As early as March, 1884, vast numbers of Gulls are reported to have been fishing off N. Unst in Shetland for many weeks together, such an assemblage never having been observed before by the oldest inhabitant.
I feel convinced that a steady and carefully recorded journal of bird movements will result in very extensive additions to our knowledge of the natural laws which govern them.
In conclusion, I may say that in the course of another year's work we hope to be able to produce some certain data regarding this matter of relative conditions of the temperatures of the Arctic Ocean in 1884-5, and the data already given above, from inquiries now being made by Mr. Alexander Buchan of the Scottish Meteorological Society; also the connections between such data and the migrations of Entomostraca and "whales food"; also to institute a comparison with similar or dissimilar conditions in other years.
Mr. William Evans, a most careful and excellent Field Naturalist, sends me records of the occurrence of high Arctic birds on the Firth of Forth in 1884. The Grey Plover, Knot, and Bar-tailed Godwit were seen on the 9th August (which, however, was the first day Mr. Evans visited the shore). The Sanderling was seen on the 14th August, and the Little Stint on the 20th.
Anticipatory of our 1885 Report, it may interest our readers here to learn that the spring migration of 1885 has developed still more extraordinary results, such as the migration of Pied Flycatchers dining the first week in May, past Pentland Skerries, Isle of May, and other stations; and the occurrence of such rarities as Ortolan Buntings, Red-backed Shrike, &c., at Isle of May about the same time. White Wagtails also have been commonly observed at land-stations. (Vide R. Gray, Esq.)
WEST COAST OF ENGLAND AND WALES.
Schedules were sent to the forty-four lighthouses and light-vessels on the West Coast of England and Wales, and from twenty-five of them returns have been received.
The following is an enumeration of the stations, taken in order from north to south, those from which returns were furnished being marked with an asterisk:—