68 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 
in Yell still (1890), but when the inner history of the treat- 
ment and management of these introduced birds is known, no 
wonder can possibly be felt at the failure to permanently 
establish them. The grouse was not, however, totally 
unknown to Shetland many years back. Dunn’s “ Ornitho- 
logist’s Guide to the Islands of Orkney and Shetland,” 1837, 
says, page 83: the red grouse is “ occasionally seen on Ronas 
Hill in winter.” Going back much farther, Brand, in 1701, 
in “ A Brief Description of Orkney, Zetland, Pightland Firth, 
and Caithness,” writing of the pereerines of Fair Isle, says: 
“Sometimes they’ll find moorfowls in their nests.” These 
Brand thought the peregrines brought from Orkney, but it 
seems possible that the grouse may have been on the way to 
Shetland, and had made Fair Isle a resting-place, when they 
were carried off by the falcons. 
30. Lapwing (Vanellus cristatus)—On 11th June 1890, 
observed two pairs near Bridge of Walls. There were none 
here in 1887. 
37. Sandpiper (Totanus hypoleucus)—On 12th June 1890, 
I heard the familiar trill of the sandpiper for the first 
time in Shetland, on the shore of Burga Water in Walls. 
The bird was not excited, and flew right away over the 
loch. The female may, however, have been sitting some- 
where in the vicinity. Its nest has never been found in 
Shetland. 
47. Eider (Somateria mollissima).—I had the good fortune 
this year of being able to pay a visit to the only colony of 
eiders which I believe exists in Shetland, the birds being as 
a rule scattered in pairs up and down the coasts. This colony 
is situated on the summit of the Lyra Skerry, off Papa Stour, 
and consists of perhaps forty pairs. The Lyra Skerry is a 
flat-topped stack, about 30 fathoms high, and is quite per- 
pendicular, or indeed overhanging, except a small portion at 
one corner, by which it is just possible to get up. The man 
under whose guidance I made the ascent is said to be the 
only native who is now competent to undertake it, as climbing 
has been much given up of recent years. However, one could 
not wish for a cooler-headed or better climber than is “ Long 
Peter.” I found the eiders’ nests placed close together in 
