THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 139 



The earliest date for its appearance in spring is 22nd 

 March, but it is not until the second week of April that 

 it may be expected. From this date down to mid- May 

 it occurs in numbers, with stragglers to the very end of 

 the month. 



In autumn I have twice observed single birds in 

 September — namely, on the 23rd and 30th, but the 

 earliest date for its appearance in small numbers is 2nd 

 October. In 1909 no arrivals were detected until i8th 

 October. It is abundant between the latter half of 

 October and the end of the third week of November. 



During its visits to the island it generally frequents 

 the high open ground ; and although it occasionally 

 seeks the crofts, it never enters cover like the Thrush, 

 Redwing, and Blackbird ; nor does it haunt the cliffs. 



TuRDUS MERULA, Blackbird. — Like the other members 

 of its genus, the Blackbird is a common species of 

 double passage. A few, after arrival in the autumn, 

 spend the winter in the isle. 



The spring movements towards the north commence 

 soon after mid- March (i8th earliest). Many have ap- 

 peared late in the month (24th), and the passages are 

 in progress until near the end of April. Stragglers 

 have occurred during May, and even in early June (5th 

 latest). 



The average date of its advent in autumn is 26th 

 September (14th earliest). It is not, however, until 

 after 12th to 18'th October that it becomes more or less 

 abundant, and it continues to be so at intervals down to 

 29th November in some years. 



Its retreats during its sojourn on the island are the 

 same as those of the Song-Thrush. 



TuRDUS TORQUATUS, Ring-Ouzel. — The Ring-Ouzel 



