THE BIRDS OF ST KILDA 213 



One was seen at very close quarters on 8th October 

 191 1 (Sunday). It was perched on a wall immediately 

 behind the village, and our attention was drawn to 

 it by its characteristic note. 



This bird has only previously been recorded for 

 Scotland from Fair Isle in the autumn of 1908. 



* Sylvia nisoria, Barred Warbler. — This was the 

 first bird of interest that came under notice in 19 10, 

 A few minutes after we had landed, one flew out of the 

 Manse garden and alighted on the rocks close to the 

 water's edge. Here it was bullied by a Rock- Pipit, and 

 compelled to beat a retreat, and in doing so it flew past 

 us at close quarters. Unfortunately we did not see it 

 again, as we were busily engaged superintending the 

 landing of our stores, etc. 



* Sylvia atricapilla. Blackcap. — An adult male was 

 captured by a clever bird-catching cat in the Manse 

 garden on loth October 191 1, and brought to me 

 for identification. 



* Sylvia sylvia. Common Whitethroat. — This was 

 one of a number of interesting visitors which appeared 

 at St Kilda on 6th September 19 10. A young male was 

 then found in a plot of potatoes, and was the only 

 representative of the species that came under our 

 notice. 



* Sylvia curruca, Lesser Whitethroat. — This species 

 was observed on four occasions in 19 10 — namely, on 

 13th, 14th, 15th, and 17th September. Single birds only 

 were detected, except on the 14th, when several came 

 under notice in the crofts. Hitherto a few instances 

 only are known of the visits of this species to the 

 Outer Hebrides. In 191 1 a solitary bird was seen on 

 the 7 th of October. 



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