18 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



Ness, the wind began at due S. ; 14th, strong S., and to noon 

 on loth ; then to W. and west gale at night of 15th. West 

 gales continued to end of month. By Nov. 1st to 3rd a vast 

 rush at Bell Eock and Isle of May, and also at Sumburgh 

 Head. By the 5th, rush all over and almost all left. Pentland 

 Skerries did not appear to participate largely in this rush. 

 The species are chiefly Chaffinches and Bramblings, also Green 

 Linnets, Gray Linnets and Sparrows. Prevailing winds westerly. 

 In December, fewer records at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. 

 Winds prevailing N.W. and W. At Dunnet Head *' Linnets " 

 are reported present all the year round. In January, 1884, 

 one or two light records of Brambling and Greenfinch at Isle 

 of May. Latest, Jan. 12th. Note. — Mr. Gilmour, Pentland 

 Skerries, writes he was not sure of the Chaffinches at that 

 station, when he took up the keeping of the records, and that 

 they may prove to be Snow Buntings, which is very likely. Mr. 

 D. M. Scott, at Sumburgh Head, writes under date of Oct. 11th, 

 " a number of small birds killed on balcony : picked up four 

 Green Linnets and two Chaffinches. I discovered to-day what 

 becomes of them after being killed. In a hole of a stone dyke 

 I found a large number of wings and legs of small birds, taken 

 there by Weasels " (i.e., Mustela erminea, which was introduced 

 to Shetland. The Common Weasel, Mustela vulgaris, is not an 

 inhabitant of Shetland). If Mr. Scott would in future collect all 

 the wings and send them to me by post, they would be useful in 

 identifying species ; or, at any time, if a rare bird occurs, the 

 name of which is not known, the wings, might be sent (see 

 addition to letter of instructions, issued 1884). Mr. Agnew 

 notes that he had never before witnessed such a large migration 

 at Isle of May, with a due S. wind, as that of Oct. 13th, 14th, and 

 15th. Chaffinch was heard singing on Feb. 28th at Dunipace. 



CoRviDiE. — I have records every month in the year but June. 

 In January, 1884, one Hooded'Crow flying north, W.S.W. gale, 

 clear. In February, 1883, records of Grey Crows, Jackdaws (at 

 Isle of May, ''very rare " on 13th and 14th, light S. and S.W., 

 shifting to N). Books (at Isle of May, on. 19th, a single bird). 

 In March, Books (at Pentland Skerries a flock all day, fresh S.E., 

 cloudy), and one Hooded Crow (on 19th at Isle of May, light, 

 S.E.). In April, at Sumburgh Head, Bell Eock, and Isle of 

 May, Books and Carrion Crows and one Hooded Crow ; prevailing 



