Troglodytinæ.—Common Wren: One species. A few records in autumn from Sumburgh Head, Bressay, Pentland Skerries, N. Ronaldshay, and Isle of May; earliest one seen for a moment on island. At Sumburgh Head on Aug. 11th, and three on 12th; latest at Pentland Skerries on Dec. 7th, wind N.E., clear. Rush quite marked on Oct. 10th at Isle of May, still not numerous; also at N. Ronaldshay, on Nov. 12th, a few came with Robins and Thrushes, and a few on same day came also with Robins and Thrushes to Isle of May, wind easterly. Land Notes.—Mr. Garrioch obtained one male Creeper on Oct. 12th, caught on Bressay with Great Spotted Woodpeckers, "all seeming much the worse of the storm."
Motacillidæ.—In spring, at Whalsey, Bell Rock, and Isle of May; in all five records. Earliest Feb. 24th, at Isle of May, light W. wind; latest at Whalsey, May 24th ("Grey Wagtail," marked "very rare here"). At Bell Rock all birds leave at high tide, being drowned off. In autumn, records from Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, and Isle of May. Earliest from 23rd to 26th, a flock of "Grey Wagtails" flying about island, and on 27th seven seen all day on Pentland Skerries; latest on Isle of May, one Pied Wagtail on Nov. 7th. No rush very apparent. On Sept. 20th, Mr. J. Agnew has the record, "at Isle of May, three, N.E. gale, one very white in colour and one very black "; and on Oct. 31st the further record, "two, one very white, the other dark." We would like specimens of these "very white Wagtails." Possibly records relate to three species, but it will be safer only to include one at present. Titlarks (Rock Pipits?) arrived in large numbers on Isle of May on March 9th, and "supplemented some half dozen that remained all winter." N.B. The ones that remained are probably "Rock Pipits" (Anthus obscurus), and the additions are probably "Meadow Pip its" (A. pratensis). In autumn, at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and Isle of May; earliest, one at Isle of May ("Mosscheeper," J. Agnew; or Meadow Pipit, J. A. H. B.); latest, Bell Rock, Oct. 9th, "Mosscheeper," Mr. Jack; on this occasion mixed with Bullfinches. Rush on Sept. 4th, at Sumburgh Head, large flocks of "Rock Larks," auct. John Wilson; and a constant stream of the same on 15th, along with Larks. Desultory migration during September; only one record, curiously enough, in October. Two species of Anthinæ (Motacillidæ) noticed. Note.—See remarks on land migration of the Pied Wagtail at end of the General Remarks.
Laniidæ.—One record, on Oct. 16th, at Isle of May; one bird accompanied rush of Oct. 8th and 18th, strong S. after S.E. One species recorded—the Great Grey Shrike. Notes.—A male Great Grey Shrike killed at Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire (illustrates line across central districts of Scotland), Feb. 3rd, 1883; about 1st Nov., 1882, three Great Grey Shrikes (two male and one female), and one same date at Redcastle. Rosshire ('Scotsman,' Feb. 17th, 1883); the last great appearance of this species was in 1873—74. A golden Oriole (Oriolus galbula) occurred during the October migration at Lerwick, along with two Spotted Woodpeckers, a Tree Creeper, and the Golden-crested Wrens.
Muscicapidæ.—Pied Flycatcher: three records at Isle of May on Aug. 15th, one female, light S., rain and fog; on Sept. 15th one female struck and killed; on Nov. 7th one male flying S., but obtained, fresh S.W. breeze. One species. Notes.—Two Waxwings, a very fine male and a female, killed at Kinneil by Mr. D. Nichol, gamekeeper to Mr. Russell, Dundee Castle, on Jan. 18th, 1883. Kinneil is close to Bo'ness, at the head of the Firth of Forth. This female is one of the very finest birds I ever saw. Out of the hundreds examined in the frozen marts of St. Petersburg and Moscow I only saw one to equal it, the development of the wax-like appendages being very great on both wings and tail.
Hirundinidæ.—In spring Swallows appeared at Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Cromarty, Isle of May, and Inch Keith. Earliest at Isle of May, April 22nd, and more on 23rd. Latest at same place, on June 26th. Rush perceptible at Isle of May, May 11th to 17th, when a steady migration in small numbers were observed flying N., wind W. to S.E. All Swallows seen have been during the forenoon. Sand Martin on May 9th, at Whalsey Skerries. In autumn, at same stations, continuous records from June, many no doubt relating to local movements, therefore perhaps somewhat difficult to separate spring and autumn records. On July 3rd and 4th, however, at Auskerry, flocks were seen at noon; wind light S. to S.E. Martins are noted from Whalsey, and Auskerry and Pentland Skerries; and Sand Martin from Isle of May on Aug. 24th. All other records apply to Common Swallows. Swallows resident at Cromarty disappeared on Sept. 1st. No great rushes very apparent. Latest on Oct. 6th, at Sumburgh Head; next, on Oct. 2nd, at Isle of May; strong S.W. wind. Three species noticed. Land Notes.—In spring, first Swallow seen by M. P. Kermode and myself at Dunipace, on April 23rd; and same day, at Shirgarton, by another party. None seen on 16th, when Bidwell and I were out, and when we took a Dipper's nest and four eggs. On 26th, Mr. K. Gray saw two Martins in Edinburgh. Swallows and Sand Martins were first seen at Kelso, on the Tweed, on April 16th (auct. J. J. Armistead, Esq.). See also General Remarks.
Fringillidæ.—In spring, great movements of many species of Finches, both in spring and autumn, comprising the following species:—Green and Grey Linnets, Chaffinches, Bramblings, Siskins, Redpolls, House Sparrows, Tree Sparrows, Bullfinches, the Green and Grey Linnets predominating, and occurring at the following stations:—Spring, almost entirely monopolised at Isle of May; Siskins also appearing at Inch Keith. From March 3rd on to May 22nd. Only indication of unusual rush perhaps on March 17th and 18th (Green Linnets and Chaffinches). Prevailing wind at Isle of May all April, many birds appearing, S.E., except on April 25th, when there were no birds, the wind shifting round to N.E. suddenly. In autumn, at Isle of May, a solitary Green Linnet appeared on July 14th. The above species showed at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, Isle of May, and Inch Keith. Earliest, Grey Linnets, Aug. 23rd, at Isle of May. Latest, at same spot, on Dec. 8th. Vast rush in October (9th to 23). Green Linnets, earliest somewhat later than the last, but the rush about same time. Chaffinches, no records till Oct. 10th, at Sumburgh Head, where it is only seen on migration. The great rush of Chaffinches, as compared with other species, apparent, but movement distinct in October. Brambling, no records till Oct. 10th, when a rush past was made, and no more seen again till Dec. 3rd, when one was seen. Nine Siskins, a considerable movement; earliest, Aug. 7th, at Isle of May; latest, Oct. 16th. The rush of this species took place on Sept. 27th and 28th, when scores, mostly females, were on Isle of May; and they also showed at Inch Keith. A rush, however, also took place about Oct. 16th. Redpolls appear not quite so abundantly in the records as other species. The records are in September and December. A rush of Tree Sparrows took place at Isle of May, where Mr. Agnew says he does not remember seeing this species before. One was captured on Oct. 15th. A very few House Sparrows were noticed in October. A few Bullfinches showed at Bell Rock, accompanied by Pipits and Golden-crested Wrens, &c., on Oct. 9th to 12th. The records take me up to Dec. 12th for Fringillidæ. Nine species of Fringillidæ under notice. Land Notes.—On Oct. 8th a flock of about fifty Mealy Redpolls, all males, kept flying round about Lerwick, at the same time with a few Willow Wrens, one flock numbering twenty.—(J. T. G.)
Emberizidæ.—In spring, the February records may apply to last Report as regards Snow Buntings. They were uncommonly numerous at Isle of May in 1881-82. Large flocks seen flying S. there on Feb. 22nd, and also on 13th and 24th. On March 1st large numbers, taking on the summer plumage, or mostly adults, after a gale of twenty-four hours, from E. to S.E. (Vide under Turdidæ of this date; same remarks apply here.) Same day, one Reed Bunting. Snow Buntings continued to show at intervals all March; two showed on April 15th at Isle of May. None were seen in May. In autumn, the records are numerous of Snow Buntings from most of the stations sending returns; perhaps most so at Pentland Skerries in November. Do not bulk so largely at Isle of May. Earliest Sept. 19th, at Isle of May (the remark, "too early," appended by Mr. Agnew). No great rush in October along with the other species, but bulking largely in November at Sumburgh Head, where 250 showed in three compact flocks on 6th; also at Pentland Skerries abundant all through the month, but maximum about the 10th, when fully 1000 were all day on the Island; winds N.E. to E. and S.E., with some calm days and variable. About this time departing flocks seen to fly off S.W. and flocks seen to arrive from the N.E. over the sea. Snow Buntings seem to arrive at Dunnet Head more frequently with W. and S.W. winds, and also to a considerable extent with similar wind at Pentland Skerries. This has been remarked before. After sharp frosts and N.E. snow-storms they soon appear. Common Bunting is reported from Isle of May for the first time on Dec. 19th; Yellow Buntings appeared occasionally in reports at Isle of May; and the first recorded occurrence at Pentland Skerries on Dec. 17th and 19th. One remained a week singly—a female—on Isle of May up to Nov. 4th. Four species of Buntings appear.
Alaudidæ.—In spring the Skylark is reported "very rare" at Whalsey; one on March 14th. A few at Isle of May on March 15th; none there on April 3rd: fair S.E. breeze. In autumn full records, but not before Sept. 11th, at Sumburgh Head, accompanied by "Rock Larks." Occurred at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Earliest as above, Sept. 11th; latest Dec. 31. Rush from about Sept. 11th to 18th at Sumburgh Head, and also patent at Isle of May; vast rush most observed at Bell Rock and Isle of May in October (see under [Turdidæ]). At Bell Rock most on Oct. 12th, "Bullfinches, Blackbirds, Mavises, Larks, Stonechats, Golden-crested Wrens, Titlarks and Starlings, dead on balcony or fell into sea. Mr. Jack is sure hundreds must have been killed that night." Again, on Dec. 20th, Mr. Jack remarks, "largest numbers of Larks ever seen here; impossible to state numbers seen or killed; striking hard for hours, like a shower of hail." On Oct. 12th and Dec. 20th loss of life must have been very great; great flocks of Larks alone at Bell Rock on 16th and again on 31st. Records do not take me beyond this date. One species.
Sturnidæ.—Records of Common Starling comparatively scanty. Earliest July 1st at Isle of May, a large flock of young birds and daily flocks seen, mostly young, to July 29th. On Aug. 7th a large flock seen coming from the N.; another on 14th. Numbers on Island fall off in September; by the 23rd but few left. In October only one record at Pentland Skerries, when two struck; none in November, and two records in December, on 17th at Pentland Skerries, and on 25th at Isle of May, when eight were seen. Scarcity of Starlings again (see Report 1881, p. 9) noticeable. One species. The only other British species is a very rare British bird—the Rose-coloured Starling.
Corvidæ.—I have records from every month in the year but June. I take them in order. In January one record, a large flock of Jackdaws seen flying S.W. at Cromarty (probably a local migration). At Isle of May one Rook on Feb. 12th, flying W., wind S.W. In March, at Sumburgh Head, two Ravens ("the first seen since the autumn of 1881" here), flying N. with light S. breeze, and another seen on the 16th in a W. gale. At Isle of May two Rooks seen on 29th ("never many seen here together"), light W. breeze. In April, at Bell Rock, four Rooks seen flying E. over the sea, wind S.E., April 4th; at Isle of May, on May 14th, four Carrion Crows and thirty-six Hooded Crows alighted and killed several of Mr. Agnew's lambs; N.E. gale at the time. At Pentland Skerries two Rooks on Island, wind fair, S.S.E. In autumn, records from most of the stations sending returns, from July 26th, at Pentland Skerries, to Dec. 9th, at same place (Ravens). The only, appearance of a rush was when fifteen Hooded Crows appeared at Pentland Skerries, but this may only have been local. This was on Oct. 12th, however, the time of the vast rush of other species. The Pentland Skerries are regularly visited by Ravens and Hooded Crows, and occasionally by Rooks, which latter may come across the North Sea at times, or may simply make local migrations from Tongue in Sutherlandshire. A few appeared at the Isle of May also at the time of the vast rush. Five species of Corvidæ noted. Land Notes.—Mr. Garrioch writes:—"I obtained a male Jackdaw on Oct. 15th, shot on a peat dyke near Lerwick. Same evening a large flock of Ravens assembled on the shore at Sound (?), attracted by a number of Puffins' and Guillemots' bodies driven ashore by the force of the sea, as also fish of different sorts which had shared the same fate. The Ravens betook themselves to the high cliffs of Bressay. They continued to pass the same spot during November, December and January, going westward over the islands every morning at daybreak and returning at dusk to roost in the same rocks." On Oct. 14th a Crow took refuge on a vessel—the Danish ship 'Otto' (Capt. Mortensen)—about eleven miles from St. Abb's Head, and flew off shoreward on approaching Granton ('Edinburgh Courant,' Oct. 14th).