Laniadæ.--A male killed at Helensburgh (Dumbartonshire), shot by Major Allan Colquhoun, Feb. 3rd, 1883.
Hirundinidæ.--In spring, _i.e._, till end of June, records reach me from Sumburgh Head, Auskerry, Pentland Skerries and Isle of May. (It is often difficult to draw the line in the case of _Hirundinidæ_, between spring migration, local flights, and autumn migration. This year, however, they are tolerably distinct, as I have no records during the whole of July). Earliest spring record is at Sumburgh Head, on April 21st, a single bird, and the next is at Isle of May on April 26th; winds in both cases S.E., and two more on 28th. No more till May 14th, with S.W. wind at Isle of May. Occasional light returns all through May, at Pentland Skerries and Isle of May; winds easterly at former, and westerly at latter. _Note._--None breed at Isle of May. No rush distinguishable. In June the dates are 5th (at Sumburgh Head and at Pentland Skerries), Sand Martin; 10th, four seen at Sumburgh Head, and 13th, 14th, 17th and 26th, at different stations; winds from all directions between S.W. at Sumburgh Head by N. to E. Swallows arrived at Cromarty on May 13th; first seen.
In autumn, the movement, as far as I can judge, extended through August and September, and lingered into October, the latest record coming from Sumburgh Head on Oct. 6th. A rush is indicated by the returns on Sept. 8th and 15th at Isle of May, when "considerable numbers," "large numbers," and on the 19th, "some," are the data. Wind light W. on 8th, and easterly the other days. The directions of flight of Swallows recorded in August vary considerably. Thus, at Pentland Skerries, one Martin flying E.; strong S.E. and rain, on Aug. 8th; one Swallow, "flying around," on 9th; fresh E., showers, and "flying W."; on 20th light S.E. and haze. At Isle of May, five Swallows flying S., light S.E., haze on 22nd, and flock "flying S." on 30th; light S.E., haze. Swallows left Cromarty on Sept. 8th; last seen.
_Land Notes._--Swallows seen by me in some numbers at Kirkmichael House, Dumfries, on evening of April 13th, flying over the artificial ponds. Also seen at Morningside by A. B. Herbert, on 15th. I have the following notes from Dr. John Grieve, at Bridge of Allan, which locality is famed in spring for the shelter afforded from east winds. Dr. Grieve's notes refer however to autumn notes. In 1880 Swifts left the Bridge of Allan on Aug. 10th. In 1879 Swifts left between 8th and 17th, and in 1882 on the 8th. "Previous to leaving they always chase one another round the houses until two days before leaving; then they appear to keep to higher air." In 1881 two were seen on May 3rd, being the first arrivals. In 1880 about 200 "Martins and a few Swallows collected on two houses in Bridge of Allan on Aug. 22nd, and similar congregations took place in smaller numbers on 27th to 31st, and on Sept. 8th. On Oct. 4th, frost; and in afternoon some twenty-five seen. On Oct. 6th, five to one hundred seen hawking over the wood behind Bridge of Allan. On 8th, six seen. On 8th, hard frost and fog; four seen flying about _in silence_; next morning, hard frost. On 20th, 15° frost; on 21st, 6°; 22nd, 10°; and 23rd, 2°. But on 23rd two Swallows seen. These were the last that year." In 1882 great numbers of Swallows and Martins were seen flying eastward, outside the cliffs of Beachy Head on Oct. 4th, and a good many remained along the undercliff of the Isle of Wight at Ventnor.