Spring.—In April scattered birds only up to end of the month at Isle of May of Fieldfares, one Redwing (23d), one Ring Ouzel (21st); but on 19th, at Pentland Skerries, is entered the record (which seems one of some importance): "Ring Ouzels and Song Thrushes a great rush; strong S.E. and haze." And on 26th: "A flock of Fieldfares (mod. S.E., haze), birds which are seldom seen here in spring." Also on the 19th at North Ronaldshay, a station not usually sending large spring returns: "A great number of Thrushes were on the island. Stopped two days;" wind S.E., haze. In May, at Isle of May, one record only of a Fieldfare at the light on the 5th. No more till autumn.
In Autumn.—Earliest record of Blackbird at Pentland Skerries on 9th August. Single records at Isle of May of Common Mavis "migrating" on 19th, and of a Missel Thrush on 30th; W.S.W., clear. Latest record, Fieldfares on 20th to 28th November, "a good many;" at Dunnet Head, "seen all day;" and scattered records through November at Pentland Skerries of Thrush and Blackbird. In September also, quite scattered records of single or very small lots of Blackbirds, Ring Ouzels, Fieldfares, and Mavises, from Pentland Skerries, Isle of May, and Fidra. But in October masses and rushes innumerable from the following stations:—Pentland Skerries (Redwings, 4th to 16th). Isle of May (Blackbirds, mostly females, 7th; Fieldfares, "numbers" on 18th, N.E. gale; Blackbirds, all males, on 21st, wind from E. to S.W.; Redwings, rush on 28th, S.E., fresh; also of Fieldfares and Ring Ouzels and Blackbirds). Again, at Pentland Skerries, great numbers of Turdidæ on 29th, of all kinds. Greatest rush at Pentland Skerries of Redwings and Song Thrushes (along with Goldcrests and Chaffinches, Robins, a few Ring Ouzels, and Woodcock); strong S.E. gale and rain. At Bell Rock, Redwings (without other species in any numbers), 22d to 26th October every night in numbers; wind from light W. to E. and N.E. All through October indications, more or less pronounced, at the following stations:—N. Unst, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Noss Head, Bell Rock, Isle of May, Fidra.
From the above notes the migration of Turdidæ appears to have been unusually compressed and sudden.
Saxicolinæ.—Chats.—In Spring.—In March earliest two Redstarts ("the first seen here") at N. Unst; S.E. and fog. Wheatears at Isle of May on 24th and 26th, but only straggling birds. In April, solitary record on 1st at Pentland Skerries. Two on 27th at Bell Rock, and same date at Isle of May; and Redstarts ("mostly males") intermittent all April. In May, at Isle of May, Redstarts ("mostly females") on 3d, and intermittent up to 19th; also Wheatears, Whinchats (numbers on the 8th, and rush or great numbers on the 18th all day); W.S.W., strong. In June a single solitary record of a Stonechat (? Wheatear) from N. Unst.
In Autumn.—Few records in August; but on 31st numbers of Wheatears at 10 P.M. at the lantern. Latest records of Saxicolinæ, 24th October at Pentland Skerries; and next last there also on the 22d, of Redstarts, both females; and on 26th of a Stonechat at N. Unst (? Wheatear). At Isle of May on 5th, and at Fidra, "numbers all day" on the island, of "Stonechats" (vera at Isle of May? Wheatears? at Fidra). A not very great or decided rush in September, principally noticeable at Isle of May and Fidra, of "Stonechats."
Silviinæ.—Robins, Whitethroats.—In Spring.—A great rush of Robins, with fresh S.E. haze, at Pentland Skerries, on 19th April. "Good numbers" at Isle of May, on 23d; also Whitethroats remained all night at Isle of May, on 28th April. A rush took place of the latter at same station on May 3d; "swarming" and culminating on 18th (one Willow Wren—Phylloscopus—appearing with others on 19th). No Robins are; noted in May anywhere.
In Autumn.—A solitary Robin on 24th August at Cromarty (very likely a local resident). A few odd birds in September. One Whitethroat and three Robins, all on different dates, at Isle of May and Fidra; the Whitethroat on the 1st at Isle of May. Rushes all in October, and returns sent from the following stations, all of Robins:—N. Unst (1 Robin); Sumburgh Head, 1; Pentland Skerries, Isle of May, and Fidra. Rushes mostly at Isle of May and Fidra about 24th to 29th, and winds prevailing easterly and south-easterly. No records in November. A solitary record in December of two Robins at N. Unst, and one on 7th January 1887 at Dunnet Head. Migration of Robins scarcely discernible in spring; and short, sharp, and decisive in October. Of Whitethroats large. Local, viz.—at Isle of May; indicated at N. Unst in spring; and only one record in September at Isle of May.
Phylloscopinæ.—Goldcrest (or Gold-crested Wren), Chiffchaff, Willow Wren, Wood Warbler.—In Spring.—At Fidra numbers of Goldcrests flying about on 24th March; wind S.W., light breeze. The only other spring record of this species is on the 27th March at Pentland Skerries—a single bird; mod. W., clear. This appears to have been a sudden departure, probably general, but not coming much under notice. Of the same species we have not another spring record.
Of Chiffchaff.—[The difficulty of determining Chiffchaffs and Willow Wrens at any time, but more especially in autumn, even to an expert, must in great measure militate against almost any records of "Chiffchaff" at Isle of May. Yet there can be no doubt that it has occurred there, certainly in October 1884; and on one or two more occasions certain. There are many records of "Chiffchaff" at Isle of May; but it is impossible to say which are correct identifications, and which are really immature Willow Warblers. That the Chiffchaff does occur is undoubted, but to what extent is yet uncertain. Henceforth, until certainty can be arrived at, we will only mention Chiffchaffs in inverted commas.—J. A. H.-B.]
"Chiffchaff"—a single record at Isle of May on 12th April, and Willow Wren very numerous on 19th May. One "Chiffchaff" also noted on 5th May.