Laridæ.--In spring, large numbers arrive about March 1st for breeding
purposes at Pentland Skerries, and leave about the middle of August. On
March 21st, at Isle of May, Kittiwakes arrived in large numbers at 9
a.m.--their first appearance; wind fresh E.S.E., cloudy and cold; and
by April 3rd had steadily increased in numbers. At Auskerry, May 18th
is given as first appearance of "Sea Maws"; strong N.W., and haze; and
a Black-headed Gull was seen, with light N.E. and clear, at Pentland
Skerries. At same station, record of two Black-backed Gulls on June
27th; fresh S.E., and haze completes spring records.
In autumn, at Pentland Skerries during July the daily movements of
Gulls may be worth reproducing in detail. All the July records I have
are from this station, and also all the August ones.
1883, July 12, Pentland Skerries, one "Chaser" flying N.W., 2.15
p.m.; light E., haze.
July 18th, Pentland Skerries, three Black-backed Gulls flying N.,
2.30 p.m.; mod. N.W.
July 23rd, Pentland Skerries, one "Chaser" flying W., 10.20 a.m.;
light N.
July 25th, Pentland Skerries, continuous and large flocks of
Herring Gulls flying round all day; N., clear.
July 28th, Pentland Skerries, three "Chasers" (one flying E. at 3
p.m., and one flying S. at 5 p.m.); mod. S.W., clear.
July 29th, Pentland Skerries, one "Dirty Allan" seen. Aug. 6th,
Pentland Skerries, large flock of young Gulls on rocks all day;
light S., clear.
Aug. 7th, Pentland Skerries, large flock of young Gulls on rocks,
3.30 p.m.; fresh N.W.
Aug. 20th, Pentland Skerries, one "Chaser" flying S.E., 12.50 p.m.;
strong S.E., haze.
On 15th, at Dunnet Head, Gulls leave breeding-places in cliffs. Our
correspondent includes both "Chasers" and a "Dirty Allan," both of
which names I held as applicable to the commonest species of Skua; but
here they seem to be divided, as applying to two different species,
probably Richardson's (common) Skua and the Pomatorhine Skua.
"Dirty Allans" are again recorded from Isle of May, along with a rush
of small birds on Sept. 23rd; and in this case I doubt not Mr. Agnew
applies the name to Richardson's Skua. This is the only September
record. In October only two records at N. Unst; two pairs of Iceland
Gulls stayed two days, coming on the 4th with fresh N. and clear; and
two pairs more on 21st hovering round at 11 a.m.; fresh N., clear.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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