Procellariidæ.—Petrels.—In September several all day at Dhuheartach, and have been seen "flying south for a week past." [This is an interesting note as pointing directly to a periodical migration of the Petrels. Of course how much such may have been simply caused by increase or diminution of food supply is at present difficult to determine.—J. A. H.-B.]
In October only two records, but both on 5th and 6th at 11 P.M. and 2 A.M., struck, but were not killed. [They are evidently thus included in the impulse and great migration of this date. It is noteworthy that we have all through our past reports seldom received definitive record of actual migration of the Petrel till now.—J. A. H.-B.]
Colymbidæ.—Divers, Northern Divers, Grebes, etc.—In February, one G. N. Diver on 7th at Skervuile.
In March, one do. on 24th at same place. In April, no records. In May, two at Lochindaul on 7th, and on 10th at Kyleakin. No more records of G. N. Divers till 23d October, when one was seen at Rona, Skye, "swimming round the island." Then, 16th November, at Skervuile, and December 26th at same place.
By collecting careful notes on the appearance, residence on our coasts, and departure from different stations, much might be learned of the reason why some northern species remain to breed some seasons more than others, or remain longer resident into the summer months.
Alcidæ.—Puffins, Guillemots, "Tysties," "Rock Birds," etc., Razorbills.—In April, a flock of 100 Puffins fishing around Rhinns of Islay on 3d, and twelve Tysties or Black Guillemots on 10th, "floating in the sound." In May, Tysties at Lochindaul on the 20th, and Puffins—twenty—flying west on 2d, at Kyleakin. In June, great numbers all day of Razorbills fishing around Lochindaul. In August a few all day on 28th at same place. In September, one young Tystie on 15th at Dhuheartach, "eating fish on the rocks." In October on 19th and 21st continuous flocks, 6 to 10 A.M., N., light, clear, flying south. This "rush" of sea birds is almost as sudden and remarkable as that of our land birds this year. A few still found in December at Skervuile. No notices South of Clyde.
WEST COAST OF ENGLAND AND WALES,
AND THE ISLE OF MAN.
Schedules and letters of instruction, with stamped envelopes for wings, were sent to the fifty-three under-mentioned lighthouses and light-vessels on the West and South-West Coasts of England, the Coasts of Wales, and the Isle of Man, and returns have been received from the thirty-nine stations marked with an asterisk.
The following is an enumeration of the stations included in this section of the Report:—