EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 17 



February, 1881, the Bell Kock station was visited by the largest 

 flock of birds I have seen this winter, viz.. Larks, Eose Linnets, 

 Starlings, and other species which I did not see well enough to 

 make out. Time when seen, 2 till 5 a.m. ; wind light S.W. on 

 arrival, and on departure fresh N.E. Fog and rain. Great 

 numbers struck, but none found dead, though doubtless many 

 fell into the sea. I have observed during the last two winters 

 that the Golden- crested Wren and the Common Wren have not 

 visited us as usual. I have seen these small birds thick on the 

 windows, night after night, during the fall of the year." It is 

 interesting to note here that between the 2nd and 11th March, 

 1880, a similar great migration took place past the Bell Kock, of 

 which an account is given in my last report for 1879 [vide ZooL, 

 May, 1880] .* At Bell Eock, 18th Feb., a great number of Larks, 

 8 p:m., light E.S.E., haze. Great numbers struck, none lying 

 dead. Apparently this flock was entirely composed of Larks 

 greatly exhausted. A number seen asleep all night on window- 

 sashes ; left at first streak of dawn. Feb. 19th, a small number 

 of birds (species not determined) flew about in the rays of light 

 all night; wind S.E., fresh, haze. 25th, great number of Larks 

 during the night ; wind light W. ; striking, but none found dead ; 

 left, flying N.W. March 10th, one Black Crow seen asleep on 

 balcony rail; left flying N.E., at 7 a.m.; wind fresh W. S.W. , 

 haze. 17th, one '' Snowflake" flying from N.W. to S.E.; wind 

 W.S.W., fresh, haze. In a letter accompanying this later 

 schedule, Mr. Jack writes (28th March, 1881) : — " I am sorry to 

 say our close companions during winter, Dunters and Sea 

 Pheasants, are still with us in great numbers. This we know 

 by long observation to indicate that winter is not yet past for a 

 season, nor can we judge so until they have all been gone for a 

 week at least. In the fall of the year, when we see them return, 

 we well know that winter is at hand. When stationed in the 

 Isles of Shetland I have often remarked, when I heard much 

 howling going on amongst the seals, that no good weather could 

 be looked for, and I have never known this to fail." 



* Later in March this year, viz. the 19th, an indication of a returning (?) 

 migration of Shrikes is found in the occurrence of one bird at Bath Hill 

 Wood, West Grange, Perthshu-e, not very far removed from the Alloa 

 district. It was shot by Mr. J. Livingstone, and is now in the collection of 

 Mr. J. J. Dalgleish. 



D 



