[4] See a paper by me on the "Increase and Extension of Range of the Stock Dove," read before the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, Feb., 1883. They are seen in large migratory flocks on the mainland in May—as in the Carse of Gowrie—in some seasons, and I have received specimens this spring and winter from two localities in this county—Stirlingshire.
Rallidæ.—Records of Corn Crake scarce. In May, first heard at Cromarty on 14th. In September one killed at light at Pentland Skerries on 20th, light N.E. and cloudy, indicating possibly date of departure from the Orkneys. Land Note.—I am credibly informed that the Corn Crake was heard in two different localities in N. Uist about March 18th, 1882; Mr. Alex. Carmichael, who is studying the Natural History of the Long Island, himself heard one. Very late occurrences of this species are also on record in previous years, such as at Tyree on Nov. 24th, 1880, evidently wounded or disabled birds (W. Craibe Angus, who exhibited the bird at a late meeting of the Glasg. Nat. Hist. Soc.); and another, dating Dec. 17th, 1882, is recorded from Ireland in 'The Zoologist,' April, 1883, p. 177. It seems quite probable that some birds detained from migrating may remain all winter in the milder portions of Great Britain, and that early spring records may thus, in many cases, be accounted for.
Charadriadæ.—Golden Plover: in spring, one record at Sumburgh Head; three seen, light S. breeze and cloudy, at 10.30 a.m. In autumn, at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, Isle of May. Smaller movement in 1882 than in 1881. Earliest recorded, Aug. 7th, at Pentland Skerries; a flock. Latest, at same place, on Dec. 18th; a single bird. Rushes scarcely appreciable, except 120 birds on Oct. 15th, at Sumburgh Head; S.S.E. gale and rain; and a large flock (?) at Dunnet Head on Oct. 2nd. At Sumburgh Head also about forty on Nov. 12th. Oystercatcher: in spring "Sea-pyots" arrived here, Whalsey, on March 3rd at night, with strong E.S.E. breeze and clear. Two seen, first time, at Isle of May on April 2nd. In autumn, after remaining on Whalsey, left between Aug. 13th and 18th, during a fog and fresh S.E. breeze; and on 13th, at Isle of May, one large flock of young were seen, light S. and haze. On Sept. 14th a flock flew about Pentland Skerries all day in light N. breeze. Beyond these I have no other records. Of Lapwing, a record or two on Feb. 13th and 24th, after S.W. gale on 13th; and 26th, stragglers? In spring, at Whalsey ("very rare"), Sumburgh Head, Bell Rock, and Isle of May. Earliest in spring, March 2nd, at Isle of May, after a gale from E. to S.E. for twenty-four hours (see under [Turdidæ] of date); 3rd, eight seen; large numbers again on 20th. Latest on June 19th, four, with light S.E. and haze. Two only in May at Isle of May, and these appeared with light N.E. wind. In April a few passed on 3rd, 9th, and 10th, in easterly winds, or rested. In autumn, at Pentland Skerries, Chanonry, and Isle of May. Earliest, Aug. 17th, one seen, light W. wind. Latest, a few in December, at Pentland Skerries, flying W. Bushes inappreciable, unless Sept. 14th, at Chanonry, forty seen; and on 28th, at Isle of May, twenty-seven seen, in light S.S.E. wind. Land Notes.—On April 16th Lapwings were still going in flocks in the central counties of Scotland. At the River Pattack, in S. Inverness-shire, I saw distinctly a Whimbrel (Numenius phæopus) twice, on May 24th. (Possibly an addition to the birds of Inverness shire.) See under W. coast also.
Scolopacidæ.—Curlew: in spring, a number of records at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, Isle of May. Earliest, at Isle of May ("unusual at this season"), one seen, light W. wind and clear. Latest, at Isle of May, a number seen on June 28th, light E. fog. As early as May 23rd one young one seen on rocks at Isle of May (this properly belongs to autumn migration; result abnormal, perhaps owing to unusually early season, after a mild winter). General movement continuing all July, and difficult to separate spring and autumn manœuvres. As will be seen others of the Scolopacidæ make early appearances also this season (Woodcock, Snipe, &c.). In autumn, a large movement of Curlews between Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. To the N. of Pentland Skerries very few observed. Earliest (if we take July), July 10th, at Pentland Skerries, one heard. Latest, also at Pentland Skerries, on Dec. 7th, a flock, strong E. Rushes spasmodical and frequent in July and August. Note.—Between Oct. 14th and 19th, strong S. gale, moderate on 20th, at Pentland Skerries. Sept. 22nd, October and December, but almost inappreciable in numbers. Woodcock, a few in spring, but a steady record in autumn. In spring, one record at Isle of May on April 9th; "not remembered to have been seen here before at this season." In autumn, at Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, N. Ronaldshay, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Earliest, Oct. 8th (N.B., commencement of vast migration before noted), two seen at N. Ronaldshay, S.E. fresh; continued in small numbers through 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 25th (co-existent with rush of other species), at most stations on E. coast sending returns. Latest, on Dec. 4th, at Pentland Skerries. Evident rush on Oct. 13th at Isle of May, when no less than twenty were shot there. On Isle of May a record in November says, "very unusual so late," when three were seen. Of Snipe, only one record at Isle of May in spring, on April 5th, with the remark, "very unusual at this season." Autumn, at Sumburgh Head and Whalsey (only two records), and at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Earliest, several on Aug. 17th, at Pentland Skerries; and 6th, one at Isle of May, strong W., clear (remark, "very early"). Latest, on Dec. 19th, at Pentland Skerries, six seen, strong S.W. Scarcely a rush appreciable. Jack Snipes are recorded on Sept. 25th and 27th, at Isle of May, with light S. and S.E. breeze.
Scolopacidæ (Waders).—Earliest, "Plovers Pages" or "Plovers Leaders" (Dunlin, J. A. H. B.), Aug. 10th, at Isle of May; latest, Redshanks, Dec. 7th, at Isle of May. "Sandlarks" and "Pipers" appeared at Chanonry, Aug. 30th, when one was seen, and disappeared on Oct. 13th. (Probably the Common Sandpiper, but "Pipers" is a name used generically for many species.) If any rush, apparent on Sept. 19th, 20th, and 26th, at Chanonry. Numbers on these dates: 90, 90, and 290; but this is deceptive, and not to be relied upon as a statistic, Waders movements are so erratic. Returns of "Pipers," "Waders," "Redshanks," and "Sandlarks," are given from several stations. Probably seven or eight species of Waders. Land Notes.—Rare occurrences. Pectoral Sandpiper (Tringa maculata, Vieill.) shot at The Ross Priory, mouth of the Endrick River, Loch Lomond, by Sir Geo. Leith Buchanan, Bart., on Nov. 24th, 1882. There seems to be a line of country across this part of Scotland where rare things turn up, witness:—Desert Chat, at Alloa; Blue-throated Warbler, Isle of May; Great Grey Shrikes, commonly; and others. (See General Remarks, infra.)
Sterninæ.—In spring. Terns arrived at breeding haunts at Whalsey on May 19th, on island, all day long; came from S.E., with S.E. wind and clear; seen again on 28th (same date as 1881). At Sumburgh Head on June 2nd, and five on 6th. At Cromarty, Lesser Tern arrived at 2 p.m. on June 11th, strong N. and clear; and more on 15th. In autumn, Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Cromarty, Isle of May. Earliest, for two minutes or so heard passing over the lights at 10.30, at Sumburgh Head, light E. airs and thin haze. On Aug. 15th all left Whalsey, light S. breeze, haze and fog. "Leave Pentland Skerries about Aug. 30th." Lesser Tern left Cromarty on Aug. 29th; three seen flying south at Sumburgh Head on Sept. 4th (the only record in that month this year). One more record on Nov. 26th at Pentland Skerries, a flock on island all day. Two species. Note.—Look out for the Sandwich Tern,—a large Tern, much larger than the Common Tern; goes up the Fife and Forfar coasts in spring.—J. A. H. B.
Laridæ.—In spring, "Chasers" (Skuas), one on May 28th, at Portland Skerries ("rare here"), E.S.E. breeze. ("Picked up limpets thrown at it by the men.") He speaks of these as "Chasers," but in autumn of "Skuas or Norwegian Gulls, very rare." Of Skuas there are four species known in Scotland, viz., the Great Skua, or Bonxie of Shetland; the Richardson's Skua, or commonest species; the Long-tailed, or Buffon's Skua, with very long centre tail-feathers; and the Pomatorhine Skua, with curious recurved tail-feathers. Perhaps this note may be of service in future in separating them. The Bonxie and the Pomatorhine are rare. In autumn, Skua, or "Dirty Allan," at Isle of May on Oct. 15th, one seen, and well described; and three seen of "Skua," or "Norwegian Gull," at Pentland Skerries on 19th, and again on 29th. Kittiwakes are recorded, Aug. 5th, at Isle of May; large numbers. Note.—Most of birds breeding on Isle of May had left by this time, but a number of Kittiwakes remain still; all left by 25th, however. Great Black-backed Gulls noted passing S. past Isle of May on Aug. 13th. "Large White Gulls" (glaucous?) often wheeling round, Aug. 25th, for two or three days; and a large flight came from N., and flew S. past Isle of May, on Oct. 24th. "Iceland Gulls" at Sumburgh Head, on Dec. 1st and 8th, after gales and rain. Gulls, enormous numbers (and Gannets) passed Isle of May, Sept. 30th. Herring Gulls, a movement S. past Isle of May all day, on 10th. Lesser Black-backed Gulls (called "Lady Ann Gulls ") flying S.E., and numbers on the 14th and 18th. Iceland Gulls (with Swans), two seen at Sumburgh Head, Dec. 25th, and one (last record) on Dec. 8th. The Larger Glaucous Gull is not always easily distinguished from the Lesser Iceland Gull; both being very white, however, and are in relationship to one another as the Great Black-backed Gull is to the Lesser Black-backed Gull. Land Notes.—At Lerwick a large flock of Common Gulls passed northward in the evening, flying very low, on Oct. 13th.—(J. T. G.)
Procellariidæ.—One Stormy Petrel record; two seen at noon at Auskerry on Sept. 29th; light variable breezes.
Alcidæ.—In spring, records from Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, and Isle of May. On Feb. 1st, large numbers of Razorbills and Marrots appeared at Isle of May, light S. breeze; and again on March 18th; and a great increase on May 3rd; light S.E. Black Guillemots appeared at Whalsey during the night of March 2nd, with light E.S.E. breeze, and clear (called "Tysties"). At Sumburgh Head, Guillemots (or "Marrots") arrived on March 18th, a fortnight later than in 1881. In autumn, a general migration of Rock Birds, between Aug. 13th and 18th, during a fog (Why do birds apparently often choose a fog to depart in?), light S.E. (or is it always more to do with direction of the wind at the time?). See back. At Pentland Skerries, continuous streams of Guillemots flying E. through the N. Pentland Firth. Little Auks, one in E. gale on Nov. 16th, close to Isle of May, and more resting on 18th; and a few in a severe snow-storm on Dec. 7th, at same place. Four species of Alcidæ.
Of unknown birds I have left out notices this year, though keeping note of them for further use, as they may come to be identified later.