9092 Birds. 
throughout the whole year; the distance between the two groups of 
islands being considerably less than a hundred miles, it is scarcely 
probable that this migration can be entirely due to the influence of 
climate. It is not very often that birds are observed in the act of 
arriving from their winter quarters, but I am quite convinced that 
I have upon several occasions seen oystercatchers making their first 
appearance in the spring. Not one is to be found in winter, but 
shortly after the middle of March their loud echoing cry is sure to be 
heard—not a very musical one, it is true, although at the close of a 
long and dreary winter it is welcome as the voice of a long lost friend. 
They mostly arrive soon after mid-day, not in large flocks, but in 
small parties of half a dozen, or even less, keeping rather low, and 
making straight for their old haunts: there, if not much disturbed, they 
remain in a state of comparative inactivity for a day or two, displaying 
but little of their customary eagerness in their search for food, and 
often permitting a very near approach. 
Lesser Blackbacked Gull.—Anotber of our summer visitors, but one 
which is not expected within the next few weeks, is the lesser black- 
backed gull, which, although it breeds here in countless numbers, 
entirely deserts us soon after the young birds are strong upon the wing. 
This species also remains in Orkney throughout the year. 
Inpwings.—Some thirty years ago lapwings were very uncommon 
in Unst, and also, I believe, in most other parts of Shetland. Now, 
however, there are whole colonies of them in various parts. They left 
as usual, in autumn, but the first flock returned to Baltasound on the 
21st of March. 
Wild Swans.—On the same day (March 21st) the first hoopers were 
seen, and they will probably continue to arrive at intervals until about 
the middle of April. Asa rule, the flocks which come at this season 
are much smaller than those which pass southwards in autumn, but 
nevertheless, in April, 1858, I saw as many as fifty-two fly over this 
house. I have observed that on their return they often fly nearer to 
the ground, sometimes within easy stone’s throw. This is most likely, 
because in spring the greater number arrive late in the evening, or 
very early in the morning, when there is but little stirring below, 
whereas in autumn they most frequently pass over in broad daylight, 
when the people are gathering in their harvest. This difference as to 
time seems to imply a certain definite range in their migrations. 
During their flight they utter a soft and rather melancholy cry, 
resembling the words “ Who, who, who,” repeated many times in 
succession: on a calm spring evening about twilight, or, as the Shet- 
