EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 19 



Tlcidje. — Woodpeckers. — The Great Spotted Woodpeckers 

 appeared in considerable numbers this autumn along the eastern 

 counties of Scotland, in one or two cases reaching to the 

 west counties south of the Firth of Clyde. Almost all the 

 specimens examined by us and by Mr Evans of Edinburgh 

 proved to be either old birds or birds with very slight traces of 

 immaturity. The only ones appearing at lighthouses known to 

 us was one sent us from Pentland Skerries, and one obtained at 

 Isle of May. It occurred also, as we are informed by Mr E. 

 Service, in the Solway district. This flight occurred in October, 

 and I find the Pentland Skerries bird bears date of 14th. 1 



Stpjgid^e. — Owls. — A very slight record, and entirely in 

 October. One " Large Grey Owl " at Pentland Skerries. "The 

 first seen for a long time ; sat on the island." Three Short- 

 Eared Owls on Sth, 9th. and 19th respectively, at Isle of May, 

 and one Grey Owl again at Pentland Skerries on 29th. "Flew 

 across island." 



Ealconid^:. — " Hawks," Ealcons, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawk, 

 Merlin, Peregrine, etc. — Eecords scattered more or less through 

 the year as usual, but March, August, and December contain 

 none. October again has largest number. Species noted are 

 Peregrine (" or Ealcon "), " Hawks," Kestrel (daily for a week at 

 X. Unst), Sparrow Hawk, Large Hawks (Bell Eock, 19th 

 October) ; " flying W.," etc. 



Of Cormorants we have spring records in April at jST. Unst, 

 daily fishing. Daily records at same place in September 

 between 1st and 9th, about four or five pairs. One pair breeds 

 regularly, and rears young at X. Unst (noted 11th July 1886). 

 Also at Eidra — six birds to twelve — from 6th to 29th (three 

 records). 



1 Another is reported from X. Unst (see Diary from the Stations). Besides these, 

 we have records of the following, obligingly sent us by Mr Geo. Sim of Aberdeen ; 

 and we obtained other records from Fife ; also one from Dumfries, from Mr 

 Service of Maxwelltown, Dumfries. AVe had hoped also to have added all the 

 records of specimens examined by Mr Evans ; but up to date of going to press, 

 these records have not come to hand. It would have been better to have them 

 all recorded in one place. 



One ; Monyruy, Parish of Longside, Aberdeen, 29th August 1886. 



One ; Brucklay Castle, Parish of New Deer, Aberdeen, 30th October 18S6. 



One ; Drumtochty Castle, Kincardineshire, 29th November 1886. 



One ; Drumtochty Castle, Kincardineshire, 27th February 1887. 



