WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND. 77 



twenty- eight were killed on Torwood and Touch in two days. 

 The birds had been quite three weeks in the country. In 

 January 1887, 33J couple were shot in seven days, and we 

 heard of total bags for the season of 160 to one gun in Ardna- 

 murchan, 400 in Eoss of Mull, 260 in north of Mull on one 

 property, etc., etc. 



Snipe. — A distinct " rush " apparent on the great migration 

 night of 5th October, but all other returns light except 

 " numbers all day " at Ehinns of Islay on 18th December. 

 The largest " rush " is recorded at Skerryvore on 5th October, 

 9.30 P.M. till 3.30 A.M. on the 6th; light S. wind; eight killed 

 on lantern. All other records quite light ; and Jack Snipe, only 

 three entries, viz., on 8th October at Butt of Lewis, S., fresh ; 

 at Skervuile on 6th, light E. and S. ; and one killed at midnight 

 of 22d October at Ehinns of Islay. Of Sandpipers, Eedshanks, 

 Dunlins, etc., there are only eight records in all in March, May, 

 August (2), September (2), October, and December. 



Lamm. — Of Gulls we only will mention the more important 

 entries. 



Cream-coloured Gulls (Iceland) [or Glaucous Gulls. — 

 J. A. H.-B.] " seldom seen here," at Ehinns of Islay on 

 January 18th, 1887. February 1886 — " Iceland Gull at same 

 place, flying E., noted as " rare," on 3d ; light N". breeze. In 

 May a Bichardson's Skua at Lochindaul on 28th, and all day 

 there again on 30th July. Thousands of Black Backed Gulls 

 and other Gulls on 14th September at Ehinns of Islay. " Dirty 

 Aliens " at Dhuheartach on 31st October, and all November 

 numbers of Gulls at Skervuile. Iceland Gulls at Dhuheartach 

 on 12th December, and again at Ehinns of Islay on 7th. 



Terns arrived on 20th May at Barra Head, and a flock stayed 

 a week at Little Eoss and then left, after the 14th June. There 

 are only a few scattered records in autumn. The curious 

 unsettled behaviour of Terns, whether Arctic or Common, is a 

 subject worthy of remark during their breeding season. They 

 often occupy and then abandon their nesting places, apparently 

 without any reason, for it is not always that they leave on 

 account of persecution, though they are much more easily 

 affected by persecution than almost any other sea birds. 



PnocELLARHDiE. — Petrels. — In September several all day at 

 Dhuheartach, and have been seen "flying south for a week 



