A Field Study of the St Kilda Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes hirtensis), with Especial Reference to its Numbers, Territory and Food Habits

ST KILDA is the name given to a group of islands (Hirta-St Kilda sensu stricto-Soay, Boreray and Dun) situated in the North Atlantic Ocean in latitude 57? 49' North, and longitude 8? 35' West. These islands, therefore, lie some fifty miles west of Harris and are the most western of all the Hebrides. The evacuation of the island of St Kilda by its inhabitants in 1930 drew the attention of scientists to this isolated group of islands, and, in particular, interest was centred on the St Kilda wren protected by special Act of Parliament in 1904. With a view, therefore, of studying this bird, and carrying out other biological work, six scientists from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge stayed on St Kilda in the summer of 1931 from July 22nd to August 14th, with the permission of the late proprietor, Sir Reginald MacLeod of MacLeod, K.C.B. Permission for them to reside in the Factor's House was readily given by the late Mr John MacKenzie of Dunvegan. The party, in