66 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



show a slight falling off as compared with those for 1908. 

 This is, no doubt, due to the fact that George Stout, my 

 trusty observer, left the island in January. His younger 

 brother, Stewart, took his place on the ist April, and carried 

 on the work successfully, and to my entire satisfaction, until his 

 departure in October ; so that practically six months' observa- 

 tions (fortunately not at the height of the season) were lost 

 during the year. I again spent several weeks on the island 

 at both seasons, devoting all my time to the investigations, 

 and during the autumn I had the aid of George Stout. 



The Duchess of Bedford visited the island in spring 

 and again in autumn, spending some time and contributing 

 materially to the records. I have to gratefully acknowledge 

 Her Grace's kindness in affording me facilities for reaching 

 the island on the occasion of both my visits. 



A pleasant duty remains to be discharged. I have to 

 express my sincere thanks to Robert Bruce, Esq., for the 

 privilege which allowed me to visit all parts of the island, 

 and to collect such specimens as were required for the in- 

 vestigations ; to the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses 

 for permission to reside in the Lighthouses ; and to their 

 secretary, C. Dick Peddie, Esq., for his kind co-operation. 

 Nor must I forget the acknowledgments due to Mr. and 

 Mrs. Wallace, and Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, who made me 

 most comfortable during my residence in the Lighthouses. 

 While to my many good friends among the Fair Islanders 

 I have to express my indebtedness for allowing me to search 

 their crofts the best observing grounds in the isle. 



The following are the species added to the fauna during 

 the year : 



1 86. COMMON CROSSBILL, Loxia curvirostra. As reference has 

 already been made ("Annals," 1909, p. 215; and 1910, 

 p. 54) to the remarkable visitation of this species to the 

 island during the past summer, it is not necessary to repeat 

 the statements here. They were, however, of considerable 

 interest, and it may be remarked that more birds were seen 

 on Fair Isle than in any other similar area in the British 

 Islands. 



Since I wrote my previous notes, I have critically examined 

 the Crossbills obtained at Fair Isle, Suleskerry, Unst, and 

 Barra (Outer Hebrides) ; eleven specimens in all. Every one 



