Mr. Macgillivray's Account of the Outer Hebrides. 325 



30. Emberiza Schceniculus, the Reed Bunting, generally resides 

 on the heaths, where it breeds, but approaches the houses in win- 

 ter. ■ " 



31. Emberiza nivalis, the Snow Bunting, arrives about the end 

 of October, when it is seen in great flocks moving southward. 

 These flocks do not seem to remain through the winter, although 

 numbers are often seen at that season. 



32. Fringilla domestica, the Common Sparrow, is extremely 

 rare, being to be found only among the ruins of Kilbar, in the 

 island of Barray. 



33. Fringilla Linaria, the Common Linnet, Am Bician, is com- 

 mon, breeding on the heaths, and frequenting the fields and corn- 

 yards in large flocks in winter. 



5. Zygodactyly. 



34. Cuculus canorus, the Cuckoo, A Chuag, is not uncommon. 

 It is here, as elsewhere, reported to deposit its egg in the nest of 

 the titling. 



6. Chelxdones. 



35. Hirtmdo riparia, the Sa7id Martin, is the only species of 

 this order that occurs in the Outer Hebrides. 



7. ColumbcB. 



36. Columba Livia of Temminck, the Rock Pigeon, An Caiman. 

 This species has the bill blackish, the orbits flesh-coloured, the 

 irides orange, the legs and tofes carmine purple, the claws black : 

 the general colour of the plumage is leaden or light blue, the back, 

 from near the shoulders to near the tail, white, as is the under sur- 

 face of the wing. The neck all round is beautifully glossed with 

 green and purple, more especially in the male. There are two 

 black bars on the secondary quills. The tail-feathers are tipped 

 Avith black, and the outer web of the outer one is white. The 

 length is 14 inches, the extent of wings 24. This is unquestion- 

 ably the original of the house-pigeon. It inhabits the caves and 

 crevices along the coast, accompanied by the starling and shag. It 

 commences breeding in March, and has several broods during the 

 summer. Being a gregarious bird, it is an excellent subject for 

 the sportsman. I have heard of eighteen having been killed at one 

 shot, and I myself have killed twenty-three at three successive 

 shots. In winter they form large flocks, feeding on the stubble 

 lands. In summer they feed chiefly upon Helix ericetorum and 

 Bulimus actttus, which are very abundant in the sandy pastures, as 

 well as upon grass. 



