SEPARATE REPORT OF EACH SPECIES OBSERVED.
At North Ronaldshay, an Owl—species unknown, but probably the Short-eared Owl, Asio acciptrinus—was seen on Nov. 3rd, flying south, at 10 a.m.; and at Dunnet Head a Horned Owl, also probably of the same species, struck three times, but got away. This was at 6 p.m.
From Pentland Skerries we have all the records of hawks. Two early records (July 7th and 14th) may refer to autumn migration or not. Thus, "a black hawk" was seen on July 7th at 3 p.m., and on the 14th another of the same at 7 p.m. On Sept. 17th one hawk struck at 11.30 p.m. The species is probably, the Sparrowhawk, Accipter nisus.
Accounts forwarded by other correspondents, however, show that Hobbies (Falco subbuteo, Linn.), visited the Lewis in some numbers this year.[2] At Sumburgli Head the appearance of a White-tailed Eagle is recorded, but is only of local interest, as these birds are known to breed near that station. That a migration, however, does take place amongst Eagles, and mostly of this species, is undoubted. Mr. D. Dewar, an experienced ornithologist, writes me:—"Every winter, for this longtime back, when we have a strong east wind in November, Eagles and Rough-legged Buzzards appear over Loch Tay. In November, this year, I saw four Eagles together, all White-tailed, and three Rough-legged Buzzards along with them."
[2] I have referred more fully to this in my "Report on Scottish Ornithology" for the Nat. Hist. Soc. of Glasgow for 1879-80.—J. A. H.-B.
Swift, Cypselus apus.—Only one at Sumburgh Head on May 25th, doubtless on the spring migration. Two were seen at 10 a.m., wind light S.W., breeze and haze. "Swifts, however, do not breed in Shetland" (vide Saxby's 'Birds of Shetland,' p. 147).
Swallow, Hirundo rustica.—I have returns from four stations, Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, Tarbet Ness, and Isle of May. At the northernmost station (Sumburgh Head) "a number were seen flying about," at 11 am., wind at W.S.W., fresh and hazy. But this record was on June 12th, so probably refers to the spring migration. Their earliest appearance noted is August 21st, when four struck at Auskerry at 1 a.m., wind S.E., strong with fog; the latest Oct. 27th, when two were killed at Tarbet Ness at 7.10 p.m., wind N.W., light with fog. This shows migration between Aug. 21st and Oct. 27th. A "rush" appears to have taken place at the Isle of May on Sept. 19th, at 2 a.m., wind light E. with fog, when a flock of young birds was seen and four of them were wounded against the glass. Swallows migrate in August and September with an E. to S.E. wind, light to strong. In October my only record at Tarbet Ness gives wind N.W., light with fog. When the wind has been N.W., S.E. or E. there has been fog; when, in summer, at Sumburgh Head, W.S.W., there has been haze and rain. The last Swallow was seen in Berwickshire by Mr. J. Hardy on the 30th Sept. 1879.
Martin, Hirundo urbica.—From Pentland Skerries one record in which this species is distinguished from the Swallow. On August 25th one struck at 2.30 p.m. during a light W. wind with haze. The last was seen in Berwickshire by Mr. J. Hardy on the 3rd October, 1879.
Wren, Troglodytes europæus.—At North Ronaldshay five seen during the daytime on Nov. 21st, fresh breeze (direction not noted) with haze. Reported as usually appearing in large numbers at Auskerry, but the above-mentioned were the only ones seen.
Goldcrest, Regulus cristatus.—The almost total absence of this species is specially remarked at the Isle of May. Usually they are abundant. These birds were decidedly scarce in Scotland throughout the summer.