In Autumn.—5th July at XIV., and of Martins 6th to 12th and 16th. One Swallow at Isle of May on 14th. All August Martins and Swallows, and a "rush" of latter at XXVII. on 24th; light W., clear. Latest.—One Swallow and one Martin at XXVII. on 7th October.
Fringillidæ.—Every month in the year, more or less of different species, as follows, in order of greatest numbers: Grey and Green Linnets in February, March, April, and again in June; and House and Tree Sparrows in May, and odd ones of the former during the other spring months. Chaffinches scarce, and single records in February, March, April, May; one each month, all at XXVII. (Isle of May). Twenty Tree Sparrows in a flock, at XXVII., on 29th May; and daily large flock of Sparrows at Fidra on 16th and 23d. Sparrow "rare" on XIV., seen April 23d.
In Autumn.—Large flock of Heather Linties (Twites) at Start Point all the month of July. Grey Linnets (or perhaps these are Twites?) at XIV. (Pentland Skerries), 27th July. In August, Sparrows at N. Unst; N.N.W., fog. Grey Linnets (or Twites?) at XIV,, end of August; N.E. Only one record in September at XIV.; none elsewhere, but October bulks larger. Only stations sending any returns are XIV. and XXVII. in October. Movement slack in first week, bulking largest 16th and 17th. Rush of Chaffinches, Linnets, a few Redpoles on 14th, and a few Siskins on 30th October.
In November, up to 23d.—Chaffinches at N. Unst on 3d—light N.W., rain—and on 4th at XXVII. Green Linnets at N. Unst on 19th November, and at VII. (Sumburgh Head) on 12th. Numbers on 5th at XIV. all day, fresh W., clear; and also on XXVII., same day, a few; light W., clear. Latest record of Green Linnets, December 18th; but Grey Linnets on 18th January 1886, and Redpoles (three) on 23d, at XXVII.
We have overlooked also a few stray records of "Bramblings" on 6th and 7th April, at XXVII.; strong E. winds.
Emberizidæ.—In Spring, Snow Buntings. One seen on February 7th at XXVII., and five on 27th; a number on 20th March at N. Ronaldshay on the island. Gale: sleet—twenty-three struck and seven killed. In April two flying about the rocks at Sumburgh Head on 6th—the latest record of the species in spring.
One Reed Bunting at Pentland Skerries on February 27th; S. gale and haze on island. Few records of Yellow Bunting in February and March, and at XXVII. equally scarce. Only occasional also in April anywhere, and same to June. Common Bunting, first single bird at XIV. on 18th; odd records till June on six dates till that time. Winds prevailing from N.E. through E. to S.E. (very likely local movements).
In Autumn.—Snow Buntings returned only from XIV. and XXVII. in October, but in November at IV., VII., VIII., X., XIV., XV., XXVII. all through the month, but not heavily as compared with other years. Rush at VIII. (N. Ronaldshay), with S.E. gale; "flocks" frequent at XIV., XV., not abundant at XXVII. during November. In September, a few odd records only at VII. (Sumburgh Head) and XXVII. (Isle of May). No records later than November 28th. One record of Common Bunting at XIV. on 13th November. No records in autumn of any other species.
Addition to Isle of May List.—Ortolan Buntings: Two specimens—one shot 12.30 P.M.; light S.E., clear, thick fog and heavy rain all night. Named by Mr Agnew correctly.—J. A. H. B. Mr Agnew adds under 29th May: "There are two Ortolan Buntings, three Tree Sparrows, and one female Redstart on the island since the 23d April."
Alaudidæ.—Spring Migration.—In February records from XIV. and XXVII. only; one single bird from the former on 14th, but a rush at the latter on 17th, at 1 A.M. Light E., rain and haze; three killed. Continuing in numbers on 18th, four killed and many wounded. Curiously no records from Bell Rock on these dates or in this month. Likely the wind too much due E. Fewer on 26th, but an increase again on 27th. At Bell Rock, however, one bird on 15th, and three on 19th only. Stragglers only from the direct wave. We are more than ever convinced of the influence of the wave from Heligoland not extending much beyond Isle of May and Bell Rock. A new light will soon be on the light vessel of the Carr Rock, off the East Neuk of Fife; and we are in hopes that a good observer will be stationed there, who has had personal experience and knowledge of birds before. On 13th March only one record at Bell Rock; on 11th only two at XXVII. and one at Pentland Skerries.