92 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



seen at one time. They occasionally remain all night 

 roosting on the dome of the lantern, but always depart the 

 following morning. 



The Common Bunting is by no means a regular visitor. 

 In December 1899 a large flock remained for most of 

 the month, one of them becoming so tame that it came 

 regularly into the workshop for food. The Snow Buntings 

 are first seen in September. In October and November 

 large flocks rest on the island for a day or two, and scores 

 of them lose their lives on the lantern at night. Very few 

 are seen in December, January, and February. In March 

 and April they visit us on their way north, but never in 

 crowds. I have seen solitary specimens in May in summer 

 plumage, and on 2nd June 1901 I saw three. 



The Merlin is always on the hunt where there are 

 plenty of small birds about. Two and three are almost 

 constantly present from August till November, and a 

 straggler is seen occasionally in spring. 



The Heron is a very uncertain visitor, having been seen 

 almost every month in the year, but August, September, and 

 October is the time they are most common. As a rule 

 they are unsociable birds, and love to travel alone. It is 

 rare to see more than one at a time, but on one occasion 

 1 5th October 1899 no l ess tnan 5 were seen on the 

 island. 



,; The Golden Plover is always seen and heard during the 

 autumn migration. A few are seen during the day, but 

 large flocks pass at night, their cry being heard in all 

 directions. On a heavy dark night I have seen scores of 

 them flying round the lantern, but only once saw one strike 

 against the windows. 



The Lapwing does not seem to take the Sule Skerry 

 route on its way south. Very few are either seen or heard in 

 autumn, a few stragglers appear in August, September, 

 and October. In February and March, if there is a continu- 

 ance of easterly and south-easterly winds, flocks of from 6 

 to I 2 very often rest for a few days. 



The Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper are well known 

 winter friends, the former arriving in August, and the latter 

 in September. Both depart in April for their breeding 



