October.—At same place two Short-Eared Owls—one shot; N.N.E., showers.
Falconidæ.—One record of Falcon on February 7th at N. Unst.
March.—Two Sparrow Hawks at N. Unst.
June.—One Hawk at N. Ronaldshay; and various autumn records as usual. Nothing new to be gleaned from them. Principally Sparrow Hawk (usually meaning Merlins), Falcons, Kestrel, etc.
Pelecanidæ.—Cormorants.—We have not catalogued yet all the winter colonies of the Great Cormorant, so records of this species are useful. The only birds recorded this year on E. Coast are: October 27th, four, flying E. Wind N.W. at Pentland Skerries. November 21st, flock of thirty, resting on rock of N. Unst.
We have had a number of schedules entirely devoted to Gannets at some of the more prominent stations, and these, with other accounts already published, will at some future date constitute material for a very thorough treatment of the movements of the species, and their relations to the migrations of the Herring.
We therefore omit schedule notes on the Gannet at present. But lest our reporters think their work thus wasted or lost, we hasten to undeceive them, for we consider that the movements of Solan Geese, as held in relation to their known breeding areas, and the habits and distribution of the Herring (their principal food, if not indeed almost their only food), is of most particular economic importance. Much hinges upon it undoubtedly, as any one who has studied not only its habits, also the great question of our sea-fisheries, is bound to know, or he has missed the whole importance of the subject.
Ardeidæ.—Herons are ubiquitous, even in the "Remoter Isles," and even where they do not breed. Their regular occurrence along and over all our coasts, at all seasons, and independent of breeding stations, makes statistics of a value difficult to ascertain. But one thing seems quite certain, their migrations, local movements, curious presence at all points, and at all times, is not dependent upon the movements of deep-sea fishes. The Heron's food-supplies are of a much more cosmopolitan nature, and he finds that which he requires to keep him at all seasons, in all weathers, at all tides; and his long neck and legs must be of considerable service to him in all these varying circumstances.
Report.—March.—7th, one Heron (N.W., clear) on lighthouse of Pentland Skerries.
April.—Not a record anywhere.