THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 71 



birds, which have been recorded for past years ; they, 

 and the great mass of information relating to the times of 

 appearance of the regular migrants, are reserved for publica- 

 tion in a future contribution. 



A pleasant duty remains to be discharged. I have to 

 express to Mrs. Bruce, of Sumburgh, and to the Commissioners 

 of Northern Lighthouses, my great appreciation of the privi- 

 leges they most graciously granted me, and to Mr. Dick 

 Peddie for his helpfulness and advice. My acknowledg- 

 ments are also due to Mr. and Miss Wallace for their kindness 

 and attention during my residence in the lighthouse ; and, 

 finally, my good friends among Fair Islanders have earned 

 my sincere thanks for allowing me to tramp their crofts, 

 — without such permission very much would have been lost 

 to me. 



The following are the species added to the fauna during 

 the year. 



161. Rose-coloured Pastor, Pastor roseus. — An adult male in 



full plumage visited the island in the spring. A similar 

 bird was reported, on good evidence, as having appeared 

 in 1907. 



162. Golden Oriole, Oriolus galbula. — Was observed during 



both the passage periods. In spring one was found dead, 

 but in a perfectly fresh condition, in a crevice in the face of 

 the cliff, into which it had evidently crept for shelter, the 

 weather at the time being very ungenial. 



163. Hawfinch, Coccothratistes coccothraustes. — A male visited the 



island in spring, and finding neither trees nor shrubs led a 

 terrestrial life. It also had to descend to feeding on the 

 dung of ponies — such are some of the shifts which have 

 to be resorted to by migratory birds when journeying between 

 their accustomed seasonal haunts. 



164. Two-barred Crossbill, Loxia bifasciata. — This is another 



spring visitor which found itself quite out of its natural 

 surroundings and away from its ordinary food-supplies when 

 at Fair Isle. It, too, was observed on the ground feeding 

 on pony's dung. This Crossbill has only once previously 

 been recorded for Scotland, namely, from the Orkney island 

 of North Ronaldshay. 



165. Rustic Bunting, Ernberiza 7'ustica. — Single birds of this 



species appeared on both passages. The Rustic Bunting 



