552 Proceedings of the Royal Fliysical Society. 



district several pairs were remarkably tame, running along 

 the ground only about thirty yards ahead ; but though, from 

 their behaviour, evidently breeding, I failed to find a nest. 

 The cry is a good deal like that of a curlew, but possesses quite 

 distinct characteristics. 



36. Redshank (Totctnus calidris). — According to Saxby a 

 few pairs breed. I did not meet with it. 



37. Sandpiper [Totanus hypoleucos). — " On 2d July 1869, 

 Eobert Mouat not only shot a pair at the Loch of Cliff, but 

 had a chase after the young (Saxby, p. 195). This is the 

 only evidence of its nesting I have been able to find. 



38. Greenshank {Totanus glottis). — " Occasionally breeds " 

 (Saxby, p. 196). 



39. Woodcock {Scolopctx rusticolci). — " Has nested occa- 

 sionally" (Saxby). 



40. Snipe {Scolo'pax gallinago),{Qrovf\, Snippack). — I did not 

 find the snipe nearly so common on Mainland in 1887 as on 

 a former occasion in Unst. Still they were abundant in most 

 places, and exceedingly tame, running along the ground a few 

 yards ahead. 



41. Dunlin {Triiiga cdpina), (Ploverpage, Jacksnipe). — 

 The local name " ploverpage " describes the dunlin's habits 

 with great accuracy, for wherever there are golden plovers 

 you are sure to see dunlins, though I did not find it so 

 numerous as that bird. In connection with its second local 

 name, I may mention that while in Shetland last year I was 

 told of a nest of the jacksnipe having been found. Of course 

 the usual error had been fallen into of mistaking peculiar 

 dunlin's eggs for those of the jacksnipe. 



42. Rednecked Phalarope (Phalaropiis hyioerhoreus). — I 

 failed to trace this beautiful little bird anywdiere outside of 

 Unst, but Mr Laurenson informs me that while in the island 

 of Whalsay last year he had a couple of eggs given to him, 

 found in a meadow there, which were the exact shape and 

 size of the phalerope; unfortunately these were broken in 

 blowing. 



43. Landrail {Crex pratensis), (Corncrake). The corncrake 

 is abundant, usually arriving about the end of May, often 

 before the crops are high enough to conceal it. 



