LETTER XXVI. 183 



A little before, a fine Osprey was shot sitting on a clothes-pole 

 devouring a freshly caught fish. In summer, also, a Spotted Crake 

 was knocked down near here by a man with a stick. Such shreds 

 and patches, crumbs of comfort, is all I have to support orni- 

 thological life upon. 



As nothing is too mean for the notice of a Naturalist, I may 

 mention an observation on the Common House My. In the South 

 their wings when folded are still slightly opened, furcated, or 

 dove-tailed, and they are very annoying, alighting on one's face and 

 hands, especially when one is in bed in the early summer mornings ; 

 but in Iona the House Fly is much smaller, and the wings shut 

 together quite close over the back ; and, moreover, though they 

 dance aerial quadrilles inside one's bed curtains, yet they never 

 annoy, tickle, bite, or alight upon one's nose, face, or hands, like 

 their bigger brethren of the South, or, still worse, those of Canada, 

 where they are a perfect Egyptian plague indoors, as musquitos 

 are out of doors. 1 



XXVI. 



Littlehampton, Sussex, 2nd May 1867. 



Being required to write about the Hebrides from Sussex is like 

 being asked to sing a pleasant song in a strange land ; however, 

 I have kept my promise and here are my notes, though they are 



1 In other parts of the West of Scotland known to us the Common House Fly is 

 a perfect pest in July and August, especially by certain river banks when one is 

 salmon-fishing. — Ed. 



