Printed forms, letters, and remarks were forwarded to thirty-eight stations on the west coast of Scotland and the Isles, being two more than in 1879, viz., Bahama Lightship and Langness Lighthouse, both in Isle of Man.[11]

We have received in all returned, filled-in schedules from twenty-six stations, being two more than last year.

Only four stations have not sent in returns, which sent them in last year,[12] but, to make up for this, we have gained six from stations which sent us none last year,[13] besides adding one from one of the new stations.[14]

A marked improvement is apparent in these returns, and it is evident that very general interest is being taken in the work. Altogether, our west coast returns are quite satisfactory, and it gives us much pleasure to think that the first year's reports have really interested our obliging correspondents. We hope that the present general report will succeed in enlisting the whole body in the service. We can as yet only repeat, that we believe that interesting and curious results will in time be arrived at; but we deprecate any attempt at present to arrive at these, desiring first a firm basis of facts to build upon, which can only be obtained by continued attention and careful record, for a few years longer, of a large mass of statistics.

The stations from which co-operation was asked are the following, commencing with the most northerly—Cape Wrath. Those from which returns have been received are marked with a *; those which sent returns both last year and this have two **; those which sent none last year but have done so this year have a † prefixed; those which sent returns last year but none this year are printed in italics. Stations added this year have the date, 1880, preceding them.

‡ Light-vessels being only a few feet above the sea, I have not indicated the exact elevation, which, however, is usually about 30 feet.

SPRING MIGRATION, 1880.[15]

SEPARATE REPORT ON EACH SPECIES.

Strigidæ.—At Skerryvore, one Brown Owl appeared on 10th May, at 2.30 p.m., in showery weather.

Falconidæ.—At Douglas Head,[16] one "Black Hawk" (Sparrowhawk?) was noted at 8 a.m., in clear weather, with light E.N.E. breeze.

Hirundinidæ.—The earliest date on which Swallows are recorded from any west coast stations is April 7th, and this at one of our most northerly stations, viz., Butt of Lewis. This is followed by April 17th at Douglas Head, one of our most southern stations in the Isle of Man; seen at 12 noon; wind light S.E. breeze, clear or showers; these were not again observed. Again, on April 24th, their arrival is recorded at Rhinns of Islay. Thereafter none are noted until 6th May, at Loch Ryan, in Wigtownshire, when a flight of fifty was observed, followed by twenty and fifteen on the 8th and 11th: winds from N.W. through N. to E. and fresh, clear to haze. At Skerryvore, one was seen on 10th May, in calm, hazy and rainy weather. On 11th, 12th and 13th, eight flew about the Point of Ayre. On 24th, four were seen flying south past Ardnamurchan station. On 22nd, one at Monach Island; winds from S.W. to N.W., fresh. The remaining records are in June. On June 14th, at Ardnamurchan, two again seen flying southwards; and on 22nd, at Skerryvore; calm, hazy weather. Possibly these June records of birds flying south may belong to the autumn migration. It thus appears that a spring rush took place in the earlier part of May—from the 6th to the 14th. About the same time, viz., May 20th, a flock of "Martin Swallows," Hirundo urbica, appeared at the Butt of Lewis during light W. wind, with haze; they stopped about three hours and then flew off, going S.W.

Note.—Swallows and Martins were first observed at Ballina, Co. Wicklow, Ireland, by Mr. E. Warren, on April 19th.

Swift, Cypselus.—First noted at Ballina by Mr. Warren, on May 12th.

Wheatear, Saxicola œnanthe.—Records from three stations only in spring, viz., Skervuile, Monach, and Butt of Lewis. Earliest date at Skervuile (most southern of the three). May 1st, where one was seen at lantern at midnight; wind light S. Next date is May 4th, at Monach, when about twenty, mixed with Larks and Wagtails, were seen and two killed between 8.30 p.m. and 3 a.m.; wind light from N. to W. The latest and only other record dates May 20th, at Butt of Lewis, where five were seen; wind light W., clear.

Wagtail, Motacilla Yarrellii.—Two stations, viz., at Kyleakin and Butt of Lewis. At Kyleakin, April 1st, twenty-six rested at 4 p.m., wind E.S.E., haze; 2nd, twenty-four rested at 8 a.m., wind S.E., haze. At Butt of Lewis, April 13th, a flock at 7 a.m., stopped a few days and left flying south, light E. wind, clear; and a few days later, "one lighter than the rest" left, going south. At Kyleakin, April 17th, twelve were seen flying S.E. at 7 a.m., light breeze, with fog; and on 18th, at 1 p.m., twelve more rested and then flew off south, wind light S.W., and fog.

Starling, Sturnus vulgaris.—I have but few records of the spring migration, viz., from Lochindaul, Fladda, and Dhuheartach. The earliest at Fladda, April 4th, when twenty-four were seen at 10 a.m., breeze fresh, with showers, and clear. At Dhuheartach, April 13th, between midnight and 8 a.m., three birds rested; night foggy, and wind light N. At Lochindaul, May 18th, some were seen, wind moderate, and weather foggy.

Skylark, Alauda arvensis.—At Dhuheartach and Monach, April 13th, ten at night, wind light N., cloudy, seven killed; and May 1st, one at midnight, wind S., haze; and at these stations, on May 4th, flock, mixed with Wheatears and Wagtails, from 8.30 p.m. till 3 a.m., wind light W. to N., haze and rain.

Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus.—The following are the stations where it was noted as first seen or heard, commencing in the south:—At Point of Ayre, May 1st, light airs and haze. At Lochindaul, May 16th, E., clear; the reporter adds, "but is earlier in Islay." At Rhinns of Islay, April 21st, wind light W. At Skervuile, May 10th, first seen, wind N., clear. At Stornoway, May 4th. At Kyleakin, May 5th. At Rhu Stoir, June 15th, wind light N., haze.

Note.—First noted at Ballina, Ireland, by Mr. Warren, on May 12th.

Oystercatcher, Hæmatopus ostralegus.—At Lochindaul, Dhuheartach, and Island Ghlais. At Dhuheartach, April 14th and 17th, 8 and 10 a.m., ten and seventeen resting or feeding, wind light N.W., haze or fog. At Lochindaul, May 20th and 21st, 10 a.m., resting, light wind, fog. At Island Ghlais, June 30th, 6 p.m., two feeding, calm, and heavy showers.

Curlew, Numenius arquata.—So far as a spring migration can be separated by the data at command, the whole season has apparently being occupied by Curlews in moving about, the results are as follows:—Beginning on 16th, south, we find spring records at Lochindaul, Rhuvaal, Dhuheartach, Monach, and Skerryvore. The first note dates March 1st, at Rhuvaal; eight seen, S.W. gale and rain. The second at Dhuheartach, April 13th, 4 p.m., when three were seen, wind light, cloudy. Thereafter at Lochindaul, May 14th. At Skerryvore, May 23rd. At Monach, June 13th. At Lochindaul, June 14th. At Skerryvore, June 23rd. Winds variable E., N.W. to S.W.

Whimbrel.—"May fowl" arrived on Monach, on their way north, upon May 8th, when three were seen flying about, wind light N., clear. On May 25th, several parties of from three or four to six seen flying between Monach and Haskeir rocks, wind fresh S.W., clear. The note is added, "Arrive in May, leave in July."

Note.—Mr. R. Warren notes their first appearance at Ballina on May 1st.

Snipe.—At Dhuheartach, April 13th, three Snipe killed, strong N. breeze, cloudy.

Corn Crake, Crex pratensis.—The Corn Crake was heard at Kyleakin on June 11th, and at Stornoway on May 4th, clear and fine; and at Lochindaul on May 18th, at night.

Note.—At Ballina it was first noted by Mr. Warren on May 2nd.

Wild Goose.—At Rhu Stoir, May 12th, 10 a.m., twelve Wild Geese seen, three males and three females; light N. airs, clear.

Ducks, Anatidæ.—At Rhuvaal, Island Ghlais, and Rhu Stoir. At Rhuvaal, March 8th, great numbers daily seen, where, however, they became scarcer between April 20th and 30th. At Rhu Stoir, June 18th, 10 a.m., six Eiders, three males and three females, wind light N., clear; and July 28th, 8.30 a.m., thirty "Wild Ducks," wind N.E., haze and rain.

Terns.—Two evidently paired birds seen at Rhu Stoir on May 18th, light to fresh variable winds. On May 26th, about 2 p.m., some scores of Terns were seen at Monach during S.W. gale, and were the first that arrived to breed there; and on June 14th, lots of nests containing two to three eggs were seen. At Skervuile, May 10th, Terns were first observed this spring, wind light E., and haze; and by 31st great numbers had passed; some were again seen on June 18th, in similar weather. At Rhinns of Islay, May 12th, three seen at noon, fresh E. breeze; and all during June, large numbers of "Tick Terns" fishing in Lochindaul. At Stornoway, June 5th, they kept arriving at all hours, and were the first to come to the breeding grounds.

Note.—Mr. J. T. Garriock notes the spring arrival of Terns at Lerwick, in Shetland, from the north, on May 22nd, in 'The Zoologist' (q. v., 1880, p. 302); and, in a letter to me, he substantiates his observation. Mr. Robert Warren notes the first appearance of Sandwich Terns at Ballina, Ireland, on March 24th, and of Common Terns on May 14th.