116 BIRDS. 



the nest on several occasions, but both these gentlemen agree 

 that, if not formerly overlooked, it is only within the last few 

 years that it has done so. Indeed, it seems to have been by no 

 means common about Swanbister, and certainly did not breed 

 there before 1879 or 1880. 



At Westness, Rousay, there were three or four pairs in the 

 summer of 1883 breeding in the garden, and Buckley took a 

 nest there. He noticed great additions to their numbers in 

 autumn, getting more numerous still in winter. 



The Greenfinch breeds at Birstane, near Kirkwall, as Mr. 

 Reid, of S. Ronaldsay, informs us, and we found a nest in 

 the plantation of Muddiesdale, on the 25th of June 1889, con- 

 taining five fresh eggs. 



Passer domesticus (L.}. House-Sparrow. 

 Ore. = Sparrow. 



Sparrows were abundant in Orkney even in Low's time, and 

 this is the more singular, as there are yet places in the High- 

 lands where the bird is either rare or altogether absent. 

 They occur abundantly through most of the islands, being very 

 numerous in the garden of Westness, Rousay, building in the 

 ivy on the walls there. Mr. Harvey tells us it is resident in 

 Sanday and breeds in old ruined walls. 



Mr. Watt of Skaill says they are very numerous there, and 

 that there is one, almost white, that has been about his residence 

 for the last two years [1888]. 



Mr. Moodie-Heddle sends us the following curious note : 

 "Near Swanbister, in the Mainland, from 1873 to 1879, and 

 probably yet, almost every sparrow was more or less white. 

 At Melsetter, two seasons ago, a pure white one was flying 

 about all summer." 



In 1888 we found Sparrows abundant in all the islands, 

 except the uninhabited holms, and were much struck with the 

 large size and brilliant plumage of those at Pierowal, Westray. 1 



1 See also under Wren (p. 106). 



