THE BIRDS OF NORTH UIST 251 



resident ; this and the Twite are the two passeres most abundantly 

 represented in North Uist. This species breeds in greater quanti- 

 ties than the Twite, and an inward instead of outward migration 

 may be noted during the late spring. 



Emberiza citrineila, Linn. Yellow Bunting. Rare. A few 

 have been observed during the winter months. Its breeding has 

 been reported in North Uist, but this has not been confirmed. 

 Most likely those alluded to were Emberiza miliaria. 



Emberiza schoeniclus, Linn. Reed-bunting. (B.) Common. 

 Breeding in small numbers. 



Plectrophenax nivalis, Linn. Snow-bunting. Common. Arrives 

 in large numbers towards the end of October and remains as a 

 winter visitor until well on in April. A few pairs may be seen 

 during the summer on Eaval and North and South Lee. I have 

 also seen them on Scolpaig Hill in August. Whether they breed 

 in North Uist or not I do not know; so far I have neither found 

 nor heard of a nest among the islands. 



Sturnus vulgaris, Linn. Starling. (B.) Common. Up to 

 about 1905 this species was none too numerous; since then it has 

 been steadily on the increase. ' To-day North Uist is inhabited by 

 flocks of a thousand or more which nest in colonies among the 

 many caves and "geos" which abound along the rock-strewn coast. 

 An odd pair may build under the thatched roofs of the crofters' 

 houses and cattle byres ; but seldom do more than two pairs 

 establish themselves at any one building. Albinos are not 

 uncommon. 



Pyrrhocorax graculus, Linn. Chough. I have heard of 

 examples from the island of Ronay, but cannot trace these. In 

 North Uist, however, near Middle-quarter, my father when 

 excavating came across two or three bills which undoubtedly 

 belonged to this species but as no other portion of the bird's 

 structure could be found, it is difficult to say how they came to be 

 there. 



Corvus corax, Linn. Raven. (B.) Common. Resident in small 

 numbers. A large number of these birds arrive about the end of 

 August and beginning of September ; from then onwards they are 

 very plentiful. One September I remember seeing as many as 

 twenty-one Ravens around the carcass of a sheep. In the early 

 morning these birds may be observed flying at a great height follow- 

 ing closely the coast-line in search of wreckage and filth cast up by 

 the sea. 



Corvus corone, Linn. Carrion Crow. Rare. Since the occur- 

 rences recorded in the Scottish Naturalist for October 19 14, a 



