NOTES ON BIRDS OBSERVED AT THE BUTT OF LEWIS 35 



end of August is the usual time of their autumn passing, and 

 then a good few remain overnight sheltering in the cliffs, in 

 the corners of the lighthouse windows, or clinging to the buildings. 

 An unusually late visitor was observed all day on 30th October 1913. 



Great Spotted Woodpecker {De?idrocopus major). — One 

 was here on 23rd September 1909, and was observed for hours 

 feeding busily over stonecrop-covered sward. 



Cuckoo {Cuculus canon/ s). — The Cuckoo is not seen every 

 year, but was observed in June 1909, and in May 191 1 and 1914. 

 I have not seen or heard of their eggs or young having been found 

 in the district. 



Short-eared Owl {Asio accipitrinus). — One was here on 

 25th October 1914, first time seen. 



Snowy Owl {Nyctea sca?idiaca).— One was caught here in 

 April 1 91 2, and others have been frequently got on the adjoining 

 moor. 



Greenland Falcon {Falco candicans). — Birds of this species 

 were seen passing in 1909 and 1910, in March and December. 



Peregrine Falcon {Falco peregrinus). — Seen every year in 

 July or August and onward throughout the winter, but does not 

 breed. 



Merlin {Falco cesalon). — Quite common, and during the 

 autumn and winter may be seen nearly every day. In August 

 1908, two, and also their pursued refugee — a Wheatear — were 

 caught in the engine-room at the lighthouse; and in 1912 several 

 were caught in the houses of the natives, which they had entered 

 in pursuit of small birds. 



Kestrel {Falco ti?iniaiculiis). — Kestrels are not often seen 

 in this quarter, though their favourite and common prey — mice — 

 are numerous over the crofter land. On 24th September 19 14 

 one was seen hovering over likely cover. 



Cormorant {Phalacrocorax carbd). — Only seen passing now 

 and again. One was seen on a fresh-water loch in March 

 1 914, and in April four frequented and remained a week on 

 the cliffs here, the first time they were observed resting there, 

 but they did not remain to breed. 



Shag {Phalacrocorax graculus). — Native " blackbirds " are 

 ever resident, but in the wildest weather they are scarcer, as 

 they are driven for shelter and feeding to land-locked bays and 

 harbours. There are some early nesters in March, the majority 

 being later. Since 1912 they have not nested so numerously, 



