BIRDS SEEN IN THE MAINLAND OF ORKNEY. 61 



Lapwing (Vanellus vulgaris). — Very common ; they are never 

 shot at, and are consequently very tame. 



Ringed Plover (dEgialitis hiaticula). — These delightful little 

 birds were extremely numerous, and very tame. They were 

 always to be seen feeding along the ebb in lots of a few in- 

 dividuals up to quite large flocks, very often associating with the 

 Turnstones and Golden Plover. Had the weather been more 

 propitious some very good photographs might have been obtained, 

 as they never thought of flying away till one approached to within 

 about four or five yards of them. 



Turnstone (Strepsilas interpres). — Also very common, and 

 almost as tame as the preceding. In the first week of October 

 only ones and twos were seen, generally with a few Ringed 

 Plover ; but as the month drew on they increased in numbers, 

 and flocks of twenty or more individuals were quite common. 

 They seem to be very active little birds, and there is no prettier 

 sight than to have four or five of them within a few yards of you, 

 busily turning over the seaweed, and literally throwing the 

 pebbles about in their search for food. Several birds were seen 

 with a few chestnut feathers on the shoulders, but most of them 

 seemed to be immature. 



Oystercatcher (Hcematopus ostralegus). — Common, in single 

 pairs and small flocks, associating only with the Curlew, and 

 almost as wild and wary as they ; whereas all the smaller shore 

 birds were to be found close in shore, the Oystercatchers always 

 kept well out on the rocks, where the sea was breaking, the spray 

 often flying right over them. I noticed that they always stood 

 head to wind. 



Common Snipe (Gallinago ccelestis). — Very common on the 

 moors, and, up till Oct. 10th, round the loch also, where large 

 bags are sometimes made. After that date there were continuous 

 gales from the north-west, with rain, and the birds all left the 

 loch-side, probably passing on south, the numbers on the moors 

 perhaps decreasing slightly about the same time ; but this is 

 difficult to say. 



Jack- Snipe (Gallinago gallinula). — A solitary specimen was 

 seen by the Grcemeshall loch on Oct. 9th, and two others on the 

 moors on Oct. 16th. It is probable that on this latter date there 

 had been a small migration of these birds, for the dog picked up 



