BIRDS. Ill 



Family MUSCICAPIDJE. 

 Muscicapa grisola, L. Spotted Flycatcher. 



A very rare species in Orkney, and we have received but few 

 notices of its occurrence of late years. 



Mr. T. W. Ranken has observed this bird on several occa- 

 sions feeding in his garden at Kirkwall, and generally succeeded 

 in getting near enough to identify the species. 



Mr. Moodie-Heddle tells us that the Spotted Flycatcher 

 bred at Melsetter in 1867, and during several years since then. 



Mr. Spence observed the bird thrice in Orkney in 1882, on 

 every occasion on the Mainland. 



Mr. Harvey of Sanday gives April as the time when the 

 Spotted, as well as the Pied Flycatcher occur in that island. 



Mr. Gilmour informs us that Spotted Flycatchers were 

 numerous at Pentland Skerries on May 17th, 1888. 



We ourselves have never seen this bird, even in Rousay, a 

 most likely locality. 



Muscicapa atricapilla, L. Pied Flycatcher. 



Numerous instances of the occurrence of this species in Orkney 

 are given by Messrs. Baikie and Heddle, and, since the date of 

 their work, many more have come to our knowledge. Most of 

 these have occurred in either May or October, the two great 

 months of migration. 



It would be superfluous for us to give every occurrence 

 known to us. We merely give those that seem to have any 

 special interest attached to them. 



Dr. Traill of Woodwick informed Mr. Spence that, during a 

 continuance of easterly wind in the winter of 1880-81, con- 

 siderable numbers visited N. Ronaldsay. 



Mr. T. W. Ranken informs us that on May 3d, 1885, he saw 

 a pair flitting about the garden of the National Bank house. 

 They frequently came within a few feet of him. The night 

 was very cold, and they seemed to have difficulty in obtain- 

 ing food. 



Mr. Moodie-Heddle sends us a note that the Pied Flycatcher 

 bred at Melsetter in 1864. 



