ORNITHOLOGICAL VISIT TO THE FMBOES. 87 



seen on Sando, June 10th. There is a set of eggs from the 

 islands in British Museum. (' Catalogue of British Birds' Eggs,' 

 vol. ii. p. 182 ; Brit. Mus., Nat. Hist.) 



Eider-Duck (Somateria mollissima). Native name, "Eava." — 

 No opportunity was offered of visiting the large colonies where 

 they breed in great numbers. We found the birds very abun- 

 dant round the shore. They did not appear to have generally 

 commenced nesting. The only nest seen was on Stromo, June 

 18th, and contained three eggs and a small quantity of down. 

 This was placed high up on the mountain side, overlooking 

 Kalbaks Fjord, and was well sheltered by a large stone. 



Ked-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator). Native name, 

 " Topandt." — Seen on Sydero and Sando. No nests found, but 

 undoubtedly breeds. 



Bock-Dove (Columba livid). Native name, " Blaadigva." — It 

 is not surprising that we did not see more of these birds, as most 

 of our time was spent on mountains and in valleys. One bird 

 seen on Sydero, June 8th. They breed in fair numbers on the 

 sea-cliffs and in the caves. 



Binged Plover (Mgialitis hiaticola). — Native name, " Svar- 

 tholsa." — Seen on Sando and Nolso, and, judging from their 

 behaviour, were undoubtedly breeding. This was confirmed 

 later by Mr. Petersen, of Nolso, who knows the birds well, and 

 is a known authority on the birds of the islands. We found 

 them as high up as 1500 ft. on Sando. There are six sets of 

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

 Birds' Eggs,' vol. ii. p. 24 ; Brit. Mus., Nat. Hist.) 



Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis). Native name, "Legv." 

 Cannot now be so abundant as Col. Feilden observed it to be 

 in 1872. Have found it quite as plentiful in Caithness and 

 Sutherland. It was breeding on the mountain tops and in the 

 valleys. Five nests were found, each containing four eggs in all 

 stages of incubation. In four cases the birds were flushed almost 

 at our feet. They appear to sit tighter than I have noticed them 

 to do elsewhere. One nest, found by stalking, which occupied an 

 hour before the bird went down. The plumage of this species 

 was remarkably fine. 



Oystercatcher (Hcsmatopus ostralegus). Native name, " Tjal- 

 dur." — By far the most abundant species, found practically all 



