Birds. 9095 
brambling and the chaffinch. The latter is the most regular in its visits, 
as well as the most numerous, but neither of the four species just men- 
tioned remain to breed: several chaffinches, both male and female, 
have been here all the winter. 
Yellowhammer and Robin.— To-day (3lst of March) a great 
rarity appeared in the shape of a yellowhammer, and some weeks 
ago a still greater rarity honoured us with a visit—it was nothing less 
than a robin redbreast! When a Shetlander talks of the robin he 
almost invariably means the wren, a bird which is almost common in 
some parts of these islands. 
Carrion Crows.—A few carrion crows have lately arrived; it is very 
long since I last saw one. 
Whitetailed and Golden Eagles.—On the 14th of March, word was 
sent to me that whitetailed eagles were returning to a nest in the island 
of Yell, where they have been in the habit of breeding for many years. 
I know an eyrie in Fetlar, and a few others in various parts. About 
ten years ago I saw a nest at Lund, in this island, but it is now deserted. 
A pair of these birds now breed undisturbed in the high cliffs at Noss, 
the only man who was able to climb to the nest having been killed in 
his last attempt to reach it. Golden eagles are still said to breed in 
Foula, but there is reason to doubt the report. 
Upon the-voes there ate still plenty of cormorants, shags, great 
northern divers, black guillemots and many of the commoner species 
of gull. There are also a few scaups and longtailed ducks, and some 
flocks of redbreasted mergansers. One of the latter, shot a few days 
ago, had a very peculiar appearance, in consequence of the iris being 
of two distinct colours, an outer ring of crimson and an inner one of 
reddish brown. Upon the shore the most remarkable birds are purple 
sandpipers and a few redshanks. Greenshanks occasionally occur, 
but. none have been seen this winter. Flocks of ringed plovers are 
breaking up, and many of the birds are already returning to their 
breeding-grounds. Rock pipits are abundant everywhere along the 
coast: their song commenced on the 29th of March. 
Water Rails.—During the winter, water rails were to be seen in 
many parts of these islands. Upon the whole they may be considered 
rather scarce here, but they have been more frequently met with this 
year than previously. As soon as the frost sets in they visit enclosed 
grounds, sometimes venturing into corn yards, and even to our very 
doors; but I never found com in their stomachs, even in the most 
_Seyere weather. One couple invariably takes possession of an angle 
of a rough wall near a small spring, and where a thick row of willows 
