BIRD NOTES FROM THE ISLE OF MAY 51 



the lantern. From this time to the end of our stay, few 

 migrants were to be seen : they included a Turtle-dove on 

 the 23rd, and a good many Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the 

 25th ; while on the 29th some Swallows, two Sand-martins, 

 and three Swifts passed going due N. On the 30th a Corn 

 Bunting (the second record for the island) paid us a visit, and 

 next day we found a Redshank's nest with four eggs. Field- 

 fares were seen till 1 ith May, Purple Sandpipers to the 24th, 

 Hoodies to the 29th, and Turnstones to the 31st. 



We went back to the island on nth September in a 

 north-easterly gale. Few birds were to be seen, the most 

 interesting being a Pied Flycatcher. During the greater part 

 of this visit the wind was westerly or variable ; consequently 

 the conditions were not suitable for large passages of birds 

 from over-seas. On 28th September, however, it steadied 

 into the E. and S.E., and a great rush ensued. On 12th 

 September two Barred Warblers had put in an appearance, 

 as well as a few Wheatears, a Redbreast, and a Merlin. 

 From the 13th till the 20th very small numbers of birds 

 were on the move ; these were chiefly Skylarks, Goldcrests, 

 and Thrushes. The birds procured of the last two species all 

 belonged to the British races. A Tern movement was 

 noticed on the 18th, the first Brambling of the season on the 

 19th, and a Lesser Whitethroat next day. A large passage 

 of Waders was in evidence between midnight and 3 A.M. 

 on 2 1st September. Flock after flock passed south, calling 

 as they flew, and Knots and Dunlin were killed at the 

 lantern ; a few passerine birds also struck. The next 

 arrivals took place on the evening of the 24th ; they comprised 

 about half a dozen Hedge-sparrows, one procured being of 

 the Continental race, Prunella modularis modularis ; this is 

 the first record of this sub-species for Forth, the only previous 

 Scottish records being from Fair Isle. Two Snow Buntings, 

 a Reed Bunting, a Chaffinch, etc., had also appeared. The 

 movement was renewed on the 26th and 27th. The first 

 Fieldfares arrived on the former date, and small numbers of 

 migrants were on the island. From 28th to 30th September 

 an enormous rush took place ; during this time the wind was 

 S.E. to E. fresh, the barometer fell rapidly, and there was a 



