THi: MKJKATIONS OF THF, WIIITK WAGTAIL 209 



traverse the Outer Hebrides on quitting the Irish 

 coast. 



As compared with the migrants proceeding north- 

 wards by the western routes named, those which move 

 along the eastern sea-board are but a feeble troop. 

 This contrast with the west coast may, perhaps, be 

 accounted for by the fact that the bird is an abundant 

 summer visitor to the Faroes and Iceland, and that 

 those seeking Scandinavia also chiefly follow the western 

 route. Be this as it may, it seems to be well established 

 by observation that only a small number arrive on the 

 eastern section of the south coast for passage along 

 the British shores of the North Sea, where a few are 

 observed up to the north-eastern limit of the mainland. 



The great numbers of these birds on passage mov- 

 ing along our coast-lines in spring finally reach the 

 Shetlands. There the White Wao^tail is one of the 

 commonest birds of passage, and these northern isles 

 seem to be the main scene of its departure from the 

 British area in spring, as it is of its arrival in autumn. 

 It occurs annually in the Orkneys in spring, and is 

 regularly observed in the most western and southern 

 isles of the group — namely, at Sule Skerry and at the 

 Pentland Skerries. The Orkneys and Shetlands too, 

 no doubt, mark the parting of the ways, some of the 

 migrants proceeding to the north-west for Faroe and 

 Iceland, others to the north-east for Scandinavia. Some 

 of the birds travelling along the westernmost route may, 

 after traversing the Hebridean islands, proceed direct to 

 the Faroes, and thence to Iceland. 



As to the dates at which these spring movements 

 are performed, the records from Fair Isle, where the 

 bird is very common, furnish much reliable information, 

 I. o 



