REPORT ON SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGY IN 1917 191 



The Arctic Skua, Stercorarius parasiticus. First noted at 

 Foula on 27th April, North Unst on 1st May, and Swona next day; 

 arrivals continued to mid-May. Last seen at Swona on 29th 

 September, and the Dornoch Firth on 10th October, while on 

 29th December one occurred at Pladda. 



The Razorbill, Aha torda.- Arrived at Foula on 22nd April, 

 and the Isle of May two days later; most had left this latter station 

 by 9th August. 



The Guillemot, Uria troille troille. Paid several visits to the 

 Isle of May cliffs in January and February, and finally settled down 

 there on 21st March. Arrived at Foula on 22nd April, and next 

 day many small parties of Guillemots were seen in the sea off 

 Culler.. Most had gone at the Isle of May by 9th August. 



The Black Guillemot, Uria grylle grylle. Seen about 

 Whalsay Skerries on 15th February and 25th March, and at Sule 

 Skerry on 22nd April. A young bird was seen in the sound at 

 Kyleakin on 18th August, and ten (in white plumage) at Whalsay 

 Skerries on 2nd October. 



The Little Auk, Alle alle. Some were seen about the Isle of 

 May on 30th and 31st January, single birds on Largo Law on 

 4th December, Innergellie on 7th, Charleton about 12th December, 

 Elie on 22nd, and Largo Bay (all E. Fife) on 30th December, and 

 some about the Isle of May on 16th December. 



The Puffin, Fratercula arctica.One arrived at Swona on nth 

 August and a good many at this station two days later. Arrivals 

 are noted at Foula on 21st April, Sule Skerry on 23rd and 30th, 

 Whalsay Skerries on 28th April, and the Isle of May on 2nd May. 

 The last left the rocks at Swona on 9th August, many were flying 

 west at Kyleakin on 15th August, and that night at 11 f.m. two 

 were killed at the Muckle Flugga lantern, while most had left 

 Whalsay Skerries by 16th August. 



The Corncrake, Crex crex. Was rather late in arriving in 

 1917; the earliest records are from Kilmacolm on 28th April, 

 Deerness, Orkney, next day, Darvel on 1st May, and Beith and 

 Cathcart next day. After this the spread was rapid and many notes 

 of arrival come up to 25th May. Last records in autumn are from 

 Beith on 4th September and the Dhuheartach lantern, where 

 a Corncrake was killed at 8 p.m. on 6th November. 



The Water-rail, Rallus aquaticus aquaticus. Single birds 

 were killed at Kyleakin on 29th January and the Rhinns of Islay 



