Birds. - . 9401 



Ornithological Notes from Shetland. By Henry L. Saxby, M.D. 



(Continued from p. 9310.) 



Guillemot, Puffin and Kittiwake. — The high cliffs at Burrafirth, 

 which were covered with birds a few weeks ago, are now entirely de- 

 serted. The guillemots left their breeding-stations about the middle 

 of August, and, after remaining in the neighbouring waters for a iew 

 days, were seen no more. It is supposed that this species does not 

 entirely leave us at any time of the year, but that at the close of the 

 breeding season it withdraws to the open sea, remaining there until 

 the following spring. How far this belief may be correct it is difficult 

 to say ; but occasionally, after stormy weather, I have shot specimens 

 near the shore, and picked up others dead at the water's edge. Ac- 

 cording to Dr. Baikie and Mr. Heddle, it remains in Orkney the 

 whole year. During the second week of August puffins and kitti- 

 wakes collected separately into enormous flocks, and by the com- 

 mencement of September not one was remaining in the cliffs. It is 

 very rarely indeed that the puffin is seen here in winter. One shot in 

 November had the sides of the head dusky gray, and round the eye, 

 but chiefly above it, were numerous small black marks. 



Skua (Lestris catarractes) and Richardson'' s Skua. — The time of 

 the skua's departure seems to be early in August, probably about the 

 second week, but, as the birds leave the breeding-ground and become 

 scattered some weeks previously, this point in their history is difficult 

 to determine. The same remarks also apply to Richardson's skua, 

 although stray individuals may occasionally be seen as late as Sep- 

 tember. 



Arctic Tern. — Arctic terns left, as nearly as I can ascertain, about 

 the middle of August. Last year a small party of them suddenly ap- 

 peared at Burrafirth, on the 2lst of September, and as suddenly took 

 their departure the same day. None had been seen for several weeks 

 previously. 



Wheatear. — Wheatears usually begin to leave during the second 

 week in September, and then slowly disappear. Those which remain 

 until the end of the month are always young birds. This year there 

 was a perceptible diminution in their number about a week earlier than 

 usual. Although I have seen wheatears arrive in flocks upon the 

 south coast of England, I have never yet even heard of the vast num- 

 bers which are scattered over these islands collecting into flocks before 

 VOL. XXIII. D 



