22 THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 



and in quarries, and its nest has been found in the rents 

 or splits of dry peat mosses. 



It is time for its usual follower, the Sand-Martin, to put 

 in an appearance, for it is noted by the native naturalists 

 that this bird usually arrives before the fourteenth of the 

 month (April). 



II. 



Whilst the Fame Islands justly receive the title of 

 "sanctuary" for the feathered tribe for here birds breed 

 in countless numbers Holy Island, its neighbour, is a 

 famous haunt of wild birds all the year round. 



During the spring and summer many rare small 

 migrants are seen and noted both by the natives and 

 visiting naturalists. But the greatest interest is taken in 

 the countless numbers of birds which arrive in September 

 and October, on what is termed the Autumn Migration. 

 They invariably arrive in small colonies at first, and expe- 

 rienced naturalists tell us that the "advanced guards,'* a 

 term which we may rightly apply to these forerunners, 

 are mainly if not wholly composed of young birds. 

 This is, however, a matter of contention with some, as is 

 also the theory that birds leave their northern homes with 

 a favourable wind. The following is as complete a list 

 as it is possible to obtain, and many bird-lovers come from 

 London and other distant cities and towns to see the birds 

 here given : 



Blue Tit. Little Gull. 



Wren. Lesser Black-back Gull. 



Golden-crested Wren. Herring-Gull. 



Black-cap. Black-headed Gull. 



Sea-mouse. Razorbill. 



Chaffinch. Black Guillemot. 



B!ue 'Throat. Little Auk. 



Apple-sheely. Puffin. 



Bull-finch. Cormorant. 



Snow-bunting. Great Northern Diver. 



Cock-o'-the-North. Little Grebe. 



Pied Flv-catcher. Shell-duck. 



