i yo JOTTINGS ABOUf BIRDS. 



the countless swarms of sea-birds that literally 

 darken the air. The reader who may or may not 

 contemplate a visit to St. Kilda will probably 

 appreciate a short list of the birds that either 

 regularly frequent the islands or pay more or less 

 irregular visits to them. I also append the St. 

 Kilda names of such species as are known to the 

 natives. 



1. WHITE-TAILED EAGLE Haliaetus albicilla (Bris- 

 son). Irregular visitor. Would probably breed 

 here if left unmolested ; but as soon as a pair may 

 chance to make a nest the natives draw lots as to 

 who must undertake the perilous task of climbing 

 the cliff and setting fire to the structure. The 

 St. Kildans fear that the Eagles would destroy the 

 sheep and lambs. 



2. PEREGRINE FALCON Falco peregrinus (Gerini). 

 Breeds in isolated pairs amongst the least accessible 

 cliffs, notably on Doon. 



3. KESTREL Falco tinnunculus, Linnaeus. Ir- 

 regular visitor ; no evidence of its breeding on the 

 islands. 



4. SPARROW-HAWK Accipiter nisus (Linnaeus). 

 Irregular visitor; may possibly breed here. 



5. SONG THRUSH Turdus musicus, Linnaeus. 

 Occurs rarely on passage. 



