WEST COAST OF ENGLAND AND WALES, AND ISLE OF MAN. 77 



at the Chickens Kock lantern, and a Ring Ouzel was shot at St 

 Tudwal's — these harbingers of spring making their appearance 

 with the south-westerly winds and mild weather which then 

 spread over our islands. 



March. — The month commenced with a spell of anticy clonic 

 weather — cold, gloomy, and foggy over England during the 

 daytime, but with sharp frosts at night. The effect of this 

 weather led to a renewal of the local movements of the Turdidas, 

 Chaffinches, Larks, Starlings, Lapwings, etc. Shallow local 

 disturbances followed, and on the 15th, which was a most 

 miserable and unsettled day all over England, there was a very 

 great rush of birds at the Nash, flying before very heavy snow, 

 from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mr Nicholas says, " two or three 

 hundred birds could be seen at a time," and that he recognised 

 Skylarks, Starlings, Snipe, Woodcocks, Lapwings, Golden 

 Plovers, Mallard, Teal, and many other birds flying in the 

 snow. Anticyclones followed, prevailing until the 20th, pro- 

 ducing a good deal of fog and severe frosts. The frost caused 

 some of the lanterns to be visited by the usual gipsy species, 

 but, among others, a "Woodcock, eight Pied Wagtails, and a 

 Kingfisher were killed. Unsettled weather followed. On the 

 29th an anticyclone advanced completely over the British 

 Islands, and with it fair, dry, quiet weather prevailed until the 

 end of the month. On the 29th, amongst other species, scores 

 of Wheatears fluttered around the Eddystone light ; on the 

 30th, Razorbills and Puffins put in an appearance at their 

 summer haunts on the Calf of Man ; and Puffins arrived at St 

 Tudwal's on the 31st. 



April. — The month commenced with cold winds and showers 

 of snow and sleet. After the 5th the disturbing conditions passed 

 away, and on the 7th fine bright sunny weather was established, 

 though the temperature remained low. On the 10th, Ring 

 Ouzels and Wheatears were recorded, and the first Swallows 

 appeared at four stations between Devon and the Isle of Man 

 on the 11th. On the 17th the fine weather broke, and change- 

 able, unsettled conditions prevailed over the country generally. 

 During this period Ring Ouzels, Wheatears, and Willow and 

 other Warblers were observed at the Eddystone, and a few 

 Swallows at various stations. Towards the end of the month 

 fine weather again prevailed, and on the 30th a Cuckoo was 



