156 BIRDS. 



neighbourhood for years. Mr. Watt tells us he sees Merlins 

 daily. 



In Hoy, Mr. Moodie-Heddle informs us there are only two 

 or three pairs ; we saw an old female there in June 1888. We 

 also in the same season saw a pair of immature birds at the 

 "Bow," in Westray, and none elsewhere. 



Mr. Spence says he has "found this bird in greater numbers 

 in Orphir and Firth than elsewhere. In the former parish it 

 breeds on the grassy crags along the shore and on the slopes of 

 the hills. In the latter its favourite nesting-places are the 

 Keelie-lung Hills and the back of Wideford Hill." 



Mr. Monteith-Ogilvie informs us that Merlins are common in 

 Papa Westray, and that they breed there or in the holm. 



Falco tinnunculus, L. Kestrel. 



Orc.=Mousie HawJc, Wind Cuffer. 



From Low's time downwards the Kestrel seems to have been a 

 common species, breeding indifferently in the sea-cliffs, in inland 

 situations, and in old ruined buildings. One pair bred for 

 many years back, according to Messrs. Baikie and Heddle, in 

 the tower of St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, a fact that was 

 noticed by Wolle}'. 



The Kestrel remains the whole year round, and is probably 

 the commonest resident hawk in Orkney, occurring in every 

 island. 



The Kestrel has become much rarer of late years in Hoy. 

 We saw three at Melsetter, and also a pair at Waulkmill Bay 

 on the Mainland, in 1888. 



Pandion haliaetus (L.). Osprey, 



Very rare. In a note by the late Mr. Heddle of Melsetter, 

 he says : " I saw one actually catch a trout in Holm lake in 

 1850 (.? 1848). J. Gk H." The present proprietor of Hoy 

 writes us : "I don't think these (Ospreys) have bred here 

 within the memory of man. Indeed I know of no suitable 

 building-place. My father saw one fishing at Holm loch, May 

 12th, 1848." 



