Lapwing, Ring Plover, Dotterel.—Very few light movements in February, March, and April of Lapwings. Do. in July (one), flocks on 19th August, and 30 on 30th, 100 at Rhinns of Islay on 14th September, 40 on 24th, "great numbers" at Turnberry on 14th September, 100 on 21st October at Rhinns of Islay, and numbers on 9th at Lochindaul all day, and on 11th and 23d. No records of other species, or of Lapwings, at later dates.
Scolopacidæ.—Woodcock, Snipe, Curlew, Whimbrel.—Whimbrels, or Little Curlew, or "May Fowl," in small numbers rested for four days on the rock at Dhuheartach on 11th to 14th May. No other notice, spring or autumn.
Curlews—February, March, May, single records. In June thirty to forty alighted on hill near Mull of Galloway, and stayed three weeks and left. August—Flocks on 19th at Lochindaul; thirty on 19th at Mull of Galloway; and a flock at Little Ross on 3d. In September many light records; heaviest, fifty at Rhinns of Islay, and a large flock and a small flock on 1st at Little Ross, and a large flock of young Curlews same place on 28th. In October a fair number of records; fifty on 21st at Rhinns of Islay, and a number on 11th at Lochindaul; twenty at Mull of Galloway on 20th.
Woodcock—At Lamlash, on 15th March, two birds at 11 A.M.; E., strong; and on February 1st, one at Kyleakin, 11.30 A.M.; S., with snow on the island.
No more entries till October, when only three in all at Rona (on 8th), S.E., fresh, "first seen;" one at Rhinns of Islay (22d), N.E.; and one at Corsewall (25th), N.E., fresh, "struck and killed." In November, one bird at Mull of Galloway on 19th; and one, on 20th and 21st December, at Rhinns of Islay.
Considering that this was a most remarkable year for Woodcock in Central Scotland, and in the West, in Ardnamurchan, Mull, and many other places, it is remarkable how few have been seen at lighthouses. Here in Stirlingshire thirty-five and twenty-eight were killed on Torwood and Touch in two days. The birds had been quite three weeks in the country. In January 1887, 33½ couple were shot in seven days, and we heard of total bags for the season of 160 to one gun in Ardnamurchan, 400 in Ross of Mull, 260 in north of Mull on one property, etc., etc.
Snipe.—A distinct "rush" apparent on the great migration night of 5th October, but all other returns light except "numbers all day" at Rhinns of Islay on 18th December. The largest "rush" is recorded at Skerryvore on 5th October, 9.30 P.M. till 3.30 A.M. on the 6th; light S. wind; eight killed on lantern. All other records quite light; and Jack Snipe, only three entries, viz., on 8th October at Butt of Lewis, S., fresh; at Skervuile on 6th, light E. and S.; and one killed at midnight of 22d October at Rhinns of Islay. Of Sandpipers, Redshanks, Dunlins, etc., there are only eight records in all in March, May, August (2), September (2), October, and December.
Laridæ.—Gulls we only will mention the more important entries.
Cream-coloured Gulls (Iceland) [or Glaucous Gulls.—J. A. H.-B.] "seldom seen here," at Rhinns of Islay on January 18th, 1887. February 1886—"Iceland" Gull at same place, flying E., noted as "rare," on 3d; light N. breeze. In May a Richardson's Skua at Lochindaul on 28th, and all day there again on 30th July. Thousands of Black Backed Gulls and other Gulls on 14th September at Rhinns of Islay. "Dirty Allens" at Dhuheartach on 31st October, and all November numbers of Gulls at Skervuile. Iceland Gulls at Dhuheartach on 12th December, and again at Rhinns of Islay on 7th.
Terns arrived on 20th May at Barra Head, and a flock stayed a week at Little Ross and then left, after the 14th June. There are only a few scattered records in autumn. The curious unsettled behaviour of Terns, whether Arctic or Common, is a subject worthy of remark during their breeding season. They often occupy and then abandon their nesting places, apparently without any reason, for it is not always that they leave on account of persecution, though they are much more easily affected by persecution than almost any other sea birds.