9488 Birds. 



Lapwing. — Lapwings disappear from Unst soon after the close of 

 the breeding-season ; but on the 26th of November one suddenly- 

 appeared in this neighbourhood, having probably been driven over by 

 a severe gale from the S.E. This is the only occasion upon which I 

 have seen it here in winter. 



Twite. — Twites are in very large flocks, and although their notes 

 passed almost unheeded while the lively wheatears were with us and 

 the sky larks were in full song, they are now a great relief to the dead 

 silence of a Shetland winter. These hardy little birds seem to be in a 

 constant state of happiness, and to be able to enjoy themselves under 

 almost any circumstances. Even in deep snow they are to be seen 

 picking up a meal in situations where the lazy sparrows starve, while 

 at the same time every individual is heard giving utterance to a lively 

 twittering note, which may, by a very slight stretch of imagination, 

 be interpreted into one of contentment and mutual encouragement. 

 Although so busily occupied, they are not forgetful of what is passing 

 around, and it is amusing to observe how instantly every sound is 

 hushed, and how closely they crouch to the ground the moment a 

 hawk appears in sight. 



Sky Lark. — Very few sky larks are to be seen this winter, although 

 food is still abundant. 



Greenfinch. — During the early part of November greenfinches 

 arrived in immense flocks, which were chiefly composed of females 

 and young birds, although there were many fine old males among 

 them. Up to the 28th of last October only one individual of this 

 species had been known to occur in Unst. Very large numbers 

 roosted in the garden even a few nights ago, and many were captured 

 as they flew against the windows after dark. None of the inhabitants 

 to whom I have spoken upon the subject have seen this bird before, 

 except one of the sages of Baliaster; but as he once solemnly assured 

 me that he had seen a flock of canaries in his corn-yard, 1 may be 

 excused for doubting the accuracy of his statement in the present 

 instance. 



Chiffchaff. — The chiffchafi" which arrived on the 30th of October 

 remained until the 20th or 21st of November, when it disappeared 

 during a steady east wind. 



Shag. — The shoals of sillocks which have appeared in the voes, are 

 attracting the shags in great numbers. It is a common sight to see a 

 hundred or more of these birds assembled in one spot. An adult 

 which I shot on the 19th of November had one of the secondaries 

 pure white. 



