284 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



of the "cleits" about the village. The Common House Sparrow 

 was not observed. 



Twite. — Only one pair of Twites was seen, and I was unable 

 to add this bird to my list as a breeding species. 



Starling. — By far the commonest of the land birds. Several 

 hundreds breed about the islands in the walls of the "cleits" 

 and among the cliffs, and nests were found on the ground under 

 the large boulders, where the birds seemed equally as secure as 

 elsewhere. The song of this bird on the islands is strikingly 

 comparable to that of other species by which it is surrounded, its 

 power of imitation being remarkable. 



Raven. — Five were noted, probably a pair and young. They 

 were wonderfully tame when I first visited the islands. The 

 nesting site is unknown to the natives. 



Hooded Crow. — Numerous and remarkably tame. They 

 would allow me to stand within a few yards of them whilst they 

 hunted over the offal-holes in front of every dwelling. 



Rook. — Mr. Fiddies informed me that hundreds of these birds 

 passed over the islands last winter, great numbers of which 

 perished. Five individuals frequented the island during our stay, 

 the remnant of the above flock. I could not hear of their having 

 nested anywhere. 



House Martin. — Mr. J. McKenzie informed me he once 

 obtained a bird of this species on the island. 



Swallow.— Visits the islands at intervals. Five or six were 

 seen together over the west glen on June 9th, and other odd ones 

 were noticed. To the best of my knowledge it has never nested 

 there. 



Swift. — Twice seen by Mr. McKenzie, one of which he shot. 



Rock Dove. — I was unable to find any trace of this bird at 

 all, though it is mentioned as a native by Sir Wm. Milner and Mr. 

 Dixon. 



Lapwing. — Mr. Fiddies assured me that this bird is seen 

 every spring on migration. 



Turnstone. — Mr. G. A. Panton informed me that a specimen 

 in immature plumage was brought to him when he visited these 

 islands in August some years since. 



Oystercatcher. — Found breeding commonly on the few low- 

 lying rocks around the island. 



Whimbrel. — Six of these birds were frequenting the East 



