A YEAR AT FAIR ISLE 67 



was in their company, and it is possible more of 

 these birds were present. Redbreasts numerous, but 

 skulking in the ruins of the old walls. Several 

 Dunlins also seen, 



']th May. — Wind changed from south-east to west, 

 with heavy rain. 



The first Whinchat and Sedge- Warbler of the season 

 appeared. More Black-headed Gulls, several House- 

 Martins, more Pied Flycatchers, another Grey-headed 

 Wagtail {^M. thunbergi), several Common Sandpipers, 

 several Woodcocks, a few Tree-Pipits, and another 

 Reed- Bunting have arrived. A Merlin, several Ring- 

 Ouzels, a Heron, a drake Mallard, a Teal, several 

 Willow- Wrens, many Swallows, and a number of Dunlins 

 were also observed through the day. Several of the 

 large race of Wheatear [S. leucorrhoa) were present, 

 and a flock of forty Lapwings completes the list of the 

 species seen. 



%th May. — The wind having changed from the south- 

 east to west, a less favourable quarter, birds are much 

 scarcer. In the evening the wind backed to southerly : 

 a light breeze ; clear. 



Two Corn - Buntings and a Corn - Crake were 

 noted as arrivals. A Redwing and several Swallows 

 came under notice. The flocks of Fieldfares have 

 greatly decreased, leaving only a scattered remainder. 

 The Redbreasts and Hedge - Accentors have also 

 passed on. 



<^th May. — Wind south-east, with rain. 



Over two hundred Fieldfares have arrived since last 

 night, also a few Redbreasts and Hedge-Accentors. 

 Two Grey-headed Wagtails, an Ortolan Bunting, several 

 Snow- Buntings, a Garden Warbler, several Whinchats, 



