Snipe.—At Isle Ornsay, a single Snipe takes position as the northernmost recorded at the lighthouses of the west coast in 1879, as late as Oct. 20th, killed at 10 p.m.; wind N., clear. Thence, records at Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Rhinns of Islay, Pladda, Mull of Galloway, and Douglas Head. The earliest date, Aug. 20th ("sp. not known"), 4 a.m. at Pladda; wind S.E., strong breeze, and haze.[16] As a doubt occurs, next earliest date—a long jump later—is Oct. 11th at Rhinns of Islay when one was killed between 12 p.m. and 3 a.m.; wind N., light, with haze. The latest date is Nov. 15th, when, at Rhinns of Islay, sixteen were killed between 6 p.m. and 4 a.m., wind S., breezes and haze; and another record occurs at Pladda. Thus from Oct. 11th to Nov. 15th marks thirty-five days for passage. Snipe are thus seen to make a rapid passage. (Local migrations occur earlier from moors to lowland marshes in Scotland, September always producing home-bred birds in our lowland marshes.) Rush of foreign birds middle of November, 1879, as far as we can judge; but on Oct. 18th "numbers" kept about all night round lantern of Skerryvore; wind S.E., light breeze, fog, and rain. Migration mostly at night, judging from records, but also by day.
[16] This may have been a Sandpiper.
Woodcock.—The northernmost station on west coast in 1879 is Island Glass; thence southwards at Dhuheartach, Rhinns of Islay, Lochindaul, Devaar, Corsewall, Mull of Galloway, and Douglas Head. Small numbers recorded in all cases, except at Lochindaul, when about forty passed during the daytime on Dec. 12th, when the wind was variable, light, and the weather clear. The earliest date was Oct. 11th; one killed at Rhinns of Islay at 10 p.m., wind N., light, clear; the latest Dec. 12th. Too few data to fix rushes, except the one in December, which no doubt was directly caused by the severe frosts then recorded; wind N. and W., except on two occasions, on Oct. 7th at Douglas Head, wind E.; and on Oct. 30th at Mull of Galloway, wind E.; and on two others, viz., variable and light, when (in the hard frost) the forty were seen.
Corn Crake, Crex pratensis.—Heard for first time at Lochindaul, June 2nd; at Kyleakin, June 9th, wind S.W., clear; and at Skerryvore, June 20th, wind strong S.E., with fog.
Wild Geese (sp.?).—At Monach Island a flock "mixed old and young" passed south at 10 a.m. on Dec. 13th, wind S.S.W., fresh breeze, with haze; this is the most northerly station noted. Thence southward they were seen at Kyleakin (passing N.W.) at 8 a.m., wind N.W., fresh breeze, and clear weather; also at Sound of Mull, M'Arthur's Head and Devaar. The earliest date is Aug. 17th (passing N.W.), and the latest Dec. 15th (twenty-four passing W., at Sound of Mull). A migratory movement is thus seen to have extended over one hundred and nineteen days. A rush took place on Oct. 20th and 21st, at Sound of Mull and M'Arthur's Head; and again on December 18th, 14th and 15th, at Monach Island, M'Arthur's Head, and Sound of Mull respectively; the direction of their flight was usually W. or N.W. On Dec. 13th a flock passed S.; most passed with a S., S.S.W. or S.W. breeze, in cloudy or clear weather; in two instances with a N.W. wind. They were observed during daylight.
Wild Swan.—At Devaar on Dec. 11th, six seen at 4 p.m., light airs, with haze; and on Jan. 4th, three were seen flying south, in clear weather, at Rhuvaal lighthouse. We say nothing of the reported occurrence of Cygnus americanus on our coasts, but think the record (p. 111) premature.
Wild Duck.—At Butt of Lewis a Duck was killed on Dec. 1st, at 8 p.m., wind E., light and clear. Others occurred in November and December at Rhuvaal and Devaar. At Rhuvaal, between Nov. 1st and 30th, three or four hundred Ducks passed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.; wind variable, light, and showery weather. Most of the migration seems to have been observed through the day. In none of the reports are the species identified, being described as either "Ducks" or "Wild Ducks."
Widgeon, Anas penelope.—At Monach Island on Oct. 27th, a few were seen at 12 noon; wind S.S.E., fresh, and clear.
Sheldrake, Tadorna vulpanser.—At Pladda, on May 23rd, six (two males and four females) seen at 1 p.m., wind N.E., light, and haze; remained on the island till the middle of June.
Eider Duck.—At Rhu Stoir on June 30th, two males and two females seen at 11 a.m.; wind S., fresh breeze, showers. At Dhuheartach on Dec. 3rd, twenty seen at 10 p.m.; wind N.E., light, clear. At Devaar on Dec. 13th, twelve seen at 1 p.m.; wind N.N.W., light breeze, haze.