Nov. 24th, Isle of May, hundreds of Herring Gulls came from S.E. all day; fresh W.; also accompanied by smaller numbers of Black-backs.
Dec. 13th, Pentland Skerries, two Black-backed Gulls on island, 12.30 p.m.; N.W. gale.
Dec. 3rd, Isle of May, thousands of "Gulls," 3 p.m.; W., clear.
1884, Jan. 22nd, Isle of May, large light-coloured Gulls with black tips to wings; gale W. last night.
Note.—There is evidently considerable confusion existing regarding the various species of Sea Gulls; and this is not to be wondered at when the innumerable phases of plumage in even the same species, according to maturity or immaturity, is considered. What is sadly wanted in such a quest as ours is a series of cheap yet fairly well executed plates of birds in all phases of plumage, with measurements to scale; but the almost impossibility of issuing such at a sufficiently low price for general distribution must, we fear, for ever debar our correspondents from obtaining such a means of assistance. M. De La Rue issues marvels of cheapness in Christmas Cards; could he not undertake something in this line? His pictures of birds are admirable, but he would have to keep up the standard, or even improve it, to be of scientific value to us.
Procellariidæ.—Records scarce in spring and autumn. At Auskerry, arrived for first time on July 30th, but as early as 6th eggs were laid at Pentland Skerries. Being a bird of nocturnal habits, the arrival cannot, we fancy, be easily fixed at all times. At Auskerry, on 8th, two pairs had two eggs each (some notes on the schedule margin here have been torn off and lost, J. A. H. B.) On Sept. 25th one struck at Dunnet Head; S.S.W., fog; and on 26th six struck and rested from 9 to 11 p.m.; S.E. fresh, and haze. It is seldom so many are recorded at the same time. Are these Pentland Skerries birds? At Noss Head, on Aug. 28th and on 30th, one Stormy Petrel each time struck, but not killed, with W.N.W. fresh on former date, and light S.E. and haze on latter.
Alcidæ.—Spring. First visit at Isle of May on March 21st, when "not very many" appeared, with fresh E.S.E. Guillemots and Razorbills. Next visit at Isle of May, large numbers on April 1st with light W., and in dear weather. Increased on 3rd, and on April 27th arrived again finally, after a few days' absence, with fresh S.E. and haze. These and other rock birds breeding here all left on Aug, 10th, except a few Kittiwakes and Eider Ducks, after a heavy W. gale on 9th (see August, below). Puffins were first observed at Isle of May; however, not before May 4th, when a few showed.
Following this comes what may be considered local flights, in search of food, to and from the fishing grounds:—
May 16th, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks flying E.; light breeze N.E.
May 21st, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks flying E.; light W., haze.