NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 291 



two on the shore which were in company. We also saw two the 

 previous day, 26th May, nearly a mile from this place, and up on 

 the hill-side. When shot they were trimming each other's feathers, 

 and had every appearance of being paired birds, though upon 

 dissection they proved to be both females, with ovaries much dis- 

 tended, but no appearance of eggs ready for extrusion. Shortly 

 afterwards, just before landing on Mingalay, Captain F. shot two 

 more, also females, though observed in pretty close proximity, and 

 seeming like paired birds. These four birds were in full summer 

 plumage. It seemed probable to us at the time that they had 

 already laid their eggs, and, leaving the duty of incubation partly, 

 or wholly, to the males, had descended to the shore to feed and 

 bathe. If breeding on these islands, they are certainly scarce, as 

 these four female birds were all we observed on Barra Head and 

 Mingalay. Mr. Maclachlan, in a subsequent communication, says 

 — " I knoAv the Purple Sandpiper. There are two pairs on Berneray, 

 which hatched on the hill-side. I had the eo-o-s." Positive evidence 

 of their breeding is still required, however. J. A. H.-B.] 



III. — Second Report on Scottish Ornitholoy y — October 1st, 1879, to 

 September 30th, 1880* Compiled by Mr. John A. Harvie- 

 Brown, F.R.S.E., &c. 



The present Report on Ornithology in Scotland for 1879-80 is 

 not so long nor so minute as the last one. Had the First Report 

 been circulated earlier, however, I believe many additional facts 

 would have been forthcoming to swell this one, as some of my 

 correspondents would probably have had more to communicate, if 

 they had been guided by it. 



* This is a continuation of the First Report, antea, p. 123. As printing 

 was delayed, it was thought advisable to bring it up to 30th Sept., 1SS0. 



The following general report on Shetland for 1878-79 reached me too late 

 for insertion in the First Eeport: — " In Shetland the contrast between the 

 tw r o seasons — 1878 and 1879 — as to the birds of all species was so marked that 

 it was at once acknowledged by every inhabitant, when asked an opinion. 

 Comparatively speaking, in August, 1879, the marshes were destitute of 

 Snipe, and the dry hills of the Plover (Charadrius pluvialis, Lin.)," Rev. 

 Geo. Gordon, in lit., 30th July, 18S0. 



Since my First Report was issued, a very full and able Report " On the 

 Effects of the Winter of 1878-79 on Animal and Vegetable Life on the 

 Borders," has appeared from the able pen of Mr. James Hardy [vide Proc. 

 Bene. Nat. Club, 1879-80, pp. 122-157]. 



VOL. IV. U 



