EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND.

We repeat the List of Stations with Returns up to date.

EAST OF SCOTLAND.

Note: The names of the Reporters are given under "Diary from the Stations."

In 1887.
Schedules
filled in.		Returns
in 9 years
including
1887.		1887.
Actual
returns.		Values.Feet.
Shetland.
87*4.N. Unst,IV.230
5.Whalsey Skerries,II.143
6.Bressay,III.105
17*7.Sumburgh Head,I.
Orkney.
28*8.N. Ronaldshay,IV.
9.Start Point,V.
610.Auskerry,I.
11.Hoy Sound (Low),V.
12.Hoy Sound (High),V.
13.Cantick Head,III.
139*14.Pentland Skerries,I.
Mainland.
15.Dunnet Head, Caithness,V.346
16.Holborn Head, Caithness,V.75
12*17.Noss Head, Caithness,V.175
18.Tarbat Ness, East Ross,V.175
6*19.Cromarty, East Cromarty,V.60
20.Chanonry Point, Elgin,V.40
21.Covesea Skerries, Elgin,V.160
22.Kinnaird Head, Aberdeen,V.120
11st*23.Buchan Ness, Aberdeen,V.130
1st*24.Girdleness, Aberdeen,V.185
25.Montroseness, Aberdeen,V.124
1 (one lost)9*26.Bell Rock, Fife Coast,I.93
26B.Carr Rock Lightship, Fife Coast,??
27.Isle of May, Firth of Forth,I.240
17*28.Inchkeith, Firth of Forth, IV.220
2*28B.Fidra, Firth of Forth, instituted 1886,??
29.St Abb's Head, Berwickshire,V.224

Extracts from Diary from the Stations.

The following notes are selected from a large number of letters and notes, showing the constantly increasing interest taken in the work of the Committee:—

N. Unst.—John Nichol (principal) says: "Ravens variously marked were seen in June and July near Lerwick. One was jet black with white wings. Another white head and tips of wings. Others variously marked.

"Teal and Widgeon, reckoned rare in Unst, seen 23d November. The Starling is not of the Faroe species, but of the common species. Took particular note of this. Breed. Make for shore in winter at night—only with us during the day. Fewer land birds in 1887 than in most seasons, except greater numbers of Linnets (Twites?) in day time. Stormy Petrels were the most persistent night-callers we had. More Cormorants than usual in winter and more Eider Ducks than in former years. No Swans seen to date of 31st December 1887. Strange fact noted: No Solan Geese seen between October 28th and November 20th, although for certain there were plenty of fish about, and the weather fine."

Under date of March 7th, Mr Nichol in a letter describes a whale chase. Two large Finners off the shore of Balta Vöe (Physeter tursio), estimated at over 70 feet long. Not captured.

On 20th March a large Eagle pounced on a Hooded Crow and carried him off, flying past going north. In August occur records of Eagles on Hermann's Hill. Young had been destroyed [by the selfish edict then in force.—J. A. H.-B.]. A Little Auk, Mr Nichol says, "measured 8½ inches from point of beak to tip of tail," which is over the measurements in Johns' Book, which he has. [We are glad to find such care taken as this indicates.—J. A. H.-B.] Greater number of Gulls seen than usual in September, indicating greater abundance of fish.

"On the 24th December," says Mr Nichol, "at 10 A.M.—a rare occurrence—a flock of six Cormorants appeared, same time another flock of six. Both flocks flying round the rock one after the other. After once round, the hindermost flock went right away westerly. The other went three times more round the rock, as if looking for the other flock, before leaving also westerly. [Italics are mine.—J. A. H.-B.] To date 31st December. Not one been seen since, although before daily."

Mr Nichol relates another whale hunt at Unst, on Wednesday, 28th September 1887. Also unsuccessful.

I must pay a passing tribute to the admirable schedules sent in by Mr Nichol, including two entirely devoted, as requested, to movements of Solan Geese, which are sure to yield, some day, valuable information.

Sumburgh Head.—Mr James Youngclause.—A very short single schedule. Birds very scarce. Greenfinch found dead on 9th December. Mentions residents there, which may yet be utilised for minute records of distribution. Arrival and departure of rock birds—not one seen after the 12th August. No "rushes" of birds seen. (Assistant's name, Donald Campbell.)

North Ronaldshay.—John Tulloch.—Great numbers of Gulls on the Island all winter, living mostly in the turnip fields. "There are 100's (sic) to be seen in a field at times, feeding. They will hollow the turnip, leaving the outside skin only. The only way to keep them away is to shoot some, and hang them up on poles."

Pentland Skerries.—John Gilmour (assistant keeper—not "principal," as in last Report).

The Crossbill occurs (see letter of 2d August 1887, and schedule under date—22d July being date of occurrence).—"There were three of them on the island, and they remained over a week. This is in no mistake a rare bird here, and I have never seen it before."

"A Game Hawk was on the island a good part of the summer, and made sad havoc among the Terns" (schedule, 10th August 1887). This may partially account for the shifting of nesting sites of the Terns so frequently, to which we allude elsewhere ("Vertebrate Fauna of the Outer Hebrides," in the press. David Douglas).

[Two of the schedules refer entirely to Solan Geese, as requested. These from the various stations should be separately considered and reported upon in the final digest.—J. A. H.-B.] They bulk about the Pentland Firth largest in August; and only stragglers are seen by 1st October (see letter). No great movement to date of 1st October of other birds, except the last two days, 29th and 30th September. Rush shortly at date expected—(see schedules). Mr John Gilmour, under date of 5th November, sends wings and feet of a Yellow Bunting. It was shot on the 2d November. He goes on to say—"we had not many birds here during October, as compared with what I have seen in former years; the wind was never in the east during the whole month. But the wind having shifted to S.E. during the first three days of November, with a strong gale, we have had a considerable 'rush' of Fieldfares, Redwings, Goldcrests, Song Thrush, Blackbirds, Woodcock, Snow Bunting, and Yellow Bunting. There is also, with little doubt, a Hoopoe, described as seen on 9th October." All the lighthouse keepers at Pentland Skerries assist keenly in the work, during their watches, viz., Messrs Mercer (principal), M'Gaw and Dawson (assistants).

Dunnet Head.—David Laidlaw and James Carson.—One schedule.—"Gulls came to the cliffs to breed a fortnight earlier, and left a fortnight earlier, about the middle of February to middle of September." Hawks and Carrion (?) Crows (Hooded?) frequent the cliffs in the breeding season. Gannets reported during July, August, and September, passing and repassing in such quantities, that it would be quite impossible to form any idea.

Noss Head.—James Ferrier.—One schedule.—Note: "The Cormorants breed here under the headland, and never leave all winter; go forth to feed early, and return to rest in the evening." [Query: Is this the real Cormorant, or only the Shag? I fancy the latter most probably.—J. A. H.-B.]

Buchan Ness.—William Ross.

Bell Rock.—James Jack.—Unfortunately a spring schedule is lost. This one dates 1st September to 21st. But the spring schedule was, Mr Jack says, very light, and few birds seem to pass this way in spring except Larks.

Inchkeith.—Robert Grierson.—March 14th to October 16th, seven entries under seven dates.

Separate Report under Genera and Species.

Turdidæ.—Thrushes.—Returns commence in January, and between 1st and 23d, Blackbirds, Fieldfares, occur in small numbers, and one Thrush on 23d; wind variable, from fresh S.W. to strong E. on 7th, rest westerly; all at Pentland Skerries.

February.—A single record of Blackbird at Pentland Skerries on 24th.

March.—At Pentland Skerries, two dates of straggling Blackbirds, 3d and 14th.

April.—Thrushes and Blackbirds at N. Ronaldshay and Pentland Skerries, 4th, at latter, and between then and 27th; and Ring Ouzels on 27th, with S.E. fresh on island.

September.—Most returns from Pentland Skerries of Blackbirds and Thrushes; winds variable, but with easterly tendency. Also one record from Noss Head.

October.—No great appearance; indeed, as compared with 1886, infinitesimal. Only small items on six dates, between 10th and 31st, of Redwings (10th), and Blackbirds, Song Thrushes (23d), and Fieldfares (31st); winds northerly and easterly.

November.—The above succeeded by a "perfect rush" of Fieldfares at same station on the 1st. "Flocks all day;" and also of Redwings (several) and two Blackbirds. 2d, Song Thrushes all day. (Winds continuing easterly, but more to south than in October.) Yet after this no great movement apparently at Pentland Skerries. Only other stations recording are Dunnet Head (Fieldfares, strong N.E. breeze, haze; and Noss Head S.S.E. gale, a few Thrushes); and at N. Ronaldshay, Blackbirds and Thrushes; strong E.N.E. and showers.

December.—Rush all over; only two records at Pentland Skerries of Blackbirds on 21st and 26th.

Saxicolinæ.—January.—6th, one "Stonechat" (Wheatear?), at 1.11 A.M.; strong S. at N. Unst.

N.B.—This may not have been a Common Wheatear at such a date.

March.—At Pentland Skerries one Whinchat all day; moderately W., and showers "rare."

April.—At Pentland Skerries, 6th, Wheatears (sic) all day on lighthouse; Light N. cloudy; more by the 10th, and one Redstart (or more?) on 27th.

May.—" Stonechats" (at N. Ronaldshay)—[probably Wheatears vera.—J. A. H.-B.] on 17th; and Redstart, male, at Pentland Skerries all day on 4th.

June.—One only record at N. Unst, at 2 P.M. on the 6th; light S. breeze; rested on rock.

July.—Blank.

August.—At Pentland Skerries, 17th, 19th, and 23d, single Wheatears: winds various, from light W.N.W.; moderate N. to fresh S.W. on the three dates.

September.—At N. Unst, one on 20th, and single occurrences on 23d and 30th, same place.

At Pentland Skerries, one Redstart ♀ on 3d, and Wheatears again at ditto, on 22d; and at N. Unst, on 26th, single birds.

October.—"Stonechats," Wheatears, etc., at N. Unst, 26th, and earlier at more southern stations; earliest at Bell Rock on 1st; rush on 5th at Fidra, i.e., "numbers on island all day." Stations returning in small numbers, N. Unst, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, Inchkeith, and Fidra. No more records after October.

Silviinæ.—Spring.—March.—One Redbreast all day on 1st at Pentland Skerries; fresh W., haze.

April.—23d, One Redbreast on lighthouse; S.E., haze.

Autumn.—September.—At Bell Rock, on 15th, one Robin; and at Fidra, one on 24th.

December.—At Dunnet Head, one; N., clear.

Phylloscopinæ.—In April.—On Pentland Skerries, on 23d and 24th; a few all day; S.E., showers. The only spring record.

Autumn.—September.—At N. Unst, one W. Warbler; N., strong breeze and showers; and at Noss Head one Goldcrest all day.

October.—Nothing; but in November, five or six Goldcrests all day at Pentland Skerries; S.S.E. and rain.

December.—One Goldcrest cock; N.W. gale at Noss Head; flying about the outhouses.

Acrocephalinæ.—Blank.

Accentoridæ.—Blank.

Troglodytidæ.—No records till September; and then only two at Bell Rock (on 24th), and Inchkeith (28th), young birds.

October.—One Common Wren at N. Unst; N.N.W., clear, on 2d (see W. Nichol's Notes).

November.—At Pentland Skerries, single birds reported; light N.W. wind ("first seen for some time"), on 11th, 12th; at Dunnet Head, one; light W. breeze, clear on 29th.

Motacillidæ.—April.—7th, at Pentland Skerries, the first seen this spring; light variable, clear. Again single birds seen on 27th, one of Pied Wagtail and one Rays [? or the long-tailed yellow one, which is the Grey Wagtail. Rays has very short tail.—J. A. H.-B.]

July.—Rays Wagtail is again alluded to, but we suspect this will turn out to be the Grey. [Yet Mr Barrington, in June 1886, shot a veritable M. Raii in N. Rona!!]

August.—One record of Wagtail at Pentland Skerries, after strong N.W. wind on island.

September.—At Pentland Skerries, a few Pied Wagtails, on five dates between 3d and 22d. The most, six on the 22d; also one Wagtail at Bell Rock on 2d; strong S. breeze.

October.—Pied Wagtails at Pentland Skerries, fresh W., on 5th.

Anthidæ.—January.—Rock Pipits noted at N. Unst on 29th. No more of this species till Autumn.

March.—At N. Unst on 7th, and again on 21st, "Mosscheepers," and at Bell Rock, a few on 20th and 23d; S.E., fresh, and haze.

April.—A few on 23d at N. Unst; "three or four remained all the year."

July.—Three at N. Unst; S.W., strong breeze. [But are these not resident?—J. A. H.-B.]

August.—All returns from Pentland Skerries. N.B.—"Rush" on afternoon of 23d, and again on 23d; light W., breeze, haze, left flying south.

September.—At N. Unst, numerous on 20th, and flock of five on 1st; N., fresh, clear. A few at Bell Rock, and an increase observed on 15th there; wind S.S.W. and S.W., light.

October.—On 4th and 5th, a number on Bell Rock; S.W. strong breeze, haze. Rested on rock; light breeze on 5th.

Muscicapidæ.—August.—At Pentland Skerries, one on 10th on island; N.W., cloudy.

September.—At Pentland Skerries, one or more on 5th all day; fresh N.E. Do., two or three on 29th all day; fresh E. Do., a few on 30th all day, N.N.E., cloudy.

October.—At Pentland Skerries, one or two all day on 5th; strong N.W., cloudy.

From the above it is evident Pentland Skerries is a regular resting place most seasons. No doubt the Pied Flycatcher is intended throughout.

Hirundinidæ.—May.—13th, at N. Ronaldshay, two, 5 P.M.; N.N.E., fresh, clear. 11th, at Pentland Skerries, "Arrival of all day;" N.W., clear. 15th, do. do., all day; W.N.W., clear; on lighthouse. 26th, do. do., one, 12.30 P.M.; light N.E.; flying W. 14th. at Dunnet, two, 4 P.M.; light W. breeze, clear.

June.—26th, at N. Unst, two, 8 P.M.; S.W., clear, "rarely seen." 5th, 6th, and 7th, at Pentland Skerries, number all day; strong E., haze; variable and fresh. 17th, at Pentland Skerries, several all day; moderate E.N.E. breeze, fog; flying about lighthouse,

August.—27th, at Dunnet, two at 4.30 P.M.; S.E., clear.

September.—1st, Pentland Skerries, three at 11.40; strong clear, E.

Fringillidæ.—February.—6th, 17th, and 20th, Linnets (Twites?) and Chaffinches ("rare"); the latter with S. strong breeze, haze—all at N. Unst. [Note.—Winds have been quite abnormal all this season throughout; hence, also, our very fine summer.—J. A. H.-B.]

March.—At Pentland Skerries, one seen all day (strong S.S.E., and haze) on 22d.

April.—26th, same place, two all day; S.E., fresh, haze on lighthouse.

At Pentland Skerries.—Chaffinches on the 4th, and Greenfinches on the 16th and 19th, in small numbers. Wind, in the latter case, N.N.W. by W.S.W. to N.E., with rain.

December.—4th, at N. Unst, one Chaffinch (S.W., sleet) resting on lighthouse; and on 9th, one all day; fresh N.W., snow. At Sumburgh Head, 1 Greenfinch (fresh breeze, N., and snow) on 9th; and same day, twelve Grey Linnets (Twites?) all day, "flying about a dyke."

August.—At N. Unst, two Linnets (Twites?) rested on rock; W., light breeze, clear.

September.—At N. Unst, eighteen seen at noon; light W. breeze, fog; flying about rock. 29th and 30th, at Pentland Skerries, Chaffinch seen all day; fresh E., haze, and N.E., cloudy. On 30th, also seen all day.

October.—At N. Unst, Linnet (Twites?), four seen at 10 A.M.; N.W, fresh breeze, and snow. On 23d and 28th, 100 (old and young) all day time; variable light airs, haze.

November.—At N. Unst, on 20th, "Linnets."

Emberizinæ.—January.—Common Bunting at Pentland Skerries, one all day on lighthouse; fresh S.W.

April.—30th, at Pentland Skerries, one Common Bunting; moderate N.W., clear; on lighthouse.

May.—7th, at Pentland Skerries, one Common Bunting all day; light S.S.E., haze; on lighthouse. And 22d, one Snow Bunting all day; fresh N.W.

July.—22d, at Pentland Skerries, one Common Bunting all day; strong W.N.W., clear; on lighthouse, and till 29th.

September.—13th to 25th, at N. Unst, Snow Buntings. Flock on 13th; and from six to fourteen on other dates (6 dates). Winds, northerly and westerly. Also at Pentland Skerries and Bell Rock.

October.—5th, 14th, 20th, Snow Buntings disappeared on 5th at N. Unst. Five reappeared with N.N.W. and snow, and disappeared at 1 P.M. same day; and two seen on 20th. A few seen at Pentland Skerries on 11th, and again on 29th. A large flock at Dunnet on 14th; N.E., sleet.

November.—From 1st on to 20th, numbers, increasing in quantity by 5th. 11th, with Common Buntings on 18th, and Yellow Buntings on 19th and 20th. On 3d, at N. Ronaldshay, hundreds; S.E., strong, and still on lighthouse on 23d. At Bell Rock, on 20th and 21st, a few only.

December.—Two only, all day, on 9th at Sumburgh Head.

Alaudidæ.—No spring records; nor till September 23d, on Bell Rock, four seen; light W., flying S.E.

October.—Nothing.

November.—20th, at Bell Rock, one struck, not killed, at 3 A.M.; light W. breeze, haze.

December.—8th, at Pentland Skerries, flock all day; moderate S.W., and snow; increased to-day. Same date, at Dunnet, flock of, at 10 A.M.; light E. breeze, snow.

Sturninæ.—In March.—Record of one Starling found dead at foot of tower at Pentland Skerries; light W., clear.

July.—31st, at Pentland Skerries, for several days, in one large flock. 5th, at Noss Head, one pure white Starling at 4 A.M.; N.W., fresh. Flying about.

September.—On 16th, flock of Starlings flying about, all young birds, at Inchkeith.

October.—At Pentland Skerries, nine; wind, N.W.; light haze on 25th. On 27th, at same place, twenty-four (variable light airs), old and young; and at Bell Rock, on 18th, one old bird; fresh W. breeze.

November.—On 14th, six at North Unst; N., fresh breeze, snow. And on 11th, at Pentland Skerries, one; N.N.E. "Struck, not killed."

Corvidæ.—February.—At N. Unst, four Crows, 2.9 A.M., daily seen. N.W., light, clear. And 13th, Black Ravens; N.W., fresh, haze.

March.—At Pentland Skerries, one Jackdaw all day; light S.E.E., haze; on lighthouse. And again on 30th, S.W., clear; flying over. On 3d, at Noss, two Ravens flying over; fresh W. breeze. Rooks and Grey Crows are also taken note of at N. Unst and Pentland Skerries.

April.—24th, Rooks at N. Unst, a flock flying about. Also noted at Pentland Skerries; and also twenty at N. Ronaldshay on 28th.

July.—On 6th, Rooks all day at Pentland Skerries; had been there for a week.

August.—On 3d, one Raven at N. Unst, and one on 24th; S.E. Rested on rock.

September.—At N. Unst many records, but no great numbers of Ravens, Hooded Crows; Rooks (28th, flock of eight). S.W. wind on six or seven dates.

October.—Here also a few returns of the same species, and one Jackdaw on 10th at Pentland Skerries.

November.—At Pentland Skerries Great Crows, Ravens, and Rooks; and Ravens at Noss Head.

December.—Grey Crows at Pentland Skerries, three dates—8th, 27th, and 31st.

Cypselidæ.—May.—One swift seen at Bell Rock on 3d, an early date; light S., clear.

August.—Two seen at Pentland Skerries on 8th at 2 P.M.; light S.W. "Flying about the tower for insects."

September.—One Swift all day on 16th at Pentland Skerries; light S.E. to N.E., clear.

Cuculidæ.—May.—Two on 18th at Bell Rock.

Strigidæ.—September.—16th, at Pentland Skerries, one Owl; moderate E.S.E., cloudy. "Rare."

October.—At same place two Short-Eared Owls—one shot; N.N.E., showers.

Falconidæ.—One record of Falcon on February 7th at N. Unst.

March.—Two Sparrow Hawks at N. Unst.

June.—One Hawk at N. Ronaldshay; and various autumn records as usual. Nothing new to be gleaned from them. Principally Sparrow Hawk (usually meaning Merlins), Falcons, Kestrel, etc.

Pelecanidæ.—Cormorants.—We have not catalogued yet all the winter colonies of the Great Cormorant, so records of this species are useful. The only birds recorded this year on E. Coast are: October 27th, four, flying E. Wind N.W. at Pentland Skerries. November 21st, flock of thirty, resting on rock of N. Unst.

We have had a number of schedules entirely devoted to Gannets at some of the more prominent stations, and these, with other accounts already published, will at some future date constitute material for a very thorough treatment of the movements of the species, and their relations to the migrations of the Herring.

We therefore omit schedule notes on the Gannet at present. But lest our reporters think their work thus wasted or lost, we hasten to undeceive them, for we consider that the movements of Solan Geese, as held in relation to their known breeding areas, and the habits and distribution of the Herring (their principal food, if not indeed almost their only food), is of most particular economic importance. Much hinges upon it undoubtedly, as any one who has studied not only its habits, also the great question of our sea-fisheries, is bound to know, or he has missed the whole importance of the subject.

Ardeidæ.—Herons are ubiquitous, even in the "Remoter Isles," and even where they do not breed. Their regular occurrence along and over all our coasts, at all seasons, and independent of breeding stations, makes statistics of a value difficult to ascertain. But one thing seems quite certain, their migrations, local movements, curious presence at all points, and at all times, is not dependent upon the movements of deep-sea fishes. The Heron's food-supplies are of a much more cosmopolitan nature, and he finds that which he requires to keep him at all seasons, in all weathers, at all tides; and his long neck and legs must be of considerable service to him in all these varying circumstances.

Report.—March.—7th, one Heron (N.W., clear) on lighthouse of Pentland Skerries.

April.—Not a record anywhere.

May.—Two Herons at Pentland Skerries on 17th flying about lighthouse. [Were they old or young?]

June.—Blank.

July.—Scarcely more so. "Three Herons, on the 4th of July, circled around the rocks of Pentland Skerries about 3.30 P.M.—the wind light S.—and flew away again to the west."

August.—At the same place (which either has special attractions, or specially careful recorders—we incline to the latter), on the 26th, two Herons "sat upon the island;" S.E. haze.

September.—Five Herons—again at the same place—appeared; and three on the 24th.

October.—Two Herons sat on the rocks of the same isle on the 2d, after encountering a fresh N. wind and cloudy sky.

November.—One Heron, at 1.30 A.M., was seen at the same favoured isle, but flying north over the island; wind light N.W., and cloudy sky.

Anatidæ.—Wild Ducks: Eider Ducks: Widgeon or Wild Duck? Teal or Widgeon? "Wild Geese:" Golden Eye.

March.—20th, at Pentland Skerries, two Duck; and on 28th, two. (Wind fresh S. first day, and N.W., clear, next.)

April.—10th, at Pentland Skerries, several Eider Ducks.

August.—26th, at Pentland Skerries, five or six at noon.

N.B.—September.—27th, Eider Duck at N. Ronaldshay, arrived; old and young stay all winter. Again on 11th, at Pentland Skerries, Eider Ducks appeared in a flock swimming round island—N.W., clear; and on the 14th—same station—"Teal or Widgeon" [probably Teal.—J. A. H.-B.] arose off a loch.

October.—A "dark-coloured Duck" seen at Noss Head (?)—wind N.N.E., and sleet; and "Wild Geese" in a string on 17th flying N. at noon past Inchkeith in the Firth of Forth.

November.—A few single records, 2d, 3d, 21st, and 23d, at N. Unst. Wind in order, S.E. gale. Do., E. breeze, S.S.W. breeze.

Columbidæ.—September.—"Common Pigeon" on 3d at Bell Rock; E., fresh breeze. [Was this a "Dooket Doo" frae Fife?—J. A. H.-B.]

Procellariidæ.—August.—A "rush" of Petrels at N. Unst at the glass [or only perhaps the local birds lured to the glass by special atmospheric causes. The Storm Petrel winters at N. Unst in their burrows there, and may be said never to be absent from the neighbourhood.—J. A. H.-B.] There seems to have been, however, unusually large movements of the Petrels, and W. Nichol remarked upon it in one of his letters. Also in September, and less so in October.

Rallidæ.—Corn Crake.—May.—10th, at N. Ronaldshay, heard for the first time this year, and at Pentland Skerries on 16th, "arrived three days earlier than usual!"

September.—21st, one at Pentland Skerries, 3 P.M.; light N.W., cloudy.

Charadriidæ.—There is really little to be learned from the accounts of movements of this family. Oyster-Catchers are always locally present, so almost are Golden Plover.

Entries of Plovers and even of Oyster-Catchers are very few and far between, and the records of Lapwings add little to our data. Ringed Plover receive a few notices.

Scolopacidæ.—The Woodcock is always interesting, so we take him in detail. It is a curious circumstance that there is scarcely an entry in the Report—or at most only two or three. Thus:—

Never appeared till November:—on the 1st, two ("later than last year") found benighted in a S.S.E. gale with rain at Pentland Skerries, and the other next day. Again on the 11th, one; wind N.W., cloudy; and one at N. Ronaldshay; light E, and clear.

December.—Only three entries—10th, 12th, and 16th, at Pentland Skerries and at Dunnet. Three birds.

Snipe, equally scarce with the last. One entry in March, and none again till 3d of November, and no more afterwards.

Curlew has many entries, yet not so many as in 1886; but the Curlew can only be considered as a very partial migrant, and entries are mostly of local interest only.

We do not repeat the comparative tables given under Curlew, Woodcock, Snipe, and Jacksnipe, which we gave in 1886 Report (8th Report, p. 24).

Of Redshanks, Sandpipers, Dunlins, there are few entries of any value in working out our subject, and these are almost entirely from N. Unst and Pentland Skerries in autumn. The Dunlins arrived at Pentland Skerries at their breeding haunts on 29th April.

Laridæ.—April.—Numbers of Kittiwakes all day, at Pentland Skerries, on 30th April.

May.—Numbers of Kittiwakes and Gulls on 1st at N. Ronaldshay; again numbers on Pentland Skerries on 29th, and Black-Backed Gulls on 26th. Terns arrived at Pentland Skerries on 12th April. [Note.—Both Arctic and Common Terns breed on the Pentland Skerries.—J. A. H.-B.].

July.—Terns left Pentland Skerries on 27th, "which is earlier than usual." Gulls still seen about the Rock at N. Ronaldshay this month.

August.—One Skua, "rare," flying E.; seen at Pentland Skerries on 3d. Five or six other entries of Gulls, Herring Gulls, Black-Backed Gulls, and Kittiwakes, all at Pentland Skerries.

September.—Four entries of Gulls, all at Pentland Skerries, and in great numbers; immense numbers on 16th, 18th, and 25th.

October.—At N. Unst, flock of young Kittiwakes (wind N.W.) flying W. on 21st, and again on 22d. A number of Gulls at Pentland Skerries on 16th and 24th.

December.—Two Ivory Gulls at N. Unst (W., strong breeze) on 2d. Two Iceland Gulls at N. Unst (N.W., and snow) on 10th.

Procellariidæ.—Petrels.—August.—One on 17th and one on 23d at Pentland Skerries at night; struck, not killed. This appears to be the only record. They winter upon N. Unst as also, no doubt, at many other stations.—(See forthcoming volume upon the "Vertebrate Fauna of the Outer Hebrides," where winter colonies of Petrels, etc., will be spoken of more fully.)

Alcidæ.—Few entries as compared with most years.

January 1887.—At N. Unst flock of Marrots; "soon arrived this year;" S.S.W., strong breeze, and hail. "Rare to see any so soon."

February.—At N. Unst on 19th, Tysties, a flock of, "first arrival early;" and on 14th, four Tysties arrived at Noss Head, where, we are informed by the light keeper, a few breed! On 15th, at same station, a great many Marrots and Razorbills arrived.

March.—7th, at Noss Head, Guillemots, "many more arrived to-day, and all day;" and on 1st, "many arriving all day."

April.—3d, at Pentland Skerries, Puffins arrived during the day, "earlier than last year by a week." [Note.—These arrival dates of rock birds are always interesting, as also are their movements at other times.]

August.—Guillemots seen flying E. past Pentland Skerries on 4th August, and flocks again on 6th; and by 19th, Puffins all left, and last seen were on 15th at that station.

September.—One Black Guillemot seen on 17th at Pentland Skerries; fresh N.W., cloudy.

December.—16th, at N. Unst, two young Guillemots seen; light S. breeze.