SAXBY : BIRDS OF SHETLAND. 



143 



Arctic Tern, Sterna arctica, (Tarrock, Piccatarie). Very common in 

 summer. 



Kittiwake, Lams tridadylus, (Waeg). A few remain all the winter, 

 but by far the greater number are migratory. In some parts, and especially 

 in Burrafrith, and its neighbourhood they breed in thousands. Young birds 

 during the first year are called in Unst, " gield kittiwakes." 



Lesser BlacJibacked Gull, Larus fuscus, (Saithe fowl, or more com- 

 monly said fool). Common in summer. I have only one recorded instance 

 of its occurrence in winter. Although it is here migratory, it resides in 

 Orkney throughout the year. 



Great Skua Lestris, catarractes, (Skooi, Bonxie). Once very numerous, 

 but now, owing to the high price offered for its eggs, it is rapidly disap- 

 pearing. Only five pairs were remaining at Hermaness last year. In future, 

 however, they will be carefully protected by the proprietor of the land. 



Eichardson's Skua, Lestris Richardsoni, (Shoor Alan, Dirty Alan). 

 Very numerous in many localities, especially in Noss, where they and other 

 sea-birds are strictly protected. 



Manx Shearwater, Puffinus anglorum, (Lyrie). Summer, in small 

 numbers. 



Storm Petrel, Thalassidroma pelagica, (Spencie, Swallow). Breeds 

 abundantly rather late in the summer, but so far as I am aware, it is never 

 observed here at any other season. 



III.__WraTER VISITORS. 



All of these birds are more commonly seen in winter than at any other 

 season, the greater number of them arriving regularly. A very few occasion- 

 ally remain to breed. This group contains thirty-seven species. 



Iceland Palcon, Falco islandieus, (Iceland hawk). Only occasionally 

 seen in winter although it was formerly a regular visitor. 



Snowy Owl, Strix nyctoia, (Kat-yogl, Yogi, White owl). Previously 

 to June, 1864, when an adult living specimen procured in this island was 

 brought to me, I believed this species to be only a winter visitor, although it 

 probably bred here many years ago. This individual exhibited every appear- 

 ance of having lately been engaged in incubation, and was accompanied by a 

 young well fledged bird. It is scarcely probable that the latter was hatched here, 

 otherwise the parent birds would have been observed in the neighbourhood 

 during the spring. Two adults were seen and shot at upon the hills at 

 Unst last May. 



