130 BIRDS. 



time at Melsetter about 1871, which had its feet full of clay; 

 he used to see a pair there almost every year. 



In Sanday, Swifts are also rare, but are seen occasionally. 

 Mr. Harvey shot one there in June 1883. 1 



We saw one in Westray on June 25th, 1888; the only 

 Swift we saw that year in Orkney. 



Family CAPRIMULGIDJE. 

 Caprimulgus europaeus, L. Common Nightjar, 



Since Messrs. Baikie and Heddle published their work, we have 

 very few records of the Goatsucker in Orkney. In a note by 

 the latter author he says : " Still occasionally seen in Sanday." 

 Mr. Cowan says it is a rare visitant. 



Mr. W. Eeid saw two killed at Kirkwall in April (?) 1868. 



In 1888 Mr. Harvey got a pair of Nightjars in Sanday. The 

 first was seen towards the end of May, and picked up nearly 

 dead from cold, on the 4th of June ; this was a male. The 

 female was shortly after caught near Mr. Harvey's house in a 

 stable, and was bought by that gentleman, who sent the two 

 to be stuffed. 



Order 3. PICI. 



Family PICID^S. 



Sub-family PICIN^E. 



Picus major, L. Great Spotted Woodpecker. 



An irregular autumn and winter visitant ; at times their numbers 

 amount to a regular "irruption," as in 1861. Since then 

 scarcely a year has passed without some few of these birds 

 being seen or procured, and there seems to have been another 

 rush in 1868; when they were numerous at Melsetter in Sep- 

 tember of that year. 



1 Probably the one that is now stuffed, and in the collection of Mr. Denison 

 of West Brough, Sanday. 



