THE NATURALIST. 



Blackbird, Turdus merula. Said to be of not unfreqnent occurfence, 

 in the south of Shetland, but it was certainly unknown in Unst until very* 

 lately. 



Goldencrested Regulus, Regulas cristatus. Small parties visit the 

 gardens at Halligarth nearly every winter. 



Snow Bunting, Emheriza nivalis, (Snow fowl, or Snaa fool). Abundant 

 during winter, although great numbers go southwards in autumn and return 

 in spring. I have once obtained the eggs here. 



Chaffinch, Fringilla ccelehs. Once extremely rare. 'Now, however, 

 considerable flocks arrive in autumn, many individuals remaining throughout 

 the winter. Among the latter there are nearly always a few females, some 

 of which I have shot and examined in order to place the fact beyond all 

 doubt. 



Lesser Eedpole, I\ingilla Unarm, A winter seldom passes without 

 the appearance of a few small flocks. 



Mealy Eedpole, F. horealis. More common than was at first supposed, 

 having probably been mistaken for the lark, or for the preceding species. I 

 have shot them every winter of my residence here. 



Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra. Elocks of considerable size used to appear 

 in autumn," but for the last two seasons I have not observed any ; I have 

 seen them as early as July, when they destroy large numbers of aphides, par- 

 ticularly those which infest the leaves of the elm. 



Turnstone, Strepsilas interjpres, (Stonepecker). Abundant in winter, 

 sometimes remaining as late as June. I have occasionly seen it almost all 

 times of the year, and have very strong reasons for believing that it some-' 

 times breeds in this island, 



Sanderling, Calidris arenaria. iNTever common. Sometimes arrives as 

 early as September. I have no reason to believe that they remain to breed, 

 although I have shot them in June. 



Heron, Ardea cinerea, (Haigrie). Plentiful in winter, arriving rather 

 early. There can be no doubt that they sometimes breed in the high rocks. 



Eedshank, Totanus calidris. Although I have sometimes obtained the 

 eggs, such instances are so uncommon that this species can scarcely claim a 

 place anywhere b^^t among the winter visitors. 



J ack Snipe, Scolopax gallinula. A regular winter visitor. More nu- 

 merous than was formerly supposed, the smallness of the number of snipe 

 shooters in these islands having probably caused its presence to be over 

 idokeds 



