136 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



hill sparrow, from his more inland resorts; the 

 latter the tang sparrow, from his preference for 

 the coast ; and thus the two are happily, and cor- 

 rectly distinguished by their popular names. The 

 wheatear, locally known as " the steinkle," arrives 

 in April, and, throughout the summer, his click 

 and flash are familiar. 



All these are musical, either in reality, or by 

 courtesy. Farther south, we are not in the habit 

 of talking about the vocal powers of the wheatear. 

 Perhaps we are too particular, as he has a loud, 

 and not unpleasant song, which only suffers by 

 comparison. And yet, he is included among the 

 Shetland singers. 



Sparrow, and starling are found wherever there 

 is a croft. The yellow-hammer, and the robin, 

 which frequently build on the ground, are there 

 in small numbers. The two wagtails are present, 

 but rare. The hedge- warbler, and the song-thrush 

 are only seen at intervals, driven it may be by 

 storm, and seldom, or never breeding. 



The blackbird drops down in autumn, and spring ; 

 so too does the mountain blackbird. Many other 

 species use the islands as a convenient resting-place, 

 in their double passage to and from their nesting 

 haunts. 



