160 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



At the first season it arrives on its way north late 

 in March, and its passages have been observed in some 

 seasons to extend until 12th June. 



It returns during the last week in August, and its 

 visits are in progress until the third week in November. 

 It is most abundant in October. 



Nettion crecca. Teal. — Teal are fairly common 

 during their spring and autumn migrations, but their 

 appearance in winter is unusual, and is only once recorded. 



The spring voyagers appear from the first week of 

 March ; their movements northwards continue through- 

 out April and the first half of May ; and single birds 

 have occurred as late as i6th June. 



The autumn passages are observed during the 

 months of September, October, and November, when 

 the bird sometimes occurs in considerable numbers. 

 The earliest record for its appearance at this season is 

 for 31st August, but at this early date the birds have 

 probably come from Shetland. 



FuLiGULA FULiGULA, TuftecL Duck. — This species has 

 only rarely been observed, for Fair Isle offers it no 

 hospitality, suitable haunts being practically non-existent. 

 The records for its appearances are only four in number, 

 and relate to the visits of single birds, except in one 

 instance when two were seen. These visits were made 

 on 28th April, 12th May, 29th October, and 27th 

 November. They are interesting as affording evidence 

 of passage. 



FuLiGULA MARiLA, Scaup. — A few have been seen at 

 sea in the immediate vicinity of the isle, and more 

 rarely on the fresh-water lochs, during the spring and 

 autumn, when proceeding to and from their boreal 

 nesting-haunts. 



