12 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



records as usual. Nothing new to be gleaned from them. 

 Principally Sparrow Hawk (usually meaning Merlins), Falcons, 

 Kestrel, etc. 



Pelecanid^. — Cormorants. — We have not catalogued yet all 

 the winter colonies of the Great Cormorant, so records of this 

 species are useful. The only birds recorded this year on E. 

 Coast are : October- 27th, four, flying E. Wind KW. at Pentland 

 Skerries. November 21st, flock of thirty, resting on rock of 

 K Unst. 



We have had a number of schedules entirely devoted to 

 Gannets at some of the more prominent stations, and these, 

 with other accounts already published, will at some future date 

 constitute material for a very thorough treatment of the 

 movements of the species, and their relations to the migra- 

 tions of the Herring. 



We therefore omit schedule notes on the Gannet at present. 

 But lest our reporters think their work thus wasted or lost, we 

 hasten to undeceive them, for we consider that the movements 

 of Solan Geese, as held in relation to their known breeding areas, 

 and the habits and distribution of the Herring (their principal 

 food, if not indeed almost their only food), is of most particular 

 economic importance. Much hinges upon it undoubtedly, as 

 any one who has studied not only its habits, also the great 

 question of our sea-fisheries, is bound to know, or he has 

 missed the whole importance of the subject. 



Ardeid^e. — Herons are ubiquitous, even in the " Eemoter 

 Isles," and even where they do not breed. Their regular occur- 

 rence along and over all our coasts, at all seasons, and inde- 

 pendent of breeding stations, makes statistics of a value difficult 

 to ascertain. But one thing seems quite certain, their migra- 

 tions, local movements, curious presence at all points, and at 

 all times, is not dependent upon the movements of deep-sea 

 fishes. The Heron's food-supplies are of a much more cosmo- 

 politan nature, and he finds that which he requires to keep him 

 at all seasons, in all weathers, at all tides ; and his long neck 

 and legs must be of considerable service to him in all these 

 varying circumstances. 



Report. — March. — 7th, one Heron (N.W., clear) on lighthouse of 

 Pentland Skerries. 



April. — Not a record anywhere. 



