1760 The Zoologisi^July, 1869. 



Ornithological Notes from Shetland. 

 By H. L. Saxby, M.D. 



1868. 



Whitetailed Eagles. — Slill build in Feltar and Yell. From the last 

 named locality I obtained two fresh eggs on the 14th April; both 

 were of the usual roundish form, measuring three inches in length by 

 two inches and three-eighths in breadth. In colour they were soiled- 

 white, with a few faint brownish stains. The shells were remarkably 

 hard. The nest was placed in a high sea-cliff, rather nearer to the 

 top than to the bottom, in such a position beneath the overhanging 

 rocks that it could only be reached by means of a rope : it consisted 

 of a mass of dead plants and seaweed stalks, thickly covered about 

 the middle with wool and hair. Although both birds were seen they 

 were very shy, as is usually the case before incubation has fairly com- 

 menced. Last year a pair which had newly hatched became a great 

 annoyance in this neighbourhood, although the nest was in an island 

 about eight miles distant in a straight line : so bold did they become 

 that at last they would carry off poultry from the cottage doors, when 

 the men were at the fishing — treating the women and children with 

 the utmost contempt. Some years ago, one of the same pair made a 

 pounce upon a tame duck which was feeding in a barn-yard, but 

 being alarmed by a man who came out to the rescue, merely suc- 

 ceeded in seizing one foot, by which, however, the miserable captive 

 was carried to the distance of about half a mile, " roaring for mercy," 

 as my informant asserted ; the eagle then descended to a hillock, and, 

 taking a firmer hold, rose once more and continued its way to the 

 eyrie. 



Sclavonian Grebe. — From May 5th to Juno 18th two Sclavonian 

 grebes, in full summer plumage, were constantly to be seen upon the 

 Voe : they seemed to prefer shallow water among small rocks. 



Crossbill. — On the 11th June 1 saw a crossbill in bright orange 

 plumage at Halligarth, but no others until the latter part of July, 

 when very large numbers appeared at Scaa, in the north of this Island. 

 The inhabitants shot and stoned them by dozens at a time, never 

 having seen birds of the kind before : they were in various states of 

 plumage, but young birds of the year were by far the most numerous : 

 the stomachs of all that I examined contained sand and small seeds. 

 The survivors continued in the same neighbourhood for about a 



