78 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



128. SWIFT, Cypsehts apus. One or two were seen at intervals from 



3ist May to 2yth July. On 6th July six were seen. It 

 would seem as if these were non-breeding birds which had 

 pushed their way thus far north but had not proceeded 

 to the summer haunts of the species in Scandinavia. It 

 appears to be very irregular in its visits to Shetland. 



WRYNECK, lynx torqiiilla. On the 3rd of September one was 

 observed on some wooden fencing on the west side of the 

 island. We did not meet with this species in the flesh on 

 our previous visit. 



CUCKOO, Cuculus canorus. In 1906, the Cuckoo appeared on 

 both the spring and autumn passages. It occurred in May 

 and early June on its northward journey, and was observed 

 again early in September on its return southward. Three 

 was the largest number seen on any occasion. 



This species does not appear to be regarded as a regular 

 visitor, according to present knowledge, to the Shetland 

 Islands. 



129. SHORT-EARED OWL, Asia accipitrimts. From the latter days of 



October until the second week of November this common 

 migratory Owl was seen at intervals, but only in small 

 numbers. 



130. WHOOPER, Cygnus musicus. Swans on passage are recorded 



for both spring and autumn. The head of one obtained 

 was that of a Whooper in immature plumage. 



131. WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE, Anser albifrons. For a wing of this 



Goose I am indebted to Mr. J. W. Anderson, who obtained 

 the bird in the autumn of 1905. It is regarded as an 

 occasional visitor to Shetland, but I expect it occurs there 

 regularly on migration. 



132. SHELDUCK, Tadorjia cornuta. A young bird appeared at the 



island late in May ; and during October a few, once as many 

 as eight, were seen on several occasions. It is considered 

 rare in Shetland, but the group, including Fair Isle, may be 

 visited by migrants to and from Northern Europe. 



133. SCAUP, Fuligula marila. A few were seen on several occasions 



during the first half of November. The Fair Isle waters, 

 however, offer no suitable feeding grounds for this diving 

 duck, and hence it does not come much under notice. 



134. VELVET SCOTER, (Edemia fusca. An adult female was washed 



up on ist December. This species has seldom been 

 recorded for Shetland, but it is probable that the bird has 

 escaped notice, for comparatively little attention has been 



