Presidertfs Address. 323 



larly, but cannot be regarded as resident. Also a passing 

 migrant. Is increasing annually in the breeding season. 



Wheatear, Saxicola cenanthe, L. — Breeds regularly and 

 abundantly. Mr Agnew reckons their numbers at about 

 fifty pairs on the island. Great accessions in autumn, and 

 tolerably regular spring bird of passage, though in some years 

 there are very few records. 



Meadow Pipit, Antlms pratensis, L. — Breeds regularly, 

 and not uncommonly. Great accessions of passing migrants 

 in autumn, and also regular in spring. 



EocK Pipit, Anthus rupestris, L. — Eesident. Breeds very 

 commonly ; perhaps the commonest bird in the Isle of May 

 at all seasons. Great accessions in spring and autumn. 



Pied Wagtail, Motacilla Yarrellii, L. — Four or five pairs 

 breed ; also a rare spring visitant, and commoner in autumn. 



Common, Grey, or Eose Linnet, Linota cannahina (L.). — 

 A few pairs breed annually, and there was visible increase 

 in 1884. Vast migrations take place. 



Hedge Sparrow, Acceoitor modularis, L. — Bred for the first 

 time in 1884, and reared two broods. I saw the site of the 

 second nest in October 1884, which was pointed out to me 

 by the Agnews. 



Eider Duck, Somaferia mollissiina, L.— Breeds annually, 

 but in annually decreasing numbers owing to persecution. In 

 1880 we found an empty nest one day in June ; and a tourist 

 carried off a clutch of eight eggs the same day, which he had 

 found near the south end of the island. They breed often at 

 considerable heights above the sea, and distant from the water. 

 It would be well if something could be done for their protec- 

 tion, as they are rapidly becoming scarcer on the islands of 

 the Pirth of Forth. There is one nest on the Bass Eock 

 (there is no need to conceal the fact, as alas ! it is already 

 too well known). During two years since the new lighthouse 

 on Fidra was commenced, and which was lighted for the 

 first time in April 1884, they naturally left that site, but 

 have again returned, as no guns are allowed to be used on 

 this island. 



Ohs. — Of tlie Terns we saw nothing in 1880. Mr Agnew, 

 who knows Terns well, says he never found any species 



