8 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



season, but no dates are given. Thence southwards, they are 

 noted at five other stations, viz., Whalsey, Sumburgh Head, 

 Auskerry, Pentland Skerries, and the Bell Rock. The earliest 

 date is August 4th, at Pentland Skerries, where one struck at 

 11.30 p.m.; wind strong E., and haze. The reporter adds the 

 note : — ** Starlings and Wheatears generally strike at night, 

 when the wind shifts with rain. They probably leave resting- 

 places, and, when once on wing, are attracted by the light." On 

 Aug. 14th another single bird struck at 10.15 p.m. ; wind light 

 S.E., and fog : three more on 15th, from 9 to 11 p.m. ; wind the 

 same, with haze. At Sumburgh Head, on Aug. 11th, one young 

 bird struck; wind light N., and fog. At Whalsey, on 16th, 

 about twelve old and young were flying round the lantern at 

 1 a.m. ; wind light W., and haze. At Bell Eock, Aug. 15th, 

 great numbers along with Robins. At Auskerry, Sept. 5th, 

 three struck at 3 a.m. ; wind strong S., with haze and showers. 

 The latest date recorded is Sept. 13th, at Pentland Skerries, 

 when two struck at 2 a.m. ; wind fresh S.W., and rain. 



Titmice. — At Isle of May, Aug. 10th and 11th, a migration 

 was noticed : 10th, the first pair came to the lights, and one was 

 wounded ; 11th, great numbers were seen on the island ; wind 

 light E., haze. 



Wagtail. — At ^Mialsey — the only station returning a record 

 of this species — large flocks rested, arriving on Aug. 21st; "svind 

 light S.E., with dense fog, which lasted till 28th, on which date 

 they all again departed. 



Titlark, Anthus pratensis. — Noted as leaving Whalsey 

 Skerries in the first week of September ; wind at the time S. to 

 S.E., with from haze to fog during the days. The note is 

 added, ** A few remain." These are probably Rock Pipits. 

 The only other station whence I have records is the Isle of May. 

 A very large migration of Titlarks (called ''Woodlarks" in 

 schedule) came during the night of Dec. 21st — 22nd ; wind light 

 E., and clear; and on the 22nd, "The island was literally 

 swarming with them ; flocks of from twenty to one hundred or 

 more." Mr. Agnew "never saw so many here before." 



TuRDiD.^. — Records came in from Sumburgh Head in the 

 north, to Isle of May in the south, and from Auskerry. One 

 record at Sumburgh applies to the spring migration, viz., on 

 April 1st, when several Blackbirds (Turdus merida) were seen at 



