THE BIRDS OF FAIR ISLE 175 



numbers throughout September and October and until 

 the end of the third week of November, 



NuMENius PH^OPUS, Whimbrel. — An abundant and 

 regular visitor on both its seasonal journeys. 



In spring it is mainly seen on the land during its short 

 sojourns, usually engaged in searching for beetles and 

 other insects. In the autumn the reefs and rocks 

 skirting the tide are its favourite resorts. 



The earliest date for its appearance in spring is 15th 

 April. The passages are in progress throughout May 

 and until the end of the first week of June ; but single 

 birds, as stragglers, have been seen to near the end of 

 the latter month. 



In early August numbers appear, probably emigrants 

 from Shetland, and the movements southwards are in 

 progress during September. A few have occurred 

 occasionally in October; and in 1907 and 191 1, several 

 arrived in November, one of which was seen in company 

 with Curlews as late as 12th December 1907. 



Stekna fluviatilis. Common Tern. — The only 

 record of the occurrence of this species is one of 

 considerable interest. 



At 10.30 on the night of nth September 1906, the 

 attention of Mr Kinnear and myself was drawn, by their 

 loud cries, to a number of migrants which suddenly 

 appeared at the lantern of the south lighthouse. These 

 cries, we found, were uttered by a number of Terns, which 

 were careering wildly around the light. We proceeded to 

 the gallery, and succeeded in securing a number of the 

 noisy visitors as they struck or fluttered against the 

 windows in their vain endeavours to reach the light. 

 These captures, we found, belonged to both the Common 

 and the Arctic species. The birds remained flying in 



