EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. O 



coasts is inappreciable. As will be seen further on, it is a very 

 different matter at the low-lying lanterns of the light-vessels off 

 the English coast. At the same time I sufficiently distinguish 

 between the spring and autumn records, and where large numbers 

 of birds are killed I make mention of it under the separate species. 



SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES. 



I have purposely in one or two instances varied the arrange- 

 ment of the statistics under the species, — as, for instance, under 

 the CorvidcSy — thinking that possibly such variation may j)lace 

 in juxtaposition certain fresh considerations or combinations in 

 our study, or place these in a clearer light for future com- 

 parison. 



Falconid^. — Keturns from N. Unst, Whalsey Skerries, Sum- 

 burgh Head, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May, which, be it 

 noted, are all insular localities. On Sej^t. 3rd one Sparrowhawk, 

 chasing small birds, seen on Pentland Skerries at 9 a.m., fresh 

 S.W. and haze. This appears the earliest date recorded on which 

 the Raptores visit the islands on predatory raids in autumn. The 

 only record at Isle of May was in the month of May, when two 

 *' falcons" were seen. On Sept. 13th a Piough-legged Buzzard (?) 

 flew about all day on Whalsey Skerries, wind light S.E. and 

 haze; and on Sept. 30th a '' Glede Hawk" (from internal 

 evidence probably a Peregrine) flew about; wind fresh N.E. and 

 clear ; seen at 8 a.m. On Oct. 3rd a ''falcon" visited the Pent- 

 land Skerries, and flew round for a time ; seen at 3 p.m., wind 

 strong N. and haze ; and on the same date and in the same 

 place, two Sparrowhawks at 1.30 p.m. During Oct. 14th, 16th, 

 and 17th, the so-called " Glede Hawks" remained preying upon 

 Snow Buntings, and were joined by a Sparrowhawk (or Merlin ?) 

 on the 17th, wind fresh N. to W., to strong N.W. At Sumburgh 

 Head, Nov. 28th, a ''Brown Hawk" was noticed at noon, during 

 S.W. wind, with haze and rain; and a "large Grey Hawk," 

 seen flying S., with fresh N. breeze, at 8.30 a.m. 



Notes. — It is recorded that a White-tailed Eagle struck on 

 Girdleness lighthouse a few years previous to 1853 (' The Natu- 

 ralist,' 1853, p. 139). At North Unst the following species are 

 noted as resident : — Three species of Gulls, probably Kittiwake, 

 Herring Gull, and Great Black-backed Gull. Iceland Gulls appear 

 from October till March, but were scarcer this year than any 



