Hirundinidæ.—In spring, i.e., till end of June, records reach me from Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. (It is often difficult to draw the line in the case of Hirundinidæ, between spring migration, local flights, and autumn migration. This year, however, they are tolerably distinct, as I have no records during the whole of July). Earliest spring record is at Sumburgh Head, on April 21st, a single bird, and the next is at Isle of May on April 26th; winds in both cases S.E., and two more on 28th. No more till May 14th, with S.W. wind at Isle of May. Occasional light returns all through May, at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May; winds easterly at former, and westerly at latter. Note.—None breed at Isle of May. No rush distinguishable. In June the dates are 5th (at Sumburgh Head and at Pentland Skerries), Sand Martin; 10th, four seen at Sumburgh Head, and 13th, 14th, 17th and 26th, at different stations; winds from all directions between S.W. at Sumburgh Head by N. to E. Swallows arrived at Cromarty on May 13th; first seen.
In autumn, the movement, as far as I can judge, extended through August and September, and lingered into October, the latest record coming from Sumburgh Head on Oct. 6th. A rush is indicated by the returns on Sept. 8th and 15th at Isle of May, when "considerable numbers," "large numbers," and on the 19th, "some," are the data. Wind light W. on 8th, and easterly the other days. The directions of flight of Swallows recorded in August vary considerably. Thus, at Pentland Skerries, one Martin flying E.; strong S.E. and rain, on Aug. 8th; one Swallow, "flying around," on 9th; fresh E., showers, and "flying W."; on 20th light S.E. and haze. At Isle of May, five Swallows flying S., light S.E., haze on 22nd, and flock "flying S." on 30th; light S.E., haze. Swallows left Cromarty on Sept. 8th; last seen.
Land Notes.—Swallows seen by me in some numbers at Kirkmichael House, Dumfries, on evening of April 13th, flying over the artificial ponds. Also seen at Morningside by A. B. Herbert, on 15th. I have the following notes from Dr. John Grieve, at Bridge of Allan, which locality is famed in spring for the shelter afforded from east winds. Dr. Grieve's notes refer however to autumn notes. In 1880 Swifts left the Bridge of Allan on Aug. 10th. In 1879 Swifts left between 8th and 17th, and in 1882 on the 8th. "Previous to leaving they always chase one another round the houses until two days before leaving; then they appear to keep to higher air." In 1881 two were seen on May 3rd, being the first arrivals. In 1880 about 200 "Martins and a few Swallows collected on two houses in Bridge of Allan on Aug. 22nd, and similar congregations took place in smaller numbers on 27th to 31st, and on Sept. 8th. On Oct. 4th, frost; and in afternoon some twenty-five seen. On Oct. 6th, five to one hundred seen hawking over the wood behind Bridge of Allan. On 8th, six seen. On 8th, hard frost and fog; four seen flying about in silence; next morning, hard frost. On 20th, 15° frost; on 21st, 6°; 22nd, 10°; and 23rd, 2°. But on 23rd two Swallows seen. These were the last that year." In 1882 great numbers of Swallows and Martins were seen flying eastward, outside the cliffs of Beachy Head on Oct. 4th, and a good many remained along the undercliff of the Isle of Wight at Ventnor.
The above notes by Dr. Grieve are quite to the point, and if we could continue to receive land notes such as these from all parts of the country they would be sure to prove most useful, even if confined to one or two species of regular migrants.
Fringillidæ.—Both in spring and autumn, one of the features of the 1883 migration is the number of records of Finches (also of Thrushes, and to a less extent of Buntings), whilst Thrushes—of sorts—and Finches, seem usually to travel together; there seems, if we may so call it, more uniform action in the formers' movements in 1883. The Thrushes' movements are more compressed: those of Finches more extended in time; or, in other words, the spring and autumn migrations of the Turdidæ are more strongly defined than those of the Finches. Thrushes (including Blackbirds and all species) are totally absent during June and July (not including residents of course), and almost absent during August and September, and again the same in December and January (1884). But, though the migrations of the Finches are easily defined, still they do spread out more over the whole year, and, with the exception of July, occupy considerable space in the schedule. These remarks are intended to apply only to 1883, not as a general statement.
In spring, records come from five of the stations giving returns, viz., Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock and Isle of May. The earliest, two Green Linnets at Isle of May, on Feb. 17th (the only record of that month). Again, at Isle of May, Tree Sparrows and Chaffinches on March 2nd—single birds. Latest, June 22nd, at Pentland Skerries—four "Linnets." These are probably Twites or else Grey Linnets. During April, between 1st and 5th, there was a rush of Grey Linnets with light W. wind, clear, along with other species; and during the month there are lighter movements recorded of the following species:—Chaffinch, Sumburgh Head; Common Sparrow, Pentland Skerries; Green Linnets, Isle of May; Bramblings, Tree Sparrows and Bullfinches. Wind at Sumburgh Head light S.E., but elsewhere generally light W. and usually clear. In May a small flock of Sparrows at Auskerry, from the 14th to 31st; one Brambling, one Chaffinch, one Green Linnet, between 10th and 15th, with fresh N.N.E. wind.
In autumn, at North Unst, one flock, Oct. 17th; S.E., light, haze; Sumburgh Head, considerable migration in October—November with other species (see [Thrush]). Pentland Skerries, small indication as compared with more southerly stations; Chanonry, light; Tarbat Ness, full migration; Bell Rock, rush; and Isle of May, rushes. Earliest, Aug. 5th; numbers of small flocks; wind light W. at Isle of May. Latest, Dec. 26th, at Isle of May. Rushes:—General rush of migrants, Sept. 22nd, at Isle of May, in which Bramblings participated; Oct. 13th, at Tarbat Ness, Bramblings, wind due S.; also rush of same, 15th and 16th, same place; and rush also of Tree Sparrows, Chaffinches, "Green Buntings" (? Green Linnets), and Linnets, at Chanonry; strong breeze and showers; movements all through October of these same species; also Linnets at Pentland Skerries; Siskins ("Sisting" of schedule), one flock, old and young, on 7th, at Tarbat Ness, and again five on Oct. 29th. Light S., haze, on 30th at Pentland Skerries—date of principal rush,—but westerly gales at Tarbat Ness on 29th. At the time of rush between Oct. 13th and 16th, at Tarbat Ness, the wind began at due S.; 14th, strong S., and to noon on 10th; then to W. and west gale at night of 15th. West gales continued to end of month. By Nov. 1st to 3rd a vast rush at Bell Rock and Isle of May, and also at Sumburgh Head. By the 5th, rush all over and almost all left. Pentland Skerries did not appear to participate largely in this rush. The species are chiefly Chaffinches and Bramblings, also Green Linnets, Gray Linnets and Sparrows. Prevailing winds westerly. In December, fewer records at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Winds prevailing N.W. and W. At Dunnet Head "Linnets" are reported present all the year round. In January, 1884, one or two light records of Brambling and Greenfinch at Isle of May. Latest, Jan. 12th. Note.—Mr. Gilmour, Pentland Skerries, writes he was not sure of the Chaffinches at that station, when he took up the keeping of the records, and that they may prove to be Snow Buntings, which is very likely. Mr. D. M. Scott, at Sumburgh Head, writes under date of Oct. 11th, "a number of small birds killed on balcony: picked up four Green Linnets and two Chaffinches. I discovered to-day what becomes of them after being killed. In a hole of a stone dyke I found a large number of wings and legs of small birds, taken there by Weasels" (i.e., Mustela erminea, which was introduced to Shetland. The Common Weasel, Mustela vulgaris, is not an inhabitant of Shetland). If Mr. Scott would in future collect all the wings and send them to me by post, they would be useful in identifying species; or, at any time, if a rare bird occurs, the name of which is not known, the wings, might be sent (see addition to letter of instructions, issued 1884). Mr. Agnew notes that he had never before witnessed such a large migration at Isle of May, with a due S. wind, as that of Oct. 13th, 14th, and 15th. Chaffinch was heard singing on Feb. 28th at Dunipace.
Corvidæ.—I have records every month in the year but June. In January, 1884, one Hooded Crow flying north, W.S.W. gale, clear. In February, 1883, records of Grey Crows, Jackdaws (at Isle of May, "very rare" on 13th and 14th, light S. and S.W., shifting to N). Rooks (at Isle of May, on. 19th, a single bird). In March, Rooks (at Pentland Skerries a flock all day, fresh S.E., cloudy), and one Hooded Crow (on 19th at Isle of May, light, S.E.). In April, at Sumburgh Head, Bell Rock, and Isle of May, Rooks and Carrion Crows and one Hooded Crow; prevailing winds S.E., clear. One Black Crow flying north at Noss Head, with light N.W. and clear. In May two records only at Sumburgh Head on 3rd, and at Pentland Skerries, on 11th, of Rooks (two flying W., fresh W. breeze and clear).
In autumn, in July, all the records are of Rooks, all at one station, viz., Pentland Skerries, and in each case birds remaining on island all day; winds moderate N., cloudy or clear, but strong S. on 27th. In August, Rooks again at Pentland Skerries, on island; single birds. The above are probably merely local predatory excursions from the mainland of Scotland. In Sept. eighteen Ravens seen at Sumburgh Head, flying S., light N.E. and clear. In October many more records. At Sumburgh Head twelve to twenty Hooded Crows continually fighting with, four large Hawks, one of which was so exhausted as nearly to allow Mr. D. M. Scott to catch it on the ground. Many single or other light records. The most seen, thirty Jackdaws (the largest flock Mr. Agnew has ever seen on Isle of May), on Oct. 15th, S. to W. winds; also twenty-six Carrion Crows and a few "Hoodies" on 31st at Isle of May. Of these sixteen came from the north at 3 p.m., light S. and haze. In November Carrion and Hooded Crows attended the rush of migrants on 1st, coming from the north. On the 3rd the Isle of May was literally swarming with birds, and on the 9th Jackdaws, two in number, reappeared; light W., clear. In December, at Sumburgh Head, two "large Black Crows" (Carrion Crows?), or, as the natives call them, "Scotch Crows"; strong breeze and hail showers. A very regular local migration of Crows or Rooks takes place day after day past Chanonry from and to Nairn, feeding in the morning and back at night. At Sumburgh Head Grey Crows are seen almost daily. Land Notes.—Mr. R. Gray writes me that great numbers of Hooded Crows are at present frequenting Tyne Woods on the estate of the Earl of Haddington in East Lothian. They came some time ago in a body, and have been seen feeding on the mud and sands of the estuary, and betaking themselves to the woods at night to roost. These are evidently migratory flocks, which have crossed Heligoland and landed on our east coast without being actually observed in transit.
Sturninæ.—In spring, from Feb. 8th at Pentland Skerries to April 23rd at same place. Only four records in that time.