CONTRIBUTIONS TO A FAUNA OF SHETLAND u 



agricultural land around them, and the long dividing walls 

 and fences, we have, sufficiently for our present purpose, indi- 

 cated the nature of the country in which we observed the 

 following birds and mammals. 



HEDGEHOG (JErinaceus europceus). When staying at the manse of 

 Tingwall, three miles from Lerwick, I was informed, very much 

 to my surprise, that the Hedgehog exists along the shores of Loch 

 Tingwall (fresh water), and is perfectly well known to Mrs. 

 Bain, who told me also that, " when we put them into the 

 garden they usually die." These animals were introduced at 

 Veersgarth by the farmer there, and he planted whins for their 

 protection. They are supposed to have been introduced into 

 the island of Burra by means of a cargo of empty casks, or in 

 the ballast of a vessel (v. "Annals S. N. H." 1892, p. 132). 

 In 1892, whilst staying at Sumburgh House, we obtained further 

 account of the Hedgehog in Shetland from our friend Mr. 

 John Bruce, who first heard of the animal occurring around 

 Cunningsburg in the following manner. He had heard of 

 some mischievous boys tormenting an old woman by putting 

 a Hedgehog in her bed. Mr. Bruce had then asked the lads 

 to bring him the next one they found, which they did, and Mr. 

 Bruce obtained two, and had them alive in Sumburgh Garden ; 

 but they escaped, and have not been seen or heard of around 

 Sumburgh since. They are stated to be far from uncommon 

 around Cunningsburg, and to frequent the high " fields " and 

 driest ground among heather. As yet I am unable to trace any 

 reliable history of their original introduction, which, however, is 

 currently believed and spoken of as having been effected fifty 

 years ago. 



THE COMMON FIRTH SEAL (Phoca vitulina) is very abundant 

 about the Quendale Holms. 



OTTER (Lutra vulgaris). Many Sea Otters occur all over the district, 

 as is evinced by the fine skins which Mr. John Bruce obtains. 



STOAT (Muste/a vulgaris]. Not rare. We saw skins in the pos- 

 session of Mr. George Bruce of Sand Lodge. The actual dis- 

 tribution throughout the isles has not, to our knowledge, been 

 worked out. We are credibly informed, however, that it occurs 

 in some islands but not in others, and our friend Mr. Allan 

 Briggs tells me it does not occur on North Ronaldshay, the 

 nearest of the adjoining group of Orkney. 



BLACKBIRD (Titrdus meruld). Not observed at all abundantly. 

 Only one seen in October (i5th) in 1891, in a turnip-field up 

 the Mill Glen of Quendale a favourite shelter ground of 

 migrants. In 1892 I shot a female up the burn which flows 



