252 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



single bird has been observed by my brother in 191 7. Mr 

 M'Elfrish states that he has never observed this bird save on the 

 occasion quoted by the late Dr Harvie-Brown in the Vertebrate 

 Fautia of the Outer Hebrides. 



Corvus cornix, Linn. Hooded Crow. (B.) A common 

 resident. Like the Raven, this species is reinforced by migratory 

 birds during the autumn. These fresh arrivals are larger and 

 lighter coloured birds. 



Corvus frugikgus, Linn. Rook. Rare. Odd birds are seen 

 on passage usually during the autumn, and these mostly in the 

 vicinity of Lochmaddy. I have never heard of an example from 

 the west side of the island. 



Alauda arvensis, Linn. Skylark. (B.) Common. Resident, 

 and increasing in numbers. 



Cypselus apus, Linn. Swift. Occasional records have been 

 reported to me, but the only convincing evidence was in June 1907. 

 Three of these birds remained for two days on Vallay Island ; since 

 that date none have been observed in the neighbourhood. 



Upupa epops, Linn. Hoopoe. Very rare. Occurrences at 

 Newton and Balelone many years ago. 



Cuculus cauorus, Linn. Cuckoo. (B.) Fairly common, 

 especially at Newton and Claddach. Eggs usually deposited in 

 nest of Meadow-pipit. Local inhabitants very often confuse this 

 species with the Kestrel. 



Asio otus, Linn. Long-eared Owl. Only one occurrence and 

 that in January 1897. Cannot trace any fresh example. 



Asio accipitrinus, Pall. Short-eared Owl. (B.) Fairly common. 

 Widely distributed but sadly on the decrease; very partial to grain- 

 fields during July and August. I was once witness of an extra- 

 ordinary mobbing of the Short-eared Owl. Whilst flight-shooting one 

 September evening I was surprised to hear a terrific shrieking and 

 screaming some two hundred yards away. The noise soon 

 increased until I was sure the owner or owners, as it afterwards 

 proved, were coming in my direction. The originators soon came 

 in view two Herons and a Short-eared Owl the former in 

 pursuit of the latter. They ascended in spirals high into the air, 

 attempting to terrorise the wretched Owl by their weird tactics. 

 What eventually happened I shall never know, as the Herons 

 kept doggedly to their ghoulish work till far beyond my 

 vision. 



Circus cyaneus. Linn. Hen-harrier. (B.) Fairly common. 

 Resident, but in greatly diminishing numbers. 



[Buteo /agopus, Gm. Rough - legged Buzzard. Has been 



