Part 2

Snow Bunting, _Plectrophanes nivalis_.--Recorded from the following stations:--Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Isle of May, Inch Keith. In all thirteen entries. Earliest date Sept. 13th, at Whalsey, when large flocks arrived and stayed thereafter all winter; wind on Sept. 13th N., with showers. Latest date noted Dec. 29th, at Pentland Skerries, when large flock seen on island at 11.15 a.m.; wind strong N.E., hail. Between these dates: Oct. 27th, at Isle of May, a flock at 2 p.m.; wind E.N.E., and heavy hail-showers. 28th, Pentland Skerries, a flock on the island at 1 p.m.; wind strong N.E., and hail. At Pentland Skerries, Nov. 6th, a few--five killed--from 7 to 11 p.m.; wind W., showers. At Isle of May, 13th, a flock at 2 p.m.; wind light W., clear. 29th, one bird killed at same station at 6 a.m.; wind light W., haze. At Sumburgh Head, Dec. 5th, ten seen at 1 p.m.; wind fresh S.W., haze and rain. At Inch Keith, Dec. 10th, large flock at 9 a.m., remained twenty-four hours; 15th, very large flock at 11 a.m.; wind light S., snow. At Pentland Skerries, Dec. 19th, flock at 2.15 p.m.; wind strong S.E., rain.

_Note._--Mr. Hardy notes the earliest appearance on 18th Oct. in East Lothian--a single bird near Thornton Loch, on the public road, a field's-breadth from the sea-side. Wind N. and tempestuous, with heavy rain.

Sky Lark, _Alauda arvensis_.--Records from Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. Earliest date Oct. 23rd, at Sumburgh Head; one seen singing for a short time; wind N.W., fine, showers, and sunshine. Then Dec. 17th, at Pentland Skerries, large flock all day on the island; wind fresh N.E., clear. Dec. 23rd, Isle of May, all left, not one to be seen. Latest record Jan. 13th, 1881, Sumburgh Head; five seen hovering round at 1.30 p.m.; wind light E., cloudy. 14th, two at 11 a.m., rested; wind light N., clear; and on Nov. 2nd, seven at 9 a.m., flying east or landwards; wind fresh S.E., hazy. On Dec. 3rd, flocks at 11 a.m.; wind E., flying S.

Rock Pigeon, _Columba livia_.--At Pentland Skerries, a flock seen at 2 p.m.; wind light S.W., snow on the ground.

Golden Plover, _Charadrius pluvialis_.--Records reached me from Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, Tarbat Ness, and Isle of May (ten entries, of which seven were at Pentland Skerries). Earliest date July 23rd, when six were seen flying about the island--Pentland Skerries--at 9 a.m.; wind light E. At Pentland Skerries, Aug. 11th, a flock flying S.E. at 10.30 a.m.; wind light W., clear. No more till Nov. 15th, when a flock remained a week at Auskerry, arriving at 11 a.m., with light N.E. wind. At Tarbat Ness, Nov. 11th, hundreds all day till 4 p.m.; wind N. to W. with snow. Nov. 21st, at 3.30 p.m., a flock on island at Pentland Skerries; wind fresh S.W., clear. At Pentland Skerries, Dec. 16th, a flock flying N. at 10.30 a.m.; wind fresh S.W., and snow. At Isle of May, Dec. 22nd, one bird. "They are not seen here every year, and most in severe weather."

Oystercatcher, _Hæmatopus ostralegus_.--At Sumburgh Head, Aug. 28th, all left after the fog of 21st--28th cleared away; as did other species, including Wheatears, Wagtails, and Rock-birds. At Auskerry, five arrived, with light S. wind and haze, and remained a week.

Heron, _Ardea cinerea_.--At Isle of May, July 22nd, a flock of six flying S. at 2.30 p.m.; wind light E., clear. At Pentland Skerries, Sept. 9th, seven at 5 a.m.; wind light W., clear. At Sumburgh Head, Sept. 19th, three flying about at 10 a.m.; wind N.W., and haze. At Auskerry, Oct. 8th, two arrived at 2 p.m.; wind light E., clear; and remained; and at same station on 21st, twelve arrived at 11.30 a.m.; wind light N., and remained.

Curlew, _Numenius arquata_.--One record (April 13th) belongs to the spring migration. One was seen flying S.E. at 11 a.m.; wind S., and haze. At Sumburgh Head, Aug. 12th, six seen flying W. and crying loudly at 12.30 p.m.; wind S.W., and haze. 2nd, seven flying about, and then taking off W. and crying loudly at 1 p.m.; wind light S.W., haze. At Auskerry, Oct. 9th, five at 1 p.m.; wind light E., clear; and remained. At Isle of May, Curlews had been on the island for weeks.

_Note._--Mr. Dunn, Dalkeith Gardens, "heard a Curlew when calling, some 800 to 1000 feet up in the air." It was flying due W. on Dec. 26th. The sky was clear and the sun shining at the time--about 1 p.m. Wind light from W. in morning; calm at the time. For the previous six days the wind veered between S. by W. to N., the prevailing wind being S.W. Weather "very cold that day, and for a few days before and after." Being a station of the Scottish Meteorological Society, the above statistics are exact.

Redshank and Sandpiper, _Totanus calidris_.--At Isle of May, Dec. 27th, three Sandpipers seen at 4 p.m.; wind N.E., haze; and on Jan. 3rd, at same place, a Redshank shot.

Snipe, _Scolopax gallinago_.--At Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. At Isle of May, Sept. 12th, one killed at lantern at 4 a.m.; wind N.E., fresh, and rain. At Pentland Skerries, Oct. 2nd, two killed at 8.30 p.m., during strong N. wind, haze, and rain. At Auskerry, Oct. 21st, two arrived at 3.45, and remained; wind strong N. At Isle of May, Jan. 12th, a number arrived at night; wind fresh N.E., and rain.

Woodcock, _Scolopax rusticola_.--At Isle of May, Oct. 9th, one seen at 5 a.m.; wind strong N.E., and showers; this is earlier than usual. At Isle of May, Oct. 19th, more arrived during the night or morning, with N.E. gale, and showers. At Auskerry, Oct. 21st, one arrived at 3.30 p.m., and remained; wind strong N., with sleet. On Nov. 16th considerable numbers came during the night. These are the latest Mr. Agnew remembers to have seen, by several weeks. At Pentland Skerries, Nov. 29th, one on the island at morn; wind strong W., and clear.

Goose, _Anser_.--On Oct 14th a flock of "Grey Geese" flying S.E., at 10.45 a.m., past the Pentland Skerries; wind fresh N.W., and showers. Again on Oct. 24th another flock of the same flying also S.E. at 5.15 p.m.; wind also fresh N.W., clear. Again on 26th Oct. a flock of the same flying N. at 6.30 a.m.; wind strong N., and showers; all the above probably indicating only a local migration--to and fro. At Isle of May, Oct. 26th, a large flock flying N., with westerly gale.

_Note._--Mr. Dunn, Dalkeith Gardens, "observed a >-shaped flock of about forty Wild Geese, about six hundred feet from the surface of the earth, flying in an easterly direction on the 16th December. They made a considerable noise in their flight. The wind at the time was N.W., and for the six previous days it ranged from W. to N., on one day only chopping round to S., _viz._, on 15th, which was the day before we saw the Geese. Snow was lying on the ground at the time, and the next seven days were cold, dull, and stormy, with more or less snow falling every day. Flights of Geese are not common in this district, hence the interest taken in the above." Could we get a number of similar records from inland observers, how useful they would be for comparison with our coast stations.--[J. A. H. B.]

Swan, _Cygnus_.--At Sumburgh Head, Jan. 30th, 1881, twenty wild Swans seen, first a mile off, flying along the shore very slowly, and lowering, apparently much exhausted. At North Ronaldshay, Dec. 23rd, 1880, sixteen Swans seen; they stayed on a large loch about two weeks, during a heavy fall of snow, and flew off north when the thaw commenced.

Ducks.--Two records on April 1st at Whalsey and Sumburgh Head, referable to the spring migration. At Whalsey, Eider Ducks (or "Dunters") arrived about this date, and at Sumburgh Head, Sheldrakes arrived on this date, at 10 a.m.; wind strong S.S.E., with showers. In the autumn migration, notes have been taken at Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May (eight entries). Eiders said to leave about August, and the note is added that, "after the Ducks have sat eight or ten days, the Drakes all disappear from the neighbourhood." On Sept. 12th, twelve male Eiders seen at 3 p.m.; wind S., and fine, with haze. At Pentland Skerries, Sept. 14th, a flock, mostly males, seen flying E.; wind light E., and rain. Sept. 25th, at same station, a flock of male and female Eiders flying E.; wind light E., rain. At Isle of May, Oct. 19th, a "small duck." At Isle of May, Dec. 22nd, "a flock of ducks" swam along shore. At Tarbat Ness, Dec. 30th, flocks of from eight to ten "ducks" seen from 2 to 3.30 p.m.; wind light N., and snow. At Isle of May, Jan. 13th, three "Wild Ducks" seen; wind E.N.E., gale, and snow.

Rock Birds.--Records at North Unst, Whalsey, and Sumburgh refer to spring arrival. At North Unst, April 25th, innumerable Puffins and rock-birds arrived; wind fresh N.W., and clear. At Whalsey, March 15th, the rock-birds arrived. At Sumburgh, March 4th, they arrived about 7 a.m. In autumn, all left Whalsey on Aug. 28th after the fog, which had hung since the 21st, cleared off. At Pentland Skerries, July 25th, a flock of Guillemots seen flying E. at 7 p.m., with moderate E. wind. On Aug. 4th, two flocks flying E. between 3 and 4 p.m., with light S. wind; and on Aug. 25th, three flocks seen flying E. between 5 and 8 p.m., with light S.W. airs.

_Note._--Mr. M. Vaughan--to whom I am indebted for supplementary notes--writes that Rock-birds, Gannets, and Cormorants were scarcer than usual in Orkney during the first week in August. I have no return this year from Dunnet Head, but Mr. Geo. Maclachlan, says, "There are over 3000 Guillemots hatched here, and I am able to count (say) 175 in 350." At the Isle of May, Eiders arrived about Oct. 1st, coming, it is believed, to winter from the Isle of May and Fidra. They remain till end of March.

Gulls.--At Sumburgh Head, Oct. 23rd, one Iceland Gull seen at 8 a.m.; wind N.W., with showers. This is the first seen. They come in October and leave in April. At same station, Nov. 22nd, another Iceland Gull at 10 a.m.; wind fresh S.W., and clear. At Tarbat Ness, Dec. 24th, two ("Iceland Gulls") at 11 a.m.; wind light N.E., and sleet.

_Note._--These "Iceland Gulls" maybe true _Larus islandicus_ or Iceland Gull _vera_, but more probably are Glaucous Gulls (_Larus glaucus_). The incident below related is confirmed by a letter received from Mr. Jack, the head light-keeper at the Bell Rock lighthouse:--"Arbroath: A Fact for Naturalists.--Our Arbroath correspondent writes:--A curious story of a sea-bird is in circulation here, and I send it you, as it has been related to me on what seems fairly good authority. The other day a white Sea Gull of the Kittiwake variety was seen flying about the signal-tower of the Bell Rock lighthouse. The bird was evidently in distress, and one of the lighthouse-keepers opening a window, held out his hands, when it came to him. The bird, in taking a bait fixed to a line, had swallowed the hook, and the line, with its handle, a stick about a foot long, was dependent from the bird's mouth. The light-keeper cut away the string as far down the bird's throat as he could reach, and the bird flew away evidently relieved.--'Scotsman,' 1st May, 1880." Mr. Jack writes as follows, 10th May, 1880:--"It is quite true about the Sea Gull. It was so unusual to see a string attached to the bird, that I opened the window of my bedroom and leaned out to look at it, when, strange to say, it came towards me. Without thinking for a moment that the creature would really come to me, I held out my hands towards it, when it came close up to me. I took hold of it and brought it inside, and called to my two assistants (who were looking out of another window a few feet from mine) to 'look at this.' So surprised were they both at the whole affair, that after we had relieved the poor bird, one of my assistants declared that, when he got on shore in turn, he would state the case to the editor of the 'Guide' newspaper." "Poor little creature!" adds my correspondent, "it was a pleasant sight to see it on its flight away, and not as it arrived, weary and worn out." One has only to imagine the Bell Rock as the Ark in the midst of the waters, and the Gull a Dove. As I am speaking now of the Bell Rock, I may note here that large numbers of Long-tailed Ducks are reported by Mr. Jack as frequenting the vicinity of the rock in winter, constantly uttering their peculiar cry of "Co-co-candle-wick." Solan Geese are perpetually in sight summer and winter, flying round the rock or fishing. Mr. Jack also tells us that single birds of different species come crash against the dome or windows with terrific force, and rebounding off are seldom even seen, but leave often their blood and brains scattered about.

Skua, _Lestris catarractes_.--Reported as seen at North Unst first on April 18th. About the same number is counted, _viz._, six or eight each year. In autumn, at Sumburgh Head, one "Bonzie" was seen flying W. at noon; wind S.S.W., haze; and the note is added, "The first seen (in autumn?) for eight years."

Terns, _Sterninæ_.--Two records referable to spring migration at Whalsey and Sumburgh Head. Arriving at former about May 15th and at the latter on May 16th, at 9.40, with variable winds, fine, and clear. In autumn, records at Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, and Bell Rock. They disappeared from Bell Rock on Aug. 23rd, "not, however, from want of food, as plenty soil of herring are around the rock." They had been about the rock for a fortnight, feeding. They disappeared from Whalsey, Aug. 25th, after the fog of 21st--28th, at the same time with Wheatears, Oystercatchers, Wagtails, and rock-birds. At Bell Rock, Aug. 28th, about thirty old and young were seen feeding; and on the 29th these all left. At Sumburgh Head, Sept. 8th, a number flying about and crying at 9 a.m.; wind W., light and haze. At Auskerry, Oct. 1st, four flew round for a little about 1 a.m.; wind light E., rain.

_Note._--Mr. J. T. Garriock, to whom I am obliged for a supplementary schedule from Lerwick, recorded in 'The Zoologist' for 1880 the arrival of Terns, apparently from the north, on May 22nd, when a pair was first noticed. In a subsequent letter to me, Mr. Garriock confirms his observation on the direction of their flight.

Petrel, _Thalassidroma pelagica_.--Occasionally strikes the lantern during the season at North Unst, but no dates given. At Whalsey, Aug. 16th, one caught at 1 a.m.; wind light N.W., haze. At Sumburgh Head, Aug. 3rd, three struck at 11 p.m.; wind N.N.W., dull, and sultry; and on the 6th, one struck at midnight; wind S., and haze. At Auskerry, Aug. 16th, one killed at 11.20 p.m.; light S. breeze, fog, and haze. One struck at Auskerry, Sept. 13th, at 3 a.m.; wind strong S., and haze.

Gannet, _Sula bassana_.--At Sumburgh Head, July 20th (earliest date), great numbers, adult and young, flying in all directions, feeding on herrings. At Pentland Skerries, July 19th, 30-40, flying E., wind N.E., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 20th, 50, flying E., wind fresh N., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 21st, 60, flying E., wind light N.E., clear, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 22nd, 25, flying E., wind light N.E. airs, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 23rd, 25-30, flying E., wind E., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 24th, 40, flying E., wind S.E., 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., fog, haze; 26th, 60, flying E., wind mod. E., 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., fog, haze; Aug. 4th, continuous flights, wind light E., 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., fog, haze; 5th, continuous flights, wind moderate W., 4.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.

_Note._--Solan Geese were observed daily in flocks going E., from July 19th to middle of Sept.; and going W. on Aug. 19th, 20th, and 25th. About the middle of Sept. young appeared amongst them. This note summarises to a great extent the above data. At Tarbat Ness, Oct. 18th, 19th, and 20th, great numbers flying N., wind S., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Since the return of the schedules Mr. Jack has written to me that--"On the 5th February, 1881, the Bell Rock station was visited by the largest flock of birds I have seen this winter, _viz._. Larks, Rose Linnets, Starlings, and other species which I did not see well enough to make out. Time when seen, 2 till 5 a.m.; wind light S.W. on arrival, and on departure fresh N.E. Fog and rain. Great numbers struck, but none found dead, though doubtless many fell into the sea. I have observed during the last two winters that the Golden-crested Wren and the Common Wren have not visited us as usual. I have seen these small birds thick on the windows, night after night, during the fall of the year." It is interesting to note here that between the 2nd and 11th March, 1880, a similar great migration took place past the Bell Rock, of which an account is given in my last report for 1879 [_vide_ Zool., May, 1880].[3] At Bell Rock, 18th Feb., a great number of Larks, 8 p.m., light E.S.E., haze. Great numbers struck, none lying dead. Apparently this flock was entirely composed of Larks greatly exhausted. A number seen asleep all night on window-sashes; left at first streak of dawn. Feb. 19th, a small number of birds (species not determined) flew about in the rays of light all night; wind S.E., fresh, haze. 25th, great number of Larks during the night; wind light W.; striking, but none found dead; left, flying N.W. March 10th, one Black Crow seen asleep on balcony rail; left flying N.E., at 7 a.m.; wind fresh W.S.W., haze. 17th, one "Snowflake" flying from N.W. to S.E.; wind W.S.W., fresh, haze. In a letter accompanying this later schedule, Mr. Jack writes (28th March, 1881):--"I am sorry to say our close companions during winter, Dunters and Sea Pheasants, are still with us in great numbers. This we know by long observation to indicate that winter is not yet past for a season, nor can we judge so until they have all been gone for a week at least. In the fall of the year, when we see them return, we well know that winter is at hand. When stationed in the Isles of Shetland I have often remarked, when I heard much howling going on amongst the seals, that no good weather could be looked for, and I have never known this to fail."

[Footnote 3: Later in March this year, _viz._ the 19th, an indication of a returning (?) migration of Shrikes is found in the occurrence of one bird at Bath Hill Wood, West Grange, Perthshire, not very far removed from the Alloa district. It was shot by Mr. J. Livingstone, and is now in the collection of Mr. J. J. Dalgleish.]

General Remarks.

As already mentioned, we have received fewer returns this year from the East Coast than in 1879, having returns only from eight stations in 1880, against thirteen in 1879. This arises principally from actual scarcity of birds at many stations, and at some, from extra work devoted to duties of the reporters, owing to fogs and stormy weather. This scarcity appears to have extended all along our Scottish E. coast, and even showed itself for some distance down the East English coast. That, at no time, can our East of Scotland returns approach in magnitude those of the East English coast, I fully believe, because, in the weather most favourable for observation at the stations,--_viz._, foggy or thick nights,--lanterns placed a few feet above the water, as they are in lightships, must attract far more birds than higher lanterns at the lighthouses. The peculiar situations also of many of our Scottish stations--in the midst of towns (as at Cromarty and Kinnaird Head, in Frazerburgh), in inland bays and arms of the sea (as at Chanonry, and at many localities on our west coast)--must very materially alter the conditions of observation. At our more northern stations the lighthouses for the most part stand at great elevations, and it is worthy of note that from such stations as the Bell Rock, Pentland Skerries, and Whalsey Skerries, on the east coast, and Dhuheartach and Skerryvore, on the west coast, &c., we have the best filled schedules, showing that stations upon lower and isolated elevations are the best points of observation.

At the conclusion of my report for 1879, under the West Coast stations, I take notice of the N.W. to S.E. trend of the migration across Tyree and Loch Assapol in the Ross of Mull, and of the direction taken by birds across the narrow part of Scotland between the Firths of Forth and Clyde (_vide_ 'The Zoologist,' May, 1880, pp. 202-204).

My present impression--from these and many similar observations in Stirlingshire and the districts named--is, that a semi-circular migration is probably carried on; birds which strike our coasts at more northerly points, or start from localities further north in Scotland itself, at certain points trend more southerly from their original E. to W. direction; and again, at certain other points, again trend more easterly from their previous N. to S. direction, and pass finally, as far as our British Islands are concerned, from N.W. to S.E. directions. This, of course, is more patent in some seasons than in others, depending upon prevailing winds and weather. Birds came to us all through the migratory season from E. to W. across the North Sea, except in 1879 at the Galloper Bank L.V. (Zool., May, 1880, p. 203). In 1879, I believe, as further indicated at the end of my report on the West Coast, that the migration was compressed by prevailing N.W. winds, and deflected further south, but in 1880 was more expanded, or less compressed, by prevalence of N.E. and E. winds, and that therefore the horizontal area of migration covered a larger surface. In 1880 we thus find birds migrating from directions south of East to directions north of West across the English Channel, or crossing from France to England (_vide_ Cordeaux's Report _antea_). These points are put forward not as intended to be conclusive, but simply for the purpose of directing attention for further statistics. I will only further direct attention here to my "Third Ornithological Report for Scotland, 1880-81," read to the Natural History Society of Glasgow, session 1880-81.