In autumn, returns light, as compared with most years. Earliest Snow Bunting at Pentland Skerries on September 17th ("first seen"), one bird. In October, very few at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May, but thousands—a rush of Snow Buntings—at N. Ronaldshay on 12th and 25th October. Rush November 12th to 15th (with other species). Snow Buntings usually appear with gales and snow and sleet, but this year have come in clear weather as a rule. Great numbers at N. Ronaldshay on December 5th, and have been there since last date. A few stray records of Yellow Buntings in December, and in January, 1885, and one flock of Snow Buntings on Jan. 4th, 1885.
Cuculidæ.—Only records are May 11th, one at Isle of May, and at same station June 11th and 17th, light S.E. and clear, both dates.
Strigidæ.—No records.
Falconidæ.—As usual there are numbers of records of Hawks, Falcons, &c., at most of the island stations—so many indeed that we consider it unnecessary to notice them in full, as we have hitherto done, except where rarities occur or where distinct migratory movements are clearly seen. Records of Falconidæ run all through the year in most seasons, and generally apparent, mostly due to local flights, pursuing waders or land birds. Thus in February, March, April, and May; but apparently, in 1884, not observed in June and July, re-appear in August, September, October and November, but are not recorded in December this year. Lightest returns in February, March, April and May in spring; lightest in August, November and December in autumn. Heaviest returns in September and October. They participate less in spring migration, and search of food, as at that time they have more local habits and are preparing their nesting-places, but more in autumn, because the young are hatched off, able to look after themselves, and working hard in the "struggle for existence."
The species mentioned in spring are as follows:—Game Hawk (Peregrine Falcon), Merlin, Eagles (seen several times at Sumburgh Head in April, breeding near at hand), Sea Eagles, Sparrowhawks. And in autumn, Game Hawk, Kestrel, "Yellow-spotted Hawk", "Large Yellow-spotted Hawk," (Isle of May) Merlin, Large Blue-backed, "with a white ring round front of the neck, too small for a Goshawk."
Note.—We want badly to have specimens for identification of different Hawks.
In September we have ten records of above species, at two stations, and in October ten more also at the same stations, viz.: Pentland Skerries and Isle of May; on eight dates in September and eight dates in October.
We do not think more minute data will serve any useful purpose, except where decided migrations of large numbers of Hawks are observed, or distinctly foreign or new and unusual species.
Pelecanidæ.—We have records of Solan Geese in every month in the year except January, November and December, but on only one date in February, three in March, four in April; but bulking heavier. Great numbers in May, continuing in June, increasing in July, and continuously in flocks in September. But in October only one record, and that on the 2nd. We will yet have to see where all our Gannets congregate during these three months; they are absent from our British coasts, or, at least, at their scarcest.[18] From the date of the first (February) record the almost invariable direction of flight given is "flying east," or easterly; but one record at Sumburgh Head gives "a number flying N. on April 11th, light N. clear,"[19] on to the date of September 17th. But on the 19th September an unmistakable change takes place, and while we still find up to October 2nd, Solans flying east, we also find that from Sept. 19th Solans were also flying west, past all the stations sending returns, viz., Pentland Skerries and Dunnet Head. I wish more correspondents both on East Coast of Scotland, at say Noss Head and Buchanness, and St. Abb's Head, and on the West Coast at Barra Head, Stoir Head, and Rhinns of Islay, would return daily records of the movements of Gannets, specially noting the direction and flight of flocks.
[18] See Mr. Anderson's notes on Atlantic 220 miles from Boston in May, and his notes also off Cape St. Vincent in January, 1885, in the present report, [p. 4], and evidence of the migrations of this species in previous reports.