THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 169 



single birds having occurred on the 23rd and on the 30th. 

 A few appear annually during the first half of October, 

 but it is not until after the middle of the month and 

 during the first week of November that considerable 

 numbers arrive. There are usually two pronounced 

 arrivals, which sometimes take the form of great rushes, 

 each autumn : one in the latter half of October, and the 

 other early in November. The latest date for stragglers 

 is 22nd November. One or two, however, have appeared 

 in December and January, their arrival being con- 

 temporaneous with an outbreak of frost and snow ; 

 such immigrants were probably birds that were winter- 

 ing in Shetland. 



During their sojourns on the Isle, which are of short 

 duration, the birds frequent the high heathery ground 

 and the hillsides, and are only occasionally found in the 

 crofted area. 



Gallinago major, Great Snipe. — There are four 

 records of visits on passage of this species, and these 

 relate to its appearance in spring and autumn. The 

 bird is probably a regular visitor in small numbers at 

 both seasons. The dates for its known occurrences are 

 as follows: — 5th May 1908, two; 15th May 19 10, one; 

 5th September 1906, one; and 25th September 1909, 

 one. 



Gallinago gallinago, Common Snipe. — Does not 

 nest on. the Isle, but a few winter. Many, however, 

 occur during both seasons of passage. 



The spring movements northwards have been 

 witnessed between 9th April and 9th May. 



A few appear in the latter half of July and during 

 August, coming most probably from Shetland. Numbers 

 arrive from the early days of September, throughout 



