THE BIRDS OF THE ISLAND OF BARRA 141 



is now, when game is as strictly preserved as in any part 

 of the kingdom. 



The same applies to the salmon, which, as is well 

 known, was once so abundant that servants, when engaging, 

 stipulated that they should only be served with this fish so 

 many times a week. Whatever way this change can be 

 accounted for, it certainly is not due to the increase of 

 population, as some of these islands were then more thickly 

 populated than they are at present. 



The planting of trees about ten years ago at several 

 spots on this island has attracted several of the smaller 

 birds which formerly used to pass by ; and no doubt, if the 

 plantations continue to thrive, more species will come from 

 year to year and remain to breed. 



In the following list I shall include only species which I 

 have no reasonable doubt have been found on the island. 

 With but very few exceptions, all the species have been seen by 

 myself: the exceptions will be noted, and my authorities 

 for including them mentioned : 



SONG THRUSH, Turdns musicus, L. Abundant, breeding and per- 

 manently resident. 



REDWING, Turdus iliacus, L. Winter visitor, abundant, seems 

 increasing of late years. 



FIELDFARE, Turdus f Harts, L. Winter visitor, not numerous. 



BLACKBIRD, Turdus merula, L. Winter visitor, abundant, but does 

 not remain to breed, which is rather strange, as the locality 

 seems suitable, and the Song Thrush breeds in numbers. 

 Another point that seems curious is that, although some Black- 

 birds remain with us till the middle of April, they never sing, 

 only utter their harsh cry of alarm when startled, whereas the 

 Thrush is in full song from the beginning of February. [Since 

 the above was written (2yth May 1894), a pair of Blackbirds, 

 with two or three young newly fledged, appeared in my garden ; 

 so that we may take this season as the first in which the Black- 

 bird has bred in Barra.] 



WHEATEAR, Saxicola (Kiianthe, L. Summer visitor, breeding, very 

 abundant, arriving last week of March. 



WHINCHAT, Pratincola rnbetra (L). Saw two solitary birds (both 

 hens) for the first time in the summer of 1892. Then in 

 1893 a pair were seen for some time in a plantation, where I 

 suspect they bred. 



