From Cape Wrath lighthouse comes the following P.C.:—"There are no land-birds at this station, with the exception of Grouse. The same schedule will apply every year for the sea-birds, as they come and go within a week of the same time. Eight years' experience." I may just once more try to explain that it is exactly this week of difference in time, one year with another, which the Committee desire to collect statistics about as regards sea-fowl and rock-birds.
Turdidæ.—The spring migration on the West Coast seems almost to have escaped notice. At Stornoway Thrushes were heard on Feb. 19th and 20th, and heard and seen on the 27th, but these may have been residents.
The autumn migration, however, is almost as marked as on the East Coast, the time and extent agreeing, though numerically, as might be expected, not so great. Extent as follows:—Stornoway in the north (light), Island Glass (indication), Monach (do.), Barra Head (considerable), and on the mainland and Inner Hebrides from Kyleakin (light), Skerryvore (distinct and considerable), Dhuheartach (light), Sound of Mull (indication), M'Arthur's Head (a few), Rhinns of Islay.(a few), Skervuile (a few), Lamlash (light), Corsewall (heavy), Loch Ryan (considerable). The above remarks apply principally to Blackbirds and Song Thrushes, but Fieldfares and "Mountain" Thrushes are once or twice mentioned, and one Water Ouzel was caught at Skervuile on Sept. 13th.
The time occupied was as follows:—Earliest record in autumn, Sept. 23rd, one Thrush on lantern at Lamlash; may have been local. Next, 1st and 7th and 8th, a few scattered records at Barra Head, and between Dhuheartach and Lismore. About Oct. 23rd greater numbers, but nothing very remarkable till Oct. 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st, and Nov. 1st to 3rd or 4th, when the rush took place. Movements continued up to end of November, but not large numerically, and nothing more that could be called a rush. A considerable number were killed at Skerryvore at the height of the rush on 28th, 29th and 30th; eight Thrushes on first date, thirty-six on 29th, and thirteen on 30th. Blackbirds and Thrushes about in equal proportion of records, but Thrushes bulking largest numerically. Species included are Song Thrush (max.). Blackbirds (large numbers), Fieldfares, and one Dipper or Water Ouzel at Skervuile. Thrushes of sorts quite absent during a rush of other species at Kyleakin, and throughout the season. Five species.
Saxicolinæ.—Wheatears.—In spring, appearance of a rush at Skerryvore on April 20th and 21st, fifty seen during the day on former date and twelve on latter; and on April 8th a single bird at Dhuheartach. A great many at Skervuile on May 5th, and on 15th four seen at Butt of Lewis.
In autumn, extent, from Stornoway (Oct.), Skerryvore (Aug), Dhuheartach (Sept. and Oct.), Lismore (Aug.). Redstarts.—Skervuile (Sept.), Corsewall (Aug.). Earliest, Aug. 24th, at Skerryvore. Latest, Oct. 29th, at Dhuheartach. Rush of Redstarts all night at Lismore. The above remarks apply in all cases to Wheatears (or so-called "Stonechats"), except where otherwise specified. Numbers at Stornoway with Linnets in Oct. Considered rare here by reporter.
Prevailing winds in spring, E. through S.E. and S.S.E. to S., and variable on April 8th at Dhuheartach. Two species.
Silviinæ.—Robin.—No spring records. Autumn, Robin, Kyleakin; Stornoway, isolated examples during December; Lismore, on Nov. 11th, with Wrens and Linnets, and a few single records in September and October; Dhuheartach, few; Lamlash and Corsewall, single records, and Robins accompanying rush of other species on Aug. 28th and 29th. At Kyleakin, Robins arrived on Nov. 15th and remained all winter. Prevailing winds, W. and northerly, very rarely easterly or S.E. One species.
Phylloscopinæ.—Goldcrest.—No spring records. Autumn, slight indications and single records as far north as Dhuheartach; one at midnight on Nov. 7th, light W., haze. Then again at Lismore, Oct. 31st, light S. airs, along with Larks; Skervuile, few, Nov. 1st, light S. wind; Lamlash, one; Corsewall, great numbers, or rush, on Aug. 30th, heralded by one single bird the day before. Loch Ryan, four on Oct. 30th. One species.
Accentor.—Hedgesparrow.—A number seen in the garden at Lamlash on Nov. 21st, during stormy weather. One species.