Rallidæ.—Spring records are:—

Heard at 4 A.M. at XIX. (Cromarty) on 19th May—light E., clear.

Heard by Keeper at XIV. (Pentland Skerries) when over in South Ronaldshay on 15th May. Heard on XIV. (Pentland Skerries), one pair, on 21st—wind S.E. They breed there.

One at XXVII. (Isle of May) on 14th, and again on 20th May.

No autumn records.

Charadriadæ.—A flock in February; probably belonged to last year's migration, and can hardly be admitted as spring movement at XIV. Oyster-Catcher—two entries in March and April; the former at XIV., where two arrived; and the latter at XXVII., where three were seen on the 13th April.

In Autumn.—Golden Plover arrived 5th August, and usually remain all winter. Odd birds at XIV., also in August. On 6th September, single record of a Golden Plover; single ditto in October at XIV. Straggling records of little real use in tracing facts in November, when, however, they do bulk largest. Odd notices in December and January 1886.

Other species noted are Green Plover (very few records), Ring Plover (November, only one entry), Oyster-Catchers (only taken notice of at XIV.—a flock in September), and "a number all day" at 28th November at XIV.

Addition to Isle of May List and Collection.—Dotterel—One obtained, 3d May 1885 (See remarks under Diary of Stations), in mus., Isle of May.—Curator, Jos. Agnew.

Scolopacidæ.—In Spring.—Snipe, Curlew, Woodcock, Jack-snipe are the species noted. Stations are XIV. and XXVII. only. Earliest Snipe record at XIV. on 16th February (may belong to last season's movements); "a number," and on 19th "a large number all day on island;" variable, clear. No March records, and only one of Snipe in April at XXVII.; S.E., light, clear on 18th. Jacksnipe—one at XXVII. on 5th April, and one at same place on 1st May; S.E., light clear on former date. Curlew on XIV., rose off rocks; snow on ground on 19th February. Several records flying over island at XIV., in April, with various winds, and ditto in May, and "passing XXVII. at night on 22d May." Woodcock-Two records, one at XXVII. on 5th April—E.N.E., haze—rose off island; and one at XIV. on 11th—E.N.E., haze—rose off island.

Autumn.—There are many entries in each month, as follows:—

These are composed principally of the following species, in order of their abundance:—

The stations returning in order of heaviest schedules and number of entries, as follows:—

† Some woodcock.

The records of VIII., X., and XV. refer entirely to Woodcock. The above tables we use in this place, as possibly affording a guide for future work in reducing our past seven reports to system. Under Table I. gives the time of year and comparative abundance of birds in each month. Table II. to V., comparative numbers of each species in each month. Table VI. gives relative faunal value of each station in each month. When decided "rushes" are noted, the word can be written in under the number of entries. Earliest and latest records may be given in footnotes to Table VI., or thus:—

The winds in autumn prevailed as follows:—

Added to the List of Isle of May.—A Ruff (Machetes pugnax) sent for identification and for the collection, 5th May; light N.E. wind, clear. Most of this huge migratory flight of all sorts left by the afternoon of the 5th.

Sandpipers, Redshanks.—Spring, only two records of "Sandpipers," six on 7th Feb. 1885, at XXVII.; light S.W., clear; and one "Yellow Shanked Sandpiper" found dead on 1st May at XXVII. [We would be glad of wings and feet, or skin, of as many different Sandpipers as Mr Agnew can send us. Parcels once a month, or with each schedule. The true "Yellow Shanked Sandpiper" is a N. American species, but numbers of other species have yellow feet or legs.]

In Autumn.—All records are crowded into September and November. Species are Redshanks, "Grey Sandpiper," Common Sandpiper, Purple Sandpiper. The "Common Sandpiper" is recorded from N. Unst, but the species is uncertain. [Please send wings or skin.]

Turnstones are recorded, 18th Sept., at XXVII.; W.S.W., light, clear.

Laridæ.—Every month in the year contains returns. Species noted are Herring Gulls, "Dirty Allens" (or Skuas), "Gulls," "Black-Backed Gulls," "Kittiwakes," "Grey Megs" (or Common Gull), Black-Headed Gulls, "Skua Gulls," Richardson's Skuas.

Spring and Autumn.—Every day plentiful in February, at XXVII. and XXVIII. B. Gulls arrived at XV. (Dunnet Head)—and left in August last—on 13th March 1885. Kittiwakes appeared first on 12th March, at XXVII., "earlier than usual," and very numerous by 13th; "came from S.;" N.W., light, clear. At XIV. seen all day flying around on 11th April; E.N.E., haze'; two Black B. Gulls sitting on rocks on 30th; S.S.E., haze. By April 20th, Kittiwakes had settled down in summer quarters on XXVII., and were in "multitudes" by 27th May. At XIV. a pair of Herring Gulls bred in 1884, and again in the present year, on same place; not before. In May, hundreds Black H. Gulls on the lochs near VIII. to breed.

Records unimportant in June and July, except that "Dirty Allens" are recorded at IV. on 2d July, and "Skua Gulls" at XIV. on 7th. In August, movement of Kittiwakes and other Gulls, and records continue numerously through the remaining months.

G. Terns,—a number arrived to hatch, "as usual," at VIII. on 14th May, and Lesser Terns at XIX. on 24th May. The latter disappeared again on 26th Aug.

Procellariidæ.—Autumn, July 3d, flying about the rocks at X. (Auskerry). In August, occasionally striking lantern at IV., VII., IX. (Start Point), and XV. (Dunnet Head). They breed at IX. among ruins of house, and under stones on shore.

September,—odd birds striking at IV. and at XIV. on five dates; three on 2d Sept, at IV., and two at same place on 6th. One record at IV. in October, and one at same place in November, usually in foggy or rainy weather.

Alcidæ.—More or less records every month. Arrivals. First spring visit of Guillemots and Razorbills at XXVII. on 8th March; remained in thousands to 15th; fewer up to 24th; disappeared and returned in multitudes to breed by 13th April; Puffins, Razorbills, and Guillemots. Also at VIII. "Rock Birds seen flying N. daily till 8th May." N.B.—Black Guillemots recorded at XXVII. on 5th May.

In Autumn.—Puffins last seen at XIV. on 7th Aug., and all other Rock Birds left except Kittiwakes, on the same day at XXVII.

Flock of Guillemots hung about XIV. for a time, and a few more seen on 24th. Large numbers of Guillemots and Razorbills, from 16th to 18th, at XXVII., when all left, and after a W. gale large numbers on 2d Dec. and again on 31st Dec. and seen occasionally till end of January. N.B.—Black Guillemots, one seen at XXVII. on 27th Jan. 1886. We think it quite possible Black Guillemots still breed on Isle of May, perhaps one pair.