NOTES ON SHETLAND BIRDS. 73 



Corn-Bunting (Emberiza miliaria). — About Walls and Balta- 

 sound, in the neighbourhood of cultivation. 



Sky-Lark (Alauda arvensis). — Very numerous. The exquisite 

 song, poured out amidst the high cold wind, enlivened the 

 dreariest heaths of the country between Walls and Sandness. 

 A nest with three eggs among the heather. 



Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). — Numerous on Foula and else- 

 where. We found them nesting in a variety of situations, as 

 below the eaves of a stable, on sloping ground between two 

 boulders on one of the islands near Scalloway ; and in Unst, in 

 the loose stone base of a low sod fence within a few inches of a 

 little stream. They seem to place their nests anywhere within 

 shelter. 



Hooded Crow {Corvus comix). — Common. There was an 

 occupied nest on the bell-gablet of the Wesleyan Church at 

 Walls. 



Raven (C. corax). — One on Foula, buffeted by an Oyster- 

 catcher. Two between Walls and Lerwick. 



Short-eared Owl (Asio accipitrinus) . — One among the rocks 

 near Braga Ness, Walls, persecuted by Hooded Crows. 



Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) . — One seen in Unst. 



Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). — Saw some birds, but no 

 breeding place. 



Shag (P. graculus). — Common. Owing to the rough weather 

 we visited no nesting place. 



Gannet (Sula bassana). — A few seen off the coast. 



Mallard (Anas boscas). — Met with nesting both in Mainland 

 and Unst, some of the nests being hidden in tall heather. In 

 three cases the duck was sitting on nine eggs. 



Teal (Querquedula crecea). — Two on one of the Walls lochs. 



Wigeon (Mareca penelope). — Two drakes on Hulma Water, 

 21st May. 



Goldeneye (Clangula glaucion) . — Two on a small lake near 

 Walls ; others noted in Unst. 



Eider Duck (Somateria mollissima) . — Nesting on the islands 

 near Scalloway. In two cases where there were three fresh eggs 

 the nests were lined with down. Abundant off Papa Stour ; we 

 saw, as mentioned by Mr. Raeburn, birds among the Great Black- 

 backed Gulls on Lyra Skerry. 



