20 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



30tli, of old and young ; light W. One flock on August 7tb at 

 Pentland Skerries all day ; one flock stayed from March 15th to 

 24th at Sumburgh Head, and many large flocks also seen to the 

 north of that place at the same time. In October two small 

 Starlings, *' one with a crest like a Crested Lark, raised and 

 lowered it at will " [Rose-coloured Pastor ? — J. A. H. B.] seen 

 on 6th, light N. wind. Eushes took place on Nov. 1st, especially 

 at Sumburgh Head and Isle of May (see also under Thrush). 

 Latest, Dec. 31st, at Isle of May ; but the Starling is resident 

 all the 3^ear round at many of our stations. 



Alaudid.e. — In spring at Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, 

 Bell Piock, and Isle of May. Earliest, Feb. 8th, a single bird at 

 Bell Eock, and several on 9th at Pentland Skerries (see under 

 Thrush at this date). Latest, April 6th, at Sumburgh Head, 

 when they were found increasing, but not observed on arrival. A 

 rush took place at Isle of May on Feb. 11th, 1 a.m. till daylight, 

 light E. and fog, flying south (at least all struck the north side 

 of lantern).* Other movements took place, but none of any 

 magnitude ; winds S. and W. in Feb., except the 11th, ut sup. ; 

 N.AV., S.W. to E. on 20th, in March. 



In autumn, a few records at N. Unst, Isle of May, and Inch- 

 keith. Earliest, Sept. 21st, at Isle of May, a small flock, fresh 

 E., clear. Latest, Nov. 26th, a single bird at N. Unst rested all 

 night. Eushes, 11th to 20th, W., shifting to N. on 11th ; W. 

 gale on 19th and 20th. Also rush on 31st and Nov. 1st, along 

 with other species, principally, at Bell Eock and Isle of May. 

 Again a few in January, 1884, up to 17th, light W. winds and haze ; 

 and at Chanonry on 24tli a flock, with strong squalls and sleet. 



EMBERiziDiE. — In spring Snow Buntings began to appear on 

 Feb. 9th, — but this may not belong to spring records, — when a 

 large flock flew about all day on Pentland Skerries. They 

 occurred also at Auskerry, Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, 

 and Isle of May. Earliest, ^as above. Latest, April 12th, at 

 Sumburgh Head, when two were killed. No great rushes 

 evident, but largest numbers passed in March, mostly with 

 northerly or westerly winds. If any rush occurred it was between 

 March 9th and 25th, indicated principally at Pentland Skerries 



* Do the birds strike in light winds and fog upon the side facing the wind, 

 or on the sheltered side ? In heavy gales they strike hard ivith the wind, 

 but touch and strike also on the Shetland side, 



