Chapter I: Part 1

Transcriber Note

Text emphasis denoted as _Italics_ and =Bold=.

REPORT

ON THE

MIGRATION OF BIRDS

IN THE

SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1884.

BY

Mr. J. A. HARVIE BROWN, Mr. J. CORDEAUX,
Mr. R. M. BARRINGTON, Mr. G. A. MORE,

AND

Mr. W. EAGLE CLARKE.

SIXTH REPORT.

(Vol. II., No. 1.)

"A good practical naturalist must be a good observer; and how many qualities are required to make up a good observer! Attention, patience, quickness to seize separate facts, discrimination to keep them unconfused, readiness to combine them, and rapidity and yet slowness of induction; above all, perfect fidelity, which can be seduced neither by the enticements of a favourite theory nor by the temptation to see a little more than actually happens in some passing drama."--_Essays, Bishop Wilberforce_, Vol. I.

LONDON: PRINTED BY WEST, NEWMAN & CO., 54, HATTON GARDEN.

1885.

PREFACE.

The following Report contains a summary of investigations of the Committee re-appointed by the British Association for the Advancement of Science, at Montreal, Canada, in 1884, to consist of Professor Newton, Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown, Mr. John Cordeaux, Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, Mr. R. M. Barrington, and Mr. A. G. More, for the purpose of obtaining (with the consent of the Master and Elder Brethren of the Trinity House, the Commissioners of Northern Lights, and the Commissioners of Irish Lights) observations on the Migration of Birds at Lighthouses and Lightships, and of reporting on the same at Aberdeen in 1885. Mr. Cordeaux to be the Secretary.

The returns relating to Scotland have been arranged by Mr. J. A. Harvie Brown; for the East Coast of England, by Mr. Cordeaux; for the West Coast of England, by Mr. W. Eagle Clarke; and those for the Coasts of Ireland, by Mr. R. M. Barrington, Mr. A. G. More, and Mr. Eagle Clarke.

Having obtained an additional grant from the British Association, we venture this year to add a new feature to our Report in the form of a sketch-map, showing all the stations in _red_. We have done this at the intelligent request of several of our reporters; and the map has been executed for us by Messrs. Macfarlane & Erskine, of St. James' Square, Edinburgh.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Ocean Notes 1

East Coast of Scotland 10

East Coast of England 39

West Coast of Scotland 74

West Coast of England and Wales 101

Irish Coast 125

MAP

OF THE

British Islands

SHOWING POSITION of THE

LIGHTHOUSE & LIGHT VESSEL STATIONS

TO WHICH SCHEDULES ARE SENT BY

THE COMMITTEE.
]

LIST OF STATIONS.

1. Iceland. =England--East Coast.=
2. Do.
3. Faroe. 30. Longstone L.H.
3_b_. Fair Isle. 31. Inner Farn L.H.
32. Coquet Island L.H.
=Scotland--East Coast.= 33. 5 Buoy Tees L.V.
34. Whitby High L.H.
4. N. Unst. 35. Flamborough Head L.H.
5. Whalsey Skerries. 36. Spurn Point L.H.
6. Bressay Sound. 37. Spurn L.V.
7. Sumburgh Head. 38. Inner Dowsing L.V.
8. N. Ronaldshay. 39. Dudgeon L.V.
9. Start Point. 40. Outer Dowsing L.V.
10. Auskerry. 41. Llyn Wells L.V.
{11. Hoy Sound (Low). 42. Hasbro' L.V.
{12. Hoy Sound (High). 43. Leman and Ower L.V.
13. Cantick Head. 44. Hunstanton L.H.
14. Pentland Skerries. 45. Cromer L.H.
15. Dunnet Head. 46. Hasbro' L.H.
16. Holborn Head. 47. Winterton L.H.
17. Noss Head. 48. Newarp L.V.
18. Tarbat Ness. 49. Cockle L.V.
19. Cromarty. 50. Corton L.V.
20. Chanonry Point. 51. Orfordness L.H.
21. Covesea Skerries. 52. Languard Point L.H.
22. Kinnaird Head. 53. Shipwash L.V.
23. Buchan Ness. 54. Swin Middle L.V.
24. Girdleness. 55. Nore L.V.
25. Montroseness. 56. Tongue L.V.
26. Bell Rock. 57. Kentish Knock L.V.
27. Isle of May. 58. Galloper L.V.
28. Inchkeith. 59. North Foreland L.H.
28_b_. Fidra (1885). 60. North Sand Head L.V.
29. St Abb's Head. 61. Gull L.V.
62. Eastside L.V.
63. South Foreland L.H.
64. South Sand Head L.V.
65. Varne L.V.

=Scotland--West Coast.= =England--West Coast.=

81. Cape Wrath. 119. Bahama Bank L.V.
82. Rhu Stoir. 120. St Bees L.H.
83. Butt of Lewis. 121. Selker L.V.
84. Stornoway. 122. Morecambe Bay L.V.
85. Island Ghlais. 123. Dee L.V.
86. Monach Isles. 124. Air L.H.
87. Ushenish. 125. Menai L.H.
88. Barra Head. 126. Skerries L.H.
89. Rona. 127. Holyhead Breakwater L.H.
90. Kyleakin. 128. South Stack L.H.
91. Isle Ornsay. 129. Carnarvon Bay L.V.
92. Ardnamurchan. 130. St Tudwall's L.H.
93. Skerryvore and Hynish 131. Bardsey Island L.H.
Signal Tower, Tiree. 132. Cardigan Bay L.V.
94. Dhuheartach. 133. South Bishop L.H.
95. Sound of Mull. 134. Smalls L.H.
96. Corran Ferry. 135. Great Castlehead L.H.
97. Lismore. 136. Milford L.H.
98. Fladda, Easdale. 137. Caldy L.H.
99. Rhuvaal. 138. Helwick L.V.
100. M'Arthur's Head. 139. Scarweather L.V.
101. Skervuile. 140. Nash L.H.
102. Rhinns of Islay. 141. Breaksea L.V.
103. Lochindaul. 142. Flatholm L.H.
104. Mull of Kintyre. 143. English and Welsh
105. Sanda. Grounds L.V.
106. Devaar. 144. Usk L.H.
107. Pladda, Arran. 145. Avon L.H.
108. Lamlash. 146. Burnham L.H.
109. Turnberry. 147. Bull Point L.H.
109_b_. Ailsa Craig 148. Bideford L.H.
(building, 1885). 149. Lundy L.H.
110. Corsewall. 150. Hartland Point L.H.
111. Loch Ryan. 151. Trevose Head L.H.
112. Portpatrick. 152. Godrevy L.H.
113. Mull of Galloway. 153. Longships L.H.
114. Little Ross. 154. Sevenstones L.V.
155. Wolf-Rock L.H.
=Isle of Man.= 156. Scilly L.H.
157. Bishop's Rock L.H.
115. Point of Ayre. 158. Lizard L.H.
116. Douglas Head. 159. Falmouth Harbour L.H.
117. Langness (1880). 160. Eddystone L.H.
118. Chickens Rock. 161. Plymouth Breakwater L.H.
162. Start L.H.

=Ireland.=

1. Fastnet. 20. Arranmore.
2. Galley Head. 21. Rathlin O'Birne.
3. Old Head, Kinsale. 22. Killybegs.
4. Mine Head. 23. Oyster Island.
5. Dungarvan. 24. Broadhaven.
5*.Coningbeg Lt.-ship. 25. Eagle Island, E.
6. Barrels Rock Lt.-ship. 26. Eagle Island, W.
7. Tuskar. 27. Blackrock, Mayo.
8. Arklow S. Lt.-ship. 28. Blacksod Point.
8*.Arklow N. Lt.-ship. 29. Clare Island.
10. Kish Bank Lt.-ship. 30. Slyne Head, N.
11. Howth Baily. 31. Slyne Head, S.
12. Rockabill. 32. Arran Island, N.
13. Copeland Island. 33. Straw Island.
14. Maidens. 34. Arran Island, S.
15. Rathlin. 36. Samphire Island.
16. Innishtrahull. 37. Tearaght.
17. Dunree Head. 38. Valencia.
18. Lough Swilly. 39. Skelligs.
19. Tory Island. 40. Dursey Island.

=Outlying Stations.=

Heligoland.
Stevns Fyr, Zealand.
Malmo, Sweden.
Casquets L.H., Alderney.
Hanois L.H., Guernsey.

SIXTH REPORT:

ON

THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS

IN THE

SPRING AND AUTUMN OF 1884.

OCEAN NOTES.

Thanks again to Messrs. Gray and Anderson, I have some interesting items of migration to record, taken by the latter gentleman on board the steamship 'Marathon' in the Atlantic. These are best given _in extenso_; and land-notes will be given after the paragraphs on each species or group.

_Steamship 'Marathon,' outward bound from Liverpool, April 16th, 1884._

April 17th.--A small bird came on board at 7 p.m., 15 miles from nearest land. (Position of ship at noon, Queenstown). Wind easterly for ten hours previous, and was increasing to moderate gale from E.N.E. when the bird was seen. From the description of this bird it can scarcely have been other than a Whinchat or Stonechat. No Petrels.[1]

[Footnote 1: The lat. and long, give the ship's position at noon each day.]

April 18th.--At 7 p.m., another, precisely the same species as yesterday's, 310 miles from land; not caught. Eight Kittiwakes and four Manx Shearwaters. Wind light E. all day. (Position of ship at noon, lat. 51° N., long. 15° 47′ W.). No Petrels.

April 19th.--Two Kittiwakes all day, till 580 miles from land. Little Auks[2] (?) seen frequently in parties of two to eight all day. Two Shearwaters, 600 miles from land. Lat. 60° 1′, long. 22° W.

[Footnote 2: Called "Little Puffins," size of Water Ouzel, in notes.]

April 20th.--At 8 a.m., one Manx Shearwater, 770 miles out. Several pairs of little Auks during forenoon. At 5 p.m., two Black-backed Common Shearwaters, 870 miles from land, outward bound. No Petrels.

April 21st.--At 7 a.m., two Common Shearwaters, 1090 miles from Fastnet. At 11.30 a.m., two Wilson's Petrels, 1145 miles out. Lat. 46° 37′, long. 36° 18′; calm. (_Note._--Previous to this date the note was appended to each day's entry, "No Petrels.")

April 22nd.--At 8 a.m., one Wilson's Petrel (_i.e._, _Oceanites oceanicus_, Kuhl.), 1400 miles out from Fastnet; and one at 4 p.m., 1500 miles. At 7 p.m., two large Puffins[3] flying south. Wind light E. Lat. 44° 11′, long. 42° 22′.

[Footnote 3: Common Puffin, "Tammy Norie," _Fratercula arctica_ (Linn.).]

April 23rd.--At 11 a.m., two black-looking birds, like Gulls (? Skuas) flying rapidly to N.E. During the day saw several specimens of the large sea-bird usually seen on the banks (of which we are now within sixty miles). [Probably from description the immature of some species of large Gull.--J. A. H. B.]. Numerous small parties of two or three of the Little Auk, and two large Puffins. From 6 to 7 p.m., saw numerous parties of ten to twelve of some kind of (apparently) Plover, flying south. No Petrels. Lat. 42° 28′, long. 43° 39′; wind light N.E.

April 24th.--At 7 a.m., three Black-footed Petrels,--Fork-tailed Petrel (_Thalassidroma leucorrhoa_),--and two Wilson's Petrels. At 5 p.m., one Little Auk and one Gull (yellow beak and legs), 700 miles from Boston at noon. Lat. 42° 24′, long. 55° 05′; wind light easterly.

April 25th.--At 8 a.m., six "Shore" Gulls and two Little Auks. At 5 p.m., one Skua. No Petrels. Lat. 42° 24′, long. 61° 21′; calm.

April 26th.--Occasional Gulls all day. No Petrels. Wind light N.; 141 miles from Boston at noon.

_Return Voyage of Steamship 'Marathon' from Boston, May 3rd._

May 3rd.--At 11 a.m., when 220 miles from Boston, one Common Swallow (by description a Martin.--J. A. H. B.) going west(!). Eight Black-footed Petrels; one Solan Goose, immature; numerous Gulls. At 6 a.m., apparently the same Solan Goose, twelve Wilson's Petrels, numerous Gulls, five Puffins, and two Little Auks. Lat. 42° 16′, long. 65° 58′; wind light W.

May 5th.--At 8.30 a.m., one Skua. Thirty to forty Wilson's Petrels all day. At 6 p.m., a couple of Gulls, and some Puffins. Lat. 42° 10′, long. 59° 56′; wind light to mod. W.

May 6th.--From 8 a.m. till dark, thirty Wilson's Petrels, two Little Auks, and one Gull. Lat. 42° 04′, long. 53°; wind mod. N.W.

May 7th.--All day, twenty Wilson's Petrels, and four Manx Shearwaters. Lat. 42° 56′, long. 46° 46′; wind fresh N.W.

May 8th.--At 8 a.m., one Black-footed Petrel (Fork-tailed Petrel probably, Wilson's being yellow-webbed between the toes--J. A. H. B.). Wind strong N.

May 9th.--At 8 a.m., five Terns flying N. At 8.30, twelve Terns resting on sea ahead, flew north. At 5 p.m., seven or eight Wilson's Petrels flying north, very tired-looking, and never heeded the ship. One "Black-footed Petrel" flying N. Lat. 47° 29′, long. 36° 09′; wind strong N.

May 10th.--Very numerous parties of Terns all day, flying north, three to twelve in number. At 9 a.m., one Skua, one Black-footed Petrel, and one Kittiwake. Lat. 49° 12′, long. 30° 04′, or 794 miles from Fastnet; wind strong to mod. N.

May 11th.--At 8 a.m., several parties of Terns, and three Skuas, all going north. At 8.30 a.m., one Kittiwake. At 5 p.m., three Kittiwakes. At 7 p.m., three Skuas circling about. No Petrels. Lat. 50° 81′, long, 23° 19′; wind mod. N.

May 12th.--At 8 a.m., sixteen Kittiwakes, 10 Wilson's Petrels, and four Manx Shearwaters. At 6 p.m., three Skuas, and two very dark hawk-looking birds, evidently in company, one very dark and the other had white vest and throat (Mr. Anderson's "Skuas" are probably Pomatorhine Skuas, and these last Richardson's Skuas.--J. A. H. B.). At 6.30 a flock of eighty or ninety Terns flying high and going N. and W., and circling frequently as if in doubt as to the proper course. They approached the ship from N.E., and were lost to sight astern, still undecided. One Puffin.

May 13th.--At 8 a.m., one (by description) Richardson's Skua flew past, seaward, ten miles from Queenstown, at noon. No Petrels.

May 14th.--Only Gulls and Puffins.

The 'Marathon' is again advertised to sail for Boston on June 18th.

_Cunard Royal Mail Steamship, 'Gallia.'_

At a later date Mr. Anderson sends a note on Solan Geese:--"On Jan. 20th we passed numerous Solan Geese at Cape St. Vincent. They could not fly, and many had a hard job to flutter off on the surface sufficiently far to clear the ship. I saw one black one. The others were mostly white, with yellowish heads and greyish beaks. They all had the appearance of being fully fledged. One Robin stayed a day on board between Naples and Burriana, in Spain."

We suspect the regular appearance of Solans so far to the southward will turn out to be closely associated with the migrations of fish, possibly pilchards; and that, gorged with these fish, they were unable to rise off the water, this difficulty not arising from any state of moult in the bird's plumage.--J. A. H. B.

_Union Steamship 'Athenian.'--First Voyage, 1884._

Thanks also to Mr. Spearman Swinburne, of Union Steamship 'Athenian,' I have several good schedules returned from two voyages--one in spring, between April 5th and 29th; and the second between Aug. 24th and Oct. 4th.

April 5th.--One Robin, one Yellowhammer, a flock of Jackdaws, three Lapwings, and one Crested Lark (_A. cristata_), between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m.; strong S.S.E.; v. c. r. The Robin alighted, so did the Yellowhammer. The Jackdaws were flying to eastward. The Lapwings followed the ship, and the Crested Lark alighted on board. The Robin and Yellowhammer were seen in lat. 53° N., long. 9° E.; the others in lat. 54° N., long. 10° E.

April 12th.--Seven Red-throated Divers, flying E.; one lot of three, the rest singly, all with white throats; 6 to 7 a.m.; light N.W., clear; off Schelling light-vessel.

April 20th.--One Wheatear, 2 p.m. till dark; light N.E., v. c.; alighted on board. Lat. 46° N., long. 8° W.

April 22nd.--Bulwer's Petrels, throughout the morning; W., strong, v. c.; about nine or ten in all flying singly, generally against the wind. Lat. 34° N., long. 16° W. Also one "white-breasted" Petrel, at 7 a.m., same lat. and long., fluttering on surface. One Black Tern (in full black plumage); and on April 29th, Sooty Terns and Common Terns; a large flock at 9 a.m., wind light S., including with these species a dark species of Gull.[4] Lat. 1° S., long. 13° W.

[Footnote 4: Or Falcon (?).--J. A. H. B.]

_Remarks._--Oct. 19th, off Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope). Passed through numbers of Great Shearwaters, and continued seeing them up to Algoa Bay. This is the first time I have seen them on this coast, and they are not included among the birds of S. Africa. On our return, on November 2nd, we passed smaller numbers of them, chiefly flying to the S.W. Nov. 16th, off Bejouga Islands, observed a Skua in uniform brown plumage chasing two grey and white birds, apparently some kind of pigeon. While one bird was being attacked, the other would rise in the air and attack the Skua in turn, and this continued till I lost sight of them. The same day, at 1 p.m., saw what looked like land; on approach turned out to be enormous flocks of sea-birds feeding and moving to the N.E. Those we saw afterwards were nearly all Greater Shearwaters.

Migratory Birds seen at Sea.--Dec. 18th, 1884, to Feb. 17th, 1885.

--------+--------------------+-----------+--------
Date. | Lat. | Long. | Wind. |Weather.
--------+--------------------+-----------+--------
Dec. 19 | Plymouth| Sound. | |
" 29 | 6° 45′ N.|15° 16′ W.| N.E., 2 | b. c.
" 30 | 2° 31′ N.|12° 16′ W.| Vble. | b. c.
" 31 | 1° 43′ S.| 9° 30′ W.| S.E., 2 | b.
" " | 1° 43′ S.| 9° 30′ W.| S.E., 2 | b.
1885. | | | |
Feb. 3 | 9° 23′ S.| 3° 22′ W.| S.E., 1, 2| b. c.
" 4 | 4° 54′ S.| 6° 44′ W.| S.S.E., 2 | b.
" 6 | 3° 54′ N.|13° 18′ W.| S.S.E., 2 | b. c.
" 9 |18° 03′ N.|17° 36′ W.| N.E., 4 | b.
" 10 |22° 56′ N.|16° 56′ W.| N.E., 3, 4| b.
| | | |
" " |22° 56′ N.|16° 56′ W.| N.E., 3, 4| b.
| | | |
--------+---------+----------+-----------+--------
-------+---------------+----------------------------
Date. | Birds. | Remarks.
-------+---------------+----------------------------
Dec. 19| |
" 29|1 Hoopoe. |Flying about ship; alighted.
" 30|1 Black Tern. |Close to ship.
" 31|Sooty Terns. |A large flock.
" "|Black Terns. |Several.
1885. | |
Feb. 3|Sooty Tern. |1.
" 4|Black Tern. |1.
" 6|Black Tern. |1.
" 9|Grey Phalarope.|Small flock flying N.
" 10|2 Terns (Common|
| Arctic). |
" "|Grey Phalarope.|A flock flying N.; some
| | swimming.
-------+---------------+----------------------------

(Signed) S. Swinburne.

Steamship 'Athenian.'--Second Voyage, 1884.

-------+-------------------------------+---------------+---------------------
| | |
| Number, Name, or | | Force and Direction
Date. | Species of Bird. |Time when seen.| of Wind.
-------+-------------------------------+---------------+---------------------
Aug. 24| 3 Curlews | 7 a.m. | Ely., Vble., 1 to 4
" "| 3 Curlews | 7.30 to 8 a.m.| Ely., Vble., 1 to 4
| | |
| | |
| | |
" "| 4 Sandpipers (Common) | 7 to 9 a.m. | Ely., Vble., 1 to 4
" 25| 1 Yellowhammer | 9.30 a.m. | E., 4
" 26| 1 Sandpiper (Common) | Noon. | N.E., 3 to 4
" 26| 1 Sandpiper (Common) | 9 a.m. | N.E., 4 to 5
" 31| 23 Curlews | 5.30 p.m. | N.W., 3
Sept. 2| 1 Sandpiper | 7 a.m. | W., 1 to 2
| | |
" 14| 1 Rook (or Carrion Crow) | 6 a.m. | E., 4
" "| 2 Small birds | 9 a.m. | E., 4
" "| 4 Sandpipers | 5.30 p.m. | E., 4
" "| Several small birds heard about the ship during the night.
" "| 3 flocks of Scoters | 7 a.m. | E.S.E., 4
" "| 1 Skylark | 7 a.m. | E.S.E., 4
" "| 4 Starlings | 8 a.m. | E.S.E., 4
" "| 1 large flock of birds | 8 a.m. | E.S.E., 4
" 19| 1 Wheatear | 8 a.m. | N., 2
" "| Several birds (prob. Wheatears) 8 a.m. | N., 2
" "| 1 Rock Pigeon |10 a.m. | N.N.E., 2
" 28| 1 Hobby | 6 p.m. | N.W., 3
Oct. 2| 2 Black Terns | 7 a.m. | N.E., 5
" "| 1 Swallow | 4 p.m. | N.E., 4 to 3
" 3| 1 Swallow | 7 a.m. | Nly., 1 to 2
" "| 1 Wagtail | 5 p.m. | W.N.W., 2
" 4| 1 Black-crested Grass Warbler | 5 p.m. | W.N.W., 2
" "| 3 Black Terns | 8 a.m. | Variable, 1
" "| Several flocks of Terns seen at times. | Variable, 1
" "| 1 Curlew | 9 a.m. | Variable, 1
" "| 1 Turnstone | 9 a.m. | Calm
" "| 3 Swallows | 4 to 6 p.m. | Calm
" 5| 1 Swallow | 6 p.m. | S.S.W., 2
Nov. 16| 2 Pigeons (?) | 8 a.m. | N.W., 2
" "| 1 Pigeon | 9 a.m. | N.W., S
" "| Sandpiper | 9 to 10 a.m. | N.W., S
" "| Small bird | 1 p.m. | N.W., a
" 21| 1 Snipe | -- | N.E., 4
" 24| Small bird | -- | N.N.W., S
-------+-------------------------------+---------------+---------------------
-------+--------------+--------------------------+-------------------------
|Weather, Clear| |
| or Fog, Rain,| Ship's Position at Noon.|
Date. | Snow,&c. | Lat. Long. |General Observations.
-------+--------------+------------+-------------+-------------------------
Aug. 24| o. c. r. | 11° 25′ N. | 17° 28′ W. |Flying E.
" "| o. c. r. | 11° 25′ N. | 17° 28′ W. |2 flew round the ship
| |   |   | for ½ hour, when they
| |   |   | were joined by another,
| |   |   | and flew S.W.
" "| o. c. r. | 11° 25′ N. | 17° 28′ W. |Flying E.
" 25| b. c. | 16° 19′ N. | 17° 33′ W. |Alighted on board.
" 26| b. c. | 21° 01′ N. | 17° 21′ W. |Flying E.
" 26| b. c. | 25° 20′ N. | 16° 53′ W. |Flying E.
" 31| b. | 41° 16′ N. | 10° 44′ W. |A flock flying S.
Sept. 2| b. c. | 49° 00′ N. | 7° 00′ W. |Markings very bright;
| |   |    | not common species.
" 14| b. c. | 52° 31′ N. | 3° 30′ E. |Flying E.
" "| b. c. | 52° 31′ N. | 3° 30′ E. |Flying E.
" "| b. c. | 62° 31′ N. | 3° 30′ E. |Flying E.
" "| |   |   |
" "| b. | Off Heligoland. |Flying S.
" "| b. | Off Heligoland. |Flying S.E.
" "| b. | Off Nieuwarke. |Flying E.
" "| b. | Off Nieuwarke. |Flying E.
" 19| c. | Off Terschelling Lt.-Sh. |Flying E.
" "| c. | Off Terschelling Lt.-Sh. |Flying E.
" "| c. | 18 miles S.W. of do. |Flying E.
" 28| b. c. | 41° 53′ N. | 11° 06′ W. |Flying S.
Oct. 2| c. | 22° 59′ N. | 17° 34′ W. |Black plumage.
" "| b. c. | 22° 59′ N. | 17° 34′ W. |Flying about ship.
" 3| b. | 17° 32′ N. | 17° 54′ W. |Flying S.E.
" "| b. | 17° 32′ N. | 17° 54′ W. |A greyish species.
" 4| b. | 17° 32′ N. | 17° 54′ W. |Alighted on board.
" "| b. | 12° 19′ N. | 17° 30′ W. |
" "| b. | 12° 19′ N. | 17° 30′ W. |
" "| b. | 12° 19′ N. | 17° 30′ W. |Flying W.
" "| b. | 12° 19′ N. | 17° 30′ W. |Flying round ship.
" "| b. m. | 12° 19′ N. | 11° 30′ W. |One caught on board.
" 5| b. c. | 7° 40′ N. | 15° 18′ W. |
Nov. 16| c. r. | 12° 47′ N. | 17° 50′ W. |Plumage grey, white.
" "| c. r. | 12° 47′ N. | 17° 50′ W. |Similar to Blue Rock.
" "| c. r. | 12° 47′ N. | 17° 50′ W. |
" "| c. r. | 12° 47′ N. | 17° 50′ W. |Alighted on board.
" 21| c. | 35° 35′ N. | 15° 20′ W. |Flying round ship.
" 24| b. c. | 47° 33′ N. | 7° 37′ W. |
-------+--------------+------------+-------------+-------------------------

Thanks to Mr. T. Southwell, of Norwich, I have the following returns from the Polar Seas:--

_Voyage of Steamship 'Eclipse' in Polar Seas, from the Log of Capt. David Gray._

The 'Eclipse' left Peterhead on Feb. 28th, 1884, and Lerwick on March 12th. On that day Bottlenose Whales were seen hurrying northward, as well as a few "Mallemauks." Lat. at noon 60° 25′ N., long. 0° 41′ W.; wind true S.; force 4[5]; temp, of air 42°, of sea 44°. At 8 p.m., temp, of water 47°.

[Footnote 5: The strength of the wind is according to Beaufort scale.--D. G.]

March 14th.--Lat. at noon, 66° 4′ N., d. r., long. 3° 50′ W., d. r. South. Force 9. Temp, of air 42°, of water 40°. Numbers of "Mallemauks," and one or two "Looms."

March 17th.--Noon. Lat. 72° 23′ N. d. r., long. 5° 44′ W. d. r. E. ½ N. Force 5. Temp, of air 25°, of water 29°. Made the ice at 11.30 a.m. Slight sludge. Saw several "Snow Birds" (Ivory Gulls), as well as a flock or two of "Rotges" (Little Auks).

March 20th.--Noon. Lat. 73° 0′ N. d. r., long. 5° 30′ W. d. r. N. 6 E. ½ E.; force 10. Temp, of air 20°, of water 29°. Young ice. "Snow Birds" and "Burgomasters" were flying N.N.E., which was significant, as these birds are always present in vast numbers where a large herd of seals is.

April 25th.--Noon. Lat. 73° 28′ N., long. 2° 50′ E.; S. ½ W.; force 5; temp, of air 36°, of water 29·5°. We passed through the sealing grounds (where on the 4th to 7th the young brood of seals had been killed). Many crangs [skinless bodies of the young seals] covered with snow were still visible, and around them flocked myriads of "Snow-birds" and "Burgomasters."

April 26th.--Noon. Lat. 73° 25′ N., long. 5° 6′ E.; N.N.W.; force 4; temp, of air, 24°, of water 29°. Saw many flocks of Eider Ducks going N.E.; and "Mallemauks" numerous.

April 27th.--Noon. Lat. 74° 15′ N., 4° 30 E.; W.N.W.; force 4; temp, of air, 17·5°, of water 29°; at the pack-edge. Several "schools" of old Saddle-back Seals seen going N.E.; and "Rotges," "Looms," and "Dovekies" also on their northward journey.

May 3rd.--Noon. Lat. 78° 36′ N., long. 1° 13′ E.; N.E. by N.; force 8; temp, of air 15°, of water 29°; at the pack-edge. "Rotges" very numerous to-day and yesterday.

May 9th.--Noon. Lat. 78° 35′ N., long. 0° 10′ W.; W. ½ S.; force 3; temp, of air 24°, of water 30·5°; among floes. At five o'clock got into a large water surrounded with floes. A few "Unicorns" were sporting about in the still water; flocks of "Rotchies" and "Looms" were flying hither and thither, and some were swimming about engaged in diving for "whales'-food," upon which they subsist. A bear or two seen on the floe.

May 12th.--Noon. Lat. 78° 47′ N., long. 2° 41′ E.; N.N.W.; force 2; temp, of air 18°, of water 29°; among floes. Got into the land-water of Spitzbergen. Saw many "Mallemauks."

May 15th.--Noon. Lat. 79° 20′ N., long. 2° 55′ E.; S.E.; force 3; temp, of air 26·5°, of water 29·5°; at pack-edge. A few "Unicorns" seen; and a Hawk came on board, apparently dying of hunger.

May 16th.--The Hawk seemed to be recovering, but on May 17th fell overboard and was drowned.

May 27th.--Noon. Lat. 77° 40′ N., long. 3° 20′ E.; S. ½ W.; force 6; temp, of air 27°, of water 31° The water is very rich with "whales' food"; "Unicorns" are numerous, and birds in thousands.

June 6th.--Noon. Lat. 77° 53′ N., 4° 25′ W.; temp, of air 35°, of water 31°. "Whales' food" abundant, and birds numerous. A few "Unicorns" seen, and one bear.

June 7th.--Noon. Lat. 77° 57′ N., 4° 52′ W.; N.W. ½ W.; force 1; temp, of air 36°, of water 33·5°; floes and loose ice. Narwhals have been numerous; also birds, chiefly "Rotchies"; and one or two bears.

June 10th.--Noon. Lat. 78° 3′ N., long. 0° 24′. W.; S.W. by S. ½ S.; force 3; temp, of air 33°, of water 33·5°. Many birds. Quantities of whales blowing, and greasy water. "Rotchies," "Looms," and Narwhals numerous.

June 11th.--Noon. Lat. 73° 38′ N., long. 0° 4′ E.; S. ½ W.; force 3; temp, of air 35°, of water 35°. Birds and Seals numerous; a few "Unicorns" seen; and some bears in sight at 12 p.m.

_Steamship 'Persia.'_

Mr. John S. Alston writes under date of November 4th, 1884,--a date as will be noted correlating with date of a great rush on our E. Coast of Britain (J. A. H. B.),--as follows:--"We hope to make Port Said to-morrow, after a very fair run all the way from home. During the last three days we have been visited by more little birds than I ever saw before at sea. So far as I can judge, they were mostly Finches; but we saw two Quails and, of all birds in the world, a Robin-redbreast, who most characteristically seemed quite at home; and when he was frightened by a Hawk, which was in close pursuit of this flock of birds, Robin quietly hopped down the 'companion' into the engineers' quarters. I had seen another Robin off Tarifa, the southern point of Europe, but I was much struck to see this little fellow come on board flying due south, the nearest land being Cape Matapan, hundreds of miles away. Of course he may have been blown off shore by a northerly gale, but when we met him he was flying against a southerly breeze. The Hawk followed these birds, hovering about the ship all day, but took his departure in the night. He was a small one--a Merlin, I think."--(Signed) John S. Alston.

EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.

The usual schedules were distributed to thirty stations on the East Coast of Scotland, Faroe, and Iceland. Twelve stations on East Coast of Scotland have sent in forty-one schedules out of the twenty-eight stations, including Faroe and Iceland.

From the Isle of May we have, as usual, the heaviest returns--fourteen schedules in all. Pentland Skerries again comes second with twelve schedules, and Bell Rock is the next in weight of returns.

In the following List of Stations, we indicate in Arabic type the number of years in which each station has returned records, and the consecutive numbers of the stations, as these coincide with those on the map. Hitherto we have indicated by asterisks, under each year as a heading, these particulars of returns, but after the fifth year these become cumbrous, occupying too much room. This year's returns, however, will again be indicated by asterisks. As will be seen below in an analysis of the returns for the past six years (see General Remarks end of W. C. of Scotland), the character of the lights at each station appears to have considerable influence on the bulking of records, the _white-fixed-lights_ having the largest as a rule. We mark in the list of stations therefore their different values as migration stations. The numerals indicate the true _migration values_, though the class of light may not _always_ correspond; and it remains to be seen if their character be kept up in the future. These are indicated by the following Roman numerals:--

First Class.--I., usually _fixed white lights_, but may be
otherwise, if the situation is particularly favourable, as in
the case of Bell Rock (see below).

Second Class.--II., usually white-revolving, also intermittent.

Third Class.--III., white and red revolving

Fourth Class.--IV., white flash, and red and white sectors.

Fifth Class.--V., bad situation, or exposure, combined with other
disadvantages; _red fixed_; landlocked. All considerations bad.

EAST OF SCOTLAND.

Shetland.

3 * 4. North Unst, Shetland IV. 230 T. Edgar.
3 5. Whalsey Skerries, Shetland II. 143
1 6. Bressay, Shetland III. 105
5 * 7. Sumburgh Head, Shetland. I. 303 D. M. Scott.

Orkney.

4 * 8. N. Ronaldshay IV. 180
9. Start Point V. 80
5 10. Auskerry I. 110
11. Hoy Sound (Low) V.(_a_) 55
12. Hoy Sound (High) V. 115
13. Cantick Head III. 115
5 *14. Pentland Skerries I. 170 J. Gilmour.
5 *15. Dunnet Head V.(_a_) 346

Mainland.

16. Holborn Head, Caithness V. 75
1 17. Noss Head, Caithness V.(_a_) 175
18. Tarbat Ness, East Ross V.(_a_) 175 R. S. Ritson.
3 *19. Cromarty, East Cromarty V. 60 John McGill.
2 *20. Chanonry Point, Elgin V. 40
1 21. Covesea Skerries, Elgin V. 160
*22. Kinnaird Head, Aberdeen V. 120
23. Buchan Ness, Aberdeen V. 130
1 *24. Girdleness, Aberdeen V. 185
25. Montroseness, Forfar V. 124
5 *26. Bell Rock, Fife I. 93 James Jack.
5 *27. Isle of May, Firth of Forth I. 240 Jos. Agnew.
4 *28. Inch Keith, Firth of Forth IV. 220 R. Grierson.
29. St. Abb's Head, Berwick V. 224

Note.--Read in this place part of the General Remarks at the end of West Coast of Scotland.

(_a_) Notwithstanding the favourable description of light.

_Diary from the Stations._

_N. Unst._--Mr. James Edgar--formerly at Butt of Lewis--has sent useful schedules embracing from Feb. 15th to 21st Sep. and to Nov. 28th. "We have plenty of Ravens and Hooded Crows all the year, therefore I only notice uncommon flocks." "One pair of Hoodies, which has been about the rock for years, attends regularly at dinner time (1 p.m.) to eat up scraps. Their right is sometimes disputed by a half-tame Sea Gull. I had a good opportunity of examining 'Jenny Wren' this season. She remained for a fortnight."--_In lit._

_Sumburgh Head._--The old natives say they never before have seen such vast numbers of Gulls as during this year, around this station all the season onward from 8th March, 1884.[6]

[Footnote 6: Mr. D. M. Scott has removed to Lamlash, Arran, since the date of his last schedule, Sept. 15th, 1884, and is succeeded by Mr. Youngclause from Monach Islands. Mr. Youngclause sends a light schedule from Sept. 19th to Nov. 16th, of interest in showing the northerly extension of the migration of Linnets and Turdidæ (see General Remarks under Gulls).]

_N. Ronaldshay._--Mr. John Tulloch sent one schedule embracing the whole season from July 5th to Sept. 21st. I did not receive this till the first week in March. In future I would always like to have schedules returned immediately after last day of January, or as soon as possible after that date, as it is more difficult to work in stray schedules after the Report is written out.

_Pentland Skerries._--Mr. J. Gilmour was called away from August 13th till Sept. 1st on a Board of Trade inquiry. During that interval a Solan Goose struck the Lantern Dome, and was found, but not killed ("this is very unusual"). A few Wheatears and one Goldcrest were seen also, during this interval. Gulls (a pair) bred on the island--a very unusual circumstance.

Easterly and southerly winds prevailed from March 10th to April 12th, with occasional S.W., varying to N.; 12th to 19th, N.E., fresh; 19th to May 4th, again S.E. and E., and N. on latter date, and so on till August with very slight variations, or light, variable.

In autumn, winds continued to prevail easterly, till about the 20th Sept., when they changed to westerly and northerly, and this appeared to be characteristic along the whole E. coast, thus making a visit paid by me to Isle of May, for three weeks in September and October, rather unproductive of visible migration. This N. & W. prevalence caused migration to be much dispersed, and no great rushes are recorded at Pentland Skerries or other stations. But on the 14th Oct., during mod. E., after N.N.E. and N.W. gales, a rush of Thrushes and Woodcocks will be found recorded. Between Oct. 17th and Nov. 7th winds very variable round three-fourths of compass, but almost never entering the fourth quarter between S. and E.--indeed only on three days. Strong N.E., weather cloudy and clear, very little haze. This continued till Nov. 30th, except on Nov. 11 a S. gale, on 8th S.W. gale, and on 20th a N. gale.[7]

[Footnote 7: Read the above in connection with General Remarks.]

_Dunnet Head_ gives a light return. The daily to-and-fro migration of Gannets is spoken of in _general terms_, and the dates of arrival and departure of rock birds were "about the same dates as stated in last year's report."

_Cromarty._--The prevailing wind at this land-locked station at the times of records, given between March 24th and Dec. 26th, were from W. and S.W. Dates of arrivals in spring and departures in autumn given. As before remarked, such land-locked stations give abnormal returns as compared with freely exposed stations, and the S.W. or W. winds were local.

_Chanonry._--Practically blank as regards actual migration, all movements being local, Mr. J. McGill finding Scarts and Cormorants flying up and down the Firth, Wild Ducks feeding in frosty weather, and many Larks on Jan. 17th, 1884. Local movements of Green Plover in November and December. No certain migration discernible.

_Kinnaird Head_ returns a blank schedule, with the positive statement "No birds." I am obliged to the head lighthouse-keeper for returning this schedule. Such if regularly returned would enable me to give always, year by year, a positive statement of negative value. I wish others on the Aberdeenshire coast would follow his good example.

_Girdleness._--A light return during November 14th to 17th and December 1st to 12th. "Birds at this lighthouse very scarce, the situation being very exposed." A record of a Fork-tailed Petrel (seen by me on 15th August, J. A. H. B.) is of considerable interest. Dead calm and hazy; on E. side of lantern; about 12 p.m. Stomach contained only an oily matter (Geo. Sim) _vide_ Proc. Ryl. Phyl. Soc. Edin. 1884. Bell Rock sends excellent schedules as usual. The early advent of a swallow--March 13th and 14th--is commented upon by letter. "It seemed much exhausted." Mr. Hutton, Bank Manager, Royal Bank, Arbroath--a gentleman much interested in ornithology--gave a full account of the occurrence in the 'Dundee Advertiser' of April.[8]

[Footnote 8: "About four o'clock in the afternoon of the 13th and 14th March the light-keeper on duty at the Bell Rock Lighthouse observed a swallow fluttering in front of the kitchen window. After watching it for some little time he opened the window and stood aside to see if the bird would come in. This in a minute or two it did, and alighted on the inside of the windowsill. So exhausted did the little wanderer appear from its long flight and the buffetting of the weather that it allowed itself to be lifted up and put into a cage. It immediately lay down on the bottom of the cage and instantly fell fast asleep, remaining in this state till next morning about eight o'clock (sixteen hours). So sound were its slumbers that the keepers watching it as it lay could scarcely detect any signs of life in it, and at times they were almost certain that it had died. On awakening at the hour mentioned the swallow was taken out by one of the keepers and given a drink of water. It was put back into the cage again, where it lay in an apparently dormant condition till 10 a.m., when it was supplied with more water, under the influence of which and the rays of the sun it became quite lively and strong. The kitchen window was now lifted up and the bird taken out and laid on the open hand of Mr. Jack, principal light-keeper. Resting there for a moment, it gave one cheery twitter, and, springing upwards from the outstretched palm, it winged its way in the direction of the land and was lost sight of in the space of a minute or two. The appearance of the bird so far north at such an early season is remarkable. The swallow migrates to Africa at the end of October, and it is not till the middle of April that the flight northward begins, so that the one which surprised the light-keepers before March was half run was several weeks earlier than the usual time for their appearance here. It may be added that, the Swallow being an insectivorous bird, the lighthouse keepers were unable to supply it with its ordinary food, and abstained from giving it any other for fear of injuring it."]

Between April 9th and Sept. 3rd scarcely any migration was observed at Bell Rock--only four records in that time on April 28th, April 30th, May 7th and 9th. But before and after these dates in spring and autumn, considerable migration is recorded in comparison, but decidedly slack, as compared with other seasons, in autumn, owing to northerly and westerly winds. This, however, was followed by a great rush in November, for particulars of which the reader is referred to the details under Species. The marvellous congregations of Gulls and their prey the Sprat or Garvie (_Clupea sprattus_) are commented upon. (General Remarks).

_Isle of May._--In January, 1884, intermittent migration continued. The great gale of 27th to 29th produced nothing of any consequence--one Yellowhammer, however, being the first of the species seen for some time.

While rushes took place in spring at Bell Rock in March, with the wind prevailing E., at Isle of May much smaller movements are recorded, local winds apparently being more S. & W. (See especially "Thrushes," but the remark applies to other species also.) This is curious at two stations so close to one another. Bush of land birds in April. Movements of Guillemots and rock birds somewhat different (see details). Partial albino of the Willow Warbler captured (seen by me, J. A. H. B.) Long spell of E. winds in April and rushes; but a light S.W. wind on 30th, changing from S.S.E., brought a "wonderful rush of land birds." This seems to me interesting, as proving the station to lie in the direct route of migration, rushes occurring both in the most favourable winds--S.E. or E. (_i.e._ for spring migration), and those supposed to lie less favourable, and following winds, _viz._ S.W.

A later schedule--April 30th to June 3rd--shows evidences of a decidedly late spring migration, for which it seems difficult to assign a cause. This was also noticeable on land. It took place in second week of May, with light S.W. and W. wind, mist, fog, and rain; principally of Warblers and insect-feeding species.

Very few records are given between June 11th and August. A usual return of Warblers, &c., noted as rather early by August 10th. Bush of same species, 19th and 24th. In end of August and all September, on till about October 18th, winds retarded migration, being N. and W.; never, or very rarely, S. and E., or S. of W. I spent three weeks and three days on Isle of May, between September 24th and October 17th, and during that time only witnessed intermittent and slack migration; the only attempt at a night rush apparent being on the night of October 4th, at the time of total eclipse of the moon--wind Light W. at the time--some twelve Goldcrests being caught at the lantern.[9] A male Black Redstart was shot on October 24th, and a second seen on 25th. The principal rush of the year on November 4th instances the effect of a sudden change of wind. This must have been a very vast and determined rush, as many came also with a W. wind afterwards. This rush was composed principally of Finches and Larks, with considerable numbers of Turdidæ; but the great rush of the latter (Thrushes) did not take place till the rush of the Finches was past. Whilst the Finches and Larks greatest rush was on Nov. 4th, the greatest rush of Thrushes, Blackbirds, and Turdidæ generally was on 12th to 16th. (For particulars see details under Species).

[Footnote 9: Our Isle of May notes containing a few items of interest will be used in a separate paper on that island, but actual results will be worked into this report also.]

Thereafter migration continued with less force up to Jan., 1885, the date of the last schedule to hand.

_Inchkeith._--This land-locked station returns a light schedule--of considerable interest, however, as carrying out what has been remarked by us in previous reports, that when birds do occur here on migration it is usually with S.W. and westerly winds, whether in spring or in autumn. The Siskin seems to frequent Inchkeith as a regular migrant, and Titmice are also regular in appearance.

Separate Report under Genera and Species.

Turdidæ.--In spring, migration at Sumburgh Head (April only, large flocks of Common Thrushes on 1st, wind light S.E., clear, along with Starlings and Linnets), and Pentland Skerries (indication in March, and partial and remittent in April, but no great rush evident). At Bell Rock (great rush recorded on 6th and 8th March of Thrushes, Ring Ouzels, light S.E. wind), and at I. of May, but rush not observable here on 6th and 8th, there being only two records of Blackbirds and a few Redwings, owing to local wind being light W. and haze. Earliest record at I. of May, Feb. 20th, one Redwing with Blackbirds and Thrushes; a rash, and latest records, also at I. of May, on 29th and 30th April, along with Robins, Redstarts, &c., with S.E., or light S.W., of Ring Ouzels. Light records in March; on 9th and 10th twenty Fieldfares--"a good number"--with light N.E., clear, and N.N.E. and rain.

In autumn the migration was pronounced, and whilst desultory movements continued during September and October, the heaviest rushes are recorded in the middle of November. Records of Dippers, one on Aug. 2nd and another (well described) on Aug. 29th, at I. of May; wind light W., clear. The place where they were observed was afterwards pointed out to me--_viz._, at the edge of a stagnant pool of water near the "Mill Door" on the I. of May. Earliest record of Fieldfare, Sept. 10th, at I. of May, light S., haze; latest of same species, on Dec. 31st, and Jan. 19th, 1885, also at I. of May; variable, haze. Earliest record of Common Thrush, also at I. of May, the day after, _viz._ Sept. 11th, light S., haze; and latest, at I. of May also, on Dec. 22nd, when "a few" were noticed. Earliest Missel Thrush on Sept. 27th (seen by J. A. H. B.), also at I. of May, with gale, W.S.W., and latest Oct. 14th; but others, no doubt, have escaped special records, and have been confused with other species. Earliest Redwings do not appear in the schedules till Oct. 2nd, also at I. of May (J. A. H. B.); on 7th a few more, followed by scattered records till Nov. 12th, when old and young struck in numbers at Bell Rock, and the rush of this and of Fieldfares took place on the 4th and 5th of November, continuing till the 17th, with Blackbirds, male and female, and intermittently until December. Earliest Blackbirds Sept. 11th,--"not many,"--at Isle of May.

Rush of Thrushes, Nov. 7th (light) at Pentland Skerries, and Nov. 30th, at I. of May (considerable). Rush of Fieldfares and Redwings (indicated) at N. Unst, on Nov. 5th, with a few Blackbirds,--all flying S.,--indicated at Pentland Skerries, 5th, 7th, to 12th, with Blackbirds and a few Thrushes and Woodcocks, on 12th. At Dunnet Head a few Blackbirds and Thrushes seen daily between Oct. 1st and Nov. 13th. Rush of Ring Ouzels ("great numbers") at Bell Rock; and rush of Fieldfares and Redwings at I. of May on 4th and 5th. At N. Ronaldshay also a rush visible on the 8th, with Woodcock, Crows and Rooks; Nov. 7th and 8th, wind E.S.E., a great rush. All during October the above-named _Turdidæ_ appeared in small numbers, the wind prevailing N. and W., and scarcely ever S. and E. Stations sending returns of Thrushes are N. Unst, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Bell Rock, and I. of May. At the dates of the rushes they were accompanied by many other species. The rush at I. of May on 4th and 5th continued in great force after the wind shifted to S.E., with rain, after wind S. at noon, on 4th ("perfect weather for witnessing migration"), so fewer Fieldfares again on 5th, with wind--a W. gale, instancing the abruptness with which migration ceased owing to changes in the wind. A vast rush of Blackbirds, females predominating, on 12th, at I. of May, with S. haze and drizzle, but ceased utterly with change of wind to W. at 9 p.m. All birds striking on S.E. side, _with_ the wind. Along with this rush came large numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares, Hooded Crows, one Yellow Bunting, large number of Larks, Robins, Bramblings, Chaffinches, eight Hedgesparrows, a few House Sparrows, two Woodcocks (shot). On the 15th Blackbirds as numerous as ever, but fewer Redwings and Fieldfares; hundreds of Snow Buntings, flying N. By the 17th Blackbirds were mostly males, but females had predominated up to that date. In January, 1885, between 4th and 21st, a few light records of Fieldfares and Thrushes, and a large number (rush?) on latter date. The rush on Nov. 4th consisted of Siskins and other _Fringillidæ_ (these continuing in small numbers to the 6th, notwithstanding the change of wind). Mr. Agnew describes this as the largest rush of migrants this season at the I. of May, and it must have been very vast, close, and determined, when even on the 6th, with light W. wind, large numbers of Bramblings and Chaffinches still appeared. Other species participating besides the above were Siskins, Woodcocks (six killed), Rock Pipits, one Owl, two Falcons. (See notes upon weather under "Notes under Stations." We refer back to this account under other species, to dates).

Saxicolinæ.--Wheatears in considerable numbers at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May (a rush). Earliest at Isle of May March 26th, light S., two; and a few more on 28th at same station, including two old males. Rush with S.E. to S.W. wind at Pentland Skerries, on April 6th, and considerable numbers at I. of May on April 3rd. Beyond these there are no other spring records of this species. On March 31st a single Black Redstart (_in mus._ Feilden & Harvie Brown) is recorded from Pentland Skerries; light S.E., haze.[10] We have also three single records of the true Stonechat at I. of May, on 2nd, 28th and 30th April, and one at Pentland Skerries on May 14th, light E. wind, struck lantern, not killed. On April 30th a rush of Redstarts along with Robins, Ring Ouzels, &c., at Isle of May. This concludes spring records.

[Footnote 10: A full record of this rarity, and of previous occurrences in Scotland, is given by me in Proc. Ryl. Phyl. Soc. Edin., read 23rd April, 1884; and a system of Record Forms recommended for tabular and formal records of rarities in future (see also Report for 1883, p. 81). We wish observers would recognise the use of some such uniform method, and we are certain it would save much time and trouble for future compilers.]

In autumn records from N. Unst, one Redstart (the only one seen this year) and one Wheatear, on 7th and 12th September respectively; flew S.W. This is the earliest 1884 record of _Saxicolinæ_ in autumn. Also from N. Ronaldshay, a number on 15th striking, and Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and I. of May, of Wheatears, a few Redstarts, Whinchats, &c., and one Black Redstart, old male, shot (_in mus._ I. of May, present curator Mr. Joseph Agnew). Another was seen the following day--first on 24th, second on 25th Oct. (recorded in full in Ryl. Phyl. Soc. Proc. 1885, read 21st Jan., 1885); a Common Redstart seen at same time.[11] The records of all the species are light, and no rush, unless of Wheatears, _ut sup._, Oct. 22nd, at Isle of May, increasing by the 25th. During our stay on the island (27th Sept. to 17th Oct.) we observed a good many straggling birds. A few accompanied the rush of other species on Nov. 12th (see Turdidæ). One Whitethroat is returned from I. of May, striking face of lantern, "facing the wind," on Sept. 12th. Mr. Agnew has the note,--to date of the 19th of September,--"I am surprised at so few birds with such thick fog." Log, light to strong E., thick fog, or haze between the 12th and 19th, yet migration was tardy.

[Footnote 11: All the previous records of this species in Scotland relate to localities the position of which shows comparatively easily how they arrived at each. These records now amount to six in all, of which I have recorded the last three since Mr. Gray wrote his 'Birds of the West of Scotland.' They are as follows:--

One: collection of Mr. Sinclair of Wick (R. Gray, _op. cit._, p. 84).

One: obtained at Cullen, Banff, by Mr. T. Edward (_ditto_).

One: Kirkwall, Orkney, 20th Dec, 1859 (R. Gray, _op. cit._).

One: Higginsneuk, Stirlingshire, 10th Nov., 1875 (J. A. H. B., Proc. Ryl. Phyl. Soc, vol. iv., p. 142).

One: Pentland Skerries (J. A. H. B., _op. cit._).

One: Isle of May (as given above).

]

Silviinæ.--At Cromarty, Robins disappeared March 24th. We have then spring records from Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and Isle of May, all in April. Earliest at Sumburgh Head, April 1st, when four appeared, strong S.E., haze, but the remark is added, "First time Robins have stayed all winter." Next records not till 28th, 29th, and 30th, at Bell Rock, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May, where there was a rush along with Ring Ouzels. The record at Bell Rock (28th) is one of very few records between the 9th of April and the 3rd of September.

In autumn, one return on Aug. 25th, as arriving at Cromarty, light S.W., clear. No more till Nov. 3rd, when "a few" at Isle of May. But next day a rush of other species (see under Turdidæ). There were, however, a few Robins frequenting Isle of May in September and October, and even the indication of a rush.

Phylloscopinæ.--Only a slight indication in spring of Goldcrests' migration, 2nd, 8th, 16th of April, single records at N. Unst and Pentland Skerries. But of Warblers a rush at Isle of May, along with Redshanks, and Robins and Ring Ouzels (see Thrushes), and in May one Wood Warbler at Isle of May; light S.W.