President's Address. 317 



Altarstoiies/' the latter at the Kirkhaveu near the old Chapel 

 and Priory. Close to the latter is a well containing the 

 only potable water on the island, though it is slightly 

 saline. Eain-water is caught in tanks off the lighthouse 

 buildings, but the drinking and full supply of water is 

 brought over from Crail on the Fife coast in breakers, and 

 stored in other tanks. 



In connection with the position of the Isle of May and its 

 faunal representation, I will now, in as few words as possible 

 describe certain characteristics of the lighthouse, which come 

 to be considered, copying from my journal written on the 

 spot. Without describing the lighthouse in detail, which is 

 unnecessary here, and which can be found in the fullest 

 particulars elsewhere, I wish to note the following observation, 

 the usefulness of which was often demonstrated when we 

 wished to know '' how the wind blew " : 



" The outside of the lantern-room is surrounded by a solid 

 stone balcony. The lantern-room, both in external and in- 

 ternal arrangement, is sixteen-sided. Thus : four sides face due 

 K., S., E., and W. ; four more sides face due N.E., S.E., KW., 

 and N.E. ; yet four other sides face KN.E, S.S.E., N.KW., 

 and S.S.W. ; and the remaining four E.N.E., E.S.E., W.KW., 

 and W.S.W. — i.e., sixteen distinct points of the compass. 

 Piercing these sixteen sides and entering the lantern-room, 

 are fifteen round ventilators and the balcony door, any of 

 which can be opened or shut for ventilation by the keeper on 

 watch, according to the wind. Outside on the balcony, by 

 standing with one's back to the lee-side, the direction of the 

 wind can be accurately ascertained, the greater pressures being 

 right and left of the sixteenth side, which is most sheltered ; 

 and even in very high winds this can with accuracy be fixed." 

 The accompanying diagram on next page will perhaps assist in 

 explaining my meaning. (For an illustration of the above, see 

 under the species,^ Gold-crested wren, in the list of species.) 



Further, in connection with the faunal position of the Isle 

 of May and the conditions of its migratory fauna, the addi- 

 tional note seems valuable, viz. : that " The Korth Star, 



^ Which list it is intended will be given in a future paper, and which was 

 read at the meeting of the Society held on the 15th December 1886. 

 VOL. IX, Y 



