THE BIRDS OF THE FLANNAN ISLANDS 13 



YELLOW BUNTING (Emberiza dtrinella). Is only once recorded. 

 On the 1 7th September 1900 one was observed resting on 

 the island. 



LINNET (Linota cannabimi). Is said to be an occasional visitor. 

 The only records noted are one on 2nd and four on the gth 

 July 1901, and one on gth October 1902. 



TWITE (Linota fiamrostris). A summer visitor only, arriving in the 

 spring and departing early in the autumn it had left before 

 our arrival on the 6th of September. Two pairs nest annually 

 on Eilean Mhor. 



SNOW BUNTING (Plectrophenax nivalis], A winter visitor in large 

 numbers. The earliest record of its appearance came under 

 our notice, two being seen on the i4th of September 1904. 

 A few usually arrive later in the month, but the great flights 

 do not appear until October, when they are sometimes noted 

 as in " thousands." A considerable number remain the winter. 

 Late in March great flocks gather on the island previous to 

 departure, and many are then in summer plumage. It is also 

 observed in numbers on passage, with other emigrants bound 

 north in April, and has been observed as late as the 2oth of 

 May. 



LAPLAND BUNTING (Calcarius lapponicus). As already recorded 

 ("Annals," 1904, p. 207), we found this species present on our 

 arrival on the island on the 6th September, and the keepers 

 told us that the birds were seen by them on the 3rd, and were 

 thought to be Snow Buntings. It was one of the first birds 

 seen by us, and was still present on the island at the date of 

 our departure. From careful computations we set down their 

 number at from thirty to forty individuals, but there may have 

 been more, for we were not able to visit the other islands, 

 some of which were well suited for their requirements. They 

 sought food on the bare patches of peat, and down the face 

 of the cliffs ; and at night found roosts among the coarse 

 grass growing on the top of the island and on the steep banks. 

 When on the wing they were inclined to be noisy, some of 

 their notes resembling those of a Linnet, others those of the 

 Snow Bunting, especially its call note tuke, tiike. They were 

 usually seen in small parties, perhaps families, and the examples 

 obtained were adults of both sexes and young birds of the year. 

 There must have been a considerable and remarkably early 

 immigration of this bird during the past autumn ; and though 

 it seems to have escaped notice elsewhere in Scotland, except 

 the lonely isle of Suleskerry, where I saw several examples on 

 the 22nd of September, yet it has been recorded for the south, 

 east, and centre of England, 



