Bell Rock.—James Jack (principal) sends as usual carefully and well-filled schedules, quite among the best received. Under date of 16th October, at the time of a rush, Mr Jack has the following general remarks: "Birds began to arrive at 7.30 P.M., striking lightly and flying off again; unable to tell of what species. Numbers went on increasing till midnight, when it seemed that a vast flock had arrived, as they now swarmed in the rays of light, and, striking hard, fell dead on balcony, or rebounded off and went over the rail, falling into the sea. At 3 A.M. another flock seemed to have arrived, as the numbers now increased in density; at the same time, all kinds crowded on to the lantern windows, trying to force their way to the light. The noise they made shrieking and battering the windows, etc., baffles description. The birds were now apparently in thousands. Nothing ever seen here like it by us keepers. Wherever there was a light visible in the building, they tried to force their way to it. The bedroom windows being open as usual for air all night, they got in there and put the bedroom light out. All birds went off at 6 A.M., going W.S.W. Redwings were most in numbers; Starlings came next. Blackbirds, Fieldfares, and Larks." The later rush in November seems to have taken place entirely at night also: "No birds were seen throughout the daylight of the 11th and 12th November, and the movement ceased at midnight of the 12th," when the wind became strong from S.W. All birds visiting here between October 18 till December 12 were composed of both old and young, also male and female; but young birds most in number. Many hundreds lost their lives.
Inchkeith.—Robt. Grierson sends a schedule with the following diary: "During the night of the 5th September a small flock of birds was observed hovering around the lantern at 11 P.M., wind W., light breeze and haze, and two young Stonechats were caught." At midnight, also, two more; and other small movements are given.
Fidra.—William Ross. Arrival of the Solan Geese noted on March 27; also Eider Ducks. Mr Ross sends two well-filled schedules, but is disappointed with the results. He need not we think, as Fidra lies somewhat land-locked and out of the stream. We are much obliged to him for the first Schedules from the new Firth of Forth Station. Mr Ross writes under date of July 24: "Solan Geese, Gulls, and all sea birds have deserted our island entirely. About a dozen sparrows are now our only feathered visitors;" and on Aug. 4th—"Having been on the mainland, I was quite surprised to see the numerous and varied flocks of many kinds of birds, not one of which came near our island."
Isle of May.—J. Agnew (principal), Messrs Young and Anderson (assistants), send twenty full schedules, indicating a very heavy migration, past this favoured isle. At present a staff of men are busy putting in electric light machinery here. It will be curious to watch the result next season.
New occurrences continually turn up at Isle of May, and this year we have to record amongst rarities and acquisitions the Common Dotterel (Endromias morinellus, L.), the Red Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), and Ortolan Bunting (Emberiza hortulana)—two specimens obtained. Also Turtle Dove (Columba turtur, L.)—one shot; and the Dipper was obtained for the first time, though it had been seen before, as stated in previous reports. It proved to be the British form. Specimens of these are added to the collection at Isle of May. We gave earlier notice of the first three above enumerated, in the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society, Edinburgh, as we belong to that class of naturalists who do not believe in withholding facts until they become rusty. To do so may be useful for selfish motives and personal kudos, but is not calculated to promote further study, and is, indeed, calculated to delay it.
Continuous E. winds at the beginning of May caused a vast rush on 2d to 4th May of many species. Mr Agnew writes: "The long tact of S.E. wind has brought an extraordinary 'rush' of birds to the island yesterday (on the 3d) and to-day; the night of the 2d, and all day of the 3d, was constant rain and fog. For a day or two previous to the 3d, we had a few birds, and some strangers; but they were only the heralds of the great army. I have seen something like it in the 'fall,' but never in the spring. These last two days we have 'birds; birds everywhere.' I think I have identified them all, except the three mentioned inside. If you had been here to-day, what a bag you would have made."—Signed J. A., 4th May 1885.
In the schedule Mr Agnew says:—
"3d May.—An extraordinary rush of migrants to-day; never seen anything like it in spring. To attempt to give numbers is simply useless. I will just give you the names in succession. I can't spare a line for each.—Fieldfares, Redwings, Ring Ouzels, Blackbirds, Lapwings, Dotterels, Rock Pigeons, Hawk, Meadow Pipits, Redstarts, Whinchats, Tree Sparrows, Yellow Wagtails, Ortolan Bunting (obtained), Robins, Chiff-Chaffs, Wood Warbler, Black Cap Warbler, Marsh Tit, Whitethroats, and Pied Flycatchers." And on 4th still increased in numbers, but wind shifted this morning to E. from S.E.
Mr Agnew mentions also "a bird" he has "often reported," a "grey bird with a white feather each side of the tail, and larger than a pipit, kind of slate colour, light streak through eye, black hood over its head." And another; "colour of Tree Sparrow, but smaller grey white belly, slate-coloured head; never seen the latter before."
In autumn Mr Agnew says: "Up to 14th October migration was very meagre,—something like last year, and from the same cause; gales of wind from the W. and N.E. That we have any at all shows how determined the birds are to keep their usual time of migration, even when under great difficulties."