BIRD NOTES FROM THE ISLE OF MAY 17 



the head and mantle are plain dark greyish-brown ; the lower 

 back, scapulars, and upper tail-coverts a little paler, and with 

 dark vermiculations ; the tail, which is decidedly long (3.25 

 ins.), is crossed at an inch from its tip by a bar of reddish- 

 brown ; the under surface is plain white, with a few dark bars 

 on the sides of the fore-neck and breast and on the flanks. 

 When alive this bird appeared to be very listless and dejected, 

 occasionally it dropped into the grass from its place on a wall 

 or fence, searched for something, and then returned to its 

 former position, where it would sit for a considerable time, 

 sometimes jerking its tail up and down, but always lethargic 

 and depressed. 



SPOTTED FLYCATCHER, Muscicapa grisola. One seen hawking in 

 the gardens on the nth and i2th September. 



PIED FLYCATCHER, Muscicapa atricapilla. One seen on the island 

 nth September (S.E.-S.W. wind, very light, hazy). Several 

 seen 26th September (S.E. wind, very light). They were very 

 restless and unapproachable little birds, flitting from wall to 

 rock and back in a nervous, hurried way, and flirting their 

 wings and tail. One was taken at the lantern on the night of 

 the 26th, and was most defiant, screaming loudly when held 

 in the hand. 



SWALLOW, Hirundo rustica. One seen on the iSth and 24th 

 September, several hawking over the loch on the 25th, two 

 on the telephone wires on 28th September, one on the last 

 day of September and first day of October, and on the 6th 

 October several flew over going south. 



HOUSE-MARTIN, Chelidon itrbica. Birds of this species were seen 

 on the i gth and 23rd September. 



SISKIN, Chrysomitris spinus. One seen in the lighthouse garden 

 on the 3oth September (S.E. wind, very light). When first 

 observed it was flying round in jerky circles, high and 

 apparently very wild ; it then took covert in the garden, and 

 when beaten out flew off again in a wide circle, but shortly 

 returned, settled on a sow-thistle and began pulling out the 

 seeds and eating them ; while so occupied it permitted a very 

 close approach. Next day (ist October) there were two pairs 

 in Mr. Ross's garden : they were very tame, and each pair 

 kept very close together. 



GREENFINCH, Ligurinus chloris. Two seen xoth September, one 

 off and on from the i2th to the 24th September, and two on 

 the 25th and 26th. 



SPARROW, Passer domesticus. Several seen every day. We were 

 told that a pair nested on the island this year for the first 

 time. 



65 c 



