NOTES AND QUERIES. 



429 



tail having much paler edges, the " spots " in the tail almost white, 

 throat and forehead of the usual chestnut-brown, but pale, and appa- 

 rently blending into the colours near it. From measurement of wing, 

 &c., it seemed to have been mature, but altogether it was so shattered 

 that nothing very reliable could be ascertained. I may here remark 

 that Swallows were comparatively scarce last summer, and the Martin 

 and Sand-Martin were not seen in their usual numbers ; but the 

 Swift was more abundant than I have seen it for many years, and 

 stragglers were here several days before their usual time, about May 

 1st. — Gr. B. CoEBiN (Eingwood, Hants). 



A Breeding Station of the Puffin (Fratercula arctica). — It would be 

 well worth while for any person sailing up the Little Minch to spend a 



Puffins on the Shiant Islands. 



few hours on the Shiant Islands, if tide and wind permit. The Shiant 

 Islands, as most people know, are a small group of islands lying 



