EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 11 



Indications of a rush of Wheatears between April 5tli and 13th, 

 at Isle of May ; and much lighter indications of single birds at 

 same dates at Pentland Skerries. Kedstarts scarce; two on 

 April 27th, one on 26th at Isle of May, and a few at same place. 

 These in every instance with light or fresh S.E. winds in April, 

 and light N.E. in May. 



In autumn a considerable migration, commencing on August 

 20th ; first record at Isle of May — '* Stonechat " [one earlier 

 record occurs at same place on July 14th, but it is perhaps 

 difficult to say to what this belongs, as Wheatears breed annually 

 on Isle of May] ; one killed at lantern. Fresh N.W. wind, and 

 terminating as far as schedules indicate, by Nov. 11th. In this 

 statement are included Wheatears, " Stonechats," [true Stone- 

 chats identified], Eedstarts ; but there are no records at any 

 stations of Wheatears or Stonechats between Sept. 12th and 

 Nov. 1st. October is, curiously enough, entirely blank of any 

 returns of SaxicolincB, and there are only two records in Novem- 

 ber. The rushes took place end of August, culminating on the 

 night of Sept. 2nd — 3rd, when a great rush of Wheatears, 

 Eedstarts, and also Chiffchaffs, Kobins and Sedge Warblers, 

 Wood Warblers, and Golden and Grey Plovers took place. The 

 absence of any record of Thrushes or Turdidce at this date at 

 any of the stations is noteworthy. Mr. Agnew writes : — " The 

 night of Sept. 2nd was very stormy, wind S.E., shifting to N.E., 

 with heavy rain. The birds were all in large numbers through- 

 out the night, except a Blue-throated Warbler, adult, which was 

 solitary." On the 12th, nearly all Wheatears left the Isle 

 of May. On the 4th, at Pentland Skerries, a rush all day. with 

 strong N. wind and rain. Indications at Bell Eock very faint 

 throughout. In the vast rush of Turdidce and other species 

 (see Turdidce under date) of Nov. 1st, one solitary Wheatear is 

 first recorded, the first notice since Sept. 12th. In all three spe- 

 cies of SaxicolincB with certainty. 



Note. — The true Wheatear, "white on the rump," is intended 

 in the return from Pentland Skerries. , 



SiLviiN^. — In spring, earliest record (Eobin) is March 18th, 

 at Pentland Skerries, and with an E.S.E. gale and sleet; and 

 the latest (also Eobin) on May 11th, at Sumburgh Head, fresh, 

 S.S.E. A rush of Eobins at Isle of May on April 26th, when 

 "large numbers" appeared; fresh, S.E. and haze. Eobins dis- 

 appeared from Cromarty station on March 30th. 



