ic6 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



at an earlier period it was represented on the mainland, and 

 that in flocks sometimes ten thousand strong. The con- 

 clusion seems obvious that improved breeds, with larger 

 body and greater quantity of wool, and perchance more 

 capable mothers, have gradually usurped the place of the 

 more primitive race, driving it, as they advanced, into more 

 and more remote fastnesses. 



BIRD NOTES FROM THE ISLE OF MAY 



IN 1913. 



By Evelyn V. Baxter, H.M.B.O.U., F.Z.S., and Leonora Jeffrey 

 Rintoul, H.M.B.O.U., F.Z.S. 



The year of grace 191 3 was one of much interest to us 

 on the Isle of May, it brought us ten birds which were 

 new to the island list ; three of these had not before been 

 recorded in the Forth area, and two were new to Scotland. 

 Permission was kindly granted us by the Commissioners of 

 Northern Lights to visit the island again in spring and 

 autumn, and we stayed there from the 2nd to the 19th of 

 May, and from the 12th of September to the 28th of October. 

 We were fortunate in the weather conditions during our 

 visits, these being largely of the type which brings the 

 greatest number of species to this station ; our spring list 

 numbered 89, our autumn one III. For the first few days 

 after our arrival in May small numbers of summer visitors 

 were coming in, a few winter visitors were still present, 

 and transient migrants were represented by Greater 

 Wheatears and White Wagtails. On the 4th, seven or 

 eight Lesser Whitethroats put in an appearance, and a 

 Red-throated Diver flew in and settled on the sea close 

 to the island. Next day there were more arrivals of 

 summer migrants, and a Black Redstart had also come 



