86 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



and winter. They were, however, unusually scarce in the 

 shooting season. Of Waders, generally, there are many entries, 

 including Redshanks, " Sandpipers," Purple Sandpipers (Isle of 

 May and Pentland Skerries), Turnstones, Ringed Plover and 

 Dunlin (Isle of May), which we do not consider it necessary to 

 detail. The rushes of other species indicate also the details of 

 the ahove. 



Sternin^:. — Few records. Terns arrived at Pentland Skerries 

 on 11th May ; and at Cromarty the Lesser Tern arrived on 4th 

 May. The Terns left ahout the 20th August, and the Lesser 

 Terns on the 15th, with light S.W. wind. In September a flock 

 of Terns passed Bell Rock on the 15th, and on the 17th a flock 

 kept round the lantern all night, strong N.W., and disappeared 

 with daylight. 



Note. — The birds called the Laughing Gull, by Mr. Agnew, are 

 the Common Gull (Larua canus), not common at Isle of May. 



To Mr. Agnew. — The true Laughing Gull is an American 

 species ; and our Black-headed Gull [Larus ridibundus) may also 

 be confused with your " Laughing Gull." "Common Gull " is 

 the correct name of the bird you describe and name 

 "Laughing Gull." 



Larid.se. — Kittiwakes arrived in great numbers at N. Unst on 

 13th March, strong S., hail and sleet. Gulls and rock birds 

 arrived in great numbers at Sumburgh Head on 8th March, and 

 again on 24th, light N.E., haze.* Kittiwakes arrived first on 

 16th March at Isle of May, and great many more on 24th, wind 

 from W. to N.E. Great Black-backed Gulls are mentioned at 

 Sumburgh Head and Pentland Skerries on 4th February and 

 4th March respectively. Three "Bonxies" seen at N. Unst, 

 20th April, the first arrivals, light E.N.E., clear. Richardson's 

 Skuas, a number at Sumburgh Head, 3rd May, S. gale and snow. 

 Kittiwakes first appeared at (or first record at) Pentland Skerries, 

 5th May (?). They began to return west, by our records, on 

 23rd July, several flocks of Gulls," flying W. Skuas, occasional 

 records at Pentland Skerries ; are apparently local in August. 

 Kittiwakes all left Isle of May on 29th August, and hundreds of 



:: See Oldest Inhabitant's remarks on the unusual abundance of Gulls all 

 the season onwards, from 8th March, at this station, in connection with the 

 migration of sprats in winter of 1884 — 85, and congregation of Gulls in 

 Firth of Forth (ride General Remarks at end of West Coast of Scotland), 



