THE BIRDS OF SPITSBERGEN, 261 
noted in a good many parts of Spitsbergen. Its sonorous 
ery uttered when on the wing attracts one’s attention very 
readily. 
Note.—In the above list I omit three birds which might 
by many seem to deserve inclusion. Let me state my 
reasons. 
A Falcon of some sort has undoubtedly been seen, but the 
evidence as to what species it belonged to is misty and 
vague. No one who has seen such a bird ventures to 
assert what kind it is,—therefore I omit it, merely noting 
that a Falcon has been seen. 
Then a Whimbrel, Numenius PHAEOPUS (Linn.), lately 
shot on Bear Island, is included in German lists of Spits- 
bergen birds. I scarcely think it fair that a solitary little 
island, 150 miles south, should be called Spitsbergen—so I 
omit this bird. 
Another bird I am far more inclined to add to my list is 
the Swallow, Hirunpo rustica, Linn., which Mr Howard 
Saunders says “has been known to stray to Spitsbergen.” 
(See British Birds, 2nd edition, p. 163.) 
Prof. Newton also asserts this, and quotes as the 
authority the Ibis, 1875, p. 272. (See Yarvrell’s British 
Birds, 4th edition, vol. ii. p. 346.) Surely such cautious 
and capable ornithologists as Saunders and Newton are 
worthy of being relied on. But there must be some reason 
why this bird is omitted from all recent lists, so I leave it 
out. 
VOL. I. 20 
