32 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



But in October only one record, and that on the 2nd. We 

 will yet have to see where all our Gannets congregate during 

 these three months ; they are absent from our British coasts, or, 

 at least, at their scarcest.* From the date of the first 

 (February) record the almost invariable direction of flight given 

 is " flying east," or easterly ; but one record at Sumburgh Head 

 gives "a number flying N. on April 11th, light N. clear,"! on 

 to the date of September 17th. But on the 19th September an 

 unmistakable change takes place, and while we still find up to 

 October 2nd, Solans flying east, we also find that from Sept. 

 19th Solans were also flying west, past all the stations sending 

 returns, viz., Pentland Skerries and Dunnet Head. I wish 

 more correspondents both on East Coast of Scotland, at say 

 Noss Head and Buchanness, and St. Abb's Head, and on the 

 West Coast at Barra Head, Stoir Head, and Khinns of Islay, 

 would return daily records of the movements of Gannets, 

 specially noting the direction and flight of flocks. 



Solan Geese bulked largest in July, flying E., and the return 

 rush appears to have taken place two months after, in Sep- 

 tember. On January 5th, 1885 there is one record of five 

 Solans flying E. Fresh W. cloudy at Pentland Skerries. We 

 would ask Mr. Gilmour, or the principal lightkeeper at this 

 station, to carefully record any movements of Solans during 

 the winter months which come under his observations. 



Since the above was written a late schedule from N. Bonald- 

 shay reports Solan Geese flying north every day between July 

 5th and about Sept. 1st in flocks all day of torn two or three 

 to twenty. 



To 1885. — In February, 1885, seven- Gannets flying W. on 

 12th, and three on 21st. 



Ardeid^. — Herons are recorded from March to June 

 sparingly. None in July or August. Sparingly again in 

 September, none in October, and a few in November, — a very 

 light migration as compared with 1882. 



* See Mr. Anderson's notes on Atlantic 220 miles from Boston in May, 

 and his notes also off Cape St. Vincent in January, 1885, in the present 

 report, p. 4, and evidence of the migrations of this species in previous reports. 



-f- At Sumburgh Head the migration appears local, " passing N. or S. 

 during the herring fishery." In this connection see General -Remarks regarding 

 Gulls, at the end of West Coast of Scotland, and the movements of sprats 

 (Clupea). 



