Emberizidæ.—Buntings, Snow Buntings, Common Buntings. Yellow Hammers.—In Spring.—Snow Buntings (2) at N. Unst; snow. In March one ditto, 25th, and as late as April 19th one bird. [These are no doubt late stragglers of last year's migration.—J. A. H.-B.] No more records till September.
In Autumn.—Large flock of Snow Buntings at Dunnet Head on 23d, and small numbers at N. Unst on 19th, 20th, and 23d. The first seen at Pentland Skerries this season was on the 1st October, fresh S. haze; and four again on the 12th. Not numerous anywhere all this month. Bulked largest in November and December; few at N. Unst; flocks at Pentland Skerries on four dates of 4th to 17th, and a good number at Isle of May on 6th. Flocks at Isle of May in December, and a few at Sumburgh Head and Pentland Skerries. Yellow Hammer only once mentioned at Isle of May on 10th February—a single bird. Common Bunting, single birds, on 8th, 15th, and 27th March, at Pentland Skerries; once in April at same station; once in July ditto; very few records in September, same station; and in October, same station. None later, nor at any other station.
Alaudidæ.—Larks.—Larks are entered under every month in the year except July and August. They are least abundant in April, May, and June—of these months in which they do occur in Spring,—and in November and December. Numbers and rushes in September and October in Autumn, and in January 1887. (Probably local movements.) Large numbers in Spring 1886, on 15th February.
In Spring.—They visited Isle of May, and stayed for some weeks in February. Other slight records occur at Pentland Skerries and Bell Rock same month. Considerable movements also all March at Isle of May and Fidra.
In Autumn.—Greatest numbers in September, on 25th to 29th, at Sumburgh Head; and on 27th and 29th at Isle of May. Strong W. and S.W. winds. A very heavy and very general rush is recorded during October from each and all of the following stations:—Pentland Skerries, 16th; Isle of May, 18th to 28th, culminating at latter date, preceded by "great numbers" and "large numbers" on preceding dates; at Inchkeith (9th, "flocks of") and at Fidra; 5th to 6th, and 14th to 17th, "numbers" and "flocks all day." ["Wood Larks" are also mentioned by name, but probably Pipits?—J. A. H.-B.] "Great flocks" again at Isle of May on 22d.
Sturninæ.—Starlings.—In Spring.—Absent from N. Unst between 1st and 18th February. Returned to the rock again on 26th. Visit Isle of May for some weeks in February, and remain in still larger numbers till late in March, but decreasing again in April. Preparing to breed at Fidra by 16th April. Breeds also at Isle of May, but cannot quite be looked upon as a resident there. Nests found on Fidra in June. Flocks of young every day at Isle of May in August. Rush did not take place till 5th at Fidra, 28th at Isle of May. Seemed to be collecting for some time previous to great rush on 28th. First autumn movement noticed at N. Unst was not till 10th to 12th November; then seen daily. Last record at Fidra on 25th November.
Corvidæ.—Rooks, Ravens, Crows, Hooded Crows, Jackdaws, Choughs (or "Red-legged Crows").—In Spring.—Hooded Crows and Ravens occasionally seen at N. Unst—resident? Also Raven occasionally seen there in March, April, September, October, and November, always one, two, three, or four, and therefore probably birds breeding, or reared on N. Unst main-island. In the same way Ravens occasionally seen at N. Ronaldshay, Pentland Skerries, etc., can only be looked upon as "on predatory quest intent."
"Black Crows" at N. Unst are probably Rooks, usually "flying south" (if they come from E. turning south no doubt at Unst). We would like to feel sure if these Black Crows are Carrion Crows or Rooks; but "Rooks" by name are never mentioned at N. Unst. Indeed, "Rooks" by name are only mentioned by reporters from Pentland Skerries and Fidra, but "Black Crows" and "Crows" seem to have general application even at Isle of May. We would like Rooks distinguished from Carrion Crows or Corbie Crows. The terms "Crows" and "Black Crows" might mean either the Carrion Crow or the Rook. [Those who have Johns' book will easily see the difference.—J. A. H.-B.] Considerable movements all through the year, extending from N. Unst southwards, of Hooded Crows and "Black Crows" and Rooks. Jackdaws visited Isle of May in a fog in April, and stayed all night of the 11th; and two had previously been seen on March 19th. Noticed also occasionally at Fidra. Heaviest appearances of Corvidæ in October when migration was almost continuously heavy; lightest, however, at N. Unst; heaviest at Pentland Skerries 5th to 11th October. Continuous but much lighter returns from N. Unst, N. Ronaldshay, Pentland Skerries, and Fidra, in September, and curiously, none from Isle of May. Light returns again from N. Unst and Fidra in November, and only two from Pentland Skerries in December.
The uniformity of time in rushes of almost all species is singular this season, October being the favoured month.
Cypselidæ.—Swifts.—["Swallow Swift" of Isle of May returns.]—In spring or summer three "Swallow Swifts" at Isle of May, light, W., clear. No other records, except one on 3d May at same station.