Procellariidæ.--Petrels, Stormy Petrel.--The Stormy Petrels often
appear at lanterns at night in midsummer, but this is in all
probability merely a local movement. Being nocturnal in their habits,
and abroad only at night, certain lighthouses lure them to their light
more readily than others, owing to proximity to breeding stations or
lines of flight to and from their feeding grounds. Their breeding
season being very late in the year, the months of August and September
bulk largest, but movements commence usually in June; July, however,
is often less marked as a month for their movements, except in
exceptionably hazy weather for that month.
This season records are not numerous; _but_, what we have not recorded
before, a rush of Stormy Petrels took place at N. Unst, from the 23d to
28th August, "nightly"--winds variable and overcast; striking lantern
"continuously." When, perhaps, we know all the exact minutiæ of the
breeding distribution, and area of the wandering of birds generally,
and of Petrels in the present case, then we may be able to account
for such a rush as related above. Meanwhile we think it safest to
believe--without theorising--that this unusual appearance was a local
movement, caused by unity of circumstances, affecting a large local
colony in the neighbourhood of the N. Unst lighthouse.
Alcidæ.--Auks, Razorbills, Guillemots, Puffins, "Marrots," "Tysties"
(Black Guillemots).--_In Spring._--On February 19th a flock of Black
Guillemots ("Tysties") "first arrived, very early," at N. Unst; and at
same place a year afterwards--_viz._, in January 31, 1887, we find,
under "Marrot"--"flocks of, flying past," W. to E.; "_rarely_ been seen
so soon." (Note in this connection our extremely early and fine spring
of 1877, until checked slightly, between March 10th and 17th, by the
severe snowfall and keen frosts.)
Returning to 1886:--By March 12th to 22d, numbers of Guillemots and
Razorbills rushing by thousands on the latter date at Isle of May,
the only station sending returns for March. In April, abundance of
Razorbills and Puffins on the rocks by 14th at N. Unst; but the note
(1886) is given on date of 7th, "not so early as last year." Puffins
arrived "after; N.W., light breezes. First arrival later than usual."
By the 22d 160 Puffins (estimate) settled down to breed on the rocks as
usual at N. Unst.
At Pentland Skerries, Puffins arrived on the 11th April; and Common
Guillemots were seen passing east on the 23d--mod. S.E. wind. At Isle
of May, a large number on 6th April and on 12th. By the 18th May,
Puffins "are now laying" at Isle of May. By 11th June, young were first
seen at N. Unst of Puffins and "Tysties." No records in August.
On September 2d, all Marrots, Razorbills, and Puffins left the rock
at N. Unst; but on October 18th, Tysties re-appeared (three in
number)--with N.N.E., strong breeze--and stayed six days. No other
records.
Columbidæ.--Divers--Great Northern, Black-throated, and Red-necked
Diver.--No account taken.
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