TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 89 



the latter place, particularly on the island of Sanda. 

 It leaves about the month of October, and returns 

 in April. Its appearance is the harbinger of re- 

 turning life and vegetation. 



Fulica atra, Linn. Coot. Bald Coot. — The 

 Coot breeds regularly in Orkney in a lake on the 

 island of Sanda, and in the same lake with the Red- 

 necked Phalarope at Nunse Castle. I am aware 

 of only one example of this bird having been taken 

 in Shetland, and this a gentleman had tame in his 

 possession at Scallaway, where I saw it on my last 

 .visit. 



H^matopus Ostralegus, Linn. Choldrick*. 

 Oyster-catcher. — This bird is very plentiful in 

 both countries during the breeding-season, when 

 it is extremely shy and solitary. Some few re- 

 main during the winter, but the greater part leave 

 on the approach of that season ; previous to their 

 departure they collect in great numbers. The 

 males are very watchful, and upon the least alarm 

 run off with a loud scream, disturbing every 

 other bird that chances to be in the immediate 

 neighbourhood ; from which circumstance they are 

 -a great annoyance to the fowler. I have never 

 seen the Oyster-catcher take the water from 



