field- 

 fares, &c., '* very few are now seen." At Lundy, " till January, 

 Mr. Parsons writes, *'we had no birds on the islands, only now 

 and then a Blackbird or Thrush." At Usk, Blackbird and 

 Thrush seen occasionally. And from Nash E., Mr. Nicholas, P.K., 

 writes in October, ''Blackbirds and Thrushes have been very 

 scarce since the gale and snowstorm of Jan. 18th last," and "not 

 one Thrush has been seen here since January." Note :— At 

 Bardsey, however, Mr. Bowen says of Blackbirds, Grey-birds (?), 

 Jackdaws, House and Common (?) Sparrows, and Starlings, that 

 they are resident. Does this mean that they are seen all the 

 year round ; even so, is there no increase and decrease in the 

 number noticeable, and if so, when ? Are Gre^-birds the Grey- 

 backed Crows? What is the difference between •" House " and 

 "Common" Sparrow? Does the latter mean the Hedgesparrow, 

 or is one the Tree Sparrow ? If there be any doubt, a specimen, 



