Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 5 (1901).djvu/419

Rh Ornithological Notes from Shetland.—I have much pleasure in recording the fact that a pair of Chaffinches (Fringilla cœlebs) nested this summer in the shrubbery adjoining my house, and brought out two young ones, which were able to fly on Aug. 24th. The whole family came daily to be fed along with the fowls, and are very tame. A number of Redstarts (Ruticilla phœnicurus) made their appearance on Sept. 5th. This is somewhat earlier than usual; they generally arrive here in October. On May 11th, 12th, and 13th a Nightjar (Caprimulgus europæus) was seen by me and by others at Baltasound. The Great Skua (Stercorarius catarrhactes) has increased in numbers greatly during the past few years, there being at least eighty-four birds on this island. It is a pity that something cannot be done to prevent the wholesale destruction of that magnificent bird, the Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), which is becoming rare here. I cannot ascertain that it ever does much harm, yet our County Council has declared it to be "vermin," and has employed men to destroy it.

Since writing the above I have been fortunate enough to have brought to me another rare bird, viz. the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major). The bird—a young male—was caught by a native in a stubble-field close to his house, situate in the most northern part of this island. It was in a most dilapidated and starving condition. The weather for many days previous to its capture on Sept. 9th had been very wet and stormy, with heavy gales from the east and south-east. Though instances of the occurrence of the Great Spotted Woodpecker have been recorded from Shetland, I have never been fortunate enough to come across one till now. A female Spotted Crake (Porzana maruetta) has been brought to me; it was caught close by Cliff Lock, near here. This is, I think, the fourth time this bird has been recorded from Shetland.— (Halligarth, Baltasound, Unst, Shetland).

The Sloughing of Serpents.—In continuation of Dr. Leighton's communication of my notes upon the sloughing of an Indian Python (ante, p. 301), it may be of interest to bring them up to date, as follows:—

January 14th, 1901.—Python showed usual signs of sloughing upon this date, and entered his bath upon the following day, remaining there until the 19th, when he left the water. Re-entered again the same day, and remained until the following day, when he shed the slough in the water in many small pieces.