278 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



Red-breasted Flycatcher at the Pentland Skerries.— 



On 30th September there were a number of migratory birds on the 

 island, and among them I detected what I felt sure was a Red- 

 breasted Flycatcher (Muscicapa parva) from the white on its tail, 

 which it spread out as it flitted about on the rocks. It was a very 

 brisk little bird, and I had some difficulty in securing it in order to 

 establish its identity. It proved to be an adult male, and is now 

 in the collection in the Royal Scottish Museum. — John Bain, 

 Pentland Skerries. 



Reed-warbler in the Orkneys.—^ On the 28th September 

 I saw a small bird which was unknown to me, on the island 

 of Auskerry. It was secured and sent to Mr Eagle Clarke for 

 determination, and proved to be a Reed-warbler (Acrocephalus 

 streperus). Mr Eagle Clarke informs me that this bird has not 

 hitherto been obtained in Orkney, and that it is the fourth known 

 to have occurred in Scotland. — H. Laidlaw, Auskerry. 



Late stay of Swifts in Banffshire. — Following upon the 

 note in the November number of the Scottish Naturalist, on the 

 late stay of Swifts (Cypse/its apus) in Edinburgh this year, it may 

 be of interest to state that I saw one Swift here on 29th September, 

 at 6 p.m., circling round the church steeple, apparently trying to 

 alight but continually blown aside by the wind, which was strong. 

 Next day I saw a Swift again, probably the same bird. -—Jane Cowan, 

 Cullen, Banffshire. 



Common Guillemot and Barn Owl near Glasgow. - 



On 13th October I saw a Guillemot (Uria troile) which was 

 found here on that day alive but unable to fly. There had been 

 no storm previously to drive it so far inland. Four days later 

 I found a Barn Owl (Strix flammea) sitting in a large yew tree, 

 and on 21st October I saw a Barn Owl sitting in a thorn hedge 

 about half a mile from where I saw the Owl on the 17th. Possibly 

 it was the same bird. I have never seen a Barn Owl here before. — 

 James Bartholomew, Torrance, near Glasgow. 



Quail nesting in Kirkcudbrightshire.— The nest of a 

 Quail {Cotur/iix cnti/?viix), containing eight or nine eggs, was 

 discovered this summer, not far from Dairy. The nest was in a 

 hay-field by the river Ken, and was unfortunately destroyed by the 

 reaper when cutting hay. — Hugh S. Gladstone, Thornhill, 

 Dumfriesshire. 



Pood of the Common Partridge. — In connection with Mr 

 Grimshaw's interesting note (p. 249) on the food of the Pheasant, 



