Birds. 9589 



hand in a deep burn, to which it had doubtless wandered in quest of 

 trout. It was a male, apparently a young one, and there was no 

 appearance of red upon the throat. In swimming beneath the surface 

 this species makes use of the wings as well as the feet. 



Raven. — Ravens were first observed at their nests on the llth. 



Rock Pipit and Wren. — Rock pipits and wrens were first heard 

 singing on the 12th. The song of the former, although short, is very 

 pleasing, and, like the tree pipit, this bird sings while descending 

 towards the ground, the tail being spread and the wings gently 

 quivered during the performance. Frequently, but not invariably, 

 singing commences during the previous ascent. 



Ringed Plover. — On the 13th the Hocks of ringed plovers which 

 frequented the shore during the winter began to disperse, and small 

 parties returned to their breeding-grounds. They are now very 

 familiar, often being met with near houses, and occasionally venturing 

 even beneath the very windows. Their usual note is now, in a great 

 measure, exchanged for a variety of others, which are chiefly uttered 

 during flight. At all times of the year they feed much at night, and 

 although they are then easily approached it is difficult to steal upon 

 them unobserved, for they are always upon the alert, and their cry of 

 suspicion may be heard when the intruder is yet at a considerable 

 distance. At night, when walking close to the edge of the sea, in 

 order to avoid the snow upon the shore, I have often found myself able 

 to approach nearly within arm's reach of a flock of ringed plovers, 

 although they have evidently been aware of my presence, in their 

 neighbourhood for some time previously. 



Oijslercatcher. — I have elsewhere (Zool. 9091) noticed the regularity 

 with which the oystercatcher arrives in these parts. On the 14th I saw 

 the first of the season at Bluemull Sound, between the islands of Yell 

 and Unst, but none appeared at Baltasound before the 18th, the very 

 day upon which they arrived in that locality last year. When they 

 first visit us they exert themselves but little, and are so regardless of 

 danger that they may be easily shot; but the very opposite is the case 

 as soon as they have recovered from the fatigue of their journey, and 

 they remain very wild until the breeding season has fairly set in, when 

 their boldness is almost unequalled even by that of the lapwing. The 

 oystercatcher will take to the water and swim with ease when wounded, 

 and not unfrequently it eludes pursuit by diving, an act which I have 

 repeatedly witnessed. In these islands its food mainly consists of 

 limpets and mussels, together with many species of small univalves, 

 which arc obtained at almost all states of the tide ; but, so far as I can 



