WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 81 



yet the rushes were remarkable for intensity and uniformity in 

 time at the various stations. The earliest record given is at 

 Dhuheartach (July 4th), but may have been a local movement, 

 along with two other summer records. Next in August (1st, 10th 

 and 28th, a few). Actual first migration in mass commencing 

 Sept. 19th, 21st, and 25th at Sound of Mull, M' Arthur's Head, 

 and Corsewall, respectively. The latest records reaching me date 

 Dec. 19th, at Sound of Mull, — a solitary Blackbird ; and by the 

 19th Nov. the body of the rush was past, the latest record being 

 on that date at Khinns of Islay. The rush was strictly defined, 

 and there are not many full records before the last week in 

 October. The earliest species recorded (excluding July) is 

 Thrush, and the next Fieldfares, at Skervuile. The latest 

 species recorded are Blackbirds, at Sound of Mull. Those 

 species which bulk largest are Blackbirds and Thrushes ; and 

 those least, Fieldfares. Kedwings are probably more numerous 

 than actually recorded, as all our reporters do not perhaps 

 distinguish them. 



Saxicolin^e. — Note. — For all purposes of this Keport, " Stone- 

 chats " and Wheatears are identical. Where true Stonechats are 

 recognised and mentioned, the records relating to these are kept 

 distinct. In Spring : earliest Wheatears at Sound of Mull (29th 

 March) ; latest, single bird at Skerryvore, 14th May, and one 

 on 11th ; appearance of rush at Skerryvore on 22nd, twelve birds 

 at the lantern, fresh S., haze ; and at Skervuile indications on 

 22nd to 24th, light E. and S.E. In Autumn : earliest at Isle of 

 Man stations, 2nd, 9th, and 10th Aug. ; almost a rush on 10th 

 at Chickens Kock; and several, 9th and 10th, at Langness. 

 [Note. — Chickens Eock reporter calls them " Stonechats," but 

 Langness reporter correctly terms them " Wheatears."] Then at 

 Ehu Stoir, in the north, comes the next earliest date, 16th Aug. 

 Thereafter stations returning them are Ehu Stoir, Skerryvore, 

 Dhuheartach, Skervuile, Chickens Eock, and Langness. Bush 

 appears most decided at the early dates at Isle of Man ; and 

 again between 20th and 24th Aug. at Dhuheartach, N. of Clyde, 

 and at Skervuile; whilst a third considerable movement is 

 noticeable on 15th and 26th Sept., at Isle of Man. The latter is 

 also the latest date on record. Besides Wheatears we have the 

 following records of true Stonechats (Stonechat, Pratincola 

 rubicola). Earliest at Dhuheartach, August ; and at Skervuile 



M 



