Sterninæ, Terns.—Arrivals in spring: At Rona, a rush of 200 arrived on May 11th, light S.W. and clear. At Skervuile, one first seen on May 23rd, calm; a number arrived between 24th and 31st, light, various. At Kyleakin, Terns first seen 26th June, strong S. At M'Arthur's Head, Terns first seen 18th June. At Rhinns of Islay, Terns first seen 23rd and 24th July, light S.W. Query, return Journey? In autumn: Terns seen 11th and 12th at Skervuile; and more on 18th; and at Chickens Rock large quantities flying north on August 8th. Last seen at Kyleakin on September 6th.
Laridæ.—Considerable movements of Gulls of sorts from July 5th on to winter. Black-headed Gulls are marked as "very few this year" at Skervuile. Continuous flocks flew E. past Barra Head on Sept. 6th. Continuous flocks flew N.W. past Sound of Mull in August. Skervuile returns "numbers" about the middle of August. At one station, viz., Skervuile, the following are their recorded movements: in variable but prevailing N. to N.W. winds till Nov. 17th; thereafter light N.E. In August: 19th, one Boatswain Gull; 26th, flock of Herring Gulls; 31st, flock of Gulls. September, two records of flock of Terns, and Kittiwakes. Oct. 16th and 17th, ditto, ditto. November, on three dates Boatswain Birds and Kittiwakes. At Stoir Head vast flocks of Common Gulls and Herring Gulls passed N. Herrings "set into" Lochs Coul and Dhu, a little to the north of this, about this time, December, 1884, which locally accounts for this rush. Most of the Common Gulls were young. At Rhinns of Islay two "one-year-old Iceland Gulls" with hundreds of other Gulls flying about. We are particular in recording Gull returns, as this was an extraordinary Gull year on the East Coast.
Procellariidæ.—On July 26th one Storm Petrel on lantern at Barra Head, the earliest record of any for six years, light E. with fog. One ditto at Stoir Head (rare) in August, and one on Sept. 3rd at Lismore (also rare), killed, light N.W., haze.
Alcidæ, Razorbills, Guillemots, Puffins.—On Feb. 23rd, increased from 20th to date at Barra Head. "Marrots" and Razorbills, all March 6th to 8th, 14th to 17th, 23rd to 24th and 29th, winds light S.E. and S.W. In April: 4th to 11th, rush at Barra Head, various, N.E., clear, and Puffins; a few on 9th; 17th to 22nd, a few only of Marrots and Razorbills seen. On May 6th and 7th, Puffins, Razorbills and Marrots (Marrot or Guillemot) arrived in great numbers; and at Kyleakin two Tysties (i.e. Black Guillemots) seen flying S.E. In autumn, all left Barra Head except a few by Aug. 20th, but reappeared for a day on 30th, on which day all the Puffins left, light S.W. In October, continuous flocks of Puffins flying S. before a north gale at Rhinns of Islay, on October 12th.
General Remarks.
During the past six years' Migration Reports we have to thank many of our correspondents for the regularity with which they have acceded to our requests. Specially must we thank the following for the unbroken series of schedules during the past six years, viz.: Sumburgh Head, six years, Messrs. William Anderson (1879 and 1880), John Wilson (1880, 1881, 1882), D. M. Scott (1883 and 1884). Pentland Skerries, six years, D. MacDonald (1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1884), and Mr. J. Gilmour (1884). Dunnet Head, Caithness, five years, George McLachlan, (1879, 1880 blank), David Laidlaw (1881, 1882, 1883, 1884). Bell Rock, James Jack (1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884). Isle of May, Joseph Agnew, six years (1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884).
These stations are situated as follows:—
| Sumburgh Head | 300 feet high | white fixed light. |
| Pentland Skerries | 170 feet high | white fixed light. |
| Dunnet Head | 346 feet high | white fixed light. |
| Bell Rock | 93 feet high | white and red revolving. |
| Isle of May | 240 feet high | white fixed light. |
Were Bell Rock also a fixed white light, no doubt returns would be equally extensive, or greater, possibly, than Isle of May. The white fixed lights have superiority; and when this is combined with low height over the sea and insular position, the best conditions appear, and are only to be beaten by floating light-ships. The flash lights have little chance to compete.
Next let us also thank the following correspondents:—At Whalsea Skerries, 3 years, Neven Kerr (1880, 1881, 1882). N. Ronaldshay, four years, John Tulloch (1879, 1880, 1881, 1882). Cromarty, R. S. Ritson, four years (1880, 1881, 1882, 1883).