210 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



from the Flannan Isles, where Mr Laidlaw and I found 

 it common in September 1904. 



In 191 1 this was one of the first birds that came 

 under our notice, and was probably present previous 

 to our arrival on 2nd September. It was seen through- 

 out our visit, being most frequent on rough grass on 

 the high ground, and only occasionally in the crofts. 

 Twelve was the largest number seen in company. 

 Three were seen by George Stout on Boreray on 

 15th September. 



Alauda arvensis. Skylark. — '' Larks " are mentioned 

 by Macaulay (p. 160) as seen by him in 1758, but these 

 may have been Rock-Pipits, a species not included in 

 his observations. MacGillivray (p. 57) describes them 

 as common in July 1840, but no other observer makes 

 any allusion to this bird. 



This species visits St Kilda on passage, but it had 

 not put in an appearance up to the date of my departure, 

 8th October, in 19 10. 



The first Skylark to come under our notice arrived 

 on 9th October 191 1, and was followed by several 

 others on the lOth. This small party frequented the 

 stubbles, and were still present when we left the 

 island on the 12th. 



MoTACiLLA ALBA, White Wagtail. — This Wagtail was 

 not detected as a St Kildan bird until June 1902, when 

 Wiglesworth (p. 40) saw a pair from the i8th to the 

 25th of that month. Later he received a specimen which 

 had been captured in April 1904. The Rev. Mr 

 Waterston saw one in the Glen on 24th June 1905. 



This I found to be one of the commonest birds 

 of passage. It was present on my arrival on ist 

 September 19 10, and was observed daily down to the 



