Wild Swans are noted on 12th April, and four on 25th at N. Ronaldshay; and thirty on one occasion at Sumburgh Head.
Note.—A most remarkable assemblage of Eider Ducks took place off the west shore of Harris, as seen and reported to me by James Cowan, Esq., M.P. He writes, under date of 18th March 1887: "Last year, owing to the easterly winds, we had not less than 3000 Eiders within four miles of our cottage, on the west coast of Harris; and the year before there was not one."
Columbidæ.—Pigeons, Doves.—Rock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove.—A Turtle Dove was obtained at Isle of May on 31st May 1886; wind light S.E., and haze. An addition to the Isle of May list and collection; at present at Dunipace House.
A single record of a Wood Pigeon, "seldom seen here," at Pentland Skerries on 18th June; and another at same place on 7th October, "flying west; rare "—fresh, variable, and haze.
A single record of Rock Pigeons (a flock) on 20th at Pentland Skerries, and the remark, "seldom seen." There were twenty in the flock.
Rallidæ.—Corncrake, Water Rail, etc.—Heard first time at Pentland Skerries on 19th May, and at Cromarty on 25th. Above are the only records of any of the Rails.
Charadriadæ.—Plover, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dotterel, Ringed Dotterel or Ringed Plover, Oyster-Catcher or Sea Pie, Grey Plover, Golden Plover.—In Spring.—Movements scarce; in February (one record on 25th at Pentland Skerries); in March (one record at same).
In Autumn.—No great movements recorded. First seen at N. Ronaldshay August 25; spoken of as "arrived." Very few records in September, October, or November. Slight increase in December at Pentland Skerries only. Of Oyster-Catchers or Sea Pies rather more frequent returns, but bulking only in September and October. In Spring.—Lapwings noted considerably in March at many stations from N. Unst, Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, Isle of May, and Fidra.
In Autumn.—Slight movements only in September and October. Ringed Dotterel or Ringed Plover—one in September at Pentland Skerries, and one at same place all day on 3d December.
Scolopacidæ.—Woodcock, Snipe, Curlew, Jack Snipe.—Of Woodcock no spring movement observed. No records of Woodcock at all until October. First seen at Pentland Skerries; two all day on 5th October; then one killed at light on 7th, and a rush on 10th. Then also at N. Ronaldshay one bird seen on 6th; and at Girdleness, Aberdeen, and at Isle of May, from 6th on till 28th, varying numbers—eight shot on 18th, four or five on 20th; "numbers" seen on 24th—wind N.E., veering to S.E.; haze at night. Some (two shot) on 28th. Latest record, one Woodcock at Dunnet Head on 14th November, and two at Pentland Skerries on 1st and 12th November. In Stirlingshire thirty-five shot one day in Torwood, and twenty-eight in Touch Woods. Unusually abundant this autumn. The Woodcocks shot at Torwood on the 20th November came into the country almost certainly at the time of the October rush, and remained there and throughout Stirlingshire for several weeks, during which time many were killed. On the West Coast a friend and myself bagged 33½ couples in seven days' shooting. We had a blizzard of snow and wind on Monday, January 17th. We left on 21st; and we heard afterwards that not a Cock was to be seen on and after the 24th January 1887.