THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 145 



Many of the native birds and their young leave the 

 isle before the end of August. The migrants from 

 Northern Europe pass southwards throughout Sep- 

 tember, and are much fewer in numbers during the first 

 half of October ; while stragglers forming the rearguard 

 have been seen as late as 14th November — when a 

 single bird was observed. 



During their visits the migrants on passage are 

 widely scattered over the higher ground and the 

 unenclosed parts of the island. 



An albino example was obtained on 29th August 

 191 1. 



Saxicola leucorrhoa, Greater Wheatear, — This 

 fine race ^ of the Common Wheatear occurs in con- 

 siderable numbers in both spring and autumn on its 

 passages to and from the north-west — Iceland and 

 Greenland. 



The earliest date on which it has been observed in 

 spring is 3rd May, when numbers appeared, and the 

 passage lasts until ist June. In this species the males 

 appear to arrive a day or two earlier than the females. 



In autumn it returns late in August, and has been 

 observed until mid-October (i6th latest). In the late 

 autumn it is found in some numbers after nearly all 

 the representatives of the common species have passed 

 southwards. 



Saxicola hispanica. Black-throated Wheatear. — 

 On the 25th September 1907, I was fortunate enough to 

 detect a fine male of this handsome species among 

 scattered examples of the Common and Greater Wheat- 

 ears, which had arrived in considerable numbers. The 

 contents of its crop consisted of insect matter, among 



' Saxicola cvnanfhe leucorrJioa. 

 11. K 



