THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 79 



paid to the islands during the periods of migration, except 

 by Saxby in Unst. 



135. TURTLE DOVE, Turtur turtur. An immature bird appeared 



on 25th September, and was observed feeding on some 

 bare stony ground much frequented by migratory parties of 

 Golden Plover. Young birds are not infrequent in Shetland 

 as casual visitors during the period of the autumn passage. 



136. WATER RAIL, Rallus aquaticus. We saw one by the side 



of a burn on 28th September, and several were observed 

 in October, November, and December. 



137. GREAT SNIPE, Gallinago major. One rose at our feet, out of 



some rough grass, on the south end of the island on 5th 

 September. 



LITTLE STINT, Tringa mimtta. As this is a somewhat rare, 

 or, perhaps, to speak more correctly, an overlooked, species 

 on migration in Shetland, it may be well to state that a 

 single bird was obtained on i4th August. One was seen 

 by us in September 1905. 



GREEN SANDPIPER, Totanus ochropus. A Green Sandpiper, 

 perhaps the same individual, was seen on several occasions 

 between yth and i4th September. Our observations for 

 the previous season related to the first known occurrence 

 of this species in any of the northern islands. We were 

 gratified to renew its acquaintance at Fair Isle in 1906, 

 since it confirmed the opinions we then expressed regarding 

 its visits there being probably not unusual. 



138. COMMON TERN, Sterna fluviatilis. 



139. ARCTIC TERN, Sterna macrura. Neither of these species have 



hitherto been identified as visitors to the island, and our 

 introduction to them was a rather remarkable one. At 

 10.30 on the night of nth September our attention was 

 drawn, by their loud cries, to a number of birds flying round 

 the lantern of the Skadan Lighthouse. On going out to 

 investigate we found a number of Terns careering noisily 

 around the light. We at once ascended to the gallery, 

 where we succeeded in capturing a number of examples as 

 they struck against the windows, and these included repre- 

 sentatives of both species. The birds remained flying in the 

 rays until 2 A.M., when the dismal and terrifying shrieks of 

 the foghorn scared them from the mystifying and dangerous 

 influences of the light. On this night the beams from the 

 lantern were particularly brilliant, owing to the alternating 

 drizzle and heavy rain which prevailed. Three Herons 

 were also attracted to the lantern, and while we stood on 



