ioo THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



from Foula, then to the Point of Fethaland, and then to 

 the Isle of Gruney (R. C. Haldane). In British Birds for 

 December last, Thos. Ground states that he saw six or eight 

 pairs on Noup o' Norby, Sandness, west coast of Shetland, 

 in June 1901. 



Fair Isle. 



In sequence of geographical position towards the south 

 we must now say a few words regarding Fair Isle, our 

 " Scottish Heligoland," as regards migrants. 



The exact date when the first Fulmars visited and took 

 up home in Fair Isle is, so far as I am aware, uncertain. 

 However, that accomplished fact only dates back some three 

 or four years from 1905, say to 1901 or 1902, in the latter of 

 which a few of the birds, but no nests, were observed. In 

 1903 about a dozen pairs were nesting at the north-west end 

 of the island, and some probably also at the Sheep Craig. 

 Since then other suitable places have been occupied (Eagle 

 Clarke, Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1906, p. 79) ; and in 1907 

 birds were noted to have appeared at the stations there even 

 as early in the season as 17th January {ibid., 1907, p. 80). 



Orkney. 



So long ago as 1837, Robert Dunn gave a clear account of 

 the status of the Fulmar in Shetland and Orkney. He tells 

 us that the Fulmar was an occasional visitor to the Shetland 

 Isles " during the winter in stormy weather," and he was 

 " not aware of its having been seen in Orkney." 1 



Now, about this time, as has been mentioned above, 

 Fulmars had made first colonisation of Faroe, but Shetland 

 (Foula) was not tenanted until 1878, or after forty years had 

 elapsed. It may be useful to remember this, and so compare 

 the more rapid advances which have succeeded in Britain, 

 especially if we still consider that St Kilda has exercised any 

 influence at all upon their extension. I mention it here to 

 keep further argument, either way, before our readers. 



1 The Ornithologists' Guide to the Islands of Orkney and Shetland, by 

 Robert Dunn, Animal Preserver, Hull (London : Richard Taylor, etc., 

 1837), P. U5- 



