Motacillidæ.—Only spring record of Wagtails on May 11th two males and two females at Rhu Stoir. In autumn, earliest Aug. 27th, at Skerryvore, when one remained three days on the rock, indicating thus the correlating rush on 31st at Langness, where about a hundred in a large flock of young Pied Wagtails were seen all day. These are called "Grey Wagtails or young Pied Wagtails" by Mr. Clyne. The true Grey Wagtail is a yellow bird with a black throat and very long tail. [Surely British ornithologists can find a more descriptive and truer name than Grey Wagtail for Motacilla boarula. If confusion occurs amongst ordinary observers as to names, it is as often the fault of the naturalists who misapplied the names in the first instance as not.] In September a further rush of the same young Pied Wagtails observable on the 10th at Langness—a flock seen—and a dozen at Rhinns of Islay on 7th; and a few at Barra Head and one at Dhuheartach on Sept. 1st. In October a few at Langness, on the 6th, the latest given.
Motacillidæ, Pipits.—Earliest Meadow Pipit in spring, single records on 8th and 21st, at Skerryvore, light S.E. haze and fresh N.W. clear respectively. One rested on lantern of Lamlash Light on May 2nd. In autumn, the rush of Meadow Pipits took place at Isle of Man—Langness during Sept. 4th (a lot), 9th (very many), 24th (large flock), 29th (large flock). Earliest, August 31st (large flock). Later, a few in October at Skerryvore, on 6th and 16th, fresh S.W. breeze, and at same station on 1st and 12th Nov., fresh S.W., rain.
Muscicapidæ, Flycatchers.—Only one record at Longness (R. Clyne), the first record in six years' observation, on Sept. 11th. Mr. Clyne has met with the Pied Flycatcher on Isle of May, as well as the Spotted, but these two seen on Isle of Man are only designated "Flycatchers." As the Pied Flycatcher breeds in Cumberland and N. of England, it would be interesting to know which species (or if both) visits Isle of Man.
Hirundinidæ, Swallows.—Dates of arrivals are as follows:—March 30th, at Corsewall. It is worthy of note that I observed a Swallow at Glendoune Girvan hawking for insects as late in autumn of 1884 as Nov. 8th (see [East Coast Report]). May 11th, three seen at Rhu Stoir (an early arrival for Sutherland W. coast, J. A. H. B.), light south, one seen at Skerryvore, light S.E.; 17th, one at Skerryvore, fresh, S.W.; 14th, three at Lamlash; 19th, several all day at Rhinns of Islay, light S.E., haze; 21st, one seen at Rhu Stoir, light S.; 22nd, two Sand Martins at Barra Head; June 3rd and 4th, two Sand Martins at Barra Head, light N., cloudy; 19th, two Swallows at Kyleakin, flying S., light S. and clear; 22nd, one Swallow at Rhu Stoir, light fog and rain; 29th, great numbers (rush) flying around at Mull of Galloway, and ditto flying E. at same place on 30th; and on 30th one seen at Cape Wrath; in July, eight Swallows on 3rd and "scores" on 4th (probably local at Mull of Galloway, preparing for departure); one at Langness on. 25th; in August, flock at Langness of Swallows on 20th, and another on 25th; in September, several on 5th, at Langness, and on 8th and 10th, and single records at same place, and at Rhinns of Islay on 29th and 30th; in October, a large flock of Swallows and a party of twelve at Langness, and a flock at Chickens Rock on 6th; a flock of twelve on 19th at Langness, the latest record.
Fringillidæ.—Very few returns in spring. A few Grey Linnets on May 12th at Skervuile, and a few at Rona, Skye, on 26th, being all. In autumn, a rush, and earliest record save one, at Rhuvaal, of young Grey Linnets flying W. on Aug. 20th, and a few same day at Skervuile. The earliest date is a flock at Isle of Man (Langness) on July 29th. Latest record on Nov. 19th of Green Linnets, a rush of 700 or 800, and rushes between 4th and 19th, all at Langness. Bushes during latter end of October at Langness, and sufficient indications at several stations N. of Clyde, as Kyleakin, Skervuile, and Rhinns of Islay. This species bulks largest in all the schedules. Other species noticed are Sparrows (large flock at Langness, Oct. 13th); "Mountain Sparrow" (true Tree Sparrow), one at Rhinns of Islay; "Small Linnets" (Twites or Redpoles?) at Rhinns of Islay, Oct. 21st; Chaffinch, a few stray entries at Dhuheartach, one found dead on rock on Nov. 2nd, others seen on 17th and 19th (male), and a flock at Langness on Oct. 3rd.
Emberizidæ, Buntings.—Snow Buntings in spring, 203 on 14th to 17th March at Barra Head; a large flock at Rhu Stoir on 16th, and one female, same place, on 24th; flock at Monach Isles April 4th; one female at Rhu Stoir as late as June 2nd, fresh various rain. In autumn, records light everywhere. One in October only at Barra Head; ten on Nov. 2nd at Cape Wrath; ten on 7th at Barra Head; odd birds at Skerryvore and Dhuheartach on 16th, and an apparent rush or local flight of fifty on Island at Rhinns of Islay on 14th, and a number (with Thrushes) on 16th at same place.
Alaudidæ, Larks.—Autumn migration of 1883-4 continued with some force into January, 1884, especially noted at Kyleakin, or these may have been local flights. In spring, Larks occur sparingly at same time as Thrushes and Starlings. Feb. 1st, at Lamlash, and Feb. 19th at Skerryvore; also nine (three killed) at latter station March 10th; no more till June 15th; "Larks" at Skervuile, and four on 29th at Dhuheartach. In July, four at Dhuheartach. In autumn, earliest record at Dhuheartach on Aug. 1st, the only record that month; then only a single bird all September, on 21st, at Langness. Latest record, October 24th, a few at Rhinns of Islay. The rush was very great, and took place between the 14th and 21st October, or perhaps more compressed still between the 14th and 19th Oct. The whole duration of time in which Larks migrated is thus very limited this season, viz., between Oct. 14th and Oct. 24th, the latest date given. During the rush, which was observable principally at Rhinns of Islay, north of Clyde, the wind was northerly or north-westerly, the same as on the East Coast at the same dates, which accounts for the body of the rush penetrating more to the north and reaching further than in other winds. At Rhinns of Islay hundreds, and on 19th thousands were seen, wind fresh W. to N.W. All flying west. On the East Coast the winds favourable to their continued flight prevented my observing them in any great numbers at Isle of May, but there can scarcely be any doubt these great flights passed up the Firth of Forth, as we had plentiful opportunities of seeing almost continuous indications of their presence at the above dates on the Isle of May. The stations returning Larks are Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, and Rhinns of Islay, and Langness (only a small record on Oct. 2nd). Query, will our Irish Coast returns show the continuance of this flight of Larks?
Sturninæ, Starlings.—Spring, rare indications at Rhu Stoir, March 25th (probably local), one female, and at Lamlash, one on April 1st, and March 2nd one killed, and at Corsewall on Feb. 19th, struck along with Thrushes and Larks. The latter record may have been an indication of real migration, the others are most likely local only. In autumn, earliest Aug. 12th, at Isle of Man, a flock; on 23rd, a number at Rhinns of Islay, culminating in hundreds and hundreds on August 30th at Langness (Isle of Man), and again in hundreds and hundreds at Langness Sept. 18th, and indication by a flock at Mull of Galloway. Again, in October, rushes evident it may be said between 18th and 23rd, and on 29th, observable at Kyleakin (on 18th), at Mull of Galloway on 22nd and 23rd, "flocks," and on 29th by 200 or 300 at Rhinns of Islay. Another rush along with Thrushes, &c., dating Nov. 14th, at Rhinns of Islay. Indications of movements also at Kyleakin and Dhuheartach on Nov. 1st and 2nd. Latest, a solitary record on Dec. 24th at Lamlash. Migration of this species we may designate in 1884 as short, sharp and decisive.
Corvidæ, Crows.—Spring: movement of Carrion Crows, Ravens and Rooks few, and only in February and March. In February, "Black Crows" at Barra Head, one on 23rd, and fifteen on 14th and 15th, fresh S.E. and strong E.; also Carrion Crows at Skerryvore (three, "very seldom seen") flying around, fresh S. clear. Ravens, two at Cape Wrath (probably breeding in the neighbourhood, at Craig Riabhach), light S.W. haze; and one at Skerryvore flying N.E. Rooks at Rhu Stoir, probably belonging to one of two rookeries in N. and W. of Sutherland, viz., at Cama Loch in W. Cromarty, or at Tongue. In autumn, from 1st to 25th Aug., a very large flock, mostly young, feeding daily around Rhu Stoir (probably a local visitation from Cama Loch or Tongue), but Tongue Rooks are known to feed, regularly in winter at Far-out Head in the neighbourhood of Durness, and in severe winters are seen going there and returning in evening. The Rhu Stoir birds are therefore more likely to belong to the Cama Loch rookery. At Chickens Rock, Isle of Man, a number of Rooks flying W. towards Ireland on 11th August. No records in September. In October, Hooded and Carrion Crows flying W.S.W. for Ireland at Rhinns of Islay, and a few seen for days at Langness, feeding, about the same time. Records continue to increase in November, a rush of hundreds and thousands at Rhinns of Islay by 13th, continuing in force up to 17th and 18th, flying east on 13th, but resting or flying S.W. on 17th and 18th, along with enormous rush of Curlews, Woodcocks, Snipe, Sandpipers, Larks, Redwings, Thrushes, Starlings, Blackbirds, and a few Jacksnipes. Latest record on 19th. Also Ravens same dates, a few, and Jackdaws on 16th and 1st Dec. at Skerryvore and Dhuheartach.
Cypselidæ, Swifts.—On July 20th, about twenty flying S., strong E., rain and haze, at Skervuile, and at same station a few along with Swallows, light E. and clear.