Saxicolinæ.—Spring records, as usual, are scanty; some five records at five stations, viz., Butt of Lewis, Skerryvore, Rhuvaal, MacArthur's Head and Mull of Galloway. Earliest, March 9th at Butt of Lewis; latest, on May 17th at MacArthur's Head, mostly of single Wheatears. In autumn, a few records of Wheatears from Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Rhuvaal, and Rhinns of Islay: the earliest, Aug. 17th at Dhuheartach; latest, Oct. 16th; and an evident rush on Aug. 23rd at Rhinns of Islay, and again on Sept. 10th at Skerryvore, where over 100 were seen on the rocks.
Silviinæ.—Of Robins one spring record at Skerryvore on April 9th, a single bird resting; fair S.S.E. and haze. In autumn, at Kyleakin, Skerryvore, Lismore, Skervuile and Little Ross. Earliest, a single bird on Aug. 17th, at Skervuile; latest, two at Kyleakin (where, however, Robins arrived on Nov. 15th, and remained all winter up to close of schedule on Jan. 27th, 1883). An evident rush took place at Butt of Lewis between Sept. 14th and 30th, with Wrens on the 26th, and with Wagtails on the 28th, 29th, and 30th; in November, a few Robins, accompanied by Wrens and Linnets, at Lismore on 11th; and in October one Robin and one Wheatear, together, on 9th at Skerryvore. All the records in August, September, and October accompanied by easterly winds, the rush in September with N.E.
Phylloscopinæ.—Of Golden-crested Wrens one spring record at Mull of Galloway, on March 8th and 9th, when "great numbers" were round the lantern at midnight; wind S.W., light, clear. In autumn, earliest, Sept. 21st, at Corsewall, and 22nd and 25th at Loch Ryan; latest, and rush at Corsewall and Mull of Galloway, on 15th and 16th, when "great numbers" round lantern; strong E. and haze; straggling birds also, 8th and 9th, at same places. A significant record is on Oct. 10th, at Rhinns of Islay, north of which station we have no records. On that date eight Golden-crested Wrens struck and one was killed; wind light S.E., haze. The similarity of dates of occurrence at Mull of Galloway on W. coast and Isle of May on E. coast this year worthy of notice (see [General Remarks]).
Paridæ.—Of Titmice only two spring records, both at Mull of Galloway; five killed at midnight, March 18th, and great numbers flying round lantern on May 22nd; wind light E. Note approximation of dates on W. and E. coasts (see [General Remarks].)
Troglodytinæ.—Of Wrens one spring record at Skerryvore; two flying about rock on May 24th; wind light N.W., clear. In autumn one on Sept. 22nd, at Lismore. Latest, Nov. 11th, a few at Lismore, and a partial rush on Oct. 8th, 9th and 11th, at Corsewall, and on Oct. 11th and 26th at Lismore, the two latter accompanied by Starlings and Robins.
Motacillidæ.—In autumn three Wagtails at Skerryvore, on Aug. 28th, two—male and female—in a garden at Kyleakin, and a few on each day at Lismore, on Oct. 28th, 29th, and 30th, with light N.E. winds. Of Pipits, four struck and two were killed at Butt of Lewis, in strong W. breeze, on March 17th; they were accompanied by Tree Sparrows. In autumn, hundreds round the Little Ross on Sept. 6th, after 8 p.m., for two hours; one killed at 12 noon, in light N. breeze, clear, at Dhuheartach, on Oct. 28th. It is not often they are recorded as killed in the daytime in clear weather. Land Notes.—An unusual number of Pied Wagtails—fifty or more in one flock—on Sept. 25th, in Kirkcudbright (J. J. Armistead, Esq.); also two Motacilla flava seen on Sept. 11th,—a very rare occurrence at Douglas Hall.
Hirundinidæ.—Swallows: Spring records at Kyleakin, Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Lismore, Corsewall, and Loch Ryan. Seen first on April 12th at Corsewall, and April 15th at Loch Ryan, where fifteen Swallows arrived with light N. wind and sleet. Latest records on June 15th at Lismore, and 9th at Skerryvore; not seen at Dhuheartach till May 14th. Other records at Lismore on 10th, a flock, and 13th, another flock. In autumn, one Swallow rested on window of lighthouse at Dhuheartach, on Aug. 11th, and a final movement was observed in September about the 14th and 15th, at Loch Ryan and Mull of Galloway, besides a few other records at earlier dates. Land Notes.—Swallow first seen at Douglas Hall, Dumfriesshire on 7th. Mr. Howard Saunders, residing at St. Jean de Luz, in the Basses Pyrénées, saw the first Swallow on March 25th, along with many Wheatears and Redstarts. Woodcocks had passed but in small numbers, and only two were seen in the market.
Fringillidæ.—Tree Sparrows seen at Butt of Lewis on Feb. 20th, when four struck and two were killed; strong E. wind and haze. Again six were seen at same place and two killed on March 20th; and again six at the same place and one killed, on April 8th. House Sparrows are recorded on May 27th, at Skerryvore, flying about; and at MacArthur's Head—a number all day—on May 8th. House Sparrows were also seen at Butt of Lewis on Feb. 25th, with strong S.W. breeze, haze, and rain. In autumn, House Sparrows, a large flock at Lismore on Oct. 24th; "Finches" on Oct. 10th, at Sound of Mull; Linnets, a rush about 7th and 11th at Lismore, with a few earlier records; and on Dec. 29th, at Monach, where all left on the 20th. Some of these records probably apply to Grey Linnets, and the Monach one likely to Twites or "Mountain Linnets." Four, possibly five, species. Land Notes.—Four Siskins seen on sand-hills on Solway Firth, on a patch of thistles; gone next morning, Oct. 17th (J. J. Armistead.) Mr. Scot Skirving, of Edinburgh, mentions, in lit., that the Chaffinch, was the most common of small birds in Islay prior to the terrible winter of 1878, but after that very rare indeed, until on Oct 22nd, 1880, a flock of some thousands appeared, and since then they have again been fairly abundant.
Emberizidæ.—Two Snow Buntings were seen at Butt of Lewis on March 21st. Autumn records: Snow Bunting Oct. 15th at Kyleakin, to Dec. 12th at Butt of Lewis. No rush apparent and records scanty; three or four in all in October and November. One Yellow Bunting on Oct. 15th, at Kyleakin. Two or three records at Dhuheartach also in October, November and December.
Alaudidæ.—In end of migration of 1881-82, under date Jan. 12th, 16th, 1882, and 18th, large parties of Larks are recorded at Lismore; wind light S. No more records till autumn, 1882. On Sept. 27th, at Corsewall, one on lantern. Latest date, Dec. 27th, at Skerryvore, two found dead; light S.S.W. and clear. Records of direction of flight usually S.E., but these records are, as are too often the case, too meagre to assist us. Direction of flight is earnestly asked for. A rush distinguishable at Rhinns of Islay on Oct. 8th and 12th. Two Larks remained all night on lantern at Dhuheartach, on Jan. 2nd, 1883.