REPORT ON SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGY IN I914 171 



March. 



Numerous depressions moved eastward during March 

 between an anticyclone to the north and another to the 

 south of our area ; many of these depressions passed directly 

 over the British Isles, the wind being almost entirely 

 between north-west and south-west. The pressure dis- 

 tribution for the month agreed very closely with the normal 

 over the United Kingdom, and the course of migration also 

 followed normal lines. Throughout the whole of March 

 there was steady migration ; this became more marked after 

 the 22nd. Up to this date Turdinae, Starlings, Skylarks, 

 and Snow-buntings were the species chiefly on the move. 

 Further returns of our nesting birds to their inland breeding 

 places, and of sea-birds to their rock-ledges are recorded. 

 The departure of winter visitors proceeded steadily; there is 

 evidence, from our Northern Isles, of the normal northward 

 passage at this season, and a few summer visitors put in an 

 appearance. After the 22nd the movements increased in 

 volume, the evidence of passage became more marked, and 

 more summer visitors are reported. On the 24th "the wind 

 rose to a gale from the south-east on the south-west coast of 

 Norway and also on the coast of Shetland " ; next day and 

 on the 26th (the wind still being south-east) there was an 

 enormous immigration of Woodcock to Fair Isle, a most 

 unusual occurrence at this season. In addition to Wood- 

 cock smaller numbers of many other species are recorded 

 from the same station and, with a recrudescence of east wind 

 on the 29th and 30th, a fresh influx of Woodcock took place 

 on the latter date (i. 1915, 105). 



April. 



The first ten days of April were mild, windy, and wet, 

 while the remainder of the month was calm, very dry, and 

 exceptionally sunny in most places, with warm days and 

 cool nights. Temperature was above the normal through- 

 out the entire kingdom, and the barometric pressure was in 

 fair accord with the normal, but the trend of the isobars was 



