32 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



They nest freely in the crofts and pasture-lands, and are often in 

 numbers at the lantern. 



Rock-pipit {Anthtis obscuriis). — Rock-pipits are with us all the 

 year, though during extremely rough weather very few are seen, for 

 they evidently move on to more sheltered quarters. In April and 

 May there are fresh arrivals, and there is an apparent departure 

 passage in August, September, and October. They breed in fair 

 numbers in the many suitable places all round the cliff-edges. 



Pied Flycatcher {Muscicapa atricapilld). — The only record of 

 this species was on 23rd August 19 14, when one was got on 

 the lantern. 



Red-breasted Flycatcher {Muscicapa parva). — Again only a 

 single record, one being closely observed for some time busily 

 feeding where insects were numerous on the cliff-edge on ist 

 November 1908. 



Swallow {Hirinnio rustica). — A few are seen every year, but 

 in some seasons they are scarce. They have never bred, nor do 

 they remain with us many days on end. June 1914 was an 

 exception, when, during fine weather, several remained for over a 

 week. The earliest records are on ist, 4th, and 7th May in 191 3, 

 1909, and 1910 respectively. The latest was on 26th October in 

 1910 — very late for the district. In 1911 only one was recorded, 

 and it was caught at sea on a fishing-boat off Port of Ness on 

 3rd June. 



House-martin [Chelidon iirbica). — Has only twice been seen — 

 on 24th June 1912, when Swallows also were present; and on 

 8th October 19 14. 



Greenfinch {Liguriniis chloris). — There are few records for 

 this bird. A flock was noted on 4th February 19 11, and also 

 single records in October and November of 1908, 191 1, and 1913. 



Siskin {Carduelis spinus). — Again only a single record, for 

 9th October 1908. 



House-sparrow {Passer domesticus). — These leave the light- 

 house premises in the wild winter weather, but are always in the 

 neighbourhood. In March a few pairs return and proceed to nest 

 in their old locality behind some rent rock at the summit of an 

 isolated stack — a veritable "Old Man of the Butt" — standing out 

 from the mainland. There they usually have two broods a year. 

 At Port of Ness a cream-coloured male specimen arrived on 

 8th March 19 12. It mated and bred, but the progeny were all 

 normally coloured birds. After the autumn moult the creamy 



