Skervuile.—Mr John Ewing sends three filled schedules down to November 21st, after which no more migration was observed. Harvie-Brown visited Skervuile and landed on the whales-back-looking rock on which the lighthouse is founded, and which is awash with the sea.
Rhinns of Islay.—Messrs Peter Anderson and James Ducat send nine carefully filled sheets, and write nearly each time at length. At the same time we are now, thanks to these reporters, obliged for a much more minute, and day-to-day return for each month of the year, most carefully prepared under species and in tabular form, which cannot fail to prove interesting and useful to work from. These date December 1886 to February 1888. The Rhinns of Islay must be looked upon as quite one of the most important West Coast stations for migration.
A Manx Shearwater is reported as caught on the lantern on the 20th April, and another was seen next morning. They are the first of the kind the keepers ever remember seeing. The occurrence thus makes it appear that Manx Shearwaters probably pair early, if they do not pair for life.
On August 2d, clouds of Midges round the lantern; and on 13th, from twenty to thirty Daddy-longlegs were captured. This season the very worst for Caterpillars (or "Kail-worm"). Glass rarely below 60° on the N. side at midnight, and again as warm on 10th September. [Note.—The warm weather about this time was universal.—J. A. H.-B.]
"The only rush we have had has been of Larks, and they have been in greater numbers than any year since I came here. One solitary Redwing is all I have seen this year. We have had such a long time of N. and N.W. winds. Best winds are S. to S.E. to bring the most birds. On October 9th, 1000's of Puffins appeared "flying North;" Iceland Gull on 10th; six Choughs seen on island on 16th, no doubt local birds. Heavy returns from October 19th onwards to 25th, of Larks and Starlings. Local visitation of Rooks owing to shooting going on through the island, and their leaving the rookeries at Bridgend, etc.; also Jackdaws. No great migration recorded in November of small land birds. (Compare with Monach Isles returns.) Iceland Gull seen at head of Lochindaul on the 9th of February 1888 (in lit. 15th February 1888.)
Lochindaul: Islay.—Mr James Edgar sends eight carefully filled and interesting schedules. Reports a Shearwater at the lantern on 21st April; it rested all night. [No doubt the same bird seen the day before at Rhinns of Islay along with the one which was killed. This is interesting, as showing a line of flight and the certainty bright lights have of luring birds to them.—J. A. H.-B.]
Lamlash.—Unsigned: one small return of five entries, between March 10th and September 17th, of Curlews, Thrush. Cuckoo heard. 25th April, Snipe and Geese.
Ailsa Craig.—Our first returns sent from the "Old Rock" are very full in interest, and date January 9th, 1887, to December 20th, occupying three schedules, by Mr William J. Dawson. "An Eagle seen on the hill on 19th October and previously; 'very large,' and probably a Sea-Eagle. Remained for more than three weeks. On 20th December a Carrier Pigeon was chased into the yard by two Peregrine Falcons (a pair build on the cliffs every season). They captured it next day. On the 20th January 1888, another Carrier was seen with a paper attached to it, and the Falcons were in pursuit of it. Most likely it shared the same fate as the other." [If any one can throw further light on this rather interesting note, we would be obliged. It serves, at least, to show one danger which Carriers may be subjected to.—J. A. H.-B.]
"Very few birds come near this light, the lantern revolving so rapidly. When I was at Pladda there were great rushes of birds at different times both in spring and autumn, and large numbers were found dead." [Our Committee has never received a single return from Pladda. This chance note may yet be valuable.—J. A. H.-B.]
Corsewall.—Mr Robert Laidlaw sends one well-filled schedule, and notices the rushes of Blackbirds and Turdidæ in October, and of the same and Fringillidæ (Linnets, etc.) in November.