Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/311

Rh 2. Birds from Eastern Europe.—Mature reflection favours the belief that comparatively few species visit the shores of the Solway Firth from Eastern Europe. We have no local finds of Turdus varius or T. sibiricus: no rare Phylloscopi; no notes of Lanius minor or Muscicapa parva; no Asiatic Buntings; and not one occurrence of Falco vespertinus. It is true that Saxicola isabellina, Tadorna casarca, Glareola pratincola, Cursorius gallicus have visited us at long intervals; but what are these among so many absent species? It must be admitted that Anthus richardi and Pastor roseus are believed to have occurred repeatedly, the former species in both spring and autumn. Ruticilla titys has only twice occurred, yet it cannot be easily overlooked, as it occurs so late in the season. In vain have we searched, year after year, for such birds as Totanus stagnatilis, Charadrius fulvus, Recurvirostra avocetta, or Numenius tenuirostris. It is conceivable that some of the commoner British birds visit us from the east, such as Garrulus glandarius; but an incursion of Jays is at least as likely to owe its fons et origo to the pine-woods of Norway. Certain birds, of which Anthus richardi is the safest example, do appear to visit us from the east; but most eastern Palæarctic birds are chiefly remarkable for their absence.

3. Birds from Scandinavia.—A number of species appear to visit the Solway Firth from Scandinavia, including Turdus pilaris, T. iliacus, Lanius excubitor, Bombycilla garrulus, Acanthis linaria, Fringilla montifringilla, Chrysomitris spinus, Corvus cornix, Otocorys alpestris, Dendrocopus major, Buteo lagopus, Asio brachyotus, Columba palumbus, Clangula glaucion, Mergus merganser, Strepsilas interpres, Scolopax rusticula, Gallinago gallinula, Machetes pugnax, Totanus canescens, Limosa lapponica, Colymbus septentrionalis. But of these, Machetes pugnax only occurs—normally, at any rate—in autumn; while Otocorys alpestris and Buteo lagopus have hitherto proved to be very rare visitors. Possibly Chrysomitris spinus and Mergus merganser visit the neighbourhood of the Solway Firth from the north of Scotland. Acanthis linaria is relatively rare in the neighbourhood of the Solway Firth, or at any rate appears to be; possibly, if there were any London birdcatchers at work with clap-nets near the Solway, we might hear of the capture of various small species which at present are overlooked.