246 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



several birds, amongst which the Wren and Chaffinch were prominent. 

 The subject is rather a neglected one, although of considerable 

 interest. Mr. H. Eliot Howard makes some interesting remarks on it 

 in his "British Warblers" (part iv. p. 16). S. E. BROCK, Kirkliston. 



Dendroeopus major major in East Ross. In October 1909 a 

 $ Greater Spotted Woodpecker was shot near Dingwall and came 

 into my possession. The other day I had the opportunity of sub- 

 mitting the skin to Mr. H. F. Witherby, who compared it with his 

 series and pronounced it to be Dendroeopus major major. The bill 

 of the bird compares exactly with those of Greater Spotted Wood- 

 pecker from Norway in its obtuseness and stoutness. Further, the 

 first (bastard) primary is longer than the longest primary covert, 

 whereas in Dendroeopus in. angliais the reverse is the case (cp. C. B. 

 Ticehurst, "British Birds," iv. 337). My thanks are due to Mr. 

 Witherby for his identification of the bird. ANNIE C. JACKSON, 

 Swordale. 



Green Sandpiper in the Island of Lewis. On 3rd August my 

 brother shot a Green Sandpiper beside Loch Ossigary near Rodel, 

 South Harris. It is a $ , autumn plumage, second year, as I am 

 informed by Mr. Bisshopp of Oban, to whom I sent the bird in the 

 flesh. I fancy this is the first recorded specimen from the Lews. 

 A. T. A. RITCHIE, Obbe. 



The Breeding 1 Range of the Fulmar Petrel (Fulmants gladalis} 

 in the British Isles. This has been greatly extended of late years. 

 When in Hoy (Orkney) in July 1911 I found the species breeding 

 plentifully there. As far as could be ascertained the birds first 

 appeared at the north end of the island five or six years ago ; a few 

 Fulmars came at first, but they have greatly increased until in the 

 present year I estimated that there must be hundreds of pairs 

 nesting between the Kame and the Old Man of Hoy. On the west 

 coast, farther south, they were first noted three years ago; since then 

 they have increased enormously. At the south end of the island 

 a few birds were noticed in 1910, but none bred there. This year 

 three pairs are nesting. The fishermen assert that the Fulmar is 

 master of all the Gulls, driving them away from any food which 

 both desire. This fact is probably not unconnected with the great 

 increase of the Fulmar. ERIC B. DUNLCP. 



Increase of Mute Swans in Tiree. There have been a great 

 many Mute Swans on Loch Vasapol all summer. They began to come 

 in June; and towards the end of July I counted 75 one day 

 and that number remained for a considerable time. I counted them 

 again yesterday (5th September 1911) and there were only 51, 

 so they are beginning to leave. They are feeding on a weed that 

 grows in great profusion there. I don't know the name of the 

 weed, but it has a small white flower, and it grows in as much as 



