Pelicanidæ.—Spring records less numerous than usual. February, one at 101 on 8th; one at 101 on 27th March; two at 108 on 1st and 4th April, and two at 94 on 14th April; May, three records at 101—14th, 19th, and 29th; and June, four records, all light, at 94, 101, and 114. Curiously, records of Gannets or Solan Geese—as they are called—are seldom numerously returned on this coast. [N.B.—We would be obliged to our reporters at all the stations if, for next year, they would give up one schedule entirely to Gannets or Solan Geese, and enter daily observations of the species, including their numbers seen, occupation, direction of flights and of wind, hours of appearance and disappearance, etc.] In July a few itemed under three dates—1st, 12th, and 16th to 20th. None in August, September, October, or November, nor January 1886, except one of hundreds at 102, fishing close to rocks, on 16th September, and the record of "Extra Nos." at 102 on 2d October, showing their daily appearance, though not recorded.
Ardeidæ.—Herons: Few records, and none of any significance: one in March on 1st at 114; one in October at 102, on 7th; and one at 102 on 6th December.
Anatidæ.—Grey Geese [I wish I had heads of all the Geese sent me] at 102 on 28th February; belongs, no doubt, to last season. No more records of Geese till autumn: "Large Geese"? September 17th, at 102; "Grey Geese," 10th October, at 102; one "Goose" at 102 on November 11th. Odd records of Barnacle Geese. Eider Ducks.—April 17th and 21st, at 94 and 102 respectively; also same place, 17th May, "3 [male], 3 [female] flying west." Then in autumn, 25th and 26th September, at 94 and 102.
[After this the dates of arrival and departure will be desired, whether they breed at the station or not, and if any unusual numbers appear. Odd records occur, also, of Teal, Widgeon, and Wild Duck, of little interest, but should, of course, always be returned in schedules. "Swans" are noted at 86 (Monach Isles) on 24th March 1885.]
Columbidæ.—Doves: May records at 90 (Rona) of Wood Pigeons on 21st, and Rock Doves on 28th. In Autumn.—Only two records in September and December, of twenty-five and twenty respectively, in S.W. wind.
Gallinæ.—One pair Pheasants at 102 on 16th April, lighted on the island at 3 P.M.—an unusual occurrence. In Autumn.—On 20th October, a Hen Pheasant at 102 again, shot, "rare;" and again two Pheasants at 102, male and female, fresh E. breeze, haze on island. (This looks like determined endeavour to extend range.—J. A. H. B.)
Rallinæ.—21st May, at 88 (Barra Head), fresh N.E., cloudy; 23d May, at 102, "first heard," and one shot, light N. breeze, clear; 24th, at 90 (Kyleakin), "first heard," 8 P.M., rain. In Autumn.—One at 108 (Lamlash) on 24th October, fresh N.W., clear. One Water Rail on 13th November at 114; killed on dome.
Charadriadæ.—August, one at 109 on 17th—Golden Plover. Grey Plover (identified by wings, J. A. H. B.), at Dhuheartach on 8th September. Very few records of G. Plovers, Oyster Catchers, and most about September 17th at 94, 102, 109.
But Lapwings bulk largely in October and November. Earliest, August 10th; latest, December 15th; rush if discernible: 100 on 20th October; "numbers" about 9th to 11th November at 93, 94, 102, 113, 114.
Scolopacidæ.—January 1885, one at 90 (Kyleakin), belongs to 1884; one at 90 again on 17th February (?); none in March (! ?); April, one on 15th at 94, light S.E. In Autumn.—October 18th, one at 86, and one at 90; and one at 101 and one at 102 on 9th November. Curlews: Many records as usual, but Ave fear of little value as regards tracing migrations; and a few records of Snipe and Jack Snipe. Sandpipers: Two records in June and October at 101, and one in February, same place.