146 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



it is still Februar)', and we have nightly visits of Pipits, 

 Fieldfares, Missel-thrushes, Blackbirds, and Starlings passing 

 in great numbers. With the entry of March we expect 

 a greater influx of our migratory birds, and on suitable 

 nights we are rarely disappointed ; round the lanterns, 

 closely packed, are numerous Goldcrests, Wheatears, Larks, 

 Redwings, Thrushes, Blackbirds, Ring-ouzels, and Starlings. 

 I may make here a particular mention as regards Ring- 

 ouzel. I have at other stations met with them occasionally, 

 but here I have counted over a dozen flying against the 

 lantern at one time. Between the 22nd March and the 

 nth April we have had nightly visits of these beautiful 

 birds ; one especially had the white ring very prominent 

 round the neck, extra deep and snowy white, and back, 

 breast, underparts prominently speckled with white, in fact 

 the most magnificent Ouzel I have ever seen. Redwings 

 made their first appearance on the 17th January, accompanied 

 by several Skylarks and Starlings, 



On the 7th February (S.E. strong haze), at 8 r.M., came 

 a rush of Lapwings, Larks, and Knots. 



14th February (S.E. fresh, rain). Curlews, Oyster- 

 catchers, Terns, Redshanks, and Larks. 



i6th February (S.E. haze, rain). At 9 p.m. came another 

 rush of the above-mentioned, with the addition of Song- 

 thrushes, flying round the lantern until daylight the following 

 morning, when they took their various courses. 



i8th February (S.E. haze, rain). The various different 

 species made their appearance again : all the above, with, in 

 addition, Missel-thrush, Blackbirds, Robins, and Short-eared 

 Owl ; a great many were killed. The Owl had a great 

 night ; every time he made his appearance he took away a 

 Starling ; whether the same owl I can't say, but one visited 

 us for four successive nights. 



25th February (calm, haze). Fresh arrivals at 10 P.M.; 

 several Turnstones, Ring-plover, and Snipe ; several Turn- 

 stones and Ring-plover were killed, 



15th March. An excellent night for migration; thick 

 haze, with light airs, but got a great disappointment ; only 

 a rush of Starlings, 



