148 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



several thousand feet, against a background of clear blue sky. 

 Although at such a height, owing to their great numbers they 

 were quite easily followed. This circling continued until 

 they got the desired altitude, when they made off in a 

 northerly course. I found a Water-rail and a Nightjar lying 

 dead. The Nightjar was badly destroyed by rats, otherwise I 

 would have sent it to the Royal Scottish Museum. This is 

 the third Nightjar 1 have found here. 



1 8th April. At midnight, resting round the lantern were 

 several Chiffchaffs, Willow-wrens, and Whcatears. Three 

 Chiffchaffs, one Wheatear, one Willow-wren, and one Fieldfare 

 were picked up in the court below dead. Also were seen in 

 the garden several wounded Fieldfares and Blackbirds. 



19th April. At 10 A.M. observed first Swallow busy 

 chasing flies close to the grass in the garden. 



20th April. A very good night; light S.W. wind and 

 slight rain. 11 p.m. arrivals began : several Chiffchaffs and 

 Willow-wrens ; by midnight several Wheatears, one Fieldfare. 

 Starlings as usual numerous, also several Redshanks, one 

 Oystercatcher ; these kept up a flight round the lantern until 

 daylight began to break. 



23rd and 24th April. Willow-wrens, Chifichaffs, Wheat- 

 ears, Starlings, Robins, one Fieldfare : all the above well 

 represented on both nights from 10.30 P.M. till daylight. 



25th April. At 4.30 P.M. Meadow-pipits. These were 

 thickly scattered over the island ; in general we don't have 

 many during the night, the Meadow-pipit is more of a 

 traveller during daytime. This date I have just located a 

 Peregrine Falcon's nest with four eggs, and in close proximity 

 is a Kestrel's nest, but neither can be reached as the cliffs 

 are very rotten. 



From the 26th April until the end of the month resident 

 Wheatears are busy nesting : there are something like eight 

 nests. One pair of Hedge-sparrows nest annually in the 

 garden ; in the cart-shed are four Starlings, and another in 

 the smithy chimney, all with eggs. Meadow- and Rock- 

 pipits nest in goodly numbers. There must be a Blackbird's 

 also, as there are a pair seen. Skylarks, we have several of 

 them also nesting. 



