114 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



observed on both the spring and autumn passages, and 

 has been seen occasionally in winter. 



The first birds of spring appear between 21st 

 March and 8th April, and the passage north lasts until 

 23rd May. 



The return autumn flight sets in during the second 

 week of September, and is in progress until the end 

 of the first week of November. In 19 10 it was 

 unusually numerous from 17th October to the end of 

 the month. 



Emberiza hortulana, Ortolan Btinting, — The Fair 

 Isle investigations have proved this bird to be a regular 

 and fairly common visitor to the British Isles during 

 both its spring and autumn passages. 



The earliest date for its arrival in spring is 30th April, 

 after which it appears at intervals until as late as 6th 

 June, and a single bird was observed on 23rd June 1910. 

 It is most regular and numerous, however, during the 

 middle weeks of May. 



In autumn the dates for its appearance range from 

 29th August to 1 8th September, and the passage south 

 lasts throughout the month. In 1907 it was observed 

 down to 9th October. 



During its visits in the spring, the Ortolan frequents 

 newly sown land, where the young corn is beginning to 

 appear. It is then much less shy than in the autumn. 

 At the latter season it is very partial to standing corn, 

 to which it retreats when disturbed elsewhere. Later it 

 is to be found feeding on the stubbles. 



Emberiza rustica. Rustic Bunting. — There are three 

 known instances of the occurrences of this species at Fair 

 Isle— namely, an adult female on i8th June 1908 ; a 

 bird of the year on 22nd September 1908 ; and an adult 



