THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 77 



the vast flocks of Twites which they join after arrival on the 

 island. 



The previous records of the visits, few in number, of 

 this species to our shores, relate to the appearance of 

 single examples only; and its appearance at Fair Isle in 

 some numbers is a remarkable event in its history as a 

 British bird. 



YELLOW BUNTING, Emberiza citrinella. This species was 

 observed in some numbers as a bird of double passage in 

 1907. In spring it appeared during March and April ; and 

 in the autumn from mid September to mid November. 

 During both seasons it participated in the general move- 

 ments, or " rushes," of migrants. 



ORTOLAN BUNTING, Emberiza hortulana. It would seem from 

 the Fair Isle records for the past two years that this species 

 can no longer be considered as the rare casual visitor to the 

 shores of Northern Britain it was formerly supposed to be, 

 but must be regarded as a bird of double passage. It again 

 occurred on the island in some numbers in the late spring ; 

 and in September several came under our notice at intervals 

 during the month. 



CORN BUNTING, Emberiza miliaria. In my first contribution 

 to the Birds of Fair Isle, I described this bird as a resident 

 species. It certainly bred on the island in 1905, for birds 

 newly on the wing were observed in September ; but it does 

 not appear to have nested since. It occurs, however, in 

 small numbers on both the spring and autumn passages. 



LAPLAND BUNTING, Calcarius lapponicus. The Lapp Bunting 

 was for the third season in succession observed on the island 

 in fair numbers throughout our visit. It arrived at a remark- 

 ably early date, being first observed by George Stout on 

 25th August, and we saw a small party on ist September, our 

 first day on the island. The largest number seen together 

 was thirteen. These birds chiefly frequented rough grass, 

 the seeds of which formed their chief food, on the higher 

 ground ; and I have no doubt they were much more 

 numerous than our observations might lead one to suppose, 

 as their haunts were only occasionally visited. We saw 

 them, however, on twelve different days, and after our 

 departure they were under notice down to 2gth October. 



146. SHORT-TOED LARK, Callandrella brachydactyla. The second 

 Scottish specimen was fortunately detected as a stranger 

 among a small party of Skylarks on nth November. It 

 may, George Stout opines, have been present on the island 

 for some time before it was noticed ; and he mentions that 



