REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 165 
thus occupied was from Sept. 16th to Oct. 25th. A rush took 
place during October, and the greatest rush, perhaps, between 
Oct. 14th and 25th. At North Ronaldshay, on Oct. 1st, numbers 
struck, along with Blackbirds, and were flying about all night. 
Others seen at Girdleness, the Bell Rock, at Pentland Skerries, and 
Dunnet Head. Thrushes migrated when the wind was between 
E. through S.E., 8.8.W.to N.W., but principally when southerly. 
Fog, haze, and rain on all the dates given. Time of migration, 
after dark and before dawn at all dates. 
Buacxsirp, Turdus merula.—Appeared at North Ronaldshay 
and the Bell Rock between Oct. Ist and Nov. 25th. Arush during 
this time recorded on three dates:—Oct. Ist, ‘‘ Numbers flying 
about all night,” at North Ronaldshay, wind 8.E., strong, “‘along 
with Thrushes.” Oct. 14th, four (two males and two females) 
killed; number flying about between 3 am. and dawn; wind 
N.E., fresh, with haze and rain. Nov. 25th, numbers, along with 
Thrushes, flying about all night ; wind light E. breeze, haze. 
Rine Ovzet (or “Mountain Blackbird’’), Turdus torquatus.— 
Reported from Sumburgh Head only, where one struck at 4 a.m.; 
wind light N. at 5 am., S.W. gale at 4 p.m.; weather clear. A 
number of the same species were seen in the country about the 
same time, and supposed to be young birds. At Auskerry, where 
they generally pass in large numbers, none were observed. 
Besides the above, “‘large Thrushes,” probably Fieldfares,t 
passed or were caught at Auskerry, in October; four on the 15th 
between 1 and 4 a.m., wind light N., clear; six on the 16th between 
2 and 4 a.m., wind §.8.W., strong, haze ; and two on the 22nd at 
3 a.m., wind strong S.W., and haze. Large numbers struck the 
lantern at the Bell Rock, and were lost in the sea between mid- 
night and dawn on Sept. 7th, and again at the same station on 
Oct. 14th, between 3 a.m. and dawn. These were mixed in flocks 
of Blackbirds, Thrushes, and “ various ” other species. 
The great scarcity of Thrushes in Scotland all summer was 
caused by the severe winter of 1878-79 and late spring of 1879, 
a consequent ‘‘crowding down” upon lower latitudes taking place 
during that breeding season. I have referred very fully to this in 
my first Report on Scottish Ornithology for the Natural History 
Society of Glasgow for 1878-79 (now in MS., ready for press), 
+ Afterwards identified as such by the head, wings and tail sent in later com- 
munication, 
