302 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



the same time as the Woodcock, but none have been seen this 

 season. The Lapwing takes up its winter abode regularly in 

 Islay, or has done so for several years past. 



May continued dry and sunny, but with cold east winds until 

 the 22nd, when we had a change, and some rain fell with S.W. 

 wind on the 23rd. Grass and vegetation were beginning to suffer 

 by this time, and rivers were reduced to mere silver threads. 



In Aberdeenshire heavy rain fell, raising slightly the river Don, 

 between the 6th and 10th June, and freshening the corn-fields. 

 Great drought continued, however, generally in Scotland, and east 

 winds still prevailed. Occasional and severe night frosts occurred 

 through May, and even in June, doing considerable damage to 

 budded fruit-trees, &c. 



July was more moist, yet little rain fell to swell the rivers in 

 central Scotland, and rains which did occur were very local. 

 Sufficient fell, however, to give an impetus to growth of turnips 

 and other crops. In Perthshire much thundery weather and 

 heavy rains between the 5th and 13th July, and levels of lochs 

 raised two feet. East winds still prevailed, often cold and with 

 mist in the mornings. Heat great on some days towards the end 

 of the month, and weather thundery, with heavy falls of rain and 

 local flooding of rivers ; other days cold, with fresh breezes. 



August was excessively hot, and many will remember the 

 scorching heat of the opening days of the grouse shooting. 



Little rain fell, and rivers remained unflooded till September, 

 when the weather shortly changed, and became colder, with more 

 frequent rains ; but dry fine weather again succeeded and continued 

 to far into October, in the central districts of Scotland — the east 

 wind being, indeed, most marked through the whole autumn, and, 

 as subsequent statistics show, having a powerful effect upon the 

 Migration of 1880.* ~ 



MAMMALS. 



RABBIT AND HARE. 



Leporidae. 

 Rabbits are scarcer in Islay, and generally in Scotland. Hares 

 also scarce in Islay and elsewhere. One or two more such winters 



* See forthcoming "Report on the Migration of Birds in 1880," being 

 now prepared for the British Association by Mr. Cordeaux and myself. 



