EAST COAST OF* SCOTLAND. 3 



marked were seen in June and July near Lerwick. One was 

 jet black with white wings. Another white head and tips of 

 wings. Others variously marked. 



" Teal and Widgeon, reckoned rare in Unst, seen 23d Nov- 

 ember. The Starling is not of the Faroe species, but of the 

 common species. Took particular note of this. Breed. Make 

 for shore in winter at night — only with us during the day. 

 Fewer land birds in 1887 than in most seasons, except greater 

 numbers of Linnets (Twites ?) in day time. Stormy Petrels were 

 the most persistent night-callers we had. More Cormorants 

 than usual in winter and more Eider Ducks than in former 

 years. No Swans seen to date of 31st December 1887. Strange 

 fact noted : No Solan Geese seen between October 28th and 

 November 20th, although for certain there were plenty of fish 

 about, and the weather fine." 



Under date of March 7th, Mr Nichol in a letter describes 

 a whale chase. Two large Finners off the shore of Balta Voe 

 (Physeter tursio), estimated at over 70 feet long. Not captured. 



On 20th March a large Eagle pounced on a Hooded Crow 

 and carried him off, flying past going north. In August 

 occur records of Eagles on Hermann's Hill. Young had been 

 destroyed [by the selfish edict then in force. — J. A. H.-B.]. A 

 Little Auk, Mr Nichol says, " measured 8^ inches from point of 

 beak to tip of tail," which is over the measurements in Johns' 

 Book, which he has. [We are glad to find such care taken 

 as this indicates. — J. A. H.-B.] Greater number of Gulls 

 seen than usual in September, indicating greater abundance 

 of fish. 



"On the 24th December," says Mr Nichol, "at 10 A.M. — a 

 rare occurrence — a flock of six Cormorants appeared, same time 

 another flock of six. Both flocks flying round the rock one 

 after the other. After once round, the hindermost flock went 

 right away westerly. The other went three times more round 

 the rock, as if looking for the other flock, before leaving also 

 westerly. [Italics are mine. — J. A. H.-B.] To date 31st Decem- 

 ber. Not one been seen since, although before daily." 



Mr Nichol relates another whale hunt at Unst, on Wednes- 

 day, 28th September 1887. Also unsuccessful. 



I must pay a passing tribute to the admirable schedules 

 sent in by Mr Nichol, including two entirely devoted, as re- 



