Thanks are due to the various observers for the careful way in which the schedules have been filled in. Excluding the Natatores, notes have been taken on about thirty species.
SEPARATE REPORT OF EACH SPECIES OBSERVED.
Hawk.—At Dhuheartach on Oct. 5th, two struck lantern at 8 a.m., light S.E. wind, and haze; and another on the 8th, at 7 a.m., calm, with fog. At Mull of Galloway, on July 18th, a Sparrowhawk was killed at 11 p.m., S.E., light and calm, thick haze; and one on Aug. 15th, at 1 a.m., wind variable, light air, fog and haze.
Owl.—I have only two records—one seen at Dhuheartach on May 30th, at 4 p.m., wind N.W., fog; and the other at the same place on Oct. 20th, at 3 p.m., wind E.S.E., fresh, with haze.
Swallow, Hirundo rustica, L.—The most northerly station noted this year on our west coast is Rhu Stoir, but two records here evidently refer to the spring migration, being June 6th and 10th, when two were seen on each day. The most northerly station noted during the autumn migration is Ardnamurchan; thence southwards at Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Rhuvaal, Skervuile, Rhinns of Islay, and Loch Ryan. The earliest date on which they were recorded is 29th July, when one was seen at Dhuheartach at 6 p.m.; wind N., fresh, with clear weather. The latest record is Sept. 25th, when forty or fifty were seen at Rhuvaal, at 4 p.m.; wind S.W., fresh, with rain. The length of time thus occupied by the migration along the west coast of Scotland was, approximately, fifty-eight days. The greatest rush took place between the 20th Aug. and 25th Sept.; and, as far as shown, at Ardnamurchan and Rhuvaal. At Ardnamurchan, twenty rested all night on Aug. 20th, and left in the morning. At Rhuvaal forty to fifty were seen, as related above. Swallows appeared to migrate principally when the wind is southerly (S.W. to S.E.), in light, variable, or fresh head- or side-winds, and hazy weather. Exceptions are found, however, at Dhuheartach on July 26th, when the wind was N., fresh, and weather clear; and at Skerryvore on Aug. 17th, when one appeared at the lantern about 10 p.m. (two hours after lighting up) in a N.W. light breeze, with showers. Swallows migrate mostly by day, resting all night. My returns show that they passed at all hours, but mostly before dark.
Martin, Hirundo urbica.—Martins are noticed at two stations only, viz., Butt of Lewis and Corsewall. The migration lasted between July 29th and Aug. 16th, or during eighteen days (but data are defective). They travelled during the day, resting around the lighthouses at night, with S. to S.E. and S.W. winds; the only one killed was when wind was N.N.E., at Corsewall.
Wren.—The records are few of this species: usually noticed on migration in large numbers; they appeared at Monach Island and Dhuheartach. The earliest date is Aug. 17th, when "some" struck at 10 p.m., and between that and 3 a.m.; wind W., and haze. The latest date is Dec. 9th, when one was seen at 3 p.m., with S.W. breeze, and showers. In fourteen years Mr. Edgar never saw a Wren at the Butt of Lewis lighthouse.
Goldcrest, Regulus cristatus.—At Mull of Galloway on July 18th, alighting all night and resting. Mr. Edgar's letter of 20th Sept. supplies the information that he has never seen Goldcrests at the Butt of Lewis—a negative fact of value in tracing their exact lines of flight. Perhaps in our next reports observers will state in their remarks if any of the species noticed in this one have hitherto been rare, or entirely absent from their stations in past years.
Robin.—Appeared at Kyleakin, and thence southwards at Skerryvore, Rhuvaal, Skervuile, Rhinns of Islay, and Corsewall. The largest number recorded at Corsewall, where fifteen struck on Sept. 15th, at 11 p.m.; wind S.W., light breeze, and haze. The earliest date is Sept. 10th—one at Skervuile, at midnight; wind S.W., light, and cloudy. The latest is at Rhuvaal, on Dec. 4th at 9 a.m., when one was seen; wind variable, light breeze, clear. Thus, time occupied is between Sept. 10th and Dec. 4th. A rush took place in September between 10th and 21st, but no large numbers are recorded; in October another rush between 7th and 18th; on the former date numbers migrated with Larks and other species not known, and many were killed and fell into the sea at Skervuile. At Skerryvore one seen at 7 p.m.; wind S., fresh, with fog and rain. In September I have records on six days at four stations; in October two at two stations, and in December one at one station—Rhuvaal; they passed or struck mostly at night or morning, but a few through the day; winds mostly southerly, and hazy or foggy; a few in cloudy and clear.
Hedgesparrow.—At M'Arthur's Head, on Sept. 28th, one struck at 1 a.m.; wind N.W., strong, with haze and rain.