THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 161 



In spring, single birds or pairs have been observed 

 late in March, during April and May, and down to the 

 31st of the last-named month. 



In autumn, in like manner, odd birds have appeared 

 annually from 22nd September to 9th November, and 

 one has been recorded for 3rd December. 



FuLiGULA FERiNA, Pockard. — A female obtained on 

 2nd October 191 1, is the first Pochard known to have 

 visited the island. Another occurred on the 21st. 



Clangula glaucion, Goldeneye. — As in the case of 

 the Tufted Duck, only a very few, chiefly single birds, 

 have been known to visit the Isle, all in the autumn. 

 The dates of these visits range from 28th October to 

 28th November. From i6th to i8th November 

 1 9 10, three were present. 



Harelda glacialis. Long-tailed Duck. — This hardy 

 sea-duck is common all the winter just off the island, and 

 many doubtless occur there as birds of passage. 



The earliest date recorded for its appearance in the 

 autumn is 29th September, when a single adult male 

 was seen. It has been observed in some seasons early 

 in October, and it continues to arrive until the fourth 

 week of November. 



It is not unfrequent in Fair Isle waters during May, 

 and in 1910 one was noted on 28th June. 



This bird, George Stout informs me, comes close to 

 the small boats fishing off the island. He has seen them 

 in great numbers, but has never known them to associate 

 with any other ducks, except Eiders. 



Somateria mollissima, Eider-Duck. — The Eider 

 is quite common throughout the winter ; and also, as 

 a nesting species, in summer. Eiders are, however, 

 most numerous during the late autumn, when many 



II. L 



