EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 13 



Of Chiffchaff. — [The difficulty of determining Chiffchaffs and 

 Willow Wrens at any time, but more especially in autumn, even 

 to an expert, must in great measure militate against almost any 

 records of " Chiffchaff" at Isle of May. Yet there can be no 

 doubt that it has occurred there, certainly in October 1884 ; 

 and on one or two more occasions certain. There are many 

 records of " Chiffchaff" at Isle of May; but it is impossible to 

 say which are correct identifications, and which are really imma- 

 ture Willow Warblers. That the Chiffchaff does occur is un- 

 doubted, but to what extent is yet uncertain. Henceforth, 

 until certainty can be arrived at, we will only mention Chiff- 

 chaffs in inverted commas. — J. A. H.-B.] 



" Chiffchaff" — a single record at Isle of May on 12th April, 

 and Willow Wren very numerous on 19th May. One " Chiff- 

 chaff" also noted on 5th May. 



In Autumn. — G-oldcrests numerous on October 24th at Isle 

 of May ; and numbers at Pentland Skerries, from 17th to 27th, 

 all day long. Seems to have been pretty general, as it is spoken 

 of at Noss Head, also on 24th ; at Inchkeith, in small numbers, 

 7th, 8th, and 9th (light E. breezes). Numbers all day on Eidra 

 on 8th October, and also at Sumburgh Head on 7th and on 

 20th, and at Girdleness on the 21st. Numerous at Isle of May 

 up to 30th. 



" Chiffchaff" — a solitary record of one at Isle of May on 27th 

 August. A great number (rush) of Willow Warblers at Isle of 

 May on 1st September — light W., fog — along with Sedge 

 Warblers. "Chiffchaff" is also recorded from North Unst by 

 Mr Charles Youngclause — light N.E., haze — a single bird. 

 Numbers again of " Chiffchaffs " at Isle of May on 19th. Those 

 who have their doubts about the occurrence in any number of 

 the Chiffchaff (vera) can read the above together with the 

 entries of Willow Warller. 



The migration of Phylloscojpinw is thus compressed into Octo- 

 ber, with one rush in September of Willow Warblers, which 

 appears to have been preceded by one example of " Chiffchaff " 

 four days before. In preceding spring very pronounced on 18th 

 and 19th May at same station, Isle of May, of Willow Warblers. 



Accentorin^e. — Hedge Sparrows. — Spring. — Only two records 

 on 12th April at Isle of May (resident all winter) ; and at 

 Pentland Skerries on 19th, two — S.E., haze ; and on 18th May, 



