MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1903 141 



window. Fieldfares were in vast numbers on May I, and 

 from May 5 to the 9th. At North Ronaldshay very few 

 birds were observed during the Spring. 



On the West Coast, in " Solway " area, Spring move- 

 ments began early. On Feb. 1 2 Lapwings were passing 

 up during the whole of daylight, and a big general move- 

 ment of Curlews was noted on Feb. 15. A similar move- 

 ment took place on March i 8. On April 20, big general 

 migration after nightfall, lasting till 11.25 P - M - Ducks, 

 Geese, Knots, Dunlin, Redshanks, Golden Plover, Thrushes, 

 and Gulls recognised. April 30, big migration of waders at 

 9 P.M. At Corsewall Lighthouse great numbers of Red- 

 wings, Thrushes, Blackbirds, Starlings, and Larks were at 

 the lantern on March 21-22; and on May 3, Redstarts, 

 Meadow Pipits, and Ring Ousels. At Skerryvore, Feb. 

 14-17, small birds were striking. March 22-31, Blackbirds, 

 Thrushes, and Starlings. April 17-19, Wheatears and 

 Pipits ; and on May I a rush of small birds, Wagtails, 

 Meadow and Rock Pipits, Wheatears, etc. The same 

 species were passing on May I i and 20. At Tiree an 

 extraordinary number of Fieldfares and over a thousand 

 Lapwings wintered. " Very unusual," no frost or snow. 

 Flannans, movement of Larks, etc., on March 24 ; and 

 great numbers of Redwings, April 7. 



The first important movement in the autumn is reported 

 from Sule Skerry on Sept. 4. Large numbers of birds on 

 lantern, Meadow Pipits, Wheatears, Wagtails, and Petrels. 

 A strong rush took place on Oct. 15-16, Redwings, Thrushes, 

 Fieldfares, Goldcrests, Robins, and Woodcock. On Oct. 

 28-29, a great rush of Fieldfares, with Thrushes, Redwings, 

 and Starlings. Hundreds in rays, about ninety Fieldfares 

 killed. 



The same species were noted at Noup Head on Oct. 

 25 and 28. A correspondent at Auskerry writes under 

 date Oct. 24 : " Great rush of birds, hundreds killed. 

 Thrushes in thousands, a few Blackbirds and Starlings. 

 Picked up the following day : Fieldfares and Redwings, 

 259 ; Ring Ousel, I ; Woodcock, 5 ; Snipe, I ; Snow 

 Bunting, 2. Strong breeze from E. ; haze and rain. 



