ST. KILDA AND ITS BIRDS. 359 



List or Birds breeding in St. Kilda either as 

 Residents or Summer Visitants. 



Corvus cor ax (Raven). 



There are five or six pairs of these birds in the St. 

 Kildan group, one on the main island, one on the J)un, 

 two on Boreray, and one at least on Soay. These nests 

 are all known, hut the eggs are seldom taken. A clutch 

 of six eggs was taken by Neil Ferguson the last week 

 in March oi this year (1902), they were considerably 

 incubated, and three of them were broken in blowing ; 

 the remaining three, which I saw, were of the usual crow 

 type, but small for Ravens' eggs. Fully Hedged young 

 birds were seen by Neil Ferguson in the month of May, 

 both on the Dun and on Soay, and another lot on 

 Boreray in June; so that three nests at any rate hatched 

 off successfully this year. The birds are resident all the 

 year round, and come about the houses a good deal in the 

 winter. 



Corvus comix (Hooded Crow). 



Very abundant and tame. Their hoarse note is one of 

 the first bird sounds heard in the morning, and the birds 

 are in evidence wherever one goes on the islands. They 

 come close up to the cottage doors in search of offal, and, 

 indeed, act as efficient scavengers. I have frequently 

 stood within a few yards of them when thus engaged, 

 without them flying off. Considering the abundance of 

 the birds the nests are not often taken. Four clutches 

 of eggs, each containing four, were taken this year (1902). 

 Resident. 



Sturnus vulgaris (Starling). 



Plentiful, breeding in the stone walls and cleits, 

 generally Jow down and even on the ground amongst the 



