THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 155 



1907, and another on 21st October 19 10. In the 

 spring of 191 o one arrived on 13th May, and came 

 under the notice of the Duchess of Bedford. During 

 their sojourns these visitors were observed either on 

 stone walls, or seeking for food on the grasslands. 



Nyctea nyctea. Snowy Owl. — There is only one 

 record of the occurrence of this species, namely, of a 

 bird seen on 26th October 1907. 



Asio OTUS, Long-eared Owl. — One or two, probably 

 more, have appeared on several occasions in the autumn, 

 usually in rushes with other species of migrants. These 

 visitors have been chronicled as arriving at dates ranging 

 from 17th October to 13th November. 



There are three records for the return spring passage, 

 all of single birds. The first of these was seen on 

 6th May 1908 ; the second, by the Duchess of Bedford, 

 on 15th May 1910; and the third on 23rd May 191 1. 

 The second bird was resting on the face of the cliffs — a 

 haunt where it is most difficult to detect such migrants. 



A specimen obtained in the autumn of 19 10 is much 

 greyer in plumage than any other I have examined. 



Asio accipitrinus. Short-eared Owl. — This species 

 appears regularly on both passages, but is most frequent 

 and abundant in the autumn. 



The spring movements northwards are recorded as 

 occurring between 25 th March and 30th May. The 

 May visits after the middle of the month have been few. 



In autumn one has arrived as early as 5th August, 

 probably a Shetland summer bird quitting its native 

 haunts ; but 28th September is probably the first date 

 for the appearance of Continental visitors. It has not, 

 however, been seen in numbers until after the middle of 

 October, and has been noted as late as 8th November. 



