ORCADIA. 53 



23, 24, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 39, 52, 56, 59, 61, 62, 64, 71, 80, 

 86, 92, 95, 96, 109,118, 124, 131, 132, 133, 134. 



Dumfriesshire (1 year from June 1st, 1895) : — 21, 39, 45, 

 48, 52, 53, 56, 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 68, 74, 75, 83, 84, 86, 100, 

 103, 107, 122, 129, 130, 133, 135. 



Kirkcudbright and Wigtown : — as for Dumfriesshire. 



Shetland :— 128, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140. 

 We shall be glad to receive a copy of any order, relating to 

 the eggs of wild birds, which has not been included in the 

 above list. 



OECADIA. 

 By J. B. Wheat, M.A. 



The group of islands known as the Orkneys forms an 

 interesting field for the ornithologist, not only on account of 

 its extensive sea-board, which harbours countless numbers of 

 sea birds, but also on account of the diverse nature of the 

 islands themselves ; for it would be difficult indeed to find 

 many points in common between the island of Hoy, with its 

 precipitous cliffs and generally barren appearance, and such 

 an island as Sanday, in whose soil the " Burrow Duck " de- 

 lights, and which is extensively given over to cultivation. But 

 the accommodation is not first-class — indeed it is difficult to 

 find any except at Kirkwall and Stromness on the mainland 

 (where it is good), and at Kettletoft in Sanday, and Pierrowall 

 and Pierrogill in Westray. I know of no other "pubs," 

 though there are one or two known houses where the natives 

 will take in the traveller. 



That rare and conspicuous bird, the Hen Harrier (Circles 

 cyaneus) breeds here, though in rapidly diminishing numbers, 

 owing, no doubt, partly to the ease with which it can be 

 trapped, but chiefly, I think, to the greed of the trading col- 

 lector ; and the same remark applies to the Short-eared Owl 

 (Asio accipitrinus) . We had an interesting conversation with 

 one of these " gentlemen," and it appeared he was in the habit 



