28 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



flew in rays of light at 9 p.m. ; light E.N.E., and fog. In end 

 of October and beginning of November Sandpipers and Red- 

 shanks participated in the rush of migrants at that time at 

 Pentland Skerries especially ; light S.W. Large numbers on 

 5th ; strong N.W., and showers ; and numbers up to 21st, all 

 day ; strong N.W. In December, rushes on 12th ; N.W. gale, 

 snow ; and up to 21st, very likely local movements. 



Sternin.t:. — Records of either migration very scanty. First 

 seen in spring was at Pentland Skerries on May 13th, at 3.30 p.m. ; 

 light S.W., haze; and again at same place two seen flying north 

 on June 20th. On June 3rd, at Sumburgh Head, two; fresh W., 

 cloudy. Lesser Terns arrived at Cromarty on May 23rd. 



In autumn, first record Aug. 7th, at Pentland Skerries, when 

 those breeding there all left, except one or two, with fresh N.W., 

 clear. At Bell Rock, on Sept. 19th, a flock kept flying round the 

 rays of light all night ,i. e., 19th — 20th) ; light E.N.E. ; and on 

 Sept. 27th one immature bird appeared after a heavy gale from 

 W. the previous night. The above, I think, is the first occur- 

 rence I have of Terns fl3'ing round and round within the rays of 

 light of a lantern. Lesser Terns disappeared from Cromarty on 

 Aug. 26th ; S.W., strong, clear. 



Larid.e. — In spring, large numbers arrive about March 1st 

 for breeding purposes at Pentland Skerries, and leave about the 

 middle of August. On March 21st, at Isle of May, Kittiwakes 

 arrived in large numbers at 9 a.m. — their first appearance ; wind 

 fresh E.S.E., cloudy and cold; and by April 3rd had steadily 

 increased in numbers. At Auskerry, May 18th is given as first 

 appearance of ''Sea Maws"; strong N.W., and haze; and a 

 Black-headed Gull was seen, with light N.E. and clear, at Pent- 

 land Skerries. At same station, record of two Black-backed Gulls 

 on June 27th; fresh S.E., and haze completes spring records. 



In autumn, at Pentland Skerries during July the daily move- 

 ments of Gulls may be worth reproducing in detail. All the July 

 records I have are from this station, and also all the August ones. 



1883, July 12, Pentland Skerries, one "Chaser" flying N.W., 



2.15 p.m. ; light E., haze. 

 July 18th, Pentland Skerries, three Black-backed Gulls flying N., 



2.30 p.m. ; mod. N.W. 

 July 23rd, Pentland Skerries, one " Chaser " flying W., 10.20 a.m. ; 



light N. 



