FAIR ISLE, THE BRITISH HELIGOLAND 51 



family, such as the Little Bunting; these are most 

 difficult, often quite impossible, to detect amid the 

 restless, noisy crowd of undesirables, from an investi- 

 gator's point of view. 



The high ground is the chief resort, during the 

 migratory period, of the Woodcock and Fieldfare. The 

 former is sometimes extremely abundant there on the 

 days following its arrival overnight, every stone and 

 tussock being resorted to for concealment. Very few 

 Woodcock are seen on the lower ground and in the 

 crofts. 



In spring there is practically no cover to be found in 

 the cultivated portion of the island, and the numerous 

 passage migrants resort to the sides of the burns and 

 drains, and other places where there is rough grass. 

 The Finches and Buntings resort to the cultivated ground 

 where corn has been newly sown. On this bare land 

 during the spring rush of migrants on their way north, 

 it is a strange spectacle to see such species as Pied and 

 Spotted Flycatchers, Redstarts, Whinchats, Reed- Bunt- 

 ings, Tree- Pipits, and even Wrynecks, in search of food. 

 The cliffs at this season are the main resting-places, and 

 are much resorted to by all kinds of migrants. The 

 island does not look its best in spring ; indeed, it offers 

 a great contrast to the attractive appearance it wears in 

 the autumn. 



Migrants on arriving go into hiding, to rest after 

 their overnight journey, and remain concealed until 

 about midday, when they come out to search for food. 

 In the autumn some of them may be sought for in the 

 potatoes and turnips ; in like manner in spring they are 

 not to be found early in the day, for they lie hidden in 

 places where it is impossible to find them, as they also 



