NOTES ON THE MICE AND BIRDS OF ST. KILDA 201 



thinnest partition from a sitting Puffin. The men told 

 me that mice and petrels frequently inhabit the same 

 holes. 



Several ? s were dissected, and the average number of 

 embryos or fcetus was six. One uterus contained only two 

 in the same cornu. No early stages seen. 



The <$ <$ outnumber the ? ? . In my experience this 

 is as 2:1. 



Both sexes appear subject to disease, and the liver 

 especially was frequently in an unhealthy state. It was to 

 be seen spotted by colonies of coccidia. But its most interest- 

 ing parasite was a Cestode. This appears at first as a small 

 transparent yellowish cyst near the surface of the liver. It 

 gradually works its way in till the whole lobe is affected. 

 Sometimes only the Spigelian lobe escapes. 



The people say this mouse on Dun is subject to variation 

 in colour. I saw no piebald mice, but Finlay M'Ouien 

 brought me a young specimen from the top of Connacher 

 which had some white markings. 



The largest example taken was exactly 9 inches- 

 body, 5 ; tail, 4. In general, the following features of Jiirtensis 

 impress one : Its size ; the length and tenderness of the tail, 

 which sometimes breaks if the animal be lifted by it ; the 

 great development of the pes ; the vole-like texture of 

 the fur. 



Mus MURALIS. To this species less attention was given. 

 It swarms in all the houses and occurs in cleits within the 

 cultivated area. By supplying boys with traps I procured 

 as many as I wanted. It varies greatly in size and coloration 

 of the belly, which is sometimes smoky and again a lovely 

 creamy yellow. It is omnivorous and very prolific. Young, 

 6-9, in one case 10 fcetus were observed, but one seemed 

 unlikely to develop fully. 



I append a few remarks on the more noteworthy birds 

 seen during the month. Of the regular breeders in the group 

 all were observed except the Peregrine and the Storm 

 Petrel. 



COMMON SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica). On the i4th June one was 

 hawking flies in front of the village. 



