EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 23 



ScoLOPACiD^. — Curlew : in spring, a number of records at 

 Sumburgh Head, Pentland Skerries, Bell Kock, Isle of May. 

 Earliest, at Isle of May ("unusual at this season"), one seen, 

 light W. wind and clear. Latest, at Isle of May, a number seen 

 on June 28th, light E. fog. As early as May 23rd one young 

 one seen on rocks at Isle of May (this properly belongs to autumn 

 migration ; result abnormal, perhaps owing to unusually early 

 season, after a mild winter). General movement continuing all 

 July, and difficult to separate spring and autumn .manoeuvres. 

 As will be seen others of the Scolopacidce make early appearances 

 also this season (Woodcock, Snipe, &c.). In autumn, a large 

 movement of Curlews between Pentland Skerries and Isle of 

 May. To the N. of Pentland Skerries very few observed. 

 Earliest (if we take July), July 10th, at Pentland Skerries, one 

 heard. Latest, also at Pentland Skerries, on Dec. 7th, a flock, 

 strong E. Eushes spasmodical and frequent in July and August. 

 Note. — Between Oct. 14th and 19th, strong S. gale, moderate on 

 20th, at Pentland Skerries. Sept. 22nd, October and December, 

 but almost inappreciable in numbers. Woodcock, a few in 

 spring, but a steady record in autumn. In spring, one record 

 at Isle of May on April 9th ; " not remembered to have been seen 

 here before at this season." In autumn, at Whalsey, Sumburgh 

 Head, N. Konaldshay, Pentland Skerries, and Isle of May. 

 Earliest, Oct. 8th (N.B., commencement of vast migration before 

 noted), two seen at N. Konaldshay, S.E. fresh; continued in 

 small numbers through 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 25th (co- 

 existent with rush of other species), at most stations on 

 E. coast sending returns. Latest, on Dec. 4th, at Pentland 

 Skerries. Evident rush on Oct. 13th at Isle of May, when no 

 less than twenty were shot there. On Isle of May a record in 

 November says, '' very unusual so late," when three were seen. 

 Of Snipe, only one record at Isle of May in spring, on April 5th, 

 with the remark, *' very unusual at this season." Autumn, at 

 Sumburgh Head and Whalsey (only two records), and at Pent- 

 land Skerries and Isle of May. Earliest, several on Aug. 17th, 

 at Pentland Skerries ; and 6th, one at Isle of May, strong W., 

 clear (remark, "very early"). Latest, on Dec. 19th, at Pentland 

 Skerries, six seen, strong S.W. Scarcely a rush appreciable. 

 Jack Snipes are recorded on Sept. 25th and 27th, at Isle of May, 

 with light S. and S.E. breeze. 



