2538 The Zoologist — April, 1871. 



poisoned in the breeding season, a reward of threepence for each 

 head having been offered. 



Heron. — For several years past seven herons have regularly 

 appeared in the little island of Hnnie about the end of July, 

 remaining there until the following spring. They are nearly always 

 to be found together among the high rocks, to which they resort 

 partly for shelter, but mainly, I suppose, for the purpose of feeding 

 among the shallow pools left by the falling tide. When disturbed 

 they rise high and then sail off to a considerable distance, and 

 although they will then perhaps remain in some undisturbed spot 

 for the remainder of the day, they invariably return to the rocks in 

 Hunie as night approaches. That herons finding one particular 

 locality peculiarly suited to their habits should therefore take up 

 their abode there during a certain portion of the year, is not very 

 remarkable, but the annual appearance of the exact number of 

 seven compels us to the conclusion that a pair go regularly south- 

 ward to breed, and return at the close of each season with five 

 young ones to the spot which they have proved to be secure from 

 danger and abounding with food. 



IVryneck. — At Gardic House there is a well-stuffed specimen of 

 this hitherto unknown visitor to Shetland. It was shot in an 

 adjacent field by Major Cameron, some few years ago. 



Gray Plover. — The gray plover being a very scarce bird in 

 Shetland, I was surprised to meet with about a dozen, in company 

 with golden plover, last July, upon the top of the Vallafiel hills. 

 Nothing more was seen of them until the first week in September, 

 when a small number appeared in the meadows, which they left for 

 the sea-shore as soon as the tide began to fall. The few that were 

 shot varied considerably in plumage. In one specimen many of 

 the light spots were so strongly tinged with yellow that at first 

 sight it resembled a faded golden plover. The stomachs contained 

 small periwinkles and fine gravel. 



Redbacked Shrike. — On the 9th of June, while walking along 

 the low cliffs above the sands at Barrafirth, I caught a glimpse of 

 a bird flying up the grassy slope, uttering a short chirping noise, 

 and carrying something in its bill. It disappeared behind a ruined 

 wall, and immediately returning picked up some article of food 

 near the edge of the cliff, and again flew back to the old wall. 

 I then recognized the bird as a female redbacked shrike, and, 

 following her up, beheld to my astonishment three young birds, 



