156 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



It is usually found among rough grass, but sometimes it 

 seeks shelter among the plots of potatoes and turnips 

 in the crofted area. 



Falco peregrin us, Peregrine Falcon. — There is only 

 one pair of resident Peregrines, and these are probably 

 the lineal descendants of the falcons which have been 

 famed for several centuries. No doubt visitors from 

 more northern areas appear at the island, but it has 

 hitherto been impossible to discriminate between these 

 foreigners and the native birds. 



In the autumn the Fair Isle Peregrines prey chiefly 

 upon young Herring Gulls, but many Woodcocks fall 

 to them when on passage. I have seen one clutch 

 a Ring-Ouzel on the wing and carry it off without 

 alighting. 



Writing in 1700, the Rev. John Brand, in his " Brief 

 Descriptions of Orkney and Shetland," tells us that it is 

 said that the Hawks "which are to be had at Fair Isle, 

 are the best in Britain, which use to flee to Zetland or 

 Orkney for their prey, these being the nearest lands, 

 and sometimes they'll find Moor Fowls in their nests, 

 which they believed to bring from Orkney, seeing there 

 are none in Zetland, and the nearest isle they could have 

 them in, were Stronza or Westra, which is between 40 

 and 50 miles of sea, over which at one flight they must 

 carry these fowls to their nests." 



Falco .esalon. Merlin. — The Merlin has been 

 observed in all the months of the year except June and 

 July. It does not nest on the island, and its visits 

 during the winter have been few. It is mainly seen at 

 the seasons of passage. 



In spring it has been observed as early as ist April, 

 and as late as 20th May ; and in the autumn as early as 



