Note.—Local migrations of large extent, brought on by heavy falls of snow and consequent scarcity of food, have been frequently noted this season. When crossing the Firth of Forth on the 15th December I saw many large flocks of Larks, both in the morning and afternoon, flying steadily from N.N.W. to S.S.E. or N.W. to S.E. Many Larks were afterwards seen feeding near Leith, and notice of the fact sent to the papers by another witness. The line of flight, as I have said, was from N. of West to S. of East. I note the fact as having significance, even in a local migration, at this locality.
Rock Pigeon.—July 10th, sixteen Rock Pigeons at Island Ghlais, flying S., 8 p.m., light N., haze and showers, refers probably to a local migration. At Skerryvore two "wild pigeons" (Rock Doves?) seen during calm hazy weather on June 24th.
Lapwing, Vanellus cristatus.—At Rhuvaal, Lochindaul, and Portpatrick. Aug. 4th, at Lochindaul, large flocks seen all through the month after this date: resident. Sept. 1st, two killed at Rhuvaal, 11 p.m., strong S., haze. Sept. 9th, flocks flying S. at 9 a.m. at Portpatrick; wind S.E., hazy. Sept. 15th, Lochindaul, flocks all day; strong N. wind, clear. One at Monach on Dec. 27th, wind S., flying S. More northerly in 1879, viz., Rhu Stoir and southwards. Earliest date Aug. 20th; latest Dec. 11th.
Note.—In Ireland Lapwings began to assemble on the shores by July 22nd, as observed by Mr. Warren.
Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis.—Only two records this year from Island Ghlais and Point of Ayre: Dec. 3rd, twenty to thirty at 9 a.m. flying S.W., light airs, showers, at the former; Jan. 12th, 1881, at the latter, a flock flying E., wind strong E., clear. Two or three flocks were seen upon Monach on Dec. 27th, at 1 p.m., flying along to shore, wind S., fresh breeze. A considerable movement appears to have been observed at Monach on this date. In 1879 three stations, most northerly being Skerryvore. Earliest date July 27th, at Portpatrick; latest on Oct. 18th, at Skerryvore.
Ringed Plover.—On Aug. 13th twelve "Dotterels" arrived upon Dhuheartach. These remain on the rock all winter, unless driven off by severe weather.
Heron.—Two Herons seen at 2 p.m. at Rhu Stoir, N.W. gale, snow showers. At Monach four Herons rested on the shore on Oct. 28th, about 2 o'clock, wind strong N.E., with snow showers; they had left by next day. Common and of daily occurrence at Kyleakin.
Curlew, Numenius arquatus.—Of this species we have many records, and it does not seem easy to distinguish between migration data and residence. However, I give the leading points for further comparison. They occurred, or are recorded, at Cape Wrath, and thence south at Island Ghlais, Monach, Kyleakin, Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Rhuvaal, Skervuile, Lochindaul, Portpatrick. Point of Ayre, and Bahama L.V. They seemed to fly in all directions, indicating to a great extent only local migration. From April and May, on through June and July, and all the autumn months they occur rather distinctly as resident, or as passing flocks, and it seems almost impossible to separate the movements in the end of summer which should be assigned as part of the spring migration from those in the beginning of autumn which more rightly belong to the autumnal migration. As will be seen, however, I have attempted to do so, assigning all June records to the former and July records to the latter. The earliest record, then, in autumn stands as July 15th, when forty were seen flying W. at 4.20 p.m. at Island Ghlais, wind light N., clear. The latest recorded are on Dec. 25th, 26th and 27th at Rhu Stoir, flying south; winds N. or light and variable with showers. The general courses pursued were southerly or from N.W. to S.E., or from N.E. to S.W., some flying direct W., however, and others direct S.; but at Portpatrick, on Aug. 19th and 23rd, flocks were seen flying north and also south, indicating a local migration. On Aug. 19th the wind was light S., haze, and on 23rd light E., clear. Numbers passed Dhuheartach between Aug. 12th and 17th, all going in southerly directions, from S. to S.W. and S.E. On Monach they were unusually abundant this year all September, and more than a dozen were shot. "Bushes," so far as such data are of value, appear to have taken place in August, 12th to 17th, or even later,—say to 23rd,—and locally, at Lochindaul, on Aug. 4th and 5th, and in September, as 10th and 25th, at Dhuheartach, and "unusually abundant all September on Monach." In November, on the 3rd, at Bahama L.V., Curlews were flying round the vessel all night. On Aug. 15th four seen circling round Dhuheartach in calm, clear weather, and on the 18th two seen flying south in light W. wind and haze. On Nov. 2nd, at Douglas Head, one was killed on lantern at 10.30 p.m., wing strong S.E. and haze. On Nov. 6th one "Sandpiper" was killed at lantern at Island Ghlais in a fresh W. breeze. In 1879 most northerly station was Island Ghlais; this year much more general. Earliest date in 1879, Aug. 3rd; latest Nov. 20th.
Snipe.—I have returns only from three stations, Island Ghlais, Kyleakin and Douglas Head. The earliest at Kyleakin, Oct. 11th, when two appeared in light E. wind and rain; at the same station, Nov. 16th, one was killed on lantern at 2 a.m., in light S. wind and haze. At Douglas Head, Nov. 18th, one killed at midnight in snow, N.E. breeze. At Island Ghlais, Nov. 27th, one was killed during a W. gale and haze and rain.
Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola.—Commencing in the north we have records of occasional birds at Cape Wrath, Rhu Stoir, Island Ghlais, Kyleakin, Ardnamurchan, Lismore, and Point of Ayre. The earliest occurrence is noted at Island Ghlais, Sept. 23rd, seen half a mile from lighthouse. Then we have occurrence at Point of Ayre, where one was killed at the lantern on nights of Nov. 2nd and 3rd, at 7 o'clock, light S.E. wind, very foggy. At Lismore, Nov. 20th, one seen at 11 a.m., light N.W. wind, clear. The rush appeared most conspicuous from Dec. 10th, when one was killed at Ardnamurchan, at 5.30 a.m., in strong W. wind, with thick rain; at Kyleakin, Dec. 11th, when two were seen at 2.30 p.m., moderate N.E. wind, snow lying on the ground; and at Rhu Stoir, Dec. 25th, 26th and 27th; on 25th, three, flying south, light N. wind, snow; 26th, one, variable, and light showers of snow; 27th, two, light, variable and clear; lastly, at Rhu Stoir, Jan. 12th, two, light S.E. wind, clear.