Portpatrick.—Mr James Beggs sends a short but good schedule, with the remark: "Migration of birds this season has been very slight, and we think the cause is owing to so much prevailing winds from the west occurring on this coast [i.e., taking the birds further west at further north points.—J. A. H. B.]. Flights of Black Crows [Rooks.—J. A. H. B.] come and go to this vicinity all the winter through. [Note.—Ravens are known to congregate on this coast at certain points.—J. A. H. B.] Great flights of Gannets in July, August, and September, and then cease till early spring. Fly both ways—north and south."
On November 10, Red-legged Kaw seen flying south at 3.40 P.M., close to lighthouse. (Is this still of the native breed, or a migrant from further north?—J. A. H. B.)
Mull of Galloway.—Two well-filled schedules from Messrs Alex. Murray and John M'Quarrie. "A large Grey Owl. picked up one of the small birds on the grating on the 17th October, plucked it, and swallowed it whole. I tried to catch it, but it flew off."
Little Ross.—Mr James Ferrier I have to thank for two excellently-prepared schedules; and we feel sure that this station, though it may not yield large numerical returns, will give returns of considerable interest, whether negative or positive.
Separate Report under Genera and Species.
Turdidæ.—In Spring, a few odd birds—Blackbirds and Thrushes—passed 93 (Skerryvore) and 114 (Little Ross). In March, these increased in numbers at both these stations on 7th, 11th, 12th, and 15th, and odd birds were also noticed at 109 (Turnberry) on 11th and 13th. Apparently almost a rush noticed at 93, with wind light N.W. on 12th, but S.W. and haze on 15th. Fieldfares also noted at Little Ross on 24th, with strong S.E.; one killed. On April 14th, a rush of Thrushes at 94 (Dhuheartach) all night, light variable wind and haze; also Redwings and Blackbirds at Rhinns of Islay on 12th, and two Ring Ouzels all night at Little Ross. Blackbirds seen flying S.W. at 94, on 17th June, complete the spring records.
In Autumn.—Scarcely any movement in September, but in October, considerable numbers of Turdidæ. Earliest record in autumn, one Thrush on 1st September at 109, and one Ring Ouzel on 15th at 102 (Rhinns of Islay); and latest record November 16th [if we except two records on 22d and 23d January 1886, which really belong either to local influence, or is a beginning of the spring migration of 1886]. Thus the migration of Turdidæ, in 1885 is almost unique amongst our records for the shortness, suddenness, and rapidity with which it was accomplished, occupying limits strongly defined in time by the above dates, viz., in all—leaving out the two solitary September records—only from 9th October to 16th November, or 38 days. The stations participating in the rush are 93 (Skerryvore), 94 (Dhuheartach), 101 (Skervuile), 102 (Rhinns of Islay), 108 (Lamlash), 109 (Turnberry), 113 (Mull of Galloway), and 114 (Little Ross). More specialised rushes were:—On 17th, of Thrushes and Missel Thrushes at 94, and of Redwings at Rhinns of Islay; on 10th and 11th November, of Missel Thrushes and Fieldfares, with few Mavises, at 93, 94, and of the same species in small numbers, with large numbers of Thrushes, Blackbirds, and Redwings, on 9th, 10th, 11th, up to 16th, at all stations. Most at 93 and 94, but movement extensive and general at all, and suddenly over by the 16th, if we except one solitary record of five Mavises on the 21st at (Kyleakin) 90, the only record from that station of Turdidæ. Prevailing wind strong S.S.E. to S.E., and back to S., all these two months; sometimes northerly in October, but never for long.
Saxicolinæ.—In Spring, an extensive migration of Wheatears and (or) "Stonechats." [The name Stonechat is the one almost universally used at 93, 94, 101, 102, and 113, but "Wheatear"—the more correct name for the species intended—is used at 88 (Fladda) and 114 (Little Ross). The true Stonechat has a black head, and is about the same size as a Whinchat, i.e., much smaller than the Wheatear. But the name "Stonechat" is of almost universal use in Scotland for the Wheatear—indeed, a generally accepted local name.] Earliest record in spring, April 4th, at 102 (Rhinns of Islay); latest, 2d June, at 93 (Skerryvore). The general rush took place between the 11th and 20th, and appears to have been unusually heavy, such terms being used, at all stations, as "numbers all night," "fifty," "forty," "great numbers," "rush all night," "hundreds all night," etc. Perhaps 12th and 13th had the greatest share, but it would be difficult to say which station participated most largely. 109 (Turnberry), however, has only one record of odd birds on 14th April. The May records are all at 93 and 94, and are all light. There are also two records of Whinchats at 114, on 21st and 2 2d of April. The prevailing wind was easterly in April, and oftener S. of E. than N. of E. In May the wind was westerly at 93 and 94, and again S.E. at 93 on June 2d, the latest record.
In Autumn, a partial rush took place at 101 (Skervuile), where "numbers at midnight" were seen on the 6th. Records come from the following stations, principally 93 and 94, a few from 101 and 102. All records in September are from 93 and 94, and all are very light indeed, except at 94 upon the 6th September, when a rush of Stonechats, Wagtails, and Titlarks took place, with light S.E. breeze and haze, at 1 A.M. Prevailing wind S.E, August and September.
Silviinæ.—In March, two records of Robin at 93 (on 15th), and (Turnberry) 109 on 14th, S.S.E. at latter station, and light S.W. haze at former. Three other light records at 94 (Dhuheartach), 101 (Skervuile), and 102 (Rhinns of Islay) on 12th and 13th April, and one record of Whitethroats on 5th May at 114 (Little Ross).