[Footnote 1: What a loss of useful food to the lighthouse-keepers, which might perhaps be saved to them by a few long poles and an old herring-net stretched round and outside the balcony. This fact is surely worthy of the attention of the Commissioners and all Directors of our Lighthouse Stations.]
Saxicolinæ.--In spring considerable arrival of at Pentland Skerries, Bell Rock, and Isle of May. Earliest (a single Stonechat (_vera_) _S. rubicola_) on March 20th, at Isle of May, with light E. wind and haze. [N.B.--In our Third Report, p. 8, the first record was on 29th of Wheatear, but this record in Mr. Agnew's schedule was entered as "Stonechat." Owing to the confusion existing between the Wheatear and "Stonechat" it is usually almost impossible to know to which the name Stonechat is applied. The true Stonechat is very like a Whinchat, and in no respect resembles the Wheatear, except in the sound of its voice.] The next earliest was of three Redstarts (or Firetails), on March 29th, also at Isle of May, S.E. fresh, haze. Indications of a rush of Wheatears between April 5th and 13th, at Isle of May; and much lighter indications of single birds at same dates at Pentland Skerries. Redstarts scarce; two on April 27th, one on 26th at Isle of May, and a few at same place. These in every instance with light or fresh S.E. winds in April, and light N.E. in May.
In autumn a considerable migration, commencing on August 20th; first record at Isle of May--"Stonechat" [one earlier record occurs at same place on July 14th, but it is perhaps difficult to say to what this belongs, as Wheatears breed annually on Isle of May]; one killed at lantern. Fresh N.W. wind, and terminating as far as schedules indicate, by Nov. 11th. In this statement are included Wheatears, "Stonechats," [true Stonechats identified], Redstarts; but there are no records at any stations of Wheatears or Stonechats between Sept. 12th and Nov. 1st. October is, curiously enough, entirely blank of any returns of _Saxicolinæ_, and there are only two records in November. The rushes took place end of August, culminating on the night of Sept. 2nd-3rd, when a great rush of Wheatears, Redstarts, and also Chiffchaffs, Robins and Sedge Warblers, Wood Warblers, and Golden and Grey Plovers took place. The absence of any record of Thrushes or _Turdidæ_ at this date at any of the stations is noteworthy. Mr. Agnew writes:--"The night of Sept. 2nd was very stormy, wind S.E., shifting to N.E., with heavy rain. The birds were all in large numbers throughout the night, except a Blue-throated Warbler, adult, which was solitary." On the 12th, nearly all Wheatears left the Isle of May. On the 4th, at Pentland Skerries, a rush all day with strong N. wind and rain. Indications at Bell Rock very faint throughout. In the vast rush of _Turdidæ_ and other species (see _Turdidæ_ under date) of Nov. 1st, one solitary Wheatear is first recorded, the first notice since Sept. 12th. In all three species of _Saxicolinæ_ with certainty.