THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 179 



of this traditional evidence is vouched for by Patrick 

 Neill, who visited the northern isles in 1804. I^i his 

 Tour, published in 1806, he informs us (p. 90, 

 footnote) that this bird has "its principal breeding-place 

 in the island of Faulah ; but it breeds also in Fair Isle, 

 and in one or two other places." 



Odd birds, and as many as three in company, have 

 been seen in early May and during June, probably 

 visitors from the Foula colony. On 15th June 1909, 

 one was seen on Fair Isle in hot pursuit of a Lapwing. 

 In autumn it is observed in September and as late as 

 8th October. 



Stercorarius pomatorhinus, Pomatorhine Skua. — 

 Doubtless of frequent occurrence at sea off the Isle, but 

 has only twice been obtained and forwarded. Both 

 these known visits have been in the autumn, and their 

 dates are 29th October and 27th November. 



Stercorarius crepidatus, Arctic Skua, — This bird 

 formerly nested in small numbers which were reduced 

 to a single pair in 1905 ; since then it has not bred. 



A few are seen at sea off the Isle in spring, summer, 

 and autumn ; but these appearances have little signifi- 

 cance, since the bird is a common nesting species at 

 Foula and elsewhere in Shetland. 



Alca torda. Razorbill. — An abundant breeding 

 bird. All leave their summer haunts before the end of 

 August and proceed to sea, where some pass the winter 

 off the Isle. It returns to its rock nurseries in January, 

 but does not finally take up residence on them until the 

 last week of May. 



Alca impennis. Great Auk. — Messrs Baikie & 

 Meddle, in their '' Historia Naturalis Orcadensis," 

 published in 1848, after stating i^Zoology, Part I., p. ZZ), 



