474 The Zoologist — Novembek, 1866. 



barrel. The mimerous bodies, or ralher empty skins, of rabbits which 

 were lying in all parts of the island, proved bow well this bird had been 

 faring of late. Nearly all of them presented much tlie same appear- 

 ance: there was a large hole torn in the side, and another at some little 

 distance further back, and through these the whole of the viscera and 

 a considerable portion of the flesh had been removed. Most of these 

 remains were lying about the warren, but a few were found among the 

 rocks near the edge of the cliffs. 



Rock Bore. — Rock doves are still in flocks, although it is probable 

 that laying has already commenced. Only a few days ago 1 saw 

 upwards of twenty upon the beach at Haroldswick. 



Common Biinling. — There are still some large flocks of buntings 

 about Halligarth, but a few have paired and will probably remain 

 during the summer. 



Wren. — The song of the wren was first heard on the 7th of April. 



Lapwing. — Lapwings commenced laying in the early part of April. 



Slaty. — Crested shags have returned to their breeding-places, but 

 almost the whole of those which now remain in the sounds and voes, 

 at a distance from the high rocks are without cresls. 



Golden Plover. — I have not seen any golden plover's eggs yet, 

 although some were found on Vallafiel about a week ago. Late in 

 March the birds had returned to their breeding-grounds, where small 

 parties are still to be met with, although the greater number have 

 paired. At this season they are fond of basking in the sunshine 

 among the tall heather: this occurs chiefly about noon, when they 

 may be easily approached, but in cold cloudy weather they are 

 almost constantly on the alert. ]\Iost of them are now in full summer 

 plumage. 



Longtailed Duck. — Most of the longtailed ducks have left : those 

 which remain appear to be chiefly old males. 



Redbreaated, Merganser, — Mergansers were last seen in flocks about 

 the end of March. 



Raven. — A nest of half-fledged ravens was found on the 4th of April, 

 and upon the same day six fresh eggs — rather an unusual number — 

 were found in another nest : they were all pale in colour and of 

 ratlier small size. 



Hooded Crow. — I have often had occasion to remark the careless- 

 ness with which the hooded crow selects a site for its nest. A fortnight 

 ago a pair commenced building in a low cliff at Sweene-ness, not only 

 in the most conspicuous place they could find, but so little above high- 



