,6 THE ORNITHOLOGIST si GUIDE 



Hirundo rustica, Linn. House Swallow. — I 

 never saw this bird either in Orkney or Shetland, 

 though the weather in the summer, during my visit 

 at the latter place, was remarkably fine. I was in- 

 formed by a friend who resides in Shetland that a 

 pair once remained for some time in the summer, 

 and built their nest under the window of a house at 

 Sumburgh Head, but the people unfortunately de- 

 stroyed it, after which the old birds deserted the 

 place. 



Hirundo riparia, Linn, Sand Martin. — I 

 have frequently seen a few straggling pairs of the 

 Sand Martin in both countries ; I do not believe it 

 breeds there, or I should have found it at least for 

 some time about the same situation; but I did 

 not, and as it was at long intervals that I ob- 

 served them, I conclude they were only accidental 

 visitors. 



Caprimulgus Europ.eus, Linn. Night Jar. 

 Goatsucker. — During my last visit to Shetland 

 one example of this bird was brought to me for 

 sale by a countryman as one cf the greatest 

 curiosities, he assuring me as an inducement to 

 buy it that it was the only one that had ever been 

 seen in that country. I believe he was pretty cor- 



