BIRDS. 109 



returning again to the same spot, the descent being slow, the 

 wings and tail expanded, the flight in graceful circles, singing 

 all the time until it reached the starting-point. The middle of 

 June is the time of year I have observed the bird." 



From this description there would appear no doubt of the 

 correct identification of the species. 



Anthus obscurus (Lath.). Rock Pipit. 

 Ore. = Tang Sparrow. 



A very common and characteristic Orkney species, being abundant 

 everywhere along the coast, and in all the small holms, and 

 often seen sitting on the houses in Kirkwall, or on the rigging 

 of vessels in the harbour. They are constantly observed 

 resting on a species of sea-weed, which grows just below 

 high-water mark, and from this habit, Mr. Irvine-Fortescue 

 tells us this weed has acquired the trivial name "Teeting- 

 tang " ; he adds that this weed is, or was, occasionally given as 

 food to pigs. 



The Eock Pipit breeds amongst the stones on the top of the 

 cliffs, in small holes, and even amongst nettles ; we found one 

 on Egilsay in this latter situation. 



On May 27th, 1888, we found a young Rock Pipit, not 

 long out of the nest, flying about some low rocks to the west of 

 Kirkwall ; this seems a very early date. 



Family LANIIDJE. 

 Lanius excubitor, L. Great Grey Shrike. 



Low, in his Fauna, remarks that he never knew of any of the 

 " butcher kind " in Orkney. 



Since Messrs. Baikie and Heddle wrote, many more specimens 

 of the Great Grey Shrike have been obtained in Orkney. 



Mr. T. W. Ranken's father saw one which had been shot at 

 the Head of Holland, near Kirkwall, in the summer (1) of 1845; 



