282 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



somewhat similar to the young of our type ; the fur on the 

 stomach was of a light red shade. Further particulars may be 

 reserved until a series can be obtained for examination and 

 comparison with the typical form of Mus sylvaticus. 



Birds. 



Peregrine Falcon. — Only one bird was noticed circling 

 above Mullach Osheval. Its eggs were taken from the island of 

 Borrera last year. I am led to believe that it still breeds on the 

 island of Doon and other headlands. 



Merlin. — The Eev. Mr. Fiddies, minister on the island, 

 informed me that this bird occurs frequently. He secured one 

 specimen that flew in at the manse window. 



White-tailed Eagle. — It is some forty years since this species 

 bred on these islands. It formerly had an eyrie on the Conagher 

 cliffs, whose height reaches some 1260 feet. 



Thrush. — Mr. Fiddies informed me that Thrushes occa- 

 sionally appear. 



Blackbird. — The same remark applies to this species. 



Wheatear.— Mr. Dixon has mentioned this as a very common 

 bird on St. Kilda. I could only find a few pairs, not more than 

 six. These were located immediately around the village. 



Subalpine Warbler. — A specimen of this little warbler was 

 obtained. I first noticed it haunting the minister's garden on 

 June 13th, busily employing itself seeking for food along a row 

 of young peas, and it frequently flew to a parsnip in seed that 

 grew in one corner of the garden ; the latter plant seemed to 

 attract a greater number of insects, and it was my particular 

 spot for securing various Diptera, &c. This little bird allowed 

 people to approach quite close to it, and I was able to take 

 full particulars of its plumage within a few feet. It remained 

 throughout Sunday till the following day, when I shot it in the 

 presence of Mr. Fiddies and Mr. McKenzie, the factor. It was 

 at once placed in spirit and forwarded direct to Mr. J. Cullingford, 

 of Durham, for preservation. Its sex could not be ascertained 

 with certainty. It was exhibited to the members of the British 

 Ornithologists' Club in December last by Mr. Bowdler Sharpe. 

 Its presence on the island was probably caused by the great gale 

 that blew across the island the previous day (June 12th) from the 

 S.W. It is remarkable that the species should be first obtained 



