TO ORKNEY AND SHETLAND. 107 



October, in search of the herring fry and sillocks, 

 which abound in those months. It is constantly 

 on the wing feeding, and pounces on the small 

 fish swimming near the surface with great rapi- 

 dity and from a considerable elevation. It is 

 very frequently taken alive in calm weather by the 

 boatmen, after it has gorged to such an excess that 

 it is unable to rise without the assistance of a 

 wind. I once killed six at a shot in Orkney, out 

 of a flock sitting on the water. It does not breed 

 in either country. 



Sterna arctic a, Temm. Picke-ta*. Arctic 

 Tern. — This beautiful little bird is plentiful in 

 both countries in the summer. It makes its nest on 

 the gravelly beach, and low rocks, and sometimes 

 amongst the short dry grass on the tops of low 

 cliffs, always in exposed situations. The female 

 lays three or four eggs. This bird is seldom seen 

 but on the wing, in pursuit of the small coal- 

 fish (sillocks) which abound in the harbour and 

 inlets of these countries. It darts down upon them 

 with great rapidity as they swim on the surface of 

 the water. It is the only species of Tern I have 

 met with amongst these islands. 



Larus ridibundus, Linn. Hoody Crow*. 



