Caprimulgidæ.—Autumn: Only one record at Isle of May, where the first was observed, Sept. 26th, along with a great Rush of other migrants (see Notes under [Turdidæ], antea).
Strigidæ.—Autumn: Records at Auskerry and Isle of May. Earliest Aug. 25th, when one "Grey Owl" seen at Isle of May, fresh E., heavy rain, and haze; latest Dec. 19th, one reddish brown Owl, at 1 p.m., S.W., clear, at same station. Other dates, Oct. 15th to 18th, two Owls stayed three days, arriving at 4 p.m. on 15th, leaving at 4 p.m. on 18th, at Auskerry, N.W. gale, showers, and haze. Also Oct. 24th, one "light brown" Owl at Isle of May, S.S.E., showery; also Nov. 28rd, one seen at Isle of May, 3 p.m., S.W., clear.
Falconidæ.—Autumn: Whalsey Skerries, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Bell Rock (all insular). Earliest July 28th, at Whalsey Skerries, one Hawk flying N.; latest Dec. 14th, at Isle of May, two "large Hawks." Rush in August and September, at Bell Rock, from which I have twenty-two returns in that time; never so many seen here before. Kestrels, principally at Isle of May, till Aug. 18th; latest Sept. 25th. Sparrowhawk. A rush at Pentland Skerries between Aug. 19th and 28th, or the same birds reappearing: all seen during the daytime, along with all other Hawks. Merlin, one on Sept. 22nd, at Sumburgh Head; another on Oct. 11th, feeding, on Snow Buntings, shot; other two seen. Falcon, one seen flying S.W., at Pentland Skerries, on Oct. 10th. Buzzards one (by description) flying S. at Isle of May, Sept. 27th. "Large Brown Hawks," or simply "Hawks," occurring principally at Isle of May. A rush between Sept. 6th and 19th, with E. winds (see [General Notes] on weather). A great rush of Hawks, Eagles, &c., took place all over the country at the latter end of September. Amongst others the following are recorded:—Ospreys, Harriers, Common and Honey Buzzards. Especially Fifeshire is noted (vide 'Field,' Oct. 8th, 1881, p. 514). Rough-legged Buzzards are recorded from localities in Forfar, Perth, and Stirlingshire, at similar stations as they usually appear at when their migration takes place, i. e., along almost precisely the same lines.
Pelicanidæ.—Autumn: Records from Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Earliest July 1st, Gannets pass Pentland Skerries daily in flocks of twelve to forty, or singly, and continue till middle of September, which is the latest record I have. Rush past Pentland Skerries appears to have been on Aug. 19th, when 2300 were counted between daylight and dark, flying chiefly E., and very few going W. On Aug. 4th large numbers at 2 p.m., at Sumburgh Head, fresh breeze, cloudy. At this station Gannets are noted as very scarce all summer, owing, it is believed, to scarcity of herrings.
Ardeidæ.—Spring: Only one Heron recorded at Whalsey Skerries, on May 29th, 8 p.m., S.E. light airs, clear; fog from N.W. after 11 p.m.—Autumn: Records at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Earliest Aug. 16th, at Sumburgh Head, flying N., chased by Gulls, light E. airs; latest Nov. 24th, at Isle of May, one seen, strong S.W., showers; Rush Sept. 3rd to 6th, at Isle of May, during which time eight were seen, all flying S., and four on the 5th, came from N., alighted and remained; wind on 3rd fresh E., and haze; on 5th fresh N.E., clear; and on 6th light W., and haze (see Note, infra). Rush also on Oct. 12th, 13th, and 14th, previous to gale of 14th, but statistics scanty. All Herons seen at Isle of May almost invariably fly S. Prevailing winds at Isle of May, W., till gale on 14th from N.N.E.
Anatidæ.—Wild Geese. Spring: Records at Whalsey Skerries, Auskerry, and Isle of May. Earliest March 6th, at Whalsey Skerries, eight resting on island for several days, E. gale, and haze; latest April 21st, at Isle of May, large flock flying E., accompanied by Curlews.—Autumn: Records at Whalsey Skerries, Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Isle of May, and Inch Keith. Earliest "Wild Geese," Oct. 2nd, at Isle of May, thirteen flying W. in line. Earliest "Barnacle," only record, Aug. 12th, at Inch Keith, one flying due N.; latest "Wild Geese," Dec. 23rd, at Isle of May. Immense flock flying N.E., 11.80 a.m., S.W., haze, approaching to fog; and another flock same day, at 12.30 p.m. Besides the above, one "Brent" Goose (?) is noted on Nov. 25th, flying N., with S.W. gale, and showers. Swans.—Spring: Records at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Bell Rock. Earliest Feb. 27th, at Sumburgh Head, two "Wild Swans," apparently much fatigued, flying S.; latest May 6th, a flock flying N.E. Autumn: Records at Sumburgh Head. Earliest Nov. 12th, at Sumburgh Head, eight flying S.E.; latest Dec. 25th, at Sumburgh Head, two resting on a lock near the lighthouse, where they frequently rest on their way south every year. Note:—If these are the same birds each year, it is interesting as proving the undeviating lines of autumn flight of waterfowl. Eider Ducks.—Spring: Whalsey Skerries only; noted as arriving at breeding haunts on March 9th. Autumn: Records at Whalsey Skerries, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Earliest July 5th, when Eiders left the island at Whalsey Skerries. "The Drakes had left previously," light S., haze, and fog; latest Oct. 20th, at Auskerry, ten Eiders remained all day; they also remain at Auskerry all winter. Rush, largest number recorded at Pentland Skerries on Oct. 8th, when a flock of 100, mostly males, were seen swimming past the island, light S. breeze, and fog; and forty took shelter on Oct. 12th, at 9 a.m., at Whalsey Skerries, S.W. gale and rain; and all left next day. Sheldrake.—Autumn: Having remained here (Auskerry) all summer since end of June, leave in September or October. Records from Auskerry and Pentland Skerries. Earliest Aug. 27th, at Pentland Skerries, one found dead; latest Oct. 5th, at Pentland Skerries, flock flying S.E. Other dates, Aug. 31st, at Pentland Skerries, flying S.; Sept. 3rd, flying about light, not striking. Teal.—One on Sept. 21st, at Isle of May, another at Pentland Skerries, on Oct. 8th. Wild Duck at Isle of May, Sept. 24th, Oct. 4th, and Nov. 21st. Long-tailed Duck at Sumburgh Head, Nov. 12th (about twenty). On Sept. 12th Tufted Ducks were abundant on Loch Leven,—the most abundant species there,—and the young were not able to fly, "some being not larger than a Water Rat." Other species seen were Scaup, Golden-eye, Pochard, Teal, and Mallard (P. D. Maloch, in lit.).
Rallidæ.—Corn Crake. Spring: One arrival noted at Cromarty on May 19th. Autumn: One in. Isle of May, Sept. 22nd (seldom seen here; vide Notes under Turdidæ); also Oct. 22nd, at Isle of May, and one at Pentland Skerries; the two dates are both dates of rushes of other migrants. The Spotted Crake has been recorded at several land stations, and found to recur at several where it occurred before. Thus one at Aberuthven Wood this season, and one at the same place three years ago (P. D. Maloch, in lit.).
Charadriadæ.—Golden Plover. Autumn: Whalsey Skerries, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Dunnet Head, and Isle of May. Earliest Aug. 3rd, at Pentland Skerries; latest Dec. 23rd. Rushes Sept. 21st and 22nd, at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May; also on Oct. 17th and 18th, at Sumburgh Head and Auskerry. Oystercatcher.—Spring: Arrived Feb. 24th at breeding haunts on Whalsey Skerries; two recorded at Isle of May, on April 12th. Autumn: Records mostly in August, at Whalsey Skerries; left Whalsey Skerries on Aug. 26th; scattered birds seen at Isle of May between 8th and 25th; three records. Lapwing.—Spring: Arrivals in April 1st to 15th, at Whalsey Skerries and Isle of May. Rushes about 1st and 11th, scarcely perceptible. Autumn: Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Earliest Aug. 27th, at Isle of May; latest Nov. 22nd. Rush past Isle of May, Sept. 22nd; "large numbers," by description, flying high (see [Turdidæ]). Ringed Plover.—Only date given is Sept. 22nd, at Isle of May, by description (see [Turdidæ]).
Scolopacidæ.—Curlew. Spring: One record at Isle of May, March 4th, four flying N.E. Autumn: Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Earliest July 20th to 30th, at Isle of May; latest Dec. 31st, also at Isle of May. Rushes Sept. 22nd, at Isle of May, numbers; and at Pentland Skerries, a few. Maximum of records at Isle of May, but in all not many. Woodcock.—Autumn: Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Earliest at Isle of May, Sept. 22nd; latest, beginning of December. Rush Oct. 20th, and for some days previous; also arrival same day of many Redwings (see [Turdidæ]). Snipe.—Autumn: Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Earliest Aug. 31st, at Isle of May, one rose off island and flew away S.; latest Dec. 21st, at Isle of May, one seen. Rush scarcely appreciable, but appeared also on Sept. 22nd, at Isle of May. Records mostly of single birds; these two species exceedingly scarce this autumn; severe winter of 1880-81 killed many, and severe spring interfered with breeding. "Sandpipers."—Autumn: Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Earliest Sept. 22nd, at Isle of May, a number (see under [Turdidæ]); latest Dec. 17th, also at Isle of May, large numbers. Rushes on these dates at Isle of May. Stragglers: species recognised and named: Dunlins, Redshanks (probably), Common Sandpiper.
Laridæ.—Terns. Spring: Arrived at Whalsey Skerries, Pentland Skerries, and Cromarty (Lesser Tern). Earliest May 28th, at Whalsey Skerries; and at Pentland Skerries, "arrived after hatching!" May 12th, and remained till August; belongs to an autumn movement (?); also at Cromarty, arrived on June 15th, left Aug. 20th. Terns appear irregular in hatching and dates of leaving various stations; but most left all stations in August, and recorded at Isle of May, passing S. Sept. 12th, 22nd, and 28th. Kittiwakes arrived in spring, at Isle of May, March 12th; only other record, in autumn, Sept. 22nd, at Isle of May (see [Turdidæ]); remained all August there, left end of month. Other species noted—Great Black-backed Gulls, flying S., Aug. 13th; large white Gulls, wheeling round Isle of May, Aug. 25th; Skuas (well described), Sept. 15th; and Oct. 19th and 29th, at Pentland Skerries, where they are "very rare." Note:—Skuas, Pomatorhine Skuas frequented the Hebrides most of the summer; I (J. A. H. B.) saw several west of Lewes, and one near Island of Rum in end of June. Iceland Gull.—A flight in December. Earliest Dec. 1st, at Sumburgh Head; latest 28th, at same place; and on 25th, same place, two, accompanying Swans. Storm Petrels.—At Whalsey Skerries two records, March 29th and June 22nd, in foggy weather, flying about lights. Autumn: Only one record of Fork-tailed Petrel at Isle of May, Aug. 15th, which struck, and was killed and sent to me, of which I now have the skin. Two pairs Common Petrel bred at Auskerry.