NOTES. 883 



" Fair numbers " were noted during tlie latter part of May 

 and early June, while it also came under notice in September. 



Great Grey Shrike {Lanius excuhitor). — In April, single 

 birds were seen on three occasions, and in autumn several 

 were seen between the last week of October and the second 

 week of November. Those obtained had only a single wing- 

 bar. 



Red-backed Shrike {Lanius collurio). — Several occurred in 

 May, and a few young birds were seen in September (c/. supra, 

 p. 148). 



Red-breasted Flycatcher (Muscicapa parva). — An im- 

 mature bird was seen on September 27th. 



Red-rumped Swallow {Hirundo rujula). — Mr. George 

 Stout, who obtained the only British example of this species 

 in 1906 (c/. supra, p. 11), informs Mr. Clarke that it was in 

 company with two others of the same species. 



Mealy Redpoll {Linota linaria rostrata). — A small party 

 of this large Greenland race was seen on September 21st. 

 None of the Fair Isle birds seen or obtained showed any signs 

 of pink on the breast. 



For previous occurrences compare supra, p. 182. 



Black-Headed Bunting {Emheriza melanocephala) . — A 

 female of this species was obtained on September 21st, as 

 already noted [supra, p. 248). It has only been obtained five 

 times previously in the British Isles. 



Ortolan Bunting {Emheriza hortulana). — This Bunting 

 again occurred in some numbers in the late spring, while in 

 September several were seen at intervals. These, and Mr. 

 Clarke's previous records (c/. supra, p. 248), show that the 

 Ortolan is a bird of double passage in Fair Isle in any case. 



Little Bunting {Emheriza pusilla). — The records of this 

 species, which has been so rarely observed in this country, 

 are most remarkable. On April 14th one was seen by Mr. 

 George Stout at the distance of a few feet. The identification 

 is regarded by Mr. Clarke as authentic, because Mr. Stout 

 carefully examined in the flesh the bird procured in the 

 previous autumn. The record is particularly remarkable 

 because this species has never before been detected in this 

 country in the spring, although it may be mentioned that one 

 was taken in Holland in January, 1898. 



In October "quite a number" of these birds visited the 

 island. They were first seen on October 10th, and were 

 obsei'ved until November 5th. Nine in all were identified. 



