THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 171 



It is not improbable that this form may occur annually, 

 but the haunts of waders are almost impenetrable (see 



p. 52). 



Tringa minuta, Little Stint. — Single birds have 

 visited the Isle annually in the autumn, the dates of 

 their appearance ranging from 14th August to 9th 

 November. Most of the occurrences have been in 

 September, and there is no instance of a visit in 

 October. The November bird was sent to me. It is 

 an adult female, still retains much of its summer 

 plumage, and is in moult. 



Tringa temmincki, Temmincks Stint. — A bird of 

 the year was captured on 14th August 1908, and sent 

 for identification. This species had only previously been 

 recorded for Scotland from the Aberdeenshire coast. 



Tringa maritima. Purple Sandpiper. — A common 

 winter visitor. Also occurs as a bird of passage. 



The earliest date for its arrival in autumn is 19th 

 August. It is fairly common in September, but not 

 usually numerous until the latter half of October. In 

 spring it has been observed as late as the first week in 

 June. 



During the winter gales, these birds are evicted from 

 their haunts on the reefs, and seek the burn sides and 

 even the high heathery ground. 



On the loth of May 1910, I surprised a party of 

 Purple Sandpipers feeding on low rocks fringing the 

 south bay. They launched themselves into the water 

 without the slightest hesitation, and swam leisurely 

 away, seeming to prefer this mode of retreat to taking 

 wing. 



Tringa canutus. Knot. — The rock-bound coasts of 

 Fair Isle do not often tempt the Knot to seek them. A 



