14 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



severe spring interfered with breeding. ** Sandpipers." — Autumn : 

 Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Earliest Sept. 22nd, at Isle 

 of May, a number (see under Turdid^) ; latest Dec. 17tli, also 

 at Isle of May, large numbers. Rushes on these dates at Isle of 

 May. Stragglers : species recognised and named : Dunlins, 

 Redshanks (probably), Common Sandpiper. 



Larid^. — Terns. Spring : Arrived at Whalsey Skerries, 

 Pentland Skerries, and Cromarty (Lesser Tern). Earliest May 

 28th, at Whalsey Skerries; and at Pentland Skerries, ''arrived 

 after hatching ! " May 12th, and remained till August; belongs 

 to an autumn movement (?) ; also at Cromarty, arrived on June 

 15th, left Aug. 20th. Terns appear irregular in hatching and 

 dates of leaving various stations ; but most left all stations in 

 August, and recorded at Isle of May, passing S. Sept. 12th, 22nd, 

 and 28th. Kittiwakes arrived in spring, at Isle of May, March 

 12th ; only other record, in autumn, Sept. 22nd, at Isle of May 

 (see TuRDiD^) ; remained all August there, left end of month. 

 Other species noted — Great Black-backed Gulls, flying S., Aug. 

 13th ; large white Gulls, wheeling round Isle of May, Aug. 25th; 

 Skuas (well described), Sept. 15th ; and Oct. 19th and 29th, at 

 Pentland Skerries, where they are " very rare." Note : — Skuas, 

 Pomatorhine Skuas frequented the Hebrides most of the summer ; 

 I (J. A. H. B.) saw several west of Lewes, and one near Island of 

 Rum in end of June. Iceland Gull. — A flight in December. 

 Earliest Dec. 1st, at Sumburgh Head ; latest 28th, at same 

 place ; and on 25th, same place, two, accompanying Swans. 

 Storm Petrels. — At Whalsey Skerries two records, March 29th 

 and June 22nd, in foggy weather, flying about lights. Autumn : 

 Only one record of Fork-tailed Petrel at Isle of May, Aug. 15th, 

 which struck, and was killed -and sent to me, of which I now 

 have the skin. Two pairs Common Petrel bred at Auskerry.. 



Alcid^. — Razorbills. Spring : Whalsey Skerries and Isle of 

 May, along with Guillemots. First arrivals at Isle of May, Feb. 

 25th. '* Invariably arrive at Isle of May, remain a day or two, 

 and leave again." Second visit March 16th, at Isle of May; 

 arrived on third visit to breed, April 15th, but at Whalsey 

 Skerries not till 30th. N.B. Dajies of arrival, and of preliminary 

 visits from all rock bird stations in Scotland, much desired by 

 committee. Autumn : All left Sumburgh Head on Aug. 6th ; 

 all left Whalsey Skerries on Aug. 15th. Unusually large rush, 



