THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 167 



Vankllus vanellus, Lapiving, — An abundant and 

 regular visitor on passage during spring and autumn. 

 Has rarely occurred in winter. 



The spring migrants appear, as a rule, during the 

 first week of March, and their movements northwards 

 last until the end of the first week of May. On 21st 

 May 1 9 10, ten arrived, and stragglers have been 

 observed as late as T7th June, in rushes of other species. 

 It appears in flocks, often of considerable magnitude, 

 some of which have been estimated to contain as many 

 as six hundred birds or more. 



A number, probably from Shetland, appear towards 

 the end of June, and during July and August ; but the 

 more northern immigrants do not arrive until later, and 

 not in numbers until the first week of October, and occur 

 until the early days of November. Stragglers appear 

 later and on one or two occasions in December. On ist 

 January 1909, strange to relate, a number appeared, 

 over seventy being counted. There are other records 

 for the first half of January, which would seem to 

 indicate an exceptionally early return to nesting-haunts 

 in Shetland. 



The Lapwing formerly bred in fair numbers on 

 the island, and a pair nested in 1898. 



Strepsilas interpres, Tzirnstone. — A bird of double 

 passage, a few also occasionally occurring in winter. 



Has appeared as early as 3rd March, but the whole 

 of May is the chief period for its passages in spring. 



In autumn its visits date from 24th July, followed 

 by a few in August, fair numbers in September, and 

 a few again in October and during the first half of 

 November. 



This species is never very numerous, probably because 



