THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 119 



hill-sides, but has also been observed on the stubbles. 

 It is generally very shy, and difificult to approach. 



MoTACiLLA LUGUBRis, Pied Wagtail. — Occurs regu- 

 larly on passage in small numbers in spring, when it 

 is chiefly found on newly-ploughed land. 



In autumn it is much less in evidence, and some 

 seasons has entirely escaped notice. 



The spring records for its appearance vary from 3rd 

 to 25th March; and the latter half of this month and 

 down to mid-April covers the period during which it 

 has been mainly observed. It has, however, several 

 times been seen in May, and even as late as the 28th of 

 that month. 



Its few visits in autumn have occurred between 22nd 

 July and 1 st October ; the majority of them have been 

 in August. 



MoTACiLLA ALBA, White Wagtail. — This is one of 

 the most abundant birds of passage visiting the island, 

 and it occurs regularly in both spring and autumn. A 

 pair reared their young in the summer of 1909, and 

 again in 1910 and 1911. 



The dates for its appearance in spring range from 

 5th to 20th April, but the first three weeks of May 

 cover the main period during which the passages at 

 this season are performed. A few appear as late as the 

 first week of June. 



In autumn the bird has been observed as early as 

 9th August, but the return movements do not set in, 

 as a rule, until the middle of that month, and last in 

 force until mid-September. It is, however, observed 

 annually in small and gradually decreasing numbers 

 down to mid-October; and one was sent to me which 

 had been procured on loth November 1908. 



