KEPOET 



ON 



THE MIGMIATION OF BIRDS 



IN THE 



SPEING AND AUTUMN OF 1880. 



" 1 am fixing coiTespondents in every corner of ihese uurthern regions, like so 

 many pickets and outposts; so that scarcely a Wren or a Tit shall be able to pass 

 from York to Canada but I shall get intelligence of it." — Alexander Wilson, 

 in 1808. (Vide Constable's Edition, 1831, p. xlix.) 



EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 



Iceland and Faroe. — Schedules, letters of instruction, and 

 additional remarks were forwarded through Mr. Alexander 

 Buchan (Secretary, Scottish Meteorological Society, Edinburgh), 

 to three stations, two of which, Stykkisholm and Reykavik, are 

 in Iceland, and one at Thorshavn in Faroe. A fourth more 

 northern station is secured at Fair Island for 1881, Mr. William 

 Lawrence having kindly undertaken the work.* Our Faroe 

 station has failed us this year, but we hope better things from it 

 next. 



* At a later date I received a letter (dated 17th March) from Mr. Lawrence, 

 containing a few items of interest. During the week previous, "A number 

 of Swans took shelter at Fair Isle, and a large flock of common Black Crows, 

 with a few Jackdaws amongst them. The Hooded Crow is the common one 

 here, and we never have the Black Crow here unless after, or during, gales 

 of wind. Puffins and Guillemots arrived somewhat later this season, and a 

 large increase appeared in the number of Gulls. LaiDwings apx^eared, and 

 one Coot was caught in a very disabled condition. Large flocks of Snow- 

 birds are seen here. They came very early in winter, but disappeared again 

 till now, when they have returned. A large flock of Wild Geese arrived 

 here on the 14th inst. We do not often see them here. Four Swans were 

 caught ; the largest weighed twenty pounds, and the others from that down 

 to sixteen pounds." 



B 



