148 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



with ease, but had no desire to drop it into the Atlantic 

 surf, which laved the base of the precipice several 

 hundred feet below. Eventually it flew off and was 

 lost amid fastnesses so vast and unapproachable as to 

 render pursuit quite impossible. This bird is the only- 

 example which has, as yet, been detected in Scotland. 



Troglodytes troglodytes, Wren. — This is a fairly 

 abundant resident, its chief haunts being the faces 

 of the cliffs, the ravines, and the stone walls. The 

 only definite evidence of the visits of immigrants are the 

 observations made by the Duchess of Bedford, who 

 noticed a decided increase in the numbers of the bird on 

 25th September 1910, and 3rd October 191 1 — days 

 when other migratory birds were also observed as 

 arrivals. 



The native birds seem to me to be larger than the 

 typical form, and more nearly resemble T, t. zetlandicMs, 

 and probably belong to that race. 



MusciCAPA GRisoLA, Spotted Flycatcher. — Is annually 

 observed on its spring migrations northwards, and is in 

 some years very abundant at that season. On its 

 return southwards, however, it has not been detected 

 annually, and never in any numbers. It is another of 

 those species which occur chiefly in the spring. 



The spring appearances date from 12th May to 19th 

 June, and rushes have been recorded between 12th May 

 and ist June. 



In autumn the records of its visits have been 

 between 15th September and 4th October — a late date, 

 but one vouched for by the capture of the specimen. 



On May 12th, 13th, 15th, and 22nd, 1910, great 

 numbers appeared and frequented the face of the cliffs, 

 the beaches where decaying seaweed abounds, and 



