EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 15 



bulk SO largely at Isle of May. Earliest Sept. 19th, at Isle 



of May (the remark, "too early," appended by Mr. Agnew). 



No great rush in October along with the other species, but 



bulking largely in November at Sumburgh Head, where 250 



showed in three compact flocks on 6th ; also at Pentland 



Skerries abundant all through the month, but maximum about 



the 10th, when fully 1000 were all day on the Island; winds 



N.E. to E. and S.E., with some calm days and variable. About 



this time departing flocks seen to fly off S.W. and flocks seen to 



arrive from the N.E. over the sea. Snow Buntings seem to 



arrive at Dunnet Head more frequently with W. and S.W. winds, 



and also to a considerable extent with similar wind at Pentland 



Skerries. This has been remarked before. After sharp frosts 



and N.E. snow-storms they soon appear. Common Bunting is 



reported from Isle of May for the first time on Dec. 19th ; 



Yellow Buntings appeared occasionally in reports at Isle of 



May ; and the first recorded occurrence at Pentland Skerries on 



Dec. 17th and 19th. One remained a week singly — a female — • 



on Isle of May up to Nov. 4th. Four species of Buntings 



appear. 



Alaudid^. — In spring the Skylark is reported " very rare " at 

 Whalsey ; one on March 14th. A few at Isle of May on March 

 15th; none there on April 3rd: fair S.E. breeze. In autumn 

 full records, but not before Sept. 11th, at Sumburgh Head, 

 accompanied by " Rock Larks." Occurred at Sumburgh Head, 

 Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. Earliest as above, Sept. 

 11th; latest Dec. 31. Eush from about Sept. 11th to 18th at 

 Sumburgh Head, and also patent at Isle of May ; vast rush most 

 observed at Bell Rock and Isle of May in October (see under 

 Ttjbdid^). At Bell Rock most on Oct. 12th, "Bullfinches, 

 Blackbirds, Mavises, Larks, Stonechats, Golden-crested Wrens, 

 Titlarks and Starlings, dead on balcony or fell into sea. Mr. 

 Jack is sure hundreds must have been killed that night." 

 Again, on Dec. 20th, Mr. Jack remarks, "largest numbers 

 of Larks ever seen here ; impossible to state numbers seen or 

 killed ; striking hard for hours, like a shower of hail." On Oct. 

 12th and Dec. 20th loss of life must have been very great; 

 great flocks of Larks alone at Bell Rock on 16th and again on 

 31st. Records do not take me beyond this date. One species. 



Sturnin^. — Records of Common Starling comparatively 



