84 Mr. C. Dixon on the 



CoRAClAS GAKRULA. 



Gray, writing in 1871, states that a Roller appears to have 

 been observed on St. Kilda '^ about twenty-five years ago." 



CucuLus CANORUs. " Cunch." 



The Cuckoo is heard occasionally on St. Kilda, and is 

 regarded by the natives with superstitious awe. They say 

 it portends a calamity — the death of Macleod, the proprietor 

 of the island ! 



CoLUMBA PALUMBUS. 



I saw a pair of Ring-Do ves on the stony sides of jMullach- 

 oshavall within a few yards of the sea. They were absurdly 

 tame, allowing Sandy and myself to approach them within 

 a few paces. None of the natives ever knew this bird to visit 

 the island before. 



CoLUMBA LI VIA. 



There can be little doubt that the Rock-Dove breeds on 

 St. Kilda, but it is certainly not a common bird. I never 

 saw more than a pair; but it may be more numerous oti 

 Soay, Borreay, and the adjacent " stacks. ^'' 



Tetrao mutus, 



Wilson was informed by the minister that he once saw a 

 Ptarmigan on St. Kilda after strong easterly winds. 



Ardea cinerea. " Gorridhgr-idheach." 



The Heron occasionally visits St. Kilda^ but rarely survives 

 long. The natives generally pick them up dead — starved to 

 death, for the water is too deep and the shore too precipitous 

 to admit of successful fishing. The St.-Kildan sometimes 

 stalks and snares it as it stands upon the rocks. 



Crex pratensis. 



Two hundred years ago INIartiu included the Corn- Crake 

 in his list of St. -Kilda land-birds, and from that day to this 

 it has occasionally visited these lonely Atlantic isles. I 

 neither saw nor heard this species, and do not think it breeds 

 there. It cannot be very common, for I could not learn that 

 the natives have any Gaelic equivalent for it. 



