MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1901 69 



SOLWAY. 

 Locality. Name of Observer. 



Killantringan L.H. Gilbert M'Kinnon, Lightkeeper. 



Portpatrick James M'L. Marshall. 



Dalbeattie N. B. Kinnear. 



Maxwelltown, Dumfries Robert Service, M.B.O.U. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



The weather conditions during the earlier months of 

 1901 were exceedingly variable, with a temperature below 

 the normal in many districts ; but with the advent of the 

 third week in April warm and genial weather set in. This 

 continued during the greater part of May, and was followed 

 by a very fine and dry summer. 



The favourable conditions prevailing during the time 

 when most of our summer migrants arrive did not, as some 

 may have been led to expect, cause an early appearance in 

 the majority of the species ; indeed, a contrary result would 

 appear to have been produced, as the average dates, save in 

 a few isolated cases, are somewhat later than the normal, 

 although this seems to have varied somewhat in particular 

 districts. 



A marked feature of the autumn movements was the 

 comparative scarcity of the smaller Passerines at most of the 

 stations, the conditions most conducive to their observation, 

 haze and rain, having apparently been absent when most of 

 the emigrants were passing south ; consequently they 

 did not come to any great degree within the range of 

 observation. 



The first movement on the East Coast is reported from 

 Noup Head, where Fieldfares, Larks, and Snow Buntings 

 were passing in some numbers between February 20 and 

 25 ; a day or two later Thrushes and Skylarks were 

 numerous at the Bell Rock light, and at the same station, on 

 March I 1-12, Starlings, Blackbirds, Larks, Robins, and 

 Lapwings were flying round the light in numbers. At Isle 

 of May on April 6 many Wagtails, Wheatears, and Gold- 

 crests were at the lantern ; and on the 22nd, Willow Wrens 

 and Redstarts. A rush of Wheatears, Redstarts, Gold- 



