24 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



is difficult to say. From what I have seen I am satisfied 

 there is a stream coming down outside and passing this 

 place on their way South. This is very distinctly seen in 

 the case of the sea birds Guillemots and Razorbills. In 

 August I have watched them for days coming from Barra- 

 head in flocks of from twenty to fifty, and when passing the 

 tower altered their course to a direction that would fetch the 

 north coast of Ireland. 



I will now give a list of birds seen at Skerryvore, with 

 some notes of their occurrence. 



THRUSH, Turdus musicus. A visitor on migration. Never very 

 numerous. Generally in company with Redwings and Field- 

 fares ; more common in autumn than spring. 



REDWING, Turdus iliacus. A regular spring and autumn visitor, 

 sometimes in great numbers. The earliest record of their 

 appearance in autumn was on 2yth Sept. this year. As a rule 

 they are not seen till the 8th or loth Oct., but weather con- 

 ditions may have something to do with this. The main body 

 seems to pass South in October and the first half of November, 

 but stragglers are not uncommon till the end of November. 

 In spring so far I have never observed any great rush. 



FIELDFARE, Turdus pilaris. Not plentiful in spring, but always 

 common in October and November, generally arriving about 

 ten days to a fortnight after first appearance of Redwings. 

 Rarely seen after end of November. 



BLACKBIRD, Turdus merula. Fairly common in March and April, 

 and again in October and November, for the most part in 

 company with Redwings and Fieldfares. 



RING OUZEL, Turdus torquatus. An occasional visitor in spring 

 and autumn. 



WHEATEAR, Saxicola oinanthe. Always seen in spring and autumn, 

 sometimes in considerable numbers. Earliest occurrence in 

 spring, 26th March 1906. In the Fall the date of arrival 

 varies from i5th to aoth Aug., and on through August and 

 September they are almost daily visitors. I have noticed four 

 or five about the rock a whole day, departing before sunset, 

 and the following day fresh arrivals took their place. When 

 the weather is clear none are seen on the lantern at night, 

 and as they make no particular cry when on the passage, it is 

 not easy to detect their occurrence unless they rest on the 

 rock. In hazy weather numbers are seen at night, but never 

 in a great rush. 



