88 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



two particular localities before dispersing themselves over inland 

 districts. Thus, on Dunbar Links, in the month of March, I have 

 seen them arriving in thousands, and flying before me, in my 

 early morning walks, like bits of sea foam borne by the breeze. The 

 males especially were very beautiful and attractive, from the clear- 

 ness of their plumage. By-and-by these large flights were broken 

 up into small parties, the distribution of which could be traced 

 by walking inland to some distance on the higher grounds, and 

 watching the restless fellows flitting from hillock to hillock, leav- 

 ing here and there, as the main body advanced, a few stragglers 

 to people the dry stone dykes of the Lammermoors. I have never 

 seen such arrivals on any of the sea-borders of Western Scotland. 



The Wheatear is very abundant in the Outer Hebrides, from 

 Mingaly to the Butt of Lewis, appearing in these islands in early 

 spring, and remaining until late in autumn. There is a very 

 curious superstition prevalent in North and South Uist regarding 

 the bird on its arrival. "When seen for the first time in the 

 season, the natives are quite unhappy if it should happen to be 

 perched on a rock or a stone; such a circumstance, as they say, 

 being a sure sign of evil in prospect; but should the bird be seen 

 perched on a bit of turf, it is looked upon as a happy omen. The 

 species is equally common over the whole of the inner group 

 of islands, taking up its abode on many of the uninhabited 

 islets and rocks. It breeds in considerable numbers on Ailsa 

 Craig. In the autumn season certain districts appear to offer 

 temptations for stray birds to prolong their stay, especially some 

 of the higher mountain ranges, whose bleak sides would seem but 

 a poor hunting ground for an insect-feeding bird. I have seen 

 single specimens lingering till October; and on the llth of that 

 month, in 1866, Dr Dewar informs me that he saw one on the 

 summit of Ben Arnan. 



The song of the Wheatear is very pleasing. I have seen males 

 perched on a stone wall begin their warblings with a few modu- 

 lated notes, accompanied with a pretty motion of their wings, 

 until they fairly burst into joyful utterance and rose into flight, 

 hovering a few feet above the wall, and literally dancing in 

 the air with delight. In hilly districts the nest is chiefly placed 

 in holes of dry stone walls; but on the east coast I have for the 

 most part found it in deserted rabbit-holes, as on Dunbar Links, 

 for example, whence the rabbits are now banished. 



