Birds. 9237 
the markings had been more carefully laid on and softened away at the 
edges. The dark variety tinged with purplish brown does not, so far 
as | am aware, occur in any gulls’ eggs. The specimens which are 
most difficult to identify are those of the pale bluish green and nearly 
spotless variety, for which similar ones from the nests of the lesser 
blackbacked and herring gull are often substituted, but the finer texture 
in genuine specimens is a trustworthy guide in most cases. Those 
eggs which are laid late in the season are often rough at the ends. 
Although one can scarcely be too particular in describing anything 
connected with a bird so rapidly disappearing from among us, yet 
I fear that those of my readers who have ready access to Mr. Hewit- 
son’s work on the ‘Eggs of British Birds’ (and I trust that there are 
few who have not), may consider the above details somewhat un- 
necessary. 
Baltasvund, Shetland, May 31, 1864. 
Snow Bunting.—During the early part of June small parties of 
snow buntings were still to be seen flying northwards. On the 4th 
I saw a female among some loose stones upon the beach at Balta, but 
my search for a nest was unsuccessful. The only instance in which 
I have obtained the eggs has already been recorded (Zool. 7709), but 
there can be no doubt that this species breeds regularly in the cliffs 
below Saxavord, where it may often be met with in the months of June 
and July. The most likely, spot for a nest cannot be thoroughly ex- 
plored without great risk, even by the best climbers; indeed it was 
only last year that a portion of the loose rock gave way beneath the 
feet of a man, and dashed him upon the beach two hundred feet below. 
A few days ago I saw some snow buntings in full summer plumage. 
Razorbill and Kititiwake.——About the Ist of June razorbills and 
kittiwakes began to lay. The former species can scarcely be said to 
abound here now, although some years ago its eggs were almost as 
common as those of the guillemot are at present. 
Rock Dove.—Although rock doves began to breed in April, no eggs 
were brought to me this year before the 3rd of June. This bird in- 
habits deep caves upon the sea-coast “all the year round,” and cer- 
tainly rears more than one brood in a season. It has been asserted 
that the eggs are to be found at nearly all times of the year, but it is 
almost needless to say that this is an error. I have never heard of 
fresh eggs being found earlier than April ot later than August. Most 
of the nests are placed upon ledges so near the roof, that, to a person 
