Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola.—The most northerly station was North Ronaldshay. Thence southward, but nowhere in large numbers, seen or struck at Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Tarbet Ness, Girdleness, and Isle of May. The largest number seen at any station at the same time being five at Tarbet Ness on December 3rd. A single bird is noted at Dunnet Head as early as Sept. 17th. None again till Oct. 15th, when one was killed at North Ronaldshay at 9 p.m., wind N.E., moderate, with sleet. The latest recorded was Dec. 3rd, when, as related above, five were seen at Tarbet Ness at 11.30 a.m., wind strong W., with snow. The length of time occupied in migration was between Sept. 17th and Dec. 3rd. "Rushes" of migrants took place between Oct. 15th and 21st, but the reports are very meagre, being in most cases instanced by single birds striking at North Ronaldshay, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Again a rush between Nov. 11th and 19th at North Ronaldshay and Girdleness; and again between Dec. 1st and 3rd at North Ronaldshay and Tarbet Ness. In two cases only have more than single birds been recorded. The migration took place principally when the wind was between S. and W.; but I have records of their flights also in strong N. wind with snow, on Dec. 1st, at Tarbet Ness; in N.E., moderate breeze with sleet, on Oct. 15th at North Ronaldshay; and again, with an E. light breeze and clear, on Dec. 21st, at the same station. When the wind has been S.W. or W., there has been fog or haze; when S., rain, as in November, on the 14th and 15th. Woodcocks appear to migrate principally at night, and are observed during the hours between evening dusk and morning grey, or, in other words, between 7.30 p.m. and 5 a.m. Exceptions occur, as at 11 a.m. at North Ronaldshay 11.30 a.m. at Tarbet Ness, 2 p.m. at North Ronaldshay, and 3.30 p.m. at Girdleness; these last being all in daylight. A flight came inland in Stirlingshire about Nov. 22nd, on which day a party of five guns, of which party I was one, killed eighteen in Torwood Covers.
Snipe, Gallinago scolopacina.—At the Isle of May one was seen at 10 a.m. on August 6th, with light S.E. wind, fog and rain. Snipe scarce or much scattered, owing to wet season. Entirely disappeared from inland localities when the hard frost of beginning of December set in, and few returned all winter.
Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus.—One record at Girdleness; on August 17th, one was seen at 8 p.m., wind E. with rain.
Grey Geese.—At Dunnet Head, on Sept. 3rd, thirteen Grey Geese were seen "going north" at 3 p.m., wind S.E., fresh, haze and rain.
Bernacle Goose, Bernicla brenta.—At Dunnet Head a mixed flock of old and young (twenty-five) seen going W. on Sept. 7th, and five more on the 14th, during the day, wind light W. Fog on the 7th; clear on the 14th. Anatidæ were a month earlier in appearing on Loch Tay in the autumn of 1879. Geese were reported as unusually abundant from many localities.
Swans.—Three Swans seen at North Ronaldshay flying south at 2.30 p.m., with W.N.W. fresh wind and clear, and again at same place at 9.30 a.m., on Nov. 27th, swimming on the water; wind strong N.E., and clear. At Pentland Skerries eight were seen at 2 p.m. on Oct. 26th; wind light W. and clear. At Dunnet Head three old and one young seen going S.W., at 1 p.m., breeze light, on Sept 14th; and three old birds again on Sept. 22nd.
Ducks.—At Tarbet Ness a large flock of ducks passed inland at 10 a.m., with a N. gale and snow, on Nov. 12th. At Girdleness, two ducks seen at 4.40 a.m., wind S.W., and haze, on Oct. 16th. At Tarbet Ness a large flock seen at 9.15 a.m., wind W., strong and snow, on Dec. 5th. At Dunnet Head seven ducks (Widgeon) stayed on the lake three days from Oct. 25th; arrived with W. to N.W. breeze and cloudy.
Guillemot, Uria troile.—At Pentland Skerries a flock seen on June 25th, at 7.15 p.m.; wind E.N.E., and light haze. (Compare with notes on W. coast at Cape Wrath and elsewhere.)
Puffin, Mormon fratercula.—At North Unst innumerable Puffins seen on evening of April 24th.
Common Skua (or "Bonxie"), Stercorarius catarrhactes.—At North Unst, usually appear about middle of April. "We do not see more than six or eight in a season."