208 STUDIES IN BIRD-MIGRATION 



one alive in the possession of a boy on 7th July 19 10 

 {Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 19 10, p. 246). 



On 17th September we saw a Crossbill along with a 

 small party of Twites in the crofts. On the 20th an 

 adult female, probably the same bird, was observed 

 feeding on ripe thistle - heads just in front of our 

 quarters, and, on being disturbed, flew off with a whole 

 thistle-head in its bill and alighted on the roof. This 

 bird proved to be in excellent condition, and was doubt- 

 less one of the band of immigrants which invaded the 

 Scottish isles in the summer. Both the St Kilda birds 

 were examined by me, and were found to belong to the 

 typical Continental form — L. curvirostra. 



Emberiza miliaria, Corn-Bunting. — The Corn- 

 Bunting was described by MacGillivray (p. 571) as 

 common in July 1840, and as "well-known" by Wilson 

 (ii. p. 72) in 1 84 1 ; but does not appear to have come 

 under the notice of other observers. 



Emberiza citrinella. Yellow Bunting. — Dixon 

 (p. 83) tells us that he saw one on i8th June 1884. 



* Emberiza hortulana. Ortolan Bunting. — Several of 

 these birds, both adults and young, came under our notice, 

 and specimens were obtained. In 1910 they were present 

 on the day of our arrival, ist September, when two or 

 three were seen in the crofts. Others appeared later, and 

 were observed on the 3rd, 12th, and i6th of the month. 

 In 191 1 one only came under notice, namely, on 2nd 

 September. As at Fair Isle, they showed a strong 

 partiality for the standing corn, and were very wary. 



* Emberiza pusilla. Little Bunting. — On 15th 

 September 191 1, George Stout visited the island of 

 Boreray in company with a number of St Kildans, 

 the object of the voyage being to capture sheep. 



