WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 61 



Most in number were Skylarks and Thrushes ; Wheatears next ; 

 and a great number of Snipes were seen. I have noted in the 

 schedule the actual number of the different kinds we saw on 

 the lantern and the time they struck, but no doubt many more 

 of the same species hovered round the light all night. I saw 

 several Sand Larks, but only one struck. Wind S.E. to S., rain 

 and haze. They nearly all struck on the north side of the 

 lantern. I was standing on the balcony when the Woodcock 

 struck, and it fell stunned at my feet, and I caught it before it 

 had time to recover. This is the only one I have ever seen here. 

 I may mention the names of the species seen so far as recog- 

 nised : Mountain Thrushes, Common Thrushes, Skylarks, Tit- 

 larks, Wheatears, Blackbirds, Woodcock (first seen here by me), 

 Eobins, Wrens, Eedstarts, Eing Ouzels (Mountain Thrushes are 

 therefore either Fieldfares or Eed wings), ' Oxeyes ' (and another 

 small bird a stranger to me)." [The Oxeye — so-called — is really 

 a Gold-crested Wren, as described ; and the other small bird, 

 from description, is probably a Willow-Warbler (or Willow 

 Wren). — J. A. H.-B.] In the same letter Mr Dawson encloses 

 an insect [the Silver Gamma Moth. — J. A. H.-B.], and says : 

 " I enclose an insect. I got it this morning stuck to the side of 

 the kitchen window. We don't know what it is. It has likely 

 wandered off here with the rush of birds the two previous 

 nights. It appeared to be quite dormant when I found it 

 (date of 7th October). 



" Great numbers of birds again last night, but not nearly so 

 many as the previous night, and fewer species. Wind N"., and 

 heavy rain all night and morning. After this Mr Charleson is 

 to take note of the birds along with myself, so will get on 

 better. The second schedule will be soon filled up." 



Under date of December 19th, Messrs Dawson and Charleson 

 say : " The Gannets have all left us some weeks back. The 

 scarcity of fish is no doubt the cause." 



Dhuheartaeh. — William Davidson and Jas. M'Guffie send 

 us four well-filled bulky schedules, as Dhuheartaeh has, along 

 with Skerryvore, participated in the rush of 5th and 6th 

 October, which appears to have been so universal all over the 

 East Coast also. By the schedules the species appear to have 

 been much the same as at Skerryvore — Larks, Mavis (many 

 young), Goldcrests, Snipe, Fieldfare, Wheatear, Eobins, Fire- 



