9234 Birds. 
the hair of cows and horses. This process appeared to be one of 
difficulty, and to require great care, for it was not before the evening 
of the eighth day that the task was completed, the brim of the cavity 
being by that time neatly finished off with a few long, black horse- 
hairs, and measuring exactly two inches and a quarter in diameter. 
On the ninth day the birds were not to be seen, but by the morning of 
the tenth day the first egg was laid: every succeeding morning 
I found an additional one until five had been laid and the female 
began to sit. I am now eagerly awaiting the appearance of the young 
birds. It is seldom that the lining of the nest touches the ground, as 
it did in this instance ; a layer of fibrous roots, &c., is nearly always 
interposed. I observe that the thickness of the lower part of the nest 
is greatest in those specimens which have been found in bushes, far 
above the ground. The eggs of this species vary considerably in size 
and colour. Occasionally they are largely blotched or streaked, and 
although the ground-colour is generally almost white, it is sometimes 
of a rather deep greenish blue. ‘lhe twite is our only native linnet. 
The common linnet (Fringilla cannabina) is often described as 
breeding here, but I have never yet even met with the bird, although 
it is said to have been seen near Lerwick. 
Sky Lark.—Sky larks are very abundant here in summer, but the 
greater number leave as soon as winter begins to threaten. The eggs 
are to be found from the middle of May to the middle of July. I have 
noted several instances in which the birds have nearly filled a partly 
finished nest with dry grass, and then, when a sufficient quantity has 
been collected, built it all into the walls in the usual manner. 
Eider Duck and Common Gull.—Eider ducks and common gulls 
began to build in the island of Uyea about the 2lst of May. The 
nests of the former species are situated either among the rocks a little 
above high-water mark, or among grass and heather, often more than 
a hundred yards from the sea. Last year I found eggs of the common 
gullin the middle of July, among the scattered stones of an old ruined 
wall which formerly enclosed a small piece of ground about fifty yards 
square. In that one spot there were more than a dozen nests. 
Oystercatcher.—Oystercatchers began to lay about the 24th of May. 
I have seldom found the eggs earlier than the 20th, and never later 
than the middle of July. Occasionally the nest is situated upon a 
ledge of rock in a high cliff. I have never met with more than three 
eggs in one nest. 
Great and Lesser Blackbacked Gulls and Commom Guillemot.— 
Great and lesser blackbacked gulls’ and common guillemot’s eggs were 
oe 
