THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE, NATIVE AND MIGRATORY 75 



Stout, two appeared on 1 1 th October, and on the following 

 day "a very large flock." A single bird was seen on i8th 

 January 1906. 



TURNSTONE, Strepsilas interpret. The first birds of this species 

 were observed on the beach at the south harbour on 4th 

 September, but they soon passed on. On the roth two were 

 seen on the stony summit of a hill fully 500 feet high, on the 

 west side. After this date a few arrived at intervals, down to 

 our departure, but none of them remained for more than a 

 day or two. 



OYSTERCATCHER, Hiematopus ostralegus. A summer visitor nesting 

 in limited numbers. Small parties were present during our 

 visit, and the bird was still to be seen down to yth October, 

 the day on which we left, though its members were then 

 decidedly fewer than during the early days of our sojourn. 

 Mr. G. Stout says that it is seen on rare occasions in the 

 winter, but only remains for a day or so. 



WOODCOCK, Scolopax rusticula. The first Woodcock of the past 

 autumn appeared after our departure, namely on i6th October, 

 and I have to thank Mr. J, W. Anderson for having sent me 

 one of them. This species occurs annually on the fall passage, 

 and in some seasons is very abundant. 



Mr. Tulloch tells me that he shot thirty-five in one day in 

 November 1902, and thirty-eight in a single day in the follow- 

 ing year. The best time, he considers, is about ist November. 

 Later in November there was always an odd bird to be found 

 with an easterly wind. When the Woodcock came to the 

 island in numbers there were a great many Peregrines at the 

 same time, and Mr. Tulloch observed Woodcock's feet and 

 feathers all over the island, and it appeared to him that the Fal- 

 cons had followed the Woodcocks on their passage to the island. 



COMMON SNIPE, Gallinago gaUinago. This species was not un- 

 common. The birds observed were on passage, and did not 

 tarry long, but came and went in quick succession, and there 

 were few days between 4th September and 6th October on 

 which we did not see them. The bird was most numerous 

 on 6th September, when it was found everywhere, even among 

 the crofts, and great numbers must have been present. There 

 were also decided movements on the i8th and 25th of Sep- 

 tember. Mr. George Stout tells me that in some winters one 

 or two Snipe are seen occasionally. 



JACK SNIPE, Gallinago gallinula. The first Jack Snipe was seen 

 among turnips on igth September, and on the following day it 

 was numerous, being observed in all parts of the isle. After 

 this date there were small arrivals down to 3rd October. 



