136 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



Bird Notes from North Uist. I have compiled a list from 

 observations made in North Uist during a month's furlough in 

 part of February and March of this year. As my last stay in the 

 Hebrides was in 19 14, the birds mentioned, with exception of the 

 Linnet, are taken in contrast with occurrences entered in my notes 

 for the beginning of that year. 



The Blackbird (Turdus meruld) has considerably increased, 

 now almost as common as the Song-thrush though still more local. 



On 24th February I noticed, among some stunted shrubs growing 

 on Vallay Island, a pair of Linnets {Linota cannabind). They were 

 exceedingly tame, allowing me within two or three yards. They 

 remained until the 27th, after which date I lost sight of them. The 

 late Mr Harvie-Brown did not admit this species in his avifauna, 

 chiefly owing to confusion arising between it and the Twite {Linota 

 flavirostris), which is by far the commonest of the passeres in the 

 Outer Islands. These are the first I have seen or heard of in 

 North Uist though frequent reports come from Barra. The 

 Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) has now become a perfect pest. 

 Sea caves formerly inhabited by countless Rock Pigeons have 

 now been entirely commandeered by these birds. The Skylark 

 {Alauda arvensis) is still on the increase song first heard on 

 8/2/17. The Short-eared Owl {Asio accipitrinus), though sadly 

 declining in numbers, is still a resident species. Formerly a pair 

 or two of Hen Harriers {Circus cyaneus) were to be seen quite 

 often, but now they are very scarce. Single Greenshank {Totanus 

 canescens) are seen occasionally, although a few years ago they were 

 very numerous. Large flocks of between two and three hundred 

 Bar-tailed Godwits (Limosa lappoiricd) were seen on 20/2/17. 

 F. S. Beveridge, 2nd Lieut., Royal Scots. 



Unusual Birds in Berwickshire. An immature female 

 Hen Harrier {Circus cyaneus) was shot a few miles from Duns on 

 10th February 191 7. The Hawk was observed to pay frequent 

 visits to some oat stacks situated in a field where numbers of small 

 birds were feeding, and advantage was taken of this to stalk and 

 shoot it. It was in good plumage and condition. 



An adult female Smew (Mergellus albellus) was shot on the 

 Tweed, near Paxton, about the end of December last. T. G. 

 Laidlaw, Duns. 



