18 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 
Ortolan Bunting (obtained), Robins, Chiff-Chaffs, Wood Warbler, | 
Black Cap Warbler, Marsh Tit, Whitethroats, and Pied Fly- 
catchers.” And on 4th still increased in numbers, but wind 
shifted this morning to E. from 8.E. 
Mr Agnew mentions also “a bird” he has “ often reported,” 
a “orey bird with a white feather each side of the tail, and 
larger than a pipit, kind of slate colour, light streak through 
eye, black hood over its head.” And another; “colour of Tree 
Sparrow, but smaller grey white belly, slate-coloured head ; 
never seen the latter before.” 
In autumn Mr Aenew says: “ Up to 14th October migra- 
tion was very meagre,—something like last year, and from 
the same cause; gales of wind from the W. and N.E. That 
we have any at all shows how determined the birds are to 
keep their usual time of migration, even when under great diffi- 
culties.” 
Under date of Oct. 17th—* A great rush of migrants at Isle 
of May’”—Mr Agnew has the remarks: “The Woodcock was 
killed on the S.E. side, and the other birds on the N.W. side. 
Thus the migrants have been exactly meeting one another ; 
and this is just as I would have expected,—the Woodcocks 
coming to us, and the others leaving us. It would appear as if 
they were all waiting a favourable opportunity to go. Seven- 
teen Woodcocks were shot during the day on the 17th Oct. on 
Isle of May.”—J. A. The birds striking the N.W. side con- 
sisted of Redwings, Larks, Starlings, Blackbirds, Chaffinches, 
Whinchats, Chiff-Chaffs, Willow Warblers, Golden Crests, one 
Crow, and the rush continued over the 18th. These birds, 
striking the N.W. side, no doubt reached our shores further 
north, and were “ coasting,” or, as we have remarked in previous 
reports (as in the case of Woodpigeons and Larks), were crossing 
the Firth of Forth from north-westerly directions to south- 
easterly ones. The wind at the time of this migration was light 
E. The Woodcock would thus travel at fair advantage, and 
strike the 8.E. side; and the other birds which struck the N.W. 
would have a still more favourable flight, with the wind beam 
on the left shoulders. 
We consider these remarks by Mr Agnew most valuable, as 
bearing out previous experience in a remarkable manner. 
Again, under date of 10th Nov., Mr Agnew writes: “ Thou- 
