140 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



All the lochs were frozen, but the ice was not very thick, and the 

 sun had great power in melting it. Red Deer, Roe Deer, and 

 Fallow Deer did not suffer at Kildalton, but Hares and Rabbits 

 died in some numbers. The shore birds and regularly recurring 

 migrants appeared and departed about the same time as usual. 

 Many birds not commonly seen and strange to the people spent 

 last winter in Islay ; and in January and February many small 

 birds died. I am indebted to my friend, Mr. F. S. Mitchell, for 

 the above notes on Islay. 



In a general report upon the winter in Islay, prepared for me 

 by Mr. F. S. Mitchell, and quoting from the log of Mr. Chisholm, 

 there occurs the following passage : — " While going from Bowmore 

 to Portnahaven on January 10, 1879, we had frost at Bowmore 

 and pretty sharp cold. On arriving a mile beyond Port Charlotte 

 we found no snow, nor had there been any during the winter in 

 that part, nor more than a very slight sprinkling in the whole 

 parish of Kilchonan. The weather, by all accounts, was milder in 

 Islay in winter than any place in Britain except the Channel 

 Islands, but the spring migrants arrived late." 



In the Outer Hebrides in June, vegetation was far further 

 advanced than at any other locality in Scotland that I had seen. 

 June in Uist was for the most part warm and genial, notwith- 

 standing that north and north-east winds prevailed here, as else- 

 where in Scotland, all through the summer. 



Few of the birds which are usually resident in the Long Island 

 migrated, or were much affected by the severe winter. Twites 

 collected as usual in flocks around Newton and other favourable 

 localities, and Wrens remained as usual. In Harris, however, 

 which is more exposed and higher than Uist, small birds died in 

 some numbers, and one Deer succumbed. 



As the autumn of 1879 advanced, and the time for the great 

 migration approached, I communicated with various correspondents, 

 asking them to keep me acquainted with the bird-life on the coasts 

 and in other localities, but I do not expect to make much use of 

 these reports or correspondence, until I receive at the end of the 

 year the various schedules which have been issued by Mr. John 

 Cordeaux and myself to the principal keepers of the lighthouses, 

 with the sanction and approval of the Brethren of the Trinity House 

 and the Commissioners of Northern Lights. The subject of the 

 Migration of Birds on our coasts will in future form material for a 



