BIRDS. 



299 



north, and north-east, strong ; and the latter at the earlier autumn 

 or late summer dates of 7th August (Monach) and July 2nd 

 (Skerryvore). Where, we ask, was the breeding-place of the Foula 

 individuals 1 If a vast increase has taken place in Scotland of the 

 species, and our eastern pine woods have become congested, has 

 not a similar and vaster increase also taken place on continental 

 areas, and caused a wider ' wave ' or impulse which at last may 

 reach Foula and the Outer Hebrides ? What impulse, what accident 

 (if you will !) caused a wing of a migration to brush against Foula 

 during the autumn migration ? We would ask our readers in this 

 connection to consult our remarks under Woodcock, and then they 

 may perhaps form some idea of the law we desire, in this, as in 

 other places, to illustrate. Does the whole study not point to a 

 possible solution of the great problem and the natural law of 

 increase, its outcome and consequent expansion, ever increasing in 

 its strength and widening the routes, to supply the increasing 

 necessities of altering circumstances ? We cannot help thinking 

 that if an enterprising naturalist or proprietor of such an island as 

 Foula started a proper migration observ atory, very interesting and 

 curious results might be developed. Even negative evidence would 

 be valuable in such an inquiry. 



Since writing the above we have received an additional interest- 

 ing note from Mr. George Sim of Aberdeen, whose attention to the 

 fauna of Dee has been for many years unremitting, assiduous, and 

 most painstaking. In reply to our application to him to inform 

 us of actual distribution of this species to the south of 'Dee ' he 

 says : — ' This species has been on migration in great numbers for 

 some time back, and in their movements have taken refuge in 

 the rigging of our trawling vessels, some of them in such an 

 exhausted condition that they were easily caught' Our trawlers, 

 be it remembered, are (or ought to he) outside the three-mile limit I 

 Mr. Sim continues : — ' In so far as I can leani, these birds are 

 only observed during their autumn movements. . . . First, on 

 September 18th some were shown to me by sailors, and the men 

 said they had come on board in "good numbers " two or three 

 days before they left the fishing-grounds ; and again on October 

 1st others were caught and brought tome; ' ' >t have 



been in the hands of their captors two or th e they 



came to port.' 



