Wheatear.—Wheatears or "Stonechecks" are recorded from Skerryvore as the most northerly station this year, and thence southward at Rhuvaal, Skervuile, Turnberry, Corsewall, and Mull of Galloway. The earliest appearance noted is on Aug. 15th, and the latest on Sept. 28th; thus the migration extended over forty-four days. The greatest rush was between Aug. 17th and 22nd. The migration took place entirely at night, and principally with southerly winds—S., S.W., and to W.; fewer in northerly or easterly winds. The favoured stations were Skerryvore, Rhuvaal, and Skervuile.
Titmice.—The negative information that Mr. Edgar never saw any Titmice at the Butt of Lewis lighthouse is worthy of record. I have notes of their occurrence at M'Arthur's Head and Lamlash; in each case a single bird struck the lantern, Nov. 16th and Aug. 17th, at 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. respectively; both during west wind, and light air.
Fieldfare.—Occurred at Monach Island and Douglas Head, and is reported as usually seen at Butt of Lewis, though not this year. At Monach Island a number struck, and fifteen were killed, between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m., on Oct. 21st and 22nd; wind S.W., fresh, and drizzling rain. At Douglas Head one was seen on Oct. 16th, at 10 a.m.; wind N., moderate breeze, and cloudy.
Thrush.—The most northern station is, for 1879, Isle Ornsay. Mr. Edgar; however, adds the general information that in most years the Butt of Lewis yields large numbers at the lantern; thence southward at Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Rhinns of Islay, Lochindaul, Lamlash, Corsewall, and Point of Ayre. The earliest date is Sept. 19th, when a mixed flock of Thrushes and Blackbirds passed in variable winds, and clear, at Lamlash. The latest date is Dec. 3rd, when "Thrushes" passed Lochindaul in the "daytime." But this may be due to local influences and hard frost then registered. The next latest date is Nov. 24th, when one was seen in the daytime, 2 p.m.; wind N.E., fresh, clear; this would give sixty-six days for the passage, or, taking the later date of Dec. 3rd, seventy-six days. The rushes were on Sep. 19th (ut sup.); a "great rush" Oct. 21st to 28th. On Oct. 21st at Point of Ayr, two hundred "along with Blackbirds" seen at 1.80 p.m.; wind N. and N.W., strong, clear, with occasional showers. Also at the Rhinns of Islay, five seen, and so through records of Oct. 22nd, 18th to 28th, when three hundred "dark grey birds larger than a common Thrush!!?" (probably Missel Thrush, Turdus viscivorus) were seen at Point of Ayr; wind S.S.E., light, and hazy; and at Skerryvore about forty (of which ten killed) at 7 p.m.; wind S.E., light breeze, and haze. Thrushes travel with winds from S.E. to S.W. by preference, but also with winds from W. to N.E., through N.; observed most, as with most other species at lanterns, in hazy and rainy weather, but the great rush took place in "clear, with occasional showers," and "hazy and fine." Returns show that out of sixteen dates reported upon, only three show a diurnal migration, but one of these three is the rush of three hundred "dark grey birds larger than a common Thrush"[15] on Oct. 28th, at Point of Ayr.
[15] We shall refer to these under "Birds unknown," but we have thought it advisable to enter them here also; they can easily be erased in future comparisons if better data come to hand.
Blackbird.—The northernmost locality is Rhuvaal, where one struck on Dec. 1st, at 2 p.m., wind N.E., fresh; thence southwards at M'Arthur's Head, Skervuile, Pladda, Lamlash, Corsewall, Mull of Galloway and Point of Ayr. The earliest date is Aug. 26th, at M'Arthur's Head. The latest date is Dec. 1st, at Rhuvaal. The time thus occupied by the migration was ninety-seven days. The rushes took place between 13th and 21st Oct., and the most favoured locality recorded is Point of Ayr, where on Oct. 21st two hundred "mixed Thrushes and Blackbirds" were seen at 1.30 p.m.; wind N.N.W., strong, and clear, with occasional showers. They were visible at the various stations in all winds, apparently from W. to E. and from S. to N.N.W. They appeared at all hours of the day and night, but most of the records apply to night migration.
Starling.—The records of the Starling are very general; the most northern station given is Butt of Lewis, where the remark is made that they generally strike. This year, however, the most northern is Ardnamurchan Point, thence southward at Dhuheartach, Sound of Mull, M'Arthur's Head, Skervuile, Rhinns of Islay, Corsewall, Portpatrick, Mull of Galloway, and Point of Ayr. The earliest date on record is Aug. 11th, at M'Arthur's Head and Loch Ryan; at the former, one struck at 10 p.m., in S. wind, fresh, with haze; at the latter, two struck at 11.30 p.m.; wind E., light, with fog. The latest date is Dec. 18th, when one was caught at Skervuile at 11 p.m.; wind S.W., fresh, with haze. Thus the time occupied in passage was one hundred and thirty days, but the last date may have been due to local influence and keen frost at that time registered. The next latest date is Nov. 23rd, which would make the time spent in passage one hundred and four days. Rushes took place more frequently than with most species noted; thus, Sept. 19th, Oct. 12th to 25th, and Nov. 11th and 17th, may all be characterised as dates of rushes. The most favoured localities were Corsewall and Portpatrick, for frequency of records; and Ardnamurchan Point, Dhuheartach, Portpatrick, and Point of Ayr, for numbers of individuals. Starlings do not seem to have any choice of wind, as far as returns show. We find them migrating with N., W., and S.E. winds in almost equal proportions, with a preference—but very slight—to W. winds. They also pass or strike in E., S., and N.W. winds, but in fewer numbers. We do not think any deductions can be drawn from these data. But Starlings breed at many of the lighthouses or in their vicinity, so it is not always easy to determine whether, in every instance, they are on migration or not (as remarked by more than one reporter, e.g., Mr. Edgar, at the Butt of Lewis, &c.). Out of seventeen dates reported on, only three show migration to have taken place during the day, viz., at Portpatrick (in two instances), and Ardnamurchan Point (3 p.m. in a gale).
Finches.—At Dhuheartach on Aug. 24th, one hundred were seen and twenty killed between p.m. and 2 a.m., wind N.N.W., with haze; on Oct. 4th, six seen in afternoon, wind light and variable, with clear weather; again, on Oct. 8th, two were killed at 7 a.m., calm, with fog. The above are all the returns of "Finches."
Linnet.—Only two records. At Rhuvaal on Sept. 9th, thirty to forty old and young, were seen around the lantern at 10 a.m.; wind E. to N., breeze to stormy, with haze; and at Lamlash on same date and at same hour, fifty were seen; wind fresh breeze from W., and clear.
Yellowhammer.—At Lamlash on Aug. 17th, one struck at 10 a.m., in light W. wind, and fog.