EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 15 
Holborn Head.—No return. Visited by H.-B. in 1885. The 
position is decidedly bad, being quite too land-locked both to 
east and west. J had a long chat with Mr Charles Christian, 
the second light-keeper, but did not see Mr Charleston, the 
principal. Mr Christian told me that not a bird has appeared 
at the lights since he came last yearin May. He was at Cantick 
Head, another station utterly unfrequented by birds.—(Extract 
from H.-B.’s Journal.) 
Noss Head.—No return. Visited by H.-B. in 1885. Mr 
Greig (principal) has been here eleven years, and reported that 
scarcely a land-bird has ever been known to strike the dome or 
light, or “been observed on migration day or night” (szc). Noss 
Head Light lies open to the N.N.E., ES.E., and $.S.E., and is 
only 175 feet above the sea (Pentland Skerries Light is 170 
feet, and Isle of May 240 feet); and no land interruptions 
occur. Nevertheless, it utterly fails to attract birds, as, indeed, 
do most stations with an abrupt and precipitous coast, for 
reasons which we think are almost self-evident.—(See General 
Remarks.) 
Cromarty.—Robt. 8. Ritson (principal) sends one schedule. 
He says: “No birds struck lantern during the year. Rather 
more birds observed than in 1884. Prevailing winds were again 
westerly from January to April, but between May and October 
easterly; but the change of wind brought no accessions of birds. 
Land-locked station. 
Chanonry.—John M‘Gill (principal) and Wm. Irvine (assist- 
ant) send one light schedule, and the remarks: “There is no 
difference from the remarks of other years. ‘The migration this 
year seems to be for the purposes of feeding. No certain 
migration observable.” Mr M‘Gill, however, goes on to say: 
“The Sand Martins, when congregated on Major M‘Kenzie’s 
yacht-rigging from the bowsprit up to the mast, and down to 
the end of the jib-boom, made a curious sight, when lying at 
anchor.” This was on the 24th August 1885. 
Bell Fock.—James Jack (principal) sends as usual carefully 
and well-filled schedules, quite among the best received. Under 
date of 16th October, at the time of a rush, Mr Jack has the 
following general remarks: “ Birds began to arrive at 7.30 P.M., 
striking lightly and flying off again; unable to tell of what 
species. Numbers went on increasing till midnight, when it 
