BIRDS SEEN IN THE MAINLAND OF ORKNEY. 55 



they reach their highest point in the fine cliffs of Galtic. The 

 east coast is practically open to the North Sea, the only island 

 beyond it being Coppinshay, which is several miles away. 



To the south are the two small islands of Lambholm and Glims- 

 holm, — the former only of which is inhabited, — separated from 

 the mainland by a sound of about a mile in width, through which 

 the tide ebbs and flows at a rate of six or seven knots. Beyond 

 these two is a rather larger and higher island, which almost shuts 

 the great island of South Ronaldshay from view. On a fine clear 

 day the Pentland Skerries can be seen away to the south-east, and 

 to the south-west some of the fine tops of the Caithness mountains 

 are visible. On the north and north-west the near view is shut in 

 by the rolling moorland of the mainland itself, the tops of the 

 Harray hills and Orphir in the west mainland only being seen ; 

 while to the west the fine tops of Hoy are visible in the distance, 

 when they are not wreathed in cloud and mist, which seems to be 

 their usual condition at this time of the year. 



Blackbird (Tardus merula). — Several young birds were seen 

 about the garden at Groeuie shall, probably the members of a 

 brood reared there, as none were seen elsewhere. 



Redwing (Turdus iliacus). — A single bird was seen feeding 

 among the rocks along the shore on Oct. 16th, and several others 

 were noticed later on the same day on the moorland; they seemed 

 to have just arrived, and to have come with the Jack-Snipes. 

 Wind S.E.; north-west gales the two previous days. 



Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris). — One single bird was seen flying 

 over on Oct. 14th, but the main flocks had not arrived by the 18th. 

 They are said to come with the Woodcocks. 



Pied Wagtail (Motacilla lugubris). — A pair of these birds 

 had taken up their abode about the farm-buildings at Grcemes- 

 hall, and were always to be seen there or along the loch-side ; no 

 others were observed. 



Meadow-Pipit (Anthus pratensis). — Fairly common in the 

 oat-stubbles, and small flocks of eight or ten were seen several 

 times on the moors. 



Bock Pipit (Anthus obscurus). — These birds appeared to be 

 more numerous than the preceding; they were always to be seen 

 along the shore, coming right up to the houses, but not pene- 

 trating far inland. 



