2J4 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



heronries in the island. During the day these birds retire in small 

 numbers to some secluded moss or occasionally to the cliffs by the 

 coast. In such a locality I have often seen a dozen or more birds 

 together, and on one occasion I noted twenty-four. 



Botaitrus stellaris, Linn. Bittern. A rare visitor. The last 

 example was recorded from West-ford, and is, I believe, now set 

 up. The bird, so Mr John Macaulay states, was in the neighbour- 

 hood between December and January 1914-15 This specimen was 

 fully a week at West-ford and became fearfully emaciated John 

 Macaulay attempting to revive it on Indian meal, but to no avail. A 

 single bird is also believed to have been seen on 2nd September 191 7. 

 Anser cinereus, Mey. Grey-lag Goose. (B.) Common. 

 Resident, but in decreasing numbers. Many also arrive on 

 autumn migration. In 1912 a white goose was frequently ob- 

 served, especially on the south side of the island but never with 

 the main flocks. I personally observed this bird in the company 

 of three others, but try as I might, I could not get within two 

 hundred yards of them. Quite likely this was the result of a tame 

 goose's egg being placed by an islander in a wild bird's nest. This 

 seems most probable, as tame geese and wild frequently feed together, 

 and wounded birds often join company with the domestic. 



Anser aibifrons, Scop. White-fronted Goose. A winter visitor. 

 Small flocks of from fifteen to thirty birds are to be found on the 

 south and west sides between November and April. These always 

 hug the coast and are seldom seen inland. 



Bernicla branta, Pal. Brent Goose. Common. An autumn 

 migrant in small flocks, seldom remaining for any length of time 

 owing to the scarcity of Zostera marina, on which it largely subsists. 

 During August a single bird was shot at Newton. 



Bernicla leucopsis, Bech. Barnacle Goose. Common. Appear- 

 ing in large flights in October, and remaining in the islands until 

 the end of April or beginning of May. On 29th August 191 2 a 

 flock of twenty-seven birds settled on a spit of sand I had them 

 under observation until the tide moved them some two hours 

 later they then took their departure south. The immature birds 

 were clearly visible through the telescope. This goose is less wary 

 than the others, and may frequently be surprised whilst feeding in 

 small hollows among the sandhills. 



(To be continued?) 



