In April "Crested Larks" are entered, and a previous entry of the same is given on March 11th, both from XXVII. (Isle of May. [We would like to have examined these, and added the real Crested Lark to the Isle of May Museum.] Not many records in April.
In Autumn.—A few flying round the light on 24th August at N. Unst. Desultory movements at N. Unst in September.
In October about the 15th, 16th, 18th, an appearance of a "rush," or an actual "rush" on 18th at VIII. (N. Ronaldshay), and on 14th at XXVII. (Isle of May). At former 40 struck. E.S.E. wind. At latter "large numbers," with a S.W. gale, sleet. These no doubt are blown off the land. Latest date 18th. But reports in newspapers of immense gatherings of Larks near Dundee, St Andrews, and Midlothian and elsewhere, in January and again in March, being only, no doubt, local congregations caused by frost and snow in Scotland.
Sturninæ.—All returns for spring light. Earliest, February 9th at XXVII., and 11th at XIV. From 16th to 20th light returns, flock on 18th. By the 11th March breeding birds had arrived and taken up their haunts on XXVII., and about the same time an odd bird or two were seen resting on rocks of XXVI. (Bell Rock). Wind light westerly. As no records occur at Bell Rock at any other time in spring this year, even these odd birds occurring just at the time of arrivals elsewhere are significant perhaps of the general movement, these birds no doubt having overshot the land. Odd records in April at Fidra; a pair breeding there in May.
In Autumn.—Earliest movement noticed at XXVII. "Large flocks of young birds, strangers." No records anywhere in September. In October movements noted at IV, (N. Unst) between 11th and 25th. On 11th flocks flying east, with light S.E. wind and haze. Only one record at XXVI. (Bell Rock) on 8th October. Rush decided at XXVII. on 17th, with strong E., rain and haze; two killed. Small movements at IV, VII, (Sumburgh Head), and XXVII. in November, and a few up to end of January 1886.
Corvidæ.—Earliest spring record of Rooks at XIV. (Pentland Skerries). Strong N.W. wind on 28th February. Rooks are recorded from the following stations:—VIII. (N. Ronaldshay), XIV, XXVII. (Isle of May); but all returns are very light indeed. In the first week in March a slight rush apparent at Sumburgh Head of Black and Hooded Crows—on 1st 50, on 6th 18, light N. to N.E.; and a few almost every day at XXVII. at same time. Records of Carrion and Hooded Crows are from VII. (Sumburgh Head), VIII., XIV., and XXVII. Earliest 1st March; latest 29th April. From three or four to eight or ten daily; long straggling migration.
Jackdaws at XIV. on 25th, and 26th two, light W.N.W,, clear; and at same place seven on 8th June and one on 13th, no doubt visitors from either the Caithness coast or from Orkney.
Autumn.—Similar movements of Black Crows at IV, on 30th July, and at XIV. on 20th, 26th, two or three each time, Carrion Crows and Hooded Crows reported in autumn from IV., VIII., XIV., XXVII., XXVIII. B. (Fidra) in a pretty continuous and steady, though never heavy, stream, massing largest at IV. and at XIV., two, three, four, to once twelve (on 11th September at IV.) being the daily number observed. Dating from 1st record, 26th July, at XIV., to latest record, January 26th, 1886, one bird at XXVII., with easterly and northerly gale. Rooks—Infinitesimal movement; only two records, one in June and one in December, both at IV. Ravens—Small number. Two at IV. on 22d August, eight at IV. on 5th September, strong E., haze, feeding on rock; and two on 20th October at same place. Four Jackdaws stopped a few days at N. Ronaldshay from the 6th November.
Cypselidæ.—At N. (Auskerry) flocks of Swifts seen on 1st May, with the note "rarely seen till the middle of June, wind N. and N.E., showers." Again seen at XXVII. on June 5th and 17th. We ourselves witnessed a party of Swifts migrating close along the cliff-edge of Holborn Head, on the N. coast of Caithness—"seven seen flying E., swiftly careering above the cliff-edge of Holborn, and crossing in a direct line the Bay of Thurso" (extract from Journal, 28th June 1885). We witnessed also eight evidently still bent on migration, "flying in a bee-line down Strathspey, high in air, at 11 A.M., near Black Boats station. Clouds, heavy rains, showers, and N.W. wind" (loc. cit., May 16th, 1885). There is undoubtedly a great highway of migration up and down the valley of the Spey, We have abundant evidence of it.
In Autumn.—One record at IV. Two seen on 11th September, light S., clear.