Emberizidæ.—Buntings, Snow Buntings.—Almost all the returns relate to Snow Buntings. On the 15th and 17th May a single bird was found on the island at Rhinns of Islay, and one reporter adds the remark, "very late to be seen here." Wind variable, strong.
In Autumn there was a "rush" of Snow Buntings past Skerryvore at or about midnight of the 27th September; wind strong W., haze and rain. No notice of this rush is taken at Dhuheartach or elsewhere. In October only two single records, on 14th at Dhuheartach, and 18th at Rhinns of Islay; and in November light records only at Butt of Lewis, Dhuheartach, between the 15th and 25th (twenty on the latter date). In December, thirty Snow Buntings on 14th at Rhinns of Islay "all day." Not one return from any station south of Clyde. Of Common Bunting or Corn Bunting we have one record in April at Lochindaul, one on 4th October at Skerryvore, and one at Lochindaul on the 1st. The Corn Bunting is not looked upon by us as more than very locally migratory.
Alaudidæ.—Larks.—Of Larks there has been an enormous movement. Absent entirely in April, June, July, and August; scarcely any in May (only two entries on 4th and 9th at Turnberry, with light or strong N.E. breeze).
In September the returns are still very light, indeed almost absent; but in October during the whole month innumerable records. Larks appeared at all the following stations sending returns:—Rona, Skerryvore, Dhuheartach, Skervuile, Rhinns of Islay, Lochindaul, Turnberry, Corsewall, Mull of Galloway, and Little Ross; but all notice of them is omitted in schedules from the other stations sending returns, viz.:—Butt of Lewis, Monach Isles? q.v., Barra Head, Kyleakin, Rhuvaal, and Lamlash. [We are thus able to locate the stream with some exactitude.] They appeared to be most abundant at Skerryvore, and at Dhuheartach, "rushes" and "hundreds;" Skervuile, "rush;" Rhinns of Islay (on 2d October), "thousands," and on 5th, "numerous." Then S. of Clyde, "a great rush" at Corsewall; "rush" at Portpatrick (4th October). All these large movements, except where specified, were on the nights of 5th and 6th October.
In November only a few slight movements, 24th, 26th, to 29th at Kyleakin and at Turnberry.
In December light again at Dhuheartach, 18th to 27th; but heavy on 18th and 19th at Rhinns of Islay, 1000 and 100; but these may and probably were due only to local migration, influenced by severe weather on mainland.
In January movements also of local importance and not numerous, January being milder and more open on the West Coast than December; but at Portpatrick a great rush is described as going from N.W. to S.E., 11 A.M. to 12, during a snowstorm. This may also, however, be only a local movement still it is interesting as showing the recognised line of flight spoken of by Mr E. Service. In Ardnamurchan small flocks appeared at Kilchoan at once on the advent of a severe snowstorm and S.E. gale of wind—a local movement, of course.
In February many light movements are entered, but none of more than local interest. These occur at Skerryvore, Rona, Skervuile, Turnberry, and Corsewall.
Sturninæ.—Starlings.—A considerable movement. In February a number at Turnberry on 9th, and light returns from Skerryvore, Skervuile, and Turnberry on other dates, and at Corsewall. A few returns in March, none in April, two in May, none in June and July. "Rushes" of old and young in August at Rhinns of Islay on 18th, 19th, and 26th; wind S.W., fresh, or W., light. Rush also indicated on 22d at Lochindaul; odd birds only at Skerryvore; 130 at Lochindaul on the 30th. A few movements in September. South of Clyde—"Great numbers" on 15th at Portpatrick. North of Clyde—Light movements; eleven, twelve, sixteen birds at Kyleakin. In October rushes recorded, especially at Skervuile, Lochindaul, Turnberry, Mull of Galloway, at or about the date of the general great rush of the year, viz., 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th October. Light returns in November, and a few in December.
Corvidæ.—Rooks, Ravens, Crows, Carrion Crows, Hooded Crows, Jackdaws, Grey Crows.—The Corvidæ generally show movements during January (1887), February (1886), April (Ravens), May (casual Carrion and Grey Crows or Hoodies), June 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th, "great numbers of Crows" all day at Mull of Galloway. August 18th to 27th, of Rooks, Ravens, Grey Crows, Crows. Great flocks of Rooks on 21st at Lochindaul, as also on 24th September no very heavy entries at any stations, but "dense flock" on 21st October at Lochindaul, and sixty on the 20th same place. Only one Crow seen all November, and that at Butt of Lewis, the only return in all that month. 500 Crows at Rhinns of Islay on 18th December—no doubt a local migration. In January (1887), from 100 up to 500 at same place, 9th, 10th, and 17th—also local, no doubt.