The Scottish Naturalist 



285 



book. We may say, however, that we have been informed by intimate 

 acquaintances of Professor Macgillivray that the portrait fails to do him 

 justice. 



The authors describe the physical features of the islands in an introductory 

 portion extending to eighty pages in length, with a supplement of three pages 

 about St. Kilda, and six about the lonely and desolate Rockall. 



Then follow eleven pages on the faunal position and importance of the 

 Outer Hebrides, chiefly reprinted, as regards the Mammals, from Mr. E. R. 

 Alston's article in the Fauna of Scotland, published by the Natural History 

 Society of Glasgow. 



Turning now to the lists of Vertebrates, which occupy about two hundred 

 and fifty pages, we observe, as in the earlier work, that complete lists of the 

 British Vertebrate fauna are given, which, though perhaps not misleading, is 

 somewhat confusing to the eye in looking over the pages. The land animals 

 and birds are fewer than in the counties on the mainland of Scotland formerly 

 treated of, as was to be expected. The Mammals include a bat (probably the 

 Pipistrelle), Lesser Shrew, Marten, (recorded as long ago as 1777 by Pennant), 

 Common Otter, Walrus, Common Seal, Ringed Seal, (reported in Bell's 

 British Quadrupeds, 2nd Ed., p. 249), Greenland Seal, Grey Seal, Common 

 Rorqual, ? Sibbald's Rorqual, and ? Lesser Rorqual, Pilot Whale, Porpoise, 

 Red Deer, Fallow Deer, (introduced into Harmetray Island in 1878), 

 Common House Mouse, Black Rat, (reported from Benbeculay by Mr. 

 Carmichael), Brown Rat, Irish Rat, {Mus hibemicus Thompson ; in the 

 * ( Zoologist " in Sept., 1889, the rank of this form has been discussed, with the 

 result that it must probably be regarded as a hybrid between M. alexan- 

 drinus and M. decumanus), Common Field Vole, Common Hare (intro- 

 duced), Mountain Hare, (introduced), Rabbit, (introduced). Remains of the 

 Small Fossil Qx(Bos longifrons) have been found in a "Pict's House " in Harris. 



The number of species of birds noted as ascertained to be residents in, or 

 migrants to the Outer Hebrides is 155, inclusive of such as pass the light- 

 houses. Of these, a considerable number are rare, or only recently observed 

 in the islands. The growth of plantations in one or two localities is exerting 

 a. marked influence upon the birds of these places. It is noted that the " St. 

 Kilda Wren " appears to have become almost extinct since the publication of 

 it as a new species by Seebohm. The Chough is to be reported to have 

 become extinct in Barray, whence Professor Macgillivray records it. On 

 the other hand, certain species, e.g. the Eider Duck, have greatly increased, 

 both in number of individuals, and in extent of area colonised by them in 

 recent years. 



The Slow-worm is the only reptile found in the islands ; and the Amphibia 

 are quite unrepresented there. 



The list of fishes, though " at present the means of putting together a fish- 

 fauna are very meagre," includes over one hundred and thirty species ; but of 

 these, a good many are recorded only from localities beyond the bounds of the 

 district, though likely to be found within its waters also. 



A chapter by Professor Heddle, " on the General Geological Features of 

 the Outer Hebrides," concludes a book of much value to all interested in the 

 Vertebrate Fauna of Scotland. 



