SAND MARTIN — SWIFT — NIGHTJAR. 
147 
hovering in the sunshine, just below the edge of tlie cliff. I 
watched it for nearly half-an-hour, and thought of old times 
and old faces. It was still as busily engaged as ever when I 
went away. 
THE SAND MAETIN. 
Hirundo riparia. 
IMore than one author suggests that the Sand Martin 
probably breeds in Shetland, as it is well known to do in 
Orkney. It is, however, extremely scarce ; and even were it 
not so, I doubt whether a locality suited to its peculiar nesting 
habits could be found in any of the islands. The first time of 
my meeting with this bird in Unst was on May 3, 1864, 
when I was at Baltasound. It kept entirely to the shore, skim- 
ming, or rather fluttering about, near the water’s edge. 
THE SWIFT. 
Cypselus apm. 
A few Swifts are occasionally seen in summer, but they 
either find the climate too chilly, or the supply of food 
insufficient, and very seldom remain many hours. Their well- 
known joyous cry is perhaps never heard in these islands. I 
have observed the Swift in Unst as early as the 27th of April. 
III. GAPBlMULGIDuE. 
THE NIGHTJAR 
Caprimulgus Euro'pxus. 
Stragglers have been observed in summer and autumn for 
many years past, but the appearance of this species in Shetland 
must be regarded as merely accidental. I have seen it my- 
self at Baltasound in the end of July, skimming over the fields, 
and now and then alighting on the dykes. 
