6 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



(Falco peregrinus), Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus\ and Merlins 

 (Falco cesalon) were observed, doubtless preying on the 

 smaller migrants. 



There is nothing new or strange to record among the 

 Anatidae, but a Stock-dove (Columba cenas], seen on iSth 

 September, is an addition to our island list, as is a Bar-tailed 

 Godwit (Limosa lapponica), seen on 24th September. On 

 the whole, Waders were scarce, with the exception of 

 Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) and Curlew (Numenius 

 arquatd), of which we saw a good many. Several Lesser 

 Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus} appeared in September, an 

 immature Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus] on i 3th October, 

 and an adult bird next day. Towards the end of our stay 

 we saw enormous flocks of Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyld). A 

 Great Skua (Megalestris skua) appeared on 3rd October, 

 and towards the end of our visit there were vast numbers of 

 Razorbills (Alca tordd) and Guillemots (Uria troille) in the 

 sea close to the island ; they, as well as the Kittiwakes, were no 

 doubt feeding on the shoals of small silvery fish with which 

 the sea swarmed, many being cast up in the harbour. A 

 little Grebe (Podidpes fluviatilis) was seen on i6th and I7th 

 October, and a Storm Petrel (Thalassidroma pelagica) was 

 killed at the lantern late in the month, while on the morning 

 of 1 6th October we watched a Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus 

 griseus} for some time flying about close to the island. 



We must again express our indebtedness to the Com- 

 missioners of Northern Lights for their kindness in giving us 

 permission to live and work on the Isle of May. Our time 

 there was full of interest and pleasure, and we greatly 

 appreciate the privilege which has been accorded us. It is 

 impossible adequately to thank our friends on the May for 

 all their kindness to us, but we wish to express our gratitude 

 as well as we can to Mr. and Mrs. Ross, Mr. and Mrs. 

 Baigrie, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, for all they did for us while we 

 were on the island, and for birds sent since we left, and for 

 this last we have also to thank Mr. and Mrs. Macleod. We 

 hereby tender our warmest thanks to Dr. Hartert, who most 

 kindly examined our skins and determined some of the racial 

 forms for us, and to Mr. Eagle Clarke for all his help and 

 kindness. 



