THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE, NATIVE AND MIGRATORY u 



the week progressed the conditions became modified. The S.W., 

 W., or N.W. winds that prevailed rarely rose beyond fresh breezes 

 on our coasts, but were stronger in force over Scandinavia, rising 

 occasionally to a strong gale. The general trend of temperature was 

 downward. These changeable characteristics were at times not 

 sufficiently unfavourable to arrest emigration from the north, and 

 hence arrivals at Fair Isle. 



Sept. io///. The first Snow Buntings made their appearance 

 to-day. 



Sept. \\th. Following the fine weather of yesterday a few 

 migrants have put in an appearance. A Merlin, Lapwing, and a 

 Little Stint were noted ; and there was an increase of Golden 

 Plovers, Snow Buntings, Common Sandpipers, Wheatears, White 

 Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, and Turnstones. Several Lapp Buntings 

 were seen, and one obtained. 



Sept. \2th. The Ruffs, seen daily since our arrival, were 

 observed for the last time to-day ; also the last Sanderling. The 

 birds arriving since yesterday were Thrush and Wigeon. The Snipe 

 are now few. 



Sept. i3///. The White Wagtails, which had been abundant to 

 this date, were now reduced to a few, and these afterwards thinned 

 off leaving only one at the day of our departure Oct. yth. Two 

 Dunlin of a remarkably small race were secured. 



Sept. \Afth. Many Golden Plover and Snow Bunting, and an 

 increase in Skylarks, Wigeon, and Snipe. The new bird to appear 

 was an immature male Blackbird. 



Sept. i$t/i. The last Whimbrel noted, and a marked decrease 

 in the number of Wheatears and Meadow Pipits. A few Thrushes, 

 a Chaffinch, and a Common Gull observed as immigrants. 



Sept. i6th. --An increase of Skylarks. Several Teal and 

 Thrushes. 



Weather for the week ending Sept. 2$rd. Generally fair and dry 

 over Northern Europe, unsettled in Southern Europe. The distri- 

 bution of pressure mainly anticyclonic over our Isles and Northern 

 Europe, cyclonic elsewhere. Temperature decreased generally and 

 low for the season. Dominant winds north-easterly or easterly, 

 their force light or moderate breezes. On the 22nd and 23rd the 

 weather was bright and fine over Scandinavia and the North of 

 Scotland. These favourable conditions for the departure for 

 emigrants from Northern Europe (fine weather extending to the 

 British coasts) were followed by the main migratory movements 

 observed by us at Fair Isle. 



Sept. \ith. More birds since yesterday. The Snow Buntings 

 were seen in flocks for the first time, and Mallard and Wigeon are 

 more numerous. The first Mealy Redpoll, Kestrel, and Red- 

 breasted Merganser were observed 



