58 THE PENTLAND SKERRIES. 



birds, as they breed only rarely in Orkney. They seein least 

 common in July. 



There seems to be only one real rush of waders generally 

 reported, and that was in September 1883, when great flocks of 

 " Sandpipers " flew into the rays of the light one night at 9 P.M. ; 

 light east-north-east wind with fog. This rush seems to have 

 occurred also in October and November up to December 12th. 

 There are one or two notes of interest in relation to the sea-birds, 

 such as that on the 22d of February 1889, viz.: "Guillemots in 

 great numbers were seen flying east, and Razorbills, a good number, 

 were fishing about the island." Puffins arrive about April 8, arid 

 leave on or about August 15. 



Terns arrive about May 10th, but are only seen about their 

 breeding-grounds in the mornings, until they begin to breed. One 

 year the terns left the Skerries on July 16th, which Mr. Gilmour 

 accounted for by their being harried by some fishermen ; for eight 

 years previously they had always taken their young out, but on 

 this occasion not one was hatched. 



As showing the variety of birds that may be found there on a 

 good migration day in spring, we note that on May 17th, 1888, 

 Mr. Gilmour recorded in his schedule for that date the following 

 species : Redstarts numerous, more females than males ; King- 

 Ouzels ; Flycatchers (species not mentioned) ; Black-headed Bunt- 

 ings ; Whinchats ; Wagtails (Pied) ; Common Buntings, and Red- 

 breasts. This same May the Grey-headed Yellow Wagtail and 

 Eed-backed Shrike were obtained. Mr. Gilmour informs us that 

 few birds strike the lantern in spring to those which do so in the 

 autumn ; at times moths are abundant at the light in the latter 

 season. 



We must now conclude our chapter on the Pentland Skerries 

 and the Migration Keports. We feel we have by no means done 

 full justice to the excellent and interesting schedules sent in by 

 the various lighthouse-keepers, but to do that would be far too long 

 a business for this work. We trust, however, that we have written 

 enough to create a renewed interest in the minds of Orcadian 



