76 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



DUNLIN, Tritiga alpina. A few (never more than three on any one 

 day) were seen on passage during September. Four specimens 

 were obtained, two of which belong to the remarkably small 

 race known as Schinz's Sandpiper ; while the others, also a 

 pair, are equally interesting on account of their unusually long 

 bills and tarsi. 



LITTLE STINT, Tringa miiuita. A single bird only came under 

 notice. This was first seen on loth September, and during 

 that and the following day frequented a small pool of fresh 

 water at the south-east of the island. It was quite tame and 

 allowed a close approach. 



PURPLE SANDPIPER, Tringa striata. The first bird of the season 

 appeared on the rocks at the North Haven on 2nd October. 

 Several had arrived by the yth, and two shot on that day were 

 given to us by Mr. J. W. Anderson. 



SANDERLING, Calidris a re a aria. Four were seen on gth and loth 

 September, and frequented the small strip of sand which 

 fringes the North Haven. One was observed on a pool of 

 fresh water on the i2th, and was the last Sanderling noted. 



RUFF, Machetes pugnax. The Ruff is a bird of passage. One or 

 more small parties consisting of three or four individuals were 

 present when we arrived, and remained until izth September, 

 when they passed on. During their stay these birds frequented 

 the dry grassy slopes bordering the cliffs, and one only was 

 observed on marshy ground. 



COMMON SANDPIPER, Totanus hypokitcits. This species was observed 

 on passage from the date of our arrival, 2nd September, down 

 to the i Qth of the month, when the last of these travellers was 

 seen. At first it was fairly common, and was to be seen flitting 

 about the rocks at the base of the cliffs all round the island, 

 and now and then by the burn-sides. These birds never fore- 

 gathered, but were always observed singly a fact which I have 

 noted both at home and abroad regarding this species during 

 its autumn passage. 



REDSHANK, Totanus calidris. This bird is a winter visitor and bird 

 of passage, arriving in the early autumn. A few were always 

 to be seen about the rocks at the South Haven and near 

 the Skadan Lighthouse. Their numbers did not seem to vary 

 much during the period covered by our visit. 



GREEN SANDPIPER, Totanus ochropits. From the 2nd to 8th 

 September one, perhaps two, of these birds frequented the 

 courses of the burns on both the east and west sides of the 

 island. The Green Sandpiper has not hitherto been recorded 

 for either the Shetlands or Orkneys, and hence the record is 



