94 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



frugilegus), Hooded Crow (C. comix], Fulmar {Fidmarus 

 glacialis}, Black -headed Gull (Larus ridibundus], Dunlin 

 (Tringa alpind], Swift (Cyselus apus), House Sparrow (Passer 

 domesticus). 



The Lesser Black-backed Gull is not a common visitor, 

 and when it does call, only remains for a very short time, 

 usually in May. 



A few specimens of the Chaffinch make their appearance 

 in May, but are by no means regular callers. I have seen 

 one or two in November, but this is uncommon. 



The Jackdaw, Rook, and Hooded Crow are sometimes 

 driven out of their course by S.E. winds, and at intervals 

 make the island a resting place in spring. The largest 

 rush of them was seen on 3rd March 1901, when over 100 

 Rooks, i Jackdaw, and 6 Hooded Crows made their appear- 

 ance. They must have arrived in the night, for none were 

 seen the previous evening, and at daylight they were spread 

 all over the island, busily engaged hunting for food. The 

 wind in the early morning was S.E., strong breeze. About 

 half of them disappeared on the 5th, and the remainder on 

 the 6th wind W., gale. A few Hooded Crows call at 

 intervals in April and May. I just remember seeing one 

 Rook in autumn. Regarding the Rooks I have been 

 informed that in the autumn large flocks congregate on the 

 west side of Hoy, the nearest point to the mainland, and it 

 has been distinctly observed that they only cross the Firth 

 at slack water. Any one who has seen Pentland Firth 

 knows that, when the tide is running in full force, it presents 

 the appearance of a river during a spate, but for about an 

 hour at high or low water it is comparatively smooth. 

 This is the time the crows cross. 



The Fulmar was first seen at Sule Skerry on 23rd 

 February 1901. It flew about the island for half-an-hour 

 and then disappeared. The next visit was on 23rd March, 

 when one was seen for a short time. On I5th April, 7 

 remained flying about all day. In May, one and two at 

 a time were seen frequently. In 1902, several were seen 

 in April, May, and June. In 1900 they were observed 

 nesting in Hoy Head. In 1901 about 30 to 40 nests 

 could be seen, and in 1902 over 50. 



