BIRD NOTES FROM THE ISLE OF MAY 15 



REED-BUNTING, E. scJmniclus. This was the only kind of Bunting 

 that I saw on the island. A single bird arrived on 24th 

 September and was seen the next two days ; on 27th and 28th 

 September there were two, and one on the 3oth. A single 

 bird on 7th October. These Buntings were extremely wild. 



SNOW-BUNTING, P. nivalis. On the 2nd January and 2ist and 

 26th March single birds are reported, and one was killed at 

 the lantern on the night of 25th October. 



SKYLARK, A. arvensis. On the nights of loth, 2oth, and 26th 

 February and 4th March a few are reported at the lantern ; a 

 small rush on the night of 7th March, and a few at the light on 

 the night of ist April. From igth September onwards I saw a 

 few Skylarks most days ; a lot passed over from north to south 

 on 2nd October, and on several occasions they came to the light. 

 On i 7th October they were numerous during the day and several 

 were at the lantern at night; in the early morning of 23rd 

 October a few are reported, and the same next night. 



STARLING, S. vulgaris. On the night of loth February there were 

 a few at the lantern, and on 7th March a small rush. On the 

 25th March there were flocks all day, and on 26th March 

 "great flocks which stayed several days." On the night of ist 

 April there was a great rush all night. 



I saw Starlings every day, a few to begin with, increasing 

 gradually towards the end of my stay. On several occasions 

 they came to the lantern and sat on the hand-rail, gazing in at 

 the light till daylight came ; they were difficult to catch, hurry- 

 ing round the rail when pursued. This species figured largely 

 in the big rush on the night of i7th October, a few in the 

 early morning of 23rd October, and many next night. Other 

 movements are recorded for 27th and 28th October, and for 

 3rd and 4th November. 



JACKDAW, C. monedula. Mr. Maccuish reports that great flocks 

 came in on 26th March and stayed for several days. On 2Sth 

 October there were a few on the island. 



HOODIE CROW, C. comix, Flocks are reported on 25th March, 

 and great flocks next day. These birds stayed several days. 

 A flock is recorded on iSth October, and a big flock through- 

 out the day on 28th October. 



ROOK, C. frugilegus. On gth January one was seen, and three on 

 5th March ; on the night of 6th March one struck the lantern 

 and was killed. This species participated in the great rush on 

 25th and 26th March, flocks being reported for the former 

 date, and " great flocks which stayed for several days " for the 

 latter. In autumn a large flock is reported on 28th October. 



