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.
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