i82 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



eggs first laid were smaller and more pyriform in shape than 

 those laid later. The eggs vary from 20 mm. by 16 mm. to 

 18 mm. by 14I mm. The ground colour was darker than 

 in those of the Chaffinch, being a cloudy bluish green ; 

 over this in places were pale ruddy washings. The surface 

 markings consisted of fine purple streaks and spots scattered 

 irregularly. 



A search was made in neighbouring woods but no other 

 Bramblings could be found. 



The Curators of two museums were consulted they 

 agreed that there was no necessity for the birds to be shot 

 as a further proof of their identification. 



Blue-headed Wagtail in Ayrshire. On the 15th June 

 1920 and four following days I had under close observation at Darvel, 

 a Wagtail which I have no hesitation in stating was a Blue-headed 

 Wagtail {Motacilla flava). The crown of its head and nape were 

 uniform blue-grey ; cheeks and front of eye darker ; over and behind 

 the eye a white streak ; upper parts darker than Yellow Wagtail ; 

 tail blackish-brown, except the outer pair of feathers which were 

 nearly white ; under parts and tail coverts bright yellow. It kept 

 running nimbly over the ground in pursuit of flies. I did not succeed 

 in discovering its nest, but I am quite satisfied that it was feeding 

 young as each time it flew off it had a good supply of flies in its 

 bill. NicoL Hopkins, Darvel. 



Unrecorded Greenland and Iceland Falcons in Orkney. 



Apropos of Dr W. Eagle Clarke's record of a Greenland Falcon 

 {Falco candica?is) in Orkney, it may be of interest to state that 

 I have a very fine photo of an adult which was caught in a rabbit 

 trap at the farm of Hobister, Orphir, about 5 miles from Kirkwall, 

 and was afterwards set up and is now at Highland Park, 

 Kirkwall. The photo shows it alive in the trap : Mr T. I\ent 

 of Kirkwall, who took the photograph, informs me that it was 

 in the winter of 1902 or 1903. I am inclined to think that it was 

 early in 1903. A fine female Iceland Falcon {Falco islandus) I 

 obtained alive from near Harray on 14th March 1906. It flew into 

 a barn after a Lapwing and damaged itself against the wall, so 

 much so that it died two days later. It is now, with the rest of my 

 collection, loaned to the Kendal Museum. H. W. Robinson, 

 Caton, Lancaster 



