224 BIRDS. 



On July 4th, 1888, we landed at Roithisholm, Stronsay, 

 and carefully went over the greater part of the uncultivated 

 area, which consists to a large extent of stunted heather, in the 

 hopes of finding Whimbrels, but never saw the sign of one. 

 At another time we went, accompanied by Mr. E. S. Cameron 

 of Burgar, to a place near Tankerness, where Mr. Cowan said 

 these birds used to breed commonly, but again the result was 

 only disappointment. We were, however, shown an undoubted 

 Whimbrel's egg, which Mr. Cowan informed us had been taken 

 on the Mainland. 



Mr. Harvey informs us that Whimbrels are autumn visitants 

 to Sanday. 



In June 1889, hearing from Mr. Heddle that the Whimbrels 

 had returned to their old spot in Hoy, we went over to look for 

 the nest. We soon found the birds, and, after watching them 

 for some time, came to the conclusion that they had hatched off, 

 and we found what we took to be the tracks of the young birds 

 in some soft ground. The old birds were very tame, much more 

 so than the Curlew, and ran almost within a few yards of us, 

 uttering the regular Whimbrel note; when doing this, the bird 

 lowered its head almost on a level with its body. 



Numenius arquata (L.). Curlew. 

 Ore. = Stock Wliaup. WTiaup. 



The Curlew is a decidedly scarce bird in the breeding season 

 throughout Orkney. Low in his Tour mentions seeing many 

 Curlews when going through Hoy in May 1774, but in no other 

 place. Dunn's statements, as before mentioned under Whim- 

 brel, are too vague to be taken much into account, ' rather 

 plentifully distributed,' as regards Orkney, being hardly appli- 

 cable to this species at the present time. 



Mr. Eanken says Curlews are numerous, remaining through- 

 out the year ; and they nest in the Birsay and Harray hills, 

 according to Mr. Watt of Skaill. 



Mr. Irvine-Fortescue, however, sends us more positive and 

 definite information ; referring to the parish of Orphir he says: 



" I have heard of three, possibly four, nests in this parish. 

 One on May 7th, 1887, on Swanbister, found by Mr. Halcro ; 



