10 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



other species which participated in them, and refer back to this 

 paragraph afterwards throughout the Report. During the 

 October rush, 13th — 15th, Redwings in hundreds ; Ring Ouzels, 

 Bramblings, Larks, Woodcock, Short-eared Owl, Yellow Bunting, 

 Eider Ducks in large flocks ; Chaffinches, Crows (Carrion and 

 Hooded), Jackdaws (the largest flock ever seen at Isle of May), 

 Bramblings, Tree Sparrows, Blackbirds, Thrushes, and one 

 Missel Thrush ; besides, in smaller numbers. Wagtails, Red- 

 starts, Hawks, &c. During the great October to November 

 rush the following participated : Sandpipers, Snow Buntings, 

 Skylarks, as far as N. Unst ; and southwards. Lapwings, Grey 

 Crows, Robins (smaller numbers), Linnets, Chaffinches, Star- 

 lings. At Sumburgh Head a large migration of Thrushes, 

 with Starlings, Larks, and Linnets ; many killed. At Pent- 

 land Skerries rush began on 20th, and also at Isle of May, 

 principally Turdidce and Emherizidce. At Bell Rock, on Oct. 

 31st — Nov. 1st, rush began at 7 a.m. Mr. Jack writes : — 

 *' Immense numbers killed. I have no doubt they were killed in 

 hundreds. What we think were Woodcocks struck with great 

 force. Birds continued flying within the influence of the rays 

 of light till the first streak of day, continually striking hard all 

 night, and falling into the sea. Although we cannot be sure, we 

 think there was a great number of Woodcocks struck and fell 

 into the sea."* Species of Turdidce seven, including Cinclus. 



Saxicolin^. — In spring considerable arrival of at Pentland 

 Skerries, Bell Rock, and Isle of May. Earliest (a single Stone- 

 chat (vera) S. ruhicola) on March 20th,. at Isle of May, with 

 light E. wind and haze. [N.B. — In our Third Report, p. 8, the 

 first record was on 29th of W^heatear, but this record in Mr. 

 Agnew's schedule was entered as " Stonechat." Owing to the 

 confusion existing between the Wheatear and '' Stonechat" it is 

 usually almost impossible to know to which the name Stonechat 

 is applied. The true Stonechat is very like a Whinchat, and in 

 no respect resembles the Wheatear, except in the sound of 

 its voice.] The next earliest was of three Redstarts (or Fire- 

 tails), on March 29th, also at Isle of May, S.E. fresh, haze. 



* What a loss of useful food to the lighthouse-keepers, which might per- 

 haps be saved to them by a few long poles and an old herring-net stretched 

 round and outside the balcony. This fact is sm*ely worthy of the attention 

 of the Commissioners and all Directors of our Lighthouse Stations. 



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