16 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



night of October 4th, at the time of total eclipse of the 

 moon — wind Light W. at the time— some twelve Goldcrests 

 being caught at the lantern.* A male Black Redstart was 

 shot on October 24th, and a second seen on 25th. The 

 principal rush of the year on November 4th instances the effect 

 of a sudden change of wind. This must have been a very vast 

 and determined rush, as many came also with a W. wind 

 afterwards. This rush was composed principally of Finches 

 and Larks, with considerable numbers of Turdidae ; but the 

 great rush of the latter (Thrushes) did not take place till the 

 rush of the Finches was past. Whilst the Finches and Larks 

 greatest rush was on Nov. 4th, the greatest rush of Thrushes, 

 Blackbirds, and Turdidae generally was on 12th to 16th. (For 

 particulars see details under Species). 



Thereafter migration continued with less force up to Jan., 

 1885, the date of the last schedule to hand. 



Inchkeith. — This land-locked station returns a light 

 schedule — of considerable interest, however, as carrying out 

 what has been remarked by us in previous reports, that when 

 birds do occur here on migration it is usually with S.W. and 

 westerly winds, whether in spring or in autumn. The Siskin 

 seems to frequent Inchkeith as a regular migrant, and 

 Titmice are also regular in appearance. 



Separate Report under Genera and Species. 



Turdidae. — In spring, migration at Sumburgh Head (April 

 only, large flocks of Common Thrushes on 1st, wmd light S.E., 

 clear, along with Starlings and Linnets), and Pentland Skerries 

 (indication in March, and partial and remittent in April, but no 

 great rush evident). At Bell Rock (great rush recorded on 6th 

 and 8th March of Thrushes, Ring Ouzels, light S.E. wind), and 

 at I. of May, but rush not observable here on 6th and 8th, there 

 being only two records of Blackbirds and a few Redwings, owing 

 to local wind being light W. and haze. Earliest record at I. of 

 May, Feb. 20th, one Redwing with Blackbirds and Thrushes ; a 

 rash, and latest records, also at I. of May, on 29th and 30th April, 



* Our Isle of May notes containing a few items of interest will be used in 

 a separate paper on that island, but actual results will be worked into this 

 report also. 



