THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 107 



rapidly assuming their pretty summer plumage ; and 

 a flock of them illumined by bright sunlight presents 

 a singularly beautiful appearance. Indeed, these are 

 the handsomest of all the spring birds of passage. 



Arrives annually in abundance in September, the 

 19th being the earliest and the 21st the average date for 

 its appearance. In 1910 none were observed before 

 29th September. The passage continues throughout 

 October, and smaller numbers are observed during 

 the first half of November. 



Spinus spinus. Siskin,— a regular visitor in varying 

 numbers in autumn, but is less frequently observed in 

 spring. 



In autumn it has appeared at dates varying from 

 22nd September to 14th November, and was exception- 

 ally abundant from 28th September to 4th October 

 in 1909. 



In spring it has only come under notice in small 

 numbers— namely, on 23rd April 1909; on 8th May 

 1911; on i2th May 1908; and on 13th and 21st 

 May 1910. 



AcANTHis CANNABiNA, LiimeL—K few birds, never 

 more than three in company, have appeared in both 

 spring and autumn. In spring the dates of its advent 

 vary from 29th March to 19th May; and in autumn 

 from 17th August to 25th October. 



Linnets associate with the numerous bands of 

 Twites, amid which they are difficult to detect, and it 

 is possible that the birds may be more frequent and 

 plentiful than is suspected. 



AcANTHis FLAviRoSTRis, Twile.— This is a remark- 

 ably abundant species, numbers being resident ; though 

 fewer are present during the winter. In the autumn. 



