The Birds of Shye. 135 



Baron Guclin secured black game on the Drynoch shootings 

 in 1883, but seemed to think it scarce. 



Ballus aquaticus. — Mr E. Gray states (" B. of W. of S./' p. 

 334), that he formerly received examples from Skye. 



Crex pratensis. — Summer visitant, arriving before our late 

 herbage is long enough to conceal its lythe form, and there- 

 fore affording us opportunities of watching its " craking," as 

 it rapidly twists its neck from side to side. The pair which 

 nest annually in the walled-garden at Hamar, generally lead 

 their brood out to fresh pastures through an open door. 

 One day the old female miscalculated, and triumphantly led 

 her brood into the kitchen. 



Gallinula cliloropus. — Is included in the New Statistical 

 Account as resident in the south of Skye. Mr Lees reports its 

 presence in the Broadford district. 



Fulica atra. — Eesident (?). A pair appeared one year at 

 Loch Waterstein, and perhaps bred there. A Coot was shot 

 at Greshornish, December 1885, perhaps a straggler from N. 

 Uist. 



Charadrius pluvialis. — Eesident, breeding numerously on 

 our braes and broken ground. An old bird, which I shot in 

 July 1884, had white primaries. 



JEgiatalis Maticula. — Eesident, a few pairs nesting on a 

 sandy shore near Ardmore (as they do in Eigg, where I have 

 found several nests). Shaw shot two rather large birds out 

 of a small flock, on Loch Dunvegan, January 1886. 



Vanellus vulgaris. — Summer visitant, numbers breeding at 

 Waternish, and a few at Skeabost, departing south in early 

 autumn. I once saw a single Eeewit on a rock at Loch 

 Pooltiel, the last place I should have expected. 



Strepsilas interpres. — Periodical visitant, chiefly observed 

 by Captain Macdonald on the Ascribs during the vernal 

 migration; noticed also by Messrs T. Eobertson and Dumville 

 Lees. [Harvie-Brown found a pair in full breeding plumage 

 on the outermost Ascrib Island, but feels sure they had no eggs 

 or young.^ This was on the 19th June 1885. — J. A. H. B.] 



^ On 3d July 1886 I saw two pairs of Turnstones on Loch Bracaclale in 

 summer plumage, but certainly barren birds. They were feeding on the 

 exposed tangles. 



