142 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



during its autumn passages, being in some seasons fairly 

 abundant and in others little seen — perhaps because 

 it escapes observation on the face of the cliffs. During 

 the last four springs — i.e., those of 1908, 1909, 1910, 

 and 191 1 — it has occurred in some numbers. 



The spring visits date from 24th April to 2nd June, 

 and as many as a dozen have been seen in a single day. 

 In 1 9 10 the Duchess of Bedford and myself found the 

 bird in fair numbers from 14th to 25th May, and prob- 

 ably not a few escaped our notice on the face of the 

 cliffs. 



The autumn movements are remarkable for the 

 constancy of the dates between which the bird's first 

 appearance has been recorded, which range from 20th to 

 25th September. The period covering the passage is a 

 singularly short one, for there are only three records 

 of its occurrence in October, all for single birds, and 

 the latest for the 9th of the month. 



Some notes on the habits of this species will be 

 found under 23rd September on page 84. 



Cyanecula cyanecula, White-spotted Bluethroat. — 

 Two males in full summer plumage have occurred in the 

 spring. It is a matter of uncertainty whether any 

 female examples have visited the island, as they are 

 indistinguishable from those of the preceding species. 



The first of these interesting and beautiful visitors 

 appeared on 22nd March 1909, an early date; and the 

 second occurred on 14th May 19 10, and frequented the 

 side of a small burn. This latter example was under 

 the observation of the Duchess of Bedford and myself 

 for some time. Its actions were identical with those 

 of a Redbreast ; in disposition it was shy, and when 

 disturbed flitted away, but always returned to the same 



