122 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



with the Meadow-Pipit, and is usually a shyer bird. 

 In autumn it is often flushed from patches of potatoes. 



Anthus pratensis, Meadow-Pipit. — Strange to say, 

 this species is not a native bird, though the island 

 abounds in suitable nesting haunts. It is, however, 

 very abundant on both the spring and autumn passages. 

 Odd birds have been known to appear as early in the 

 year as 27th January and 14th February, and a few 

 regularly arrive in March. It is not until the third 

 week of April, and onwards to the middle of May, that 

 it is observed passing in numbers, and the 19th of the 

 last-named month is the latest date on which it has 

 been noted. 



It is more numerous still in autumn, and 29th 

 August is the earliest date on which it has appeared. 

 It is abundant throughout September, and occurs 

 commonly down to mid-October. There are no 

 November records, but a single bird appeared on 

 nth December 1906. 



Anthus cervinus, Red-throated Pipit.-^ I had paid 

 careful attention to the Pipits, and examined many 

 thousands through my field-glasses, in the hope of 

 detecting this species, which is one likely to occur 

 annually on passage at Fair Isle. It was not, however, 

 until 2nd October 1908 that success was achieved, and 

 then my attention was drawn to the bird by its peculiar 

 note as it passed high overhead. I was fortunate 

 enough to secure it, and it proved to be a female of 

 the long-looked-for bird. Its note was not at all like 

 that of any Pipit or other bird with which I was 

 acquainted. Another was heard on ist November of 

 the same year. 



Anthus obscurus, Rock - Pipit. — An abundant 



