86 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



country. The most interesting thing in connection with this 

 bird was the nesting-boxes, of which I give an illustration 

 (Plate I. fig. 2), placed on most of the buildings in Thorshavn, 

 and was quite the best thing I have seen in this way — made of 

 wood and painted brown. All appeared to be occupied. 



Eaven (Corvus corax). Native name, " Eavnur." — We were 

 too late for this early breeder, and were unable to make any exten- 

 sive observations as to its habits and difference of plumage to our 

 own bird. It was nowhere abundant. We saw a few on Sando, 

 also on Stromo ; these were all on the wing, and at some dis- 

 tance. 



Hooded Crow (C. comix). Native name, "Kraaka." — Fairly 

 plentiful, specially on Stromo, where we saw them in small 

 flocks. Some late birds, judging from their behaviour, still had 

 young or eggs. One nest of Whimbrel's eggs found had evidently 

 been sucked by Hoodies. They have lost much of their semi- 

 domesticity. Only on one occasion did we see them about the 

 dwellings. In winter, no doubt, they are driven to their semi- 

 domestic habits by the scarcity of food that must occur in these 

 islands. 



Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca). Native name, " Katula." — 

 Neither seen nor heard of. Two badly mounted specimens in the 

 School Museum at Thorshavn, one of recent date. 



Merlin (Falco cesalon). Native name, " Smiril." — Not a 

 single specimen seen. Found the remains of a small bird which 

 looked like the work of a Merlin, but, as we did not see this 

 species, concluded it must have been caused by Hooded Crow 

 (Corvus comix). Should say no longer breeds. A set of three 

 eggs from the islands are in the British Museum. (' Catalogue 

 of Birds' Eggs,' vol. ii. p. 304 ; Brit. Mus., Nat. Hist.) 



Mallard (Anas boscas). Native name, "Vidldunna." — Some 

 down and flank-feathers taken from an empty nest on Sando have 

 been kindly identified by Mr. Heatley Noble as belonging to this 

 species. We did not meet with any birds. 



Pintail (Dafila acuta) . Native name, "Andt." — A pair of 

 birds on small lake near Sand probably breed. Eggs of this 

 species in School Museum at Thorshavn, said to have been taken 

 in the islands. 



Scaup (Fuligula marila). Native name, "Andt." — One bird 



