In Autumn.—Two Swifts at Pentland Skerries catching insects round the tower; light, S.W.
Cuculidæ.—Cuckoo.—Only one notice at Isle of May on 18th May.
Picidæ.—Woodpeckers.—The Great Spotted Woodpeckers appeared in considerable numbers this autumn along the eastern counties of Scotland, in one or two cases reaching to the west counties south of the Firth of Clyde. Almost all the specimens examined by us and by Mr Evans of Edinburgh proved to be either old birds or birds with very slight traces of immaturity. The only ones appearing at lighthouses known to us was one sent us from Pentland Skerries, and one obtained at Isle of May. It occurred also, as we are informed by Mr E. Service, in the Solway district. This flight occurred in October, and I find the Pentland Skerries bird bears date of 14th.[6]
[6] Another is reported from N. Unst (see Diary from the Stations). Besides these, we have records of the following, obligingly sent us by Mr Geo. Sim of Aberdeen; and we obtained other records from Fife; also one from Dumfries, from Mr Service of Maxwelltown, Dumfries. We had hoped also to have added all the records of specimens examined by Mr Evans; but up to date of going to press, these records have not come to hand. It would have been better to have them all recorded in one place.
One; Monyruy, Parish of Longside, Aberdeen, 29th August 1886.
One; Brucklay Castle, Parish of New Deer, Aberdeen, 30th October 1886.
One; Drumtochty Castle, Kincardineshire, 29th November 1886.
One; Drumtochty Castle, Kincardineshire, 27th February 1887.
Strigidæ.—Owls.—A very slight record, and entirely in October. One "Large Grey Owl" at Pentland Skerries. "The first seen for a long time; sat on the island." Three Short-Eared Owls on 8th, 9th. and 19th respectively, at Isle of May, and one Grey Owl again at Pentland Skerries on 29th. "Flew across island."
Falconidæ.—"Hawks," Falcons, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawk, Merlin, Peregrine, etc.—Records scattered more or less through the year as usual, but March, August, and December contain none. October again has largest number. Species noted are Peregrine ("or Falcon"), "Hawks," Kestrel (daily for a week at N. Unst), Sparrow Hawk, Large Hawks (Bell Rock, 19th October); "flying W.," etc.
Of Cormorants we have spring records in April at N. Unst, daily fishing. Daily records at same place in September between 1st and 9th, about four or five pairs. One pair breeds regularly, and rears young at N. Unst (noted 11th July 1886). Also at Fidra—six birds to twelve—from 6th to 29th (three records).
We have no notes on the Green Cormorant or Shag or Crested Cormorant from any stations.
To the Reporters.