NOTES ON SHETLAND BIRDS.
By F.S. Graves & P. Ralfe.
The following notes were made during a visit to the Shetlands from 20th May to 4th June, 1898, when the breeding season of most species in these islands is commencing. Three days at the beginning and end of the time were spent among the shores and islands about Scalloway, and two days in Unst. The remainder of the excursion included a day on Foula, a hurried run to Papa Stour, and several days in the Walls neighbourhood, with whose dreary heather-clad waste and countless lochs we became very familiar. The weather, though dry, was for the most part cold, with high wind, which prevented much boating, and confined us largely to the land.
Wheatear (Saxicola œnanthe).—Very common everywhere. This and the Skylark are the characteristic small birds. Several nests with eggs found.
Whitethroat (Sylvia cinerea).—On the rocky edges of the little landing creek on Foula were a few warblers of this species. They were very shy and silent, and must have felt sadly out of their element, as there are no bushes there.
Wren (Troglodytes parvulus).—A few seen.
Meadow-Pipit (Anthus pratensis).—On the moorlands; common.
Rock-Pipit (A. obscurus).—The "Bank Sparrow" was numerous on the Scalloway islands, where we found a sucked egg. Under a detached piece of rock on Foula was a nest with two eggs.
Swallow (Hirundo rustica).—On the 25th May we saw two on Foula, hawking along the little sheltered burn which falls into the creek forming the landing-place. On the 28th we saw two near the Loch of Cliff, Unst.
Common Sparrow (Passer domesticus).—Seen in the neighbourhood of houses and outbuildings.
Twite (Linota flavirostris).—Frequent; principally on the coast.
