BIRDS. 



occasions. The nest with eggs was found, but was taken by 

 some boys from Kirkwall." 



Mr. Cowan sends us notes which probably refer to the same 

 birds, but adds that they nested in 1887 as well. 



Mr. Harvey tells us the Blackcap is seen in Sanday about 

 April, for a week or two. 



We heard so many accounts of the occurrence of this 

 species near Kirkwall, during our visit in 1888, and of its 

 breeding there, that we were most anxious to see it for 

 ourselves, and place the matter beyond a doubt. On inquiry, 

 however, we found that, probably owing to the cold backward 

 season, the birds had not stayed that year. Both the localities 

 given, viz., Muddiesdale and Grainbank, are close to Kirk- 

 wall. 



We have given all the above information as we got it, and 

 it must be taken for what it is worth. We ourselves have 

 very little faith in the bird ever having bred in the islands, 

 and March and April are very unusual dates for such a bird to 

 be seen anywhere in the north, October being the most usual 

 month when it does put in an appearance. Probably some 

 other bird with a black head has been taken for it. 



Sylvia salicaria (L.). Garden Warbler. 



[Obs. Mr. Moodie-Heddle says he has a note of a Garden 

 Warbler killed at Melsetter in 1868, weight 5 drs. 1J scr. ; we 

 prefer, however, to keep this species in brackets until further 

 confirmation.] 



Sub-family PBYLLOSCOPINJZ. 

 Regulus cristatus, Koch. Golden-crested Wren. 



A common autumn and winter visitant to most, if not all the 

 islands, but Mr. Moodie-Heddle says it has not been so 

 common of late years. 



Both the late Mr. J. G. Heddle and the late Mr. Eanken 



