THE BIRDS OF THE FLANNAN ISLANDS 11 



Skylark was observed. Birds were always numerous, but 

 they were northern immigrants on passage to southern 

 winter quarters, many of which remained on the island for 

 some time. 



As regards other classes of animals, the fauna is naturally 

 a limited one. There are no shell-bearing land Mollusca, 

 owing, perhaps, to the absence of lime in the crystalline 

 rocks forming the islands ; but there are two slugs, namely, 

 Anon ater and Liinax agrestis, both of which are not un- 

 common. 



Foremost among the Insects, by reason of its numbers, 

 is the Earwig, which swarms everywhere. Beetles of a few 

 species were more or less abundant, and a collection made 

 by me has been kindly examined by Prof. Hudson Beare, 

 whose remarks upon them will be found on pp. 20-22. Flies, 

 too, were abundant, and a considerable collection was made, 

 and upon this Mr. Grimshaw will eventually report. My co- 

 editor, Prof. Trail, will have something to tell about the 

 Flora of the island in a future number of the " Annals." 



A pleasant duty remains ere this portion of my notes 

 closes. I have to thank Mr. Dick Peddie for, among other 

 kindnesses, the loan of the negatives from which the pictures 

 have been reproduced. We have to express our grateful 

 acknowledgments to the lightkeepers for the valuable returns 

 they have systematically made during the past four years. 

 To three of them, namely, Mr. Wm. Begg, the principal 

 keeper, and to Messrs. Ross and Anderson, assistant-keepers, 

 additional thanks are due from Mr. Laidlaw and myself for 

 the many attentions shown to us, as well as for valued assist- 

 ance rendered during our recent visit. Not only did they 

 help make our visit an extremely pleasant one, but they 

 added materially to any success that may have been 

 achieved. 



Mr. Begg is much interested in the bird-life of the islands, 

 and, I am indebted to him for much information on the 

 subject. 



RAVEN (Corvus corax). A pair is resident among the islands, 

 remaining all the year round, and nesting on one of the outer 

 group. During our visit this pair was seen daily, but they had 

 evidently dismissed their young before we arrived. One day 



