REPORT ON SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGY IN I914 167 



wing, and a female with speckled head in West Renfrew 

 on 14th November — " for the second time, lately, the same 

 bird appeared on 6th December 191 3." 



A buff or cream-coloured Hedge-sparrow frequented 

 the roadside of the Melrose-St Boswells road for some 

 time previous to 4th October, and a " fawn variety " of the 

 Mallard was seen in the Beauly Firth on 21st September. 

 A " Blue Fulmar " was got on St Kilda in May, of which 

 a full description will be found in the Scottish Natufalisi, 

 J914, p. 221, A pied Golden Plover is recorded from 

 Darvel (Ayrshire) on 19th September, and a Woodcock 

 with white primaries visited Fair Isle on 30th October 

 (i. 191 5, 105). Albino Puffins are recorded from three 

 different stations; one, "ver)' pretty pied," was on the 

 Shiant Islands in May, another, described as "mottled," was 

 seen several times during the breeding season at Sule Skerry, 

 while an entirely white Puffin is reported from North 

 Unst on 7th June — the others seemed to persecute it. 



Habits, Food, Etc. 



We have to record a considerable number of interesting 

 observations on habits and feeding of birds made in 1914. 



On 2nd October twelve Ravens were seen feeding on 

 the blubber of a Grey Seal which was lying on the rocks at 

 Dell, Outer Hebrides (r. 191 5, 34). Near the Butt of Lewis, 

 in September, Starlings " were observed hawking flies on 

 the crofts. Seated on the stooks, they darted off after the 

 manner of Flycatchers, Redstarts, and other insectivorous 

 birds. They also rose on the wing to secure insects 

 disturbed on the stubble, or observed flying by. Their 

 efforts were successful, but their actions lacked the grace 

 and agility of the other species mentioned," A flock of 

 a hundred Greenfinches was seen feeding on elm seeds at 

 Corsemalzie (Wigtown) on 7th July ; while at the Butt of 

 Lewis Rock-pipits were seen on 3rd and 6th October 

 " feeding on grubs found under rotting seaweed," and 



