HAVE OCCURRED IN THE BRITISH ISLANDS IN 184!). 
URIA LACRYMANS. 
Specimens of this bird were sent to us this summer from the coast 
of Caithness, by the attention of Mr. R. Shearer of Thrumster. 
The accompanying letter stated, that it is found in considerable 
abundance around the rocky shores. They commonly sit mixed 
with the common Guillemot, but are too far distant to be distin- 
guished, and are therefore only obtained accidentally. If, however, 
a Guillemot is observed on a ledge of rock by itself, and within 
range of shot, it seldom fails to be one of the bridled sort ; and 
although it may be considered rare in comparison with the common 
Guillemot, which breeds in thousands, it may be found on all our 
east coast, extending from Wick to the Ord Head. 
OCCASIONAL VISITANTS TO ORKNEY. 
A note from Mr. Heddle, the co-author with Dr. Blackie of The 
Natural History of Orkney, dated 13th April last, mentions, that 
“ a long succession of easterly gales brought us the other day two 
grey Shrikes, a willow Warbler, and a hedge Accentor, all with us 
extremely rare visitants.” 
BREEDING PLACE OF THALASS1DR OMA PELASG1CA. 
A NOTE from the Rev. Henry Graham, Iona, describes the breeding 
place of this bird on the small island of Soy, about three miles 
south of Iona. “ The nest is formed in a burrow, varying from 
three to four feet deep ; they are made in the grassy banks ; the 
soil being soft and unctuous, cuts with a spade like new cheese ; the 
nest itself is formed of a little dined grass or moss ; the birds make 
no attempt to escape when their nest is dug up. I should add, the 
burrows all face to the north, and are about eighty feet above the* 
level of the sea.” From the date of the above note, the birds would 
arrive at their breeding place about the beginning of July, and are 
very late in breeding; for a second note, in reply to some queries, 
