62 nUITISII BIRDS. [vol. ix. 



six years gives {Scot. Nut., 1915, pp. 29-37 and 77-81) some 

 very interesting notes on the birds he has observed in this 

 barren spot. The following are of considerable interest 

 and do not appear to have been previously recorded : — 



Carrion-Crow {Corviis c. corone). — One in 1909. Mr. Clyne states 

 that it has been recorded several times in Lewis, but tlic only note 

 of the occurrence of the bird in the Outer Hebrides which we liave 

 is of three at the Flannans in November, 1912. 



Siskin {Carduelis spinus). — One on October 9th, 1908, is apparently 

 the same as that recorded under date November 11th, in the BiiU. 

 B.O.C., XXVr., p. 252. 



Mealy Redpoll (Carduelis Hnaria).- — Present in small iiuiuliers in 

 October and November, 1908, 1910 and 1913. 



Linnet (Carduelis c. cannabina). — Small parties in spring and " a 

 few are known to have bred." Further details would ha\e been 

 interesting as the bird has not, we think, been recorded before as 

 breeding in the Outer Hebrides, and indeed lias been reckoned as only 

 a rare vagrant to those islands. 



House-Sparrow (Passer d. domesticus). — That a few pairs breed 

 is interesting, as the bird is extremely local in the Outer Hebrides. 



Pied Wagtail (Motacilla a. Itiyubris).- — A few seen annually in 

 spring and autumn on migration. The bird is said to be vcvy rare 

 in the Outer Hebrides and has been confused with the White Wagtail. 



Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa h. hypoleuca). — One on August 

 23rd, 1914. 



Garden-Warbler (Sylvia horin). — One on August 2tJtli, 1913. 



Blackcap (Sylvia a. atricapilla). — Several in October, 1913. Both 

 these Warblers are rarely recorded in the Outer Hebrides. 



Ring-Ouzel (Tardus t. torquatus). — One on October 17th, 1910. 



Redstart (Phcenicurus pit. phaynicKrus). — This is recorded in October, 

 1908, 1910 and 1911. Mr. Clyne has only one spring record, viz., 

 April 2nd, 1914, but he adds, " I have just been informed that a pair 

 successfully nested in 1914 near Galson Farm about 8 miles S.W. 

 from the Butt." Hitherto the Redstart lias been known only as a 

 rare migrant to the Outer Hebrides, and we hope that further details 

 will be given of this nesting record. 



House-Martin (Hirundo u. urhica). — Only twice seen on June 24th, 

 1912, and October 8th, 1914. There are very few records of House- 

 Martins in the Outer Hebrides. 



Courtship-habits of the CfReat Crested CJrebe. — A 

 very interesting paper, to which we should have drawn 

 attention some time ago, was ])ublished last autumn on the 

 courtship-habits of Colymbvs e. cn'.status by Prof. Juhan 

 S. Huxley {P.Z.S., 1914, pp. 491-562, Plates I. and II.). 

 The ])aper is too long to analyse here, and it should be read 

 in its entirety by everyone interested in the habits of these 

 birds, as well as by students of the theory of sexual selection. 

 It is well planned and easy of reference, and contains a 

 groat deal of very careful observation recorded with the 

 minuteness necessary to the subject, but in a very loadable 

 style. Two plates containing a nundx'i- of clever ])en aiul 

 ink sketches illustrate the ])aper adniiral)ly. 



