their tails in their frantic efforts to get away again. It was not till late at night that killing operations were accomplished. On 24th November sixty whales were exposed for sale, and realised a sum of £119. The number of buyers was limited, but the competition was keen." On January 11, 1887, Mr J. N., in a letter, records the occurrence of one Snowy Owl seen on the summit of Hermann's Hill; and an Eagle, flying high over, came down and gave the shepherd's dogs chase, but sheered off when it saw the shepherd. _Sumburgh Head._--Sends one schedule, but adds: "Birds are very scarce here." Sent me a specimen of a rare bird, which I knew at once to be a specimen of _Phylloscopus superciliosus_, and which has already been recorded [_Proceedings Royal Physical Society, Edinburgh_, vol. for 1885-86, p. 298], and was exhibited at a meeting of that Society. Writing in reply to inquiries of mine, under 16th October, to Mr Youngclause, he writes: "I was after a small bird to-day about the dykes, very similar, but it got away." _North Ronaldshay._--John Tulloch. One well-filled schedule, ranging from March 18 to September 15. _Pentland Skerries._--John Gilmour (principal) sends nine heavily-filled schedules. In a letter of 1st October, Mr Gilmour speaks of great numbers of Twites on the island. "Of course they breed here; but I think their numbers have been increased of late, as there is a great flock of them." Later he adds: "I may mention that the Rock Pipit is resident here; and also the Lark, Starling, and Rock Dove are scarcely ever absent from the station." A little earlier--_viz._, 29th September--Mr G. writes: "The autumn migration is not yet quite commenced, although there have been a few birds seen; but should the wind work round to the east we will likely have a rush. I send you the names of all the birds that bred here this season (1886), _viz._:--Stormy Petrel, Puffin, Tern [two species,--J. A. H.-B.], Black Guillemot, Oyster-Catcher, Eider Duck, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Lapwing, Corncrake, Rock Dove, Starling, Lark, Twite, Wheatear, and Rock Pipit. The above are the only species which breed regularly here. The Herring Gull and Grey Crow build some seasons, but not this year. I have heard it said the Snipe breeds also, but I have never seen the nest during the last five years--the time I have been at this station. "I take little notice of Solans in the schedules, as I may say they have been going past all season in all weathers, and I still see some going east yet (29th September)." (See also under Mull of Galloway, West Coast, visited by Mr G. on his holiday, 16th August to 6th September.) A day-to-day return of Gannets or Solan Geese desired, and a separate schedule devoted to the species.