no ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



rarity, a Garden Warbler (Sylvia hortensis), at the same time, so that, 

 in all probability, a number of migrants, blown out of their course, 

 visited the western islands about that time. 



While writing on this subject, I should like to remark that the 

 statements made regarding the Lesser Whitethroat as a Scottish 

 summer bird are, in my opinion, highly unsatisfactory. It is un- 

 doubtedly a summer visitor to South-Western Scotland, but in 

 extremely limited numbers. On the other hand, we have no satis- 

 factory evidence whatever concerning it as a breeding bird in South- 

 Eastern Scotland ; though it probably occurs annually on the eastern 

 seaboard as a bird of passage. Reliable data regarding this species 

 as a Scottish bird would be welcomed for publication in the "Annals." 

 WM. EAGLE CLARKE, Edinburgh. 



Great Gray Shrike in Solway. For some years past Lanius 

 exciibitor seems to have been entirely absent in these counties. 

 During the 8o's more especially, it was an annual visitor in small 

 numbers. In October last one was shot in the woods at St. Mary's 

 Isle by one of the keepers there. It has been added to the many 

 good local birds contained in the Kirkcudbright Museum. ROBERT 

 SERVICE, Maxwelltown. 



Occurrence of the Black-bellied Dipper in Shetland. On the 



2yth of November last, a Black-bellied, or Scandinavian race of 

 Dipper, the Cinclus mdanogaster of C. L. Brehm, was observed on 

 the shores of Loch Spiggie, in the south of the main island of the 

 Shetland group, and was shot the next day. There was a moderate 

 gale from the north at the time, with frost and snow. Mr. T. E. 

 Buckley informs me that this is the first known occurrence of the 

 Dipper in the Shetland Islands. We had some Mealy Redpolls 

 about the same time. THOMAS HENDERSON, Junr., Dunrossness, 

 Shetland. 



Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Loehbroom, West Ross-shire. 

 The Greater Spotted Woodpecker (JDendrocopus major) was seen 

 during December in the woods of Braemore, and has been observed 

 daily to the gth March, the day of writing. One was shot on 

 Inverlael. They had never been seen before in this parish. I can- 

 not say how many were seen, but probably not less than three or 

 four. J. A. FOWLER, Inverbroom. 



Great Spotted Woodpecker in Kirkcudbright. A fine specimen 

 of the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major) was procured 

 last October on St. Mary's Isle, near Kirkcudbright, and is now 

 added to the collection of birds in the Museum of that town. 

 ROBERT SERVICE, Maxwelltown. 



Note on the Nesting Habits of the Cormorant. Apropos of 

 a discussion now going on in the pages of the " Zoologist," on the 



