140 BIRDS. 



warrant our including this species otherwise than in brackets, 

 especially as in a pencil note by Professor Heddle in a copy 

 of Messrs. Baikie and Heddle's work he says, "No, it was 

 passerina."] 



Bubo ignavus, Forst. Eagle Owl. 



According to Messrs. Baikie and Heddle this is the " Stock Owl " 

 mentioned by Wallace, though we can find nothing in the con- 

 text to warrant their assertion. They, however, mention that 

 an Eagle Owl was killed by Mr. Strang at Sanday in 1830. 

 That it is believed to breed in the Hammers of Birsay is a state- 

 ment for which we can find no foundation. Indeed, it is most 

 unlikely that the breeding-place of such a fine bird would not 

 be well known. 



Low, in his Fauna, says that he never saw the bird himself, 

 but was credibly informed that it was still to be met with in his 

 day in the Orkneys, especially in the hilly parts. 



In a pencil note by the late Eobert Heddle he observes that 

 the Eagle Owl does not breed in Orkney. 



In the same letter as the one referred to under Snowy Owl, 

 Mr. Sheppard's brother says that he also saw a bird which he 

 thought to be the Eagle Owl. 



Athene noctua (Eetz.). Little Owl. 



\_0bs. Included in the list of Orkney birds, published in Anderson's 

 Guide to Highlands and Islands of Scotland, but no locality or 

 date is given. This may possibly refer to the small owl (see 

 Tengmalm's) killed at Melsetter. It is impossible now to say 

 to what species this bird belonged, but that a small owl was 

 killed at Melsetter there can be no doubt ; probably it was 

 6r. passerinumJ] 



Sub-order ACCIPITRES. 

 Family FALCONID-E. 



Circus aeruginosus (.). Marsh Harrier. 



Messrs. Baikie and Heddle mark this bird as an occasional visitant 

 to Orkney, and mention Sanday and Rousay as localities. 



