THE FLANNAN ISLES 257 



almost indifferent to onfe's presence, and came freely into 

 the house. Some examples were much larger than 

 others, and it is probable that all were not natives of 

 the island. 



Garden-Warbler, Sylvia borin. — One was observed 

 searching for flies on the face of a crevasse on the north 

 cliff on 1 6th September, and remained until the i8th, 

 perhaps longer. 



Wheatear, Saxicola osnantke. — Was very abundant 

 on passage southwards during the whole of our visit. 

 There were considerable arrivals on the night of 8th 

 September, along with Pipits and White Wagtails ; and 

 again along with the same species at 2.30 a.m. on the 

 nth, when it was observed at the lantern, and was in 

 swarms all over the island during the day. There was 

 another arrival on the 17 th, when it appeared at the 

 lantern from 11 p.m. onwards. All the birds observed 

 were, with one exception, in the russet plumage of 

 autumn and winter ; the exception was a male, which 

 still displayed traces of summer plumage. About four 

 pairs of Wheatears nest annually on the island. 



Pied Flycatcher, Muscicapa atricapilla. — Was first 

 observed on 13th September, when three were seen 

 busily engaged capturing insects on the face of rocks in 

 a rift in the cliffs on the north side of the island — as 

 wild a spot as it is possible to imagine. Here these 

 birds were seen daily until the 20th, and perhaps 

 remained beyond that date. All were in the grey dress 

 of autumn. This species was an addition to the avifauna 

 of the Outer Hebrides. 



Swift, Cypselm apus. — The Swift is regarded as a 

 rare visitor. Previous to our visit, there were three 

 records of its occurrence — two for June and one for July, 

 n. i^ 



