BIRD NOTES FROM THE ISLE OF MAY 



13 



House-mouse ; the former is known to have been on the 

 island for centuries, and May Island rabbits are said to have 

 finer fur than those on the mainland. 



We owe our very grateful thanks to Mr. and Miss 

 Maccuish, who assisted us by every means in their power, and 

 to whose kindly help much of the great pleasure we derived 

 from our expedition and much of its success are largely due. 

 We must tender our thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Ross and all 

 the other lighthouse officials for allowing us to search their 

 gardens for birds, and for other kindnesses too numerous to 

 mention, and also to Mr. Eagle Clarke, who helped us with 

 the identification of our specimens, and with much useful 

 advice relating to our expedition. 



Missel Thrush, Turdus viscivorus. — One bird of this species was 

 seen on the island on the 17 th and i8th September, and a 

 specimen was got at the lantern on the night of 3rd October. 

 Another was seen about the island next day, and two were 

 observed on 6th October. They were extremely wild in every 

 case. 



Song Thrush, Turdus 7?iustcus. — A great deal of migration was 

 going on amongst the Thrushes. From the time of our arrival 

 till 1 8th September we only saw one or two each day, but on 

 the 18th there were a good many, the main body of which 

 passed on quickly, for only three were seen on the 19th. 

 There was a rush on the 20th (S.E. wind, extremely light), 

 further increased on the 21st (E. wind, fresh), but diminishing 

 afterwards till on the 24th very few were left. On the 21st 

 about mid-day a large flock of Thrushes flew over us coming 

 from the north, ?nd dropped rapidly to earth, the birds utter- 

 ing a shrill note as they descended. The greatest number 

 seen was on the 25th September, when the island fairly 

 swarmed with Thrushes ; very few were seen next day and on 

 till the 29th when a good many appeared. From the 30th 

 September to the 5th October, they were present in large 

 numbers ; on the 6th October only one or two were seen, and 

 on our last day, the 7th, none were observed. This was the 

 bird most frequently got at the lantern, and even if they did 

 not actually come to the light, they might often be seen flying 

 round in the rays. 



Redwing, Turdus iliacus. — Three Redwings came in on 26th 

 September (S.E. wind, very light), and several were seen on 

 the 27th, 28th, and 30th September. On ist and 2nd October 



