76 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



1892, a score at the east rocks on 2yth July, and numbers 

 came in as the season advanced. 



OYSTER CATCHER {Hceinatopus ostralegus). Two or three pairs 

 breed. Small numbers come in autumn, when flocks of from 

 ten to thirty may often be seen at the west rocks. 



RED-NECKED PHALAROPE (Phalaropus hyperboreus). A few pairs 

 nest. The last I saw of them was on 4th August, when I noted 

 three birds, after which they seem to have taken their departure. 

 On 3rd August 1887 I saw six, evidently a family party. 



WOODCOCK (Scolopax rusticula). I have only seen three here this 

 winter, all of which I got : the first on 3rd, and second on gth 

 November, the last being shot on 2nd January 1893. I under- 

 stand a number were seen among large boulders on the north 

 beach, near the Lighthouse, in December 1891. 



COMMON SNIPE (Gallinago ccelestis). Fairly numerous, sometimes 

 even as early as August. Fluctuating in numbers, as one might 

 expect, according to weather. Season 1892, they were most 

 plentiful during the latter half of November and most of 

 December. Since the beginning of January 1893, they have 

 been few in numbers, and dreadfully wild. Up to 1 6th January 



1893, I have shot somewhat over 200 couples, the heaviest 

 weights for individual birds being, one 6^ozs., another 5^ ozs., 

 while many ranged from 4^ to 5.7 ozs. 



JACK SNIPE (Gallinago gallinula). First I shot for 1892 was one 

 on 6th September, during which month I only killed four ; in 

 October, twenty ; November, twenty ; in December, only 

 thirteen, making in all fifty-seven. Out of a number weighed, 

 one was 3 ozs. 



DUNLIN (Tringa alpina). Common during the breeding season ; 

 nesting much in corn-fields. When the young are able to fly, 

 they all take their departure, and are not seen again for months. 

 A few reappear in early winter. 



LITTLE STINT (Tringa mtnuta). I had never seen the Little Stint 

 here until 26th August 1892. On that date I had gone out 

 along the west side to see if any strangers were about, as it had 

 been blowing a gale during the night, and the wind was still 

 pretty strong from the west or south-west. At the extreme 

 north-west corner of the island there is a considerable tract of 

 barren ground, given up to the sheep, with a few pools of water 

 in the hollows ; and here it was I found the Stints. There was 

 one flock of fully fifty birds, and two smaller lots, containing, I 

 should say, from ten to fifteen birds each. It was difficult to 

 count them accurately, as they were restless, and constantly on 

 the move. After this I saw them in small lots or singly in 



