In autumn, Marrots leave Barra Head Aug. 12th, along with the bulk of Razorbills, but Puffins not till Aug. 25th. Marrots and Razorbills left with fresh E. wind. Puffins left in fresh S. wind.
Cormorants arrived about same time as Razorbills and Aleidæ, but remain about six weeks later at Butt of Lewis; and at Kyleakin there is record of a flock of twenty-eight flying W. on 13th, with S.W. breeze. Four species.
Colymbidæ.--On June 10th one great N. Diver seen swimming near Lighthouse, at Kyleakin, moving N. (but this movement may be due to set of the tide only, hour not given, J. A. H. B.). In autumn, at Sound of Mull, a G. N. D., passing S., var., light breezes. At Lismore, one flying south; stormy W., rain, on Oct. 17th. At Sound of Mull, two passing south, at noon; light airs. If the movement is only local and due to tides, this should be mentioned in schedules, and the words "drifting with tide," or "swimming with tide," used instead of "passing." They are not likely to swim against the tide, but if this phenomenon is observed it should be recorded. One species.
Weather Notes for General Remarks on Spring Migration, 1883.
Fearful snow-storm over the north of Shetland on March 17th, and N.E. gales and snow prevailed from March 5th to 24th; E. and N.E. and N. winds prevailed all over Scotland with gales, notably on March 6th and 17th; from 6th to 24th slight changes to S.E., but of short duration; on 25th (Sunday) wind S.W. strong to gale and rain, the first rain since February, but only lasted half a day; wind backed again to N.E. In Orkney the sea rose suddenly very high on the E. coast on March 21st; very cold and fine on 22nd, wind light S.W. "Large quantities of Cormorants, Razorbills, and Shags, &c., are coming ashore along the E. coast of Orkney." Deaths supposed to be from scarcity of food, _viz._, coal-fish; and great damage done to rabbits by Hawks, in some cases nearly exterminating them (daily papers of March 23rd, 1883). At Dunipace 12° of frost on night of March 27th. Fearful gale at 9 a.m. on March 30th, bar. at 28′ 9″; gale all night from S.W., bar. rising all day; again till 9 p.m. to 29′ 6″, wind S.W. at 10 p.m.; again at 30′ 2″. S. gale at Isle of May on March 29th and 30th.