124 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



1906, a male was discovered in an exhausted state, 

 and allowed itself to be captured while endeavouring to 

 find shelter under a stack of hay. It had most probably 

 been blown across the North Sea from Scandinavia by 

 the fierce gales which prevailed just previous to its 

 appearance. The bird belonged to the typical form 

 inhabiting Northern Europe and Asia, not to the 

 British race Certhia familimHs britannica, and is, I 

 believe, the only example of the Continental race 

 known to have visited our shores. 



Parus major. Great Titmouse. — A female example 

 of the Continental Great Titmouse (which is to be 

 distinguished from its British cousin mainly by its more 

 slender bill) was obtained on 17th November 1910. 

 Saxby, in his delightful book, " The Birds of Shetland," 

 mentions two previous visits for Shetland, one of 

 which occurred in Unst in April, and the other in Yell 

 in. the early autumn. 



Lanius excubitor. Great G^^ey Shrike, — Has 

 appeared occasionally, but always singly, on both 

 passages. 



In spring its visits have been confined to April, and 

 the dates upon which it has been observed range from 

 the 6th to the 26th of that month. 



The autumn appearances range from i8th October 

 to 9th November. 



On the 9th of November 1907, one was shot while 

 in hot pursuit of a Rock- Pipit. This bird belonged to 

 the variety which possesses only a single wing-bar. 



Lanius collurio. Red-backed Shrike. — Occurs regu- 

 larly on both passages, but adults have only come 

 under notice in spring. 



The spring visits date from nth May to 2nd June. 



