172 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



Short-eared Owl {Asio accipitrinus). This Owl is a regular 

 visitor on migration, sometimes in considerable numbers. They are 

 passing here usually from the latter end of October until the middle 

 of November. They frequent marshy ground, and we flush them 

 when snipe shooting, but they only flop along for a short distance. 

 However, they seem to see all right in daylight, even when the sun 

 is shining. They pass here again on their way north at the end of 

 January and beginning of February. 



Peregrine Falcon {Falco peregrimis). One pair of Peregrines 

 breed on the cliffs every year, and a few are in evidence now and 

 again all the year round. They feed mostly on Rock-Pigeons of 

 which there are plenty in the caves and they also take Ducks while 

 on the wing. They are partial to Teal and Wigeon, but I have seen 

 one strike down a Merganser within ten yards of me. I also saw 

 one strike a Wigeon, over the sea, and attempt to carry it ashore in 

 his claws ; but the weight was too much for him and he had to drop 

 it or be carried into the sea. When rearing their young, the 

 crofters living near blame the birds for taking their chickens, but 

 I have never seen them take any birds except those on the wing. 



Merlin {Falco cesalon). The Merlin is common on the island, 

 except perhaps a month or two in summer, but they are never 

 entirely absent. I know of one pair having bred here in 1S97. 

 It is a very cheeky bird, and I have often seen it pick up a Jack 

 Snipe that had just been shot, and fly away with it. They some- 

 times keep high up, over the Snipe shooters, and swoop after any 

 wounded bird that goes away. I do not think they try to take any 

 larger bird than a Golden Plover, and then only when they find a 

 single bird. I have seen a Merlin dash in and take one out of a large 

 flock of Fieldfares. However, the Merlin is a miniature Peregrine 

 and preys only upon birds that he kills himself, or that have been 

 newly killed. They seem to be fond of hunting in the twilight. 

 When waiting for ducks flighting, I have often noticed them pass 

 me like a flash, in chase of some small bird. 



Kestrel {Falco tinmtnculus). This bird is not at all common, 

 but occurs now and again. I once saw one tackle a half-grown rat, 

 whose squealing drew my attention. The Kestrel held on for a 

 time, but eventually let go. 



{To be continued.) 



