16 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



SWIFT, C. apus. 8th May is the first record, and single birds are 

 reported on i3th, i6th, and 23rd May. 



WRYNECK,/! torquilla. I saw a Wryneck on the wall of the light- 

 house garden on 2oth September, and one came to the lantern 

 on the night of 26th September. 



CUCKOO, C. canoms. The first of the season was heard on 4th 

 May, and on i8th and 24th May single birds were seen. On 

 the return journey a bird of the year was procured on 2oth 



August. 



SHORT-EARED OWL, A. actipitrinus. On yth March one was seen at 

 midnight, busily engaged in chasing other migrants that were 

 attracted by the light. On 26th March, ist April, and 3rd 

 and 4th May single birds were seen. 



Two were reported on 24th September, one on 25th 

 October, and another on 29th October. On i3th November 

 one was observed by Mr. Maccuish chasing a Redwing. 



PEREGRINE, F. peregrinus. I saw a bird of the year on four occa- 

 sions, on 2oth September and from the 3rd to the 5th October. 

 Once I saw it single a bird out from amongst a flock of Star- 

 lings ; it stooped at the Starling three times, but each time the 

 pursued one dodged just at the critical moment, and it event- 

 ually escaped, for the time being, anyway. After this chase the 

 Starlings would not move for an hour or so from the telephone 

 wire, or flag -staff, or wherever they happened to be sitting. 

 Once I saw a Herring Gull chase the Falcon away, but Herring 

 Gulls will chase most things. 



MERLIN, F. tzsalon. One was to be seen most days from 26th 

 September to 8th October. I was walking over the island one 

 day when I heard a great twittering, and looking up saw a Sky- 

 lark being pursued by a Merlin. There was a great chase, but 

 by vigorous dodging the Lark managed to elude its pursuer. 



KESTREL, F. tinnunatliis. One noted in spring on 2gth April. I 

 saw one or two occasionally, and on the night of 4th October 

 a male was caught at the lantern. On one occasion a Kestrel 

 was seen to kill and eat a Chaffinch, and twice I saw four or 

 five Herring Gulls mob and chase one of these birds with such 

 ardour that it had to twist and turn to escape the rushes of its 

 pursuers ; it was quite routed, being driven away to the south 

 of the island. 



HERON, A, tincrea. Seen in small numbers on the rocks most 

 days during my stay on the island. The Herring Gulls used to 

 mob and hustle this species too. 



BERNACLE GOOSE, B. lencopsis. A single bird reported by Mr. 

 Maccuish on the 3ist March. 



