322 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 



the latest dates available.^ Future years may, and, I believe, 

 undoubtedly will, develop many more interesting data, espe- 

 cially if we always obtain the assistance of such careful, 

 painstaking, and deeply-interested observers as Mr Joseph 

 Agnew, late head-lighthouse-keeper at the Isle of May ; and 

 of such men as Mr Robert Clyne, now stationed at Isle of 

 Man, who has sent us many valuable records already from 

 that station, and who had previously assisted Mr Agnew as 

 iinder-keeper at the Isle of May. I could mention many 

 others, equally interested, at other sta'tions, but there will be, 

 I hope, opportunities of treating of the faunal positions of 

 some of these stations before long. 



I give a list, with notes, upon the birds found breeding on 

 the Isle of May. 



List of, and Notes on, the Bieds found Breeding on the 

 Isle of May. 



The Blackbird, Tardus merula. — Breeds regularly, in 

 small numbers, in the ruins of the Priory, on the ground, in 

 a bunch of nettles, in the corners of walled-in enclosures, 

 and in holes in walls. A few apparently resident, most, if 

 not all, of the year. Many additions of passing migrants in 

 autumn. Rarer on spring migration. Decided rush in spring 

 of 1883. Rarer in spring than Redwing, Song thrush, or 

 Fieldfare. Scarcest in 1879, after severe winter of 1878-79. 



Song Thrush, Turdus musicvs L. — Bred occasionally up 

 to 1882, after which year regularly in similar situations as 

 those used by the last species. Regular accessions in autumn ; 

 less frequent and regular in spring as passing migrants. 

 Perhaps three or four pair on Isle of May in nesting season. 



Note. — Song thrushes are apparently naturally fond of 

 insular positions, especially on the warmer Western Isles of 

 Scotland, Avhere I have found them tolerably abundant 

 amongst the basaltic columns of the Shiant Isles, or nesting 

 in long heather on burn-sides in Lewis. 



Common Starling, Sturmcs vulgaris, L. — Breeds now regu- 



^ As already stated, I leave an account of the much larger number of year- 

 to-year arriving and migratory species to be treated of in a future paper. 



