THE BIRDS OF ST KILDA 227 



the species observed In June 1847, ^^^ Elwes (//^/>, 

 1869, p. 36) found it breeding on Dun in 1868. 



I was informed by Neil Gillies that it breeds 

 commonly on the flat tops of Mullach Sgail (705 feet), 

 and Mullach Mhor (1 153 feet). During our visit adult 

 males, and females with half-grown young, were seen 

 in the village bay. 



SoMATERiA SPECTABiLis, Kzn£- Eidei^. — Dixon (p. 58) 

 states that two pairs were seen daily by him in the 

 bay, along with Common Eiders, during his visit in 

 June 1884; and he had not the slightest doubt that 

 they were breeding on the island of Dun. 



Mergus serrator, Red-breasted Merganser. — Dixon 

 (p. ^"j^ mentions that one was shot in 1883, and that 

 Mr Mackenzie, the factor, shot one during June 1884, 

 in the East Bay. He saw a stuffed specimen. Steele 

 Elliot (p. 285) observed one in the bay on nth June 

 1894. 



We saw single examples in the East or Village Bay 

 on several occasions after 5th September 19 10, and 

 down to our departure on 12th October 191 1. 



CoLUMBA LiviA, Rock-Dove. — Martin mentions in his 

 Western Isles of Scotland (1703, p. 296) that the 

 Hawks on St Kilda prey upon Pigeons and Plovers, no 

 doubt basing his information on the knowledge gained 

 during his visit to the island in June 1697. Macaulay 

 (p. 160), who was at St Kilda in 1758, includes 

 "Pigeons" among the birds to be found there. Milner 

 (p. 2061) mentions the Rock-Dove as amongst the 

 species seen by him on 15th June 1847. Dixon (p. 84), 

 writing in 1884, says there can be litde doubt that it 

 breeds, but he never saw more than one pair. Steele 

 Elliot (p. 284), in 1894, tells us that he was unable to 



