SULE SKERRY, ORKNEY, AND ITS BIRD-LIFE 95 



The Black-headed Gull is only seen for a day or two 

 in the middle of summer. 



The Dunlin comes periodically; in 1901, 6 arrived 

 in the end of May, and remained all June. In 1900, 2 

 were seen for a few hours in June. 



The Swift is not often seen. In August 1897 one was 

 captured on the lantern at night. In August 1899, 2 were 

 seen flying about all day, and at night they rested on the 

 house window. On 4th July 1901, 11 were seen rapidly 

 approaching from E. at 8 P.M. They circled twice round 

 the Tower, and then disappeared in the direction of Cape 

 Wrath. One was seen on the I ith of same month. 



The House Sparrow, so common everywhere, is only a 

 very irregular visitor to Sule Skerry, being seen at intervals 

 for a few days about midsummer. 



V. OCCASIONAL WINTER VISITORS. Mallard (Anas 

 boscas}, Teal (Querquedula crecca), Wigeon (Mareca penelope], 

 and Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus}. 



A pair of Mallards are seen sometimes during the 

 winter, remaining for a day or two. The Teal is not so 

 common ; but almost every year from 2 to 6 Wigeons 

 spend some time feeding in the fresh-water pools on the 

 island. 



I have seen one or two Water Rails on several occasions 

 during winter. 



VI. RARE VISITORS. Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus], Chiff- 

 chaff (Phylloscopus rufus}, Long - tailed Duck (Harelda 

 glacialis), Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilla), Bar-tail 

 Godwit (Limosa lapponica], Sclavonian Grebe (Podzcipes 

 auritus], Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator}, Tufted 

 Duck (Fidigula cristata), Fork-tail Petrel (Oceanodroma 

 leucorrhod), Mealy Redpoll (Linota /maria^Wren (Troglodytes 

 pai"vulus\ Garden Warbler (Sylvia Jwrtensis], Lesser White- 

 throat (Sylvia curruca], Willow Warbler (PJiylloscopus 

 trochilus], and Greenish Willow Warbler (P. viridamis}. 



On 8th May 1900, a bird very like a Hawk in 

 appearance, was seen hovering near the Tower. It was 

 accompanied by nearly all the Pipits on the island, and 

 as it was within easy range of a gun, it was shot. It 



