Cuculidæ.—Cuckoo. Spring: General at stations. At Loch Ryan, May 3rd (two heard); Rhinns of Islay, 15th; Skervuile, 4th; McArthur's Head, 23rd; Lismore, 10th; Isle Ornsay, Skye, 8th: Kyleakin, 3rd; Island Glass, 24th (seen); Stornoway, 9th. In autumn, heard in July often at Stornoway; left about Aug. 1st at Isle Ornsay.
Strigidæ.—"Owl." Only one autumn record at Kyleakin, when one was seen flying south on Nov. 4th, wind S.E. clear.
Falconidæ.—"Hawks." At Skerryvore, and Rhuvaal two "large Hawks" on Feb. 8th (this may belong to latest autumn record). One at Skerryvore on May 15th. Autumn: At Monach, Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, and Little Ross.[3] Earliest Sept. 17th ("Hawk"), at Dhuheartach; latest Oct. 29th, at Skerryvore ("Small Brown Hawk"). Rush daily about Sept. 17th at Dhuheartach, but likely the same birds. "Daily call" at Dhuheartach about Oct. 5th. No really appreciable rush as on the east coast.
[3] The names given are "Hawk," "Game Hawk" at Little Ross, Aug. 21st; "Merlin" at Monach, Oct. 3rd; "Small Hawk" at Skerryvore, Aug. 5th; "Small Brown Hawk" at Skerryvore on Oct. 29th. I include them all here.
Pelicanidæ.—Gannet. N.B. As we have indications of directions of flight in most cases, and as records occur in every month, except October, November, and December, I take spring and autumn together, and trace out the movements of Gannets with extra care. Stations reported from: Cape Wrath, Rhu Stoir, Butt of Lewis, Island Glass, Monach, Skerryvore, Lismore, Rhuvaal, Skervuile, Portpatrick, Mull of Galloway, Little Ross, Douglas Head. Earliest, Jan. 2nd; flying south (autumn ?), at Skervuile; one same day, flying north (?); latest, October; leave Cape Wrath in first week. Last minute record, Sept. 30th, at Lismore, flying south. The greatest movements or rushes as follows:—The first week in March they arrive in all weathers, all day, flying west till midday at Cape Wrath, and return after that till dusk. They are not seen after first week in October. "Great numbers" on April 12th at Mull of Galloway. Intermittent in May, except 5th, at Island Glass, when they were seen all day—about thirty-five in all—wind S.S.E. Between 20th and 30th, at Skervuile, flying in all directions, along with Gulls and sea-birds. In July flocks flying north, on 26th, at Cape Wrath, and continued to do so till end of August. Daily average about forty. Flying past all August; flying north on 13th at Portpatrick all day. Great rush flying north in thousands on 3rd, 4th, and 5th at Rhu Stoir. Small parties or flocks flying south on 5th at Skerryvore, and S.W. at Douglas on Aug. 26th. "Numbers" and "flocks" in September, flying south at Lismore, Skervuile, and Douglas. N.B.—I have been particular here in noting records, as I believe interest attaches especially in the connection of the migration of birds with that of fish.—J. A. H. B.[4]
[4] For an essay on which subject I offered a prize at the late International Fisheries Exhibition in Edinburgh, which was not competed for.
Ardeidæ.—Heron. Note.—"Large Black Cranes" are recorded as passing Rhuvaal on Feb. 12th and 16th, wind N. to S. clear; and mod. S.E. clear. I cannot learn what these are.—Autumn: At Monach, Rhuvaal, Douglas. Earliest Aug. 24th, at Rhuvaal; latest Nov. 18th, at Monach, when eighteen were seen—a rush?
Anatidæ.—Bernicle Goose (sp. ?). Spring: Large flock at Monach April 28th, flying N.W. Ditto ? at Stornoway, Ushenish, Lismore (three struck at latter station, two killed, one wounded), flying south. Latest May 3rd, at Ushenish (ten flying north). Autumn: Bernicle Goose (only record here) at Monach, Oct. 20th. "Wild Geese" at Cape Wrath, Rhu Stoir, Butt of Lewis, Ushenish, Kyleakin, Lamlash, Corsewall. Earliest Oct. 6th, at Rhu Stoir (seven ad. and one juv.); latest Dec. 4th, at Kyleakin (four flying east). Rushes inappreciable, equally distributed in small flocks during October (especially latter half) and November. Eider Duck. Spring: Butt of Lewis and Rhu Stoir on April 28th and June 23rd respectively. Autumn: At Butt of Lewis, Skerryvore, Dhuheartach. Earliest Sept. 11th, at Skerryvore; latest Nov. 12th, at Dhuheartach. Others on Oct. 10th at Butt of Lewis, &c. No rush apparent. Wild Duck. Spring: Lismore (in pairs), May 20th. Autumn: "Ducks" Nov. 2nd, at Rhuvaal (three dozen), and at Rhuvaal Dec. 7th (probably the same lot as on Nov. 2nd, q.v.) Sheldrake. Autumn: Only records at Douglas Head in August, flying S. on 21st, and flying S. on 27th. Wigeon. Autumn: At Monach only on Oct. 30th; remained till Nov. 7th, during which time unusual numbers occurred. Date of Nov. 7th strong S.S.E. to W.S.W. winds, gales, and heavy rain. Wild Swans. At Skervuile one Swan remained three days, arriving Feb. 6th, 1881.
Columbidæ.—Rock Dove. Only record: One sighted at Monach, and flew away again about midnight. Fresh east breeze and rain.
Rallidæ.—Corn Crake. Occurred first as follows:—Mull of Galloway, May 5th; Loch Ryan, 4th; Skervuile, 22nd; Kyleakin, 24th; Butt of Lewis, 28th; Rhu Stoir, June 20th.