170 BIRDS. 



Mr. Harvey writes us that swans occur annually in 

 winter in Sanday. 



Mr. Watt says that the loch of Skaill is a favourite nesting- 

 place for swans on their journey north and south, it being in 

 their line of flight. At one time, in 1886, there were between 

 50 and 60 on the loch; there had not been so many together on 

 the loch since 1857, when Mr. Watt's grandfather counted 

 between 70 and 80 at one time. Mr. Watt further says : 



" It was most interesting to watch them on the wing, and 

 their graceful movements on the water, and to hear the ' Hoop, 

 Hoop' and bugle-notes of welcome as each small lot of their 

 friends approached, and, when they alighted, gathered round 

 them bowing, and going through all sorts of elegant movements, 

 and making melodious sounds. We have a few tame Swans on 

 the loch, which the wild ones gather much confidence from. I 

 could approach them within 60 yards, but on the appearance 

 of a stranger they made off." 



On the loch of Skaill is a Hooper that has been there for 

 a long time, some injury to the wing preventing it from leaving. 

 We saw it there in 1889. 



Cygnus bewicki, Yarr. Bewick's Swan. 



Probably in former years not distinguished from the preceding 

 species. We have a note of one from Hoy in 1850, which is 

 probably the earliest one identified. 



Mr. E. S. Cameron of Burgar has recognised this species on 

 the loch of Hundland in 1885, and he shot a male on April 3d 

 of that year. 



On March 1st, 1888, Mr. Irvine-Fortescue saw three Bewick's 

 Swans arrive on the loch of Harray ; they came from the south- 

 east. " In this case," adds that gentleman, " I am certain of 

 the species." 



Tadorna cornuta (Gmel). Sheldrake. 

 Orc.=% Goose. 



A common species in Low's time, and he remarks that they go 

 elsewhere during the winter. They are much more numerous 



