NOTES ON BIRDS OBSERVED AT THE BUTT OF LEWIS 29 



NOTES ON BIRDS OBSERVED AT THE 

 BUTT OF LEWIS. 



By Robert Clyne. 



[The Butt of Lewis forms the northernmost portion of "The 

 Long Island." The lighthouse, around which these notes 

 were made, stands on the brink of the cliff at the extreme 

 point. The Butt is an important station for witnessing the 

 comings and goings of many of the various migratory birds 

 which annually traverse the Outer Hebridean Islands when 

 on their spring and autumn passages. Unfortunately, this 

 portion of the island offers few attractions as a resting or 

 feeding place, since it is destitute of cover and most of it 

 barren in the extreme. Mr Clyne, the head lightkeeper, 

 has been stationed at the Butt for six years, and has 

 fortunately kept a careful record of all the birds which have 

 come under his notice. He has most kindly acceded to our 

 request to put all his observations into systematic form, 

 the result being the following interesting and valuable 

 contribution, for which we desire to express thanks and 

 appreciation. — Eds.] 



The following is a brief review of the birds seen within 

 three or four miles of the extreme north end of the long 

 island of Lewis during my residence at the lighthouse there 

 during the past six years — 1908-1914: — 



Song-thrush i^Turdus niusicus). — Was an October visitor in 

 small numbers in 1909 and the three following years. It has 

 also been observed in the winter months of December and 

 February, but there is only one summer record, in June 191 2. 

 I have not known it to nest anywhere in the neighbourhood. 



Redwings {Turdus iliaais) are never-failing visitors both in 

 their autumn and spring migrations ; often attracted to the light- 

 house lantern, where numbers are frequently killed. The first week 

 of October is the recorded time of their first appearance in four of 



