222 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



used to average from ten to twelve per cent, of the total bag, but 

 last season did not average over three per cent. The bulk of 

 them leave the island in March, but I have noticed an odd one 

 in April and even in May. They seem to prefer mossy bogs to 

 mud, and it is in the former that we find them most numerous. 

 When flushed this bird makes no sound, and I have never heard 

 it utter a note at any time. 



Dunlin {Tringa alpina). Dunlins are resident throughout the 

 year, but are more numerous during summer, when they nest over 

 most parts of the island. The birds are very conscious about 

 their eggs and their young, at one time flying close about the 

 intruder, and at other times feigning to have a broken leg or a 

 broken wing. This bird can drum like the Snipe, but not nearly 

 so loud. After the breeding season they frequent the sandy bays 

 on the sea-shore, and consort with Sanderlings and other small 

 waders. 



Little Stint {Tringa minutd). Occurs now and again in 

 small flocks on the extensive sandy ebb at Gott Bay. I have not 

 noticed them every year, but only at intervals of several years. 



Purple Sandpiper {Tringa maritime!). Regular winter visitor 

 and distributed all round the coast of the island, but only on the 

 rocky parts, keeping low down where the sea is breaking. Few 

 of them arrive before December, and they are most numerous 

 during the spring months, and disappear quietly about the month 

 of April. 



Knot {Tringa canutus). Knots are regular autumn visitors in 

 small flocks. I have' noticed small parties as early as the latter 

 end of August, and large parties up to the end of September, also 

 a few now and again in late spring on their way north. They 

 frequent the sandy bays, but only make a short stay. 



Sanderling {Calidris arenaria). This species is abundant on 

 all the sandy bays round, and is only absent during the breeding 

 season. They keep running up and down as the surf rises and 

 recedes, boring their bills into the sand for food, and then running 

 back as the surf rises. They are always fat like butter balls. 



Ruff {Machetes pitgnax). An occasional autumn visitor. I 

 have only seen single birds of this species now and again. They 

 feed in shallow water on the margins of lochs, and tarns of fresh 

 water, I have not noticed them frequent the shore. 



