A YEAR AT FAIR ISLE 59 



observed. Shag with nest nearly complete, and several 

 more building. 



\\th February. — Two Meadow- Pipits, the first for 

 the season, noted to-day. Also a Waterhen, which is 

 a somewhat rare visitor. 



1 7^/2 February. — The Rooks which have been here 

 for some time departed. 



29//^ February. — During last week, numbers of 

 Skylarks were observed arriving, and now they amount 

 to considerable flocks. To-day three Curlews and one 

 Merlin seen. 



yd March. — A Brambling seen among Chaffinches. 

 A flock of Oyster-catchers, numbering about thirty, have 

 arrived ; they may possibly be our summer residents. 



4//^ March. — Two Golden Plovers. 



^ih March. — Two Lapwings, fresh arrivals. 



"jth March. — Wind south-east ; clear. 



Over six hundred Lapwings have put in an appear- 

 ance to-day. Parties of Starlings in company with 

 them are also undoubtedly immigrants. A Glaucous 

 Gull, a Ringed Plover, and several Fieldfares seen ; 

 latter may be the wintering birds. 



8M March. — One Heron noted as an arrival. 



9//^ March. — Two Long-tailed Ducks, male and 

 female. Meadow- Pipits, two more arrivals. A Pied 

 Wagtail appeared ; also three Golden Plovers. Lap- 

 wings decreasing in numbers. 



loth March. — Easterly breeze ; clear. 



The new arrivals to-day are a Wood - Pigeon and 

 another Pied Wagtail. Several Redbreasts observed, 

 some of which may be immigrants. Skylarks and 

 Lapwings numerous, but the latter decreasing. The 

 Kittiwakes in numbers at the Sheep Craig for the 



