82 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



Twites are very partial to the heads of the thistles, and 

 crowd upon them, paying very little attention to the 

 observer.' 



\^th September. — Light, variable airs; but brilliant 

 morning. Dull, north-west in afternoon and at night. 



Four Wigeon — the first seen of the season^ — a male, 

 female, and two young birds. Two Merlins, two 

 Kestrels, a young male Red-backed Shrike in very red- 

 brown plumage, and a Barred Warbler among cabbages. 

 All migrants scarce. 



\(^th September. — South-east, light at first, increasing 

 to strong breeze. 



An adult male Lapp Bunting, several Greater 

 Wheatears, and three immigrant Lapwings seen. 



17M September. — South, rain till 9 a.m. ; then 

 south-west breeze, fine. 



Six immature Wigeon in the North Haven ; a 

 number of Greater Wheatears have arrived since 

 yesterday. A Whimbrel, a Dunlin, and two Kestrels 

 still here ; also a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls, but 

 most have gone. Many young Herring Gulls that 

 persist in hanging about the houses are slowly starving. 



\%th September. — South to south-west, rain in fore- 

 noon ; then south to south-east, fine. 



An adult Willow- Warbler, three Dunlins, several 

 Golden Plovers, a young Turtle-Dove, a Snipe, several 

 Whimbrels, many Greater Wheatears, and twelve 

 Wigeon seen. A disappointing day. At night from 8-10 

 P.M., the rays from the lantern were conspicuous, and a 

 party of about six Redshanks flew noisily around the 

 lighthouse for a short time. A few Wheatears also 

 approached the light, and a Storm Petrel was captured 

 and liberated. 



