ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 51 



Later my sister, without my mentioning what I had seen, told me 

 she had seen the male. The following day I failed to see the birds, 

 but on the 23rd in the same place I again saw a cock and two hens, 

 on the 24th a cock and hen, on the 25th five hens, on the 26th a 

 cock and three hens, and on the 28th a cock and hen. From that 

 date till 3rd December I saw none, but on that day I again saw a 

 cock and hen, on the 6th three hens, and on the i3th and i6th a hen. 



This visit has not been confined to the main island, for a cock 

 was seen in the manse garden on the remote Island of Foula early 

 in November, and on the 3rd of that month one was obtained on 

 Fetlar. JOHN S. TULLOCH. 



[There can be little doubt that the birds belong to the large 

 northern European race known as Pyrrhula major, and we hope 

 through Mr. Tulloch's kindness to be able to examine a specimen. 

 Eos.] 



Late Breeding 1 of the Corn Bunting. On the 2oth of September 

 while following a self-binder in a field of oats, I found a nest of the 

 Corn Bunting (Emberiza miliaria) containing four fresh eggs. This 

 is surely a late date. ROBERT B. BELL, Stronsay, Orkney. 



Blackcap in West Ross-shire. It may interest you to record 

 that my brother (Sir John Fowler) shot a male Blackcap Warbler 

 (Sylvia atricapillci) in the garden here on 23rd November. It was 

 in the garden for some days previous, with what we suppose was the 

 female, as it was the same size and colour as the male bird, but with 

 a brown cap to its head instead of a black one. 



This supposed female was attacked by the male bird and had its 

 eye almost destroyed, and we have not seen it since. We have never 

 before seen or heard of a Blackcap in these parts, and we are having 

 it set up for the collection at Braemore. MARJORIE FOWLER. 



[In the recently published volume on the Fauna of the North- 

 West Highlands this species was placed within brackets, indicating 

 that its occurrence in the area required confirmation. We are now 

 glad to have its claims established so satisfactorily. EDS.] 



Black Redstart in Orkney. On the igth of November an adult 

 male Black Redstart (Ruticilla titys) in splendid plumage was picked 

 up dead on the island of Shapensha. Since Baikie and Heddle's time, 

 I know of only one other instance which may be relied upon that 

 is of a young male shot in a Kirkwall garden by the late Mr. B. 

 Rankin on the i5th of December 1859. WM. COWAN, Kirkwall. 



[Several Black Redstarts have also visited the Flannan Isles 

 during the past autumn, and an example has been received by us 

 for identification. EDS.] 



Occurrence of Marsh-Titmouse in Argyll. On the 2gth 

 November last a Marsh-Tit (P. palustris) appeared with the other 

 birds which are fed here daily, and has since remained. It is 



