BIRD NOTES FROM THE ISLE OF MAY 21 



Dunlin, Tringa alpina. — One got by Mr. Maccuish on the loth 

 October and sent to us. 



Purple Sandpiper, Triiiga striata. — Seen on the rocks on a good 

 many occasions between 14th September and 7th October, 

 only one at first, but five or six later on. On 19th September 

 we came upon three Purple Sandpipers one of which had a 

 damaged wing and could not fly. On our approaching the 

 invalid one of the others flew close by us several times uttering 

 an anxious little note as it passed. 



■Redshank, Totamis calidris. — Seen frequently about the rocks and 

 bogs. 



Curlew, Niunenius arquata. — A few seen frequently about the 

 rocks and bogs. 



Arctic Tern, Sterna niacrura. — Several came in from the X.E. on 

 the 23rd September ; they lit on the rocks and stayed for a few 

 hours before passing on. 



'Common Tern, Sterna fluviatilis. — Eight or nine flew by (|uite close 

 to the island on the 19th September. A bird belonging to 

 this or the previous species flew about in the rays on the night 

 of nth September. We saw Terns passing on several other 

 occasions, but not close enough to be certain of the species. 



Sandwich Tern, Ster?ia cantiaca. — Several seen passing on the 

 loth, 19th, and 22nd September. 



Black-headed Gull, Larus 7'idibundiis. — One seen 15th September, 



Common Gull, Larus canus. — One seen 19th September. 



Herring Gull, Larus argentatus. — Large numbers of both mature 

 and immature birds seen during our stay on the island. 



Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus. — Single birds seen on 

 the 1 6th and 20th vSeptember on the rocks. 



Greater Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus. — A good many 

 mature and immature birds of this species seen throughout our 

 stay. 



Kittiwake, Rissa tridadvla. — Flocks of both mature and immature 

 birds seen on many occasions during our month. On 23rd 

 September a big flock was fishing close to the S.E. end of the 

 island. 



Arctic Skua, Stercorarius crepidatus. — Seen constantly, very often 

 chasing the Kittiwakes, but as soon as the chase was over hunter 

 and hunted would settle quietly on the sea, frequently in the 

 midst of a flock of Kittiwakes ; in other cases, after obtaining 

 his booty the Skua would continue on his way, while one gazed 

 with admiration at his marvellous powers of flight. The Skuas 

 sat a good deal on the sea, occasionally swimming, and on one 



