of the Island of Rausay. 491 



probably also accounted for the presence of from one to three 

 Golden Eagles : they were generally immature birds. 



Geologically the island consists, roughly, of red sandstone 

 on the west and. limestone on the east, the coast-line on the 

 latter side being very rugged, with fine cliffs and bold head- 

 lands. The climate is very mild, but wet, the average annual 

 rainfall for seven years being 70 inches. 



During the late spring, summer, and autumn of 1900 I 

 was in South Africa, so made no notes at that period. 



Missel-Thrush. Tardus viscivorus. 



Not a common bird, but a few pairs breed annually. 



Song-Thhush. Turdus musicus. 



Large numbers breed on the island, mostly by the sea- 

 shore, their nests being placed on rocks or ledges where 

 there are no suitable bushes or shrubs. One pair bred 

 yearly on a ledge in a large cave. In the year 1899 there 

 was a very large autumn migration passing over the island — 

 by far the largest I have noticed ; the birds were passing 

 due north and south. 



Redwing. Turdus iliacus. 



In some years large numbers passed on their southern 

 migration. There was a continual stream from October 20th 

 to the 24th, 1899, passing day and night — seen by day and 

 heard at night. Large flocks of Fieldfares were passing over 

 at the same time. Very few remained for the winter, and in 

 some years none were observed after the southern migration 

 was over. Comparatively small numbers were seen on the 

 northern migration. 



Fieldfare. Turdus pilaris. 



With the exception of the autumn of 1899, no very large 

 quantities were noticed. Occasional isolated flocks of from 

 twenty to fifty birds arrived and. remained for a few days 

 all through the winter. 



Blackbird. Turdus merula. 



Common on the south end of the island, where many pairs 

 breed, but nothing like so numerous as the Song-Thrush. 



