TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 77 



rect in his statement ; the people were entirely 

 ignorant of its name, and from inquiries which I 

 made, I am inclined to believe it was the first that 

 had been seen for many years. I never met with it 

 in Orkney. 



Merula vulgaris, Ray. Blackbird. Black 

 Ouzel. — This bird is only seen in these countries 

 in the winter season, when it appears to have been 

 forced thither by bad weather, and it departs again 

 as soon as a favourable opportunity occurs. 



Merula pilaris, Selhy. Fieldfare. — This bird 

 as well as the Redwing, Merula Iliaca, Selby, is 

 occasionally seen in the winter in both countries, 

 in the course of their migrations from one country 

 to another. 



Saxicola CEnanthe, Bechst. Stone- checker. 

 Wheatear. — This bird is very regular in its mi- 

 grations to these countries : but is seen only in 

 pairs during the breeding-season ; it makes its nest 

 in old walls and frequently on the ground. The 

 Shetlanders entertain a superstitious belief, that 

 whoever robs its nest will soon after be affected 

 with sickness. 



