16 REPORT ON THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS. 



Fringillid^e. — Finches, Linnets, Eedpoles, Siskins, Sparrows, 

 Chaffinches, " Grey Linnets," Tree Sparrows, Lesser Eedpole. — 

 In Spring. — 1 Chaffinch at Pentland Skerries on 9th February. 

 At Isle of May " considerable numbers of Eedpoles." " Lots 

 died." S.E. to W. In March a few single records of Chaffinch 

 at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May, and "numbers flying 

 about all night " at Fidra. In April, Siskins " first seen " at 

 North Unst (a new species to the locality ?) on 11th. At Isle 

 of May, Chaffinches and Grey Linnets on 21st, and 2 to a 

 dozen pairs of Sparrows on 30th. At Pentland Skerries, on May 

 22d and 23d, Grey Linnets and Eedpoles (? Twites). 



In Autumn. — Earliest, 26th August, Linnets, "young birds." 

 Again, Siskin (one) at N. Unst on 10th September. Strong W. 

 wind. Linnets at same place (Twites ?), 18th, 20th, and 30th. 

 A flock at Pentland Skerries (Linnets, vera ?), and Linnets at 

 Fidra, 20th, 25th, and 27th. Tree Sparrows on 15th at Isle of 

 May. Greatest body of Fringillidce in October, but on the 

 whole, unusually light returns anywhere. Tree Sparrows at 

 Isle of May on 29th October. A few records in November 

 only at N. Unst and Pentland Skerries, of Linnets (?) and 

 Chaffinches. 



One of the lightest schedules of Fringillidce we have had. 



Emberizid^e. — Buntings, Snow Buntings, Common Buntings. 

 Yellow Hammers. — In Spring. — Snow Buntings (2) at N. Unst ; 

 snow. In March one ditto, 25th, and as late as April 19th one 

 bird. [These are no doubt late stragglers of last year's migra- 

 tion. — J. A. H.-B.] No more records till September. 



In Autumn. — Large flock of Snow Buntings at Dunnet Head 

 on 23d, and small numbers at N. Unst on 19th, 20th, and 23d. 

 The first seen at Pentland Skerries this season was on the 1st 

 October, fresh S. haze; and four again on the 12th. Not 

 numerous anywhere all this month. Bulked largest in Novem- 

 ber and December ; few at N. Unst ; flocks at Pentland Skerries 

 on four dates of 4th to 17th, and a good number at Isle of May 

 on 6th. Flocks at Isle of May in December, and a few at 

 Sumburgh Head and Pentland Skerries. Yellow Hammer only 

 once mentioned at Isle of May on 10th February — a single bird. 

 Common Bunting, single birds, on 8th, 15th, and 27th March, 

 at Pentland Skerries ; once in April at same station ; once in 

 July ditto ; very few records in September, same station ; and 



