June 4th, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks flying S.E.; light N.E., haze.
June 6th, Pentland Skerries, continuous flocks flying S.E.; light E., haze.
June 17th to 20th, Pentland Skerries, continuous rush flying S.E.; strong N. to light E. and W.
June 21st, Pentland Skerries, several flocks all day flying S.E.; lights.
June 25th, Pentland Skerries, large flocks, 7.15 p.m., flying S.E.; fresh S.E., fog and rain.
June 29th, Pentland Skerries, a few around; light S., clear.
We now come to the autumn movement, if we take the same dates as for many land birds; but this is apt to be mixed up with the later summer movements of old and young birds, and therefore we will keep July by itself. All the records here relate, as before, to Pentland Skerries. An equally exact record from each salient or conspicuous station round our coasts could not fail to give us exact knowledge as regards the movements of sea-fowl, or rather of rock birds. Food-supply is an important factor in the local as well as the other migrations. A knowledge of fishing-grounds would thereby be achieved; and a knowledge of the two subjects, migration of birds and geography of the distribution of fishes, would undoubtedly help each other. With these remarks we continue our records for July, believing that this simple tabular form is most useful in the present case, though cumbrous if carried on in every instance.
July debatable ground,
July 5th, Pentland Skerries, a flock 8.20 p.m.; mod. E., fog and showers.
July 6th, Pentland Skerries, several flocks all day; light S., haze.