22 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



Skerries, strong N.N.E. and showers. In October four single 

 records of Large Owl at Pentland Skerries on 31st and 13tli, and 

 of Short-eared Owls at Isle of May on 3rd and 13th. None in 

 December, and one Owl at Pentland Skerries all day on island 

 on 1st ; light N.W. showers. 



Land Notes. — Short-eared Owls were reported unusually 

 abundant on Flanders Moss, Stirlingshire, in the autumn ; and 

 I saw two as late as the 31st January, 1884, on Latham Moss, in 

 the same county, so that some appear to remain all winter. 



Falconid^. — Spring records in March and April only, March 

 2nd to April 30th. At Pentland Skerries and Isle of May all 

 single or light entries ; wind easterly, except on March 2nd, 

 when it was S.W. and clear, and one Kestrel was seen. The 

 Merlin is tw4ce noted. "Light Brown Hawks twice at Isle of 

 May and Pentland Skerries." % 



In the autumn, at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell - 

 Piock, and Isle of May. All July records, three in number, at 

 Pentland Skerries, of '' Sparrowhawk," ''Large Brown Hawk," 

 and ** Large Hawk." In August five records, three at Isle of 

 May of Sparrowhawk and "Hawks"; one at Pentland Skerries of 

 "Falcon Hawk"; and one at Sumburgh Head of one Large 

 Brown Hawk. The "Falcon Hawk" is described as "hovering," 

 so is more likely a Kestrel Haivk. In September ten records ; 

 two at Pentland Skerries, two "Hawks " and one "Game Hawk," 

 and at Isle of May one Sparrowhawk caught at gratings, and a 

 "Hawk." Hawks are usually . found attending the rush of 

 small migrants. In October only one record, a Game Hawk at 

 Pentland Skerries ; four in November, all at Pentland Skerries. 

 None in December, and five in January, 1884. One bird Mr. 

 Agnew " feels almost sure was a Goshawk, and not a Sparrow- 

 hawk." The rush, if any, would appear to be in September, but 

 its faintness precludes us from any feeling of certainty. A late 

 schedule from Sumburgh Heard contains record of an Eagle 

 ["Silver-crested Eagle"; probably the Sea Eagle] wounded at 

 Fitful Head by Mr. Birnie. At 11.15 a.m. on January 29th, 

 1884, this bird landed on the high rocks,, half a mile north of 

 the Read. Mr. Birnie says it cannot live long, as it was severely 

 wounded. Mr. Birnie is employed by the landed proprietors to 

 kill all the birds of prey in Shetland. He has killed a large 

 number of Black-backed Gulls, Hooded Crows, Ravens, &c. 



