THE BIRDS OF SARK; AND VARIATION IN SONG.
By H.E. Howard.
I arrived at Sark on March 1st, having sailed across from Guernsey, a distance of about eight miles. Owing to the state of the tide and wind, the landing had to be made at the port of Havre Goslin, which landing-place consists of an iron ladder fixed on the cliffs, perpendicular for some distance, with a fairly steep climb at the end of it. The island is three and a half miles long by one and a half broad, and is encompassed with vertical cliffs two or three hundred feet high. Part of the land is cultivated, and part kept for grazing. The chief feature, however, is the number of valleys running down to the edge of the cliffs, valleys, which, for the most part, are covered with whins, and which account for the great number of stone-chats to be found there.
I was too early to see if the island was visited much by migrants, but I noticed one or two movements. On the 4th, flocks of Green Plover were passing the south end of the island, heading towards the east; the weather was fine at the time, with sea fogs in the morning. On the 11th, while walking near the cliffs facing south, I was attracted by a quiet note, very much like that of a Goldcrest, but sufficiently distinct to arrest attention. After waiting for a short time, the bird appeared out of a dense mass of bramble, and I had the pleasure of recognising a Fire-crest (Regulus ignicapillus). I watched this bird at different times for two days, often within a few feet—never more than twenty-five yards away. The plumage was beautiful, evidently full breeding, the golden hue on the nape and sides being especially bright. The weather had been fine and warm with sea fogs in the morning, and a slight wind from W.S.W. On the 12th, a single Wheatear appeared, and also on the same date I flushed a Woodcock amongst the gorse on the east cliffs. The number of Stonechats kept increasing daily; I noticed no old males among them. On the 12th, also, the Kittiwakes were
