360 ^Ir. C. Dixon on the 



are kept on the islands, and long cowliairs (from tlie tail) 

 are used ; also a few long horsehairs^ which can only be 

 obtained from the hundreds of Puffin-snares which are set 

 in all parts of the islands. The nest measures about 19 

 inches in circumference, 2\ inches in depth, and the entrance- 

 hole about 2 inches in diameter. I should also add that the 

 female resembles the male in colour, but is a little smaller 

 in size. 



Mr. Mackenzie has sent me the following note on this 

 bird : — " The habits of the St. Kilda Wren differ considerably 

 from those of the Common Wren. Its song is much louder 

 and harsher, and does not possess so many notes. Its 

 favourite places for singing are on the tops of the ' cleats ' and 

 on the highest stones of the dykes or walls. It is particu- 

 larly fond of nesting in the roof of a ' cleat ' or in the centre 

 of a cairn. I noticed three pairs of this bird on Doon.'^ It 

 is to be hoped that Macleod of Macleod, the present pro- 

 prietor of St. Kilda, will endeavour to protect this inter- 

 esting little bird and prevent its extinction by prohibiting 

 the wholesale collection of specimens, either by the natives 

 themselves or by the tourists that visit the islands in the 

 summer months, when the birds are engaged in rearing their 

 young*. 



CoRVUS CORAX. 



When I was at St. Kilda last year the Raven was rare ; 

 this year Mr. Mackenzie informs me that it is very abun- 

 dant, but the Hooded Crows are much scarcer. He counted 

 seven pairs of Ravens within a hundred and fifty yards of the 

 back of the school-house. 



HiRUNDO RUSTICA. 



Last year I did not observe the Swallow during my stay, 

 but this season, I am informed, it was very common. One 

 was shot for identification on the 6th of June. Mr. Mac- 

 kenzie was of opinion that they were breeding in the 

 rocks at the back of the '^ stone houses," as he saw them 



* [AVe are not aAvnre that any specimens of this species have been 

 obtained bv ntlier collectors than Messrs. Dixon and Maclcenzie. — Edd.] 



