Barra Head Lighthouse.—William Irvine. One short schedule from February to June. Mr Irvine writes:—"Bernacle Geese last seen on the 24th April on this island." There is some little confusion about Bernacle and Brent Geese. Could Mr Irvine send us a head of the so-called "Bernacle Geese?"—J. A. H. B.
Marten Swallows (Hirundo urbica) were seen on June 10th hawking over the surface of the ground. Major H. W. Feilden and Harvie-Brown visited Barra Head in 1871, and it is easily understood why it should not be a favourable observatory of land birds. (See "Barra Head and Its Bird Life," and previous Reports.)
Rona, Skye.—Messrs Dunnet and M'Gaw send a short schedule—March 20th to November 17th. The contents appear under Species. Northern Divers seem to be often seen about this district of coast, and also at Kyleakin Ferry (q.v.).
Skerryvore.—Mr Thomas Dawson sends three carefully-filled schedules. Rush of Thrushes, &c., on 12th March, continuing on 15th to 16th. Several birds have been named from the wings sent by Mr Dawson; and from description and drawing the Pomatorhine Skua must have been observed on the 25th May. Later Mr Dawson writes:—"Not one land bird seen here since 28th November till to-day." Date of last schedule, January 19th, 1886. Even the Eider Ducks have deserted us for months past. Yesterday, continuous flocks of either Marrots or Razorbills passing south. Fresh, variable.
Kyleakin.—Messrs D. M'Culloch and John Clyne write, with two well-filled schedules.
This is an exceptional year here. On the 16th November, at 2.30 A.M., with fresh (?) breeze and haze, two "Mavises" and six Starlings struck—the first birds known to strike the glass for the last eight years—and others seen in the rays of light. More birds have been observed this season in a few minutes than have been noticed for years. On the 27th November, wind S.W., fresh, gale with snow all night, and two hours after the gale took off, great flocks of Starlings passed from 10 A.M. till dark, only a few inches from the ground. These birds had either been driven out of their course with the gale and snowstorm, or had taken a new course of their own accord.
Dhuheartach, S.W. of Iona.—Mr William Davidson sends two schedules carefully filled under correct columns—a practice which cannot be too highly commended.
Skervuile.—Mr John Ewing also sends us four capital schedules, strictly adhering to the columnar arrangement.
Rhinns of Islay.—Messrs Peter Anderson and James Ducat send eight excellent schedules, clearly proving, as has been done before, the superiority of this observation station; and I think in our first Report we give prominence to the situation as intercepting the S.E. flow of returning migrants from the Outer Hebrides.
Messrs Anderson and Ducat are much interested in the work, and many birds have been sent us by them for identification. They write:—"The last date on which we saw Solan Geese last year was on the last day of November, and the first day this year was on 29th February. Birds resident in the vicinity are, amongst others, Starling, Curlew, Snipe, Jack Snipe (?),[13] Twites or 'Rock Linnets,' Sparrows, and Larks. Later in summer Gannets or Solan Geese are seen daily 'flying east and west,' and 'circling about fishing, from an odd pair to 100 in all weathers,' A vast congregation of Marrots and Puffins fishing around the island on 19th August, and some hundreds of Gannets, old and young, 'floating along with the tide, so full they cannot rise.' All disappeared on 21st."