THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 147 



visits to Fair Isle are inexplicable ; nor is it possible to 

 determine satisfactorily whether the Fair Isle Stonechats 

 belong to Dr Hartert's British or the Continental form, 

 as the few specimens captured were obtained in spring. 



Accentor modularis, Hedge-Accentoi'.- — The Hedge- 

 Accentor which visits Fair Isle regularly on passage in 

 the spring and autumn is not of the British race, but a 

 native of Continental Europe. This bird, the typical 

 A. modMlaris, is to be distinguished from its British 

 cousin, A. modularis occidentalism by its paler mantle, 

 whiter abdomen, paler and pronouncedly striped flanks, 

 more slender bill, and by its having the second primary 

 much loneer than the seventh. It is much commoner 

 on the spring passage than on that of the autumn. 



The earliest date for its arrival in spring is 29th 

 March, but the usual date for its advent is during the 

 first week in April. The chief period within which its 

 passages are performed at this season is between the end 

 of the first week in April and the middle of May, after 

 which it is less numerous, and the latest date for its 

 appearance is 29th May. 



On the 9th of April 1907, remarkable numbers were 

 present in all parts of the isle ; and on 27th April 1908, 

 unusual numbers again appeared. 



In autumn the earliest date on which it has been 

 found is 25th September, and the latest i6th November. 

 It does not appear in any numbers .until the last week of 

 October, and stragglers only have been seen after the first 

 week of November. 



Accentor collaris, Alpine Accentor.- — On the 6th 

 of October 1908, I saw a bird of this species, at close 

 quarters, resting on the face of a great cliff flanking a 

 geo on the west side of the isle. I might have shot it 



