Procellariidæ.—Petrels, Stormy Petrel.—The Stormy Petrels often appear at lanterns at night in midsummer, but this is in all probability merely a local movement. Being nocturnal in their habits, and abroad only at night, certain lighthouses lure them to their light more readily than others, owing to proximity to breeding stations or lines of flight to and from their feeding grounds. Their breeding season being very late in the year, the months of August and September bulk largest, but movements commence usually in June; July, however, is often less marked as a month for their movements, except in exceptionably hazy weather for that month.
This season records are not numerous; but, what we have not recorded before, a rush of Stormy Petrels took place at N. Unst, from the 23d to 28th August, "nightly"—winds variable and overcast; striking lantern "continuously." When, perhaps, we know all the exact minutiæ of the breeding distribution, and area of the wandering of birds generally, and of Petrels in the present case, then we may be able to account for such a rush as related above. Meanwhile we think it safest to believe—without theorising—that this unusual appearance was a local movement, caused by unity of circumstances, affecting a large local colony in the neighbourhood of the N. Unst lighthouse.
Alcidæ.—Auks, Razorbills, Guillemots, Puffins, "Marrots," "Tysties" (Black Guillemots).—In Spring.—On February 19th a flock of Black Guillemots ("Tysties") "first arrived, very early," at N. Unst; and at same place a year afterwards—viz., in January 31, 1887, we find, under "Marrot"—"flocks of, flying past," W. to E.; "rarely been seen so soon." (Note in this connection our extremely early and fine spring of 1877, until checked slightly, between March 10th and 17th, by the severe snowfall and keen frosts.)
Returning to 1886:—By March 12th to 22d, numbers of Guillemots and Razorbills rushing by thousands on the latter date at Isle of May, the only station sending returns for March. In April, abundance of Razorbills and Puffins on the rocks by 14th at N. Unst; but the note (1886) is given on date of 7th, "not so early as last year." Puffins arrived "after; N.W., light breezes. First arrival later than usual." By the 22d 160 Puffins (estimate) settled down to breed on the rocks as usual at N. Unst.
At Pentland Skerries, Puffins arrived on the 11th April; and Common Guillemots were seen passing east on the 23d—mod. S.E. wind. At Isle of May, a large number on 6th April and on 12th. By the 18th May, Puffins "are now laying" at Isle of May. By 11th June, young were first seen at N. Unst of Puffins and "Tysties." No records in August.
On September 2d, all Marrots, Razorbills, and Puffins left the rock at N. Unst; but on October 18th, Tysties re-appeared (three in number)—with N.N.E., strong breeze—and stayed six days. No other records.
Columbidæ.—Divers—Great Northern, Black-throated, and Red-necked Diver.—No account taken.
EAST COAST OF ENGLAND.
Schedules were issued to thirty-six stations, lighthouses, and light-vessels on the East Coast of England, and returns have been received from thirty. The total number of schedules sent in is seventy-seven from all sources, and the greatest number from any single station, ten from Mr Thomas H. Cutting, of the Farn Lighthouse.