54 THE PENTLAND SKERRIES. 



Troglodytidce. Common Wren, spring and late autumn ; some- 

 times in considerable numbers in latter season; seen as late as 

 December, and may remain at times through the winter. 



Motadllidce. The Pied Wagtail is common on both migrations, 

 sometimes being seen in March, and the bulk departing in Septem- 

 ber; observed the second week in May. There seems to b& no 

 record of yellow wagtails. 



The Grey-headed Yellow Wagtail has been twice observed, and 

 once shot by Mr. Gilmour; the first occasion was on May 19th, 

 1888 when the bird was killed ; the second time was on May 3d, 

 1889. 



Pipits are recorded only in three years, 1881, 1882, and 1887, 

 and then only in autumn. A rush of Eock Pipits was reported 

 from N. Eonaldsay on September 4th, 1885, which remained 

 throughout the winter (but these might be residents). 



Laniidce. A Eed-backed Shrike was obtained on May 19th, 

 1888 (see under Species), and this appears to be the only record of 

 shrikes we have. 



Micscicapidce. The Pied Flycatcher is very numerous at times, 

 more so on the spring migration in the month of May, when, in 

 1885, from the 2d to the 24th, great numbers were seen ; numbers 

 were seen again in autumn of the same year. Their numbers are 

 very fluctuating, or at least they are not observed in great quantities 

 every year. In 1888 and 1889 there were no spring returns at all, 

 and only two in autumn, one in September of each year. 



Spotted Flycatchers are first recorded on May 16th, 1888, after 

 which they seem to have become more numerous ; this is the only 

 notice we have ; none for autumn. They are very rare in Orkney. 



Sometimes the species are named in the schedules ; at other 

 times the word " Flycatcher " is used. Under this heading they 

 appear almost every year in both spring and autumn. We have 

 tried to separate the records, as far as possible, of the two 

 species. 



Hirundinidce. Swallows, Martins, and Sand-Martins are 

 generally comprehended under the term " Swallows." The second 

 fortnight of May is their usual time of appearing in the greatest 



