Mr. Morrison, at Cape Wrath, Bays birds are scarce at this station: the coast being so wild they keep more inland. Gamuts frequent the coast all the year from February to November. The Peregrine Falcon is on the coast almost all the year.
From Stoir Head Mr. Wither sends a few notes on land birds. Arrival of Swallow noted May 11th, rather an early date for the West Coast of Sutherland. Gannets were passing north continuously in August.
Mr. Youngclause, after a long residence on the Monach Isles, has removed to an E. Coast station, but sends a last schedule from the former, dating March 30th to April 7th. Wrens seem scarce here, and the Goldcrest he saw this year, but never on any previous occasion. A robin had not been seen before for ten years until April 7th, 1884. Snow Buntings on April 4th are noted as unusual.
Mr. Youngclause adds "There has been a great scarcity of birds at this station for a number of years back, and unless the winds happen to be off the mainland, with hazy weather at the time of migration, we scarcely see a bird. Even Eider Ducks have deserted this place of late years, ever since we had the fearful storm of Nov. 15th, 1877, but I am told they have been very abundant about the Sound of Barra, and the sheltered places on the east side of the island."
Mr. William Irvine sends two interesting schedules from Barra Head. In September a continuous flight of birds flying east is noticed on 6th, light S.E. wind.
From Rona Lighthouse the Goldcrest, a single bird, is recorded in October as unusual, and is accurately described; evidently of rare occurrence here.
I have to thank Mr. McCulloch, Kyleakin, for the careful attention he has given to the subject of direction of flight in every instance of a record, and, I may add, I am pleased to find much more attention paid throughout the 1884 records to this important item of our inquiries.
Skerryvore.—Mr. Thomas Dawson sends full schedules from February to December, but remarks, "Not one bird seen here between Dec. 1st and Jan. 15th, date of latest schedule." The only evidence of rushes was that of Turdidæ, in November, correlating with E. coast rushes, but there are many light entries. The same gale which detained a Blackbird on the rock also detained Mr. Crow, the under light-keeper, twelve days after time at Hynish Signal Tower. He and the Blackbird changed residence on the same date.
Dhuheartach.—Numerous light entries also from this station, dating Dec. 2nd, by Mr. William Davidson.
Sound of Mull.—Mr. William McLellan pays careful attention to the directions of flight, and set of the tides and movements of birds in connection therewith.