THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 181 



The bird has only once come under notice — namely, on 

 loth September 1906. 



PoDiciPES AURiTUS, Slavonian Grebe. — A few appear 

 regularly in the north and south bays in the autumn. 

 Here it has been observed as early as 9th September, 

 but the first week of October is the accustomed date for 

 arrival, and its passages or sojourns extend to 28th 

 November, which is the latest date on which it has been 

 recorded as seen. 



PoDiciPES FLUviATiLis, Little Grebe. — Has only come 

 under observation on a few occasions. 



In spring it has once appeared in a rush of migrants 

 — namely, on 9th May 1908. It has been seen several 

 times in the autumn between 12th and 27th October, 

 and there is a single record of its occurrence in winter — 

 on 9th December. 



Procellaria pelagica. Storm Petrel — Quite a 

 number breed on the Isle. I have seen young birds in 

 their rugged nurseries in September, and others have 

 been found clad largely in down, as late as 31st October. 

 On 2nd October 1907, one just able to fly was captured 

 at the lantern of the south lighthouse. This juvenile 

 was fully feathered on its back and neck, but its wings 

 and tail had not nearly attained to full length, whilst its 

 chest and abdomen were entirely a mass of down. How 

 such a youngster could have reached the lofty beacon on 

 such diminutive pinions is a marvel ; and should it have 

 ventured to alight on the water its nether plumage must 

 have become as water-logged as a sponge. Old birds have 

 been obtained on the island as late as loth November. 



PuFFiNus ANGLORUM, Maux Shearwater, — Is observed 

 off the Isle in both spring and autumn. In the former 

 season its visits have been recorded between 25th May 



II. M 2 



