134 BIRDS. 



J. Dunn's collection, shot in Sanday. Hubbard killed one in 

 1858, and the late Mr. Hebden another in Eday, in 1859. 



Mr. Irvine-Fortescue saw a specimen in the flesh killed at 

 Stromness about the years 1878 or 1880, and now, or lately, in 

 the possession of Mr. James Spence. 



On May 12th, 1883, Mr. T. W. Eanken heard that a dead 

 Hoopoe had been picked up in Sanday a few days before, which 

 had probably died from the effects of the boisterous weather 

 that had prevailed for the previous three weeks. 



Mr. Harvey informs us that a Hoopoe was shot in Sanday, 

 in April 1886, while feeding with some Starlings : this is most 

 likely the one in Mr. Denison's collection at West Brough. 



Sub-order COCCYG-ES ZYGODACTYLL 



Family CUOULID-ffi. 

 Cuculus canorus, L. Cuckoo. 

 Ore. = Gowk. (Low only. ) 



Although Low mentions that the Cuckoo breeds in Orkney, in the 

 old Statistical Account for 1793, vol. vii. p. 546-7, it is stated, 

 u No Cuckoos are ever seen in this country (Kirkwall)." 



It is not even yet by any means abundant, but visits most of 

 the islands at times, and is most numerous in Hoy and the 

 Mainland. 



Mr. Eanken's father gives dates, from 1855 to 1862, on which 

 he saw or heard the Cuckoo, and Mr. W. Eeid also mentions 

 seeing one at Crantit in 1858, as if both these gentlemen con- 

 sidered the bird a great rarity. Mr. Eeid adds that since then it 

 had been seen and heard in several plantations, but not by him. 



Mr. Cowan also says the Cuckoo is a yearly visitant, but 

 yet uncommon. 



Dr. Traill of Woodwick informed Mr. Spence that "since 

 more trees have been planted this bird has been more frequently 

 seen, and is common in Eousay as well as at Binscarth and 

 other parts of the Mainland." 



Mr. Harvey calls it a rare visitant to Sanday, and mentions 



