EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 20 
CypsreLipm.—At X. (Auskerry) flocks of Swifts seen on Ist 
May, with the note “rarely seen till the middle of June, wind 
N.and N.E., showers.” Again seen at XXVII. on June Sth and 
17th. We ourselves witnessed a party of Swifts migrating 
close along the cliff-edge of Holborn Head, on the N. coast of 
Caithness—“ seven seen flying E., swiftly careering above the 
cliff-edge of Holborn, and crossing in a direct line the Bay of 
Thurso” (extract from Journal, 28th June 1885). We wit- 
nessed also eight evidently still bent on migration, “flying in a 
bee-line down Strathspey, high in air, at 11 am, near Black 
Boats station. Clouds, heavy rains, showers, and N.W. wind” 
(Joc. cit., May 16th, 1885). There is undoubtedly a great high- 
way of migration up and down the valley of the Spey. We 
have abundant evidence of it. 
In Autumn.—One record at IV. Two seen on 11th Sep- 
tember, ight S., clear. 
JYNGIN®Z.—Mr Aenew very ably describes the Wryneck as 
follows, and it was afterwards identified and added to collection, 
and the tail, which had been shot away, was recovered afterwards 
by chance by Mr Wm. Evans, and restored tothe specimen. Mr 
Agnew writes, and we give it as showing how accurately to 
describe a bird for purposes of identification : 
“One bird, total stranger ; very like a Partridge in markings ; 
size of a Lark; 4 toes on feet, 2 before and 2 behind; fore toes 
largest; one of the hind toes not so large as the other; bill 
about the size of a Pipit’s; tongue protruding more than an inch, 
thickly covered with fine hairs; }4-inch of the tip horn, sharp as 
aneedle. Don’t know what it is unless Ant-eater. Very sorry 
tail shot away. Sent to Small for the Collection.”—J. Agnew. 
CucuLipz.—April 26th, an early date of arrival, flew low 
from Dirleton woods towards XXVIII. B. (Fidra); light S. 
breeze. In May, on 10th, at Cromarty, fresh N.E., showers; on 
16th at XXVIL., fresh W.N.W.; and on 28th at same station, 
moderate S.W., clear. No autumn records. 
STRIGIDZ—No spring returns. Jn Autwmn.— Short-Eared 
Owls recorded from XX VIL. (Isle of May), one of 9th October, 6 
P.M, N.W.; one 14th,N.E. gale; and one shot on 31st. The only 
other record is at IX. (Start Point), when “an Owl made its 
first appearance on the 6th November.” 
FaLconip#.—Hawks, Sparrow Hawks, large Hawks, and 
