5 pee vee inta pion Ate met ete onteemata! gh PUD DN via renwhabtinhshar-eriabee SeyopdoreyMaeree neh e Feet a net AIT TID SA IOI MAT IMO AMY Oa gh Pee ahakaoemat deepen et Eiplaipinlaiahde-LoMokg Inika gan eed toe te kee " rer vera ‘ oO eh Tay Par Ge 9 ee oy Ee alent On OGY WET wei es: Te Bw a elie Be Oe ge ee . 2 4 Pe 2 eet pe eel 4 - s cecil eee $ ey Ur to epee 2 i Getramertese ten MG iw Tae 7 . ‘ ott amps PPT oe ee Mh 9 pe Pe Segtale a © wee opp : amar - - tot . . 2 AOTC es 9 ROG ote OW The! Oe ee WL HH A ETAT A EAH 4 ay _ . oR > = thy Le re eo eae i Ti li pity le -- othe ewe Fes verr mets wt — a a en ae Sop Oem e poner Sw Pree tt cee> oe me 9 — ~ seeeonh tgee isnt eeehe =. A nor ye stig yro™ .- . t ” 5 shaman ities ~ ae nae . or 1 ¥ . . >" er Beet eee re ET IN, I powered semeerern = saaeee oe ¥ ae a ee dh eine . wronraen pt > a t ae ~, = ~ Cp vane non > ete eos - = 27 ~ > : Pr “4 . cago af os PA Ting sci Putte ~ “a wel! wes meer TANG em oete® - owned r fo ere ee ner: = c e . 2 sew ~ ak ‘ ; a eee Se ae eel - DO ww , A hs ins ¥ om a = - c o ~ ¢ < panos : em on = . —— et te, A i er A etter tN w ere ~ e a - oe + . ew = 7 Ao - , = a - - -toemmerarht — ~ ita eos ’ e ¥ “ , ‘ r , : I ri vv Wr vu Jay WE ye GD WY by ee We WA S — I s 4 4 = 4 « 4 > q ie: 4 4 *. ¢ Py 4 3 « « 4 ‘ ‘ 5 4 7 a a3 Item NL A= > % 536 Scptc nib 1899 ) we mm a ' i hi ', J eda Bed in ‘ Wri \4 ‘ee ‘ TMP awid! Saree) hit it & ‘The Annals OF Scottish Natural History A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “Che Scottish PNaturaltst”’ EDITED BY J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, F.R.S.E., F.ZS. MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS UNION JAMES W. H. TRAIL, ‘M.A., M.D., F.LS. PROFESSOR’ OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., Mem. Brit. Orn. UNION NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH L$o2 nog IN MATURAIR ————— EDINBURGH DAVID DOUGLAS, CASTLE STREET LONDON: R. H. PORTER, 18 PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQUARE PREFACE THE completion of the first year and volume of the ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HIsToRY affords the Editors the opportunity of expressing their thanks to their Contributors and Subscribers for the kind reception and support which have been accorded to the Magazine. It is their earnest wish to make the Annals worthily represent the Zoology and Botany of Scotland, and they confidently appeal to all interested in these sciences to continue to aid their efforts by the contribution of Papers and Notes; and by bringing the Magazine under the favourable notice of all Naturalists who are not subscribers. They would remind their friends that all profits will be employed in the direct interests of the Annals. It is hoped that the attention of the Editors will be called to any omissions that may from time to time be detected in the section devoted to Current Literature. There has been some difficulty in obtaining skort Botanical notes during the year; but it is believed that the mere mention of the deficiency will bring about its remedy. ise Oa - Pi Alas Anarrhichas minor. . Salmo fario from Islay. . Salmo fario from Stirlingshire. . Salmo fario from Loch Enoch. . Lichomolgus aberdonensts, n. sp. . Lichomolgus arenicolus. . LVotops pygmaeus, n. sp.; Copeus ehrenbergit ; terminalis. . Forms of £chinus esculentus and Gontaster phrygianus. Triarthra | 1917 ‘) MAR l IBRARY NEW YORK BOTANICAL The Annals GARDRN of ' Scottish Natural History NO: 1 | 1892 [ JANUARY EDITORIAL IN this, the first number of “The Annals of Scottish Natural History,’ a brief statement regarding the important part it is hoped the new magazine will fulfil in furthering the progress of Natural History in Scotland, may not be considered inappropriate. Limited as our pages must be to original matter relating to the Biology of Scotland, Recent and Fossil, it is evident that they cannot and should not be devoted to general ques- tions relating to minute anatomy and physiology, for such more fitly find a place in Journals and Transactions of less restricted scope. Nor are monographs of a purely systematic nature, dealing with subjects not strictly Scottish, suitable for our Magazine. Yet, despite these restrictions, the field of work is both wide and varied, and there should, indeed, be no lack of Papers and Notes of value and interest to our readers, and ample room for “The Annals” in the serial literature of British Natural History. In ZOOLOGY there is yet much—very much—to be‘ascer- tained regarding the innumerable species of the various Classes of the Invertebrata inhabiting Scotland, and their distribution. I B 2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Among the Mammalia—generally supposed to be well- known—we may remark that two species of Bats are included in the Scottish fauna on the strength of single specimens, and one of these was obtained as long ago as 1888. Some of the larger species of Carnivora are becoming very rare, and their occurrence in many districts is well worth placing on record. The visits of the less common Cetaceans and Pinnipeds are also fit subjects for communications to our pages. The life-history of several species of the Micro- Mammalia is still more or less enshrouded in mystery. Among the Birds and Fishes—classes possessed of remark- able powers of locomotion—the occurrence of rare wanderers always affords material for interesting records: while the details of the migratory movements and distribution of many species are desiderata. Much useful work remains to be done towards the elucidation of the life-history of the Fishes. In BOTANY it is scarcely needful to remind those who have followed the records of the subject in Scotland during the past twenty years, that much has been done in that time towards filling up the many gaps in the census of distribution of both flowering plants and cryptogams. The “Scottish Naturalist,” the “ Journal of Botany,” and the Transactions of the various scientific societies of Scotland, all afford most valuable materials for the completion of a Yopfographical Botany of Scotland. Yet even in this field much remains to be done, especially among the Cryptogams; nor is there reason to fear lest soon there will be no more regions in Scotland to explore, or able botanists to pursue the work with zeal and success. Not less interesting to the worker, and often more so to the reader, are certain branches of botanical study that have in the past received less notice among us, but which we trust will receive the attention in Scotland that they deserve, and which is given to them on the continent of Europe. The life-histories of even our commonest wild plants have scarcely been studied here, with respect to their habits EDITORIAL 3 and behaviour under changed conditions, either in the wild state or when cultivated. That relations exist between insects and flowers is familiar to every one as a statement, and some may be more or less familiar with a part of the extensive literature on this subject; but how few such observations are on record from Scotland. A comparison of these relations as observed in Scotland with the records of naturalists in other countries could not fail to be interest- ing and instructive. The diseases of plants have been investigated by very few workers in Scotland, despite their practical importance, and the light they are certain to shed on the processes of disease in animals and in man. The Galls of Scotland have not by any means been exhausted even as regards their mere enumeration, and their distribution is very imperfectly known: while there is very much to be done in tracing their modes of formation and development. The Cryptogams, especially the Thallophytes, will long afford material for investigation sufficient to absorb the powers and opportunities of many botanists. The life- histories of the Fungi and their relations to their environments, and to other living beings, can scarcely be said to be fully understood with regard to a single species. The popular names and folklore of plants in the various districts of Scotland deserve to be recorded ; if this is not speedily done the opportunity will be lost under the advancing wave of elementary school education. Communications on such subjects as the above will be welcome ; and any information that we can give with regard to subjects of investigation, books, etc., will be most willingly supplied. Queries for information, or for discussion, will be inserted when sent by our readers with that view. There will be a space for brief notes of observations, methods of preparing material for study, and for other topics likely to prove of interest to Botanists. Papers and notes by specialists will give information with regard to groups or species of plants that should be looked 4 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY for in Scotland as reputed to have occurred or as likely to occur in the country. Of the FOSSIL FORMS, in both Zoology and Botany, many species remain to be discovered ; many to be better under- stood through further investigation. NEW BOOKS will be noticed or reviewed when they deal with the Natural History of Scotland, or are fitted to facilitate its study, or are necessary and useful to naturalists. A short bibliography of CURRENT LITERATURE dealing with the Zoology and Botany of Scotland will be given. To render this as complete as possible the kind assistance of our readers is requested. There now only remains the agreeable duty of offering hearty thanks for the kindly support and goodwill so freely shown by the naturalists of Scotland and England. Such a response is our best encouragement, and augurs well for the undertaking. THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (PICUS MAJOR, L.) IN SCOTLAND. By J. A. Harviz-Brown, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. A. TREATMENT of the phenomena connected with the dis- appearance of this species seems to us naturally to be divisible under several headings, viz. a consideration of the old and young pine forests of Speyside; the decrease and almost extinction of the squirrel, followed by its rapid resuscitation and enormous increase; and the correlation of these two sets of phenomena, and possibly of others in a minor degree. ; This is a subject to which we have given some attention before.” But we are still of the opinion that each of the 1 «‘The History of the Squirrel in Great Britain” (Macfarlane and Erskine, Edin., 1881). Reprint from Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin., vol. v. 1880. With map of dispersal, etc. ‘‘On the Decrease of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker in Scotland ” (Zoologist, 1880, pp. 85-89). GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER IN SCOTLAND 5 headings treated of is, and are, collectively, worthy of the attention of Scottish Naturalists, with a view to greater elaboration of details in each, and in all. THE WOODPECKER.—Perhaps the oldest record of the presence of Woodpeckers in Scotland referred to quite another species, viz. the Green Woodpecker (Gecznus viridzs), and at a period when oak forests flourished even to the north of the mainland. It has thus been recorded—and the record has become stale from frequent quotation, but must serve its turn again—by Sir Robert Gordon in “ The History of the Earldom of Sutherland,” 1630, and in which he speaks of the “ lairigigh or knag (which is a foull lyk unto a paroket or parret, and makes place for her nest, with her beck in the oak trie.”) Although specimens of the Green Woodpecker have not lately been recorded and added to our list of Scottish birds there is strong evidence to show that it does occasionally occur in autumn. One bright morning in August 1887, whilst standing at the front of Arden House, Dumbarton- shire, I heard what could scarcely be aught else than the cry of the Green Woodpecker. On another occasion the cry was recognised by Mr. John Cordeaux, during a walk to the Tor and old Castle of Torwood, Stirlingshire, on 29th September 1889. The records given by Mr. Robert Gray in his “Birds of the West of Scotland” (pp. 189, 190), appear for the most part reliable. Selby met with the Great Spotted Woodpecker on the banks of the river Spey, and amid the wild scenery of the Dee, in 1833, or at least recorded the fact in that year. And MacGillivray described birds obtained north of Loch Ness and from Braemar; but whilst speaking of the distribution, does not make it distinctly clear whether he refers to it in summer or winter or both, nor for that part does Selby. MacGillivray wrote in 1840, and the birds he describes were shot in January 1834 and October 1836. But he records it as “resident in the woods [of Dee]”; it occurs but very rarely in all parts of the district, from Banchory to Glen Lui. In Mar Forest and the Invercauld woods, it is less frequent than it was some years ago” (“The Nat. History of Deeside,” 1855, p. 395). 6 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY The presence of the Woodpecker is spoken of in the following terms by the authors of “The Lays of the Deer- Forest” (vol. ii. p. 258), with special reference to the Forest of Tarnaway— “The Northern Woodpecker comes to breed in the spring, and remains until the decline of summer. Many of the old dead firs are pierced with its holes, of which it generally has two or three for escape, so that it is very difficult to surprise it on its nest. This beautiful bird is not, we believe, to be seen farther south than the pine-woods of the Spey. It is about the size of a thrush; its wings and body pied with black and white; the head a deep velvet sable, with a snow-white line above and a scarlet mark behind the eyes ; the breast of a light colour, turning into crimson towards the tail.” Elsewhere, in the same volume, the authors speak of “the strange mysterious tap of the Northern Woodpecker” (oc. czz. p- 255). The evidence given by Mr. Booth (“ Rough Notes,” vol. i.), who spent much time amongst the great old pine woods of Spey, and had the best opportunities of research when there, are worth reproducing. He says— “The remains of the old timber in the valley of the Spey, and in many other parts of Inverness and the adjoining counties, indicate that Woodpeckers were formerly numerous in those districts... . On some of the largest and oldest trees I have counted from twenty to thirty holes bored right into the centre of the stem. According to the statements of my informants, it appears that these Wood- peckers commenced to decrease in numbers about 1845 or 1850. In many parts of the country only an occasional straggler was seen for nearly 30 years. I discovered, however, in passing through several of these localities in 1878 and 1879, that a few pairs had lately taken up their quarters in their long-deserted haunts. ‘The cause of their disappearance in the first instance was_ perfectly unaccountable to all those with whom I conversed on the subject. . In the Highlands (though few nests now occupied have come under my observation) I noticed this bird breeding in Scotch fir and birch. Elm and oak appear most frequently resorted to in the more southern counties; but I have also met with broods in several varieties of fruit-trees, as well as willow and fir. The last nest I examined was in a remarkably high Scotch fir in one of the Sussex forests.” Mr. Booth then makes mention of the visitation by a large GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER IN SCOTLAND 7 flock extending from Dornoch to the south shore of the Dornoch Firth in Sept. 1868." It is evident, therefore, from Mr. Booth’s notes, and also from what is well known to naturalists, that mixed forests of oak and other hard woods and pine are at the present time the chosen haunt of the Great Spotted Woodpecker in England, and also in Continental countries. Nowhere have we ourselves found the Great Spotted Woodpecker, and closely allied forms P. medius and leuconotus, so abundant as in the ancient oak-woods around Gorgény St. Imry, in Transylvania, or so scarce as in the belt of pine at 3000 feet in the same country, or in the great pine forests of north-eastern Russia and Norway. There still remain positive assertions of the presence of the Great Spotted Woodpecker as a breeding species, but our own personal opinion agrees with that of the majority, and with the relations of the oldest inhabitant, that it has long been extinct as a breeding species in the old pine woods.' Consensus of opinion holds that at least 50 years have elapsed since the bird became extinct as a resident in the pine woods of Speyside and Dulnain. But there are now (1891) many people living, who clearly and accurately remember them as common in certain districts. There is abundance of evidence, patent to the sense of sight, that their former abundance is as undoubted now as it was then: the numerous borings, nesting holes, or “bos” are visible in Speyside forests, as well as in other parts of the north of Scotland, such as Guisachan, in Inverness-shire, where, how- ever, on account of the great fires, few are now to be seen. Of late years there has been evidence of occasional reappearance of the birds in their old haunts, and of their lingering in them far on into their breeding season. Of their occurrence in autumn and winter in droves, we have many seasons’ records. Indeed, all our own records since we began to pay attention to the Vertebrate Fauna of Moray, relate to autumnal migrations of the bird, except one, viz—dOn the 15th May 1884, the writer's mother, when driving 1 Confusion exists in the name and identity of the bird, the Creeper (Certhza familiaris) getting the name ‘‘ Woodpecker ” applied to it, usually by the younger generation. We have always been careful about this matter. 8 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY between Aberlour and Carron in Strathspey, described to us “a bird about the size of a blackbird which flew across the road near Carron Bridge, and which alighted on the bark of a tree, and began climbing up spirally.” She further described it as “spotted with white,’ and as “having some red about the head,” and as having been observed “not more than half the breadth of the road distant.” And it may be worth recording if only to show that some uncertainty still exists as to whether it is really extinct as a nesting species, that the Rev. W. Forsyth, Manse of Abernethy, wrote to Dr. Gordon of Birnie under date of 8th May 1885, as follows :— ‘Woodpeckers are rare now in this locality. I remember when it was otherwise, and have watched them at work. The last that I saw were killed in the Castle Grant woods some forty years ago. But the Great Spotted Woodpecker is not yet extinct. They have been seen occasionally in this neighbourhood, within the last few years, and they have been known to build on the Nethy in the old fir woods within the last two years. There is little doubt they are to be found there still.” Further investigation of this, however, has failed to elicit more exact details, to “date. The specimens referred to as occurring in the woods of Castle Grant are also alluded to both by Dr. Gordon and by Mr. Robt. Gray. The most noted haunts of the bird, and _ localities always quoted by the natives of Strathspey, were Carna- cruinch—once wooded to the summit with old pine—in Rothiemurchus, and the old wood of The Crannich, in Duthil; Castle Grant woods, near Grantown ; Tarnaway on the Find- horn; and Abernethy generally ; but it must have been widely spread over all the old wooded tracts of Spey and Findhorn, as well as north of the Caledonian Canal. We are not able to trace the complete area of its former distribution in Scotland, but it appears doubtful if it occupied in historic time the forests of Scotland south of “ Dee” and “ Moray.” There is a current tradition or belief amongst persons now living in Rothiemurchus and Strathspey, that this dis- appearance of the Woodpecker was sudden ; and some of the older people who recollect the birds will even go so far as to fix the year at 1850 or 1851; whilst a few even say GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER IN SCOTLAND 9 “ disappeared in a single night.” The last statement we may dismiss as natural exaggeration, caused by an appeal to memory only, of a remarkable and sudden occurrence. Of the more modified concurrence of opinion, stating their dis- appearance to have taken place comparatively suddenly and about the year 1850, or 1851, there are more witnesses, and we do not feel inclined altogether to dismiss it summarily. Regarding the more usual and wider statement that the Woodpecker disappeared about forty to fifty years ago, we can, I think, certainly accept it as fairly accurate, and say as between 1841 and 1851: dates which prove of sufficient significance, if compared with the dates of destruction of old wood, at least in Inverness-shire, of which we say more later on, and which also offer a very fair concurrence with the popular opinions given above. We have a statement of a much later date for the Woodpecker actually breeding, within twenty years back, relating to the nesting in the bole of a birch tree, but as yet we have no corroboration, and prefer for the present to withhold details, except that we believe that the statement emanated from the same source as that upon which the Rev. A. Forsyth built his belief. Of the trees usually occupied by the birds, these have for the most part been found to be, if old, yet of moderate size, the larger ones being too hopeless for the birds to attempt. This coincides with Lord Tweedmouth’s experience, when so many old “white” trees stood within a mile of Guisachan House, previous to 1855: and we may add also, it is borne out by our own observations on Speyside. Sometimes, how- ever, even a horizontally attached branch or limb may be used, as in the case of “The Burnt Firs,” at Plodda, near Guisa- chan, represented in Kilgour’s sketch in a volume of original sketches in the possession of Lord Tweedmouth. Just as statements differ as to the exact dates of the dis- appearance of the bird, so do opinions differ as to the causes of their decrease and disappearance ; and the primary purpose of this paper is to take into consideration the whole pros and cons of the subject, and to endeavour to cast as much light upon the matter as the materials at our disposal enable us to do. The almost universal popular belief that the squirrel is the primary cause, has however to be received 10 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY with caution, until others are sought for, as we presently shall proceed to do. THE FORESTS.—It is not necessary in this place to go into full proof of the wide extent of pine and oak-woods which at one time covered great portions of Scotland, as much has already been recorded in numerous volumes. Suffice it to say as regards Scotland generally, that even at the present day evidence remains of pine and oak in almost all the old peat mosses, and even beyond the limits of the present dry land, submerged remains of forest ground still appear within view, in many parts of Scotland, north, south, east, and west, notably in the Moray Firth, in shallow water, between Findhorn and Burghead in Elgin. Evidence still remains also, high up the slopes of our mountains, here and there, notably in Argyll and Moray: as for instance on Ben Cruachan, and high up the haunches of Ben Muichdhu, Cairngorm, and Glen Guisach; reachine far up. Glen Derry of Wee and Tromie and Feshie of Moray. Evidence, we say, still remains in living giant pines, which are still numerous in the sheltered valleys of Moray, some measuring 16 feet in sitth, five feet from the ground. Such -are “ Porters’ Fame. in Abernethy, and “ The Queen of the Forest,” also in Aber- nethy, and a pine by the roadside, of the same name as the last, in the old Crannich Wood of Duthil; and many more. The old wood still occupies literally thousands of acres along Speyside, Dulnain, and Findhorn. Remains now are fewer in Guisachan, Inverness-shire, and Glen Affaric, but at this latter locality, it is believed, are the largest existing speci- mens of individual trees in Scotland, some of which are still in vigorous old age.! Of the gradual decrease at times, and the rapid destruc- tion at others, of the greater part of these extensive forest-tracts, the history is well known, though no perfect 1 By the kindness of Lord Tweedmouth we have had the great pleasure of inspecting a handsome folio volume of drawings, by Kilgour and Mr. Wilson, of Guisachan, Glen Affaric, and the old pines of the forests there. We give the measurements of two taken from Lord Tweedmouth’s notes. The ‘‘ Mammoth,” blown down in February 1889, measured— Girth at 1 foot from the ground 19 ft. ‘> 3 feet se 17 tt. 4: An: ” 6 29 ” oD 22 ft. It stood near Plodda on the banks of Garvagh. GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER IN SCOTLAND 11 chronological account of it has been drawn up—from the decay and formation of our vast peat-mosses, visible in its later stages in still hard roots and trunks. In his- toric times, as we are informed in Menteith’s “ Forester’s Guide,” p. li— “For upwards of nineteen miles from beyond Tyndrum to Tyanne on the King’s House, through the upper or eastern portion of Glenorchy, where decayed roots of trees, many of them of large size, appear on each side of the road . . . and in banks of the rivers and spreading over all the valleys, hills) moors, and mosses of Scotland. . . . Much of these extensive forests were cut down from various views, chiefly to prevent their affording shelter and rallying points to those who maintained the independence of the country. Also, the pasturing of sheep and want of enclosures where they formerly existed, prevented their reproduction.” Large woods were also cut down and burned by the Danes ; and, by the orders of King Robert the Bruce, near Inveraray in later times; and on Speyside and elsewhere, ruthless destruction went on by the York Building Com- pany’s operations, until the failure of that undertaking put a stop to it.’ Besides these causes, fire accidental or pre- meditated undoubtedly had its share, as there is abundance of evidence to show. At Guisachan and Strath Affaric we have the direct testimony of one Rory Macdonald, who was an old smuggler, and who was alive in 1880, but is since deceased, that when smuggling was so largely carried on between 1840 and 1860, the smugglers made free use of all the decayed and bored trees, at which the proprietors winked, provided they ‘* Magog ”—Girth at ground 16 feet. 3 feet from ground 14 ft. g in. 6 = oe TA tte 7 Ws 9 ”? ” 15 ft. 3 in. 12 A + 16 ft. 8 in. 15 £7. ft. >? +) Cubic contents of the 15 ft. =210 ft. 11 in. We have seen also in this collection drawings of ‘* The Burnt Firs,” near Garvagh Bridge, in a limb of which are the borings of Woodpeckers ; and the ‘* Ospreys’ Fir,” with the nest on the top. The larger and finer specimens of pine trees are found on the south side of the strath. 1 By far the best account in detail of the proceedings of the York Company, we believe, will be found in ‘‘ The York Building Company ; a Chapter in Scotch History,” by David Murray, M.A., F.S.A. Scot. Glasgow: James Maclehose and Sons, 1883. 12 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY left the sound trees alone.’ In the first volume of the Ist Series of the “ Prize Essays and Transactions of the Highland Society,’ —p. 185, it is mentioned that, at. that date; ayom: remains of the old forests were “not unfrequent in the upper parts of Argyllshire, and also in the North Highlands, as at Braemar and the head of the River Dee.” But on Deeside 80,000 trees are stated to have been swept down, in the neighbourhood of the Linns of Dee. (“The Braemar High- lands,” p. 15, by Elizabeth Taylor, Edin., 1873.) The Stuarts give evidence ‘in their “Lays of the Deer Forest > cit. p. 221) of vast stretches of forest growth of firs and oaks in Lochaber and Glen Treig, and in Strathfarrar, “where twelve miles of pine, birch, and oak were burned to zmprove the sheep pasture,”’—-and in Tarnaway of “aboriginal pines . oaks... and hollies .. . which latter were not exceedem pethaps not equalled in Great Britain” (oc. at po 25m But we must get on to more recent times. Even at the less remote date of 1864, shortly after the present line of the “Highland Railway” was opened, a large extent of the central plain of the Rothiemurchus Forest underwent com- plete denudation of its timber-growth, leaving to this day the black and charred stumps of many goodly pines. These were cut to supply demand, and the ground has since been burned, to prepare it, it is hoped, for replanting. Some of the other large areas have been more mercifully, and we think more wisely treated, annual income being secured by annual thinning out; thus at the same time preserving the wooded appearance and beauty of the landscape, and pro- viding for the future crop by native seed, shed by the remaining trees. Such a system is followed throughout the whole area still occupied by old pine-forest on the extensive Speyside estates of the Countess of Seafield, and extending through Glenmore belonging to the Duke of Richmond and Gordon, and to the old wood of The Crannich at Carr-bridge, not to speak of other areas on Findhorn, and others north onthe line of the Great Glen: Of the re-afforesting by younger growth, the history is 1 This proves ove cause—by fire alone,—just at a time when the disappearance of the bird is said to have taken place. Thesaid Rory Macdonald gave evidence also that the birds were common previous to 1851. (Compare the dates with those already given.) GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER IN SCOTLAND 13 also fully known, if not fully told, and within the easy reach of all who are specially interested, and it may be said to have commenced on Speyside towards the end of the last century, the example having been shown by the Duke of Athole in the valley of the Garry, and followed by the pro- prietors upon Speyside shortly afterwards ; and in the begin- ning of the present century. At the present time the whole valley and minor hill-slopes of Spey may be said to have become re-habilitated in a mantle of pine-wood of various ages. On the Countess of Seafield’s properties alone over 40,000,000 of trees have been planted quite in recent years ; while, at the same time, many thousands of acres of the older growths have been scientifically conserved ; and they are now engaged as of old, in self-regeneration. And there seems little fear at the present day, that any repetition of the old wastefulness of our forests will be permitted. We have very rapidly, very imperfectly, and without the least attempt to go into detail, thus sketched the history of our pine-woods. Those who are interested will find a great store of unarranged materials in many of our old Chronicles, in the works of Hector Boece, in the histories of the country, in the records of the York Building Company, dating as far back as history takes us, and tradition gives us any in- dications. Shortly then we wish to recapitulate, and to point out that even down to the recent date of 1864, the old forests of native pine underwent wholesale destruction ; and previous to that date, the restoration of forests by younger wood had commenced on other areas—beginning at the end of the last century, about 1770, on Speyside, and continuing down to the present time, until nearly the whole valley has been: again reclothed. And, at the present time, we have shown that whilst large areas of the old pines still exist, especially in Speyside, in the forests of Glenfeshie, Rothie- murchus, and Duthil, Abernethy and Glenmore, Darnaway, Castle Grant, and Altyre, these are also for the most part being conserved. To this we wish to add: old and decaying pines are still being, year by year removed to make way for light and air to the younger generations, and afford relief to those still remaining in vigorous old age. This, it is needless 14 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY to point out, is annually reducing the amount of the oldest growth, but the procedure is only consistent with good forestry and the “survival of the fittest.” By burning also, as already pointed out, nearly all the old decayed timber around Guisachan was destroyed. The main points brought out hitherto are first, that vast and very general destruction, or burning of old trees, took place between 1840 and 1860. Lord Tweedmouth relates that “in 1855 there were hundreds and hundreds of white trunks of firs burnt and drying within a mile of Guisachan House” (see previous article of. czz.p. 86). Now, in 1891, he tells us “there may be a dozen left between Plodda Fall and Garvagh Bridge.” And second, that the Woodpecker, formerly abundant, decreased about the same time, and even somewhat suddenly disappeared from its previous summer haunts. We have now to consider the most popularly believed cause of the bird’s disappearance—most popularly entertained, by those now living, who can remember the abundance of the Woodpecker, and at the same time, the almost equally phenomenal and sudden increase of the squirrel. This belief is also entertained by foresters, and head wood-managers, a class of men, who in Scotland generally are known to be men of reading, education, and veracity. THE SQUIRREL.—We cannot afford space here to do more than simply point out in a very few words the ascertained decline, resuscitation, and increase of this animal in the valley of Spey alone; prevising that, as elsewhere treated of in considerable detail, “The Squirrel is found to have lingered longest where the forest remained longest, and to have revived most rapidly, or spread most rapidly after restoration where forest trees had been planted... . Where trees have lingered amidst the Highland glens, they lingered too ; and where trees have led them of late years they have reached considerable altitudes,” wzde ‘The Squirrel in Scotland,” p. 165 of reprint. Nowhere in Scotland are the above remarks more applicable than in the valley of the Spey. About the end of the 18th century a succession of severe winters, culminating in that of 1795, contributed, almost undoubtedly, to the extinction of the Squirrel in many parts of Scotland ; and that it did not GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER IN SCOTLAND 15 become extinct in Speyside seems, almost as certainly, to have been because it was saved just in time by the planting of young trees, affording fresh food and protection. Recent storms—there is abundant evidence to show—had, and still have, direct effect upon our Squirrels, causing them to migrate to warmer or better-wooded areas, where it is possible for them to do so. Returning now to our old pine forests, which to a large extent replaced another growth of oak and hazel, we can realise with some degree of accuracy that hazel nuts and acorns became rarer and rarer, and also that insect larve diminished in the number of species, just as the various species of timber became fewer, and were almost entirely replaced by pine. And we can further realise also, that just as these food-supplies became scarcer and scarcer both for bird and mammal, so would the “struggle for existence” become greater and greater. It must be remembered nearly all the plantations are composed of pine trees only, or of pine and larch. ‘Therefore the food of our Scottish Wood- peckers was thus restricted—or nearly so—to the larve of insects, and the insects abounding in pine woods, to the exclu- sion of others whose food plants and foliage include many hard woods, as well. There are undoubtedly many who ascribe the disappearance of the Woodpecker entirely to the Squirrel’s oophilous, carnivorous, and, we may add, insectivorous propensities. So universal is this belief in Strathspey, and elsewhere north of the Great Caledonian Glen, that it cannot be passed over in silence or treated as imaginary. It is beyond denial that the Squirrel does eat eggs, and rob nests, because he has been seen to do so often ; and we know also that he occasionally regales himself upon the larve of ants—the food of the Woodpecker—whose hills are so abundant in the pine-woods of Spey. We are afraid there can be no doubt that he occasionally, at all events, regales himself even upon a callow brood of young. In fact, a bad character is now attached to the Squirrel, and the causes of complaint are many. His misdeeds are in every one’s mouth, and his name is a _ bye- word in Strathspey. Foresters cry him down (and _ heca- tombs of Squirrels’ bones strew the forest in consequence) and 16 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY gamekeepers add too well-founded grounds of complaint against him. In fact, the Squirrel rapidly became an agressive and progressive species, but the Woodpecker yielded before the change of forest circumstances, and became retro- grade and finally either died out as a nesting species, or suddenly, as some affirm, disappeared ex masse and fled the country about the year 1850, making however an endeavour to return again in the summers of 1878 and 1879. Now it has been stated and reiterated, times without number, that Squirrels can and do enter into the holes made by the Great Spotted Woodpecker ; and this, stated and adhered to by many thoroughly respectable authorities, amongst whom we may again mention those whom we before quoted in our previous article,“ Zool.” Mar. 1880,pp.86 and 87. Mr. J. Grant Thompson, the Countess of Seafield’s head wood-manager, added, “the fact is perfectly certain,” and, with settled emphasis, “ T have seen them do it myself.” On the other hand, such is by some denied as possible, and they even stoutly doubt if the hole made by a Green Woodpecker (G. vzvd7s) would admit a Squirrel. At one time we were inclined to favour this view, but facts are stubborn things, when merely opposed to theories. Take a sharp wire, run it through a Squirrel’s body and both shoulder-blades: press down the flesh thus impaled upon the wire: measure the length of the wire concealed in the flesh and bone, and compare with the diameter of an ordinary Great Spotted Woodpecker’s nesting hole, and observe the results.’ At the present day many of the old nesting holes of the Woodpeckers in the pine trees are occupied by wasps and bees. A specimen cut off a rotten decayed pine-branch showing numerous “borings” and “tappings” of the birds, was procured for me from the forest of Rothiemurchus in the end of the summer of 1891. 1 That the firm belief exists—it has been suggested—‘‘ is possibly owing,” says our correspondent, ‘‘ to a misreading, misidentification or confusion arising out of a passage by Pennant in his ‘Caledonian Zoology.’” Pennant says :—‘‘ Pine martin. This species is found in pine forests, and takes possession of the holes made by the Woodpecker,” and he also says—‘‘ Squirrels scarce in Scotland, a few in the woods of Strathspey.”” Confusion no doubt existed, even then, possibly, in the minds of Pennant’s informants; but Pennant surely should have known that martens could not enter and take possession of the holes made by Wood- peckers. GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER IN SCOTLAND 17 THE STARLING.—How much the former increase of the Starling, subsequent decrease, and again vast increase, may have affected the Woodpecker, directly or indirectly, is a subject for further investigation. It certainly has been the means of lessening the numbers of the Great Spotted Wood- peckers in certain districts in England. An assertive species like the Starling often may figure forth, when approaching in successive waves of dispersal, as a power for good or evil ; but at present I cannot say we have any reliable data to go by ; indeed, at the present day, there are few Starlings at all im the midst of the old Woodpecker tracts:. But these successive waves of Starlings—about which there appears to be little doubt—are of themselves worthy of tracing out, and cannot fail to yield results. At present, at all events, we stand at the following points of our inquiry :— The facts and dates (approximate) of the decrease and disappearance of the Woodpecker from areas indubitably occupied by them commonly previous to 1850. The facts and dates of the decline, increase, and enormous recuperation of the Squirrel, to a great extent coinciding with the decline of the bird. The facts and dates of the former abundance, decline, destruction from various causes of old forests, principal amongst which appears to have been fire; and these dates coinciding on the one hand with the young planting, going on down Speyside, and on the other with the decrease of the Woodpecker. The facts, figures, and dates connected with the young plantations on Speyside, the attaining of the same to a certain age, coincident with the resuscitation of the native Squirrels of Speyside, not to say also with the introductions of Squirrels in various parts of Scotland, from Dalkeith in the south, to Beaufort Castle in the north (see “ The Squirrel in Scotland ”). 18 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY ON THE OCCURRENCE OF WILSON’S PETREL (OCEANITES OCEANICA, Kuut) IN JURA. By Henry Evans, F.Z.S. A SPECIMEN of Wilson’s Petrel was found alive by the keeper’s children at Inner Jura, on the western side of the Island, on the ist of October last. The bird had become entangled in a net used to keep poultry out of a kitchen garden, and was brought to me in a perfectly fresh condition. Fortunately I was there at the time or it would have been lost. There is no doubt as to the species; the colour of the wings, the length of the tarsus (one and a half inches), and the yellow patches on the webs of the feet, make the identity of the bird certain. The net in which the Petrel was cap- tured is about fifty yards from the sea. Unfortunately the sex of the specimen was not noted, for I did not examine the bird carefully until after it had been skinned by the keeper. The weather was fine at the time of its capture, but there can be little doubt its appearance is to be associated with the heavy gale of the 26th of September. JURA FOREST, 26th November 1891. [In the North Atlantic this bird is very common on the American side; but appears to be a more or less irregular visitor to the shores of Europe. Although it has been noted on several occasions for England, and once, at least, for Ireland, yet this is the first known instance of the occurrence of Wilson’s Petrel in Scotland.—W. E. C.] FRESHWATER FISHES OF THE SOLWAY ili By ROBERT SERVICE. I HAVE been prompted to prepare the following outline Catalogue of the Freshwater Fishes of the Solway Area by a remark made in the course of a most interesting paper on FRESHWATER FISHES OF THE SOLWAY AREA 19 tie“ Fishes. of Loch Lomond. and its Tributaries,” by Mr. A. Brown, in the July issue of the Scottzsh Naturalist. The remark to which I refer is that Mr. Brown “ believes we may search Scotland in vain for a similar concourse of species.” In one of the water systems of our area—the River Annan, its loch-feeders and tributaries—the number of species Mr. Brown gives for Loch Lomond and tributaries ipeexcecacd, aiid. it. is equalled by the Nith and Dee systems. Of Mr. Brown’s nineteen Loch Lomond species, the River Annan system holds all except Coregonus clupeoides, Tinca vulgaris, and Gastrosteus spinulosus. That ieaves) 115 with sixteen. species;_but to these fall to. be added Coregonus vandesius, the Vendace ; Leuciscus cephalus, the Chub; Adbramis brama, the Bream; and TZhymallus vulgaris, the Grayling. These species total up to twenty, but there is no reason why credit should not be taken for some few additional species which in their respective seasons migrate to the fresh water, viz. Clufea alosa, the Shad ; Osmerus eperlanus, the Smelt; MMugil septentrionalis, the Lesser Gray Mullet ; and Acczpenser sturio, the Sturgeon. The Solway Area is that division of the south-west of Scotland stretching from the Esk to Lochryan, as defined by Buchanan White (“Scot Nat.” 1.372, vol. 1p. 161). As a definite faunistic area it is almost faultless, the only objection I ever heard advanced being that the Esk water- shed is altogether “too Tweed-like” in character. But it would be difficult to exclude the Esk valley without making other alterations that would only lead to further objections. The principal river systems are the Esk, Annan, Nith, and Urr, flowing into the Solway Firth ; and the Dee, Fleet, and Cree flowing into the Irish Channel. It might be as well to explain that local faunists here look on the Solway Firth as all the water inside a line drawn from Balmae Head in Rerrick to St. Bees in Cumberland. The Solway Area is partitioned off from the rest of Scotland by an extremely natural boundary, consisting of a range of hills which runs right round from the head of Eskdale to the north of Wigtonshire, where it terminates in the well-known Khinns. The principal river systems take their rise on the southern slopes of the hills that environ the area of “ Solway.” 20 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Politically the faunal area described includes the entire county of Dumfries, and the two counties of Kirkcudbright and Wigton—the two last named together forming the modern Province of Galloway. With the exception of the Esk and Nith, the river systems are connected with numerous lochs, some of them of considerable size. There are comparatively few places of high angling repute, but many a capital spot is known only to a favoured few, while others again are strictly preserved for private use. As stated at the outset, the following Catalogue is intended as a mere outline of the subject, and is only a condensed compilation of what I have gleaned casually in matters which hitherto I have not made a special study. But enough is given to show that as compared with other Scottish districts, “Solway” is peculiarly rich in species, and there is little doubt there are one or two additional species to be found yet. Perea fluviatilis, Z7z2—Tur PrrcH.—Abundant throughout the entire area in almost every loch and in all the rivers. Copland of Collieston is said to have introduced Perch into Loch Ken and adjacent waters in 1750 (‘‘Statistical Acc.” p. 193, 1845). [Cottus gobio, Z.—TuHE MILLER’s THums.—Ought to occur, and doubtless does so, but I have never seen it, nor do I know of any reference to its occurrence here. | Gobius minutus, Gw.—LirrLe Gopy.—I have found this species in merse pools of clear fresh water, both on the coast and up the river banks, but it probably requires to be reached by the tide occasionally. Mugil septentrionalis, Gzinth.mNoRTHERN GREY MULLET.—A good many Grey Mullets are annually caught at the mouth of the Dee. The species is also caught inside the entrance to most of the other rivers. Those I have examined have all belonged to this species, but Mr. J. J. Armistead, the well- known pisciculturist, informs me he has seen specimens he considers to be Mugil capito (Cuv.) Gastrosteus aculeatus, Z772.—STICKLEBACK.— Everywhere com- mon in suitable localities. In June 1888 I found specimens of this fish spawning amongst seaweeds in a rock pool off the Castle Point at the mouth of the Urr. ‘The pool was only a short distance above low-water mark, and no fresh water except rain could ever enter it. I have not gone into the FRESHWATER $+ FISHES OF THE SOLWAY AREA ZI question of the so-called varieties or sub-species of this variable species, and have therefore nothing to say about them. Gastrosteus pungitius, Z7zz.—TEN-SPINED STICKLEBACK.—Quite as widely distributed as the preceding species, but not nearly so numerous in individuals. [Gastrosteus spinachia, Z77v.—FIFTEEN-SPINED STICKLEBACK.— Some years ago I saw a specimen of this fish taken from fresh water in a Spirling net at the mouth of the Nith. It had probably been left behind on the ebb of the tide. ] Pleuronectes flesus, Zz7z2z.—THE FLOUNDER.—Very common in all the tidal parts of the rivers, but going up also many miles higher than the tide ever reaches. Cyprinus carpio, Zzzz.—THE ,CArp.—In former times this species was kept in the fish ponds attached to the great houses, and it was still to be found in some of these ponds in recent years, and may be so yet. [Carassius auratus (Zzzv.)—GoLp Fisu.—It can scarcely be said of this species that it is naturalised, nevertheless it breeds and thrives amazingly in a pond of warm water at the Dumfries Ironworks. ‘There are one or two other places, where, under similar conditions, it has thriven well. Fishes taken from such places and transferred to water of natural temperature rarely live more than a month or two. | [Leuciseus idus (Zzzz.)—TueE Ipr.—Is merely mentioned to state that Dr. Walker’s supposed discovery of this species at the mouth of the Nith (“Stewart’s Natural History,’ i. p. 382, 1817) has never been confirmed. | Leuciseus rutilus (Z7zz.)—THE Roacu.—Occurs in the Annan system, being especially common in the lochs near Lochmaben. Also in the small river Lochar, and in a small loch in Colvend. Leuciseus cephalus (Zzzz.)—TuHe Cuus (Locally “Skelly”).—A well-known inhabitant of the Annan waters. Leuciscus phoxinus (Zivz.)—Tue Minnow (Locally “ Bilter”).— Universally distributed. Tinea vulgaris, Cvzv.—TuHe Trencu.—I know this fish as a local species from one spot only—a small loch in Upper Nithsdale. The late Dr. Grierson of Thornhill once showed me skins in his museum from some other locality here, but I unfortunately omitted to take a note of the place at the time, and the information cannot now be obtained. Abramis brama, Z/7v.—THE BreamM.—Common in the Lochmaben lochs and in some parts of the Annan. 22 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Nemachilus barbatulus (Zz77.)—Tuer Loacu (Locally “ Beardie ”). —Common and generally distributed. Clupea alosa, Zzmm.— THE ALLIS SHAD (Locally “ Rock Herring ”).—Pretty common about the mouths of the rivers in June. Salmo salar, Ziuz.—'THE SaLMon.—In value and importance Salmon far outweigh all our other fish interests put together. But the constant flow of law cases arising out of disputes and claims and law-breaking in the Salmon fisheries is a real public scandal, and unsatisfactory to everybody except the lawyers. The late Frank Buckland would have found a very large number of people here to agree with him, if in his famous statement that ‘“‘more lies have been told about the pike than about any other fish in the world” he had substituted “Salmon” for “ pike!” Some of the modes of Salmon fishing practised in the Solway, such as by the haaf net and shoulder net, are peculiar to the district, and have been in use from time immemorial. The old mode of pursuit on horseback as described in ‘“ Redgauntlet ” is obsolete, although a few old persons still remember, and are fond of relating stories of, the time when it was in daily operation. ‘‘ Burning the water ” still occurs, but only as a rather rare and very lawless proceeding in some lonely out-of-the-way place. Solway fishermen always speak of Salmon as ‘‘ Fish,” and almost invariably with a peculiar deferential tone of voice. Thus I asked one on a certain occasion what luck he had this morning? His answer was “ A’ had twae stanes o’ fleuks, a skate, about a dizzen o’ herrin, some codlins, and ¢hree Fish /” I must not omit to remark that Shaw’s almost classic researches on the life-history of the Salmon, which threw so much light on an obscure subject, were made in the upper waters of the Nith. Salmo fario, Zzzz.—Tue Trout.—It is most interesting to study out the various types and varieties of Trout to be met with, but the matter need not be entered into in the present connection. Suffice it to say that almost every little stream has its own peculiar variety. A very fine variety, distinguished by pink flesh and large spots, is peculiar to Loch Skene, an isolated mountain loch at an elevation of about rooo feet at the head of Moffat dale. The Trout of the streams running into Loch Ken are also distinguished by large spots and superior weight, fish up to 10 and 12 lbs. being caught occasionally. The Trout of Lochs Kindar and Lochinvar are extremely like (if they are not identical with) true S. /evenensis. Trout of similar character are found in Loch Skerrow and also in the small loch at FRESHWATER FISHES OF THE SOLWAY AREA 23 Jordieland near Kirkcudbright. Tailless Trout are caught occasionally in Loch Enock, and this curious aberration has also occurred in the Nith. Salmo levenensis, Wa/k.— LocH LEVEN TRoutT.—Has_ been extensively introduced of late years, and specimens are now caught in most of the rivers with tolerable frequency. Salmo trutta, //em.—Sra TRout.—Abundant, coming up the rivers in successive “runs,” which are supposed to be dependent on the state of the weather. The great bulk of the ‘‘ Hirlings ” which, beginning to run in July, continuing to come up in swarms all the autumn months, form so large and fine a proportion of the angler’s takes in the Solway rivers, are the young of the Sea Trout. But “ Hirlings” are also the younger stages of other races of Salmonidz, varying to a most wonderful extent in character and types. Salmo eriox, Zizz.—THE BuLL Trout.—Whether this is a distinct species or hybrid, or sterile form, seems to be a vexed question at present. “ Bull Trouts” of various types are captured occasionally in the Nith and Annan and more plentifully in the Dee. [Salmo ferox, Jard. & Se/b.—GRreEAT LAKE TRouT.—Very large Trout are now and again caught in Loch Ken and Loch Cree and in some of the smaller lochs, the descriptions of which read very like S. fevox. I have never personally examined any of these big Trout. Whether we have the true /evox must be left to the future for decision. | Salmo alpinus, Zzz2.—TuHeE CHARR.—Found abundantly in Loch Grannoch, and not quite so numerously in Loch Dungeon. My friend Mr. T. R. Bruce, while resident at Slogarie, put a quantity of Loch Grannoch Charr into Lochenbreck some years ago, but it is believed the experiment was not successful. Charr of a type which differs widely from the others are found in Loch Doon, but as that loch belongs to the Ayrshire watershed, we must be content with the mention of the fact. There is an interesting notice of the Grannoch Charr in one of the appen- dices to Symson’s ‘“ Galloway ” (1684) which runs as follows :— “A Cuddin is a little fish as big as a large trout, short, but thick-bodied ; its belly a pure red colour ; its taste very sweet ; and is only found in a lake called Lake Grenoch, in a very wild moorish place where they abound.” Osmerus eperlanus, Z777.—THE SMELT.—(Locally ‘ Spirling ” and sometimes ‘‘ Rash” or “ Rush-fish” in allusion to the rush-like smell.) Abundant in the Firth, ascending the tidal parts of the Nith, Annan, Urr, and Cree in the winter and _ spring 24 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY months. ‘They are seldom captured nowadays in the rivers proper, owing to the restrictions exacted by the salmon lessees and others, but a tolerably regular fishing for them is carried on in the estuaries. Small meshed nets are not in use in the rivers, owing to the reason mentioned, hence the Spirlings are only caught when the loops of the salmon nets are drawn tight preparatory to the last portion of the nets being lifted from the water. When the Spirlings are present their peculiar scent is quickly detected on the salmon nets. Coregonus vandesius, Azci.— THE VENDACE.—At one time this species was thought to be confined solely to the Lochmaben lochs, but it is now known to occur across the borders in Windermere and Bassenthwaite. Of late years it was believed to be getting scarce, but a few months ago a draught was taken in the Castle Loch and the Vendace turned out in numbers as of old. It has often been stated that this species is so delicate that it will not bear transport, but this is a mistake, as with care it has been transferred to other waters. But any introductions of this sort have been ultimately quite unsuccess- ful in naturalising the fish elsewhere. It is popularly supposed that from some reason or other the Vendace breeds only in the Mill Loch, whence the young fryjfind their way to the Broom- hill and Castle Lochs. An odd fish now and then finds its way down to the Annan, but they do not thrive there and soon die. Formerly, two clubs known respectively as the Vendace Club, and St. Magdalene’s Vendace Club held each an annual meeting at the lochs, in July or August, when the net was drawn for Vendace, and the fish taken were prepared for the fish dinner which followed in the evening. The St. Magdalene Club was on somewhat democratic lines, and occasionally as many as 2000 people assembled at the annual fishing, and various athletic sports were engaged in after the netting was over for the day. Both clubs have been defunct for many years, and the Vendace have been left to look after their own interests. Thymallus vulgaris, /Vz/ss—TuHrE GrayLinc.—The late Mr. Shaw of Drumlanrig put 2000 Grayling ova into a stream in the Drumlanrig policies leading into the Nith in the spring of 1857. The following year breeding fish were introduced into the same river by Lord John Scott. Now the species swarms in all suit- able localities. A few have been taken in the upper waters of the Annan, but none in the lower reaches. I am unaware when or by whom they were introduced there. Esox lucius, Z2772.—THE PIKE (Locally ‘‘Gedd”).—In most of the rivers and in nearly every loch. The district has always been FRESHWATER FISHES OF THE SOLWAY AREA 25 famous for big Pike, and I have a long list of large ones that have been recorded from time to time. First and foremost is the monster taken in Loch Ken towards the end of last century by John Murray, gamekeeper to John, Viscount Kenmure. It is said to have weighed 72 lbs., and, as the old sportsman carried it along for presentation to his master, its head rested on his shoulders, while the tail swept the ground. The skeleton of the head is still preserved in a case in Kenmure Castle, where I have seen it, along with another head of a pike which is very small by comparison, and weighed only 27 lbs. Other local records are-—One 322 lbs, taken 23d April 1813 in the Castle Loch, Lochmaben, by one of the French prisoners of war: one 45 lbs. April 1830, at Hightae; one, 43 lbs., 10 une 1335, Castle Loch; one, 35 Ibs., 1834, 1m Loch Ken, by a boy named Kenna; one, 184 lbs., 12th May 1857, Loch- rutton, by the late Mr. Boyd; one, 20 lbs., 24th August 1858, Auchencrieff. Of late years the principal captures have been ; one in Auchenstroan Loch, 32 lbs., got by breaking the ice, January 1881; two in May 1887 in the Castle Loch, weighing respectively 32 and 35 lbs.; one in Carlinwark Loch, 18th June 1889, 20 lbs. ; one in Loch Ken, June 1890, 30 lbs. ; and one of 30 lbs. out of a mere farm pond in Kirkpatrick Durham in June 1891. Anguilla vulgaris, /Zem.; A. latirostris, A7zsso.—ComMMoNn EEL.— Whether these are distinct species or not may be doubted. Both types are everywhere numerous. Accipenser sturio, Zzzz.— THE SrurGEon.—Almost every year one or more are captured in the estuaries. They are, how- ever, very rare within the actual limits of the rivers. A small one of three feet in length was seen at the Suspension Bridge in the Nith in June 1890. Petromyzon marinus, Z7z2.—TueE SEA LAMPREY (locally ‘‘ Ramper Eel”).—Comes up the rivers to spawn, and is fairly common. Petromyzon fluviatilis, Zzz.—Tue River Lamprey (locally “Ramper Eel”).—Much more abundant than the last. Note.—TuHE AMERICAN CHARR (Salmo fontinalts, Mitch.) has been put into some of the Stewartry rivers, and also in Loch Doon. The American Black Bass was introduced into the Upper Annan by Mr. Smith of Craigielands. Specimens of both these species have been caught since their introduction, but sufficient time has not elapsed to pronounce their naturalisation a success. 26 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY “ON ANARRHICHAS MINOR, OLAFSEN, AND ITS OCCURRENCE .ON THE ‘ABERDEENSHIE® COAST, By Morris Younc, F.E.S., Curator of the Free Museum, Paisley ; and WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S. PiAre 1. THE specimen figured was captured in a trawl off Aberdeen on or about the 17th of October last, and was sent to the Glasgow market for sale. Here it came under the notice of Mr. Robert Beith, who purchased and presented it to the Paisley Museum, where it is now on exhibition as a mounted specimen. The fish was a female and contained about a cupful of ova. It weighed 26 pounds and was 49 inches in length. The fin-ray formula is as follows :—D. 74; C.16; A. 45; P. 20. Canine teeth: five in the outer and inner’ fowsien the upper jaw ; and seven in the outer and inner rows of the under jaw. There are now eight, but have been ten, teeth on the Vomer. The teeth generally are weaker than those in other specimens of Anarrhichas lupus in the Paisley Museum. When in the flesh the general colour of the fish was light tan, and the spots black. The transverse bands characteristic of A. lupus are absent, for the slightly darker shading here and there on the sides can scarcely be considered to repre- sent them. I have searched the works of Yarrell and Day, and other books on Ichthyology, without finding any descrip- tion of such a form of the British Wolf-fish ; and I think it is a distinct species for the following reasons :— 1. The spots are so large, dark, and conspicuous, while in A. lupus they are not at all so. 2. There are no signs of the distinct bands characteristic of A. lupus. 3. The teeth are generally weaker, and the canines do not project nearly so much as in A. /upus. 4. The head is much more strongly formed than in the specimens of A. /upus I have seen. 5. The head is connected to the body in a much more graceful manner than in A. lupus. iN 47270 GAONIW SVHOIHYUVNVY > duu N soug Ute FUT 131] la yUUN Uy ay AIW'T “2691 PLS wey, LYN LOOC ‘NNW V 4, PI ai Pais ~ ON ANARRAICHAS MINOR, OLAFSEN 27 In the year 1875 Professor Steenstrup, who has made the genus Anarrhichas a special study, contributed ! an important and, it may be added, much-needed paper on the subject, in which he recognises three species as inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean, namely :— A. lupus, Z. (=A. strigosus, Gm., and A. vomerinus, Agass.)\— Thus diagnosed: dusky or ashy, with from nine to twelve darker transverse bars, and small spots irregularly dispersed ; teeth very strong, the vomerine series being much longer than the palatine series; fin rays—D. 75, A. 45. Range—Shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and Arctic Europe and Greenland. A. minor, Olafs. (=A. pantherina, Zouiew ; A. maculatus, Bloch ; A. eggertt, Stp.; American variety of A. lupus, Gunther, ‘ Cat. Fishes,” ili. p. 209).—Dark ashy; the whole body,? especially the back, covered with large round dark spots; transverse bars are wanting; teeth not so strong as in A. /upus, the palatine series and the vomerine series about the same length ; fin rays —D. 77, A. 45. Range—Shores of Iceland, Western Green- land, Finmark, North Russia. A. latifrons, S¢eexstrup.—Not a well-known fish. Colours probably uniform, and perhaps marked with ill-defined spots; teeth, less strong and much smaller and more attenuated than in either of the former species, the palatine series of teeth narrower posteriorly and much longer than the vomerine; fin rays—D. 79, A. 45. Range—Shores of Iceland and Western Greenland. In addition to the characters alluded to in the above diagnoses, Professor Steenstrup bases his conclusions relating to these species upon important cranial peculiarities which he describes and figures. It is not quite clear in what light Professor Steenstrup regards A. denticulatus, Kroyer, from Western Greenland ; of which there is a specimen in the British Museum (“ Brit. Mus. Cat. Fishes,” iii. p. 211). Dr. Giinther, in his useful “Study of Fishes” (1880), unfortunately does not 1 NOGET OM SLAGTEN S#uULV (Anarrhichas) OG DENS NORDISKE ARTER AF, Professor Japetus Steenstrup. (Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra den natur- historiske Forening i Kjéhenhavn, 1876, pp. 159-202, Tab. iii.) 2 Prof. Steenstrup (‘‘ Vid. Medd.” 1878, pp. 109-113) identifies 4. /eopardus, Agass. (‘* Spix. Pisc. Bras.,” p. 92, 1829), with A. mznor, which implies an ex- tension of the range of this species as far south as Brazil. 28 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY afford us any information regarding this evidently rare form. It is important to note, however, that he recognises three species of Aznarrhichas for the Atlantic, though he only alludes to A. lupus by name. Dr. Day in his “ British and Irish Fishes” (1880-1884, i. pp. 195-197) evidently ignores this work of Professor Steenstrup’s. He was certainly cognisant of it, because he refers to it in his synonomy of A. /upus, but not otherwise. This is both surprising and disappointing, because, even if our author was not prepared to accept the conclusions arrived at by Professor Steenstrup, he at least ought to have described the forms or varieties of A. /upus covered by his bibliographical references. But though he includes among the synonyms of our common Wolf-fish such suggestive appellations as A. pantherinus and A. maculatus, yet he tells us absolutely nothing about the form to which these names actually refer. | Regarding the identity of the interesting Scottish speci- men under consideration, it is to be noted that in all the essential particulars furnished by Mr. Young’s description the fish agrees in quite a marked manner with A. mznor. Thus the large dark spots, the absence of transverse bars, and the comparatively smaller teeth, all point unmistakably to that species. But to these characters, which chiefly relate to the external appearance of the specimen, I am able to add others. Mr. Young has kindly sent me an excellent impress, in gutta-percha, of the palatal series of teeth—which, along with the cranial characters, furnish the most important evidence of identity. This impress decides, it is thought, the. specific identification of the -fish,~since it “eleagm shows the palatine and vomerine series of teeth to be as nearly as possible of equal length, agreeing with Professor Steenstrup’s description and figure of the dentition of A. minor. may also add that I counted the impress of ten and eleven teeth in the respective palatine series. Mr. Young’s remarks on the more massive appearance of the head, as compared with that of the Common Wolf-fish, are also of importance. Here, again, we have a characteristic feature of A. minor, in which the cranium is broader than in A. lupus by reason of the frontal bones being more expanded. I ABNORMALLY DEVELOPED THORNBACK 29 ought to remark that Mr. Young has not, I believe, seen Professor Steenstrup’s paper, and thus his critical remarks upon the specimen under his charge are the more valuable. In conclusion, I consider that only one deduction, as to specific identity, can be drawn from the significant com- bination of characters possessed by this Scottish Wolf-fish, namely, that it is the Azarrhichas minor of Eggert Olafsen (“Reise i Island,” 1772, p. 592)—-a new and interesting addition to the British fauna. The Plate is an accurate reproduction in lithography of a photograph taken of the fish when in the flesh. W, Eee, NOTE ON AN ABNORMALLY DEVELOPED THORNBACK (AAI CLAVATA, ED By Reb PRAQUAIRE: MED; bLRSS: Keeper of the Natural History Collections, Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh, A FEW weeks ago Mr. Charles Muirhead presented to the Museum of Science and Art a specimen of a Ray caught thirty miles east of the Isle of May, which seemed to him to be somewhat peculiar in its appearance. The form, colouring, dermal armature, and dentition of this Ray (see Fig. 1) show clearly that it is a Thornback (Raza clavata, L.), though the large thorns are not so abundant on it as we often see them on other and more especially on larger specimens, ‘The fish isa female ; its entire length is 224 inches, its greatest width 15 inches. In front and on each side of the snout there is an angular notch which is deeper on the left than on the right side, and consequently the anterior aspect of the fish appears as if divided into three points, one median and two lateral. Of course it is evident at the first glance that this mal- formation is conditioned by the non-adherence tothe sides of the head of the anterior extremities of the pectoral fins, which con- sequently project freely on either side of the snout, A similar case, also in a Thornback, is figured by Day, “ British 30 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Fishes,” vol ii. Pl. CLXXI. Fig. 2; and the extraordinary mon- strosity in the same species figured in the third edition of Yarrell’s “ British Fishes,” vol. ii. p. 584, seems to be of the same nature, though in addition the pectoral fins are deformed in their shape. This condition in a Ray offers a certain amount of analogy to those well-known instances of Turbots and Flounders, in which the anterior extremity of the dorsal SL® SO 6 ©2025 = er-DS] = FIG, I. fin also projects forward as a free pointed process instead of being tied down to the top of the head. In these Pleuro- nectids, however, this state of the dorsal fin is alwaysdetermined by an arrestment, to a greater or lesser degree, of the move- ment of the upper eye from the blind to the ocular side of the head, but it is difficult to conceive of any cause which might underly the non-adherence of the extremities of the pectorals in these abnormal Thornbacks. ‘““POWRIE COLLECTION ” OF FOSSILS 31 moot OF THE TYPE AND FIGURED. SPECIMENS Pb POW RIE COLLECTION” OF FOSSILS. ibyvk. HL TRaguain, MJD), BuiX.s:, Keeper of the Natural History Collections, Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh. THOSE who are interested in Scottish Geology and Palzon- tology will likewise be interested to learn that the important collection of fossils formed by Mr. Powrie of Reswallie has recently been acquired by the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art. This collection, principally illustrative of the paleontology of the Forfarshire Old Red Sandstone, may be termed a historical one. At the time of completion of Agassiz’s great works, very little was known about the fossils of Forfarshire, and it was not till years afterwards that the researches of local collectors, notably Mr. Powrie, Rev. H. Mitchell, Rev. H. Brewster, and Mr. M‘Nicol, showed that the Old Red of this county possessed a fauna of interest and importance beyond what had been previously supposed. The special importance of the Forfarshire collection brought together by Mr. Powrie lies in its containing so many specimens which have been described and figured in the works of Page, Egerton, H. Woodward, Ray Lankester, and of Mr. Powrie himself. For he has worked not merely with his hammer as a collector, but also with his pen as an original contributor to scientific knowledge. Mr. Powrie also, many years ago, purchased a large portion of the collection of the late Mr. Patrick Duff of Elgin, and thus added to his cabinet a series of fossils from another region of Scotland, namely the country lying along the southern shore of the Moray Firth. Among these is a small but interesting selection of the fragmentary fish-remains from the Upper Old Red of Scat Craig, which contains many of the original specimens figured by Mr. Duff in his “ Geology of Morayshire” (Elgin, 1842), as well as by Agassiz in his “Poissons Fossiles du vieux sres rouge.” Here we find, in addition, the original example of Mantell’s TZelerpeton Elginense from the reptiliferous sandstone of Lossiemouth. All geologists remember that 32 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY this was long considered as a reptile of the Old Red Sand- stone period, though the affinities of the ever increasing series of reptilian remains which have been since discovered in these beds have in recent times determined their age to be, in all probability, Triassic. One carboniferous fossil, or rather pair of fossils, in the Powrie collection is also worthy of notice, namely two of the original specimens of Eurypterus Scoulerz, from Kirkton near Bathgate, figured by Hibbert in 1835 in his celebrated “ Memoir on the Burdiehouse Limestone.” Iam not aware of any specimens of this remarkable creature having been found since Hibbert’s time. As all working Naturalists, whether they busy themselves with things recent or fossil, are aware of the importance of knowing the whereabouts of original specimens of which descriptions or figures have been published, I have thought that a list of those contained in the “ Powrie Collection,” all of which are Scottish fossils, might form an appropriate con- tribution to the first number of the “ Annals of Scottish Natural History.” In all cases the first name given is that which was applied to the specimen in the work in which it was described or figured. Corrections or rectifications of nomenclature come afterwards. I. SPECIMENS CONSTITUTING ORIGINAL TYPES UPON WHICH SPECIES HAVE BEEN FOUNDED. SILURIAN. Merostomata— Stylonurus Logani, “7. Woodward.—Imperfect specimen from Logan Water, Lesmahagow. H. Woodward in “Geol. Mag.” vol. i. (1864), p. 197, Platé-X. Fig. 1. The counterpart of this specimen, belonging to the Museum of Practical Geology, is figured in “‘ British Fossil Merostomata,” Plate XXIV, Fig. 1. OLD RED SANDSTONE. Merostomata— Eurypterus Brewsteri, (7. [Voodward.—Carapace from Kelly Den, near Arbroath, described and figured by H. Woodward, “Geol. Mag.” vol. 1. (1864), p. 200, Plate X. Fig. 3, and am ** Brit, Foss. Merost.,” p. 151, Plate XXVIII. Fig. 4. ““POWRIE COLLECTION ” OF FOSSILS 3 Pterygotus minor, 4. Woodward.—Entire specimen from Farnell, described and figured by H. Woodward, ‘“ Geol. Mag.” vol. i. (1864), p. 199, Plate X. Fig. 2, and in “ Brit. Foss. Merost.” oes erie Ty Fig. A. Stylonurus Powriei, /age.—A nearly perfect specimen from Pitscandly, first named and figured by D. Page in “ Advanced Text-book of Geology,” 2d. Ed. 1859, p. 181, Fig. 3. De- scribed and figured by H. Woodward in “Qu. Journ. Geol. Soc.” vol. xxi. (1865), p. 482, Plate XIII. Fig. 1, and in ‘ Brit. Foss. Merost.” p. 122, Plate XXI. Fig. 1. Stylonurus ensiformis, 47. Woodward.—Detached tail spine, de- scribed and figured by H. Woodward, “Geol. Mag.” vol. i. (1864), pp. 198-199, woodcut, and in “ Brit. Foss. Merost.” p, Ize, ride x1), Figs, “Turin: Hill Stylonurus Secoticus, 7. Woodward.—A large and nearly entire speci- men from Montroman Muir, described and figured by H. Wood- ward in “ Qu. Journ. Geol. Soc.” vol. xxi. (1865), pp. 484-486, Plate XIII. Fig. 2, and in “ Brit. Foss. Merost.” p. 126, Plate XXIII. Myriopoda— Archidesmus M‘Nicoli, /each.—One of the two type specimens described and figured by B. N. Peach, “ Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin.” vol. vii. (1882), p. 182, Plate II. Fig. 26. Pisces— Diplacanthus gracilis, Lgerton ( = Lschnacanthus gracilis, Powrie).— Counterpart of original type specimen, a nearly entire fish, figured and described by Egerton in “Dec. Geol. Surv.” vol. x. (1861), p. 69, Plate IX. Farnell. Climatius uncinatus, /ow7te—A complete fish, described and figured by Powrie, ‘‘Qu. Journ. Geol. Soc.” vol. xx. (1864), p. 422; also in “Trans. Edin. Geol. Soc.” vol. 1. (1870), p. 296, Blate ALY... Fig. x7, Euthaeanthus Maenicoli, Pow7ze.—Entire specimen, described and figured by Powrie, “Qu. Journ. Geol. Soc.” vol. xx. (1864), p. 425, Plate XX. Fig. 2. Also in “Trans. Edin. Geol. Soc.” vol. i. (1870), Plate XI. Fig. 3. Turin Hill. Euthacanthus gracilis, /owrie-——Imperfect specimen described and figured by Powrie, of. ci¢. p. 291, Plate XI. Fig. 4. Euthaecanthus elegans, Powrvie-—PBadly preserved specimen from Farnell, described and figured by Powrie, zézd. p. 292, Plate XII. Fig. 5. Euthacanthus grandis, Pow7ie—Type specimens, an imperfect fish and a detached tail, described by Powrie, “Trans. Edin. Geol. I D 34 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Soc.” vol. i. (1870), p. 292. Enlarged scales figured, 702d. Plate XII. Fig. 6. Turin Hill. Euthacanthus ecurtus, owzie.—Imperfect fish, from Farnell, described and figured by Powrie, zécd. p. 293, Plate XII. Fig. 7. Notre.—Messrs. Smith Woodward and Sherborn, in their “‘ Catalogue of British Fossil Vertebrata,” p. 65, have placed this species in Diplacanthus with a query. A second specimen in the collection from Turin Hill shows, however, that there were more than one pair of intermediate ventral spines, so I have kept it here for the present, although its general contour is somewhat unlike that of the other members of the genus. Parexus faleatus, Powrie.—Complete fish from Turin Hill, de- scribed and figured by Powrie, zzd. p. 294, Plate XIII. Figs. 9; 92 Pteraspis Mitchelli, Powz7ze.—Cephalic shield from Bridge of Allan, figured in restored outline by Mr. Powrie in the “Geologist” for 1863, p. 68, woodcut, and named by him Pteraspis Mitchel in the same journal for 1864, p. 172. Figured and described also by Lankester, “ Brit. Cephalasp.” Pal. Sec.p: 33, Plate VY. Bies.s6:and fro. Eucephalaspis Powriei, Lankester (= Cephalaspis Powriet).— Described by Lankester, of. czz. pp. 47-48. A. Entire specimen, from Leysmill near Arbroath, beauti- fully preserved, Lankester, of. cé/. Plate X. Fig. 1. B. Detached cranial shield. Lankester, of. c#¢. Plate IX. Hie se. Eucephalaspis asper, Lamnkester (probably = adult form of Cephalaspis Pagei).—Imperfect specimen from Turin Hill, described and figured by Lankester, of. cf. p. 50, Plate X. Fig. 5. Eucephalaspis Pagei, ZLazkester (= Cephalaspis Pagei).—Described by Lankester, of. cit. pp. 49-50. A. Nearly entire specimen, Lankester, of. cz. Plate X. Fig. 3. B. do. do. Fig. 4. Cc do. do. Plate Xi Wigwe All are from Turin Hill Quarries. Cephalopterus Pagei, Pow7te.—Original specimen, described and figured by Powrie in “ Trans.-Geol. Soc. Edin.” vol. i. (1870), p. 298, Plate XIV. Fig. 16. Turin Hill. Placothorax paradoxus, Agassiz (= fragments of pectoral limbs of Bothriolepis major, Ag. sp.)—The two type specimens described and figured by Agassiz, “ Poiss. Foss. v. grés rouge,” p. 134, tab. 30 a, Figs. 20-23. They were previously figured by P. Duff, “Geol. Moray,” Plate VII. Figs. 3-4, as ‘‘fragments of — 7. ““POWRIE COLLECTION ” OF FOSSILS 35 dorsal spines of a fish which has been referred to the genus Cestracion.” From Scat Craig. Holoptychius giganteus, Agassiz.—Two scales from Scat Craig figured by Agassiz, ‘“‘ Poiss. Foss. v. gres rouge,” Atlas tab. 24, Figs. 3 and 8. Duff’s figure ‘‘ Geol. Moray,” Plate VII. Fig. 10, is probably taken from the same specimen as Agassiz’s Fig. 8. Dendrodus latus, Duff (= D. biporcatus, Owen = Holoptychius gigan- teus, Ag.)—Detached laniary tooth, with portion of internal dentary bone attached, figured by P. Duff, of. cet, Plate VI. Fig. 4; also by Agassiz, “ Poiss. Foss. v. gres rouge,” tab. 28, Pies, 1, 2. Dendrodus ineurvus, Duff ( = Holoptychius nobilissimus, Ag.)—A mandibular internal dentary bone with laniary tooth attached, figured by P. Duff in. “Geol. Moray,” Plate VI. Fig. 11. Figured also by Agassiz under the name of Cvicodus tncurvus, | Poiss: oss. v. gres fouge,” p. 68, tab. 28, Figs. 4 and -5- Scat Craig. Notre.—Agassiz’s genus Crvicodus has been referred to the Rhizodont- ide by myself! and by Mr. Smith Woodward? on account of Pander’s identification of it with his Polyplocodus, which assuredly belongs to that family, and also because the transverse section of a tooth figured by Agassiz as Cvzcodus without specific name, ‘‘Poiss. Foss.” vol. i, part 1, tab. H, Figs. 11, 12, is apparently of Rhizodont character. But Agassiz in the text, 2d. p. 156, states that the tooth from which this section was taken had its large pulp cavity filled with a black matrix; likewise that it was a frag- ment broken at both ends, which “provenait d’une dent enorme car il avait la grosseur d’un doigt.” It is therefore almost certain that this Rhizodont tooth, which he says is from Scotland without naming any precise locality, is of carboniferous age, especially seeing that a few pages further back (zdz@. p. 105), he states that Cvicodus occurs both in Devonian and in carboniferous rocks. It is certainly very different from the tooth figured by Duff as Dendrodus incurvus, which Agassiz afterwards refigured in his ‘‘ Fossil Fishes of the Old Red Sand- stone” as Cyricodus incurvus, and apparently adopted as the type of the genus, seeing that he named no other species. For, on examining this original specimen of zzcurvus, I found, some- what to my surprise, that it was in reality a Dendrodont or Holoptychian tooth, apparently belonging to Owen’s species D. sigmoideus, and this I have long been convinced is synonymous with Holoptychius nobilissimus of Agassiz. The name C7rtcodus 1 ** Geol. Mag.” (3) vol. v. 1888, p. 515. 2 «Catalogue of the Fossil Fishes in the British Museum,” part ii. 1890. 36 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY must therefore drop, as no genus can be founded on the fragment of which a section is figured in Agassiz’s larger work. Cosmacanthus Maleolmsoni, 4gassiz.—‘ Poiss. Foss. v. gres rouge,” p. 121, tab. 33, Fig. 28. . Previously figured by P. Dutijgaeem Plate VU. Fig. 5, as a“ dorsal'spine” “Seat (rai: NotEe.—The nature of this fragment is still doubtful; it does not seem to be a selachian spine as supposed by Duff and Agassiz. By Pander it was interpreted as the outer penultimate marginal plate of the lower part of the arm of an Asterolepid, but its sculpture is different from that on the arms of Lothriolepis major, the common Asterolepid of the Scat Craig deposit. CARBONIFEROUS. Merostomata— Eurypterus Scouleri, //7bder7.—Two of the original specimens from Kirkton near Bathgate, figured by Hibbert, ‘“‘ Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin.” vol. xu. (1836), Plate XII. Figs, 1 and 2. A. Carapace ;—Hibbert, of. ciz. Plate XII. Figs. 1 and 2 upper part. H. Woodward, “ Brit. Foss. Merost.” p. 136, Plate XXV., and woodcut Fig. 41. B, Eight most posterior body segments in apposition ;— Hibbert, of. cz. Plate XII. Figs. 1 and 2, lower part. H. Woodward, of. czz. p. 136, Plate XXVI. TRIAS. Reptilia— Telerpeton Elginense, JZanze//.— ‘Qu. Journ. Geol. Soc.” vol. viii. 1852, pp. 100-105, Plate IV. An imperfect skeleton from the neighbourhood of Lossiemouth. RHAETIC. Pisces— Hybodus Lawsonii, uf—Three of the type specimens from Linksfield, figured by P. Duff, of. cz¢. Plate IV. A, Plate IV. Fig. 1, Dorsal-spme B, Figs. 5 and.o, Veen. II. SPECIMENS WHICH HAVE -BEEN FIGURED, BUT WHICH ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL PYPES OF SPECIES: OLD RED SANDSTONE. Merostomata— Pterygotus Anglicus, Agasszz.— Specimen showing the ventral surface of the body and tail with the metastoma and part of “* POWRIE COLLECTION ” OF FOSSILS 37 the left maxillipede ; described and figured by H. Woodward, ‘British Fossil Merostomata,” p. 34, Plate I. Fig. 1. From ‘Torin, Eat. Pterygotus Anglicus, Agassiz.— Detached head showing the position of the eyes, described and figured by H. Woodward, weep 20,-Plate 1. Bis. 2. “Turin Hill: Pterygotus Anglicus, Agass7z.—Small entire specimen from Turin Hill. H. Woodward, of. ct. pp. 34, 35, Plate II. Fig. 1. Pterygotus Anglicus, Agass7z.— Detached penultimate joint of swimming foot. H. Woodward, of. cit. pp. 38, 39, Plate V. Turin Hill. Pterygotus Anglicus, Agass7z.—Large telson or terminal joint. ) H. Woodward, of. ci¢. p. 42, Plate VI. Myriopoda— Kampecaris Forfarensis, /age.-—Specimen figured by B. N. Peach, Etoc. Roy. Phys, Soc. Edin.” vol: vil. (1882), Plate 1 Pig, xd. Canterland, Kincardineshire. Pisces— ‘Dorsal Spine of Onchus.”—P. Duff, of. ect. Plate VII. Fig. 7. This is the base or inserted portion of an undetermined selachian spine. Scat Craig. Aecanthodes Mitchelli, Zgerton (= Mesacanthus Mitchelli, Traq.)— Powrie, “Trans. Geol. Soc. Edin.” vol. i. (1870), Plate X. Pies ts Eon Hill. Diplacanthus gracilis, Zgerton ( = [schnacanthus gracilis, Powrie).— Powrie; ““Trans.. Geol.-Soc. Edin.” vol. 1.. (2870), Plate X- Be. Conn ull “Apparently a Diploeanthus.”—P. Duff, of. az. Plate XI. Fig. 3. This is a specimen of Diplacanthus striatus (Ag.), from Tynet Burn. Climatius reticulatus, Agass7z.—Specimen figured by Powrie, ‘Tvanse din. Geol. Sec’? vol: i..(1870), Plate XIIT= Kies re. Parexus ineurvus (= /Parexus recurvus, Agassiz).—A beautifully preserved fish from Turin Hill, figured by Powrie, ‘“ Trans. Geol. Soc. Edin.” Plate XII. Fig. 8. Notre.—The specific name given to this fish by Agassiz was vecurvus, but a mistake has crept in of writing it zzcuwrvus, which is participated in even by Mr. Smith Woodward in his “ Catalogue of the Fossil Fishes in the British Museum,” part ii., 1891, P- 34. Seales of Pteraspis, from Bridge of Allan, figured by Lankester, “ Brit. Cephalasp.” Plate V. Fig. 1. 38 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL* HISTORY Pteraspis Mitehelli ?p—‘“ A very large but obscure specimen,” from Bridge of Allan, figured by Lankester, of. c¢. Plate V. Fig. 11. Cephalaspis sp.—Portion of a head showing the orbits as seen from below, figured by Lankester, of. cz¢, Plate X. Fig. 2. Caudal fin of Cephalaspis, from Turin Hill, figured by Lankester, op. tit. Plate XI, Fig. 3. “Plate on the head of Holoptychius nobilissimus.”—P. Duff, of. cez. Plate VII. Fig. 1. This is the anterior median plate of the head of Lothriolepis major (Ag.) Pterichthys oblongus.—P. Duff, of. cz. Plate VIII. Fig. 2. The subject of this figure is a specimen of Pterichthys Millert, Ag., and a considerable amount of ‘‘restoration” enters into the representation of the carapace. From Tynet Burn. Pterichthys cornutus.—P. Duff, of. ct. Plate X. Fig. 2. This is a small specimen of SPterichthys productus, Ag. from Tynet Burn. ‘‘Fragment of the lower jaw of a fish.” —P. Duff, of. cet. Plate VI. Fig. 1. This is a portion of a Holoptychian mandible, probably of 4. gzganteus, Ag. Scat Craig. ‘Lower jaw of a smaller individual.”—P. Duff, of. c¢. Plate VI. Fig. 2. This is the greater part of a small Holoptychian mandible. Scat Craig. ‘* Jaw of fish with teeth remaining in their places.”—P. Duff, of. cit. Plate VI. Fig. 3. -WDetached internal dentary bone von floloptychius of which Mr. Duff says: “In hazarding a conjecture I would refer this jaw to the genus Glyp/olepis.” Scat Craig. Dendrodus biporeatus, Owen (= Holoptychius giganteus, Ag.)—De- tached laniary tooth from Scat Craig, figured by P. Duff, op. cit. Plate VI- Fig. 5: Dendrodus compressus, Owen (= Dendrodus biporcatus, Owen = Floloptychius giganteus, Ag.)—Detached laniary tooth from Scat Craig, figured by P. Duff, of. c#. Plate VI. Fig. 7. Dendrodus sigmoideus, Owen (= Holoptychius nobilissimus, Ag.). —Two detached laniary teeth from Scat Craig figured by P. Duff, op. cet. Plate VI. Figs. 8 and ro. Dendrodus sigmoideus, Owen (= Holoptychius nobilissimus, Ag.)\— Detached laniary tooth from Scat Craig figured by Agassiz, ““Poiss. Foss.-v. gres rouge,” Tab. 28, Fig, «3: LIST OF THE MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA OF BALERNO 39 TRIAS. Reptilia— Stagonolepis.—Portion of the caudal region, figured by Huxley, “ Crocodilian Remains of Elgin Sandstones,” Plate III. RHAETIC. Pisces— **Fragment of dorsal spine destitute of fluting.”—P. Duff, of. ciz. Plate IV. Fig. 4. An undetermined bone, not a selachian spine, though it is referred by Duff to Hybodus Lawsoniz. ‘* Seale of fish not determined.”—P. Duff, of. ct. Plate IV. Fig. 7. This does not seem to be a scale but an internal bone. mist OF THE MACKO-LEPIDOPIERA OF BALERNO, MIDLOTHIAN. By E. W. Caruirr, M.D., B.Sc. THE locality to which the following list refers may be divided into three distinct portions :— 1. THE ROAD, leading from Balerno to the common, is bordered by hedges of hawthorn and beech, with here and there a stone wall; behind these are cultivated lands, pastures, or small woods of common forest trees. 2. THE COMMON, now much reduced by drainage, for- merly covered a large area; the few remaining acres consist of peat bog, very damp and full of holes, but possessing a varied vegetation. This bog, which is cut in two bya grassy path running east and west, is bounded on the south by Bavelaw Burn, on the east by the main road and Bavelaw Wood, on the west by a broken hawthorn hedge, beyond which is arable land, and on the north by a farm road bordered by a belt of lime and beech trees. 3. BAVELAW WOOD, which is little more than a plantation of Scotch firs and beech trees, with a sprinkling of young mountain ash, situated to the east of the main road, is raised a foot or two above the level of the common, which does not prevent it from being very damp and boggy. It 40 ANNALS, OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HistoOR™ reaches to Bavelaw Burn on the south, is surrounded by fields on the east and north, and overlooks the common towards the setting sun. The area is therefore by no means a large one, but actually teems with many forms of insect life. This list is compiled mainly from my own notes, which extend over a period of nine years, and contains only those species that I have been fortunate enough either to catch myself or to see captured by my friends. It_is theretare necessarily incomplete, but contains some few species which, as far as I can ascertain, have not hitherto been recorded as occurring in the locality. Unfortunately my visits have been almost entirely confined to Saturday afternoon rambles, and therefore those species which fly only by night will not be found in any great number in it. One night, and one only, was I able to devote to sugaring in the wood. It did not prove a success, only yielding some dozen Monoglypha; but by searching the trunks of trees and beating up the undergrowth I have, however, managed to take a few specimens of some night-flying species. My friend _Mr. W. Evans, F.R.S.E., etc., to whom 1 jm indebted for great assistance, has kindly consented to supplement my list from his own notes, which are voluminous and extend over a much longer period. The notes on additional species supplied by Mr. Evans will appear as an appendix at the end of my list, followed by others also supplied by him from the diary of Mr. Andrew Wilson, Dentist, Edinburgh. Some of Mr. Wilson’s captures, which were made between 1852 and 1858, were probably taken outside, though close to, my limits. Dr. Northcote has also kindly supplied me with a list of captures from the same locality which I have incorporated with my own. I have also drawn attention to the species mentioned by Lowe and Logan—marking them L. & L.— both in their “List of the Lepidopterous Insects of Mid- lothian,” and the additions thereto recorded in vol. i. pp. 3, 4, and 259 of the “ Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh.” The arrangement and nomenclature followed in this list is that of Mr. Richard South, F.E.S. LIST OF THE MACRO-LEPIDOPTERA OF BALERNO 4I My thanks are due to Mr. Robert Crighton for his kind- ness in allowing me to wander unmolested in Bavelaw Wood. RHOPALOCERA Pieris brassicze, Z.—Fairly abundant along the road, becoming less numerous as the cottage gardens are left behind. I have only taken one specimen in the wood on the tgth June 18o1. Ee & L. Pieris rapz, Z.—Common in the fields bordering the road from May onwards. L. & L. Pieris napi, Z.—Common near Balerno, especially on railway embankments. —R. Kipston and F. S. STIRLING. Mr. James M‘Andrew has favoured us with reprints of papers published recently by himself in the ‘‘ Transactions of the Dumfries- shire and Galloway Nat. Hist. and Antiquarian Society,” on the Mosses, Hepaticee, and Lichens of S.W. Scotland. Mr. M‘Andrew’s researches have added largely to what was on record previously ; and in these papers he sums up the results of his own labours and of those of other botanists in the same district. Excluding varieties, of which many are recorded in these lists, the species reach the following numbers ;—From Dumfriesshire and Kirkcudbright, — Mosses 234, Hepaticze 102. (To these should be added Dicranum spurtum, from Moffat, Barbula vinealis from Kenmure Castle, Cephalozia multiflora, from Dumfries, Harpanthus Flotovianus, from Glenlee and Glenkens, Scapania umbrosa from Dalry and Moffat, Nardia densiflora from Black Craig, New Galloway, and Aneura fatifrons from Bennan Hill, discovered in the district by Mr. M‘A. since the publication of the above lists.) The Lichens collected in the S.W. counties of Scotland (mostly by himself in the Glenkens), including some from Rerrick collected by the Rev. G. M‘Conachie, reach the number of 217 species, with very many varieties. The papers will be found very helpful to all local students of the groups treated of, and they should be consulted by all who interest them- selves in the Cryptogamic Botany of Scotland. In Grevillea, for March, is a paragraph which will be read with regret by all British botanists, announcing that Dr. M. C. Cooke has resolved, because of “fickle health, increasing years, and diminished vigour,” to withdraw from the editorship after the issue of the next number, which will complete the twentieth volume. He adds “ Whether some more enterprising proprietor can be found 144 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY is yet uncertain; our only concern now is to make known our determination to stand open to any proposal whereby our pecuniary interest shall cease, so that we may rest from the periodical anxieties of the past two decades.” Dr. Cook’s volume on 4ritish Desmids, published in 1887, is offered at the reduced price of £2, including postage, in order to dispose of a small number of copies still in hand. Upwards of 1600 coloured figures are given on the 66 coloured plates. The present opportunity should be taken advantage of by Natural History Societies and libraries not already possessed of the work to procure it at so low a price. Communications should be addressed to Dr. M. C. Cooke, 146 Junction Road, London, N. CURRENT LITERATURE The Titles and Purport of Papers and Notes relating to Scottish Natural His- tory which have appeared during the Quarter—January to March 1892. [The Editors desire assistance to enable them to make this Section as complete as possible. Contributions on the lines indicated will be most acceptable and will bear the initials of the Contributor. The Editors will have access to the sources of information undermentioned. ] ZOOLOGY. Poleeat in Aberdeenshire. G. Mackay. Zhe Field, 5th March 1892, p. 313.—“ Recently killed” in the Forest of Glenmuick. On the occurrence of Hybrids between the Red Grouse and Ptarmigan. By WALTER CHAMBERLAIN, F.Z.S. Zhe Zoologist (3), Vol. xvi. (February 1892), pp. 41-51.—No unimpeachable record of such a hybrid, and only one probable example—a specimen shot at Kintradwell, in Sutherland, on 1st September 1878, by Captain Hauston, and now in the University Museum, Cambridge. Hybrid Blackeoeck and Red Grouse. G. M. The Field, 2d January 1892, p. 2.—Shot at Sandside, Caithness, in November I8Ql. Bernicle Goose at North Berwick. F. Copurn. Zhe Zoologist (3), Vol. xvi. (Jan. 1892) p. 33.—Female shot on 8th Oct. 1891. An Investigation into the Variations of the Viper in Great Britain. By G.A. BouLENGER. The Zoologist (3), Vol. xvi. (March 1892), pp. 87-93.—-Several Scottish specimens are alluded to, and their peculiarities described. Its distribution is also sketched. Note on a New Species of Onychodus from the Lower Old Red Sandstone of Forfar. E. T. Newton, F.G.S. Geol. Mag. (3), Vol. ix. (February 1892), pp. 51-52.—Description and figures of the CURRENT LITERATURE 145 teeth of a species of Onychodus, obtained from the Old Red Sand- stone of Forfar. The author compares it with O. anglicus, and O. arcticus, and regards it as a new species, Onychodus scoticus. Butterfly Notes. C. W. Date. £7. Mo. Mag. (2), Vol. iii. (February 1892), p. 49.— Pieris napi, female, at Lairg, on 14th June 1890, of a cream ground colour, resembling some examples of P. rape. Notes on Lepidoptera Bred or Captured in 1891. W. M. Curisty. Zhe Entomologist, xxv. (January 1892), pp. 18-19.— Sphinx convolvuli captured at Rannoch. The British Noctuze and their Varieties. By J. W. Tutt, F.E.S. Vol. i. (January 1892).—This volume, of 180 pages, deals with the Family Noctuidz, and contains many descriptions of Scottish specimens. The Paisley “Pug” (Lufithecia castigata, var.) By W. H. TuGWELL. Zhe Entomologist, Vol. xxv. (February 1892), pp. 41- 42.—This form, which has long puzzled entomologists, is determined a melanism of E. castigata. Notes on British Lepidoptera. By RicHarp SoutTH. TZte Entomologist, Vol. xxv. (February 1892), pp. 29-36.—Scottish varieties of Noctua brunnea and Noctua festiva are described. Annotated List of British Tachiniide. By R. H. Meape. Ent. Mo. Mag. (2), Vol. iii. (March 1892).—At p. 77 Miltogramma punctata, Mgn., is mentioned for Arran, fde Curtis. Exorista apicalis. C. W. Date. L£nt. Mo. Mag. (2), Vol. iii. (February 1892), p. 50.—Mr. Dale captured this rare fly at Vallay, North Uist, on 18th June 1883. The Hemiptera Heteroptera of the British Islands. By EDWARD SAUNDERS. Part i. (January 1892); Part ii. (March 1892).—The Scottish species of the families Pentatomide and Berytidze are treated of. [ Cicadze eaptured near Edinburgh. | G. B. BucktTon, F.R.S. Monograph of the British Cicada, Vol. i. Part vill, p. 194.— Euacanthus interruptus, Eupteryx auritus, Bythoscopus flavicollis, and Limotettix virescens. . A List of Earthworms known to occur in the North of England and South of Seotland, with habitats for each species. By Rev. Hi_peric Frrenp, F.L.S. Zhe Naturalist (March 1892), p. g0o.—Lumbricus purpureus, for Annan; Allolobophora celtica, for Langholm, are the only species for which Scottish habitats are given. A Revision of the British species of Fresh water Cyelopids and Calanidz. By GEORGE STEWARDSON Brapy, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S. 146 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Nat. Hist. Trans. Northumberland, Durham, and Newcastle-upon- Tyne, Vol. xi. Part i. pp. 68-120. With fourteen plates.—Informa- tlon concerning many species from various districts in Scotland has been contributed by Mr. Thomas Scott, F.L.S. [Reophax secottii (C/as¢er) in the Firth of Forth.| Mr. G. W. Chaster in his Report upon the Foraminifera of Southport District (1st Rep. Southport Soc. Nat. Sct. 1890-91), at p. 57 describes Reophax scottiil, a new species, and mentions the Firth of Forth as a habitat. The species is figured on Plate I. Fig 1. BOTANY. In 7yansactions of the Edinburgh Botanical Soczety, December 1891. On Temperature and Vegetation in the Royal Botanie Garden (Edinburgh), during July, August, September, and October, 1891. By Ropert Lrinpsay. | On Temperature and Vegetation in the Royal Botanie Garden, Glasgow, during July, August, September, and October, 1891. By ROBERT BULLEN. The Roots of Grasses in relation to their upper growth. By ANDREW P. AITKEN, D. Sc. (with plates II. and III.) ; illustrates the root growth between June 1889 and June 1890, of 14 pasture- grasses ; and gives a table of the weights of the hay and stubble and of the roots, distinguishing the quantity produced in the upper 8 inches from that produced in the 16 inches below. New Zealand Veronicas fit to be grown out-of-doors in Seotland. (In the Presidential Address to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh, November 1891, by RosBert LINpsay), enumerates 18 hardy species that can stand the climate of Edinburgh, and 11 half hardy, and gives hints with regard to their cultivation and value as ornamental plants. Exeursion of the Seottish Alpine Botanical Club to Tyndrum in 1891. By Wixtiiam Craic, M.D. The localities visited were Beinn Laoigh on west, north, and east sides (very rich in Alpine plants) ; Crom Allt on Beinn Odhar ; Lochan Bhe (in which a “ very remark- able variety” of Scirpus fluitans was found growing entirely under water at a considerable distance from the edge) ; and the Corrie in Cruach Ardran. (In Journal of Botany, January, February, and March 1892.) First Records of British Flowering Plants. Compiled by WituiaM A. CLARKE, F.L.S. “An attempt to extract from printed botanical works published in Great Britain the earliest notice of each distinct species of our native and naturalised flowering plants. The following are noted from Scotland: &. vepzans, L., 1777, at the REVIEWS 147 west end of Loch Leven. Caltha radicans, T. F. Forster, in Zznz. Soc. Trans. 1807 ; recorded by G. Don, as found in 1790 by him- self in a ditch near the farmhouse of Haltoun. Vuphar pumila, Hoffm., discovered in 1809 by Mr. Borrer in a pool near the farm of Corrie Chastel, at the foot of Ben Chonachan. /umarta densiflora, D.C., 1843, near Edinburgh. Dyraba rupestris, Br., ‘‘found by James Dickson in 1789 on Ben Lawers.” Lvophila inflata, Hook, f. 1830, on Ben Lawers, above the Lake.” A new British Hieracium (4. anjfractiforme). By Rev. Epwarp S. MarsHat., M.A., F.L:S. Description of a new species, found beside ‘rocky subalpine streamlets of the Western Breadalbanes, on granite and mica-slate, from 1400 to 1800 feet” (by Mr. Marshall in Glen Etive and in Corrie Ardran near Crianlarich, by Dr. Buchanan White on Ben Laoigh, and by Dr. W. A. Shoolbred between Glen Lyon and Tyndrum). ‘‘ Occasionally . anfractiforme has a certain look of A. argenfeum, Fr., from which, however, it differs in many essential points.” “It has been well tested by two or three seasons’ cultivation.” (/. &., January.) Mierochete seruginea, sf. x By E. A. Batrers;—On Rhodochorton Rothii, Nag., from Berwick-on-Tweed. It is “closely allied to JZ ‘¢enera, but differing from it in the greater thickness of the filaments, the shortness of the articulation, and the marine habitat.” A diagnosis in Latin follows. REVIEWS British Fungi (Phycomycetes and Ustilaginee). By GEORGE MassEE. (L. Reeve and Co. 1891. Cr. 8vo. 232 pp. 8 plates.) Of making of many books there is no end; yet on various great groups of British Fungi there is not only room, but very great need, for monographs. But to justify their existence such works must give proofs of care in execution and of full acquaintance with the subject treated of. It is to be regretted that the work under review is not such as might have been looked for from the author. The inclusion of so widely different groups as the JAZucoracee, the Peronosporee, and the Usélaginee in the same small volume is scarcely convenient. There scarcely seemed need to include the Ustilaginee at all, in view of the recent excellent monograph on them by Dr. Plowright; and, in fact, there is little, if any, real addition made in the new work to our knowledge of this group in Britain, There was room for a manual on the two other groups, had the object of the book as stated in the preface “to bring up to date the British species of Fungi included” been fulfilled. A pretty long 148 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY list of names of “literature quoted” gives promise of careful research. But it requires no great labour to detect that the references to that literature are most incomplete, and to prove that the book as it stands is utterly misleading in its profession of being up to date. Leaving it to others to indicate deficiencies for the English flora proper, we shall instance in support of the above criticism only the old genus /eronospora (now broken up into several genera), as regards the species recorded in the “Scottish Naturalist” some years since. As that journal appears among the ‘‘Literature quoted” we might have assumed that all records in it of species new to Britain would have been noted, yet there is no mention in the monograph of the following species recorded in the journal :—P. odovata, Bon., P. Potentilla, De Bary, P. Chrysosplenit, Fckl., P. leptosperma, De Bary, P. Radi, De Bary, P. Valeriane, Trail, P. alta, Fckl., P. Rumicis, Corda. Nor is there any reference to P. Alsinearum, Casp., and P. Sclerantht, Rabh., even to show that they are sunk as synonyms. As the total number of species of Peronospora, in the widest sense, mentioned in the book is twenty- five, the above omissions are very noteworthy. The host plants enumerated are also very defective. Space will not permit of naming the omissions of records from Scotland in the other groups of fungi included in the work. Monographs are rendered considerably more useful when they give references to earlier notices of the species treated of in them; but this has been attempted only as regards a few writers (e.g. Berkeley) in this work; nor has any attempt been made to _ indicate distribution. The book also bears signs of want of care in the numerous printer’s errors that disfigure its pages. A Monograph of the Myxogastres. By GEORGE MASSEE. (Methuen and Co. 1892. Ry. 8vo. 367 pp. 12 coloured plates.) It is with great pleasure that we turn to this important and care- ful monograph (just issued), in which the author does justice alike to himself and to his subject. ‘There has for several years been much need of a revision of the curious organisms included in the group of Myxogastres, whether these be regarded as plants or as animals, a question, indeed, rather of words than of vital significance so far down in the scale of organised beings. Mr. Massee shows evidence of having brought to the work much personal investigation, and a thorough acquaintance with the work of others among these plants, and with the extensive materials for study contained in the Herbarium at Kew and obtained from his correspondents. The numerous excellent coloured figures from Mr. Massee’s brush add to the value of the book, which will be indispensable to every student of the Myxogastres. A few Scottish localities are referred to under certain species ; but we have not observed any new records among these. The Annals of Scottish Natural History No. 3] 1892 [JuLy ON NEW AND RARE CRUSTACEA FROM THE: .EAST “COAST OF Cet Ea By Tuomas Scott, F.L.S,, and ANDREW SCOTT. PLATES VI. and VII. Lichomolgus aberdonensis, n. sp. (Plate VI. Figs. 1-12). LENGTH, exclusive of tail sete, 1.46 mm. (about ;; of an inch). The cephalo-thorax is composed of five segments, the first of which is longer than the combined length of the other four, rounded in front, and not produced into a rostrum ; the fifth segment is rather longer than, and little more than half the breadth of, the preceding segment. Abdomen in both sexes composed of five segments, the first segment nearly twice the breadth of the next one, and as long as the second and third together. In the male the lateral distal angles of this segment are furnished with two small unequal spines (Fig. 12). The fourth segment of the abdomen in both sexes is shorter than either of the other segments. The whole length of the abdomen (exclusive of the caudal stylets) is scarcely half the length of the cephalo-thorax. Caudal stylets about half as long again as the last abdominal seg- ment and furnished with six seta, the fourth seta (counting from the outside) is considerably longer than the entire length of the abdomen and caudal stylets combined. Anterior antennz seven-jointed, alike in both sexes, and 3 B 150 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HBiIsTony provided with numerous sete; the proportional length of the joints are nearly as shown by the annexed formula :-— SPS 23 Oe enon ee ee 7 Posterior antennz four-jointed ; the first and second joints are elongate, the third and fourth very short (Fig. 3). Mandible short and moderately stout, armed at the extremity with two processes and two spiniform sete ; one of the processes is conical and tooth-like, and serrate on the inner edge, the other is somewhat cylindrical, and rounded at the end—the margin that is opposed to the tooth-like process, and also the end, being hispid (Fig. 4). Maxillze stout, broad, and bearing a number of terminal spiniform seta. Anterior foot- jaws stout, with a proportionally large marginal setiferous lobe, and several terminal spines (ig. 5). Posterior foot-jaws two-jointed, those of the male armed with a strong, uncinate, and sinuous terminal claw, which is considerably longer than the stout broad joint from the end of which it springs, and with which it forms a powerful grasping organ. At the base or the claw, on the inside, there is a stout, short, and blum spine. The inner edge of the last joint of the foot-jaw is fur- nished with a double (?or treble) row of elongate blunt- pointed teeth. Two long stout plumose sete spring from the inner margin, and near the distal end of the first joint. The terminal claw probably passes down between these two sete, and forms with them an interlocking apparatus (Fig. 7). The posterior foot-jaws in the female, are also moderately stout, but the terminal claw is feeble; the last joint is not so broad, and its inner margin bears two setiferous spines instead of the double row of teeth possessed by that of the male. The first, second, third, and fourth pairs of swimming-feet are nearly alike ; both branches are short (the outer being rather shorter than the inner) and three-jointed. The outer branch is armed exteriorly with a number of dagger-like spines, as shown in the figures (Figs. 8 and 9g). The inner distal angle of the first basal joint of all the four pairs bears a spiniform seta. The inner distal angle of the second basal joint of the first pair bears also an elongate dagger-like spine, while a moderately long and stout seta springs from the outer margin of the same joint. The fifth pair of feet are CRUSTACEA FROM EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND 151 broad and foliaceous—more so in the female than the male, as shown in the figures (Figs. 10 and I1). Flabitat—Aberdeen Bay. Several specimens were obtained in bottom-townet material collected in 1891, but only a few of them were mature. Lichomolgus aberdonensts resembles in general form and structure the species described in the “ Tenth Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland” under the name of Lichomolgus littoralzs, but differs from it in several important points, as in the proportional length of the joints of the anterior and posterior antenne, in the form of the posterior foot-jaw and fifth pair of feet, and in the proportional length of the segments of the abdomen. Lichomolgus arenicolus, Brady (Plate VII. Figs. 1-10). 1872. Boeckia arenicola, Brady, “ Nat. Hist. Trans. of Northumberland and Durham,” vol. iv. p. 430. 1880. Lechomolgus arenicolus, Brady, “ Mon. Brit. Copep.” vol. iii. Plate LXX XVII. Figs. 1-7. Female.—Length, exclusive of tail sete, 2°3 mm. An- terior antennz not more than half the length of the first body segment, and composed of six joints, which are all more or less setiferous ; the proportional length of the joints are nearly as in the formula :— ES) WS 2.0) The Bax BY er aoe ee Se eee Posterior antennz stout, four-jointed; the first two joints short, the third about twice the length of the second, and the last about two-thirds the length of the preceding one. The last joint is armed with three stout terminal clawed spines, which are elongate, and distinctly articulated and swollen near the middle—the distal half being strongly curved and claw-like. There is a fourth terminal articulated spine, but it is more slender and less curved than the other three (Fig. 3). Mandibular stylets two, the upper one provided with a row of marginal teeth, the first two of which are large, while the others gradually decrease in size towards the distal end. The lower stylet bears a number of fine hairs on its upper margin (Fig. 4). The maxille consist of a broad laminar plate rounded at the end, and 152 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY furnished with a moderately long terminal spine; there is also a small marginal bifid process on the one side, while a small seta springs from the margin on the other side (Fig. 5). The last joint of the anterior foot-jaw terminates in four moderately large subequal sub-marginal spines, and a small lateral spine springs from near the proximal end of the joint (Fig. 6). Posterior foot-jaw rudimentary, moderately broad and stout, and having a very small subterminal tooth-like process (Fig. 7). The first, second, third, and fourth pairs of swimming-feet nearly alike; both branches short (the inner rather longer than the outer one), and three-jointed (Figs. 8 and g). The armature of the inner branches differs to some extent, especially in the following manner: the last joint of the inner branches of the first pair is provided with one submarginal short and stout dagger-shaped spine, and round the distal end with five moderately .long sete, as shown in Fig. 8. In the second pair the last joint bears one terminal and two submarginal dagger-shaped spines, which are rather longer than that of the first pair, and three sub- marginal sete. In the third pair the last joint bears two terminal and two submarginal spines, and two marginal sete. In the fourth pair the last joint is armed with the same number of spines as in the third pair, but with only one marginal seta, as shown in Fig. 9. Fifth pair elongate, foliaceous, furnished with one short seta on the external margin and near the distal end; immediately anterior to the seta is a number of small marginal teeth. The somewhat truncate extremity of the foot bears three sete, the middle one of which is very small, while the other two are moder- ately long and stout, and nearly of equal length (Fig. 10). Abdomen four-jointed, the first segment about twice the length of the next, and somewhat dilated ; the other three segments are subequal, the last being rather longer than either of the other two. Caudal stylets rather longer than the last abdominal segment, and about three times as long as broad ; each stylet is furnished with several terminal plumose sete, and with one seta near the middle of the exterior margin. Habitat—Off St. Monans, Firth of Forth. One specimen only (a female) of this interesting species was obtained, and is recorded (but not described or figured) in CRUSTACEA FROM EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND 153 tie * Tenth Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland” (1892). Lichomolgus arenicolus appears to be a rare species. Some important details of structure not noticed in “ British Copepoda” are here described and figured, as are also several others, to illustrate the description of the species, viz.: the posterior antennz with its remarkably articulated and clawed terminal spines, the rudimentary female pos- terior foot-jaw, and the fourth pair of swimming-feet, which, like the other three pairs, has both branches three-jointed, and which in this respect forms, with Lzchomolgus aberdon- ensts, Lichomolgus littoralis, and Lichomologus sabelle, a distinct group—the other species of Lzchomolgus being distinguished from these three by having the inner branches of the fourth pair of swimming- feet one- or two-jointed. The one- or two-jointed inner branches of the fourth pair of feet constitute one of the characters of the genus Lichomolgus, while a second character is that of the mandible, which has the form of “a slender stylet, dilated at the base, but excessively slender and filiform beyond the middle.” In Lichomolgus arenicolus there are two mandibular stylets, and in Lzchomolgus aberdonensis and fittoralis the mandible, which is moderately stout and broad, has no stylets, but is armed at the extremity with one or two tooth-like processes and a few seta. In consequence of this divergence from some of the generic characters of Lichomolgus, it may become necessary to institute one, or possibly two, sub-genera for the reception of these aberrant forms, or otherwise to alter the generic definition of Lichomolgus so as to include them. Should it be found desirable, for the reasons stated, to remove Lichomolgus littoralis and aberdonensts into a different genus or sub-genus, we would suggest P/atychetron as an appropriate generic name,—being descriptive of the remark- ably broad ultimate joint of the male posterior foot-jaws of the two species referred to. 1 A species described by I. C. Thompson in ‘* Proc. Liverpool Biol. Soc.,” vol. ii. p. 68. He also records Z. a/bens, Thorell, from Liverpool Bay, but we have not as yet seen any description of this species. Another species (apparently new), having the inner branches of the first four pairs of swimming-feet three-jointed, has just been obtained by us, and will be described and figured later. ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY asojyasiq “[[VWS snoosovroy AT prorg snosovrfoy ATprorg ayvavpoqns ‘suo'T smgoonf ‘"T aylT yeyMoWoG asSOJOSI “[[VUS axyjos pvorde om} YIM‘ MOLIVU ‘9}VSUOT asojyasiq ‘[peuts A190 A "Byas [eseq nos YM = urol a}yvynqns sapusjs WV ayjas [vorde omy UJIMSMOLIVU ‘O]VSUOT A payurol-¢ pojutol-¢ poyutol-€ poyurol-¢ poyurol-z poyurol-z poyurol-z pojutol-1 poyutol-r (¢) poyurol-z soon ‘T oy] yeyMo wos Mv]O SHONUTS Suc, YM ‘prog Mvyo poamd Suo, YIM ‘reynsuviy = A;prorg MPO p9amo A[Suo0I}s YM ‘peor AJa}V1Ipo J] TNyIqnoqg spoon f ‘T ody] yeyMouIOS Ty iqnoqg MUO [VUTULIO} poamo yywM ‘oyvao Alpvorg MPD poAINo [LUT -1d} V YM “opus[s MPD WAOJIO] VY [VUIULIO}] V YIM f9}VAO ‘JooJ-SUTUTUI MS (¢) JOS OA} pur sassad0i1d ayT]-Y}O0} OM} YUM ‘proiq a[qIpuvwi—sja]A]s ON JOS OM pue yoo} yeoruos JNO}S 9UO YITM ‘pvoraq a] qipuru—s}o] 4s ON OM], jyAqnog ouO 2uO uo (é) BIt@) uO *(ayeur) Mel-700} pojutol- poyurol-b pojzurol-b poqutol-P pojyurol-b pozurol-¢ [yyIquocy pojzurol-P pazutol-$ (2) poyurol-¢ ‘~wuUUd} payurol-2 poyutol-Z poyurol-Z payurol-g poqurol-Z parurol-9 poyurol-9 pojyurol-Z pojutol-Z poyutol-Z wxpoqes snspowoyory sISUdUOpIIGe SNSTOWOYOVT SI[VIO}I] SNSTOWOYOVT snpooruaiv snspouoyory SNUUTOUOD sNSTOWOYoVT VINIYAOF SsNS[OULOYoT'] snjyeploany snspowuoyory * T[jo10Yy} suspowoyoryT * —— - JaqIT snspowoyory snjoorony snspowoyory “euuoy 154 ‘(Q]eul) ued YYY jo yoy | Jo ued yiunoyz jo yourrq t9UuUuyT *syo[Aqs 1epnqipur ‘satdedg jo owe Io11aysod oy} jo yurol ysv'T FEE RESIN: “UB AOLIa}SOq | -Uv LOLIOJUW ata ey N ‘(z6gr) , wodoy Jenuuy YUdT,,, Sprvwog AroYsty oy} UL puv SDNY paquosap sso} Suripnyout ‘sxs7owmoy2T jo sooods ysnug oy} udoMjoq dUadoyIp Jo syurod yuvzzodut s10W dy} JO 9WIOS SUuIMOYS “AAV J, CRUSTACEA FROM EAST COAST OF SCOTLAND 155 Thysanoessa borealis (G. O. Sars). 1882. TZhysanoessa borealis, “Oversigt over Norges Peustaccer, bd: |. pp. 52, 53. This Schizopod has been obtained in various parts of the Firth of Forth, but never in quantity—one, or at most only a few specimens being taken at a time. TZ7hysanoessa has the first pair of legs long, but not so long or so slender as those of MVematocelts, which it somewhat resembles. It is further distinguished from Vematocelis by the penultimate joint of the first pair of legs being provided throughout its length with stout ciliated setz, the last joint—-which is very small —being also furnished with a number of hairs. On the other hand, the first pair of legs in Vematocelzs have both the pen- ultimate and antipenultimate joints (which are long and slender) naked, but there is a bunch of spiniform setz at the apex of the legs. The first legs are very easily broken, so that in handling specimens, or in collecting them, great care is required to keep the legs intact. We are indebted to the Rev. A. M. Norman for the name of the 7ysanoessa here recorded. Among a few specimens of Forth Schizopoda forwarded to Dr. Norman for identification, and which included the Thysanoessa referred to above, he observed what he considers to beaspecimen of Vematocelis megalops (G. O. Sars) ; but the specimen he examined, and one or two others that seem to belong to the same species, having lost their first legs, and thus wanting the character which chiefly distinguishes them, it is perhaps better for the present to leave the claim of Nematocelis megalops for a place in the Forth fauna in abey- ance till more satisfactory specimens turn up. Dr. Norman informs us that Mematocelits megalops was sent to him from Banff by Thomas Edward twenty or thirty years ago; from Aberdeen by Mr. Sim in 1872; and that it has quite recently been obtained at Redcar. The eyes of 7hysanoessa and Nematocelis have a marked constriction near the middle, which divides the eye into what appears to be a lower and upper eye, and thus imparts to them a peculiar and rather striking appearance, and which 156 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY serves to distinguish them at a glance from either Loreo- phausia or Nyctiphanes. Explanation of Plate VI. Lichomolgus aberdonensis, n. sp. Fig. 1. Adult female x “Zo , 2. Anterior antenna x 95 »» 3- Posterior antenna . xX 125 » 4: Mandible; <2, maxilla a EN = 55 ha euiterior fon Jaw x 190 ,, 6. Posterior foot-jaw (female) x 190 ,, 7. Posterior foot-jaw (male) x 190 ,, 8. Foot of first pair XID 5 9. Foot of fourth pair ules 5, 10. Foot of fifth pair (female) ae B= ,», 11. Foot of fifth pair (male) . kes ,, 12. Abdomen of male. x 40 Explanation of Plate VII. Lichomolgus arenicolus, Brady. Fig. 1. Adult Female i tie ,, 2. Anterior antenna . ; =) 20a 7 Qe Pesternor antenna . : ~ :—Well marked ; in ditches near Tain. Cardamine hirsuta, /.—Cliffs south of Balintore. ‘This is, I think, rarer in the north than C. flexuosa, With. Draba ineana, 7.—Very fine, upon the lower cliffs of Ben Chaisteil, rocks of Stob Garbh, at the head of Inverlochlarig glen, and facing Am Binnein (87). Cochlearia officinalis, 7.—Salt-marsh, Tain; typical. *C. daniea, £.—Plants growing in wet ground, near the top of Corrie Dubh Ghalair, alt. 2700 feet, and on Meall Ghaordic, alt. 3000 feet (88), are so named by Dr. Lange. They are, if rightly determined, off type in having the rosette-leaves entire, in this respect recalling the figure of {6 7utegrifolia, Drejer, in “ FI. Danica.” ‘They also differ somewhat in habit from the normal coast plant, and have larger flowers. C. alpina, /Vatson.—Very luxuriant upon the shingles of the Fillan, about two miles above Crianlarich. I incline to consider this specifically distinct from C. officinalis, and am growing them for purposes of comparison. ‘The alpine forms of scurvy-grass occurring in North Britain need to be thoroughly studied afresh, especially under cultivation; but the task will require much time and patience. I believe that we have at least one plant which fits neither officinalis, danica, nor alpina, as commonly understood. I formerly supposed this to be the ON SOME SCOTTISH PLANTS OBSERVED JULY 1891 187 true C. grenlandica, from which, however, it greatly differs. Brought from Ben Lawers in 1887, it has grown in my garden ever since; doubtless it occurs also on other high mountains. It does not agree at all well with the specimens of C. arctica, Schlecht., which I have seen, nor with Fries’s description of that plant. The very numerous and crowded leaves which are produced in early spring under cultivation suggest C. conferta as an appropriate name, should it eventually prove to be an undescribed species. *C. groenlandica, Z.—Sandy ground, west shore of Inver Bay, near Tain (106) ; locally abundant. .—Plentiful at Kildary (106). Serophularia nodosa, Z.—By the river at Kildary there grows a curious form, unusually tall and branching, and with the staminodes entire, not notched or emarginate, as Hooker, Babington, and Lange concur in describing them. Mr. Beeby has found the same peculiarity in a Scandinavian specimen ; and it seems to differ from the assumed type much as 5S. cénerea, Dumort, does from the assumed type of .S. aguatica. Which is Linné’s type cannot well be ascertained, the specimen in his herbarium being in fruit only. Bartsia alpina, Z.—Rather frequent on Ben Chaisteil, where I understand that Professor Balfour found it many years ago. Melampyrum pratense, Z., var. hians, Drwce.—In shade, near Bonar Bridge. Rhinanthus minor, /4%74.—The remarkable plant with narrow leaves, and frequently with numerous long patent or ascending branches, which Mr. Hanbury and myself reported last year in “ Journal of Botany,” and which grows abundantly on heaths near Tain, has been named var. angustifolia, Aoch, by Dr. Lange. *Utricularia neglecta, Ze/m. (?)—Very sparingly, in a small pool at the west end of Loch Eye (106). A slender plant, with rather large bladders, which is certainly neither mcnor nor vulgaris, and must, I believe, be referred to this species, though the leaves are shorter and less finely capillary than usual. It was not in flower. I have seen what appears to be typical wegdecta, collected near Melrose by Mr. W. B. Boyd. Pinguicula vulgaris, Z.; var. bicolor, Vordstedt.— Perthshire, cliffs of Ben Laoigh ; exactly like the Ben Nevis plant which I published under this name in 1889. It has the corolla much flattened, with very pale lilac or white lips, and appears to shade off gradually into the type. ON SOME SCOTTISH PLANTS OBSERVED JULY 1891 I9I Lycopus europzeus, 7.—Mill-pond between Fearn and Balintore. Stachys palustris x sylvatica (.S. ambigua, Sm.)—Shingles of the Fillan river, growing close to .S. palustris; fairly intermediate. Plantago maritima, Z.—A plant which occurs in wet ground on Ben Laoigh, and which I suspected to be P. serfentina, Vill., was again examined zz sz/#z by Mr. Cosmo Melville and myself, and we came to the conclusion that it was only one of the alpine states of the common species. Chenopodium album, Z., var. paganum, /e7ch>.—Balintore. *Salsola Kali, Z.—Coast near Tain, Balintore, and Kildary (106). Polygonum aviculare, Z., var. littorale, Zzzk.—On shingle near Balintore. I notice that Lange retains this as a distinct species. “Salix phylicifolia, 7.—Banks of the Carron (106). §. Arbuseula x herbacea (S. s¢ulatrix, B. White).—Ben Laoigh; a form approaching ferbacea. Ben Chaisteil (*98); very near Arbuscula indeed. S. einerea x phylicifolia (S. Vardiana, Leefe).—By the Benmore burn, just below the railway-bridge, two miles east of Crianlarich. Orchis incarnata, Z.—A few plants were noticed on a heath near Nigg. Habenaria albida, ”. 47.—Ascends to 1800 feet on Ben Chaisteil. *H. chloroleuea, Azdey.—Strathcarron (106). *Typha angustifolia, 7.—Very abundant beside a loch, close to the railway, about two miles south of Bonar Bridge Station (106). Ihave noticed it there for two years in succession, and feel quite sure about the species, though I have not gathered it. Evidently wild. Sparganium ramosum, Cwzrfis.—Mill-pond between Fearn and Balintore. A sterile state found near Crianlarich much re- sembles \S. neglectum in factes when growing; it seems to be the var. mieroecarpum. S. minimum, /7.—In the Fillan, between Crianlarich and Tyndrum. Alisma Plantago, Z.—Mill-pond between Fearn and Balintore. *Potamogeton prelongus, ///f—Loch Eye (106). P. peetinatus, £.—With the last; queried in “Top. Bot.” *Ruppia rostellata, Aoch.—Tain (106); infested with a globular growth, probably the fungus lately mentioned by Mr. Beeby as found by him in Shetland on R. spiralis. Carex remota, 7.—Strathcarron and Kildary. I believe that this 192 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY is uncommon in the Northern Highlands. *C. pilulifera, Z.— Heaths about Tain (106). *C€. distans, Z.—Base of the cliffs south of Balintore (106); typical and fine. A very reduced state, from one to four inches high, which I had not previously met with, was found in a salt-marsh near Inver Bay. *C. ex- tensa, Good., var. pumila, Axderss.—On the west side of Inver Bay, abundant and very marked ; prostrate, with stems only from one to three inches long. I could not find the type. C. rostrata, S/okes.—An alpine state, plentiful in bogs on Meall Ghaordie, above 2800 feet, is named by Mr. Bennett var. brunnescens, Azderss. Phalaris =arundinacea, Z., var. picta, Z.—Mill-pond between Fearn and Balintore; native. JI have seen it wild also in Caithness and at Braemar. “Milium effusum, 7.—Very scarce indeed, on the wooded banks of the Carron river; an unexpected find (106). Deschampsia flexuosa, 77/7., var. montana, /Zuds.—Ben Chais- teil; Stob Garbh. A marked form of this species, which I gathered on Meall Garbh, Ben Lawers, in 1887, seems to me exactly like authentic specimens of var. Voirlichensis, JZe/vz7/. It was sent to Professor Hackel, who did not, however, separate it from the type. “Trisetum flavescens, Zeawv.—Tain (106). Avena pratensis, Z., var. longifolia, Parn.—Frequent on the cliffs of Ben Chaisteil. “Catabrosa aquatica, Leauwv.—Tain (106). Poa glauca, S.—Stob Garbh (87). *“P. nemoralis, Z.—Ben Chaisteil (98); a glaucous alpine form, which may be var. glaueantha, Pezché. Glyeeria maritima, /Vaf/., var. hispida, Parn.— Muddy ground, Tain, with the type. “Bromus sterilis, Z.—Tain (106). B. commutatus, Schrad.— Tain, Nigg, and near Bonar Bridge. Mixed with the type, near Tain, grows a form with hairy flowers, which may be var. pubescens of the London Catalogue.” Hymenophyllum unilaterale, 40ry.—On the cliffs of Stob Garbh (87), in small quantity. “Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, Z.—Cliffs south of Balintore (106). “Athyrium Filix-foemina, ?o¢/i.—Strathcarron (106). A. alpestre, Milde.—Stob Garbh (87). THE DESMIDIEA OF EAST FIFE 193 Equisetum arvense. /.: var. alpestre, /Vah/—Ben Laoigh, and near the top of Corrie Dubh Ghalair, Glen Lochay. Lycopodium alpinum, Z.; var. decipiens, Syme (L. complanatum, auct. angl., non L.)—-At the very low elevation of about 200 feet, fruiting freely, on a heathery bank above the Carron river (106), THE DESMIDIEAL OF EAST FIFE. By Joun Roy, LL.D: THE following short list has been made from material gathered by Mrs. Farquharson, F.R.M.S., towards the close of last year. The district is evidently not rich in Desmids, for though my valued friend collected indefatigably all about St. Andrews, from Blackhills to Newport, and inland as far as Cupar (Tent’s Moor proving by far the most productive), yet the number seen is comparatively small. There are no new species to record, but some of those noted are scarce elsewhere. Cosmarium microsphinctum, Nord., forma parvula, Wille, is believed to be new to Britain, and the following are very rare: Cosmarium premorsum, Breb.; Cosmocladium constrictum, Archer; Xanthidium Srebtssoniz, Ralfs., B basidentatum, Borg.; and Docidium Fargquharsonit, Roy. The interest of the list lies in the fact that it relates to a district of which, from a Desmidian point of view, nothing was previously known. DESMIDIEA, Avirz. Hyalotheea, A7i/s. Flyalotheca dissiliens, Sm. ‘Tent’s Moor. " * B bidentula, Nordst. ‘Yent’s Moor. ss 3 y tridentula, Nordst. Peat End. Desmidium, Ay. Desmidium Aptogonum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. Sphezerozosma, Corda. Spherozosma excavatum, Ralfs. ‘Tent’s Moor. 194 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Mierasterias, Ag. Micrasterias denticulata, Breb. Tent’s Moor. rotata, Grev. ‘Tent’s Moor. papillifera, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. truncata, Corda. ‘Tent’s Moor. crenata, Ralfs. Tent’s Moor. bb) om) 9) 99 Euastrum, £77. Euastrum verrucosum, Ehr. ‘Tent’s Moor. 3 oblongum, Grev. ‘Tent’s Moor. ampullaceum, Ralfs. ‘Tent’s Moor. ansatum, Ralfs. ‘Tent’s Moor. pectinatum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. ¥ rostratum, Ralfs. ‘Yent’s Moor. ms elegans, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. - bidentatum, Nag. ‘Tent’s Moor. declive, Reinsch. ‘Tent’s Moor. denticulatum, Kirch. ‘Tent’s Moor. mn binale, ‘Vurp. (a) Forma minuta, Lund (Ralfs, “ Br. Des.,” t. xiv 8@ Tent’s Moor. (6) Forma (Ralfs, Z.¢., 84). Peat End. (c) Forma (Ralfs, /7.¢., 8c, d@). ‘Tent’s Moor. (7) Forma (Ralfs, Zc., 8¢). Tent’s Moor. Cosmarium, Corda. Cosmarium margaritiferum, Turp. ‘Tent’s Moor; Scotscraig. reniforme, Archer. ‘Tent’s Moor. Turnert, Roy. ‘Tent’s Moor. premorsum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. ochthodes, Nordst. ‘Tent’s Moor. tetraophthalmum, Kutz. ‘Tent’s Moor. Botrytis, Bory. ‘Tent’s Moor. Brebissonit, Menegh. ‘Tent’s Moor. gemmiferum, Breb. Kemback; Mount Melville. gradatum, Roy. Mount Melville. punctulatum, Breb. Peat End. 3 subpunctulatum, Nordst. ‘Tent’s Moor; Kemback Peat End ; Scotscraig. Blyttii, Wille. Peat End. af Slewdrumense, Roy. ‘Tent’s Moor; Mount Melville. a striatum, Boldt. ‘Tent’s Moor. substriatum, Nordst. ‘Tent’s Moor. THE DESMIDIE OF EAST FIFE 195 Cosmarium microsphinctum, Nordst. Forma farvula, Wille. Kemback. Pr crenatum, Ralfs. Peat End; Mount Melville. mA Phaseolus, Breb. ‘Yent’s Moor. zs pygmeum, Archer. ‘Tent’s Moor; Peat End. Z Meneghinit, Breb. (az) Forma (Ralfs, ‘‘ Br. Des.,” t. xv. 6). Tent’s Moor. (6) Forma (De Bary, “Conjug.,” t. vi. 33-34). Kem- back. Fe granatum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor; Scotscraig. B alatum, Jacobs. ‘Tent’s Moor. polygonum, Nag. ‘Tent’s Moor; Kemback. FS guadratum, Ralfs. ‘Tent’s Moor. = cucurbita, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor; Peat End. e parvulum, Breb. Peat End. ss (Cosmocladium, Breb.), constrictum, Archer. ‘Yent’s Moor. Arthrodesmus, £77. Arthrodesmus convergens, Ehr. ‘Tent’s Moor. - Incus, Breb. B convergens, Archer. ‘Tent’s Moor, with zygospores. Xanthidium, 7/77. NXanthidium Brebissonit, Ralfs. Tent’s Moor. B basidentatum, Borg. Tent’s Moor. - antilopeum, Breb. ‘Yent’s Moor. as fasciculatum, Ehr. ‘Tent’s Moor. Staurastrum, JZeyev. Staurastrum orbiculare, Ehr. B depressum, Roy and Bisset. ‘Tent’s Moor. rt . dejectum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. - apiculatum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. mucronatum, Ralfs. ‘Vent’s Moor. Dickiet, Ralfs. ‘Tent’s Moor. A hexacerum, Ehr. B Ralfs. Tent’s Moor. . alternans, Breb. ‘Yent’s Moor. nh Kjellmani, Wille. ‘Tent’s Moor. is punctulatum, Breb. Kemback ; Mount Melville. - asperum, Breb. Kemback. Ms scabrum, Breb. Mount Melville. i margaritaceum, Ehr. Peat End. = polymorphum, Breb. ‘Yent’s Moor. 196 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORM Staurastrum inflexum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. proboscidium, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. gracile, Ralfs. Tent’s Moor. cristatum, Nag. ‘Tent’s Moor. mesoletum, Nordst. ‘Tent’s Moor. hirsutum, EKhr. ‘Tent’s Moor. pilosum, Nag. Kemback; Mount Melville. Brebissonit, Archer. ‘Tent’s Moor. Tetmemorus, Aa/f. Tetmemorus granulatus, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. Lrebissonit, Menegh. BB. minor, De Bary. Peat End. devis, Kiitz. Tent’s Moor; Peat End. 99 99 Penium, /7¢?. Pentium lamellosum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. Navicula, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. polymorphum, Perty. Peat End. minutisstmum, Nordst. Peat End. spinospermum, Joshua. Peat End. bp) Cylindroeystis, J/enegh. Cylindrocystis Brebissonit, Menegh. Peat End. ‘ crassa, De Bary. ‘Tent’s Moor. Mesotenium, Vig. Mesotentum Braun, De Bary. Tent’s Moor; Peat End. violascens, De Bary. ‘Tent’s Moor. LEindlichertanum, Nag. ‘Tent’s Moor. 99 Gonatozygon, De Lary. Gonatozygon Ralfsit, De Bary. Tent’s Moor. | Docidium, Ared. Docidium Farquharsont, Roy. ‘Vent’s Moor. coronatum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. f. nodulosum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. Ehrenbergit, Ralfs. Tent’s Moor. 29 Closterium, JV7Zzsc/. Clostertum Lunula, Miller. ‘ent’s Moor. LEhrenbergit, Menegh. ‘Tent’s Moor. moniliferum, Bory. Kemback; Mount Melville. 9) ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 197 Closterium Leibleinit, Kiitz. Kemback. f. Ralfs. Tent’s Moor, with zygospores; Mount Melville. Liane, Ehr. ‘Tent’s Moor. calosporum, Wittr. Tent’s Moor. Venus, Kitz. Tent’s Moor. tncurvum, Breb. Tent’s Moor. parvulum, Nag. Mount Melville. acerosum, Schrank. Tent’s Moor; Kemback; Mount Melville. costatum, Corda. Tent’s Moor. striolatum, Ehr. Tent’s Moor. arcuatum, Breb. ‘Tent’s Moor. vrostratum, Ehr. Kemback. Kutzingit, Breb. Tent’s Moor. Cornu, Ehr. Tent’s Moor. ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. Rockall and its Avifauna.—In ‘“Chambers’s Journal” for March last there appeared at pages 161-163 an interesting, graphic, and circumstantial account of ‘A Visit to Rockall’ made in the summer of 1891 in the steam yacht “Norah.” According to this narrative, a party landed and spent some time on the rock; the writer of the account paying special attention to the bird-life, hitherto practically unknown. ‘The Kittiwake was the commonest species. Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Puffins, Razorbills, Guillemots, were numerous ; and amongst them an occasional Little Auk was observed. ‘Tiny Petrels had burrows in the guano-capped summit of the rock. ‘Terns hovered among the Gulls, and a Skua and a Fulmar were noted. We were extremely interested in these records relating to the birds of this unique Atlantic rock, and through the kindness of Messrs. Chambers were put into communi- cation with the anonymous writer of the article. To our great astonishment we received in due course the following reply to a letter requesting further information: ‘‘I am sorry you should have taken an imaginary description of a visit to Rockall—only meant to amuse—for a contribution to science. I never was at Rockall.” We can only say that such an explanation of the article never occurred to us, and is irreconcilable with its whole tenor. We accepted it as a useful, avd truthful contribution to the very scanty knowledge of Rockall. Now, we can only regard it as a very repre- hensible bit of writing, for which the proprietors of the journal, it is hardly necessary to say, are in no way responsible.—Ebs, 3 E 198 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Notes on Birds in Barra.—The two following birds, which I have not observed in the two Uists or Benbecula, nest and remain during the whole year in Barra: ReEpBREaAstT (£7ithacus rubecula, L.) There are about half a dozen pairs of these now over the island, in gardens and young plantations, although three years ago I did not see a single bird. Last year a pair nested in the the Northbay garden, and this year I got two nests there, one on the 6th of May with six eggs. During the past winter, which was more severe here than usual, the birds were always seen about the garden and steading. HEDGE SPARROW (Accentor modularis, L.)—'There are several pairs of these throughout the island, and I have got two of their nests this season. I never saw the bird in Uist. TREE SPARROW (fasser montanus, 1..)—This species is now very numerous on the island, especially in the garden at Eoligary, where it has been for at least forty or fifty years. This, no doubt, is the bird which Macgillivray mistook for the House Sparrow (P. domesticus, L.), which he says he found at the ruins of Kilbar, which are quite close to the Eoligary garden. We have also a few pairs of the REED BuntinG (Z£mberiza sche- niclus, L.) and the Stonecuat (Pratincola rubicola) all the year, and the GREENFINCH (Ligurinus chloris, L.) as a migrant, but these occur in Uist—J. MacRury, Barra. Unusual Nesting Place for the Dipper (C2zclus aguaticus, Bechst.)—Though the Dipper occasionally builds on the old moss- covered roots of trees supporting the banks of a stream, seldom or never does it do so on the tree itself; the following particulars may therefore be interesting and worth recording. ‘The nest I allude to was found by Mr. Wood, of Freeland, on the River May (Perthshire) in the early summer of 1890. It was situated on the naked limb of an ancient alder overhanging the stream. The end of the limb had been formerly broken off, together with a considerable sized branch, leaving a jagged stump. On this the nest was constructed about four feet above the water at midstream, or about twelve feet from either bank. It appears as if during the previous winter floods some turfy matter had become firmly fixed and entangled on the stump, owing to the long grass attached to it, so as to have induced the birds to make use of it as a nesting place, possibly by way of deception, artfully blending the materials into the nest with some of the long grass hanging down so as to give the general effect to the unsuspicious passer by of a clod of earth, the remnants of some high spate, to which the May is very subject: the more especially would this be so, the entrance to the nest being only visible from under- neath. Mr. Wood kindly had the portion of the branch with the nest on it undisturbed carefully sawn off so as to exhibit it in the exact position in which it was found, and presented it to the Museum ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 199 of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science in Tay Street, Perth, where it is now placed.—H. M. Drummonp Hay, Seggieden, Perth. Whitethroat (Sy/via rufa, Bodd.) in Barra.—On the 13th of this month (May 1892) I noticed a pair of Whitethroats in my garden here. At first they were very shy and difficult to observe, as they were continually moving about among the bushes, but after a day or two they got bolder, and I was in hopes they might nest in the garden. I have, however, missed them for the last few days ; but as there is a small plantation near at hand, they may have gone there. I have never seen these birds out here before, but the shelter afforded by the trees that have been recently planted at several places on the island will no doubt induce many strangers to pay us a summer visit—J. MacRury, Barra. White Wagtail (JZotacilla alba, L.) in Barra.—On the gth of May 1891, I saw a pair of these birds on the west side of Barra, and about the end of the following August I saw numbers of them all over the island, but staying only for a few days. This year again, on the 4th of May, I saw two pairs of them on the farm of Eoligary, at the north end of the island ; and the tacksman, Mr. William Mac- gillivray, told me he had noticed them a day or two before. To make quite sure of the species, I shot one, which was in splendid plumage, and which Mr. Macgillivray got preserved. During the following week I saw one other bird on the east side of the island and three on the west side.—JoHN MacRury, Barra. Swift (Cypselus apus, L.) in Barra.—On the 29th of June, and on the 27th of August, 1891, I saw a Swift in Barra, and on the 18th of July of the same year I saw another on the west side of Benbecula—all solitary birds. I do not remember of seeing any of them in these islands before, although swallows and sandmartins are frequently seen.—JoHN MacRury, Barra. Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major, L.) in Stirling- shire.—My attention being recently called to the! disappearance of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, I may state that I saw what was certainly one of these birds. On Sunday, 27th September 1890, while on my way from Bonnybridge to Carron Glen, in Stirlingshire, while on an old road lined with trees, I heard a loud tapping sound, and immediately a large dark-coloured bird alighted on the body of a tree within a short distance of me and began tapping and turning bits of bark off, going upwards in a circle round the tree. I saw at once it was a stranger, and followed it about from tree to tree for fully ten minutes, having a good view of it, as it did not appear the least timid. It was about the size of a Blackbird, but longer and firmer-made. ‘The back and wings were black and all spotted over with white, and white streaks appearing lengthwise above the eyes. I could not get a look at the under parts, as it always stuck close to 200 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY the boll of the trees, but the breast appeared to be of a pale slate or gray colour. It took flight in the direction of Carron Glen, but although I always kept a lookout I never saw it again.—FRED. Larrp, Bonnybridge. Whimbrel (Mumenius pheopus, L.) wintering in Barra.—I have again to record the wintering of this bird in Barra. I saw it and heard its note on the 17th of September and on the 14th of October 1891, some distance to the south of the bay in which I used to see it, and in this same bay I met with it on the 17th of March and on the gth of May of this year. On the latter date there was a flock of about a dozen of the same species in the bay, so that I could not be so sure of my old friend; but I noticed that one bird kept more with some oyster-catchers, and did not follow the flock about when they took wing, and that it was also wilder than the passing migrants, which are generally very tame on arrival.—J. MacRury, Barra. Buzzard (Luteo vulgaris, Leach) in Forfarshire.—In January last a keeper at Ethie, near Arbroath, observed a large bird of prey struggling on the ground. Approaching nearer, he found that it had a weasel (JZustela vulgaris) in its claws, and that the weasel had so far freed itself as to be able to grasp the bird by the neck. When the bird espied the keeper it relaxed its hold of the weasel, which still held on and prevented the bird from making off. Just as the keeper was about to seize hold, the bird gave a final struggle, shook off its opponent, and made off. The keeper set a trap for the bird, baiting it with a pigeon, and two days later found the bird caught by a hind toe. He kept it in captivity for several weeks, giving it a pigeon daily: a rabbit offered instead was left untouched for several days. On examination, I found the captive to be a male specimen of the Common Buzzard—a very rare species in this locality, only one or two having been procured for many years.—THomas F. Dewar, Arbroath. Note on the Sheldrake (Zadorna cornuta, S. G. Gmelin).— During the last eight or ten years, or more, this beautiful duck has increased in Solway in a most surprising way. ‘This season they are more plentiful than ever. Along the sandy shores of the Firth, more especially from the mouth of the Nith round as far as Auchencairn Bay, they are very abundant indeed. A few days ago I counted close on 150 Sheldrakes scattered in pairs and singly over the sands. On the right bank of the Southwick Burn, and going a little further eastward towards Southerness Point, small parties of two or three pairs to as many as a score of pairs would be passed all along the beach. And perhaps as many more were away attending to the duties of incubation. The general opinion seems to be that within a very few years past the “‘Stockannets” have increased at least tenfold. Absence of molestation in the breeding season, caused ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 201 mainly by the restraining influence of the Wild Birds Protection Acts, and the restrictions imposed on certain classes by the necessity of taking out a gun license, have been the principal causes leading to a result so gratifying to all lovers of birds—ROBERT SERVICE, Maxwelltown. Nesting of the Water Rail (Aal/us aquaticus, L.) in Perthshire. —In a corner of a quiet moorland loch in West Perthshire there is a small patch of tall rushes, growing in a floating bog, which is inaccessible except by means of a boat. ‘The place being seldom disturbed, is consequently a favourite breeding haunt of many water- fowl. Here the Pochard, Mallard, Coots, and Moorhens may all be seen nesting within a few yards of one another. On the 11th May 1889, when landed there, I saw for a moment, a small brown bird creeping through the sedge grass like a rat—I felt sure that it was a Water Rail. We searched for the nest that day in vain, and looked for it in each succeeding spring without success, till this year, when, on the 3rd May, it was discovered. It was a neat nest, rather smaller than the Moorhen’s, composed of the flat leaves of the sedge, built up to a height of a foot above the oozy mud, and contained seven eggs. One day, when visiting this spot, we came across two Moorhen’s nests, one containing twenty-one and the other nineteen eggs, which were lying three or four deep in the nests. Some of the eggs were abnormally small. I was sorry to be unable to return to the place the same year, as it would have been interesting to have learnt the result of the incubation. —W. H. M. DUTHIE, Row House, by Doune. The Food of the Great Skua (Stercorarius catarrhactes, L.)—The opinion of Mr. W. Eagle Clarke that the Great Skua seeks its food in more ways than one is confirmed by the testimony of three excellent ornithologists who had the best opportunities for studying the subject. My father, Dr. Laurence Edmondston, always said that the Great Skua should rank among birds of prey, for nothing came amiss to his rapacious maw. He would swoop on a feeble lamb if very hard pressed by hunger; young rabbits came not amiss to him and leaping trout were not beneath his notice ; even carrion he did not despise. The Rev. Biot Edmondston, who has a marvellous faculty for taming wild creatures, kept a Great Skua for some years, and he says: ‘“‘He had an excellent appetite, and was quite omnivorous, anything and everything eatable being gratefully received, from new-caught trout or herring and sheep’s liver to cold potatoes and porridge. But I am afraid he did not always confine himself strictly to the fare provided for him ; for it was pretty well known amongst us that several newly hatched ducklings which had disappeared mysteriously had passed into his greedy maw.” ‘The reverend gentleman also says he caught mice for his pet Skua, and presented them alive: ten or twelve formed a satisfactory breakfast. 202 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Dr. Saxby in his “ Birds of Shetland” says: “It is a fierce and formidable bird: not only does it compel other birds to supply its wants, by intercepting them when carrying fish and taking it from them by force, but it will sometimes make a prey of the unfortunate bird itself instead of its fish, killing even birds as large as a gull. The strong curved claws and powerful bill, hooked at the point, are weapons with which no bird that flies will care to have much to do, wielded as they are with such consummate daring. Skuas often procure food for themselves or their young by robbing the gulls’ nests of the fish which are carried there by the old birds. Round one Skua’s nest I once found thirty-nine full grown herrings, all headless.” It is obvious that those three careful observers, who never took facts second-hand, did not regard the Great Skua as a mere parasite-bird. In a land where owls are seldom seen, hawks not numerous, magpies conspicuous by their absence, moles, stoats ‘‘and sich like” unknown, the Great Skua may be useful if he is admitted to be a destroyer of vermin. Doubtless he has his part to do in keeping nature’s balances nicely adjusted.—JEssiz M. E. SaxBy, Edinburgh. Eledone cirrosa, Zamarck, in the Solway Firth.—This species is well known to me as a rather infrequent visitor to places on the shores of more open waters than we have on our own coasts; and I have not hitherto seen or heard of it in the restricted waters of the Scottish Solway. It was therefore with pleasure that I received a specimen from Mr. Hugh Kerr, Newabbey, on the 2oth of May last. It had been caught near Burnfoot by a “haafer.” The specimen measured about twenty-three inches across its outstretched tentacles. This is an interesting addition to the list of Squids and Cuttles already noted as visitors to the Firth. Roserr SERVICE, Maxwell- town. Diaptomus castor, /w7ine, in the Braid Ponds near Edin- burgh.—During a visit to the Braid Ponds in August 1888, I collected some Entomostraca, comprising Copepoda, Ostracoda, etc., and a few of the specimens were selected and put aside for after examination. Attention to other matters caused them to be forgotten, and it was only the other day, when I was looking over some odd things, that they were observed. On examining them I was able, with the help of Professor G. S. Brady’s excellent ‘‘ Revision of the British Species of Fresh-water Cyclopide and Calanide,” lately published, to identify Dzaptomus castor, Jurine, among the organisms from the Braid Ponds. This Calanid was formerly considered to be a moderately common species, and as a member of our fauna its distribution was believed to be, and probably is, co- extensive with the British Islands, but Professor Brady when preparing his “ Revision” does not appear to have observed DP. castor among any of the Scotch fresh-water Calanidz submitted to BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS 203 him, and therefore no reference is made in the “ Revision” to any Scotch locality for this species. The specific characters of D. castor, like those of most other Copepoda, can only be satisfactorily made out by dissection, but when that is done, and the parts carefully mounted, there is comparatively little difficulty in distinguishing this from the other Diaptomids. In the “Revision” six species of Diaptomus are recorded and there are Scotch records for four of these, viz. Diaptomus gracilis (a moderately common species), Diaptomus bacillifer, Diaptomus hircus, and Diaptomus serricornis. Diaptomus castor, now recorded, makes the fifth. The sixth—the species not yet represented in the Scotch fresh-water fauna—is Diaptomus sanctt-patricit, Brady, a species which has only as yet been obtained ‘‘in two small tarns in Connemara.”—THomas SCOTT, Edinburgh. BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS. Fasciation in Austrian Pine (/:nus austriaca).—Eight or nine years ago I purchased two very healthy young Austrian Pines from a nursery at the foot of Inverleith Row, in Edinburgh. They were planted, one at each corner of the ground in front of my house at Rahane in the parish of Roseneath, on the west side of the Gareloch. The soil is rather poor, being of the mica-schist formation. The two trees were freely exposed to sunshine from the east and south ; but a ridge of hills to the west partially shut off sunshine in the after part of the day. For a time they showed equal vigour, sending out long and strong branches from within a foot of the ground and upwards, so much so that want of space required the re- moval of some branches. One of the trees, when about eight feet high, began to develop strong fasciation in its top. A strong broad band, about two inches thick, began at the top, about eight feet from the ground. It grew to about eighteen inches long ; and next year there shot out from its tip over a dozen shoots or false tops. These also began to become fasciated, giving the whole top a very confused and strange appearance. The broad fasciated band had a spiral twist in the direction of the movement of the sun, ze. the same as the hands of a watch. I regret much that I did not allow the tree to remain; but, as it was getting somewhat too big for its position, I cut it down last September. When cut down the rings in the stump were nine or tenin number. Not having personally met with a case of this kind before, I thought it might interest readers of the ‘** Annals.” ——W. Forcan, Edinburgh. Linaria minor, Z.—In reply to Messrs. Kidston and Stirling’s query as to the occurrence of the above species on railway banks, 204 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY my experience is that it is partial to them, or rather to the cindered paths often found by railways. By the Epsom railway, near this town, it often comes up in abundance, among the gravel between the rails, and on the edge of the cindered path alongside the line, but does not spread to the grassy bank on the opposite side of the path. The finest specimens I ever gathered were picked from the joints of the brickwork of a bridge over the railway near the village of Mers- tham in Surrey. I have seen it in Middlesex and Norfolk in similar situations. M. Alph. de Candolle, in his “ Géographie Botanique,” considered this an “introduced” species to Britain. In the second volume of the ‘‘Cybele,” Mr. Watson considered it a native ; but later he called it a colonist. The above reference is quite apart from its other habitats in this country, which are numerous.—ARTHUR BENNETT. Linaria minor, Z., on Railway Banks.—In the ‘Annals of Scottish Natural History,” p. 143, the writer of a note on this plant asks if it is not the case that in England it is very partial to railway banks. J. mznor was recorded by Dr. Johnston, in his “ Flora of Berwick ” sixty-three years ago in one locality, viz. above the Union Bridge over the Tweed. In my younger days I have searched for it there many a time, and always in vain. In 1885 it was found by a young lady on the railway line, ze. among the ballast between and beside the rails at Beal Station in Northumberland, nine miles to the south of this place. I have seen it there every year since. In 1886 . I found it in great profusion at Marshall Meadows on the North British Line. Here it occurred not on the line at present in use, but on a disused loop where the rails had been recently removed and the ground thereby stirred up. Soon after I saw it at Velvet Hall on the Kelso line, and in 1889 at Ayton, Berwickshire, again on the North British. Neither I nor any of the local botanists have ever seen it elsewhere.—P. W. MACLAGAN. Plants new to Seotland recorded in Botanical Journals in 1892 (see Current Literature). Phanerogams (by F. J. Hanbury, in “Journal of Botany,” May- June)— Liieractum nigrescens, Willd., var. commutatum, Lindeb., from the eastern slopes of Cairntoul, and probably other mountains in the Cairngorms; “7. xorvegicum, Fr., var. confertum, Lindeb., from Glen Lyon and near Crianlarich; H. cesio- murorum, Lindeb., from Linn of Quoich in Braemar, and from several stations in Perthshire; A. protractum, Lindeb., from Shetland ; 4. muvorum, L., pt. var. sagittatum, Lindeb., from four Perthshire stations; 7. onosmotdes, Fr., from Braemar, Uig in Skye, and from Tain in East Ross; friesit, Htn., var. baszfolium, Lindeb., from Clova, from Kin- BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS 205 craig in Inverness, and from Speyside near Kingussie ; /. reticulatum, Lindeb., from Reay in Caithness ; //. prelongum, Lindeb., from Linn of Campsie in Perth, and from Kinloch- ewe in West Ross ; 4. angustatum, Lindeb., from Ben Lawers, from Kingshouse in Argyle, from Clova, and from Craig-na- dala-beg in Braemar ; 1. cinerascens, Jord., from Strathpeffer, and from beside the Almond in Perth; AZ. submurorum, Lindeb., on mountains around Kingshouse in Argyle; 4. orarium ff. lingulata and f. stylosa, from beside the Almond ; ff. corymbosum f{. angustifolia, from Linn of Campsie. AZ. nigrescens, Willd., var. gracilifolium, n. var., from Breadalbane Hills ; 4. centripetale, n. sp., from Glen Derry in Braemar, Glen More in Inverness, Moffat near Dumfries, and Glen Sannox in Arran; AH. Marshal/i, Linton, var. cremnanthes, n. var., from Meall Buidhe in Argyle, and Meall Ghaordie in Perthshire ; “7. sizuans, n. sp., from Ben Laoigh and other localities in Perth, and from Argyle, near Tyndrum; /. callistophyllum, n. sp., from mountains of Argyle and West Perth. Algzee— Ectocarpus minimus, Nag. in herb, (Sauvageau, in “ Morot’s Journ. Bot.,” p. 125), on Aimanthalia lorea, Berwick (Batters). All the subjoined list are from the Clyde Deep-sea Area, recorded by E. A. L. Batters (see Current Literature) in “Journal of Botany,” June: ‘* Chlorochytrium dermatocolax, Protoderma marinum, Ulvella lens, Monostroma fuscum, Acrochete repens, Chaetomorpha linum f. pulvinata, Ostreobtum Queketat, Streblonema sphericum, Leptonema fasciculatum, Ascocycdus fecundus, A. fecundus f{. seriata, A. balticus, Ralfsia pusilla, Chorda tomentosa f. subfulva, Ascophylum Mackau f. Robertsont, Erythrotrichia carnea f. tnvestiens, Conchocelts rosea, Wildemania miniata f. tenutssima, Antitham- nion boreale, Lithothamnion corallioides, L. colliculosum. .. . Conchocelis rosea is the type of a genus new to science.” Fungi— | Agaricus (Psalliota) hemorrhoidalis, Kalchbr., near Roxburgh, by Rev. D. Paul, and once near Forres by Rev. Dr. Keith. Dedalea confragosa, Pers., near Roxburgh, Rey. D. Paul. ‘* Grevillea ” is to be continued without “any material alteration, either in form or contents, and the sequence will remain unbroken. The editing has been undertaken by G. Massie, with the promise of assistance from well-known specialists. Mr. E. A. L. Batters will take entire charge of the section devoted to Algz.” Messrs. J. B. Ellis and B. M. Everhart have just published .an important contribution to mycology, under the title “‘ orth American Pyrenomycetes.” he L£rysiphee have been wrought out by Professor 206 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY T. J. Burrill, and the fungi of Greenland, enumerated by Professor Rostrup, have been included. The authors have followed the system of classification employed by Winter in ‘‘ Die Pilze” in Rabenhorst’s “‘ Kryptogamen-Flora.” The book forms a handsome 8vo. volume of nearly 800 pages, with 41 plates of excellent figures. There are so many species of fungi common to North America and to Europe that this monograph will be found useful for frequent reference by the mycologists of Scotland. ‘Notes on the Flora of Stirlingshire, with a short Geological Sketch of the Ground,” by Col. StirLiInG and RoBERT KIDSTON (a paper read before the Stirling Nat. Hist. and Archzol. Society, and now published as a pamphlet), is an interesting con- tribution to the flora of a county that till of late years was much neglected. ‘The total number of species recorded for the county is 712, to which must be added 43 varieties.” The county has been divided into four districts, well characterised physically ; and the distribution of each species is given in tabular form. The southern and central area is by much the richest in number of species. The absence of a seaboard necessarily reduces the number of native species considerably. CURRENT LITERATURE. The Titles and Purport of Papers and Notes relating to Scottish Natural His- tory which have appeared during the Quarter—April to June 1892. [The Editors desire assistance to enable them to make this Section as complete as possible. Contributions on the lines indicated will be most acceptable and will bear the initials of the Contributor. The Editors will have access to the sources of information undermentioned. ] ZOOLOGY. Wild Cat in the West of Scotland. Wm. YELLowspy. Tze Zoologist (3), xvi. p. 190 (May 1892).—Female trapped in “ Western Highlands.” Plague of Field Voles in the South of Scotland. Zhe Zoologist (3), xvi. (May 1892), pp. 163-173.—A reproduction of the Report issued by the Board of Agriculture in March 1892. Thrush with White Wings. W. Dicpy-OweEen. The field, 4th June 1892, p. 838.—At Perth on the 29th of May 1892. Wild Geese of Scotland and the Isles. R.Scor Skirvine. Zhe Field, 30th April 1892, p. 626.—The Gray Geese of East Lothian are said to have been Bean Geese until 1870, and then the birds shot were observed to be Pink-footed Geese, and now appear to be all that species. Some notes are also given on other species. CURRENT LITERATURE 207 Notes on British Lepidoptera. By RicHARD SouTtH. Tze Entomologist, xxv. pp. 86-90 (April 1892); pp. 111-114 (May 1892); and pp. 134-138 (June 1892).—Some Scottish specimens and forms of the genus Melanippe noted and described. On some Macro-Lepidoptera collected at Rannoch in 1891. By Ropert ApDKIN, F.E.S. Zhe L£xntomologist, Vol. xxv. (May 1892), pp. 105-110.—No new species for the district are enumer- ated ; but some interesting remarks are made. Collecting {in Aberdeenshire. Wm. Remp. Zhe Entomologist, Vol. xxv. pp. 123-124.—Experiences with Lepidoptera during the severe weather of the early spring. Variation in Lepidoptera in Aberdeenshire. Wm. REID. Entomologists Record, Vol. iii. No. 6 (June 1892), p. 125.— Variation in Hadena adusta and Phigalia pedaria. [Scottish Crambi.] Wm. Riep. L£xtomologist’s Record, Vol. iii. No. 6 (June 1892), p. 141.—-Crambus pretellus, C. dumetellus, C. ericellus, C. furcatellus, C. margaritellus, C. myellus, C. pine- tellus, C. perlellus, C. tristellus, C. cumellus, and C. hortuellus, with their haunts. Annotated List of British Tachiniide. By R. H. MEape. Ent. Mo. Mag. (2), Vol. iii. (May 1892), p. 130.—Masicera rutila recorded for Elgin. British Schizopoda of the Families Lophogastridz and Euphan- siidg. By the Rev. Cannon A. M. Norman, M.A, D.C.L., F.R.S., etc. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (6), Vol. ix. No. 54 (June 1892). —Enumerates the habitats of the Scottish species. BOTANY. The Dispersion of Seeds and Spores. Part i. By ALEx. Witson, M.A., B.Sc. (Zvans. Wat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, N. Ser. III. Part 1. 1892.) Additional Notes on the Flora of Wigtownshire, with Notes on Moffat and Kirkeudbrightshire Plants. By JAMEs M‘ANDREW.— Includes a number of additions to the county records of flowering plants. (Zvans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, N. Ser. IIL, Part ii. 1892.) Second Contribution to the Topographical Botany of the West of Scotland (read zoth December 1889), and Third Contribution to the same (read 29th April 1890). Both by P. Ewinc.—Addi- tions are recorded to the county lists for Renfrew, Lanark, Argyle, Dumbarton, Bute, Cantyre, Islay, and Mull. (Zvans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, N. Ser. III. Part il. 1892.) 208 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Notes on the Rarer Plants of the Parish of Old Kilpatrick. By. L. Watr (read 25th. March 1890; Z7aus.. Vat. iis aoe Glasgow, N. Ser. III. Part ii. 1892). Notes on Perthshire Plants. By Epwarp F. Linton, F.L.S., and Wm. R. Linton, M.A.—Is chiefly a rather full list of the plants observed in the lower part of Glen Lyon, and on the adjoining mountains. ‘There are a few new vice-county records. (/ournal of Botany, June.) An Essay at a Key to the British Rubi. By the Rev. W. Move Rocers, F.L.S.—This is a very valuable monograph of a very perplexing genus. (Journal of Botany, April-June.) Rubus ammobius, /ocke. By F. BUCHANAN WuiTE, M.D.—Is a brief note of a plant found near Perth a few years ago, and believed by Professor Babington to be “probably the ammobius of Focke.” (Journal of Botany, June.) Further Notes on Hieracia new to Britain. By FREDERICK J. Hanspury, F.L.S.—In this paper there are numerous new records for Scotland, chiefly of “species” already known from Scandinavia, but also of new “species.” See p. 204-5 of this journal. (/ournal of Botany, May and June.) Hieracium anfractiforme. Rev. E. S. MarsHALtL proposes for this the name of HZ. swbanfractum, the name anfractiforme being already in use. (/ournal of Botany, June 1892.) Juneus tenuis, W7//denow as a Seottish Plant. By P. Ewinc (read zoth October 1889).—Contains records already published elsewhere. (Zvans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, N. Ser. III. Part ii. 1892.) Sur quelques Algues Phzosporées Parasites. By M. C. SAUVAGEAU.— This is an important paper on certain parasitic species of Lctocarpus, and of allied genera. In it several new species are described. Among these is Ectocarpus minimus, Nag. (in herb.), on ‘‘ Aimanthalia lorea ad littora Angliz (Dover, Nageli ; Berwick, Batters).” (MJorofs Journal de Botanigue, V1. 1892, Nos. 1-7 ; Latin diagnosis of £. minimus on p. 125.) Observations on British Marine Algz. By R. Harvey Gipson, M.A., F.L.S.—Polysiphonia elongella Harvey noted as bearing antheridia (not previously known), in August 1871, at Connel Ferry, near Oban. ‘They are of the type characteristic of the genus. (Journal of Botany, April.) Additional Notes on the Marine Alge of the Clyde Sea-area. By, E:. A; L. Barres BA... LL:8.,. F-1.S.—States the sess of investigations carried on during the past year by a number of workers, and forms a supplement to the “ Alge of the Clyde Sea- area,” which was published in the /ournal of Botany in 1891 REVIEWS 209 Besides numerous new records for the local area, the list enumerates “twenty species and varieties added to the British flora... . Conchocelis rosea is the type of a genus new to science.” (/ournal of Botany, June.) List of Fungi, mostly Hymenomyeetes, found in the neigh- bourhood of Roxburgh, and hitherto unrecorded from the district of the (Berwickshire Field) Club. By Rev. Davip PAUvL, M.A.—Fifteen species are enumerated, of which two appear not to have been previously recorded from Scotland. (story of Berwick- shire Naturalists Club, XIII. Part i. pp. 218-220.) REVIEWS. Supplement to Sowerby’s English Botany (3rd Edition). By N. E. Brown, A.L.S., and ARTHUR BENNETT, F.L.S. (London: George Bell and Bone) British botanists will all welcome the appearance of a supple- ment to the “English Botany.” Though undoubtedly the most complete existing work on the flora of our islands, the investigations of the years that have passed since the publication of the earlier volumes have seen a considerable number of species added to our lists ; and the nomenclature requires to be brought into accord with the conclusions reached by the specialists in the various groups. The Supplement under review aims at bringing the whole work up to date as regards both additions to our flora and corrections of nomenclature. As yet the first part only has been issued, though two other parts are said to be nearly ready for issue. Mr. Brown has prepared these three parts, but his duties elsewhere do not allow him time to complete the work. Mr. A. Bennett (to whose unwearied labours we in Scotland are so much indebted for his published ‘‘ Additions to Topographical Botany”) has undertaken to see to the remaining excellent guarantee of the thoroughness of the work. The Supplement will be found of great utility, though possibly some of the changes of nomenclature will scarcely be followed very willingly by some botanists. The first part includes from Ranunculacee to Celastracee (Orders I-XXII), and is illustrated with six plates, of which five represent additions during recent years to the British list of flowering plants. Unfortunately there appears to have been a considerable delay in publishing Part I, after a great portion of it was printed off. It is difficult on any other supposition to account for the length of the Appendix of additional information at the end of the part, which might have been more conveniently intercalated in the text. We 210 ANNALS. OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY hope that the whole of the Supplement will appear at short intervals, and that the text throughout will be up to date, without requiring in its turn to be supplemented even before its issue. Outlines of Zoology. By J. ARTHUR THomson, M.A. (Edin- burgh: Young Pentland, 1892.) The announcement of a new textbook of Zoology is at the present day perhaps scarcely an event of sufficient novelty to attract more than passing notice, unless it bears the stamp of a master of the subject. The work before us, however, is decidedly above the average, and when its numerous excellent qualities become known, will doubtless attain the rank it deserves. Perhaps the most conspicuous feature of the book (one which will make it specially useful to students of Biology) is the addition of a description of some well- known type to the account of each group of animals—the types selected being in most cases those included in the zoological curriculum of the various universities. As everybody knows, the “‘type system” of study has in recent years been carried to an excess which is unfortunately resulting in the creation of an ever-increasing number of worthless cram-books, which cannot be too strongly condemned. Mr. Thomson, however, makes use of the “type” merely as a supplement to the general account of the class to which it belongs—a method of treatment which is to be highly commended, for the type-system when thus employed must be approved of by every one. ‘The first seven chapters constitute a general “ intro- duction” and deal with a variety of subjects, such as the general classification of the Animal Kingdom, the histology of tissues, the functions of organs and tissues, development, the past history of animals, geographical distribution and evolution. The re- maining chapters—viz. vill. to xxv.—deal with the different classes of animals ; the general characters in each case preceding the detailed description of the type. There is something unusually attractive about the style of the book throughout, and in almost every chapter we meet with interesting and useful information of a kind not usually met with in textbooks of this description. For example, we are supplied with concise accounts of such subjects as the inter-relations of animals and plants, the “courtship” of animals, the migration of birds, parasitism, sexual selection, the protective devices of animals, and a host of other facts concerning the habits of animals of which the student is usually left in ignorance. Great care has evidently been expended in bringing the book thoroughly “up to date” in every department, and we are glad to see that the sources of the more important recent “views” are given, for this is always very acceptable information to advanced students, and too frequently omitted. | The illustrations are not so good (from an artistic point of view) as we should like to see, and we think they might be multiplied with REVIEWS 211 advantage. The work is an excellent one, and we wish it the success which it merits. ASAD; The Lepidoptera of the British Islands. By CHARLES G. BarRreETT, F.E.S. (London: L. Reeve and Co., 1892.) Mr. C. G. Barrett’s new work on ‘‘ The Lepidoptera of the British Islands,” two numbers of which have appeared, is very disappointing. The author has missed a magnificent opportunity of producing a much-needed standard work on the subject. The letterpress is far behind the scientific spirit of the age. With regard to the generic names, he omits in most cases to give any authority for their use; while in regard to the specific names he contents himself with stating the name of the authority, without giving any reference to the original description. In the text also he often refers to published papers without mentioning references. For this there can be no excuse, as he might, without trouble, have found exact references given in many of the older English works. ‘The general arrangement of the work also leaves much to be desired. There are no headings to the paragraphs to indicate their nature, so that if any special piece of information be sought it becomes necessary to read the whole article. A very interesting subject that Mr. Barrett has only just touched upon is the distribution of species in the Palzearctic area, which, if properly detailed, would have been of the greatest service. The author seems only to aim at producing a book for the mere collector, and is very careful to give all the aberrations of colour and marking, and the description of hermaphrodite specimens in those collections he has had access to, calling them all varieties, which is a misapplication of the term. They may be of deep interest to collectors, but are of very little scientific value. The plates are decidedly the best part of the work, though far from per- fection. The imagines of plates 3 and 7 are especially good; on the other hand, plates 4 and 8 are as bad as can be. Pilates 1, 2, 5, and. 6, can only be said to be fairly good. With regard to the figures of larvee and pupze, they seem to have been treated as odds and ends, and are as a rule very poor. It seems a pity that the author did not model his work on such treatises as those of Trimen or Edwards, which leave little to be desired. It is greatly to be hoped that Mr. Barrett may see his way to remedy in the succeeding numbers some of the more glaring defects exhibited by the first two. E. W. C. The Mammalian Fauna of the Edinburgh Distriet: With Records of the Occurrences of the Rarer Species throughout the South-east of Scotland generally. By WitLiam Evans, F.R.S.E. (Edinburgh: M‘Farlane and Erskine. 1892.) Pp. 123. Weare much pleased to find that Mr. Evans has issued his most excellent account of the Mammalia of the Edinburgh District in a separate and enlarged form. In this important contribution to 212 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Scottish Natural History, Mr. Evans has brought together the results of many years personal observation, as well of exhaustive researches into the literature relating to the subject. Not only, however, are the mammals now or formerly inhabiting the district—forty-eight in number—and their past and present distribution treated of, but the author has added much that is interesting and original concerning the habits and life-history of many of the species that have come under his observation. The book is of considerable importance to British zoologists, and it is with pleasure that we recommend this neat little volume to all who are interested in the subject, on which it treats so pleasantly and so well. The edition is limited to 200 copies. Recent Additions to the Natural History Department of the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh. THE more important gifts received by the Natural History Depart- ment of the Museum during the past six months comprise :—A fine collection of European Lepidoptera, numbering 3000 specimens, presented by Mrs. Pearson, Glasgow. A number of mounted Birds from the Pacific Region and New Zealand, among which is a fine pair of the New Zealand Quail (Coturnix Nove Zealandia, Quoy and Gaim.), now supposed to be extinct, presented by Mrs. James Stracey, Edinburgh, who has also given a number of Shells from the Pacific. A small collection of Corals presented by Miss Dalmahoy, and a collection of Shells given by General Dalmahoy, Edinburgh. Thirty Birds’ Skins, presented by Mr. H. E. Dresser, London. A considerable number of British Birds and Mammals, presented by Messrs. J. A. Harvie-Brown, T. G. and D. G. Laidlaw, H. Knight Horsfield, P. Adair, W. Berry, T. Speedy, Bruce-Campbell, Wm. Evans, and Lieut.-Col. Duthie. A unique specimen of the dentition of a fossil Selachian (/azassa) from the Carboniferous Limestone of East Kilbride presented by Mr. J. B. Wise, Glasgow. From General Cadell, C.B., Cockenzie, the Museum has also received a specimen of a Lizard (Lacerta Gadlotii) and of a Snail Shell (Helix) embedded in volcanic tuff from Teneriffe. Among the purchases are: A fine set of Fossil Fishes from the Old Red Sandstone of Gamrie. A number of fossils from German localities, among which is a very fine specimen of Wypsocormus from Solenhofen. A number of skins of European Birds and Fishes— sixty-eight specimens in all. Seven series of Embryological wax models prepared by Dr. Ziegler of Freiburg, Baden. Fifty-six exotic Bird-skins. Also the skull and several of the vertebree and bones of a large Grampus (Ovca gladiator, Gray) recently found embedded in the sands of the Firth of Forth near Grangemouth. R. H. Traquair, Keeper of Natural History Department. BOOKS ON NATURAL HISTORY THE VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF SCOTLAND FIFTH VOLUME os A te Brows! AND = J roMas Ez Buckley UPI Grok EDLNDUREH - Bie DAVID DOUGLAS. 1692. Nearly Ready, in One Vol., small 4to, with Maps and Plates, Price 21s. to Subscribers. BOOKS ON NATURAL HISTORY THE VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF SCOTLAND—Continued. FIRST VOLUME—OvtT or PRINT A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF SUTHERLAND, CAITHNESS, AND WEST CROMARTY. By J. A. Harviz-Brown and T. E. BucKLey. One Volume. Small 4to. With Maps and Plates. SECOND VOLUME—Ovt oF PRINT A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. By J. A. HarviE-Brown, and T. E. Buckiry. One Volume. Small 4to, with Maps and Plates. THIRD VOLUME THE BIRDS OF IONA AND MULL, and other Natural History Notes, 1852-70. By the late Henry Davenport GRAHAM, and Edited by J. A. Harvir-Brown. [llustrated from the Author’s Sketch-books. One Volume. Small 4to. Price 21s, net. “«There is a freshness and originality about them which makes them extremely pleasant read- ing.”—Field. “Tn the seclusion of the ‘sacred island,’ even now invaded by the tourist for only a brief season, Graham had not merely ample opportunities for studying natural history, but also leisure for thinking. Consequently, the book is full of original suggestions, derivations of words, scraps of folk-lore, etc.” —Atheneum. ‘“‘Tf Captain Marryat, instead of devoting his time after leaving the service to writing novels, had wandered off to a desolate island and turned wild-fowler and ornithologist, he might well have written such a book as that which the literary executors of the late H. D. Graham have issued under the sober title of ‘ The Birds of Iona and Mull.’ ”’—Spectator. FOURTH VOLUME A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE ORKNEY ISLANDS. By T. E. Bucxizy, B.A., F.Z.S., and J. A. Harvir-Brown, F.R.S.E., F.ZS. One Volume. Small 4to. Tlustrated with Photogravure Plates from Drawings by J. G. Mixuats, as well as from Photographs taken specially for the Book. Price 30s. ““We receive few books that are so grateful alike to the eye and senseas the sage-green octavos of Scot- tish zoological geography which come to us, one after another, from Mr. Douglas. In welcoming this delightful Vertebrate Fauna of the Orkney Islands, we feel but one regret, the worlds whichare left for Messrs. Buckley and Harvie-Brown to conquer are growing very few. .. We know not howto approach them. Are we tourge them on upon their splendid enterprise, or to hold them back, that our pleasure may be drawn out the longer? The same plan is pursuéd asin the previous volumes of this admirable series. A detailed physical geography of the islands precedes the catalogue raisonné of the species and habitats. Even to those, therefore, who have little zoological curiosity or knowledge, this book must be of unusual importance, if the reader has an interest in the provinces described.” —Saturday Review. EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. The Annals of Scottish Natural History No. 4] TSio9 [OCTOBER. iS LEGISLATIVE PROTECTION 2EOUT-ED FOR WILD BIRDS” EGGS: By Rev. E. P. Knusiey, M.A., M.B.O.U. IT may be well to state at the outset that at present certain birds are protected by a close time in the nesting season, during which it is illegal to kill them, but that this protection does not extend to their eggs. The eggs, in fact, of every kind of wild bird, whether common or uncommon, useful or otherwise, are liable to be destroyed through thoughtless carelessness, wanton mischief, or sordid greed. At present there is nothing to prevent whole areas from being systematically plundered of every egg of every bird— and it is done. Again, certain of our British birds—for instance, the Great Skua and some of the Terns—nest in colonies in a few known localities ; and as the law now stands there is nothing to hinder the taking of the eggs of these birds to such an extent as to prevent the hatching of a single young bird. It requires no prophet to foretell what will be the result of this system of pillage, if it is allowed to proceed unchecked. The question has been asked, Has the time come when legislative protection is required for wild birds’ eggs? A committee of the British Association was appointed at the Cardiff meeting, with a view to inquiring into this subject ; 4 B 214 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY but it has not yet felt itself in a position to make any recom- mendations. The committee, which includes the names of Professor Newton and Canon Tristram, was re-appointed at the Edinburgh meeting ; and it is hoped that next year it may feel in a position to offer suggestions on this extremely difficult subject. This important question was, however, brought before the recent meeting of the British Association at the conference of the delegates of the corresponding societies, and after a most interesting discussion, in which the writer, Mr. E. B. Poulton, Canon Tristram, and others took part, the following resolution was carried unanimously :—‘“ The conference of delegates having heard of the threatened extermination of certain birds, as British breeding species, through the destruc- tion of their eggs, deprecates the encouragement given to dealers by collectors through their demands for British taken eggs, and trusts that the corresponding societies will do all that lies in their power to interest and influence naturalists, landowners, and others in the preservation of such birds and their eggs.” All will agree that if legislative protection for wild birds’ eggs is asked for at all, it is not required for all species. Indeed, sweeping legislation would do more harm than good. There are certain groups—such, for instance, as the Passeres, that are very well able to take care of themselves and need no protection. Again, all will agree that it would be a mis- take to pass laws which could not be enforced. Any general law against egg collecting would be easily evaded, and every one knows the demoralising effect of an unenforced rule. Setting aside, then, all idea of a general prohibition of egg-collecting as impracticable, if not mischievous, there are still cases in which the maintenance of the present freedom from restraint appears to be open to doubt. As we have already stated, there are certain species which will shortly become extinct as breeders in the British Isles if steps are not taken by legislation or otherwise to protect them. What can be done for these ? It would perhaps be well to instance a few cases. As the readers of the Aznals (No. 2, April 1892) already know from Mr. W. Eagle Clarke’s article, the only breeding LEGISLATIVE PROTECTION FOR WILD BIRDS’ EGGS 215 stations of the Great Skua (Stercorarius catarrhactes) in the British Isles are in Shetland. Here the nests are pillaged so regularly and persistently by the inhabitants that in 1890 not a single chick was reared by the whole Foula colony, and in 1891 practically all the eggs of the first laying were taken. Fortunately the owners of the islands on which the Great Skua nests have taken steps to protect the eggs as far as possible. This praiseworthy intervention has already met with a certain measure of success, for though Mr. Frank Traill, in speaking of the nesting season at Foula this year (1892), states that “apparently all the first laying of Bonxies’ eggs were taken, and part of the second,” and says that in Kirk- wall he saw a dozen Bonxies’ eggs “ from Foula this season ” at the modest price of half a sovereign apiece, he is able to add that there were about sixty or seventy young ones this year. One ought not to leave the Shetlands without mentioning the persecution of other rare birds which nest on these islands. It is stated on good authority that extremely few pairs of the Red-throated Diver (Colymbus septentrionalis) have got off their young during late years. The Whimbrel (Vumenzus pheopus), too, whose few nesting stations in the British Isles are chiefly confined to Shetland, exists there in very limited numbers ; and there are grave fears of the disappearance of the Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus hyperboreus) from its stations in the Shetlands. It is probable also that the Black-throated Diver (Colymbus arcticus) nesting sparsely in circumscribed areas on the mainland of Scotland, and in the Hebrides, will share the same fate. Who can wonder when collectors and dealers offer large prices for each egg which is sent to them? Again, the Little Tern (Sterna minuta), nesting colonies of which exist on the Fifeshire and Banffshire coasts, will shortly disappear altogether. This is inevitable, at least so far as the Fifeshire colony is concerned, unless something can be done to prevent the constant plunder of their nests. Parallel cases might also be cited from the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coasts, where these birds are sadly persecuted, and where the Arctic Tern (Sterna macrura), and the Oyster-catcher (//@ma- topus ostralegus), have practically ceased to nest,and the Ringed Plover (4fgialitis hiaticula), is much scarcer than formerly. 216 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL THSPORM The Farne Islands show the value of protection. For there is no doubt, that, if it were not for the exertions) of aime Association of Ornithologists and others who lease the Farne Islands, these interesting bird nurseries would have been destroyed long ago. Then again the Lapwing (Vanellus vulgaris) is fast disappearing, nor is the reason far toseek. A correspondent the “ Scotsman,” 19th August 1892, recently pointed out that in East Forfarshire it is the custom in the nesting season to pay boys 2s. per dozen for their eggs, for which 12s. 6d. is paid to their employers by London dealers, and that no Jess than fifty dozen are sent’ off at atime. And Mr. W.G; Ta Waee of Skaill House, Stromness,—in moving at a County Council meeting, held on the 11th of May, that a memorial be prepared and sent to Lord Lothian asking him to introduce a Bill empowering County Councils to make rules and regulations for the protection of wild birds’ eggs,—said that many would remember about twenty years ago how the sky was frequently darkened by Lapwings, while now scarcely one could be seen. The bird was most useful to farmers, and grubs had increased immensely since the Lapwing got © scarce. He attributed its scarcity to the fact that the eggs were gathered in thousands and tens of thousands and sent to London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Whilst acknowledging that some of the eggs came from Holland, he contended that many were gathered in England and the Lowlands of Scotland. In addition to these individual species, the systematic sweeping of every egg of every bird from certain parts of Scotland should be instanced. The plan adopted is this. A dealer from a distance employs a local man to send him every egg he can procure. For these he gives half the prices quoted in the published lists. The local man employs all the “herdie” boys of the district to lay hands on every egg which comes within reach, and for these they receive Is. a dozen. In 1890 one man sent one hundred and fifty dozen eggs collected in this manner from Stromness. By such an organised system are whole districts depleted. It is the opinion of several Scottish ornithologists that if the Access to Mountains Bill is passed, it will greatly LEGISLATIVE PROTECTION FOR WILD BIRDS’ EGGS ZE7 facilitate the raids of the collector. Under such a law, they say, it will become impossible for proprietors to continue to afford that protection under the beneficence of which some of the rarest and most interesting of our British birds have alone maintained their position in our Islands. Egg collectors have much to answer for. The craze for collecting clutches, and large numbers of eggs of the same species, is responsible for much destruction. Fancy fifteen clutches of the eggs of the Peregrine Falcon in the same collection, and twenty of the Chough ; and what can we say of one collector whose boast it is to possess over one hundred Scottish taken eggs of the Golden Eagle (vide “ Zoologist,’ 1889, p. 110). Would he take kindly to the suggestion of one of the members of the British Association that he should have the feathers of the birds presented to him, with the addition of a little tar? There are other birds which might be mentioned, such as the Warblers and the insectivorous birds generally ; the Bearded Reedling, the White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, Kite, and the three Harriers; the Kentish Plover, Dotterel, Ruff, and Black-tailed Godwit; and the Great Crested Grebe. But enough has been said to show that certain birds are persecuted, and that there are grave fears that some of them will cease to exist as British breeding species unless steps are taken to afford them protection. Here the difficulties begin. What form of protection is the best? and to what species should such protection be extended? If it is eventually found necessary to have recourse to legislation, the most practical plan would probably be for the Imperial Legislature to grant powers to the County Councils from time to time, and as the necessity arose, to place certain portions of a district, such as mountains, commons, waste places, lakes and meres, or portions of cliffs or foreshores, under an Act for certain specified months in the year, say from April 1st to June 30th. Such a plan would be simple and it might be effective. But very much more than any legislative protection, we want the sympathy and co-operation of landowners and occupiers in order to get them to protect the birds breeding on their property or occupation. The whole matter of the 218 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY preservation both of birds and their eggs ought to be better managed by those on whose property the various species nest than by any legislative restrictions. If landowners and occupiers, game-preservers and game-keepers, would only use whatever brains and common sense Providence may have endowed them with, and learn to discriminate between friends and foes, we lovers of birds for their own sakes should not have much to complain of. Farmers are beginning to know at last that all birds are not their enemies, and ideas of the same sort are working slowly into the brains of some few gamekeepers, and into those of a good number of their masters, so that the aspect of affairs is becoming more hopeful. The question is too delicate and difficult a one to be lightly thrown into the arena of party politics, and it is earnestly to be hoped that means may be found for the protection and preservation, when necessary, of our wild birds and their eggs without having recourse to further legislation. one FREATHEK-BILLED ROOK: IS ¥0 aes CENTLY DEVELOPED VARIATION =e HITHERTO; OVERLOOKED ? By RosBert SERVICE, Maxwelltown. IT is now fourteen years since I was told by the head game- keeper on a Dumfriesshire estate that he had just been exterminating a Rookery on his grounds. The reason given was rather a startling one. It was that “the Rooks” had all become crossed with carrion crows, and the resultant breed were destroying eggs and every small living thing they came across. Some of these alleged “crosses” were sent me, and sure enough their bills were completely feathered, as in carrion crows, but they were only Rooks, and not “ crosses,” as a very cursory examination proved. Since then I have paid a considerable amount of attention to our local Rooks, and find a startling proportion of them—I estimate it at about 20 °/——retain the feathered bill of juvenility till at least their third year. Without going into any details, I find from correspondence with Ornithologists that the same thing has THE SHORT-EARED OWL IN VOLE PLAGUE DISTRICTS 219 already been noticed elsewhere, some being of opinion that the peculiarity is of recent development, and others that it has been simply overlooked. I am inclined to think that it is in some way closely connected with the undoubted recent adoption of carrion crow-like habits by the common Rook. For over a dozen years back gamekeepers, and many others, have been continually complaining of the injury done them by Rooks in the destruction of eggs, young birds, and young rabbits and hares. Farmers likewise state how frequently their chickens and ducklings are taken now. And every field Ornithologist will at once admit that his observations are also to the same effect. Rooks destroyed by poisoned eggs laid down in the usual way, are almost always those with feathered bills. I exhibited a dozen feather-billed Rooks to the members of the Vole Commission at their recent meeting in this neighbourhood, and advanced views that it was an outbreak of carrion crow-like habits amongst the Rooks that had perhaps led to this curious variation. I also stated that for years past the keepers had killed the Rooks wholesale owing to their bad habits, and that to this great destruction of Rooks might be attributed one of the minor causes of the vole plague, for no bird or animal is fonder of young voles than the Rook. It is curious how generally widespread is the notion amongst those connected with game interests that the feather-billed Rook is the produce of a mésalliance with the carrion crow. I should be glad if our field Ornithologists would give the readers of the Annals the benefit of their experience on this very interesting feature in the history of the Rook. THE SHORT-EARED OWL (4S/O ACCIPITRINUS, PALLAS) AND THE KESTREL (FALCO TIN- NUNCULUS, Linn&us) IN THE VOLE PLAGUE DISTRICTS. sy PETER ADAIR, EARLY this spring I learned that an Owl, strange to the district, had spent last autumn and the winter on certain of the vole-infested farms in Selkirkshire, where it was known 220 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY as the “new owl.” The bird’s advent was hailed with delight by those affected by the vole plague; and possibly for the first time in its long history every one, even the game- keeper and the schoolboy, vied with each other in giving protection to it and to its nest. If the appearance of the bird has been advantageous to the suffering farmer, it has been no less interesting to the naturalist. While spending a few days in June at Tushie- law, Ettrick, I found that the stranger was the Short-eared Owl; that it was very plentiful on the farms on which it had settled, and that there were still nests. I subsequently ascertained that the bird was distributed over a considerable portion of the vole-infested area of the counties of Rox- burgh, Dumfries, Lanark, and Kirkcudbright, and it occurred to me that if particulars and statistics could be obtained bearing on its appearance, haunts, habits, and numbers, valuable information might be gained. I accordingly sent to proprietors, farmers, and shepherds in the infested area, Lists of Questions for Replies; and I have been fortunate in getting a great number of responses. The results are embraced in the Appendix to this paper. Mr. W..Eagle Clarke has been good enough to check for me the Schedule, and the particulars stated may be taken as a correct sum- mary of the information received. The total acreage of the respective farms has been stated. The acreage has, however, in some few instances, been only estimated, but the estimate may be accepted as sufficiently correct for all practical) purposes:, In a few cases the: acreage. hasmmee been got, or I am not at liberty to make it public. It is, of course, impossible to make a reliable estimate of the number of birds in the vole-infested area. That area is so extensive, the population is so small, the ground traversed by the shepherds in their daily rounds is so uniformly in the same line, except during the lambing season, and the birds sit so closely, that a small proportion only of the numbers on the ground has probably been seen. The idea of estimating the number of birds by the number of nests found on certain farms is also unsatisfactory, as, with the exception of Ettrick, I have particulars from comparatively a few farms on the vole-infested watersheds, and it would THE SHORT-EARED OWL IN VOLE PLAGUE DISTRICTS ar be necessary to get returns from the whole or at least the creater part of the farms on these watersheds, as the birds may not be distributed over all the ground. ‘This is the case in Ettrick, in regard to which I have returns from most of the infested farms from Kirkhope (seven or eight miles south of Selkirk) to Potburn at the head of the river. The result is that in the district between Kirkhope and Tushie- law—an area, roughly speaking, seven or eight miles long by three or four broad—-many nests have been seen, and the bird is abundant, while in the district between Tushielaw and Potburn—about ten or twelve miles long by three or four miles in breadth—the Owl has up to the present month (September) been scarce; thus seeming to imply that the migratory flight had, last autumn, been arrested in its course, farther down the river, by the abundance of food there. There can be no question as to the abundance of the food supply in the upper district, which has suffered terribly from the ravages of the voles. Mr. M‘Clure, Over Kirkhope, which is seven or eight miles above Tushielaw, has, however, just informed me that a great many birds have appeared on that farm within the last few weeks. As there is a very marked diminution in the number of voles over much of the infected area, this appearance of the bird on new ground may be taken as indicating that food is getting scarce on some of its late resorts. Mr. R. Service, Maxwelltown, who has given much atten- tion to the bird and to the plague, estimates that from 150 to 200 pairs remained to nest in Dumfriesshire and Kirkcud- bright. The following is a summary of the number of nests actually seen on the farms from which specific information has been, obtained, as stated in the Schedule. No. of Nests. I. In Teviot and Hawick district. ‘ 117 II. In Ettrick gI III. In Eskdalemuir . , ; ‘ 30 IV. In Yarrow. ; : 7 V. In Moffat . 56 301 222 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY But numbers of nests were most undoubtedly not seen, in- cluding many tenanted early and late in the season; and keeping this in view, it would not, I think, be unfair to double the number of nests on the farms in question for the purpose of arriving at an approximation of the number of young birds reared thereon during the present season. The result is 602 nests with, say, seven young in each nest, equal to 4214 young birds on these farms. A few remarks bearing upon the haunts and habits of the bird may not be uninteresting. These are taken from the particulars which I have received, and, owing to their originality, have a special value attached to them. Except during the storms of winter, it frequents the vole ground, preferring boggy land covered with coarse grass or rushes, also bracken-patches, and high heather. In the severe weather of winter it seeks the shelter of plantations. Mr. Glendinning, Nether Cassock, informs me that forty to sixty spent last winter on some low-lying ground in his farm among willow-bushes ; and Mr. Mitchell, Newburgh, Ettrick, notes that great numbers sought shelter in a young planta- tion on the neighbouring farm of Gilman’s Cleuch, and that during the snowstorms, numbers occupied the bare spots beneath the overhanging banks of Scaur braes along the river. They also frequented similar resorts in quarry holes and on steep brae faces along hill burns. The nests have been seen in all the usual haunts of the bird ; and several, as the Schedule will show, contained an extraordinary number of eggs. The average number may safely be taken at eight to ten, and the number of young reared at seven. Few unfertile eggs have been seen, and the young are hardy. Nests have been found as early as the end of February and as late as July; but the greater number were found from the end of April till the end of May, being the lambing season, when the shepherds were con- stantly traversing the whole ground. I have been informed of several instances in which the bird has exhibited great boldness in the defence of its nest. On one occasion a bird struck Mr. Mitchell, Newburgh, a smart blow on the head while examining its nest. And in many instances dogs have been struck in passing the nest or the young. The young, THE SHORT-EARED OWL IN VOLE PLAGUE DISTRICTS 223 which are of different ages, leave the nest, or are expelled, as soon as they are well feathered, but before they can main- tain themselves, and sit among the best available cover near the nest, where they are fed by the parent birds till they are self-supporting. After the nesting season, it is of common occurrence to flush the family parties. At present the birds are seen singly, or in pairs. Farmers and shepherds are unanimously of opinion that the birds have had two broods this season. In the company of Mr. William Evans, Edinburgh, and of Mr. John Scott, West Deloraine, I had the pleasure of inspecting two nests with young on the gth of July. They were placed on a heathery slope, on the east side of Deloraine Burn, and were about half a mile apart. No attempt at the construction of a nest was discernible, simply a scrape under the shelter of the heather. One of the nests contained two infertile eggs, and five young birds, two of which were well grown and getting rudimentary feathers, while the youngest was only a few days old. The other nest (beside which lay two dead voles) also contained two infertile eggs and four young birds in nearly the same stages of srowth as those in the nest first referred to. The shepherd informed us that three young of the first nest had already left the nest, and that two of the eggs in the second nest had been broken. In each nest the elder birds occupied the out- sides, the youngest keeping to the centre, and being com- pletely covered by its relatives. Both nests were occupied by the parent birds when we approached. One of the parent birds of the nest first referred to kept flying over and past us at twenty to thirty yards distance, exhibiting particular wrath at two dogs which accompanied us, and repeatedly drawing away one of them from the immediate neighbourhood of the nest by skilfully feigning lameness : its mate flew round at a height varying from eighty to one hundred and twenty yards. Only one of the parent birds of the nest second referred to was visible. She allowed us to approach within a few yards, then flew silently away and did not return. The birds do the greater part of their hunting towards dusk. They appear in numbers in genial weather; but during rain storms few are to be seen. During the nesting 224 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL, HISTORY season, and in warm weather, and the “butterfly” days which precede a change, they frequently make excursions during the day, sometimes in numbers. I need scarcely remind naturalists that the bird is not affected by light to the same extent as our other indigenous species; and distributed as they are, during the breeding season, up to a high latitude (70° N.) their sight is adapted to the con- tinuous day of an arctic summer. When viewed through a good binocular they exhibit an alertness and _ vivacity of expression which well indicates that light has little or no effect on them. On the 21st‘ of; the. present) monem (September), in a bright sun, two birds repeatedly quartered a small meadow on East Buccleuch farm, west of Clearburn Loch, paying particular attention to the sides of the surface drains. At the same time three birds spent the afternoon quartering and requartering a small area not exceeding an acre on the east side of the loch near the Hawick road. The birds were most diligent, seldom resting more than a few minutes. The birds seem to subsist principally on voles and mice ; at all events, I have no information of their preying on birds. No doubt this arises from the vast abundance of the voles, great numbers of which are taken, particularly during nesting time. | Tovsive three, instances':—Charles N. Dunlopyatsam of Whitmuirhill, Selkirk, informs me that twenty-nine voles were removed from a nest on Hislop, and that next day twenty-seven voles were found in the same place. The shepherd at Dumfedling counted thirty-seven voles at a nest containing ten eggs found on that farm at the end of February. And Mr. Glendinning, shepherd, Howpasley, tells me that he counted twenty-seven at a nest on that farm con- taining ten young birds. In flushing a bird at the present time it is not uncommon to find a dead vole. or two At the place where it rose. It is pretty clear from the information received that the bird has during past years nested regularly in small numbers in the area embraced in Eskdalemuir and the top of Teviot and of its tributary the Borthwick. I particularly refer to the information specified in the Schedule obtained from Craich, Falnash, Hislop, and Redfordgreen in the Hawick district ; THE SHORT-EARED OWL IN VOLE PLAGUE DISTRICTS 225 Glenkerry and Gair in Ettrick ; and Castle O’er and Crurie, Nether Cassock, Glendearg, and Fingland on Eskdalemuir. Mr. D. Glendinning, Howpasley, states that specimens were seen and nests found in Liddesdale-head in 1887, and on the early afternoon of a day about the middle of June 1890 a bird spent half an hour quartering the rough grass in West Deloraine, to the north-west of Clearburn Loch, in close proximity to a fishing party of which I was a member. That these birds should have mustered and bred in such numbers in the wide area indicated is in itself a most interesting fact, and one that goes far to prove the keenness of the struggle for existence among the feathered races. We all know that the homing instinct is almost paramount in all migratory birds, and yet the abundance of food in the vole counties has induced many mere winter visitors among these owls to settle at least for a while among us and to render services to the sheep farmer which cannot be over-estimated. With reference to the Kestrel, I have given in the Schedule a statement of the details of value which I have received, and nothing requires to be added. In driving or walking over any part of the vole-infested area the bird is constantly in sight, sometimes several at once, and forms a most pleasing feature of the landscape. I cannot close without acknowledging the kindness and courtesy of the gentlemen who were good enough to aid me in obtaining the particulars required to enable me to compile this article. I am particularly indebted to the follow- ing gentlemen for the trouble which they have taken, viz. :— Richard Bell, Esq., of Castle O’er ; T. Scott Anderson, Esq., of Shaws; Charles N. Dunlop, Esq., of Whitmuirhill ; Alex- ander Sturrock, Esq., banker, Edinburgh ; R. Service, Esq,., Maxwelltown ; James Matheson, Esq., banker, Selkirk ; Dr. Hamilton, Hawick; J. Scott, Esq., West Deloraine ; Wm. G. Stewart, Esq., Barnhill, Moffat ; Charles S. 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T. Newton, F.G.S., F.Z.S., communicated a preliminary notice “On some Dicynodont and other Reptile Remains from the Elgin Sandstone,” in which he described some very remarkable forms new to science. The detailed description of these specimens is nearly completed, and will, it is hoped, be shortly published. The following is an abstract of Mr. Newton’s communication to the Associa- tion.— EDS. | At the Aberdeen meeting of the British Association in 1885 Dr. Traquair called attention to the skull of a Dicyn- odont which had been discovered in the Elgin Sandstone of Cutties’ Hillock (= New Spynie). Since that time several other specimens have been obtained from the same place, some of which are the property of the Elgin Museum, while others belong to the Geological Survey of the United King- dom. These specimens are now being worked out by the author, and this communication is a preliminary note on the interesting results which have been obtained. All the reptile remains obtained from Cutties’ Hillock are in the condition of hollow casts, the bones themselves having been dissolved away; this, it will be remembered, was the case with some of the examples of Stagonolepis from the Elgin Sandstone, described by Prof. Huxley, and the method of taking casts from the hollow cavities, which was adopted in that case, has been found of great advantage in the present instance. The blocks when brought from the quarry were more or less split open, exposing portions of the specimens. In some cases these cavities were traced out and developed with the chisel, while in others they were farther split open, thus allowing casts to be taken. In many cases these casts had to be made in several parts and after- wards fitted together. The time and labour involved in this task have been repaid by the restoration of the skulls and parts of skeletons of several Dzcynodonts and one or two other equally remarkable forms of reptiles. In most of these specimens, including that noticed by A NEW FOSSIL FISH FROM DURA DEN 233 Dr. Traquair, the skulls are similar in form, although differing in minor details, and have a general resemblance to the South African Dzicynodon and Oudenodon, some of them having small tusks in the maxillary bones. With most of these skulls parts of the skeleton have been found. Two or three show the position of the vertebral column and ribs, but up to the present no definite centra have been traced ; besides this there is evidence of scapula, clavicle, humerus, radius, and ulna, the humerus having the characteristic anomodont expansion of the two extremities. In two specimens the ilia are preserved. These forms appear to be distinct from Dicyn- odon, and probably represent at least two or three species. Another skull presents most of the characters of Ptycho- gnathus, but has a short muzzle and no teeth. The last, and by far the most remarkable skull of this series, is about six inches in length, and has the outer surface completely covered in by bony plates, the nostrils, eyes, and pineal fossa being the only apertures. The chief feature of this skull is the extreme development of horns upon the face and cheeks, there being about thirty of these formidable defences, varying from a fourth of an inch to nearly three inches in length, besides some smaller bosses. The dentition is pleurodont, and resembles very closely that of the living /ewana; the palate is lacertilian, but with the pterygoids united in front of the pterygoid vacuity. This skull reminds one very strongly of the living Moloch and Phrynosoma, but it probably finds its nearest ally in the Parezasaurus from the South African Karoo Bed. A NEW FOSSIL FISH FROM DURA DEN. sy R. H. Traquair, M.D., ‘F.R.S. Keeper of the Natural History Collections in the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh. SOME years ago, while looking over the magnificent collection of Dura Den fishes in the Museum at St. Andrews, Professor Heddle drew my attention to a specimen which, though bearing some resemblance in form to a Glyptolemus, seemed 234 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY to him to differ essentially in the squamation, and was there- fore probably new to science. The form of the fish is long and narrow, and shows posteriorly two dorsal fins, behind the second of which the specimen is unfortunately broken off. Its measurements are, From tip of snout to just behind origin of second dorsal, 104 inches. e anterior margin of orbit 3S ss mu anterior margin of clavicle . 2 3 i i origin of first dorsal fin rE a origin of second dorsal fin . OF fe Depth at shoulder and also at middle of body tS So far as exhibited, the external cranial bones are finely rugose-granulated on their surfaces ; the circular orbit is very distinctly marked, and is ;°; inch in diameter. The gape is wide but only a few small conical teeth are exhibited. The opercular bones are wanting, a palatopterygoid bone of the usual Rhizodont shape being brought into view. There is also exhibited a clavicle of the same general form as in Rhizodopsis, etc. There are some remains of pectoral rays, but the ventral, anal, and caudal fins are not preserved. The scales are unfortunately badly preserved ; only enough is seen to show that they were thin and rounded, and that they exhibited the usual fine, concentric, and radiating markings of the scales in the Rhizodont family. The head, the scales, the fins, all show that the fish belongs to the family Rhizodontide, but its generic position is not so clear owing to its deficient preservation. Un- fortunately, with the single exception of the Canadian genus Eusthenopteron, very \ittle is known of the Upper Devonian Rhizodontidez in general, as their remains have hitherto occurred only in the most fragmentary condition, like the Russian remains named by Pander Polyflocodus,| and those from Clashbennie in Scotland, named by Agassiz Bothriolepis favosus, and now provisionally referred by Mr. A. Smith Woodward to Newberry’s genus Sauripterus.’ There is, however, in the collection at St. Andrews, 1 Tt has been usually supposed that Pander’s Polyplocodus is synonymous with Agassiz’s Cricodus, but I have already, in the first number of this Journal (p. 35), shown that Cricodus was founded on a tooth of Dendrodont structure. 2 Cat. Foss. Fishes, British Museum, Pt. 2, p. 365. LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA OF SCOTLAND = 235 another specimen of a KRhizodont fish from Dura Den, showing the hinder part of the body and tail; the caudal fin being well preserved and rhombic-diphycercal in its contour, which is thus conformed as it is in the Lower Old Red Sandstone genus Gyroptychius of M‘Coy. There seems every reason for believing that this specimen is both senerically and specifically identical with the one described above, as showing the head without the tail, though it may be doubted if the form of the tail alone is sufficient, consider- ing the bad condition of the scales, to justify the reference of the species to the genus Gyroptychius. For the scales of Gyroptychius have a peculiar long ridge on the under surface which cannot be seen in the specimens under consideration. The reference of this Dura Den Rhizodont to a genus can therefore meanwhile only be provisional, but as it closely resembles Gyroptychius, so far as its state of preservation allows us to judge, I propose to include it in that genus under the name of Gyroptychius Heddlet. I have, in conclusion, to thank the Committee of the St. Andrews Museum for facilities kindly allowed me _ for €xamining and describing the fossil. MUDEIONS/ TO THE AUTHENTICATED GOMITAL CENSUS OF THE LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSC A -OF SCOTLAND. Wm. DENISON ROEBUCK, F.L.S., Hon. Sec. and Recorder to the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. I HAVE some further notes to submit in continuation of my paper in the “ Annals of Scottish Natural History ” for April 1892, pp. 104-107, mostly the result of the work of my friends Mr. William Evans, F.R.S.E., and Rev. George Gordon, LL.D. 6. Helix rufescens on Stirling Castle Roeck.—This is an addi- tion to the Stirlingshire list, and an important extension to the north-east of the Scottish range of the species. Mr. Evans collected 236 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY it on the 28th April last, in fair quantity, and sent them to me for examination, along with numerous examples of C/lausilia rugosa, and odd ones of Helix hispida, H. nemoralis var. libellula 1 (23) (45), Ff. rotundata, Vitrina pellucida, Zontites cellarius, and Z. nitidulus. 7. Mollusea in South Perthshire.—Mr. Evans spent some little time last April in the neighbourhood of Callander, and to very good purpose. ‘The following is a list of species I received from him, those marked * being additions to the records for the vice-county. Arion ater.—Callander, one, small. * A. subfuscus.—Callander, several. * A. hortensts Callander, numerous. A. circumscriptus (=A. bourguignatt of my former papers).—Cal- lander, a few. * A. minimus.—Callander, a few. * LTimax arborum.—Callander, one, small. Agriolimax agrestis —Callander, common. * A. levis.—Port of Menteith, one. Vitrina pellucida.—Callander, Bracklinn Falls, and Loch Lubnaig, a few. Zonites cellarius.—Callander and Loch Lubnaig, several. Z. alliarius.—Callander, Loch Lubnaig, Bracklinn Falls, Banks of the Keltie near Callander, and Callander Crags, numerous. Z. nitidulus.—Port of Menteith, Loch Lubnaig, and Callander, not uncommon. Z. purus.—Bracklinn Falls and Loch Lubnaig, a few. Z. radiatulus.—Bracklinn Falls and Callander, several. Z. excavatus.—Callander Crags, two. Z. crystallinus—Loch Lubnaig and banks of the Keltie near Callander. Z. fulvus.—Port of Menteith, Bracklinn Falls, banks of Keltie, and Callander, common. * Flelix lamellata.—Banks of the Keltie near Callander, a few. * FT, nemoralis.—Var. rubella at the Pass of Leny, and vars. rubella and Zibellula at Callander, several. * Hf, fusca.—Callander, a few. ff, rotundata.—Loch Lubnaig, Bracklinn Falls, and Callander, common. Pupa umbtiticata.—Callander, a few. Vertigo edentuta.—Bracklinn Falls and Callander, a few. Clausilia rugosa.—Callander, a few. * Zua lubrica.—Loch Lubnaig, and an irrigated meadow at Callander, a few. Carychium minimum.—Pass of Leny, one. * Planorbis albus.—Callander, one. * Pl. contortus.—Callander, several. LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA OF SCOTLAND — 237 Limnea peregra.—Loch Lubnaig, one. * L. palustris.—Irrigated meadow at Callander, several. L. truncatula.—Irrigated meadow at Callander, a few. * Ancylus fluviatilis—Burn near Callander, one, large. * Pisidium fontinale.—Loch Lubnaig and Callander, numerous. P. pusillum.—Callander, numerous. These additions bring up the total number of species fully authenticated for the vice-county to 39. 8. Mollusea in Mid Perthshire.—Another place to which Mr. Evans devoted attention during April and May was the immediate neighbourhood of Loch Tay, in the mid division of Perthshire, from which he sent me the following species, those marked * being new species-records for the vice-county :— * Arion subfuscus.—Drummond Hill, common. * A. minimus.—Between Fearnan and Kenmore. * Limax cinereo-niger.—Drummond Hill, five obtained. * Agriolimax levis——Fearnan and Lawers, both on Loch Tay side, a few. Vitrina pellucida.—Fearnan, several. Zontites cellarius.—Fearnan, and Drummond Hill between Fearnan and Kenmore, numerous. Z. alliartus.—Fearnan, a few. Z. nitidulus,—Fearnan, and Drummond Hill, numerous. * Z, radiatulus.—Fearnan, a few. * Z. excavatus.—Fearnan, one, juv. Z. crystallinus.—Fearnan and Drummond Hill, a few. Z. fulvus.—Fearnan, a few. flelix lamellata.—Drummond Hill, several. * FT, aculeata.—Drummond Hill. f1, nemoralis.x—Drummond Hill, vars. rubella and Jibellula, a few. ff, hortensis—Drummond Hill, one. Ff, arbustorum.—Lawers, a few. . fT, hispida,—F¥earnan, numerous. ff, rotundata.—F¥earnan, a few. * Hf, pygmea.—Drummond Hill, a few. Bulimus obscurus.—Pass of Lyon near Fearnan, several. * Pupa ringens.—Drummond Hill, a few. * P. umbilicata.—Fearnan, numerous. * Vertigo edentula.—Drummond Hill. Claustlia rugosa.—Drummond Hill, a few. Zua lubyvicaa—Drummond Hill, a few. * Carychium minimum.—Fearnan, and Drummond Hill, a few. * Ancylus fluviatilis.—Fearnan, a few. * Pisidium fontinale.—Curling-pond at Fearnan, a few. 238 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY These additions bring up the total number of species on authen. ticated record for the vice-county to 44.1 9. Mollusea in Elginshire.—In August 1891 Mr. Evans sent me the following species from Castle Roy, close to Nethy Bridge, which is politically in Inverness-shire, but really in Elginshire according to the Watsonian system of vice-counties which is followed in botanical and conchological work. Arion circumscriptus (= A. bourguignati of my former papers), A. minimus, Limax arborum var. nemorosa, Agriolimax agrestis, Vitrina pellucida, Zonttes alliarius, Helix pulchella, Vertigo pygmaa, and Zua lubrica, none of them being additions to the list. From Grantown, about the same time, Mr. Evans sent me Avion circumscriptus, A. minimus, * Limax maximus var. fasciata, Agriolimax agrestis var. sylvatica, Vitrina pellucida, Zonites alliarius, and Zua lubrica, the one marked * being the only additional species for the county, whose list now includes 53 species. The Rev. Dr. Gordon has lately forwarded me examples of Limnea peregra from Balnageith near Forres, Elginshire, and of Asgriolimax agrestis from Clunymore, alt. 700 feet, in the neighbour- ing county of Banff. to. Helix caperata in North Aberdeenshire.—Rev. Dr. Gordon sent me in May last three small examples of Helix caperata from Inverugie, an addition to the very scanty list of species we have seen from this vice-county, which is apparently one of the least worked parts of Scotland. EN FOMOLOGISING IN AYRSHIRE By GeEorGcE W. Orb. THE Girvan district of Ayrshire does not appear to have been much worked by entomologists, so that the following notes on insects, taken during a fortnight’s visit (27th June to 11th July) last year, may not be without interest. The weather was not of the best, as we had only three days of decent sunshine, and on this account our list, especially as regards butterflies, is perhaps smaller than it might other- wise have been. Our total captures of Macro-Lepidoptera numbered 83 species, of which 11 were Butterflies, 5 Bom- ! The occurrence of Limax cinereo-niger is of exceptional interest, as I have never seen the species from a locality so far south in Scotland before, and I have not seen it from the Lowlands or the western counties at all. ENTOMOLOGISING IN AYRSHIRE 239 byces, 40 Geometrz, and 27 Noctuz. The most notable butterflies were Satyrus Hyperanthus, L., Lycena Alsus, Fab., and L. Artaxerxes, Fab., the first being very abundant on the damp ground along the Ballantrae Road. L. Adlsus, we got plentifully on one small bank half a mile south of the town of Girvan, but it was seen in no other locality, so its range must be very restricted. Even on the spot mentioned it appeared to be confined to a small plot some twelve yards square, for within that radius three-fourths of our specimens were taken. JL. Artaxerxes does not appear in the “ Fauna and Flora of the West of Scotland” published by the Natural History Society of Glasgow, but, previous to our visit, it had been recorded for Ayrshire by Mr. Birchall (“ Newman’s History of British Butterflies,’ p. 128). It appeared to be common enough on the hills in the Girvan district. Satyrus Semele, L., and Thanaos tages were the only other butterflies taken which are worthy of mention. Of the Bombyces the only species of any rarity was the Cinnabar Moth, Euchela jacobee, L. Only one imago of this insect was taken, but the eggs and young larve were exceedingly abundant on Turnberry Sands. We brought a number of these to Glasgow and obtained a fair series of perfect insects from them. The district appeared to be very rich in Geometre, and to this family belong the bulk of our captures. Among the less common species were, Venusia cambricaria, Curt., Cleora lichenaria, W. V., Actdalia fumata, Steph., Abraxas ulmata, Fab., Lomaspilis marginata, L., Emmelsia affiniata, Steph., E. alchemillata, L., £. decolorata, Hub., Hupethecia pygmeata, Hub., Thera firmata, Hub. Coremia propugnata, W. V., Cidaria corylata, Thunb., Czdaria silaceata, W. V., Eudbolta palumbaria, W. V., Tanagra cherophyllata, L., etc., many of these being in great abundance. In Penwhapple Glen, for instance, the most abundant insect was Adraras ulmata, a very rare insect in most parts of Scotland. It is to be found by day at rest on elm leaves, and is very conspicuous. It does not appear to be so obnoxious to birds as its relative the common Magpie Moth, Adéraxas grossulariata, L., as we found the dry bed of the stream literally strewed with wings and other relics of the departed. 240 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Our captures of Noctuze included Zhyatira bates, L., Cymatophora duplaris, L., Leucania pallens, L., Axylia putris, L., Agrotzs erclamationts, L., Noctua umbrosa, Wub., Euclidia mi, L., etc. Sugaring did not pay very well, few insects ever approaching it. Many interesting insects belonging to other orders were also obtained, the most local being a female Glow-worm, Lampyrzs noctiluca, L. ON CERTAIN NEW OR RARE KROTIPERS FROM FORFARSHIRE. By W. T. CaLtman, University College, Dundee. PEATE VIII. Notops pygmeus, n. sp. A MINUTE rotifer, which appears to be new, has occurred several times in the water supplied to Dundee from the Monikie reservoirs. It is at once remarkable for its brilliant colour. Through the thick but clear and transparent skin, the body of the animal appears of a light red colour, in the midst of which lies the stomach of a deep blue; and these colours are perfectly constant in numerous specimens that I have seen over a period of six years. The HEAD is completely retractile within the lorica, and the oral edges of the latter are curved inwards over it when it is withdrawn. The FRONT possesses apparently a single ring of cilia, near the ventral side of which the mouth opens. The foot may be retracted within or protruded from a long tubular sheath which passes obliquely backwards from its orifice. For some little distance from the orifice this sheath is thickened, and this portion of it survives with the rest of the lorical skin when the animal is treated with caustic alkali. Close to the orifice, a short rounded diverticulum is given off from the sheath. The FOOT is soft and flexible, and I have not seen more than a single pointed toe. The STOMACH is very large and studded with large oil-globules. Its upper portion fills the space between the great mastax and the sheath of the foot ; below it curves round ventrally, and is succeeded by a narrower intestinal NEW AND RARE ROTIFERS FROM FORFARSHIRE 241 portion of a lighter colour (devoid of the peculiar blue), lined with cilia, which in all probability opens at the base or inner extremity of the passage above described as the sheath of the foot. Close to the same point appears to be the orifice of the rather large contractile vesicle. Of the NEPHRIDIA, four ciliated funnels (“ vibratile tags ”) on each side were seen, but no “convoluted tubes” could be observed. The BRAIN is large, oval, colourless, and transparent, though at the same time minutely granular. The EYE, which is of moderate size and brightly red, is situated (as for instance in Mastigocerca carinata), on the internal lower edge of the brain. The TROPHI are, compared with the animal’s size, very large, and are peculiar both in shape and in position. The incus is forcipate, and lies, when the animal is extended, almost transversely to the length of the body, the fulcrum pointing in the direction of the foot. Both fulcrum and rami are long ; at their junction with one another two lateral alule present themselves; they lie in the same plane with the rami, to which plane the fulcrum on the other hand is somewhat inclined in the direction of the foot. From the rami, a very long curved object runs towards the mouth, and can be protruded therefrom. That it has something to do with the malleus or mallei cannot be doubted ; but there is no sign of division into uncus and manubrium, and I am even unable to say whether it be single or double. It may represent a single malleus, the other (small and unsymmetrical in for instance the Rattulidz) being here perhaps quite absent ; and the existent single one showing as a protrusible style. Just over the hinder part of the brain, but some distance to the right of the middle line, is placed a very minute antenna bearing apparently only a single bristle. On the sides of the body are the lumbar sense organs, also very minute, consisting of short rounded tubercles, probably setigerous, although this could not be satisfactorily determined. That on the right side is placed nearer the ventral and posterior edge of the body than that on the left. This unsymmetrical arrangement of the three setigerous sense organs is noteworthy. The total length of the animal when fully expanded is about 54+, of an inch, the breadth about »1>5. The only known species which at all resembles this is 242 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL. HISTORY a minute form recently described by Rousselet’ as JVofops minor,n. sp. Of this species the details given are as yet few. The two forms are similar in size, but the foot in Mr. Rousselet’s species seems to be much nearer the posterior extremity: the two toes are conspicuous: and the blue colour of the stomach, so constant and characteristic a feature of ours, is not observed. Copeus Ehrenbergii, Gosse = Notommata Copeus, Ehrenberg. In Messrs. Hudson and Gosse’s * Rotifera” (vol. i. p. 28), Mr. Gosse notes that this rotifer, the first and typical species of his genus Cofeus, has apparently not been re-observed since its description by its discoverer, though several other closely allied but distinct species are now known: of these the nearest ally appears to be Copeus labiatus, Gosse, which indeed Mr. Gosse at first referred to the true Wotommata copeus of Ehrenberg. I have found in the neighbourhood of Dundee several specimens of a form which appears to be identical with that figured by Ehrenberg, and removes accordingly any doubt as to the validity of the original species. According to Dr. Hudson (“ Rotifera,’ App. p. 19), Copeus Ehrenbergiz is (from its description) so like C. dabzatus, when its auricles are withdrawn, that it might easily be mistaken for that animal: it differs from C. /adzatus in the shape of the front, in the possession of large telegraph-like auricles, in the much smaller size of its ciliated lip, and in its foot having three joints instead of two. Our species resembles C. /abzatus.-in’ size and) “ia general shape. When swimming, it is about {, inch long, narrow and cylindrical anteriorly, posteriorly broad and ventricose. The face is covered (as for instance in Notommata aurita) with short cilia, and runs downward exactly as in C. /abiatus into a pointed, channeled lip, the groove in which is lined by a continuation of the same cilia. At certain times, when the animal is swimming freely in the water, the great lateral, “telegraph-like” auricles are seen 1 << Journ. of the Quekett Microscopical Club,” (2). iv. p. 359, pl. xxiv. figs. g-10, Jan. 1892. NEW AND RARE ROTIFERS FROM FORFARSHIRE 243 expanded. They are broad ovate arms, somewhat expanded at the ends, and, when fully extended, distinctly longer than the breadth of the head. They are furnished with rather long cilia, which cover their ends, and apparently their upper surfaces to the base; but as the animal swims with great rapidity when they are expanded, the exact distribution of the cilia is difficult to see. How these auricles are projected and retracted, and whether or not they are invaginated into pouches, I have not been able to determine. In their re- tracted state I have failed to see a trace of them. Sometimes a single auricle is expanded alone. On the dorsal side of the head is a short ANTENNA, broad below, then narrowing suddenly to a blunt point, crowned with a tuft of rather long sensory bristles. At the broadest part of the ventricose body spring two lateral tufts of much longer sensory bristles, in the position in which Gosse figures (oc. cit.) a pair of single bristles only in C. /adiatus, but where a bunch of sete has already been recognised in C. pachyurus (Hudson “ Rotifera,” App. p. 20, footnote). The TAIL is well marked, short, and transparent. It is narrower near the base than in the middle, where there is formed an abrupt shoulder, succeeded by a straight, blunt, apical portion. The FOOT is rather long, and consists of two joints, carrying a pair of straight pointed toes. A very fine covering of gelatinous mucus clothes the body of the animal, so transparent in its nature as to be scarcely detected save for the presence in it of minute adherent particles. From this description of the external view it results that our species resembles the description and figure of Copeus Ehrenbergii in its general form, the size and position of the auricles, the size and shape of the tail, the position of the lumbar processes, and the possession of a gelatinous covering. It differs from the account of that species in not having the tips only of the auricles ciliated (EKhrenberg’s figure suggests an attempt to make the ends of these organs look like the wheels of an ordinary Xot:fer), in having only two joints to the foot, but in this matter, though Ehrenberg’s description sives three, his figure only shows two; in the possession of two bunches of fine sete in the lumbar region instead of a pair of single stout bristles, a difficult matter to define with 244 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY an imperfect instrument. The balance of characters seems to show that the two species are practically identical. On the other hand, the general characters, and in particular the lip, are extremely like C. labiatus, in which species, however, Mr. Gosse, though he appears to have studied it repeatedly, never detected any protrusible auricles, nor any trace of gelatinous covering. At the same time, if our species were studied in only a small quantity of water, it might be examined over and over again and its auricles never seen. Mr. Gosse figures the lumbar sense-organs as single stout bristles, but he seems to have had some doubt on this point, as in the description he calls them “apparently single.” Proceeding to the internal structure:—The BRAIN, which is large and transparent, is formed apparently of three lobes as described by Gosse in C. /abiatus. Two lobes are lateral, short, and each containing a well-defined rounded spot of dark pigment. The central lobe is long, dependent, enlarged at the extremity, and free from granular or pigment- ary deposit. The red EYE, which is stated by Gosse to be situated in C. dabzatus and C. cerberus, on the narrow waist of this central lobe, is here placed more anteriorly, in the very front of the brain. The TROPHI, of which I have not made a special examination, seem to correspond with the figure of C. /abzatus. The ESOPHAGUS is very long, narrow, and transparent. The STOMACH is wide and large, but has never shown to me that peculiar appearance of being divided up by constrictions into squares which, according to Gosse, is in C. labzatus “not accidental but characteristic, being seen in every example that has occurred to me, and dis- tinguishing the species from all its congeners.” The two ovate GASTRIC GLANDS are present, perched on the anterior border of the stomach. The NEPHRIDIA (dvanchi@ of Gosse), are in the usual form of convoluted tubes, on each side of which I have seen at least four ciliated funnels (“ vibratile tags.”) In several specimens the ovary appeared as a single row of globular, nucleated, transparent cells. PISTILLODY OF STAMENS IN “CHAMPION” POTATO 245 Triarthra terminalis, Plate. A solitary specimen of this rotifer was found in sediment of Dundee tap-water. It does not seem to have been hitherto recorded in Britain, and, as Dr. Plate gives no figure, the accompanying sketches may be of interest. I have unfortun- ately no observations on its internal structure. Explanation of Plate VIII. Fig. I. Lotops pygmaeus, n. sp. I. @ Dorsal view. I. 4 Front view of trophi. » Ll. Copeus Ehrenbergit, Gosse. II. @ Head with expanded auricles. II. 6 Head with outline of brain. II. ¢ Head in lateral view, with retracted auricles. » Ll. Zriarthra terminalis, Plate. III. @ Outline of the same, in contracted state. a Antenna. /s Lumbar sete. br Brain. /t Left lumbar tentacle. cv Contractile vesicle. @ (&ésophagus. e Eye. ov Ovary. Jt Foot. vt Right lumbar tentacle. gg Gastric gland. aw Wee FPISTILLODY “OF Tue ' STAMENS ‘IN’ FHE “CHAMEION” POTATO By James W. H. Trait, M.A., M.D., F.L.S. FOR several years I have observed every season that pistil- lody of the stamens has been of very frequent occurrence in fields of potatoes near Aberdeen ; and this year it has been extremely common and well marked in numerous fields within a radius of several miles. On inquiry I find that it seems in all cases to be the “Champion ” variety that shows this curious sport in the flowers. Mr. Alexander Macdonald, in reply to an inquiry whether he had observed this condi- 1 Dr, L. Plate, ‘‘ Beitrage zur Naturgeschichte der Rotatorien” Jenaische Zeitsch. f. Nat. (Bd. xix. p. 19, 1885.) 246 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY tion in Durris on the south bank of the Dee, about twelve miles from Aberdeen, tells me that in five fields of “Champions” in his immediate neighbourhood he had found it common. It seems to have become habitual in this variety of potato in this vicinity. Has anything of the kind been observed elsewhere ? The flowers of the “Champion” potato vary much near Aberdeen, the variation depending on the extent to which pistillody has affected the stamens. Certain plants seem more prone than others to the alteration ; but widely differ- ent degrees of it may be observed in the same inflorescence. The younger flowers in an inflorescence seem more liable to be affected as regards both frequency and degree. All the flowers show a marked tendency to fall off, either very soon after they open or while still in bud. I have not observed fully-developed fruits or “plums” on this variety of potato. In any case their production must be rare. The “ Champion” potato is largely cultivated in the neighbourhood of Aber- deen ; where it has a high reputation as yielding large re- turns, and resisting disease better than most other varieties. Possibly the vigour and healthiness of the organs of vegeta- tion may be connected with the tendency of the flowers to fall off early. Only a small proportion of the flowers are of the ordinary structure. In considerably less than one-half are the petals as large and well-formed as usual in potatoes; and in many even of these the stamens, though to a comparatively slight extent, show evident tendency towards pistillody. Even where the filament and anther are distinct, and where the anther is coloured as in the healthy stamen, and produces pollen, one very often sees the connective prolonged into a small style with a minute stigma; or the stigma may arise from the inner surface of the connective, near the base. More often one or more, or all, of the petals are dwarfed into narrow segments, little longer than the sepals; in which case they very often remain greenish white. The inner organs of such flowers are often visible externally while in the bud. The aspect of the inflorescence is changed so much as to become recognisable from a distance of a good many yards. CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS A FLORA OF CAITHNESS = 247 In the more extreme cases the stamens are so greatly metamorphosed as quite to assume the appearance of carpels, each having a well-developed ovary, style, and stigma. On making a cross section of the ovary one finds usually numer- ous ovules crowded on a single placenta. Very seldom is the placenta double as in the true pistil. Frequently the inner surface of the connective bears near its base a placental wart covered thickly with ovules. One finds at times one side of the anther still producing pollen and the other meta- morphosed, and bearing ovules on such a placenta as that now described. The ovules produced on the modified stamens vary from a rudimentary to a well-developed condi- tion. In many of the flowers the true pistil differs from the five or six staminal pistils around it in little save its rather larger size and more regular form. All the pistils may enlarge for a time; though even the true pistil seldom reaches the size of a small pea before the young fruit falls off. Occasionally one meets with flowers in which one or more of the staminal pistils become lobed, each lobe bear- ing an ill-formed style and stigma. I am not aware of any record of so abnormal a condi- tion as pistillody of the stamens becoming habitual on so wide a scale in the potato or in any other species of plant. The tendency to it certainly appears to be already habitual in the “Champion” potato, and to become more marked in the successive generations. CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS A FLORA OF CAITHNESS. No. II. By ARTHUR BENNETT, F.LS. IN the “Scottish Naturalist” for 1888 Mr. Grant and myself published a list of Caithness plants, using as far as then possible such materials as we had in our possession. Since then I have tried to gather together any matter that seemed to assist in building up the records for some future Flora of the county. 4 D 248 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY In the first place, some apology is needed to Dr. R. Brown of Campster; inasmuch that his two papers (after- wards named) were not consulted. When reading the life of Robert Dick of Thurso, it seemed to me that if those who so persistently asked him for the Holy-Grass had only been as keen in the advance- ment of Botany as in the greed for specimens they might have been the means of some use being made of Dick’s knowledge of the Caithness Flora :—that he would communi- cate with any one who he saw was really anxious was seen by the hearty and laborious way in which he helped Hugh Miller in geology. Since his death two more remarkable men have made the Flora their part study :—-Mr. Henderson, a shepherd (of whom a sympathetic notice appeared in “ The Northern Ensign,” by my friend Mr. Grant), and Mr. Rosie, a postman; to both of whom Mr. Grant and myself are much indebted. The flora is far from being exhausted, I feel sure. So far as the Cryptogams are concerned little has yet been done. Dick’s fine series of Mosses were sent to Liverpool 13 years ago to be named, and have never been returned. To whom- soever they went, it is a downright bit of dishonesty not to return them, even if they could not be named. The papers by Dr. R. Brown were published in “ The Transactions of the Edinburgh Botanical Society,” 1860, p. 328; and 1863, p. 8. Beyond these the principal paper is one by Dr. Craig “On the Excursion of the Scottish Alpine Club to Sutherland and Caithness in 1888,’ “Trans. Edin. Bot. 506," 1550) p.-3 70. I give such notes below as I have accumulated. Thalictrum majus, Cran¢/z.—Dunnet, 7. Grant! Dick. ‘‘Thalictrum flavum.”—Sandside, Caithness, 7. /. Cowie, fide H. C. Watson, in ‘‘ Outlines of the Geogr. Dist. of Brit. Plants,” p. 79 (1832), “ Probably a form of minus”; Watson in “ Geogr. Distrib.,” p. 49 (1843). T. maritimum.—Reiss, Murkle. Ranunculus eonfusus.—?. Brown, in Catalogue sent to H. C. Watson. Ranuneulus aeris; var. tomophyllus (/ord.).—Sandy cliffs ; Sand- side Bay, Reay. CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS A FLORA OF CAITHNESS = 249 Caltha palustris ; var— Dr. Ward, sp.! Papaver dubium.—Cornfields, Reay, W. & JZiller. Fumaria officinalis.—Potato field, Dunnet, W. / Miller. F. parviflora.—2. Brown, |.c. p. 8. Subularia aquatiea.—Loch at Calam, Z: Henderson, 1889. Cochlearia danica.—Z. Dick, in Brown’s Cat. to H. C. Watson. 7 Camelina sativa.—Ballast heap, Wick, R. Brown, l.c. ? Cardamine impatiens.—A. Brown, in Cat., l.c. p. 329. Viola lutea, amena.—Dunnet Hill, 1889, W. & Miller. Hypericum quadrangulum.—A. Lick, fide R. Brown, l.c. p. 329. Tilia parvifolia.—/. Brown, in Cat., Le. p. 328. Linum ecatharticum, Z.; var. condensatum, Zange.—Reay Links, Messrs. Linton. tj Acer Pseudo-platanus.— Fairly grown trees in seed; several plantations about Thurso and Reay, W. & Miller. Lathyrus sylvestris.—Cliffs near Berriedale, J/essrs. Linton, J. B., 1889, p. 209. Rubus hemistemon, ?. /. Jil/.—Dunbeath, J7/r. Linton, J. B., 1889, p. 209. Rosa eanina, Z.; var. Watsonii—Near Dunbeath, JZessrs. Linton, J. Bs, 1880, pr 200. Dryas octopetaia.—In his second communication Mr. R. Brown remarks on this plant ‘‘ During the last two years I have searched every likely locality, especially limestone rocks which it affects, but have never seen a trace of it.” He goes on to say that “‘through the kindness of Mr. Peter Anderson of Inverness, one of the authors of the ‘“‘Guide” (where Dyvyas was reported), and the Rev. Dr. Gordon of Birnie, who revised the list of Highland plants, I have been favoured with a perusal of the original M.S. and localities ; and I find no locality is given for Dryas ; and the introduction of it into the Caithness list must have arisen from oversight.” Yet the plant comes so near the Caithness border, at Melvich, that it might be expected between there and Downreay, where the Oxytrofis grows. Dick also states he had many hunts for it. Rosa eanina, Z., var. Andevagensis, Latard.—AViller, 1889. R. canina, Z., var. glauea, V7//—Berriedale, IV. R. Linton, 20th July 1888. Pyrus Aria.—&. Lrown, l.c. p. 329. P. Malus.— 2. Brown, l|.c. p. 328. 250 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Saxifraga aizoides.—R. Dick, fide J. Grant in Cat. at Kew. S. oppositifolia—. Brown, in Dick’s Cat. at Kew. + Ribes alpinum.—A. 4rowzn, l.c. p. 328. Seleranthus annuus.—For several years round Wick, C. W. Peach. Cherophyllum temulentum.—. Zrowz, l.c. p. 329. Valeriana dioica.—f. Brown, l.c. p. 329. Solidago virgaurea, var. eambrica.—Cliffs at Dunnet, VW. £. Milter. Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum.—Rare 20 years before 1881. Dick had found only three specimens. Grant, in Cat. to H.C. Watson. Anthemis nobilis.—. Brown, |1.c. Was formerly grown in the “kail-yards” at the back of the cottages, so likely enough escaped. Matriearia maritima, Z.—Ackergill sandhills, Rev. £. Marshall. Arctium majus.— 2. Lrown, l|.c. Eupatorium eannabinum.—Cliffs between Dunbeath and Berriedale, R. Roste. Saussurea alpina, D.C. ; var. macrophylla (Gren. e¢ Godr. sp., non Sauter !)—Near Thurso, 7. Grant / Hieracium murorum, Z. ; var. basifolium, 4/7g.— * ra var. erassiusculum, A/mg.— <> . anglicum, var. longibracteatum, //au).—Reay. <>) . proximum, Hand. (non Norrlin) (“= var. favinosum, Lindbg.,” in ‘Scot. Nat.”)—Isauld burn and Thurso river, WF Miller. Mr. Hanbury published his name about six weeks before that of Norrlin appeared. . scoticum, Hanxd.—Thurso river, W. & Miller. . ealedonicum, AYazd.—Scrabster, W. & Miller. oreades, /7.—Strathsteven, 7. Grant/ Berriedaley W. R. Linton. . Friesii, Harm. ; var. vestitum, Zzzdeb.—Lybster, 7. Grant / H. auratum, /7.—Reay, W. & Miller. Sandside, Isauld Burn, bt et bt ee W. F. Miller. Leontodon autumnalis, var. pratensis.—Loch Winless, Fox & Hanbury. + Campanula rapunculoides.—Stirkoke ! €. rotundifolia, var. laneifolia, Aoch.—Dunnet Hill, W. & Willer. CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS A FLORA OF CAITHNESS — 251 Polemonium cceruleum.—Near Thurso; Dzch’s herbarium. Ona moor on the middle of Dunnet Head; see Report of Scot. Alp. Club; by Dr. Craig, in. “Trans. Edin: Society,” 1830, p..370. Convolvulus sepium.—?R. Lrown, l.c. y+ Anchusa sempervirens.—/. Zrown, l.c. Veronica Anagallis.—?. Browz, |.c. var. anagalliformis, Aoreau.—Dunnet, W. & Miller. Euphrasia Rostkoviana, var. borealis. ‘Townsend, W. /& Jiller !/ Along the coast. Salsola Kali.—Sandy shore, Reay, W. & Miller / Freswick Bay, Mr. Peach. [Chenopodium Bonus-Henricus.—‘ Very common in some places along the shore,” fide R. Brown, \.c.—Some error ?] Rumex sanguineus.—?. Lrown, |.c. Salix cinerea x aurita.—( x S. Zutescens, Kerner), Caithness, £. &. Linton, fide Dr. B. White. Salix repens, var. argentea.—Dunnet Hill, 4 W. A@iller / [Hippophae rhamnoides.—Abundant at Reay, Dr. Davidson, in litt, roth August 1887. Some mistake ?] Typha latifolia.—Duran, 1863, 2. Dick. Potamogeton nitens, var. latifolius. ‘Tisel. P. natans, var. laneeolatus. Fieber. Thurso River, Grant, Hanbury. P. heterophyllus, Sciveb., var. graminifolius.—Thurso River, Grant / Luzula Forsteri,—. Brown, |.c. When Dr. Brown reported this to the Edinburgh Society, naturally enough doubt was expressed (January 12th, 1860). In November of the same year Dr. Brown, in a second communication, remarked that he ‘‘ had in company with Mr. Drummond very carefully examined speci- mens of the plant from the locality, both by comparison with English specimens and with published descriptions, and I believe it to be the true plant.” May not the explanation be, that some other species, neither Az/osa nor Forstert, was gathered. Un- fortunately, I have failed to trace the specimens. Potamogeton plantagineus.—This fails to reach mid-Scotland, fide certain published records (Argyle?); but it reaches the pro- vinces of Blekinge and Gotland in Sweden ; so that there is no great improbability that it may be found in the north of Scotland. Robert Dick’s specimens, seen by Mr. Grant, are said to be polygontfolius ; I have not yet seen them myself. 252 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY P. pectinatus, Z.—Wick River, /. Grant. Schoenus nigricans, var. nana, Lavge.—Loch Winless, pasture by the sea, east of Reay, W. Aller / Carex pauciflora.—Morven, &. Dick. C. Goodenovii, var. juncella, 77. (sub. vz/gar7s)—Thurso river near its mouth, W. FE. Miller / C. salina, Wahl. var. Kattegatensis, 77. (Sp.)—Mr. Nicolson of Wick writes me that this “‘was sent to Prof. Dickson at Edin- burgh, but was not recognised by him.” C. paludosa.—Isauld Burn, W% & Afiller, 18809. Hierochloe borealis.—Once found in the Forss Water near the mill, i. PreK. Alopecurus fulvus,—Near the salmon pool, Thurso, &. Brown, l.c. Not on record north of Chester; but reported from Fife and Forfar, not confirmed. It is reported from many places in Norway north to Varanger. But there is another plant it might have been, lately described as a new sub-species by A. Blytt ; ze. A. intermedius (= geniculatus—jfluitans Blytt, in “ Norges Flora,” p. 68; az L?). But we have no specimens to decide from. Agrostis alba, var. subrepens, 4a.—Breakwater, Wick, /. Grant. Deyeuxia strigosa.—olert Dick found this at Duran in 1863. Specimens were sent to Prof. H. Balfour, and were named by him ‘“ Calamagrosts stricta.” Dick, however, evidently did not agree with this determination, as he calls it ‘“‘The Lapland Rush.” Poa trivialis, f. grandiflora, /Zacke/.—Westerseat, 7. Grant. Athyrium Filix-foemina, var. rheticum.—Dunnet Head, 2. Dick. Lastrea foeniseciiimDunnet Head, #. Dick. Would need to be gathered again. Polypodium caleareum.—Morven, #. Dick. Like the last species, this would need to be again gathered before it could be safely accepted. Chara fragilis, var. deliecatula.n—Loch on Holborn Head, Reeves and Ward. There are still some 30 to 40 species that should occur in the county, as they nearly all occur either in Sutherland- shire, the Orkneys, or Shetlands. NOTES ON “ ENGLISH BOTANY, SUPPLEMENT” 283 NOTES ON “ENGLISH BOTANY, SUPPLEMENT.”?! PARTSILA AND TE By G. CLARIDGE Drucz, M.A., F.L.S. THIS the supplement to [Boswell] Syme’s English Botany is to be prepared by Mr. N. E. Brown as far as Dipsacee. Mr. Arthur Bennett is to complete the work, which it is ex- pected will reach to eight or nine parts. The first part gives coloured plates of Ranunculus flabel- latus (R. cherophyllos), Arahis alpina, Polygala amara, Claytonia stbirica (C. alsinotdes), and Lavatera cretica (L. silvestris). A good plate of Lrassica Napus to replace the old one in “FE. Bot.” is also supplied. Although dated on the title-page 1891, I do not think this part was issued till 1892; in fact all along there has been great neglect in properly dating the publications of the parts of “English Botany,’ which should not occur in works of this importance. The compiler apparently dates his citation of species from the first edition of the “Systema Nature,” of 1735. I have elsewhere? pointed out at length the objections which exist to going back to that date, and have suggested that the date taken should be 1753; when the binomial system was first consistently applied in the first edition of the “ Species Plantarum.” If the date chosen, 1735, had been rigorously followed, very many generic names would have had to be altered from those employed in “ English Botany.” An innovation which (although followed by some eminent foreign botanists) is not altogether pleasing is that of commencing all specific names, except those derived from persons, with a small letter. British custom has almost been universal in writing names which have been used in a generic or appellative sense with an initial capital. The compiler must be congratulated, however, on the much more complete and correct citation of authorities than was to be found in Syme’s portion of the work; and it is to be 1 “English Botany,” Supplement to the Third Edition, Nos. 90 and 91. By N. E. Brown, 1891-92. J. Bell and Co., No. go, § plates; No. 91, 1 plate. 2 «Pharm. Journal, Mar.” May 1892. 254 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY wished that it might be followed not only with the synonyms but also with the botanical names of the plants and of their -genera. The species of Yhalictrum receive a complete revision ; and the arrangement is certainly now more natural, and nearer the facts than are the names given in the “ London Catalogue.” Anemone nemorosa, L., has two varieties now given, viz. var. rubra and var. cerulea; but the authority given (Pritzel, in “ Anem. Revis.”) is antedated by that of De Candolle in “Fl, France,” v. p. 884, (1805), where they are desenbed as var. cwrulea and var. purpurea. See “(Verhandlungen des Bot, Verein der Prov: Brand.,’-xxxui. 1892). The latter have seen in its most typical form from Staffordshire. R. auricomus, L.—Surely the var. apfetalus of Wallroth is scarcely worth including as a variety, since the same plant may show the various stages. The forms of &. acris have not received sufficient atten- tion. The true 2. acvzs-I have seen in Berks and Hantse but the common buttercup of the Highlands is &. vulgatus. Jord. I still think the var. pumzlus, Wahl., worth varietal distinction, as this plant still keeps true in cultivation ; while montane vulgatus reverts to the type in cultivated ground. Under Glauctum phaniceum, Crantz, and G. flavum, Crantz, the respective synonyms of Chelidonium corniculatum, L. (““Sp. Pl. 506) and C. Glaucium, L. (Z.c.) might have been quoted. Mr. Brown changes the generic name of Corydalis, D. C., to that of Meckerza, Scop.; but Adanson’s name of Capnoides (adopted by Medikus, Gartner, and Monch), although a faulty word, has the priority ; moreover, it has already had two species of the De Candollean genus described under it. If Neckerza be chosen some purists will be wanting to change the name of the moss genus /Veckera. Mr. Brown, however, leaves the invalid genus Vasturtium of Robert Brown, notwithstanding the priority of Scopoli’s genus Rorzpa. Szsymbrium altessimum, L. (“Sp. Pl’ 659). Dr. G. R. Beck in “Flora von Nieder-Osterreich,” p. 477, queries this being equal to the plant we have been accustomed to call NOTES ON “ ENGLISH BOTANY, SUPPLEMENT” 255 S. pannonicum, Jacq. He uses the name S. Sznapistrum, Crantz, “ Stirp. Aust.,” Ed. ii. I. 52 (1769), and says it is not the S. altisstmum of the Linn. Herb. Erysimum perfoliatum, Crantz. If the “Gen. Plantarum ” be followed, this should be called Coxringza, and should stand as C. perfoliata, Link, “Enum. Hort. Berol.,” ii. 172 (1822), = C. orientalis, Andrz., in De Candolle’s “ Systema,” ii. 138 (1827). Cardamine bulbifera, R. Br., is still cited ; but the name will be found in Crantz’s “ Crucif.,” p. 127, of a much earlier date. Cardamine pratensis, L. The variety should be Hay- neana, Neilr., not Heyneana, as spelled here and in the last edition of Bentham and Hooker’s “Flora.” Under C. pratensis, it is stated that C. dentata, Schultes, is merely a condition of the plant. No mention, however, is made of C. palustris, Peterm., which is the common British plant, and which is figured by Smith, and also in Syme’s “ English Botany.” 1 True C. pratensis of Linn. Herb., and of “ Flora Danica,” is a much rarer plant, which as yet I have seen only in Berkshire. Aralis petrea, Lamk., var. hispida, DC., will I think be found to be an error. Kerner has identified this plant with A. hispida, Mygind, which is equivalent to A. Crantziana, Ehrh., and has longer pods than our British plant. So far I have seen no British specimens of A. Azspzda, Mygind. Mr. Brown, in “ Additions and Corrections,” p. iv., speaks of the Ben Laoigh plant (var. grandifolia, Druce) as “merely a state.” Had he seen it growing I do not think he would have come to that conclusion. It is so different in appear- ance from the Cairngorm plant as to lead one to doubt their specific identity. It keeps quite true in cultivation. Nor, although I have searched the Cairngorms with some degree of thoroughness, have I ever seen any specimens from that range which are identical with the Ben Laoigh plant. I hope later on to give further particulars about Lamarck’s Arabts petrea. Draba verna, L., is still kept up as the name of the Whitlow grass. Adanson’s name Gansbium is not alluded 1 See Kerner’s ‘* Schedw Fl. Exs. Aust.-Hung. (1884), 73. 256 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTGRY to, although its priority is undoubted. Gansbzum is, how- ever, rejected by the Berlin Committee in favour of the later name Lyrophila, which should replace Draéa for this plant, if the “Genera Plantarum” of Bentham and Hooker be followed. It would have been very interesting to learn the exact reasons which induced Mr. Brown to say that VPolygala amarella, Crantz, is doubtless the same plant as P. calcarea, Schultz since Dra (Beck; imi “Sak I: Nieder-Osterreich,” uses it for the Teesdale plant ; and he gives the reference to Crantz, “St. Aust.” v. 438 (sum Theil nach der Beschreibung). Neither Nyman nor Beck gives P. calcarea as a native of Austria. Koch and Neilreich consider P. amarella, Crantz, to be P. amara, L. (ze. the Kentish plant) ; but it does not agree with the stations given by Crantz, who, it may be said, describes his plant “caules ex multicipiti radice plures suberecti.”. Mr. Brown also states “The specimens of P. amara from locality 1 of Kerner’s ‘Flora Exsiccata,’ No. 512, |are] distributed under the erroneous: name sor: amarella.’ This statement rests upon Mr. Brown’s identifica- tion of P. amarella, Cr., with P. amara, L. I might also point out that his statement that “ P. amara, Jacq., is according to the figure given in Jacquin’s “ Flora Austriaca,” vol. v. p. 412, identical with P. amarella, Cr. is one I cannot accept. The figure, although the flowers are large, does not convey the idea of P. calcarea to me; and the description given by Jacquin that the stems are upright is opposed to what’ Schultz in’““Bot. Zeit,’ 13:37, distinctly ‘says of mae plant, that it is prostrate. J think we must wait further evidence before we replace the well-known name of P. calcarea by that of P. amarella, Crantz. Respecting the caulescent state of Dyvosera intermedia, noted in the “ Additions and Corrections,” p. v., it may be well to call attention to the account of it which may be found in Hull’s “ British Flora,”-1799, where it is described as. “var. 3, caulescent. 7 This is in every ‘respect likesvanan, except that there is a stem which, in some instances, is full two inches in length, with numerous leaves. I have always found it growing with Sphagnum in moist bogs or heaths ; and at first thought that the plant pushed up to a greater NOTES ON “ENGLISH BOTANY, SUPPLEMENT ” 257 height on account of the moss growing quickly around it, and that this appearance of stem was rather to be considered as an elongation of the root; but I have doubted of this since I have found a stem leafy ; and that the other two species of Drosera, though growing exactly in the same situation, and within a few inches of the /ougzfolza, do not assume this caulescent form.” Dr. Hind noticed this, which he thought “a new variety if not a new species,” near Killarney, and ' reported on it in the “ Phytologist,” z.s., vol. ii. 1857-58, pp. 26, 27, where it is figured ; and later on he gave it the varietal name caulescens, so that Dr. Hind, not Mr. Melvill, is the author of the varietal name. Following recent examples D. longzfolza, L., would seem to be the name we should use for the species. Under the “Cheddar Pink” the synonym or name of D. gratianopolitanus is mispelled grantianopolitanus. The very weak varieties, if such they can be called, of Silene gallica from the “London Catalogue” are not only included, but add one more to our list of synonyms. The large-flowered variety of Cerastzum vulgatum, L., is called C. ¢reviale, Link., var. Serpentznz, Boswell (Syme). Mr. Brown says “it is one of a series of forms that seem to com- pletely connect these two species,” ze. C. alpinum and C. vulgatum. Last year I noticed on the Spean hills how numerous were the intermediate forms, and how difficult it was to define the limitations of C. arcticum, C. alpinum, and C. vulgatum. Respecting the statement made by Mr. Brown that the var. alpznum of C. vulgatum has “the petals not much longer than the sepals,” this is not according to my idea of the plant. Dr. Boswell labelled as his var. a/pestre a form of C. vulgatum from West Ross, with the flowers much longer than the sepals, indeed nearly as large as ordinary C. alpinum. A great many plants are called var. alpestre or var. alpinum, with short petals; but I do not think they represent the views of Dr. Boswell Syme. No notice is taken of the fact that the suggested mistake of Sherard in that he mistook Sfergula pentandra for one of the winged Lefigonums is without foundation, since all Sherard’s specimens of S. fextandra are correctly named. Corton, Mitchell, 1748, is substituted for Lepzgonum, 258 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Fries, 1818. If the rule I have suggested be acted upon, Corton, as published before 1753, will be inadmissible. In Allione’s “ Flora Pedemont.” the two forms of AZontza Jontana are described as var. minor and major. The varietal names will be also found in Roth’s “ Tent. Germ.,” 1788. The name AH. guadratum, Stokes, is substituted for that of H. tetrapterum, Fries; but an earlier name than either is that of H. acutum, Monch., “ Meth.” (1794), p. 128. Acer campestre. Mr. Brown has overlooked the note on this plant in “ Journ. Bot.,” Dec. 1891, where I pointed out that the type of the Linnzan Herbarium was the pubescent form named febecarpa in the “London Catalogue,” and that I had seen the glabrous form from Oxford and Berks. The prostrate form of Sarothamnus scoparius is given as a variety. But so many of our plants when growing by the sea assume this habit that it makes one doubt if it be worth characterising by a varietal name. If it be considered worthy of such a name, then we must so name Prunus spinosa, L., var. prostrata, which may be seen on the shingle near Port William in Wigtownshire. Of this I noticed a specimen in the British Museum Herbar- ium, labelled as Sa/zx, nov. sp. (!), from the south-west of Ireland. Curiously enough, all notice relating to 77zfolium agra- vyium, L., and to Lupinus perennzs is omitted. To Scotch botanists this will be a surprise, since both are met with in the north-east counties [ abundantly in many places.—Ed.] Alchemilla vulgaris, L. Under this we have no notice of the occurrence of the glabrous form in Britain. I have found it in Glen Spean and elsewhere. It is the var. gladra, Wimm. et. Grab. “ Fl. Sil,” 4.:p. 135. The Linnzan type is pubescens It remains to be seen if we have the var. Aybrida, L. in Britain. With reference to the synonymy of Potentilla verna and rubens it may be said that Zimmeter takes a very different view. He contends that the plant in the Linnzan Her- barium, labelled P. verna, is the plant we have been call- ing P.-maculata, Pours’. . In: the first edit- of “Sp. Piptze 1 Prof. Aschenberg identifies the plant of the Linn. Herb. as P. vera; it has the number referring to that species. It is what we have been erroneously calling P. maculata. NOTES ON “ ENGLISH BOTANY, SUPPLEMENT ” 259 verna, is, he says, “eine collectiv Species: In Europe pascuis siccis frigidioribus.” The light thrown on it by the Linnzan Herbarium, by the “ Flora Suecica,” and by the second edit. of the “Sp. PL,’ shows that P. verna is the name to be applied to P. maculata, Pourr., as Ruprecht long since pointed out. Our PP. verna is, according to Zimmeter, P. opfaca, L. Bop PL Acedia? 13,1762); > wermafauck i pluc,— 2 minor, Gilib. The P. opaca, which was one of the plants recorded from Scotland, therefore becomes dispossessed in turn of its name, which Zimmeter says should be P. rudens, Crantz, “Stirp. Aust.,” fasc. ii, p. 75, 1769, non. Vill. Hartmann also, in his account of the Scandinavian species in the Linnean Herbarium (“ Acts of the Stockholm Acad.,” 1849-51), unhesitatingly pronounces two of the specimens with the number of P. verna to be the plant named by various authors P. sabauda, P. salisburgensis, P. alpestris, et. P. maculata; but of the third specimen, which has the name written under it, he says, “De cetero cum P. verna sensu recentiorum convenit, pars vero caulis infilma minus et patenter pilosa est, quasi immaculata.” Prof. Ascherson considers the specimen also to be the Podentzlla which is here termed P. verna. The small pretty form of Potentilla Anserina, which is just as much a variety as P. reptans, var. microphylla, is un- noticed ; as is also the densely pubescent form of Potentilla palustris, which appears to be quite worthy a varietal name ; especially when we see such given to the shades of colour of Oxalis and Anemone, and the varieties of Rubus [d@us, etc. The only plate given in the second part is one of an introduced plant, Potentella norvegica. The mass of the text in this part is made up of a compilation of the so-called species of Rubus and the varieties, etc., of the genus Xosa, re- garding which we may say that the distribution given of the various forms mentioned is by no means exhaustive. Among the omissions from these two parts may be mentioned the Poppy gathered by Mr. Nicholson, which appears to be intermediate between PP. Rh@as and P. dubium. The fact of our Helleborus viridis, L. being indi- genous in the chalk woods of Bucks and Oxford might have 260 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY been pointed out, as well as that it is the western plant, the H. occidentalis of Reuter. Brassica sinaptoides,,Roth., “Man.,” 11. 957 (1830), is an older name than ZB. zigra, Koch., ed. ii. (1833), for the Black Mustard. Caltha radicans, Forst., has been found near Rescobie, Forfar, where the writer has seen it, and also near Loch Morlich, Easterness. Chelidonium majus. The varietal name /acznzatum will be found in Stoke’s edition of Withering, 1787. As I have already said, the generic name Rorzfa, Scop. (“FI. Carn.,” p. 520, 1760), antedates Brown's Wasturtzum. Our plants will be Roripa Nasturtium, Beck (“ FI. Nied.-Ost.,” p. 464). var. mecrophylla, Beck, Le. sitfolta (Reich). Roripa silvestris, Bess., “Fl. Enum. Pl. Volhyn.,” 27. R. palustris, Bess., Lc. R. amphibia, Bess., Lc. var. indivisa, Beck (“ Fl. Nied.-Ost.,” ii. 465). varitfolia, Beck, Lc. auriculata, Beck, Lc. Sagina apetala, L., should be Harduznz. Respecting Oxalis Acetosella, L., var. subpurpurascens, DC., in the “ Flora of Shropshire” Mr. Leighton says that it is constant in cultivation. ) LIST OF THE HIERACIA OF- PERTHSETEe By F. BucHANAN Wuitt, M.D., F.LS., F.E.S. NoT since the period when the late Mr. James Backhouse (the father of British hieraciology) established a scientific basis for the study of the Hawkweeds of Great Britain have these plants commanded so much attention as they have during the past few years. Partly as the result of this attention, and partly as producing it, we have Mr. F. J. Hanbury’s beautiful Monograph of the genus. This fine BIST OF -THE HIERACIA OF PERTHSHIRE 261 work is now appearing in parts (of which a few only have as yet been published), and ought to be supported by every botanist who can afford to do it. As its author has remarked elsewhere, the British Hawkweed flora is a very rich and interesting one; we may thus expect that, by the time the Monograph is completed, we shall have a large gallery of lifelike portraits of these beautiful but difficult plants. Till of late years the A/zeracia of Perthshire have been, on the whole, neglected, or at least not been studied as they deserve. Mr. Backhouse’s Scottish explorations were chiefly amongst the mountains of Forfarshire and Aberdeenshire, the granitic formation of some of which seems to make them peculiarly grateful to certain species. In north-east Perthshire there is a similar formation, and here also some of the granite-loving species appear. When this rather inaccessible portion of the county is more thoroughly explored, it is probable that other species will also be found to occur. In the meantime the schists and similar rocks of highland Perthshire have proved to be by no means unpro- ductive of the alpine species; whilst the mountain valleys, and the banks of the Tay and other streams, both lowland and highland, have afforded a rich harvest of those forms which are not restricted to a high altitude. I think that hitherto there has not been any attempt to bring together in one list all the species of Wzeraczum which have been observed in Perthshire. It has therefore occurred to me that, considering the central position of the county and its botanical importance, such a list may be of some interest and value. It must not, however, be taken as a complete and final list, for, apart from the species which will probably yet be discovered, there are at least half a dozen which have still to be “worked out,” amongst which there may be some “nove species.” The distribution I have indicated merely by the “Watsonian vice-counties.”’ A more detailed account (with authorities for the localities) will be given in the Flora of Perthshire, when that long-delayed work 1 As usual, there is occasionally some haziness in the records for that portion of Perthshire draining into Loch Lomond which some botanists refer to Mid Perth and some to West Perth, though it properly belongs to neither. In the meantime I have put it into Mid Perth as is, I think, most frequently done. 262 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY appears. In the meanwhile those interested will find various notes, which include mention of some of the rarer Perthshire species, by Mr. Hanbury and other writers in the “ Journal of Botany.” Personally I may say that I have seen most of the species in a living condition, and can vouch for the correctness of the distribution indicated—the determination of the plants, in the majority of cases, being due to the kindness of Mr. Hanbury. The total number of species in the list is 54. Of these West’ Perth has 16, Mid Perth 48, and East Pertimeag Two are as yet restricted (in Perthshire) to West Perth, 24 to Mid Perth, and 3 to Hast Perth: What relation the Perthshire list bears to the British is as yet uncertain ; but it is probable that not less (and very possibly more) than 75 per cent of the British species occur in the county. In the latest (1886) edition of the “ London Catalogue” the number of British /Yzeracza is given as 40, (including 5 naturalised species). Of these 31 occur in Perthshire. There has thus been in this short period an addition of 23 species to the Perthshire list. For convenience of reference I have placed the species in the subjoined list in alphabetical order. Hieracium— aggregatum, Ackh., 88 Mid Perth. amplexicaule, Z., 89 East Perth (naturalised on a wall). anglicum, 77., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. var. longibracteatum, F. J. Hanb., 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. angustum, Zinzdcb., 88 Mid Perth. var. elatum, Lindeb., 88 Mid Perth. argenteum, /r., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. aurantiacum, Z., 88 Mid Perth (naturalised in several places). auratum, /7, 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. bifidum, Azz, 88 Mid Perth. boreale, /7., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. Breadalbanense, / /. Hand., 88 Mid Perth. buglossoides, 47v.-Zouv., 88 Mid Perth. exsio-murorum, Zizdeb., 88 Mid Perth. LIST OF THE HIERACIA OF PERTHSHIRE 263 Hieracium— exsium, /7., 89 East Perth. ealenduliflorum, 4ck/., 88 Mid Perth. eallistophyllum, / /. Hand., 88 Mid Perth. ehrysanthum, #cks., 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. cinerascens, /Jord., 88 Mid Perth. commutatum, Koch, 88 Mid Perth. corymbosum, /7., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. f. angustifolia, Lindeb. (= 4. e@stivum, Fr.), 88 Mid Perth. erocatum, /7., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. Dewari, Fosw., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth. duriceps, / /. Hand., 88 Mid Perth. euprepes, /: /. Hand., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth. eximium, Ack/., 88 Mid Perth. var. fenellum, Bckh., 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. Farrense, /: /. Hand., 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. flocculosum, Ack/., 88 Mid Perth. globosum, Ackh., 89 East Perth. gothicum, /~., 88 Mid Perth. gracilentum, Ackh., 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. hiberniecum, / 7. Hand., 89 East Perth. holosericeum, Ackh., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. iricum, /7., 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. lasiophyllum, Koch, 89 East Perth. var. euryodon, F. J. Hanb., 88 Mid Perth. lingulatum, 4ckh., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. Marshalli, Zzz7¢oz. var. cremnanthes, F. J. Hanb., 88 Mid Perth. murorum, Z., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. var. ctliatum, Almq., 88 Mid Perth. var. micracladium, Dahlst., 88 Mid Perth. var. sagittatum, Lindeb., 88 Mid Perth. var. sarcophyllum, Stenstr., 88 Mid Perth. var. stlvaticum, L.., 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. nigrescens W., 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. var. gracilifolium, ¥. J. Hanb., 88 Mid Perth. 4 E 264 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Hieracium— norvegicum, /7. var. confertum, Lindeb., 88 Mid Perth. orarium, Zinzdeb., 88 Mid Perth. pallidum, 4zv., 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. Pictorum, Zzzfon, 88 Mid Perth. Pilosella, Z., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. prealtum, V7//,, 87 West Perth (naturalised). prelongum, Zzzdeb., 88 Mid Perth. prenanthoides, V’7//7., 87West Perth,88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. reticulatum, Zznzdeb., 88 Mid Perth. senescens, Ackh., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth. sinuans, / /. Hand., 88 Mid Perth. sparsifolium, Zzzd@eb., 88 Mid Perth. strictum, /7., 88 Mid Perth. subanfractum, JZarshall, 88 Mid Perth. tridentatum, /7., 87 West Perth [88 Mid Perth ?]. vulgatum, /7., 87 West Perth, 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. var. nemorosum, Bckh., 88 Mid Perth. var. zemorum, Fr., 88 Mid Perth. umbellatum, Z., 88 Mid Perth, 89 East Perth. [NotTE.—In a paper on ‘‘Strathearn Hieracia” in the August number of the /ournal of Botany, Mr. J. C. Melvill, M.A., F.L.S., enumerates several “species” as from localities all in West Perth (87). As some of the plants have not been recorded from West Perth this may give rise to erroneous vice-county records, the localities named by Mr. Melvill being all in Mid Perth (88).—ED.] NEW SCOTTISH GALES: By James W.. He Wran.. M.A. MOD. hes: THE series of papers on Scottish Galls in former years has apparently left but few forms unnoticed, if I may judge by the small number that have been added since I NEW SCOTTISH GALLS 265 last wrote on this subject, in January 1890. I have, how- ever, four additions to record for the years 1891 and 1892. It need scarcely be said that specimens of galls will be welcomed from any part of the country, as helping to extend our knowledge of their distribution. Information with regard to the nature and the makers of the galls will eladly be given, so far as is in my power, in response to inquiries accompanied by specimens such as will permit identification. Thaliectrum dunense, Dumort. (= TZ: minus, L., var. maritimum, Syme).—On the coast of Benholm, in Kincardineshire, among shingle, the pseudo-galls of one of the gall-midges (? Ceczdomyza) occurred not very plentifully in August. They consisted of segments of the leaves, rendered somewhat fleshy, and so folded or contorted as to furnish a retreat to the larve of the gall-maker. Otherwise the segments showed little change in aspect or in size. Occasionally two or three segments were included in a single gall; or all the young leaves in the terminal buds of the stem were affected. Unfortunately the galls, when found, were already abandoned by their inmates ; but in some of them were a few empty small white cocoons,— evidently those of a gall-midge. The fruits were not affected in any way; and the gall is evidently different from that recorded by myself from Kinloch Rannoch (Scot. Nat., 1884, p. 206) on Zh. flexuosum (T. minus, L., var. montanum, Syme): I have not found any record of a gall-midge with such habits having been reared or named from this food-plant. Sambucus nigra, Z. (Common Elder, or Bourtree).—In July Dr. Buchanan White sent to me from his garden, near Perth, flowerbuds of the elder still closed, but swollen to twice or thrice their usual bulk, and become somewhat fleshy. The petals were white or, less often, greenish; and the stamens, styles, and stigmas were fleshy and functionless, or were in part abortive. A careful search showed only a single larva in one gall of an orange colour, not quite like a gall-midge larva in form, and larger than these usually are. Possibly it may have been an inquiline or guest. There can be little doubt that the galls were the work of a gall-midge. Not improbably they belong to Dzéflosts lonicerearum, Fr. Low, which forms galls of quite similar structure on S. #@gra and S. £éulus, as well as on other species of the Caprifoliacee. Campanula glomerata, Z.—In the months of August and September 1891 I found at St. Cyrus, near Montrose, several examples of this plant in which the inflorescence had undergone, in 266 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY whole or in part, the change in structure known as virescence. The flowers were replaced by dense clusters of ill-formed green leafy structures covered with hairs, and contorted. Similar galls have been described from Lorraine by Abbé Kieffer as found on C. glomerata, and on several other species of Campanula. They are the work of mites (Pytoptus). The mites in the similar galls on C. rapunculoides have been described and figured by Nalepa as Cectdophyes Schmarde. Serophularia nodosa, Z.—In August 1891 I found, beside the burn of Benholm in Kincardineshire, a plant of Figwort several of the flowers of which were galled, evidently by gall- midges (? Ceczdomyia). The galled flowers were swollen to twice or thrice the size of healthy buds, and rendered some- what fleshy; and among the abortive sexual organs lived a few larve. Scottish Natural History a A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE ‘WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “Che Scottish Maturaltst ” EDITED BY J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION JAMES W. H. TRAIL, M.A, M.D., F.LS. PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND ; -WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., Mem. Brit. Orn. UNION NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH EDINBURGH DAVID DOUGLAS, CASTLE STREET _ LONDON: R. H. PORTER, 18 PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQUARE ‘Price 2s. 6d. Annual Subscription, payable in advance, 7s. 6d., Post Sih ae : (Ao a? 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Lr Current Literature Reviews Melanism ney iaLsbbab ronan’ in British bpdeieeead: W, Tutt, F. ESPs te ‘Tet British Edible Fungi, how to distinguish and how to cook them—JZ, C. Oe « f rid Cooke, M.A., LL. D. Printed by R. & R. CLarx, Edinburgh. 1892 : [ APRIL The Annals OF Scottish Natural History : A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE i WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED i: “Che Scottish Paturalist ” a EDITED BY : J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. a MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS UNION JAMES? Woe: TRAYS Mi Al!) MEBs BOD-S. PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., Mem. Brir. Orn. UNION NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH a EDINBURGH ag DAVID DOUGLAS, CASTLE STREET { _ LONDON: R. H. PORTER, 18 PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQUARE ice 25. 6a. Annual Subscription, payable in advance, 7s. 6d., Post free. 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ANDERSON, Author of “Vice in the Horse,” “The Gallop,” ete. * * Re-written and re-arranged, and illustrated by forty instantaneous photo- graphs, most of which have been taken specially for this edition. ‘Put shortly, Mr. Anderson’s method is a species of equine drill, calculated to do for the horse what the gymnasium, the drill-master, the fencing-master, and the dancing- master effect in the case of the human subject. When perusing his pages the reader may rest assured that he is dealing with no mere theorist. No one can take up ‘Modern Horsemanship’ without seeing the practical man in every page.” —The Field. THE ART OF GOLF. By Sir W.G. Srmeson, Bart. 1 vol. demy 8vo, with 20 plates from Instantaneous Photographs of Professional Players, chiefly by A. F. Macrig, Esq. 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HOPE & CO., NATURALISTS, CROYDON. ia eee eT Pe Eee ea) eT ‘ vey i t 4 BOOKS ON NATURAL HISTORY THE VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF SCOTLAND FOURTH VOLUME A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE ORKNEY ISLANDS. By T. E, Buckugy, BA., F.Z.S. and J. A. Harvin-Brown, F.R.S.E., F.ZS. One Volume. Small 4to. Illustrated with Photogravure Plates from Drawings by J. G. Miuais, as well as from Photographs taken specially for the Book. Price 30s. “‘ We receive few books that are so grateful alike to the eye and senseas the sage-green octavos of Scot- tish zoological geography which come tous, one after another, from Mr. Douglas. In welcoming this delightful Vertebrate Fauna of the Orkney Islands, we feel but one regret, the worlds which are left for Messrs. Buckley and Harvie-Brown to conquer are growing very few... Weknow nothowtoapproach ~ them. Are we to urge them on upon their splendid enterprise, or to hold them back, that our pleasure may be drawn out the longer? The same plan is pursued asin the previous volumes of this admirable series. A detailed physical geography of the islands precedes the catalogue raisonné of the species and habitats. Even to those, therefore, who have little zoological curiosity or knowledge, this book must be of unusual importance, if the reader has an interest in the provinces described.” —Saturday Review. THIRD VOLUME THE BIRDS OF IONA AND MULL, and other Natural History Notes, 1852-70. By the late Henry Davenport GranHam, and Edited by J. A. Harvise-Brown. Illustrated from the Author’s Sketch-books. One Volume. Small 4to. Price 21s, net. ‘There is a freshness and originality about them which makes them extremely pleasant read- ing.’—Field. “Tf Captain Marryat, instead of devoting his time after leaving the service to writing novels, had wandered off to a desolate island and turned wild-fowler and ornithologist, he might well have written such a book as that which the literary executors of the late H. D. Graham have issued under the sober title of ‘ The Birds of Iona and Mull.’ ”—Spectator. SECOND VOLUME—Ovtr or Print A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. By J. A. Harvie-Brown, and TT. E. Bucerzy. One Volume. Small 4to, with Maps and Plates. FIRST VOLUME—Ovr or Print A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF SUTHERLAND, CAITHNESS, AND WEST CROMARTY. By J. A. Harvie-Brown and T. E. Bucktey. One Volume. Small 4to. With Maps and Plates. FIFTH VOLUME—IN THE PREss A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF ARGYLL. By J. A. Harvis-Brown and T, E. Buckuey. Price to Subscribers, 21s, THE CAPERCAILLIE IN SCOTLAND. By J. A. Harvir-Brown. With Etchings on Copper, and Map illustrating the extension of its range since its Restoration at Taymouth in 1837 and 1838. Demy 8vo. 8s, 6d. THE BIRDS OF BERWICKSHIRE. With Remarks on their Local Distribu- tion, Migration, and Habits, and also on the Folk-lore, Proverbs, Popular Rhymes and Sayings connected with them. By George Muirunap, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. Vol. I. Demy 8vo. Price 15s. Profusely Illustrated with Etchings and Lithographs. Vol. II., completing the Work. In the Press. A TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE. With Extracts from the Field Books of a Sportsman and Naturalist. By CHartes Sr. Jonn, Author of “Natural History and Sport in Moray.” Second Edition. With an Appendix on the Fauna of Sutherland. By J. A. Haryre- Brown and T. E. Buckiey. Two Vols. Crown 8vo. Illustrated. 21s. A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF LAKELAND. By the Rev. H. A. Mac- pHerson, M.A. 1 vol. Demy 8vo. 21s. to Subscribers. [Jn the Press. EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS al in Benbecula—/. MacNaught Campbell, F.Z. wis : Report on the Great Skua (Stercorarius catarrhactes, Loa eee a a i SR Shetland during the season of 1891—William Eagle Clarke. 87 ati: On Malformed Trout from Scottish Waters. No. I.—R. fT. Berra Traquair, M.D., F-.R.S. Plates IIl., IV., V. : ; : 923g Notes on the Freshwater Fishes of the Solway Area—Sir Herbert fs) Maxwell, Bart., FL.S. y 0 ee Additions to the Authenticated Comital Coins of ne ieee and ee Freshwater Mollusca of Scotland—Wm. Denison Roebuck, = = = Lp! pape BARS. : E TO4 he - Some Additions to Scottish: Caines sich Notes on eW, Nees a, a or Rare in the “ Solway” District—W. Lennon, and W. D. R. Phe: Douglas, M.A., FOLS., f.ES. ; 2 DOT ae Potamogeton Nii Wolfgang, in Stirlingshire Alfred ye Ilse Me Records of Scottish Plants for 1891, additional to ‘“‘ Topographical Ret e Botany,” Ed. 2—Arthur Bennett, F.L.S. . 3 - TI9Q be Plants of Glen Spean, Westerness—G, Claridge Druce, M.A. ie LS, iT 29a Zoological Notes . ; isnyey Mole in the Island of Ulva—/. A. Leap ie: setae FidAbenas in Shetland —J. A. Harvie-Brown ; Varieties of the Otter in Jura—H. Evans, F.Z.S.; Wild Cat in Sutherland. T. Baldwin; On the appearance Rea of the Brown Rat on Ailsa Craig—/. MacNaught Campbell, F.Z.S.; © Melanic Variety of the Rat in No 4 Uist—/. G. Webster; Notes on” . the Vole Plague—R. Service ; The © ‘ irrel in Wigtonshire—Szr Herbert — DA Pe Maxwell, Bart., F.L.S.; Occurreiice of the Chiff-Chaff in Banffshire— lay L. W. Hinxman, B.A. ; Dipper in North Uist—/. A. Harvie-Brown; BG Great Grey Shrike in Solway District—R. Service ; Red-backed Shrike ae 4 at the Pentland Skerries—/. Gilmour ; Waxwing in Berwickshire—R. ye Small; Waxwing in Caithness—Z. Dunbar; Rook Singing—WV. Mac- ON lachlan, M.A.; Rollers in Caithness—Z. Dunbar; Dichromatism in yy the Tawny Owl—Z. M. Harbrouch; ;Hen Harrier in Caithness—Z. wh ge Dunbar; Rough-legged Buzzard near Kingussie—C. B. Macpherson ; jad np Be Albino Cormorant—7Z. S. Peace; The Bittern in Wigtonshire— Sir ite)? Herbert Maxwell, Bart., F.L.S.; Bittern at Moffat—A. Fyfe; The By Shoveller Nesting i in Sanday, Orkney— W. Harvey; Great Bustard in 7 toe Orkney-—T7. S. Peace ; Oystercatcher Incubating under Difficulties— Lieut. Co l. W. H. M. Duthie; The Gray Phalarope in Barra—Dr. /. . MacRury; Ruff in the Outer Hebrides—Dr. J. MacRury ; Whimbrel é yi Wintering in Barra—Dr. J. MacRury; Occurrences of the Iceland Gull ok on the West and North Coasts of Scotland— Ais Grace the Duke paps 14) of Argyll, K.T., F.R.S.; Col. Malcolm, M.P.; D. Mackenzie; L. 1 Dunbar; Glaucous Gull in the Solway—. Service; Great Crested Pit) f Grebe in the Tay—W. A. Brown ; Occurrences of Labrus mixtus on Teh 3 the West Coast of Sutherlandshire—A. Beveridge, M.B.; Deilephila EY Ne galii and Macroglossa bombyliformis in Jura—H. ZLvans, F.Z.S.; Is ae, Amphithopsis latipes a Commensal ?-——7. Scott, F.L.S. ; Hzemobaphes wee i cyclopterina in the Firth of Forth—T. Scott, F.L.S. ; The Food of Sagitta Be te, —T. Scott, F.L.S. gh Botanical Notes and News ts Linaria minor in Stirlingshire—R. Ki ston F. R. S.£., rake F. S, SEH Current Literature. A ; : : : ; Reviews British ian -Gaonse Afaster A Monograph of the Myxogastres—George Massee. Printed by R. & R. CLrark, Edinburch. iy 3892 leas, The Annals OF A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “Che Scottish Paturalist’’ EDITED BY J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION JAMES W. H. TRAIL, M.A, M.D., F.LS. PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND ‘WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.LS., Mem. Brit. Orn. Union NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH aie ey = ee re . id o ae L Subscription, payable in advance, 7s. 6d., Post free “e a All Articles and Communications intended for publication, _and all Books, ete., for notice should be sent to Mr. EAGLE CLARKE, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH; except those relating to Botany, which should be addressed to Pror. TRAIL, THE UNIVERSITY, ABERDEEN. Subseriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the Publisher, Mr. DAVID DOUGLAS, 10 CASTLE STREET, EDINBURGH. Authors of General Articles will receive 25 Reprints (in covers) of their Contributions gratis. Additional copies, in covers, may be had from the Printers, at the undermentioned rates, provided such orders accompany the Manuscript. 25 Copies. 50 Copies. 100 Copies. 4 pages 3/6 4/6 ina hea 4/6 5/6 — 8/6 eae 6/- 7/- aire 160% 7/6 8/6 13/6 _ Lately Published. Fourth Edition. 8vyo. 2ls. MODERN HORSEMANSHIP: Three Schools of Riding; an Original The Annals of Scottish Natural History, Method of Teaching the Art, by means of Pictures from the Life. By — Epwarp L. ANDERSON, Author of “Vice in the Horse,” ‘The Gallop,” ete, ** Re-written and re-arranged, and illustrated by forty instantaneous photo- — graphs, most of which have been taken specially for this edition. ‘¢Put shortly, Mr. Anderson’s method is a species of equine drill, calculated to do for the horse : what the gymnasium, the drill-master, the fencing-master, and the dancing-master effect in the case of the human subject. When perusing his pages the reader may rest assured that he is dealing with no mere theorist. No one can take up ‘Modern Horsemanship’ without seeing the practical man in every page.” —The Field. THE ART OF GOLF. By Sir W.G. Simpson, Bart. 1 vol. demy 8vo, with 20 plates from Instantaneous Photographs of Professional Players, chiefly by A. F. Macrig, Esq. Second Edition, Revised. 15s. ‘¢Remains the standard work on the subject, notwithstanding all that has been written con-- cerning the game since the publication of the first edition.” —National Observer. Now Ready, in One Vol., Feap. 8vo, New Edition, Price 1s. ; or in Cloth, 2s. HOW TO CATCH TROUT. By Turez Anaters. The aim of this book is to give, within the smallest space possible, such practical information and advice as will enable the beginner, without further instruction, to attain moderate proficiency in the use of every legitimate lure. — “A delightful little book, and one of great value to anglers.”—Scotsman. ‘The advice given is always sound.” —Field. “The most practical and instructive work of its kind in the literature of angling.” —Dundee Advertiser. ‘A well-written and thoroughly practical little book.” —Land and Water. THE GAMEKEEPER'S MANUAL; being an Epitome of the Game Laws of England and Scotland, and of the Gun Licences and Wild — Birds Acts. By AtmexanpeR Porrur, Chief-Constable of Roxburgh- | shire. Second Edition. Crown 8vo, 3s. net. é EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. BOOKS ON NATURAL HISTORY. Nearly ready, In One Volume, with Illustrations. Price 21s. to Subscribers, A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF LAKELAND, including Cumberland and Westmoreland with Lancashire north of the Sands. By the Rey. H. A. MacpHerson, M.A., Member of the British Ornithologists’ Union. With an Introductory Chapter on the Topography of the district by R. S. Frereuson, F.S.A., Chancellor of Carlisle, author of “ A History of Cumberland,” etc. Nearly ready, in 1 vol. demy 8vo. Price 15s, SELECTIONS FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE OF DR. GEORGE JOHNSTON, Author of “ A Flora of Berwick-on-Tweed,” “ The History of British Zoophytes,” etc. Collected and arranged by his daughter, Mrs. BARWELL CarTER: and Edited by James Harpy, LL.D., Hon. Secretary to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club. THE BIRDS OF BERWICKSHIRE, With Remarks on their Local Distribu- tion, Migration, and Habits, and also on the Folk-lore, Proverbs, Popular Rhymes and Sayings connected with them. By Gzorce Murrunap, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. Vol. I. Demy 8vo. Price 15s, Profusely Illustrated with Etchings and Lithographs. Vol. II., completing the Work, in the Press. NATURAL HISTORY AND SPORT IN MORAY. By the late CuarLes St, Jonny, Author of “Wild Sports in the Highlands,” Second Edition. - In 1 vol. royal 8vo, with 40 page Illustrations of Scenery and Animal Life, engraved by A. DuRAND after sketches made by Gzores Ret, R.S.A., and J. WycLirre Tayior ; also, 30 Pen-and- Ink Drawings by the Author in facsimile. 50s. net. ‘This is a new edition of the work brought out by the friends of the late Mr. St. John in 1863 ; but it is sohandsomely and nobly printed, and enriched with such charming illustrations, that we may consider it a new book.”—St. James's Gazette. ‘‘Charles St. John was not an artist, but he had the habit of roughly sketching animals in - positions which interested him, and the present reprint is adorned by a great number of these, facsimilied from the author's original pen-and-ink. Some of these, as for instance the studies of the golden eagle swooping on its prey, and that of the otter swimming with a salmon in its month, are very interesting, and full of that charm that comes from the exact transcription of unusual observation.” —Pall Mall Gazette. A TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE, With Extracts from the Field Books of a Sportsman and Naturalist. By CHarums Sr, Jony, Author of “Natural History and Sport in Moray.” Second Edition. With an Appendix on the Fauna of Sutherland. By J, A. Harvin- Brown and T, E, Bucxtey. Two Vols, Crown 8vo, Illustrated. 21s, THE CAPERCAILLIE IN SCOTLAND. By J. A. Harvir-Browy. With Etchings on Copper, and Map illustrating the extension of its range since its Restoration at Taymouth in 1837 and 1838. Demy 8vo. 8s, 6d. EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. CONTENTS On New and Rare Crustacea from the East Coast of Scotland— Thomas Scott, F.L.S.,and Andrew Scott. Plates VI. and VII. Contributions to the Vertebrate Fauna of Sutherland and Caithness = 1 Be Ruckley; BD. Ais fof o, GUC. 4 : ; : On the Former Abundance of the Quail (Coturnix communis, Bonnaterre) in Wigtownshire—Peter Adatr . ; ; : On the Supposed Breeding of the Sclavonian Grebe (Podicipes auritus, L.) in Ross-shire—A. H. Evans, M.A., F.Z.S. Lochinver as a Locality for Lepidoptera— Wilfrid W. 0. Beveridge, M.B. (Edinburgh); with Note Py f. Buchanan White, M.D., F.L.S., FES... : : ’ Plants of Glen Spean, Westerness NT aces Claridge a M.A‘, £.L.S. : : On some Scottish Plants observed Jed Bean cr E.'S, Marshall, M.A.,FLS. . ‘ : ; The Desmidiez of East Fife—/ohn Roy, LL.D. . : : } Zoological Notes Rockall and its Avifauna; Notes on Birds in Barra—Dyr, J. Mackury ; Unusual Nesting Place for the Dipper—Lieut.-Col. H. M. Drummond Hay ; Whitethroat in Barra—Dr. J. MacRury ; White Wagtail in Barra —Dr. J. MacRury; Swift in Barra—Dr. J. MacRury; Great Spotted Woodpecker in Stirlingshire—/ ved. Laird ; Whimbrel wintering in Barra —Dr. J. MacRury; Buzzard in Forfarshire—Dr. Thomas F, Dewar ; Note on the Sheldrake—Rodert Service; Nesting of the Water Rail in Perthshire—Lzeut.-Col. W. H. M1. Duthie ; The Food of the Great Skua —Jessie M. E. Saxby; Eledone cirrosa in the Solway Firth—/odert Service; Diaptomus castor in the Braid Ponds near Edinburgh— Thomas Scott, F.L.S. Botanical Notes and News : i ; : } ; Fasciation in Austrian Pine—W. Forgan ; Linaria minor—Arthur Bennett, f.L.S.; Linaria minor on Railway Banks—P. W. Maclagan ; Plants new to Scotland recorded in Botanical Journals in 1892; ‘‘ Notes on the Flora of Stirlingshire’ —Co/. Stirling and Robert Kidston, F.R.S.E, Current Literature . ; , 4 : , : ; ‘ Reviews . ; : : : Supplement to voiy s eal a E. ie A.L.S., and Arthur Bennett, F.L.S.; Outlines of Zoology—/. Arthur T. homson, M.A.; The Lepidoptera of the British Islands—Chariles G. Barrett, F.£.S.; The Mammalian Fauna of the Edinburgh District—W2z/iam Evans, F.R.S.E. Recent Additions to the Natural. History Department of the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh—f. A. Traguair, DED) oF GA, ie teva bellies : ‘ : : ; . Printed by R. & R. CiarK, Edinburgh. 168 171 172 178 185 193 197 203 1892 | [OCTOBER The Annals OF A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “Che Scottish fPaturalist ”’ EDITED BY J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION JAMES W. H. TRAIL, M.A, M.D., F.LS. PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., Mem. Brit. Orn. UNION NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH EDINBURGH DAVID DOUGLAS, CASTLE STREET 2s: 6d "sacs sare payable in advance, 7s. 6d., Post Sree. “tae All Articles and Communications intended for publication, and all Books, ete., for notice should be sent to Mr. EAGLE CLARKE, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH; except those relating to Botany, which should be addressed to PROF. TRAIL, THE UNIVERSITY, ABERDEEN. Subseriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the Publisher, MR. DAVID DOUGLAS, 10 CASTLE STREET, ~ EDINBURGH. Authors of General Articles will receive 25 Reprints (in covers) of their Contributions gratis. Additional copies, in _ covers, may be had from the Printers, at the undermentioned rates, provided such orders ‘accompany the Manuscript. 25 Copies. 50 Copies. 100 Copies. 4 pages 3/6 4/6 7/- Bian 4/6 5/6 8/6 ier, 6/- 7/- 11 /— Yoo 7/6. 8/6 13/6 Lately Published. Fourth Edition. 8vo. 21s. MODERN HORSEMANSHIP: Three Schools of Riding; an Original Method of Teaching the Art, by means of Pictures from the Life. By Epwarp L. ANDERSON, Author of “Vice in the Horse,” ‘The Gallop,” ete. ** Re-written and re-arranged, and illustrated by forty instantaneous photo- graphs, most of which have been taken specially for this edition. ‘‘ Put shortly, Mr. Anderson’s method is a species of equine drill, calculated to do for the horse what the gymnasium, the drill-master, the fencing-master, and the dancing-master effect in the case of the human subject. When perusing his pages the reader may rest assured that he is dealing with no mere theorist. in every page.” —The Field. THE ART OF GOLF. By Sir W. G. Simpson, Bart. 1 vol. demy 8vo, with 20 plates from Instantaneous Photographs of Professional Players, chiefly by A. F. Macriz, Esq. Second Edition, Revised. 15s. ‘“Remains the standard work on the subject, notwithstanding all that has been written con- cerning the game since the publication of the first edition.” —National Odserver, Now Ready, in One Vol., Feap. 8vo, New Edition, Price 1s. ; or in Cloth, 2s. HOW TO CATCH TROUT. By Tures Anciers. The aim of this book _is to give, within the smallest space possible, such practical information and advice as will enable the beginner, without further instruction, to attain moderate proficiency in the use of every legitimate lure. “ A delightful little book, and one of great value to anglers.”—Scoisman. ‘‘The advice given is always sound.”’—Field. ‘“‘The most practical and instructive work of its kind in the literature of angling.”—Dundee Advertiser. ‘‘A well-written and thoroughly practical little book.”—Land and Water. THE GAMEKEEPER’S MANUAL; being an Epitome of the Game Laws of England and Scotland, and of the Gun Licences and Wild Birds Acts. By ALEXANDER PortER, Chief-Constable of Roxburgh- shire. Second Edition. Crown 8vo. 3s. net. EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. No one can take up ‘Modern Horsemanship’ without seeing the practical man ~ “hy BOOKS ON NATURAL HISTORY. Now ready. In One Volume, with Illustrations. Price 30s. A VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF LAKELAND, including Cumberland and Westmoreland with Lancashire north of the Sands. By the Rey. H. A. Macpuerson, M.A., Member of the British Ornithologists’ Union. Now ready, in 1 vol. demy 8vo. Price 15s. SELECTIONS FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE OF DR. GEORGE JOHNSTON, Author of “ A Flora of Berwick-on-Tweed,” “The History of British Zoophytes,” etc. Collected and arranged by his daughter, Mrs. BARWELL CARTER: and Edited by James Harpy, LL.D., Hon. Secretary to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club. THE BIRDS OF BERWICKSHIR&. With Remarks on their Local Distribu- tion, Migration, and Habits, and also on the Folk-lore, Proverbs, Popular Rhymes and Sayings connected with them. By Grorce Murrueap, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. Vol. I. Demy 8vo. Price 15s, Profusely Illustrated with Etchings and Lithographs. Vol. II., completing the Work, in the Press. NATURAL HISTORY AND SPORT IN MORAY. By the late CHARLES St. JoHn, Author of “Wild Sports in the Highlands.” Second Edition. In 1 vol. royal 8vo, with 40 page Illustrations of Scenery and Animal Life, engraved by A. DurAND after sketches made by Grorer Retn, R.S.A., and J. Wyciirre TAYLor ; also, 30 Pen-and- Ink Drawings by the Author in facsimile. 50s. net. ‘**This is a new edition of the work brought out by the friends of the late Mr. St. John in 1863; but it is so handsomely and nobly printed, and enriched with such charming illustrations, that we may consider it a new book.”—St. James’s Gazette. ‘Charles St. John was not an artist, but he had the habit of roughly sketching animals in positions which interested him, and the present reprint is adorned by a great number of these, facsimilied from the author’s original pen-and-ink. Some of these, as for instance the studies of the golden eagle swooping on its prey, and that of the otter swimming with a salmon in its mouth, are very interesting, and full of that charm that comes from the exact transcription of unusual observation.”—Pall Mall Gazette. A TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE. With Extracts from the Field Books of a Sportsman and Naturalist. By CuHaries Sr. Joan, Author of “ Natural History and Sport in Moray.” Second Edition. With an Appendix on the Fauna of Sutherland. By J. A. Harvir- Brown and T, E. Buckiey, Two Vols. Crown 8vo. Illustrated. 21s, THE CAPERCAILLIE IN SCOTLAND. By J. A. Harvin-Browny. . With Etchings on Copper, and Map illustrating the extension of its range since its Restoration at Taymouth in 1837 and 1838. Demy 8vo. 8s. 6d. EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. Mee mE ae, ee cep ; baa et <2 > CONTENTS Is Legislative Protection required for Wild Birds’ Eggs *—Rev. £. P. Knubley, M.A., M.B.O.U. . : The Feather-Billed Rook: Is it a recently developed Variation or hitherto overlooked—-Robert Service The Short-eared Owl (Aszo accipitrinus, Pallas) and ‘the Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus, Linneus) in the Vole Plague Districts— Peter Adair : , : ; ; = : = New Scottish Fossil Reptiles i A New Fossil Fish from Dura Deniz. 7. ji ee M. D., e at os Additions to the Authenticated Comital Census of the Gabe and Freshwater Mollusca of Scotland—W#m. Denison Roebuck, FL. S. . 7 . : ee . Entomologising in Ayeshies G-o72e W. Ord P ; ; On certain New or Rare Rotifers from Forfarshire—W. 7. Camas Pistillody of the Stamens in the ‘“‘ Champion ” Potato—/ames W. H. Tyan, M.A MD. FL. S.: : é - 5 ; Contributions towards a Flora of Caithness. No. II.—Avrthur Bennett, F.L.S. : Notes on ‘English ‘Botany, Supplement pe "Claridge Drace AS 2 BED ay IO alaeae List of the Hieracia of Perthshive 2 F Buthavow White M. D., 7.L.9;; FZ. S. New Scattich Gals Jamies W, H. T; aed, M. A., M. D* es Be a Zoological Notes ; : ‘ Daubenton’s Bat in Ranfishive—- 1, ‘Basle abee Water Shrew in ‘Aepyte shire—C. Campbell; Habits of ‘the Mountain Hare—W. vans, F.R.S. EZ. ; Black Rat in Orkney—T7: 2. Buckley, B.A., F.Z.S.; The Occurrence of the Hooded Seal in Orkney—7Z. S. Peace; Whin Chat in Barra—Dr. J. MacRury ; The Wood Wren in West Ross—Z. W. Hinxman, B.A., and W. Eagle Clarke; Great Gray Shrike in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright—A. Skzrving ; Kingfisher in Barra—Dr. /. MacRury ; Nesting of the Stock Dove in Banffshire—Z. W. Hinxman, B.A.; Turtle Dove near Wick—Z. Dunéar; Turtle Dove in Suther- land—TZ. £. Buckley, B.A., F.Z.S.; Occurrence of the Ruff in Tiree—E£ds. ; Ruddy Sheld Ducks in the Moray Firth—/. Brown ; Wild Swans in Tiree—/. A. Harvie-Brown ; The Introduction of Dace into Linlithgow Loch, and of Grayling into Cobbinshaw Loch — W. Evans, F.R.S.Z.; Supposed Cannibalism in the Slow-worm— J. MacNaught Campbell, F. Z.S. ; Strangalia armata in Kirkcudbright- shire—W. D. R. Douglas, M.A., F.L.S., F.E.S.; Warentia flavi- cinctata as a Garden Insect—/. Buchanan White, M.D., F.L.S., F.E.S. ; Argissa (Syrrhoe) hamatipes in the Firth of Forth— TZ: Scott, F.L.S.; Modiodicola insignis in the Firth of Forth—7Z. Scott, F.L.S. ; Ilyocryptus sordidus in Lochend Loch, Edinburgh— 7. Scott, F.L.S. Botanical Notes and News Rediscovery of Sagina alpina in Scotland 7; es Pause’ : ‘Strbtiloiniyese strobilaceus in Perthshire—1Z. Buchanan White; First Records of Scottish Flowering Plants—W2/liam A. Clarke; Hieracia new to Scotland— F. J. Hanbury; ‘‘ Grevillea”’ ; British Fungus Flora—George Massee. Current Literature Reviews A Vertebrate aa ae Argyll and the te Peery, A. Dives and 7. £. Buckley; British Birds: Key List—Zieut.-Colonel L. Howard Irby. The Museum of the Perthshire Society of peter, Science . Index Printed dy R. & R. Ciark, Edinburgh. 219 233 235 245 247 253 260 264 266 273 The Annals OF Scottish Natural History m QUARTERLY: MAGAZINE WITH ‘WHICH IS INCORPORATED “Che Scottish Naturalist” EDITED BY J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, E.R.S.E., E.Z.S. MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION JAMES W. H. TRAIL, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., F.LS. PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., Mem. Brit. ORN. UNION NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH cee / i ({BRARY NEW YORK NICAL ey Kh EDINBURGH DAVID DOUGLAS, CASTLE STREET LONDON: R. H. PORTER, 18 PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQUARE ‘iSteOr PLATES I. An Unusually Coloured Raza clavata, Linnzus. Il. Pylatella varia, Kjellman, and £ctocarpus Landsburgit, Harvey. III. Canuella perplexa, sp. nov., and Longipfedia coronata, Claus. ; IV. Scottish Desmidiez. Plate I. The Annals LIBRARY NEW YORK Petr Aac of A ANIC AL GARDEN Scottish N atural History Comma ke [J ANUARY. BISSO'S -GRAMPUS (GRAMPUS | GRISEGS) IN THE, SOLWAY. Bik EH, By ROBERT SERVICE. ON 28th of September last I read in our local newspaper, the “ Dumfries Courier,’ a short paragraph to the effect that on the 24th of that month a “ young bottle-nose whale” had been captured near Annan. Knowing that the dimensions given were very unlikely to apply to that species, I lost no time in writing for further information to my obliging friend, Mr. Wm. Wright, Annan, who in due course replied, giving the following particulars :—The animal had been seen, when the tide ebbed, floundering in a pool on the sands of the Dumfriesshire Solway at a spot close to Battlehill, near Annan, by Mr. Wm. Blake, fisherman, who with assistance, and after a considerable struggle, killed it. Its dimensions were, length 10 feet 3 inches; girth at thickest part 5 feet ; flippers 7 or 8 inches wide, 16 or 17 inches long; it had two bumps right on the nose, one on each side with hollow between ; the bumps were like one’s fist and could be taken hold of. The shape from the dorsal-to the tail “went away to nothing.” Three teeth in each side of the front of lower jaw, and no teeth whatever in upper jaw. Colour of upper parts described as somewhat greenish in hue when alive and 5 B 2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY in the sea; after death the back was exactly the colour of “dark blue Welsh slates.” Under parts white. The animal was a female. On making subsequent inquiry about the white stripes usually present as a distinguishing character of Risso’s Grampus, I was informed that “it had little faint gray streaky marks, } inch in width, and some were long, and some were short,’ but as Mr. Wright had to prompt his informant on this point, I conclude these marks must have been inconspicuous. When requested by Mr. Wright, the lower jaws were very kindly presented to me by Mr. Blake. Before removing the mass of adherent flesh, I made a close examination of the dentition. Taking the left mandible, I found embedded in the flesh, at the point of the jaw in front of the three mandibular teeth, a couple of very small denticles, so soft as to be scarcely calcified, and quite easily cut through with the knife. They appeared on the surface as roughish points hardly to be seen, but easily felt with the finger. Then behind the three mandibular teeth were at regular intervals two small openings into the gum. These were about the diameter of an ordinary knitting wire. On shaving slices off the gum these openings were seen to widen out into tooth sacs of the calibre of an ordinary lead-pencil, and half an inch deep, and they were quite filled with a very soft, white, pasty substance with no signs whatever of calci- fication, except in the walls of these sacs, which were of tolerably hard cartilaginous matter, harder than the sur- rounding gums. The two front denticles had small, rough, shallow sockets in the bone, but the tooth sacs described had no visible sockets in the bone of the jaw, as was ascertained when the flesh was all removed. The right jaw had the couple of small denticles, the three mandibular teeth, and the two tooth sacs in the same order and position as on the left jaw. The mandibular teeth seemed remark- ably loose in their sockets, and with the finger and thumb could be moved quite easily in any direction, the great depth and width of the sockets when compared with the size of the teeth perhaps accounting for this. Each of them was exactly half an inch above the gums; when removed from their sockets and cleaned, the front one on each side measured 12 inch in total length, the others were all alike RISSO’S GRAMPUS IN THE SOLWAY FIRTH 3 in measurement—1I1+ inch. All of the six teeth had their summits bent inwards, had apparently been tolerably sharp at one time, but had become much worn and chipped. It may be worth pointing out that the dentition of this animal might be variously described as 9 9 or 2 2 or as 9 9 accord- ing to the inclination of the observer. Not trusting my own identification of this Cetacean as Risso’s Grampus, I forwarded the jaw, after it had been cleaned, to Mr. Eagle Clarke, who promptly informed me that he had “compared it with the perfect remains of Grampus griseus in the Anatomical Museum of the University of Edinburgh, under Sir Wm. Turner’s charge. The jaw belongs, undoubtedly, to a young specimen of that species.” Before leaving this Annan specimen, it should be added that the oldest and most experienced of the Annan fishermen declared that none of them had ever seen a “ whale” of the same kind in the Solway before. On Monday, 17th October, I was told that a “small whale” had been killed on the previous Saturday evening at Carsethorn, a little fishing hamlet about fourteen miles from Dumfries, but situated in the adjoining county, on the shores of the Stewartry Solway, a little to the westwards of the mouth of the Nith. Following on the recent occurrence of the rarity at Annan, my interest in Cetaceans was now thoroughly aroused, and within a few hours after the notice reached me I was at Carsethorn. I had no anticipation whatever that I was so soon to hear of another example of the same species, and it was therefore with the most pleasurable feelings that, after walking down the beach from our gig, the friend who accompanied me and I saw, when the old sail had been lifted off the animal we had come to see, that we had before us another veritable Risso’s Grampus. This one had been caught at the mouth of the Kirkbean Pow, at a little distance above Carsethorn village. It had: been seen stranded in the shallow water when the tide receded, and was captured by Mr. Robert M‘Call, fisherman, with the assistance of the villagers. One man who was present described it as grunting very loudly, another said it barked like a mastiff dog, and snapped viciously at anything or anybody that came within its reach, 4 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY while a third individual said it squealed! It had been stabbed in the throat and bled in the same way as pigs are slaughtered, and when I examined it, the body was positively undamaged in any way, with the exception of the cut under the throat. I made the following notes of its appearance on the spot :— Dimensions.—Total length, 8 feet. Girth in front of dorsal, 54 inches. midway betwixt snout and dorsal, 52 inches. ‘3 is , dorsal-and tail, 22°50 5, just before expansion of tail, 13: Flipper.—Length, 164 inches. 2 Wa Dorsal.— Length, 16 - Height, 104 __,, Bs Breadth in middle, 7 inches. Tail fins from tip to tip, 18 inches. Lower jaw from point to angle of mouth, 9? inches. Upper 9 P) ” 10 ” Sex.—Female. Colours.—Eye, dark brown; pupil round and black. General colour of upper parts of a dark slaty tinge, greenish in certain lights, bluish in others. Colour of upper parts passing through the different shades from slate colour to grayish at the median line, and gradually passing to pure milky white from vent to flippers, but becoming darker on the under side betwixt the flippers. Flippers deep black. White on throat extending to gape, and then over the upper jaw, covering all the nose and forehead except a deep black moustachial patch of pretty regular outline, beginning over the upper part of the nose and extending downwards on each side. Round each eye was a large deep black patch of irregular outline shading off to gray at the edges. The white lines usually assigned as a specific character were altogether absent, with the exception of a silvery white line lying obliquely across the back of the neck. It was about 8 inches long and enclosed a deep black line along its centre half an inch in width. There was one group of seven black spots on left side mid- way between dorsal and belly. The largest of these spots was the size of a half-crown, the smallest the size of a threepenny piece, and they looked precisely as if some one had been throwing ink on the skin. There was a large number of scattered white spots the size of peas, just behind vent and a little to left side. Three white spots outlined in deep black were situated just above middle of left upper lip; several white spots were also to be seen along the edge of left under lip. There were no other spots or lines anywhere on the beast, and those described were anything but conspicuous. 7) 39 RISSO’S GRAMPUS IN THE SOLWAY FIRTH 5 Dentition, etc.—The sides and front of tongue were fringed by a row of upright papillae of rather horny consistency. No teeth in upper jaw. No teeth visible in lower jaws, but on feeling the left under jaw very carefully with the fingers two hard spots were felt. On cutting into them, these hard spots were found to conceal a couple of small teeth, and behind them another tooth was also dis- covered embedded in the gums. ‘The other under jaw was not cut into. Appearance of Head.—Lips very thick and fleshy, but no depres- sion between the snout and lips such as has sometimes been described as seen in other specimens of this Grampus. The great swelling lumps on each upper cheek, continuing down to and including the lips, was an extremely conspicuous feature, and gave one the strong impression that the swollen appearance was the result of injury or disease. Snout rounded in upper jaw; much pointed in lower jaw. Skin.—The whole skin smooth and shining, transparent looking in some lights. Very soft and velvety to the touch, the outermost cuticle easily abraded or rubbed off. The skin was easily lifted in little folds betwixt finger and thumb. There is not much more to say about the Carsethorn specimen of this rare Cetacean, except that I was glad to be the medium of securing its skeleton for the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh. A gentleman resident in the village who was present when the bones were divested of their flesh preparatory to being despatched to Edinburgh, and who examined the stomach, informs me it was quite empty. The same friend also had the curiosity, not to say temerity, to cut off a suitable piece of the flesh and have it cooked. He tells me “it was dark in colour and tasted not unlike the flesh of a hare, or between that and _ beefsteak. It was a little peculiar in flavour, but not unpleasant.” The blubber produced a little over six gallons of good oil, which is used in the same way, and for the same purposes, as the fishermen and others in this neighbourhood use porpoise oil. Whether the two specimens of Risso’s Grampus described in the foregoing pages entered the Solway in company can only be a matter of conjecture. I have been unable to hear of any of our whammle-net men who noticed such animals in the Firth before their capture, and the fishermen in question are distributed over the comparatively narrow limits of the Solway at every tide. One thing seems very certain to me that any such Cetaceans once passing inside 6 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Barnhourie Bank and the Robin Rigg would hardly escape many hours from being stranded on one or other of the numerous sandbanks that stretch for hundreds of thousands of acres in every direction, when the surges that swell up with the famous tidal flow of old Solway have once more ebbed again with equal swiftness back into the Irish Channel. DESTRUCTION OF WILD BIRDS’ EGGS, 2am EGG-COLEECTING. By Lieut.-Colonel W. H. M. Duruiz, R.A. IT is gratifying to learn from Mr. Knubley’s interesting paper in the “Annals” of last October, that some well known members of the British Association have taken up the subject of the destruction of wild birds’ eggs, and are considering the question, whether legislative measures should be recommended for their protection. There is evidently no time to be lost if we wish to pre- serve as breeders in the British Isles some of our fast dimin- ishing species ; and it seems to be the duty of our Natural History Societies and Field Clubs throughout the country to use their utmost endeavours to educate and interest the public within their several spheres of influence, and thus co-operate with the British Association in its laudable efforts to stem the tide of egg-destruction which has set in. In seeking for the cause of the mischief complained of, we naturally turn our attention, first of all, to the egg- collectors, all of whom, in a greater or less degree, must be held responsible; and we feel sure that if they could be reason- ably controlled, there would be little left for the British Association to do. There are three kinds of collectors who require to be specially dealt with, viz. the Aimless, the Greedy, and the Mercenary Collector. The Aimless Collector should be dzscouraged. He is generally a person who knows little or nothing about birds or their habits. His collection is an accumulation of un- DESTRUCTION OF WILD BIRDS’ EGGS . 7 authenticated specimens stowed away in ill-arranged boxes, totally regardless of order, species, or locality, and is useless to himself and of no interest to science. The Greedy Collector should be vestrazned. He should be satisfied, as a rule, with one clutch of eggs of each bird, with an occasional addition of an abnormal clutch or egg for the sake of comparison. The Mercenary Collector should be abolished. He it is who is mainly responsible for the extermination of species and waste of eggs. His collection is the result of gold, changed into silver and copper as it filters through the hands of dealers, gamekeepers, shepherds, herd-boys, and others, who, often in direct disobedience of orders from their em- ployers, have robbed many an important eyrie, and with indiscriminating ignorance have swept some of our bird nurseries bare. The size and value of this collector’s store depends upon the length of his purse, and while proud to tell the market value of a particular egg, he may be unable to describe the bird that laid it, or the nest in which it was found. The True Collector should be a Naturalist, acquainting himself with birds, their habits, flight, migration, language, and breeding haunts ; his egg-collecting being only one of the means of acquiring this knowledge. He should collect for himself, and should never receive an egg into his cabinet unless authenticated by an individual in whom he can im- plicitly trust. To him, therefore, no dealer need apply, and under these conditions egg-collecting has all the excitement of sport, and the final acquisition of a rare egg, after perhaps years of waiting and watching, is a triumph, and the egg itself is a trophy of which the possessor is justly proud. The collection, whether large or small, should be perfect as far as it goes, all eggs being arranged according to order, genus, and species. Every specimen should be marked with a number and registered with a corresponding mark in a book kept for the purpose, in which should also be recorded the date, locality, and authority, and any note of interest taken at the time. The chief aim should be accu- racy ; and the journal, if properly kept, is a mine of useful information. It and the cabinet are inseparable, and the 8 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY two together may form a valuable addition to a museum. Besides its ornithological value, the collection is deeply inter- esting to the collector himself on account of its recorded memories. That large white egg stained with brown, lying on a piece of dry seaweed, recalls a day on the Bass Rock, when eye and ear are bewildered by the constant movement and sound of countless hosts of Gannets and other wild sea- birds floating in the air and on the waves, or diving beneath the surface of the water, their shrill cries making a strange discord with the music of the sea, as it rolls its deep-toned accompaniment along the base of the stupendous cliff. Again, the clutch of Buzzards’ eggs speaks of the solitude of the mountains, of a bulky nest set on a ledge of a steep overhanging rock at the head of a Highland glen, with a peat-stained burn below winding its way through a world of heather and moss. And so on all through the cabinet, every clutch has its. story, each ege its tale to tell, and fever, drawer breathes its own separate associations: the shady woods and breezy uplands, the swift-running brooks and sluggish streams, the lake and mountain tarn, the misty glen, the sandy shores and rocky coasts, the hedgerows, and shrub- beries, and eaves, and every nook and corner where the birds come, from far and near, to rear their offspring in the joyous days of spring—all are represented here in the lovely and varied relics which lie displayed in systematic order before us. When once the eggs of a particular bird have been obtained they are rarely required again; but the breeding haunt being known, the return of the birds may be looked for in each succeeding year, and their habits watched and noted during the whole period of incubation. If we could confine our Collectors to the true type, which I have attempted to describe, the Egg Dealers would cease to exist, and with them would also disappear the tribe of hangers-on which they maintain, there being no need for their services, and no demand for their supplies; and with the attainment of this happy result, legislation for the pre- servation of wild birds’ eggs would become unnecessary. CONTRIBUTIONS TO A FAUNA OF SHETLAND 9 CONTRIBUTIONS. FO-A-FAUNMY OF) THE SHE TLAND TSEES: AUTUMN NOTES. By J. A. Harvige-Brown, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. Two visits paid to a far southerly portion of the Shetland Isles convinced the writer of these notes that the district is almost a ¢erra incognita to the working Field-Naturalist during the autumn. Dr. Saxby’s “ Birds of Shetland,’—excellent as in many respects it is,—and his earlier first notes in the “ Zoologist,” cannot be held as relating to Shetland generally, and indeed as only referring to the much more restricted area of Unst. Since Dr. Saxby wrote, we have scarcely a record from Shetland, except of summer observations, of which latter, however, there is no lack. We spent several weeks, first in October and November 1891, and again in September and October 1892, at the Southern extremity of the Shetland Isles, in the parish of Dunrossness, to which portion of the main island the ac- companying notes principally refer. During the first of these visits we only met with 56 species of birds. During our second visit we added consider- ably to this list, making a list of and notes upon 84 species. In 1891, migration along our whole East Coasts—Scot- tish and English—was at a minimum, on account of the prevalence of westering winds throughout the season, culmi- nating in a gale of great force and severity from S.S.W., which ranged over our coasts for the space of seven days, begin- ning moderately (in Shetland) on the night of the 8th October, continuing strong over the 9th to 13th, and reaching its maximum strength on the 14th. On the 15th, I find in my journals that the united roar of surf and wind “had gone down to a‘hum,’” and that it was windless on the 16th. All the time previous to the latter date, the wind had been westerly. In 1892, migration bulked much more heavily all down our East Coasts, even as far north as North Ronaldshay in Orkney, and at Girdleness in Aberdeenshire, whilst on the IO ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY East English Coasts it was quite phenomenal. But Shetland appears only to have been brushed, as it were, by the outer- most primaries of the right wing of the flight, and only a few “dropped feathers”—a few solitary migrants—helped us to swell our list. The direction of the wind prior to the 4th October was southerly, veering to S.S.E. and S.S.W., and few migrants were observed. But on the 5th, and night of 5th and 6th, migration became more noticeable, both as observed at the lighthouse, and by ourselves in the open. This was the fringe of a vast migration, which will be found duly recorded by other observers farther to the southward. The wind had been northerly and strong, but during the night a sudden shift took place to S.E., and increasing to a gale, whipped up the migrants which had already started on their passage of the North Sea, and drifted them on our shores. But in Shetland we only got a slight waft of this change, and it did not last long enough to flood the islands with migrants. Such were the conditions of migration during the two visits we made to Shetland in 1891 and 1892. Of the place itself we must be very shortly descriptive. The area we treat of contains the hill and cliffs and high plateau of Fitful Head (928 feet), and the “scattald” or taxed land which lies around it. It also contains the links of Quendale, the sandhills, and long washed sands of Quendale Bay, the rocky points of Sumburgh Head and Garthness, and, out in the bay, the holms of Quendale. It includes the more important lochs of Spiggie, and Brow, and Hillwell, as well as a few other minor sheets of water, with the marshes and marshy meadows, peat “cuts ” and “banks,” which connect or surround them. ‘Then there are the rocky, or sandy, or muddy voes of the South Coast, and the rockier voes of the west side. Between the pastured hills are glens and green-edged or marsh-edged burns. When we add to the above description the stunted heather of the high “ fields,’ the short grazing of the “scattalds,” the wind- swept scalps, showing the disintegrating granitic rock in rapidly recurring stripes or succeeding terraces, with the ‘‘plantie cruives ” or small enclosures in which young cabbage- plants are protected from the storms, which are dotted over the otherwise bare landscape, and the “ farm-toons” with the CONTRIBUTIONS TO A FAUNA OF SHETLAND II agricultural land around them, and the long dividing walls and fences, we have, sufficiently for our present purpose, indi- cated the nature of the country in which we observed the following birds and mammals. HepcEuoe (Erinaceus europeus).—When staying at the manse of Tingwall, three miles from Lerwick, I was informed, very much to my surprise, that the Hedgehog exists along the shores of Loch Tingwall (fresh water), and is perfectly well known to Mrs. Bayne, who told me also that, “when we put them into the garden they usually die.” These animals were introduced at Veersgarth by the farmer there, and he planted whins for their protection. ‘They are supposed to have been introduced into the island of Burra by means of a cargo of empty casks, or in the ballast of a vessel (v. “Annals S. N. H.” 1892, p. 132). In 1892, whilst staying at Sumburgh House, we obtained further account of the Hedgehog in Shetland from our friend Mr. John Bruce, who first heard of the animal occurring around Cunningsburg in the following manner. He had heard of some mischievous boys tormenting an old woman by putting a Hedgehog in her bed. Mr. Bruce had then asked the lads to bring him the next one they found, which they did, and Mr. Bruce obtained two, and had them alive in Sumburgh Garden ; but they escaped, and have not been seen or heard of around Sumburgh since. They are stated to be far from uncommon around Cunningsburg, and to frequent the high “fields” and driest ground among heather. As yet I am unable to trace any reliable history of their original introduction, which, however, is currently believed and spoken of as having been effected fifty years ago. THe Common Firtu SreaL (Phoca vitulina) is very abundant about the Quendale Holms. OrrTeER (Lutra vulgaris).—Many Sea Otters occur all over the district, as is evinced by the fine skins which Mr. John Bruce obtains. Stoat (Mustela vulgaris)—Not rare. We saw skins in the pos- session of Mr. George Bruce of Sand Lodge. The actual dis- tribution throughout the isles has not, to our knowledge, been worked out. We are credibly informed, however, that it occurs in some islands but not in others, and our friend Mr. Allan Briggs tells me it does not occur on North Ronaldshay, the nearest of the adjoining group of Orkney. BLackBirD (Zurdus merula).—Not observed at all abundantly. Only one seen in October (15th) in 1891, in a turnip-field up the Mill Glen of Quendale—a favourite shelter ground of migrants. In 1892 I shot a female up the burn which flows 12 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY into Garth Wick, 30th October, and saw another sheltering in nettles near Garth Crofts on Sunday 6th October. One or two others were observed around Sumburgh and Quendale, but not prior to 5th October. Sonc THRuSH (Zurdus musicus)—My cousin, who accompanied us in 1892 to Quendale, Mr. Adrian Forrester, who is a keen collector, saw several thrushes, and we observed two near Garth on gth October. REDWING (Zurdus iliacus).—One ; the only one seen up to date of 12th October 1891. I shot amongst the peat “cuts.” Only single birds seen among the peat cuts, or in the “plantie cruives,” up till 20th, when about a score were found sheltering in a flock in the Mill Burn Glen, close to Quendale. In 1892 a few single birds seen on and after 5th October. One or two seen nearly every day for a week or so. FIELDFARE (Zurdus pilaris)—In 1891, only a few solitary birds seen scattered among the more sheltered hollows. In 1892, they did not arrive or show up with Redwings or Thrushes during October; but early in November a flock was reported to us by Captain M‘Farlane, as seen in the angle formed by ~ two walls, close to the Established Church—a favourite place for newly arrived migrants. WHEATEAR (Saxicola enanthe).—A few scattered birds, natives of the district, remained into October, and until about the 14th, but not later than this in 1891, except one—a passing bird, or a lingerer—on the roth. In 1892, most of the Wheatears disappeared earlier, or about the 6th October. WHINCHAT (Pratincola rubetra).—We did did not meet with the Whinchat in 1891; but in 1892, Mr. Adrian Forrester shot a young male on Fitful Headland on 8th October. Sronecuat (Pratincola rubicola).—We did not meet with the Stone- chat in 1891; but a male was obtained on the Mill Burn, and a young bird on Fitful, 6th October 1892. Repstart (Ruiticilla phenicurus).—A single male seen in Mill Glen Burn, and a female seen previously, between the sea and Quendale Links, on the znd October 1892. Not observed in autumn of 1891. HEDGE ACCENTOR (Acentor modularis).—Not in our 1891 list. Only one seen in nettles at Garth Banks, 9th October 1892. BiackcaP (Sylvia atricapilla)—A female observed within a few paces, skulking and sheltering amongst nettles, inside old croft at Garth Banks, on Sunday, 9th October 1892. WILLOW WaRBLER (Lhylloscopus trochilus).—Not noticed in 1891. Several seen, one at Garth Banks, 6th October, 1892, on the CONTRIBUTIONS TO A FAUNA OF SHETLAND 13 sea slope, and others about the same dates, but not before. Again one in Sand Lodge garden, on 21st October. GoLp-creEst (Regulus cristatus).—Gold-crests were reported to us by Mr. Youngclause as appearing at the lantern of Sumburgh Head Lighthouse previous to 29th October 1891. But there are no returns during October 1892 in Mr. Youngclause’s schedules, although they appeared so abundantly at more southern stations. Common WREN (Z7voglodytes parvulus).—Not very abundant. In 1891 only one seen in “plantie cruives” near Spiggie. Shot one in Garthwick Burn, and saw a family party in Moussa, one of which was shot, and is now in Edinburgh Museum. The other, of which I have the skin, I took the following measurements of: base of bill to end of tail, 423 inches; wing from carpal joint 143 inches. These Shetland Wrens appear to be large and large-footed, light-coloured, and much vermiculated, both on back and under parts. Meavow Pirir (Anthus pratensis)—Not very abundant. In 1891, appeared to be almost confined to the limited marshy edging of the Hillwell Burn, by the base of Fitful, and the valley behind “The Cleap”; and there only singly or in pairs, up to about 3rd October. In 1891, we made the note on the date of 3rd October, ‘‘ Meadow Pipits and Larks are now flocking,” and ‘‘ Meadow Pipits not common, and very local.” Most seen about 3rd or 4th October. Rock Prrir (Anthus obscurus).—Seen commonly, even abundantly, in its usual haunts, especially around the fish-curing station at Garth Banks; occurring also, however, inland, up the Eel Burn, and on the shore of Loch Hillwell. Observed no increase of numbers at any date, either in 1891 or in 1892. SwaLLow (//irundo rustica).—A solitary bird seen at Loch Hillwell on 17th October 1891. In 1892, two seen flying over Loch Brow, 8th October. The Swallow was reported to us by Mr. George Bruce as unusually abundant in the summer of 1892, along with Swifts. SanD Martin (Cottle riparia).—One seen hawking over upper Culsetter Marsh, near. Hillwell Burn, on 8th October 1892; and another seen at Spiggie on 13th October. Rosin (£rithacus rubecula).—In 1891, only one seen close to Garth fishing-station. In 1892, five or six seen, one at Hillwell Farm on 8th October. House-Sparrow (/asser domesticus)—Common at Quendale Farm, and indeed at most, if not all, the farm-towns from Sumburgh House to Lerwick, yet scarcely to be called generally distributed, 14 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY and distribution somewhat broken, so far as we could observe. We have quite failed as yet to record the Tree Sparrow from Shetland. CuaFFIncH (Fringilla clebs).—The Chaffinch stands in our autumn lists as the first bird taken note of. When we visited Shetland in October 1891, Chaffinches were by that time in large flocks (gth October) in the corn-fields, and sheltering from the gale under the “kail-blades.’ They were, however, all migrants. In 1892, the first observed was shot amongst a flock of Twites (5th October); and immense flocks afterwards of hundreds and thousands were seen for the space of a few days. Same day one Brambling seen amongst them; and on 8th at least one sixth were Bramblings. From the association, we think there is no doubt about the Scandinavian origin of these flocks. All disappeared as suddenly as they arrived, and stragglers only were met with after the roth October 1891. BRAMBLING (/7ingilla montifringilla).—First seen in 1892—a single bird amongst a lot of Chaffinches—on the 6th October. Then on the 8th—wind north—close to Loch Spiggie, a large flock of mixed Chaffinches and Bramblings, the latter composing about one-sixth of the whole—several thousands in the flock. Wind had been N. or N.N.E., veering and backing, but always to the N. Suddenly shifted to S.E. and blew hard on night of 5th to 6th, but alas! only for too short a spell. LINNET (Linota cannabina).—Not observed in 1891. But in 1892 one small flock was identified by us, 17th October, near Scatness. TwitE (Linota flavirostris).—Very abundant. In small flocks seldom exceeding fifty individuals. Frequent the cabbage- yards, feeding on seeding sorrel, especially in the unoccupied ‘‘plantie cruives,” and in numerous small flocks on the stubbles. Not so often seen on the “scattald” or “ fields” at this season, except where the ‘‘plantie cruives” exist. Observations the same in 1891 and 1892. Corn Buntinc (Emberiza miliaria).—Not at all abundant, and ex- tremely local ; so far as our opportunities gave us of observation. Rarely seen on the farm-lands at this season, but a consider- able flock—probably all for many miles round—sheltered during the day, and roosted at night among the reeds of Hill- well Loch in 1891. In 1892—but why, we know not—their numbers appeared to be not more than one-third of those in 1891, and besides they were not so persistent in their chosen roosting-place. ReeD Buntinc (Emdberiza scheniclus).—Not observed in 1891. One single female bird was shot on 8th October 1892. CONTRIBUTIONS TO A FAUNA OF SHETLAND 15 About same date we received a wing of one killed by Mr. Allan Briggs in North Ronaldshay. Snow Buntine (Plectrophanes nivais).—In 1891, first a small flock went “‘tinkling” overhead. Then flocks of hundreds and thousands were seen along Loch Spiggie and upon Backasetter Farm on the 23rd October, and many were heard overhead all day, and they continued exceedingly abundant all the re- maining time of my stay—z.e. up to 3rd of November. Captain Macfarlane, however, afterwards reported that all, or nearly all, had left by the 19th December of the same year. In 1892, during October, Snow Buntings were much rarer than in 1891, all the time I was there—z23rd September to 30th October. The first heard of was a flock of twelve on the 6th October. Then a flock of some hundreds same day, but they did not alight, but flew steadily south. After this some considerable flocks seen, but most passed on. ‘The people on certain farms catch these birds with a sieve-trap—twenty to thirty at a time—in snow-time. In Shetland, the skins are removed by inserting a quill, or the barrel of a steel pen-holder, in a small cut made on the forehead. The pen-holder is then used as a blow-pipe. Of course shot birds cannot be skinned in this way. This method is called “ blowing them.” STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris)—In 1891, observed in small flocks. Nowhere did we observe them in large numbers, as compared with more southern localities. But they are very abundant notwithstanding. We might expect to find amongst migratory Starlings, specimens of the so-called S. Fardensis. I did not care to slay numbers of them to make the discovery ; but any which I did examine did not appear to me to be worthy of specific separation. Jackpaw (Corvus monedula).—In 1891, two were seen distinctly by us flying in company with Rooks close to Sumburgh Head on 27th October; and in 1892, two again were seen on 18th October consorting with about a dozen Hooded Crows. As will be noticed further on, it is curious how many species observed in 1891 and 1892 appeared in exactly similar numbers at approximate dates, and in adjacent localities. (See Greylag Goose, Wood-pigeon, and several more.) Since writing the above, we have heard from Mr. Young- clause that ‘‘what he takes to be three Jackdaws were seen near Grutness on the 28th October 1892.” RAVEN (Corvus corax).—Perhaps nowhere more abundant in Britain than in the Shetland Isles. Often seen in dozens and half-dozens, and occasionally in much larger companies. Seem to have, in common with many other species, regular beats 16 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY over which they pass at certain hours, this varying with the direction of the wind. ‘Thus some days the Garth Banks is a ‘sure find, if one wishes to procure specimens ; other days the ‘sandhills of Quendale close to Hillwell, and again Spiggie and other places. HoopEep Crow (Corvus cornix).—Abundant, fearless, undisturbed. In flocks of scores or singly. Everywhere assertive and impudent. A possible increase was observable after the roth October— at least flocks were more commonly seen. Some were much whiter in the mantle than others, and may have been of more eastern origin. Rook (Corvus frugilegus).—In 1891 several were seen: first three on the roth October, then five reported. By all accounts rare in Shetland, but Mr. Bruce of Sumburgh lately (September 1891) had quite a large flock close to his house. Many are seen at odd times. Wind always southerly and westerly when observed. Not observed in 1892. SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis).—In 1891, Skylarks were literally in thousands up to the middle of October, but after that, perhaps only in hundreds, and later on still fewer; frequenting the stubbles. By 22nd December, Larks had become still scarcer, as we were informed by Captain Macfarlane. In 1892, Larks were only seen rising out of the stubbles in September singly, or in small scattered flights; but soon after, about the 4th October, a great change appeared, and they were beginning to flock and draw nearer to one another—a change observable also amongst the Meadow Pipits. This was a day or two before the general movement of birds on 5th and 6th October 1892. Wryneck (Lynx torqguilla).—Mr. Thomas Marshall, The Store, Stanley, Perthshire, informs us (77 “74 20th October 1892): ‘* Mr. Youngclause sent me the Wryneck on 21st August 1891.” Mr. Youngclause wrote thanking Mr. Marshall for the identi- fication, and said: ‘‘It was sent up to me by our local post- master, Mr. Isbister, and had killed itself on the telegraph wires. I, however,’—continues Mr. Youngclause,—“ saw another one alive at Quendale this day week [letter is dated 29th August 1891]. So it seems a few of them have been about.” SHORT-EARED Owt (Asvo accipitrinus),—In 1891, one was shot by us, as It rose out of the peat “cuts” below Loch Hillwell on the 17th October, and one—probably the same bird—was reported by Mr. Youngclause as seen at Sumburgh Lighthouse two days before. In 1892, one was seen about the same place by Captain Macfarlane before my arrival at Quendale in September. CONTRIBUTIONS TO A FAUNA OF SHETLAND 17 SNowy Ow. (Surnia nyctea).—On the 28th October with S. and S.W. wind and heavy rain, and a migration of Glaucous Gulls passing S. to S.E., a magnificent Snowy Owl passed within a hundred yards of our boat on Spiggie. It was almost within range of the big eight bore, but we were all at first too much taken up in watching him, in a very bad light, trying to make him out. At first I thought it was an albino Sea Eagle. I felt dubious, and then flashed across my miserable memory the Snowy Owl’s flight in Russia ; the wings not so ‘‘ board-square”’ as the Eagle’s. He flew low over Backasetter, and winged his way over the “fields” towards Fitful. When it dipped and its back became visible, it appeared to be a bird about two to three years old, from the mottling of the feathers on the back. The wings showed “‘frilling” or “ fringing” on the edgings against the sky, much as a Rook’s or an Eagle’s wings do. I believe this bird would probably rest upon the flat plateau which forms the summit of Fitful, and towards which it was slowly winging its way, flying south witha S.W. wind. Perhaps its next resting-place will be Butt of Lewis, possibly Orkney ; less likely the mainland of Scotland. WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (Haliaetus albicilla).—Distinctly saw a White- tailed Eagle wing its high way over Quendale Links and Sand- hills towards Fitful, which, however, was enveloped in dark thick mist. Mr. George Bruce, who was along with us, saw it also, and said, “It is one of the Fitful eagles.” He tells me these Fitful birds have often been killed, and he believes that the reason the Fitful Eagles have continued to hold their eyrie so long is to be found in this occasional destruction of one or the other bird before its mate gets too old to wed again. In this I perfectly acquiesce. Mr. George Bruce still believes there are five pairs in Shetland, and Mr. John Bruce corroborates the statement that there has been no break in the continuity of their occupancy of Fitful. Little or no information can be ex- tracted from the natives about this or almost any species of bird. We are not ourselves perfectly satisfied of their occurrence there as a nesting species now, but the above notes may elicit more data and proofs. PEREGRINE Fatcon (Falco peregrinus).—The Fitful falcons were constantly seen both in 1891 and 1892. The female a very large powerful bird, and the male a particularly small bird. I saw them both often at short distances as they suddenly flashed past along the hill-sides, intent on Blue Rock Doves, about the outskirts of the cropped land. MERLIN (falco e@salon).—Very common, and often seen hunting singly, and at times in pairs. Usually appears on the track of the Snow Buntings, Snipe, or flights of small birds. I have 5 & 18 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY several times nearly whistled them over with the plover call in Shetland, and successfully practised the dodge elsewhere. Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo).—A pair regularly frequent Loch Spiggie, and visit Loch Hillwell and fly across thence by the “cuts” and Quendale to Quendale Bay. Common at the Holms in Quendale Bay, but not to compare in numbers with the smaller species or Shag. SHac (Phalacrocorax graculus).—Very abundant, sitting in great colonies upon the rocks all round Garthness, the Quendale Holms, and indeed everywhere prominent in the sea-scape—as many as 300 or 400 together. Common HERON (Ardea cinerea).—Visits the district in autumn. In 1891, five or six were observed early in October along the side of Loch Brow, and in the marshy meadows (marked in the 6” scale O. S. Map as “subject to flooding”). These shortly disappeared, and only one or two were seen afterwards. In 1892, the first observed was on 1st September, when Captain Macfarlane saw two. Afterwards seen frequently at Loch Brow ; and also on Mousa Island, on 20th October, six or seven were seen together. GREYLAG GoosE (Azser cinereus).—In 1891, one solitary bird was seen, and put up at a distance of perhaps a hundred yards, by the side of Loch Spiggie, on 26th October. Mr. Youngclause also reported (cx Zz.) “Greylag Geese” flying S.W. at Sumburgh Lighthouse on the same date. In 1892, curiously enough, again a solitary bird was seen at the same loch side on roth October. It rose and ‘‘ gabbled ” as it flew, showing the alar patches very distinctly. BERNICLE GoosE (Bernicla leucopsis).—Saxby says in July 1854 he saw one of this species—making sure of it—and added: ‘‘No other authentic record of its occurrence in Shetland has come to my knowledge ;” and Howard Saunders, building upon this, says: “To the Shetlands and Faroes, this species is only a rare straggler.” On gth October one which we examined had been shot, out of a flock of seven, among Quendale sandhills, by the Quendale grieve’s son, who did not know the bird. On 15th October, I saw three, and these were seen going about the sides of Loch Spiggie for some time. The Bernicle Goose is quite common here—Dunrossness—on migration in both spring and autumn, but does not remain, we are assured, in winter, as it does in the Hebrides. ‘Thirty-eight were frequent- ing Spiggie Shore on the 21st October 1891 and many more were seen. In 1892, quite a big lot were reported to us close to Backasetter on 6th October, but we saw none till 9th October, when a flock of seven passed south near Quendale House—wind CONTRIBUTIONS TO A FAUNA OF SHETLAND 19 N.E.—at 2 p.m., and appeared to light on the larger of the Quendale Holms. ‘This was the gth October, exactly the date of the flock of seven of which the grieve’s son: killed one last year, and the wind was in the same direction. Afterwards flocks of seven, sixteen, and other numbers, were seen at Sum- burgh and on Mousa. WHOOPER (Cygnus musicus).—One which had been wounded now does;duty on Loch Brow as sentinel for wild-fowl, and decoy for other swans. It often gets on wing and flies a few hundred yards, but seems little alarmed by the reports of fire-arms. Another came in November 1891. Witp Duck (Anas boscas).—Common, but not to be called abundant. Seen early in the month, and shot in the marshes. Certainly less common than many other species of Anatidae ; much rarer than Wigeon or Teal, Scaup, etc., and never seen in large flocks. A drake shot by W. Moir on 22nd October had not lost the entire female plumage. It possessed the alar patch. The head was only beginning to take back the glossy green. ‘The wing-coverts were partly male and partly female. General plumage, female predominating. No sign of curled feathers of the tail of the male. Axillaries mostly female; very few vermiculated male feathers. Back mostly female, very few male. This appears to us a very late date at which to find this phase of plumage. But on the 28th October 1892, another in pre- cisely similar plumage was also obtained at Loch Spiggie. Now the first of these birds was decidedly an old bird; but the second, to our eye and examination, was a young male of the year. We cannot get any satisfaction on this point from Dresser’s ‘‘ Birds of Europe”; MacGillivray only quotes Waterton ; and Howard Saunders (“Manual”) says nothing of the differences of the plumage of old males reassuming the drake plumage ‘‘by the middle of October,” and of the young drake of the year assuming first adult male plumage. MacGillivray only touches the question at vol. v. p. 41, under “ Progress towards maturity,” g.v. We regret that both these birds were not preserved, but our remembrance of them is very distinct. TEAL (Querquedula crecca).—About twelve seen upon Spiggie and srow on 12th October 1891,—which appears to be about their usual time of appearance,—and daily almost afterwards. In 1892, seen at an earlier date, and numbers along with Wigeon on the 8th at Spiggie and Brow. WIGEON (MWareca penelope).—Very common. Many seen. Flocks of twenty or more on Lochs Spiggie and Brow or in Backasetter Marshes or Meadows; all during October 1891. In 1892, during rough weather and south winds, over a hundred were in 20 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL. HISTORY Brow, and when put up they broke up into six lots, and all chose a fly-line up the Culsetter Marshes to Hillwell, where, standing still, I shot one ; and had the line been observed sooner, I believe six brace could have been got, as they all flew over the same spot, and quite low, against the strong south wind. This was on the 6th October, and many were also in on the roth. PocHarD (/uligula ferina),—In 1891, five were identified clearly. Many more were suspected, but glass was not powerful enough to make sure whether Pochard or Scaup. In 1892, none made certain of. ScauP (Fuligula marila).—In 1891, numbers of Scaup were frequent- ing Lochs Spiggie and Brow. Considerable uncertainty about their identity existed until the 29th October, when I secured one out of a lot by the side of Loch Spiggie. There remained then ,no doubt as to their presence long before this date, and afterwards. TurteD Duck (fuligula cristata).—I find no record of them in r89r, but four were identified in Quendale Bay, 25th September Rely They certainly are not at present common here. GOLDEN-EYE (Clangula glaucion).—Common on Lochs Spiggie and Brow, and single old males at times on Loch Hillwell. Also in 1892 equally common. Lonc-TaILeD Duck (Harelda glacialis)—We do not, curiously enough, find any records of Long-tailed Ducks in 1891. But in 1892 their numbers were very great close in shore. The first seen was a single male sitting on the east point of Loch Spiggie. It is not usual to find this ocean duck on a fresh- water loch. On 17th October, on Wildness Point, between Virkie Voe and Grutness Voe, there were some hundreds, coming pretty close in. Wind, which had been N.E., changed round for a short space to E., and blew pretty strong. On 18th there were large lots also in West Voe, and in Quen- dale Bay; and a pretty sight it was to watch them with the glass, ranged in close phalanx; those packs on the east side showing a preponderance of females, but the flocks in Quen- dale Bay a preponderance of males. Wind by 18th back to N.W., and bitterly cold. . ComMMOoN EIDER (Somateria mollissima).—Not seen very abundantly, though said to be seen very plentiful at times in the voes of the west side. Always a few about the Quendale Holms and Bay, and along the Scatness shore. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER (JZergus serrator).—Five identified flying overhead towards Quendale Bay from Spiggie, on the 28th October in 1891. In 1892, several times seen; five in CONTRIBUTIONS TO A FAUNA OF SHETLAND 21 Garth Bay at the fishing-station, 9th October, two at same place on 15th October, and four in West Voe on 18th. RinG Dove (Columba palumbus).—In 1891, two were seen on the Backasetter Farm, close to Loch Spiggie; and one was shot on 26th October. It was in poor condition. Curiously, in 1892, two again were seen at Loch Spiggie on roth October, and one shot by Captain Macfarlane. Rock Dove (Columba fivia).—Abundant inland during the day, and repairing to the caves at dusk. The old Broch of Mousa is one vast pigeon-house, affording abundance of fine garden manure, which is collected once or twice a year for Sand Lodge garden—perhaps a ton annually. SPOTTED CRAKE (forzana maruetta).—In 1891, my_ spaniel ‘“‘bunched ” a Spotted Crake in Culsetter Marsh, and fetched it to me alive; otherwise, I would not probably have found it. This was on the 26th October. Saxby says, ‘‘Not in Shetland”; but Saunders’ (‘‘ Manual”) says, ‘‘ Twice in the Shet- lands in October.” This one is only the second I have seen alive in Scotland, the first having been flushed in a marsh in Stirlingshire close to our own house some years ago. At the Queen’s Hotel, Lerwick, we found another specimen stuffed, which had been shot by Mr. Weber, the landlord, who assured me they were not uncommon, and are usually seen between September and November, and even in the latter month. Mr. Weber added: “I could have shot one two days ago,” the 21st September 1892. Mr. Weber appeared to know the Water Rail quite perfectly, though he also gave that name to the Spotted Crake in his possession. Mr. G. H. Bruce of Sand Lodge, writing to Captain Macfarlane, says, “‘We never find these Rails unless we have a dog, and I was unaware of their existence in Mousa until last year (1891), when we had Furlonger’s dog and got three, one of which was different from the other two.” WaTER RAIL (Rallus aguaticus).—Saw none in 1891, but shot one and saw another on Loch Hillwell, and obtained two in Mousa, 28th September and 2oth October 1892. Said to be quite common, and believed to breed in Shetland. Coor (/ulica atra).—Common : five or six pairs on Loch Hillwell, and a few also between Lochs Spiggie and Brow. Young in down, one shot at Loch Hillwell, 28th September. WaTER HEN (Gadllinula chloropus).—Less common than the Coot. None noticed in 1891, when the marshes were drier ; but seen and obtained in 1892, when the marshes were much too wet to hold Snipe. Commonest about Spiggie and Brow. 22 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH: NATURAL, HISTORY GOLDEN PLovER (Charadrius pluvialis)—We saw none ourselves, either in 1891 or 1892, but in September, William Moir shot two in the ‘“scattald” between the two stone walls near the churches —a favourite place for newly arrived migrants. Golden Plover appear to be decidedly scarce in autumn in Dunrossness. RINGED PLOVER (gialitis /iaticula)—Abundant earlier in the year, but in 1891 decidedly scarce as resident birds. Only one seen in 1891 in autumn till the. 27th October aa plentiful at Sumburgh and Virkie Voe on the 27th—doubtless migrants. In 1892 they were again scarce up till late in October, and again were very numerous at Virkie Voe on 17th, and at Sandwick on 2oth. Lapwinc (Vanellus vulgaris)—Decidedly a scarce bird around Quendale on migration. Four or five seen at Loch Brow the day before the gale culminated on the 14th October 1891, and. an odd small flock afterwards. In 1892 a single bird seen near Quendale House, and four at Loch Spiggie, 3rd and 6th October. TURNSTONE (S/repsilas interpres).—I have received a Turnstone in its flesh, shot at Quendale by Captain Macfarlane. Of course it is a species which, with many others, may be expected to appear there. ‘This, however, is my first positive record from Quendale. OYSTER CATCHER (/ematopus ostralegus).—A few seen in 1892 on the Quendale Holms, most likely resident and old birds in pairs. Woopcock (Scolopax rusticula).—Several were observed on Fitful Head after my departure ; and W. Youngclause writes us, 31st October 1892: “Since the rush of these Chaffinches” (viz. 5th and 6th October), “I have seen no new birds, except one Woodcock, which I started on the 2oth inst. from the corner of one of the parks close to the houses. CoMMON SNIPE (Gadlinago celestis).—Local sportsmen distinguish the dark-coloured home-bred Snipes from the lighter coloured foreign birds. Abundant. ““A flight,” writes Captain Mac- farlane, ‘‘came in at the latter end of September, amongst which a number of very heavy [z.e. large ? ] birds were noticed.” This occurred before my arrival, and my host (Captain Mac- farlane) being at the time physically unfit for working the marshes, no specimens were obtained. From what I heard subsequently, there seems to be little reasonable doubt that these were Great Snipe, and it would have been possible to have killed two or three couple at that time, or even more. In 1891, Snipe were fairly abundant; but in 1892, Snipe were quite CONTRIBUTIONS TO A FAUNA OF SHETLAND 23 scarce as compared with the previous season, and all obtained up to end of October—with the exception of Jacks and perhaps two or three Full Snipe—were home-bred birds. We shot one day on Mousa with Mr. George Bruce, but nine Snipe, two Jacks, and two Water Rails composed our joint bag. Further north, on Bressay and in Lerwick district, we heard, however, of bags of ten anda half couple (W. Weber), and fifteen and a half couple (Captain Furlonger) ; and Captain Furlonger in Fetlar added in all ninety-six to his score in 1892 to date. It wasa bad migration season. Snipe which are constantly talked of as weighing seven and a half to eight ounces, and as “foreign birds,” can hardly prove to be other than Great Snipe. During our stay in Shetland in 1892, some three or four Snipe we shot were of the vusse¢ variety ; and we brought home skins of both varieties : the dark, boldly-marked birds, usually looked upon as home-bred, and the russet, richly vermiculated variety, usually considered to be of foreign origin. JAcK SNIPE (Gallinago gallinula),—A sprinkling in the marshes in 1891, and quite a number in 1892—for a few days only—the earliest seen on 28th September, and two shot next day. But most seen about 6th October to roth: a few remained longer. SANDERLING (Calidris arenaria).—Mr. A. Forrester shot one,—the only one seen,—27th September 1892, on the shore of Quendale Bay. Dunuin (77inga alpina).—Four were seen and two shot on the shore of Loch Hillwill on 6th October 1892 by Mr. A. Forrester ; and three more were seen on Loch Spiggie a day or two after- wards. None were observed in 1891. PURPLE SANDPIPER (Z7inga striata).—Only two observed at Garth Banks in 1891. One only shot by Mr. A. Forrester on 29th September 1892 at same place. REDSHANK (Zo¢anus calidris)—Not observed very commonly in 1891. But many seen along the rocky shores of Quendale Bay on both sides of the sand in 1892—probably all migrants. Bar-TAILED Gopwit (Limosa lapponica).—First identified by loose feathers picked up at Loch Hillwell. Saw several afterwards at Virkie Voe in October 1891, and also at the same place in 1892 ; but not by any means abundant. CurLew (Mumenius aguata).—A flock of about fifteen to twenty persistently frequented the Quendale Links and shore both in r8gt and 1892; always most unapproachable. aS i NY I) 14 SS ez AWN 4, | LWAY j SVQ Megs Qn | j y Yi Sin WEL os TAA WAY i a} g { = ; y CE ~ 4 Wy /ib z = = SS SN ! i N Wh LZ Se! | = BSS SSS ? ) $< 4 > oe SSS —7 1 i/ \ | ee ‘ eB =< @ SEs Figs 1.- 1/f CANUELLA PERPLEXA Jpn, Figs [¥-VJ LONGIPEDIA CORONATA, Claws NOTES ON COPEPODA FROM FIRTH OF FORTH 89 NOTES ON. COPEPODA FROM, THE FIRTH OF BOR TE i-LONGIPEDIA \CORONAFA,: CLAUS; AND A PRELIMINARY DESCRIPTION OF AN APPARENTLY NEW GENUS AND SPECIES. By Tuomas Scott, F.L.S., Naturalist to the Fishery Board for Scotland, and ANDREW SCOTT. PLATE II. Longipedia coronata, Claus, is one of the most beautiful as well as one of the most common of the Copepoda in the British Seas, and has long been familiar to us. It belongs to the Harpactictde, a family not only very extensive, but which also includes many interesting and curious species. As regards distribution, Longzpedia coronata is to be obtained in a great variety of places, and at very various depths ; it usually lives on or near the bottom, and is thus much more frequently obtained in materials collected by means of the dredge than in tow-net gatherings. Its favourite habitat seems to be among the zoophytes and weeds of the littoral and coralline zones. Though many hundreds of specimens have passed through our hands, especially during the last few years, so that its appearance has become familiar to us, we have nevertheless had our suspicions occasionally aroused as to whether there were not really two species mixed up together under the name Longipedia coronata as understood by British Carcin- ologists. On several occasions during the past few years a partial investigation has been made by us for the purpose of ascertaining whether there were really two species or not ; but from want of time, or from some other cause, no satisfactory solution was arrived at. On referring to some of the litera- ture dealing with the Copepoda, it was ascertained that a certain amount of dissatisfaction had been expressed by various authors with the diagnosis of Longzpedia coronata as given in “ Die freilebenden Copepoden” and in the “ British ' This plate will be issued with the July number. go ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Copepoda.” Geisbrecht! in 1882 pointed out some of the doubtful characters in the description of this species in both the works named, but he apparently failed to realise the important significance of the characters he had called in question. In a capital work by Dr. Eugene Canu lately published, entitled “Les Copepodes du Boulonnais,” that author again calls in question the accuracy of the description of Longipedia coronata in these same two monographs, but ascribes the error, in the one case to a young male having been described for an adult, and in the other case to a misunderstanding as to the sexes. The following are Dr. Canu’s remarks: “ Formes jeunes tres fréquentes et peut-étre plus nombreuses dans une méme péche que les adultes; ce que pourrait expliquer les méprises faites par Claus (jeune ¢ décrit pour l’adulte) et Brady (confusion entre les deux sexes ? immatures) et relevées par Geisbrecht.”? Dr. Canu has thus evidently missed the true explanation of the difference between the so called “male” and “female” forms; at least so far as regards the description of Longzpedza in “ British Copepoda.” A short time ago one of the writers of the present remarks (Andrew Scott), while examining a quantity of material dredged in Largo Bay, Firth of Forth, in 1891, observed as usual both forms of Longzpedia coronata—z.e. “males” and “females”; he also observed that some of the “males” carried one ovisac! and one or two of the “ females ” two ovisacs! This discovery naturally led to further inquiry being made, with the result that two distinct species of Copepoda were found to have been mixed up under the one name, the so-called “male” being the true “female” of the Longipedia, while the so-called “ female” was found to be the female of a new and distinct species, for which we have had to provisionally institute a new genus. Both males and females of this new species have now been obtained. A pre- liminary description of the true Longzpedia coronata and of the new species is given below. Full descriptions (with drawings) are being prepared for the Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, to be published during the summer. 1 «Die freilebenden Copepoden der Kieler Fohrde.” 2 << Tes Copepodes du Boulonnais” (1892), p. 146. NOTES ON COPEPODA FROM FIRTH OF FORTH gI LONGIPEDIA, Claus. Longipedia coronata, Claus, Plate II., Figs. 4-6. 1863. Longipedia coronata, Claus, “Die freilebenden Copepoden,” p. 110, t. xiv. 1880. Longipedia coronata, Brady (in part), “Mon. Brit. Copep.,” vol ii. p. 6, Plates XXXIV and XXXV. Female-——Secondary branch of posterior antenne nearly as long as the primary branch, six-jointed, all the joints rather longer than broad. Inner branches of second pair of swimming-feet in both sexes conspicuously elongate, being much longer than the outer branches, or fully two and a half times longer. Fifth pair of feet foliaceous: those of the female consist of a moderately long inner segment, obovate in outline, bearing three setae of moderate length and two very small ones on the outer distal margin, and one long and two short terminal sete ; a long stout and curved seta with a minute hair, arising from its inner aspect and near the proximal end, springs from the inner part of the basal joint; this spine-like seta is distinctly articulated to the basal joint. The rounded posterior dorsal margin of the last abdominal segment bears three spiniform processes, the central one large and easily observed, the lateral ones smaller. The postero-lateral angles of the cephalo-thoracic and abdominal segments acutely angular. Caudal stylets short, slightly divaricate. Length, 1-5 mm. (,4th of an inch). One ovisac. One of the most prominent characters of this species, and one by which it is readily distinguished, is the very long inner branches of the second pair of swimming-feet. Longipedia coronata is common all over the Forth, and especially so off Musselburgh. CANUELLA,' gen. nov., provisional name. LONGIPEDIA, Brady (in part). Anterior antennz less robust and less plumose than those of Longipedia coronata, five-jointed, first and second 1 So named by us in compliment to Dr. Eugéne Canu, author of ‘ Les Copepodes du Boulonnais.”’ 92 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY joints large. Posterior antennz somewhat similar to those of Longipedia, but the secondary branch is shorter, the width of the joints being greater than the length. Mouth organs similar to those of Longifedia. Both branches of each of the first four pairs of swimming-feet of about equal length, and, with the exception of the second pair, somewhat like those of Longipedia ; the first joint of the inner branches of the second pair very short, and armed with a stout conical spine about equal in length to the second joint (Fig. 2). Fifth, in both sexes rudimentary, consisting of a small basal joint, bearing in the female four seta, one of which is rather longer than the others, and densely plumose (Fig. 3). The first and fourth segments of the abdomen without spinous armature. Caudal stylets about equal in length to the two last abdominal segments, and considerably divergent. The animal is more slender than Longipedia coronata, and the postero-lateral angles of the cephalo-thoracic and abdominal segments are rounded (Fig. 1). Ovisacs two, large. One of the most conspicuous differences between Canuella and Longifedia is in the structure of the second pair of swim- ming feet. In Longzpedia the inner branches of the second pair are greatly elongated in both sexes, and form one of the distinctive characters of the genus, the name of which has also reference to this character. In Camnzella, on the other hand, both branches are of about equal length in both male and female, and the fifth feet are rudimentary. Therefore, not- withstanding the number of important points in which the two forms agree, the differences described clearly separate the one from the other ; and, moreover, while Lougipedza has only one, Canuella has two ovisacs. Canuella perplexa, sp. n. (provisional name) Plate II. Figs. I-3. 1880. Longipedia coronata, Brady (fem.), “ Brit. Copep.” vol! ii. p. 6, Plate XXXIV. Figs. 3,9; Plate XXXV=> Pigs Tees: The characters of the genus are applicable to the species, and therefore need not be repeated, this species being the only one known. Length, 1°4 mm. (; th of an inch). Additional Notes—(a) Males and females of a small (?) NOTES ON COPEPODA FROM FIRTH OF FORTH 93 variety of Longzpedia were observed after the above Notes had been prepared. This variety agrees in size and with the detailed figures and description of Longzpedza coronata in Dr. Geisbrecht’s work on the free-living Copepoda of Kiel Fohrde, but differs from the description and figures of the “male” in “ British Copepoda,” and from Longzpedia coronata, partially described and figured in the present Notes, in the following particulars, viz : (1st) In the armature of the first pair of swimming-feet being more slender ; (2nd) in the outer branches of the second pair being proportionally longer. The two first joints of the outer branch are about equal in length to the two first joints of the inner one, and the large spiniform seta on the outer edge of the long third joint of the inner branch has a position nearly intermediate between the two smaller sete on the inner edge; and (3rd) the middle lamellz of the fifth pair of feet in the female are much narrower and more elongate. These differ- ences, so far as we can make out, appear to be constant. For the purpose of provisionally distinguishing this variety, we propose to call it variety mznor. Length of variety, °85 mm. (jth of an inch). On the other hand, the form partially described here as Longzpedia coronata (type) agrees practic- ally in size and in structure with the so-called “ male” of Longipedia described in “British Copepoda” and in “ Die frei- lebenden Copepoden,” while that described here as Canuella perplexa agrees in structure with the so-called “female” of Longipedia in “ British Copepoda.” We have not seen Boeck’s description, and are unable to say which of the forms now referred to agrees with that described by him. (2) In 1867 M. Hesse recorded! a new Copepod (Szza- ristes pagurt) living as a commensal in the same shell with Pagurus (a kind of hermit-crab), and which in some respects agrees with the form described by us here as Canuella perplexa, but differs from it in the following important points. The first abdominal segment in the female is “aussi long que les quatre autres; il est séparé du thorax par un espace assez écarté et arrondi qui facilite les mouvements du corps,” and each of the two ovisacs “forment un ovale trés-allongé et 1 «Ann. Sc. Nat. (Zool.),” 5th series, vol. vii, p. 205, Plate IV. Figs. 11- 25; also of. cit. p. 211. 94 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY sont presque pointus des deux bouts. Ils sont attachés, par leur extrémité supérieure et par un pédicule, au bord inférieur du dernier anneau thoracique, et leur longueur égale celle de abdomen.” There also appear to be important differences in the structure of the mouth appendages and swimming-feet in both sexes. Szaristes is also much longer than our species, being “5 millimetres de long” (? including tail sete). The habitat is quite different, for the Swzarzstes “sont les com- pagnons intimes des Pagures, et c'est avec la plus grande peine qu’on peut les en séparer, non qu'ils soient fixés sur eux comme le sont leurs parasites, mais par leur adresse a se cacher dans l’intérieur, ou en dessous des coquilles que ceux- ci habitent.” In 1884 Dr. Wilh. Miller described' a large Copepod (Longipedina paguri) that he had discovered living with Pagurus bernhardus. This is considered by Dr. Canu to be the same as the Suzarzstes of M. Hesse; it also resembles, even more closely than Swxaristes, the form now described by us. After a careful study of the descriptions and figures of Sunaristes and Longipedina we find that, if both authors are correct, the difference in their descriptions and figures are scarcely reconcilable, and appear to refer to different species ; and further, the difference both in respect of structure and habitat between both of these and the species described by us is apparently so considerable that we prefer for the present to consider the Forth species as distinct from both. Canuella perplexa is, so far as we know, a free-living Copepod, and is not associated in any way whatever, as commensal or parasite, with any other animal. EXPLANATION OF PLATE. Canuella perplexa, gen. et sp. n. Fig. 1 “Adnlitenale : x 46°6 j;) oot of-second palit ~. x E265 io ee LOO Of Hith: pair : x 760 Longipedia coronata, Claus. Fig. 4. Adult female. : ; x 46°6 5 Hac LO@OL Ol sccond pairs = : : ‘ x 84'0 », 6. Foot of fifth pair, female. : : x 190 1 «« Archiv fiir Naturgesch.” Jahrgang 50, Erste Band, p. 19, Plate III. RECORDS OF SCOTTISH PLANTS FOR 1892 95 RECORDS OF SCOTTISH PLANTS FOR 1892, ADDITIONAL TO “TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY,” Ed. 2, 1883. By ARTHUR BENNETT, F.L.S. WHEN these records were first undertaken in 1886, it was thought that when those for 1883 to 1886 were taken up and embodied (1849 records), the others that would have to be placed on record might occasionally tell up to 200 or a little more ; but, contrary to this, the numbers have been 323, 688, 583, 225, 371, 306, and in this present one, about 180. At first it was intended that notes should accompany such species as seemed of interest; but the space occupied has quite forbidden such a wish being carried out, notwith- standing a very patient editor. Perhaps hereafter this may be done. Personally, I should like to see these records carried on until we get a new edition of “Top. Botany.” The number of counties to be filled up with Watson’s “ British types” is now very much reduced, and in the next year or so it may be allowable to make some observations on the census of these, and of some other of the more diffused types. We do not progress much in the records of ascertained higher or lower limits of species in Scotland. This is a subject that should always be kept in mind, if we are to ‘keep ahead of some of our Continental neighbours. The French botanists have been doing good work in this among the Jura Mountains lately ; and the Irish botanists are also doing good work. I have to record one plant on this occasion new to Scot- land, vzz. Orobanche cruenta, Bert. (O. gracilis, Sm.) For some years I have had a specimen of an Ovrobanche, named O. elatior, gathered in 1846, near Oban in Argyllshire; it has been a puzzle to me, until, last autumn, my friend Mr. Miller sent me some very interesting specimens of the genus from the Channel Isles, but too far gone to be able to dissect them. This made me resolve to try and clear up the Argyll specimen, which was certainly not e/atzor. I carefully 96 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY dissected it, and, by comparing it with Reichenbach’s “ Icones ” and the Kew herbarium, made it out to be O. cruenta; and very troublesome they are, when dried, to make out. Other particulars will be found elsewhere in this Journal. The sequence of the counties and the abbreviations are the same as before, vzz. “Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist” =“ Annalsaae Scottish -Natural History,” “J. B.”’=“ Journal of Botany.” Introduced species are marked with 7. It may be that this sign is placed less frequently than it ought to be; but, when general rules fail to guide, local observers must be relied on. 72. DUMFRIES. (Report for 1891. Transfer Hordeum pratense from 72 to 73, Kirkcudbright. ) Tue following additions to the county list are included in the ‘‘Dumfries Flora,’ in the ‘Transactions of the Dumfries and Galloway Natural History Society,’ on the authority of Messrs. Scott-Elliott and J. T. Johnstone, as indicated by the initials after each species. Hypericum dubium, 7, 7: /. Geranium pyrenaicum, 7, Shaw, in “‘ Dumfries Flora.” Euonymus europzeus, 7. 47. Dzxon, in ‘‘ Dumfries Flora.” Vicia Orobus (confirmed), 7. 7. /. Veronica humifusa, 7, 7. 7. Scutellaria minor, J/y. Thomson. Salix stipularis, 7. Z. //. Salix lapponum, 7. 7: //. Cladium Mariscus, .S. £. The two following are inserted as extending records of vertical range :— Cerastium glomeratum, at 2000 feet, 7, Z: J. (1050 feet is Watson’s record). Spergula arvensis, at 700 feet, S. Z. (600 feet is Watson’s record). 74. WIGTOWN. All, except where specified, recorded by Mr. J. M‘Andrew. Hypericum hirsutum, 7 47‘4., in Scott-Elliott’s “ Flora.” Lavatera arborea. Malva rotundifolia. Geranium dissectum, ex. ewbould. Anthriscus vulgaris. RECORDS OF SCOTTISH PLANTS FOR 1892 97 Carex remota. Carex sylvatica. [Ceterach officinarum. Carex pendula. Melica uniflora. There is an earlier record for this, “‘ Near Wigtown, fev. Baillie,” in ‘‘Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin.” 1863, p: 207. 77. LANARK. Hieracium gothicum, /. 7. Johnstone, lc. 79. SELKIRK. (fide Mr. Boyd, ex. Rev. E. S. Marshall), Berberis vulgaris. Prunus Padus. Rosa involuta. Rosa mollis. Rosa sepium, var. Circzea intermedia. Chrysosplenium alternifolium. Cicuta virosa. Symphytum tuberosum. Utricularia “ neglecta ?” Ulmus montana. Orchis latifolia, seg. Habenaria Conopsea. Potamogeton pusillus. Potamogeton Friesii? sf. Potamogeton przlongus, sf. Potamogeton natans. Potamogeton polygonifolius. Potamogeton plantagineus, sf. Sparganium minimum. Sparganium simplex. Carex (chrysites) Céderi Auct. angl., fide Rev. E. S. Marshall. Ranunculus Drouettil. Cardamine flexuosa. Geum intermedium. Rubus Radula. Callitriche stagnalis. Zannichellia palustris, agg. Luzula multiflora. Carex filiformis. 80. ROXBURGH. (Rev. £. S. Marshall.) Utricularia neglecta, sf. 86. STIRLING. (Col. Stirling and R. Kidston.) Ranunculus Lenormandi, s/. Ononis spinosa. Hieracium “pallidum, Smithil, Tausch.” Hieracium duriceps, Hanb., sf. Veronica polita, sf. Neottia Nidus-avis. Convallaria majalis, s/. Juncus Gerardi, sf. 7Sagittaria sagittifolia. Vas Potamogeton pusillus(Berchtoldii, Fieber), sf. Triticum caninum, s/. + Euonymus europzeus. + Melilotus officinalis. } Dipsacus sylvestris. +Centaurea scabiosa. yAcorus Calamus. +Apera Spica-venti. (From record for 1891 delete Glyceria maritima, as on record previously. ) 98 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY $7. PERTH, W: Hieracium Sommerfeltii, Lindeb., Rev. £. S. Marshall in “ Ann. Scot. Natolust.” 18.92; p. 130: 88. PERTH, M. Hieracium prelongum, Lindeb., Dr. 4. B. White. Hieracium angustatum, Lindeb., Dr /. BL. White., ex. Hanbury, i). lame: Hieracium Sommerfeltii, Rev. &. S. Marshall in “ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.” 89. PERTH, E. (All reported by Rev. £. S. Marshall.) Aquilegia vulgaris. Salix “ Smithiana.” Polygala oxyptera. Glyceria plicata, “‘extinct” ? “J. Rubus villicaulis. BY so 8450.2 poe Hieracium flocculosum. Lastrea zemula. go. FORFAR. (All reported by Rev. Z£. S. Marshall, except Lep. neglectum.) Ranunculus Drouettii, sf. Polygala oxyptera. Lepigonum neglectum, Z7az/ in “‘ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.” 1893. Hieracium angustatum, Lindeb., Hanbury, “J. B.”, 1892. Utricularia neglecta, sf. Orchis mascula, at 2900 feet. (Watson’s highest level is 1500 cet) Lastrea spinulosa. gt. KINCARDINE. Oo She eer i Trail in “Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.” 1893, p.53- 92. ABERDEEN, S. Stellaria nemorum, at 3000 feet, Rev. &. S. Marshall. (Watson’s highest record was 1200 feet.) Lepigonum neglectum, Z7az/ in “ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.” 1893, p. 53. Hieracium onosmoides, Fries, Hanbury in “J. B.” 1892, p. 131. Polygonum minus, Z7vaz/ in ‘‘ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.” 1893, p. 53. [Potamogeton perfoliatus, at 2300 feet, in Loch Brotachan, Rev. £. S. Marshall, ‘This is not new to vice-county, but extends the vertical range, Watson’s highest record being 1200 feet. | 93. ABERDEEN, N. Lepigonum neglectum, Z7az/in “ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.” 1893, p. 53. RECORDS OF SCOTTISH PLANTS FOR 18092 99 96. EASTERNESS (E. INVERNESS). [Drosera intermedia should be deleted from 1891 report, as Mr. S. Grieve writes that the station “is just within V.C. 97,” for which it was already on record. | (The two at the head of subjoined list are recorded by A. Somerville, the remainder all by Rev. Z. S. Marshall. Viola canina. Carduus crispus. Carex paniculata. 7 Veronica Buxbaumii. Cochlearia anglica. Myosotis palustris, strigulosa. Lepigonum salinum. Myosotis repens. Rubus plicatus. Atriplex littoralis. Rubus mucronatus. Rumex Hydrolapathum. Rubus villicaulis. Humulus Lupulus. Rubus corylifolius. Betula pubescens. Myriophyllum alterniflorum. Orchis latifolia, seg. CEnanthe crocata. Ruppia rostellata. Lactuca muralis. Zostera nana. Arctium nemorosum. Glyceria plicata. [Vicia sepium at 1700 feet, A. Somerville. No maximum Scottish height is given in “Compendium of Cyb. Britannica.” ] 97. WESTERNESS (W. INVERNESS). Thalictrum maritimum, SS. JZ Macvicar, sp. Ranunculus petiolaris, Z. S. AZarshall. Ranunculus Steveni. S. JZ Macvicar, sp. Callitriche polymorpha, Lonn. ? 7Plantago media, S. IZ, Macvicar, sp. Hieracium holosericeum. Thymus Serpyllum. G. C. Druce in “ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.” + Populus alba. 1892, p. 178. + Populus canescens. 98. ARGYLL. Hieracium Sommerfeltii, Lindeb. | Hieracium angustatum, Lindeb. - Rev. £. S. Marshall. Hieracium submurorum, Lindeb. Vicia hirsuta, P. Lwing, sp. Orobanche cruenta, Bert. (A/iss Harvey, 1846). 99. DUMBARTON. Trientalis europza, Rev. Mr. Somerville, 14th July 1889. 100. CLYDE ISLES, Rubus villicaulis (f M. Rogers), Z. Azng. 100 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 104. EBUDES. Hieracium onosmoides, Fr., W. FR. Linton, ex Hanbury, “J. B.” Voge), p: Los. oss NV. [Vicia hirsuta, delete “‘ Hawing” and substitute Druce in “ Record Club,” 1880, p. 169.] Hieracium prelongum, Lindeb., Druce. rob; Ross, E. [1891 Report. Delete Mzeracium anglicum and substitute /Z. Langwellense, Hanb., fide Marshall in litt. Under Rosa rubiginosa delete AZarshal/ and substitute Druce, “J. B.” Pp. 350. Delete Cerastium tetrandrum, Spergularia marginata, and Veronica Buxbaumit, as already on record. | (Fide Rev. E. S. Marshall, except where specified.) Cochlearia groenlandica, sf. Petasites vulgaris. Cochlearia anglica, sf. Arctium intermedium, £ +Senebiera didyma. Symphytum tuberosum. Lepidium Smithii. Rumex viridis. Polygala eu-vulgaris. Potamogeton pusillus, sf. Cerastium semidecandrum. Potamogeton rufescens, s/. Rubus Radula. Potamogeton nitens, sf. Rubus diversifolius. Potamogeton crispus, s/. Agrimonia Eupatorium. Typha angustifolia. + Pyrus torminalis, sf. Zostera nana, sp. Hieracium flocculosum, 4az/y, Carex filiformis. herb., 7de Hanbury. Aira uliginosa, sf. Hieracium strictum. Glyceria plicata, f sf. Hieracium boreale. Bromus giganteus. Hieracium auratum, Fr. Bromus asper, s/. Hieracium onosmoides, Fr. 107. SUTHERLAND, E. (Last 8 records fide Mr. Henderson.) Cherleria sedoides, M/arshal// in “J. B.” 1888. Scirpus lacustris, Murray’s “‘ Northern Flora.” Carex pauciflora, Graham, as spec. to H. C. Watson. Carex rigida, Marshai/, in “J. B.” 1888. Arabis petrezea. Potentilla alpestris. Silene acaulis. Saussurea alpina. Cerastium alpinum. Azalea procumbens. Stellaria cerastoides. Polystichum Lonchitis. Aww. Scot Nat Hist 1693. i CSoane a aedac / wy a, / FE Batters del R.&R.Clark imp Figs I-[fl PYLAIELLA VARIA fjelin. Fig [VY ECTOCARPUS LANDSBURGII Hare J OCCURRENCE OF PYLAIELLA VARIA IN.SCOTLAND IOI 108. SUTHERLAND, W. Cochlearia groenlandica, L., &. S. Marshall in “ Ann. Scot. Nat. Elst 2502, (hbo 7- (In our old manuals C. grenlandica usually meant the C. alpina of the present day.) 109. CAITHNESS. Hieracium reticulatum, Lindeb., Hanbury, sf. 110. OUTER HEBRIDES. [1891 Report. Delete the following as on record, viz.: Aradis, Orobus, Lysimachia, Polygonum, Listera cordata, Habenaria (2), Potamogeton pusillus, Carex paucifiora, and Pilularia. | (Recorded by W. S. Duncan, sp.) Raphanus maritimus. Juniperus communis. Alchemilla arvensis. Ruppia rostellata. Centunculus minimus. Carex distans, f tik OCCURRENCE (OF PYLAIELIA (VARIA, KJELLMAN, IN SCOTLAND. By E. M. Houtmes, F.L.S. PLATE ITE UNDER this name Kjellman described in 1883, in his “ Algez of the Arctic Sea” (p. 282), a plant which, although very variable in its characters, he considered to be distinct from P. ltoralts, Kjellm. His description of the plant is as follows : “ P. thallo racemoso-ramoso, ramis sub angulo fere recto egredien- tibus duplicis generis, longioribus et brevissimis; his e singulis bis denis cellulis constructis, omnibus, vel saltem nonnullis, vulgo divisione vario modo peracta in zoosporangia vario modo disposita mutatis. Tab. 27, Figs. 1-12. “The alga forms loosely complicated mats of a dark olive-brown, lying free on the bottom or hanging on larger alge. I have not found attached specimens. The frond is repeatedly racemosely 102 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY branched, with distinct main axis, with branches of at least four orders. The branches are of two kinds: long branches with many cells, and short ones with from one to ten cells. The former are few in number, and issue partly alone, partly in pairs opposite to each other. The short branches are numerous; by these the present species is easily recognised from P. “foralis. In long parts of the frond such a branch issues from every cell. They are always isolated, and issue at a right or nearly right angle. The long branches are somewhat attenuated towards the tip, and generally end in some long hair-cells. The short branches are cylindrical or slightly claviform, with an apical cell rich in endochrome, which cell is finally trans- formed into a zoosporangium. “The cells of the frond are usually short, cylindrical, or slightly tun-shaped, equally or even twice as long as thick. ‘The cells which give rise to a long branch are commonly short. If a short branch issues from a cell which is longer than thick, as is often the case, the branch is almost always placed at the middle of the longer wall. The thickness of the principal axis is about 8op. With the exception of the hair-cells, all the cells are rich in granular, equally distributed endochrome. The development of the zoosporangia, and their arrangement thereupon, are subject to very great variations. The zoosporangia are sometimes arranged as in P. /¢oralis. In a modi- fication of this type all the cells, not only the ultimate ones, are transformed into zoosporangia. Sometimes only the apical cell becomes a zoosporangium, and the branch is composed of one or more cells. It also often happens that a greater or less number of cells are divided by longitudinal or oblique walls, and that it is the secondary cells produced by this division that are developed into zoosporangia. In this case the division of the cells and the develop- ment of the zoosporangia sometimes take place in such a manner that the zoosporangia become arranged in whorls.” The above description applies exactly to a seaweed which I detected in a parcel of specimens collected in Cromarty Firth, and forwarded to me last year by Mrs. M. Farquharson of Meigle. It formed dark brown, dense, entangled rope-like tufts, and by reason of the short hori- zontally patent ramuli, it was distinguishable at once from the ordinary forms of Pylazella litoralis, Kjellm., which were present in the same parcel. The latter could easily be spread out naturally in sea water, but with P. varza it was impossible to do so, owing to the felting of the ramuli. The plants were abundantly fruited, having unilocular zoospor- angia: sometimes in a short moniliform series of four or five, formed at the expense of one of the short lateral ramuli, and OCCURRENCE OF PYLA/JELLA VARIA IN SCOTLAND 103 sometimes only the terminal cell was developed into a zoospor- angium. By this fruit it is at once distinguished from Ectocarpus distortus, Harvey, which it so exactly resembles in habit that by the naked eye it would be almost im- possible to say to which species a plant might belong. The occurrence of P. varia on the coast of Scotland is interesting for three reasons : 1. It is one more addition to a numerous series of the alge of Scandinavia that have been detected on the coast of Scotland, in consequence of a definite search for Norwegian species which I started some years since, and which has resulted in the discovery in Scotland of a large number of species new to the British Flora by several algologists, more especially Mr. G. W. Traill of Edinburgh and Mr. E. A. L. Batters. 2. It is one of the forms characteristic of species grow- ing amongst Zostera roots, in water comparatively still and less saline than ordinary sea water. Under such conditions there appears to be a tendency to the horizontal development of shorter branches, as in Ectocarpus distortus, E. Landsburgiz. Sphacelaria cirrhosa, var. patentisstma, Halopteris filicina, f, patens (S. Sertularia, “Phyc. Brit.”), and Laurencita obtusa, Lamx,, f. crucefera, Hauck. 3. It is variously described by different algologists: by some as a species, and by others as a variety. Dr. Kjellman, who first published it as a distinct species, still maintains its specific rank in the “ Handbok i Scandin- aviens Hafsalgflora” (1890), p. 83. Dr. Kuckuck, in an inaugural dissertation entitled “ Beitrage zur Kenntniss einiger Ectocarpus Arten der Kieler Forde,” degrades it to a sub-species; considering that Py/azella litoralts consists of a series of forms (/formenkrezs), modified accord- ing to the circumstances under which it grows. This species he divides as follows: Pylaiella litoralis, Kjellm. Sub-species a, oppositus. f. typeca, Kuck. (£. firmus f. vernales), “ Aresch. Alg. Scand. Exs.” Fasc. 4, No. 173. 104 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY f. subverticillata, “ Kitz. Tab. Phyc.” Bt. 77 anes de f. rupincola, “ Kiitz. Tab: Phye jae FO ie: f. vectangularis. Sub-species , firmus, Kuck. f. typica, “ Wyatt, Alg. Danm.” No. 129. f. subglomerata. f. levida. f. pachycarpa. Sub-species y, divaricatus, Kuck. f. ramellosa “ Kutz. Tab. Phyc.” 5, t. 78. Sub-species 6, varius, Kuck. f, typica, “ Kjellm. Ale. Arct Sea, oe 27. Nes; a-T 2. f. contorta. f. pumela. Kjellman, on the other hand, divides P. /torals into three varieties and several forms, as follows : Var a, opposita, Kjellm. f. rupincola, “ Aresch Alg. Scand. Exs.,” Nic. 123: f. elongata. f. crassiuscula. f. nebulosa. Vass 6, it ma, eo f. olevacea, Kjellm. f. macrocarpa, Fosl. “Nye Hafsalg.” Rit. 2, nes es Ite f. parvula, Kjellm. Var. y, divaricata, Kjellm. f. pretorta, Kjellm. f. egagropila, Kjellm. f. subsalsa, Kjellm. None of these, except f. vupzncola, are identified by Kuckuck with the forms described by him. The limit of a species doubtless forms a very vexed OCCURRENCE OF PYLAIELLA VARIA IN SCOTLAND 105 question ; but it seems desirable, for the sake of convenience, that when two plants differ in habit and mode of growth and development so much as do P. “toralzs and P. varza, and retain their characteristics in different countries, they should be kept distinct, as, for example, is done in the Rudz, Salzces, and AHzeracia, amongst Phanerogams. If Dr. Kuckuck’s plan were followed, there would be little reason for holding Ecfo- carpus distortus and FE. Landsburgi distinct from £. tomen- tosus, Lyngb. The plurilocular fruits borne on specimens of E.. Landsburgii sent me by Mr. D. Robertson of Cumbrae, and those of £. distortus collected by myself at Fairlie in Ayrshire, show so great a resemblance to those of £cfo- carpus tomentosus that I see no reason why they should not both be considered as sub-species of that plant, more especially as the differences in ramification and in the size of the zoo- sporangia are not greater than exist between P. /z¢oralis and P. varia. A careful search on the west coast of Scotland would doubtless reveal an intermediate series of forms con- necting the three plants 4. ‘¢omentosus, E. distortus, and E. Landsburgiz. It may be noted in this relation that Dr. Kjellman identifies the HL. Landsburgiz of Dickie, “Alg. Suth,”, i. p. 142, with Pylatella varia. But it has not been shown that Dickie correctly referred this plant to 4. Landsburgi. Dr. Kjellman says of the gametes of P. varza that they are un- known ; but Dr Kuckuck describes both the unilocular and plurilocular zoosporangia (gametes) of his P. “foralis, f. varia. DESCRIPTION OF PLATE III. Fig. 1. Pylaiella varia, Kjellm., from Cromarty Firth, with unilocular sporangia. : ty The same more highly magnified. With plurilocular sporangia. ww » 4. Ectocarpus Landsburgit from Cumbrae, with pluri- locular sporangia. 106 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY ON SCOTTISH BESMIDIEA By Joun Rov LEAD! IN the following pages an attempt is made to bring the knowledge of “Scottish Desmidiee” up to date, and to indicate their distribution throughout the country. From their very nature, both subjects must necessarily be imperfect. The northern and midland counties have been fairly well examined, some of them very well, but we have almost no information from south of the Firths of Forth and Clyde, except from Renfrew, Bute and Arran, and Kirkcudbright. No attempt has been made to give the distribution of species in altitude. This cause does not appear to exercise any great influence on their distribution, most species seem- ing to be found both at high and low altitudes. A very few species seem to cling to marshes formed by melting snow, where it lies late into the summer and autumn, from 3500 feet upwards. Cosmarium nasutum, Nord., and Staur- astrum Kyellmanzt, Wille, may be cited as typical examples of these. Perhaps the most marked influence in determining the number of species in a district is its geological formation. Granite appears to be the most favourable, limestone less so, and sandstone very poor. Hence the basin of the Dee, in Aberdeen and Kincardine, which is almost wholly granite, has turned out well, one marsh alone yielding about 300 species ; while in Strathmore, on sandstone, it is seldom possible to get more than forty or fifty species in a gather- ing, and usually not nearly so many. Sometimes, however, in these scanty gatherings, a little patience reveals a rarity : e.g. Cosmarium biretum, Breb., var. supernumeraria, Nord., at Keithick, near Cupar Angus; and Cosmarizum subortogonum, Raciborski, at Ballendoch, near Alyth. The direction of the watershed of a country has also something to do with distribution, though probably not so much as was at one time © supposed, and certainly not nearly so much as it has in the case of flowering plants. In Scotland the chief watershed runs from north to south, giving rise to an Atlantic and Germanic slope. Almost the only species known at present ON SCOTTISH DESMIDIEA 107 to be confined to the Atlantic slope are Euastrum divari- catum, Lund., Staurastrum bedentatum, Wittr., St. setegerum, Cleve, and S¢. dzfidum, Ehr.; but a little further investigation may find these over the watershed, as it has found others. It must not be forgotten, however, that the western slope has not been searched with anything like the care bestowed on the eastern. Indeed, it has only been tapped at a few widely separated points: by myself in Sutherland, at Loch Inver ; in Ross, at Poolewe, by Rev. D. Campbell ; in Inver- ness, at Balmacarra, by Mr. Wills ; and by myself in different localities in Skye; in Argyll, in Glen Coe, and about Oban, by Mr. Wm. Archer; in Mull, by Dr. Buchanan White and Mr. G. Ross; between Lochs Lomond.and Long, by Dr. Watson ; near the Kyles of Bute, by Mr. Wm. Anderson ; in Bute. and Arran, by Messrs. J. and J. P» Bisset; near Greenock, by Mr. T. Fisher; and near New Galloway, in Kirkcudbright, by -Mr. M‘Andrew. I have seen and examined gatherings from all these localities, except those made by Mr. Wills and Mr. M‘Andrew. * Mr. Wills examined his gatherings himself, and gave the results to Mr. W. Barwell Turner, Leeds, who kindly sent them to me. Mr. M‘Andrew’s gatherings were sent to Mr. Wm. West, Bradford, who very courteously placed the results, as well as those of numerous gatherings of his own, from various parts of the country, at my disposal. In “Eng. FI.” vol. v. pt. i, Captain Carmichael records five species from Appin, in the north of Argyll, and in Ralf’s “ Brit. Desmid.” Rev. D. Landsborough records four species from Ayrshire; but in both cases the species recorded are quite common all over the country. These few collections, though good in themselves, and exceedingly useful, are quite insufficient as a basis on which to found any reliable generalisations as to the frequency of the occurrence of species on the Atlantic side of the water- shed as compared with the Germanic, or vzce versa. A few rather notable species, which hitherto have proved western in other portions of our islands, have not as yet been detected in Scotland. These are MWicrasterias apiculata, khr., and J. brachyptera, Lund., from Westmoreland ; JZ. furcata, Ag., Docidium nodosum, Bailey, Staurastrum Ophiura, 108 ANNALS ‘OF SCOTTISH NATURAL BISTORY Lund., St. dvaszliense, Nord., forma, Lund., from North Wales, and from Connemara in Ireland; and St verticzllatum, Arch., from Connemara. The entire absence of these species is somewhat remarkable; but no doubt there is a fine field for the future investigator along our whole western slope. In passing, though it does not come directly in my way, I would remark on Sv. drastlense. WLundell’s form does not accord well with Nordstedt’s Brazilian species bearing that name; but it does agree exactly with Sz wmultzcorne, Grunow, issued by Hilse in No. 2165 of Rabenhorst’s “Algen Europas,”-in March~1870. . It seems to miejiien Grunow’s name should be adopted. Perhaps it may be thought that some explanation of the terms expressing the distribution should be given. When the. words “general” or “common” are. used, if iseconme understood that the species has been found in suitable localities in all the counties examined, though not occurring in every gathering, or in every district of a county. “Not common” implies that in many districts the species is awanting, or occurs sparingly. In this case a list of the counties from which it has been seen is given; and if it occurs very sparingly the localities are also added. When ‘rate!’ “very rare,’ etc., occur, it is to be understood thas though the species may occur in more than one county, it may be in only one or two localities, and there very sparingly. Single examples of a species have been occasionally found, which no amount of searching has been able to detect again. Onychonema leve, Nord., is a remarkable instance of this. An unmistakable filament was once found in a gathering from a spot near Aboyne; but though that spot has been searched many times since, the Oxychonema has not been seen again. Agricultural improvements, such as drainage, etc., account for the loss of some species. Several of our most productive localities on Deeside have been lost from this cause. Exception may perhaps be taken to the alphabetical arrangement of species adopted in the following pages. I admit at once that it has nothing to recommend it except convenience. On this ground it was adopted when this work was begun a good many years ago; and now I shrink ON SCOTTISH DESMIDIE 10g from the labour involved in rewriting and rearranging the whole. “Suitable localities” have been spoken of. It may be asked, What are suitable localities? They are of various kinds. Amongst the best are comparatively small perman- ent pools of clear water, a few square feet or yards in extent, with floating Sphagnum round their margins. The Desmids nestle among the Sphagnum leaves, and have to be squeezed out. Such localities often yield large numbers of species. In similar pools MWyriophyllum, Utricularia, Chara, and Nitella will always be worth treating in the same way as Sphagnum. Occasionally the Desmids form small, pale, yellowish-green films on the mud at the bottom of pools, and can be taken up with a little care. It requires a little more care to strip the submerged stems of grasses, etc., between one’s fingers, and to secure the stripped materials; but this process often yields very interesting results. Another very suitable locality is in tufts of moss growing on rocks and stones which are kept constantly moist. Many of our rarest and most beautiful species are found on such spots, from cliffs by the sea to high up on our mountains. And here I must be permitted to enter a protest against a practice among writers on Desmids, more particularly in recent years. I refer to the multiplication of so-called var- ieties. Some species seem to have been specially fixed on for the application of this process. Take the case of Cos- marium Meneghinu, Breb., for instance. This tiny species has been so covered over with these wavs. that it runs a risk of being crushed out of existence altogether. And yet the original form of Brebisson, as figured by Ralfs, and its zygo- spore figured by Mrs. Thomas in the “ Quarterly Microscop- ical Journal,” vol. iii., is surely a distinct enough species. But so, it seems to me, is De Bary’s form, and so are several others. Now, if these forms maintain their individuality, and that they do so is undoubted, I fail to see the utility of crowding them together as varzetics. Why not make species of them at once? The time will no doubt come when species will be largely reduced, but it has not come yet ; neither will it be accelerated by the indiscriminate manu- facture of varieties, and still less by what is worse, varieties 110 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY of varieties! Varieties are founded on slight differences of shape, or size, or of the degree of roughness or smoothness of the particular forms. But it is well known that many species vary greatly in size and roughness. Take the case of Gonatozygon Brebissoniz, De Bary. This varies in surface from perfectly smooth without puncta to rough with gran- ules, depending not a little, I believe, on the water in which it is found, and in size from the tiniest thing to 300m long or more; but it is distinctly G. Avrebzssonz in all these variations. If there are no intermediate forms, I certainly prefer to call the extremes separate species. There is another subject on which a remark may be per- mitted. It is in connection with the attempts—more or less successful, generally less—to divide some of the old genera into new. I confess to having a certain amount of sympathy with this movement, for the genera Staurastrum and Cos- marium are becoming very unwieldy. But however desir- able a rearrangement would be, it seems to me that the present state of our knowledge does not admit of an arrange- ment on a strictly scientific basis being made. Any other would simply add to the confusion already existing. Before a scientific arrangement is possible, the Desmidiez of the whole world must be much better known. Thanks to the few hard workers in this field, this knowledge is rapidly being gained. In this paper I adhere mainly to Ralf’s divisions. I decline to break up Doczdium into Docidium and Pleuro- tenium. In dealing with species when the cells are empty, as they usually are in material sent from other parts of the world, how is the chlorophyll to help one? T7yzploceras is a very natural division; and I do not agree with Wolle in retaining it under Doczdzum. Collections of material for examination are gratefully acknowledged from the following: S/etland, Mr. John Sim, who also sent many valuable gatherings from Aderdeen and Kincardine; Orkney, Mr. Cowan; Cazthness, Mr. James Mitchell ; Ross (West), Rev. D. Campbell; Ross (East), the late Dr. D. M. Fraser ; Ross (from numerous localities about Strathpeffer, the Black Isle, etc.), Mr. and Mrs. Farquharson of Haughton ; /zverness (Glen Urquhart), Dr. A. M‘Gillivray; ZOOLOGICAL NOTES III Inverness (Brin, etc.), Mr. and Mrs. Farquharson ; /uverness (Cairngorm), Mr. A. I. M‘Connochie ; Vazrn, Mr. and Mrs. Farquharson ; Lanff, Rev. Dr. Gregor ; Aberdeen, Dr. Walker, Nar Gey Sim, Mr. Wm. Anderson, Col) (Gio Leith-Hay, Mz: and Mrs. Farquharson, Mr. J. P. Bisset, Mr. Alex. Kemlo, Rev 2... Davidson, Mr.. J.. Roy, juny. Me fi skoy, Ce, Miss H. J. Roy, and Mr. Wm. S. Duncan; Kincardine, Mr. J. P. Bisset, Mr. Alex. Kemlo; Forfar, Rev. Dr. Anderson, Rev. J. Fergusson, Mr. Scott, Mrs. Farquharson of Haughton, and Miss Aglon; Perth, Mrs. Farquharson, Dr. F. B. White, Sir Thos. Moncreiffe, Mr. Wm. Rutherford, Mr. Alex. Croall, Messrs. J. P. and J. Bisset, Mr. Wm. Archer; Axrgyle, Mr. Wm. Archer, Mr. G. Ross, Dr. F. B. White, Mr. Wm. Anderson; /2zfe, Mrs. Farquharson; Stirling, Mr. Alex. Croall ; Dumbarton, Dr. Watson ; Renfrew, Mr. Thos. Fisher ; Bute and Arran, Messrs J. P. and J. Bisset. Besides these I have notes of species found in /uverness by Mr. W. Wills ; Breadalbane, by Mr. H. G. Stewart; in Kzuross, by Mr. G. Lawson ; in Kzrkcudbright, by Mr. M‘Andrew ; and in various parts of Scotland by Mr. W. West, Bradford ; also notes of species found in Lanff, Aberdeen, and Kincardine by Dr. Dickie and Mr. Peter Grant. To Mr. J. P. Bisset my thanks are specially due for most valuable assistance in every part of the work. The drawings are wholly from his facile and accurate pencil. Several matters which it has been found impossible to introduce are reserved for a supplement, including several species not seen by us. Any notes of species, distribution, etc., which may be received while the present portion of the work is being published will also be inserted there. (Zo be continued.) ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. Water Shrew (C7vossopus fodiens) in the Isle of Kerrera.— Having observed under the head of Crossopus fodiens in the “ Fauna of Argyll and the Inner Hebrides” the statement that “as yet all endeavours to trace this species in any of the islands have utterly failed,” it struck me that it might interest you to know that in 1836 1B ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY I picked up, near Gylen Castle, in the Isle of Kerrera, two dead specimens of the above species. ‘They were both males, and in- very good condition, and were within a few yards of one another.— Wm. Borrer, Horsham. Variations in the Field Vole (4rvicola agrestis).—It has been somewhat surprising, considering the untold myriads of Voles that have overrun the sheep pastures for a year or two past, that so few variations in colour have been reported. It is true that one observer stated in a communication to the Highland and Agricultural Society’s “ Transactions” that they were ‘‘of all colours,” but the statement has been entirely uncorroborated, and I am afraid there was exceed- ingly little foundation in fact for the remark. I have not seen any noteworthy aberration amongst those I have seen in peregrinating through their haunts, but the shepherds have reported an occasional pied example. I have, however, a very strong impression that the ‘hill voles” are decidedly of a more smoky tint than those to be found in the lower lands amongst the hedges and plantations. The latter seem to develop a much ruddier colour on the fur along the back, and the general tone of gray seems much brighter than that of.the Voles that have ravaged the upland pastures. A short time ago I received for examination a very fine variety of the Field Vole from Blackaddie. It is not an albino, although the fur, on a cursory examination, seems quite white from nose to tail. On blowing the fur tips aside it is seen that only about one-fifth of the length of each hair is white, the remainder being a very pale brown or fawn, but the fur being so close set it really appears to be all white. The eyes are not pink, as in every albino, but they are much paler than the normal eyes. The whiskers and the hairs on the tail are entirely white. This curious specimen is undoubtedly an example of the variation usually termed ‘‘leucotism.” It would be interesting if we could hear of any specimen of the other striking variations known as ‘‘albinism” and “melanism.”—-ROBERT SERVICE, Max- welltown. [Mr. Wm. Evans presented to the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh, a beautiful pale isabelline variety of this species, which was obtained near Hawick in December 1891.—W. E. C.] The Wild Cat (/e/?s catus) in Caithness.—The local newspapers record the capture of a Wild Cat in the month of January 1893 by a gamekeeper (Andrew Steenson) at Rangay, Forse, in the parish of Latheron. It measured 3 feet 2 inches in length, and is described as being very fat and in good condition.—JoHN Gunn, Edinburgh. Common Dolphin (De/phinus delphis) dredged off Mull.—Mr. Cecil H. Bisshopp of Oban forwarded to me for identification a skull of this species, which had been obtained in Loch Scriden in the middle of November last. ‘This Cetacean is perhaps an addition ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 113 to the fauna of ‘‘ The Isles,” for it is not recorded to have occurred in the “Fauna of Argyll and the Inner Hebrides.”—WILLIam EAGLE CLARKE, Edinburgh. The Ring Ouzel (Zurdus torguatus) in winter in Perthshire.— With regard to the appearance of this bird in winter in Galloway, as mentioned in the last issue of the ‘‘ Annals” by Mr. Robert Service I may state that it is not only “in the mild West of Scotland” that the Ring Ouzel remains the winter, but that it has long been noticed as an occasional resident in the colder East of Scotland, namely, in Perthshire. Mr. P. D. Malloch says ‘‘ that it sometimes remains all the year round in some of its habitats” (“ Report on the Ornith- ology of the East of Scotland,” 1886, H. M. D. H.), and in support of this I would mention that there is a 9 specimen in the museum of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science in Perth, bearing date of 5th February 1882, as shot on the Ochils. This bird was sent in the flesh at the time for preservation to the museum by Mr. James Dow, Balmano.—H. M. Drummonp Hay, Perth. Wheatear (Saxicola enanthe) in the Forth District in January. —On 2nd January, while sitting in a shelter on the south side of Cramond Island, waiting for some duck that were drifting round with the tide, I was surprised to see a Wheatear alight on a stone on the rising ground behind me. It was within easy shot, but, trusting to get a chance later on, I did not fire, and so missed the only opportunity I had of securing it. In summer Cramond Island is a favourite haunt of this bird.—CHARLES CAMPBELL, Dalmeny Park. Bluethroat (Cyanecula) in Moray.—On 15th September 1890, I saw at Hopeman, on the coast near Elgin, a Bluethroat. I followed the bird for some time, and with the aid of a strong telescope identified it beyond a doubt, though it would be impos- sible to say to which of the two forms it belonged.—H. BrINSLEY BROOKE, Forres. Bohemian Waxwing (Amfelis garrulus) in Seotland.—During the months of January and February the Waxwing has occurred in many districts in Britain. ‘The following ‘occurrences have been recorded from Scottish localities so widely separated as Wick and Golspie (Sutherland), Inverewe (West Ross), New Pitsligo (Dee), Carse of Gowrie (Tay), Roxburgh (Tweed), and Mugdoch (Solway). The ‘ Dundee Advertiser” of 9th January records a specimen shot near Errol, in the Carse of Gowrie; and Mr. W. A. Brown, 2 Grosvenor Terrace, Dundee, writes that four more were seen and two shot between Dundee and Errol, shortly after the date of this paragraph. On goth January one was shot near New Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, by Mr. J. Burnett of Glasgow. The “Rod and Gun” of 4th February mentions a specimen received from Mr. George Lawson of Golspie by Messrs. W. A. Mackay and Sons, 6 E 114 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Inverness: the first received by them for ten years. Mr. George E. Paterson, Ravenslea, New Kilpatrick, identified a bird seen on the roadside hedge, eating haws, at Mugdoch on 5th February as a Waxwing. On the 5th of February a female was captured alive at Wick, as we are informed, by Mr. Lewis Dunbar. Mr. Osgood H. Mackenzie of Inverewe, West Ross, writes under date 29th February: ‘‘We have had a Bohemian Waxwing here lately. I have been on the look out for rare birds here for over forty years, but have never before seen a Chatterer.” Dr. Stewart of Chirnside informs us that Mr. Aitchison of Duns has lately received for pre- servation two specimens, one of which was obtained at Roxburgh. Mr. George Sim sends the following records.—On the 2nd of January an immature specimen was shot near New Pitsligo. On 7th January, one, a female, flew into a house in the parish of ‘Tough, and was caught there: its stomach contained some seeds. Another female was killed near Rhynie, on 25th February, and its stomach contained juniper berries. One was picked up dead on the shore near Pennan. Lastly, an immature male was obtained in the Parish of Arbuthnot in Kincardineshire, about the 15th of March. Mr. Fred Box killed a good specimen of this rare visitant, in the neighbourhood of Tongue, on the rith January last; and on the 27th of the same month Mr. G. R. Lawson obtained another in his garden at Golspie. Sparrow and Mouse.—On 3rd February 1893, while walking along the road at the foot of the Calton Hill, opposite; the Gaol, I saw a Sparrow swoop down several times at a Mouse, which was running along a bare part of the hill, a little way up from the wall. The Mouse eventually escaped into a hole.-—WILLIAM LouDon, Edinburgh. Lapland Bunting (Calcarius lapponicus) in Shetland.—By a clerical error this species was described in my “ Autumn Notes” from Shetland, in the last number of the ‘ Annals,” pp. 14 and 15, as a Reed Bunting (Lmberiza scheniclus).—J. A. HARVIE-BRowN, Dunipace. Jaekdaw (Corvus monedula) in Tiree.—The only new bird I have seen this winter was a Jackdaw. It was among a flock of Rooks, and is the first Jackdaw I have seen in Tiree.—PETER ANDERSON, Tiree. Magpie (/ica rustica) in Orkney.—Towards the end of August last the boatman on Loch Kirbister informed us that he had one morning seen a curious black and white bird hopping about the roof of the cottage, which from his description was obviously a Magpie. ‘The Magpie appears to be very rarely seen in Orkney.— A. NoEL SKELTON, Edinburgh. ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 115 Tufted Duck (/iudigula cristata) and Wigeon (MJareca penelope) in Selkirkshire during the breeding season.—Mr. E. S. Marshall’s note in the *‘ Annals” for January last (p. 46) reminds me that on r4th June 1889 I observed six Tufted Ducks (two pairs and two fine males swimming singly) on one of the lochs in the upland district of Selkirkshire between Ettrick and Teviot. Though I did not see a nest (I made in fact no search), there can be little doubt some of the birds had nests among the broad beds of rushes which extend all along one side of the loch; indeed the behaviour of the two single drakes seemed clearly to indicate they had mates sitting in the immediate neighbourhood. The Tufted Duck now breeds so freely throughout the east of Scotland that I have for some years ceased to be struck by its presence on any of our lochs during the nesting season. Beginning at the Borders and proceed- ing north to Aberdeenshire, I could name over twenty lochs on which it has already been ascertained to breed. The species, as is well known, is a late breeder. Particulars of over thirty Scotch nests and young broods are now before me, and show that laying seldom begins before the last week of May, and in many cases not till June is well in. But of much more interest to me than the Tufted Ducks on the occasion above mentioned was the sight of three Wigeons, a male and two females, resting on the glassy surface of the loch. As I approached, they soon began to show signs of uneasiness, and in a minute more were winging their way out of sight. From this loch I walked over a bit of rough and rather spongy moor to a smaller sheet of water a mile or so distant, on which a beautiful male Wigeon in adult summer plumage was swimming all alone. As I drew near, he exhibited considerable anxiety, and when put up flew round the moor in a manner which made me feel sure he had a mate sitting on eggs among the heather. I at once began a diligent search for the nest, but all to no purpose. I may add that I have since been assured that Wigeon have been killed on a loch in the same neighbourhood during the month of August. Though actual proof is still wanting, the facts here stated seem to me to render it highly probable that a few pairs of this interesting duck now breed annually in the south of Scotland.—WILLIAM Evans, Edinburgh. Pintail Dueks (Anas acu/a) in the Forth Distriet.—Mr. James Robertson, Ticket Office Clerk at Larbert Station, caught a male Pintail upon the railway line, about 150 yards from the station, on Friday, 8th December last. He still has the bird alive, and it has become very tame. Another, a female, was shot on the estuary of the Eden, in Fife, by Mr. J. Lonie. It was amongst Wigeon, and the date of its capture was the 6th or 7th December. ‘This species is gradually increasing in numbers—or at all events the records of them are— within recent years upon our Scottish coasts. It certainly 116 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY appears to be one of the Anatidz which is extending its range ; slowly at present, but which may perhaps be expected to do so more rapidly within a few years.—J. A. HarviE-Brown, Dunipace. Gray Plover (Sguatarola helvetica) in Barra.—This is a bird that is now very rare in the Outer Hebrides, and I think therefore its occurrence in Barra is worth recording. About the middle of January 1892, one bird, which was with a flock of Bartailed God- wits, was shot by Mr. Murdoch Macgillivray of Eoligary, the head and feet of which he kept. He had never seen any of the species in Barra before ; and the only one of them I ever saw in the Outer Hebrides was one bird which I saw with a flock of Golden Plover on the Valley Strand in North Uist some nine or ten years ago.— Joun MacRury, Barra. Variety of Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis) in Barra.— Variations in this species are somewhat rare. It may be worth re- cording that I shot one this winter with its wings and tail feathers nearly all white, the rest of the plumage being of the usual colour.— Joun MacRury, Barra. Knot (Z7inga canutus) in Barra.—On the 31st of August 1892 I shot three birds out of a small flock of this species on the big strand at Eoligary in this island. I have never met with any of them in the Outer Hebrides before, although I have been looking out for them. No doubt some of them may visit us now and then, for a few days, on migration, without being noticed, but they certainly do not remain any time. On the 26th January 1893 I saw a flock of about a dozen Knots in the same place where I shot three of the species last autumn, but although I am frequently in the locality I never saw any of them except on these two occasions. My old friend the VAzmbrel has spent another winter with us, as I saw it lately at its usual station quite fresh and lively—JOoHN MacRukry, Barra. Ruff (Jachetes pugnax) in Benbecula.—On the goth October 1892 I saw a Ruff in reeds in a swamp in Benbecula. This is now the third occasion, within the last three or four years, I have seen birds of this species in Benbecula.—JoHN MacRury, Barra. Curlew Sandpiper (777xga subarguata) in Orkney.—I observe it stated in “The Fauna of the Orkney Islands” (page 302) that it was mentioned in ‘‘Rod and Gun” that a specimen of the Curlew Sandpiper (Z7inga subarquata) had been shot at Renniebister, but Mr. Ranken traced it to Mr. Small, the birdstuffer, in Edinburgh, and the latter had told Mr. Ranken it was a Reeve. We had Swanbister and the shooting this year, and towards the end of August one of our ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 117 party shot, out of a small flock of small wading birds, a bird like a miniature Curlew, which on being sent to Mr. Small was pronounced by him to be a Curlew Sandpiper.—A. Nor SKELTon, Edinburgh. The Curlew Sandpiper (77inga subarquata) in summer plumage in the Firth of Forth.—As an autumn migrant the Curlew Sand- piper visits the Forth annually; but in the many flocks which I have examined during the past ten years I could never detect a single adult bird till last September, when I had the satisfaction of seeing two in Aberlady Bay. On the 28th of August I noticed a party of six, and on 3rd September a flock of about 100; and as usual these were all young birds in first plumage. On the 4th (Sunday) I counted 120 in the Bay, eighty of which were feeding together in one group, and among them were the two adults. For nearly half an hour I stood watching them, at times not more than twenty to twenty-five yards off. The two old birds were conspicuous even to the unaided eye, but when viewed through my binocular one was seen to be nearly in full summer plumage, while the other had lost something like half of it. Next morning I was early on the sands, but could find only some fifty or sixty of the birds, and of course the two old ones were not among them. Up to the 11th of the month I daily observed this remainder of the flock feeding about the same spot, but by the following day they too had nearly all gone off ina body. ‘The last seen—two or three with a group of Dunlins— was onthe 16th. Mr. Gray records (“Birds of the West of Scotland”) p. 317) seeing a flock of Curlew Sandpipers at Dunbar on 9th May 1870, some of which would most likely be adult birds on their way to their breeding grounds ; but, with this possible exception, I cannot call to mind a record of the species having been previously noticed in summer plumage on the Scottish coasts. —WILLIAM Evans, Edinburgh. The Protection of the Osprey.—Something more than a rumour has reached us that the Council of the Zoological Society of London has decided}to award its Silver Medal to the protectors of one of our rarest British birds—the Osprey. It will be remembered that the Council presented its medals in 1891 to the families of Edmondston and Scott for the protection of the Great Skua on their respective domains. ‘This well-deserved recognition was the means of doing great good, as it stimulated an increase of vigilance for the bird’s welfare ; and we trust that similar results will accrue to the Ospreys. Occurrence of the Ivory Gull (/agofhi/a eburnea) in Shetland. —In December last I received from my friend Mr. Frank Traill, who was sojourning in the island of Foula, a beautiful specimen, in the flesh, of the Ivory Gull, which had been captured there on the 8th of that month. ‘This Gull was taken in the following curious 118 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY manner. After a gale from the north-west, the bird was observed in the vicinity of the houses. A hooked line, attached to a rod, was baited with fish and placed on the green. The would-be captor had not long to wait. The bird took the bait and endeavoured to fly off, but the rod proved too much for it, and it was easily secured. This specimen is a male in immature plumage, but is not a very young bird, for there are no black spots on the upper and under tail coverts, or on the back; while the chin is only slightly barred with gray, and the dark shaft stripes on the wing-coverts are very obscure. —WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE. Black Guillemot (U7za gryd/e) in black or breeding plumage in winter.—In our books on Ornithology the plumage of this bird is said to be grayish white in the winter, and black with a white patch on the wing in the summer. Considerable numbers of them breed in the rocks on the Barra coast, and during the breeding season they all seem to be in the black plumage; at any rate, I never saw any in the gray, although I carefully watched during the last two or three seasons. The most of the birds leave us in the autumn, but a few remain during the winter. On the 15th of February of this year I saw one bird in the black or full breeding plumage, and a day or two after that I came across three more, all in the same plumage. Two of these were accompanied by companions in the gray plumage, the third being a solitary bird. Now, I think these birds must have retained the dark plumage during the whole winter, as the date is too early for them to have acquired the summer dress completely if they had lost it in the autumn. I notice that Mr. Nicol, a lighthouse-keeper in Shetland, observed in 1888 that the old birds retained the black plumage during the whole year, and that it was only the young birds that were gray in their first winter. I think he is right, but the matter is worthy of further observation.—JoHN MacRury, Barra. The Palmated Newt (J/olge palmipes) in West Ross-shire.—On the 4th of June last we captured several specimens of this Newt in Loch Coire nann Faradh, in the Applecross district. In 1848 Mr. Wolley recorded (“Zoologist,” 1848, p. 2265) this species for the ex- treme north of Sutherland. In 1880 Mr. E. R. Alston wrote (“ Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow,” 1880, p. 149), Commenting thus upon this Sutherlandshire record, ‘“‘We are not aware of this species having been found in any other parts of the North Highlands.” —LionEL W. HinxMaAn and W. EacLe CiarkeE, Edinburgh. The Palmated Newt (J/olge palmipes) in Mid-Perth.—In May last, while staying at Fearnan, on the north side of Loch Tay, I found the Palmated Newt in abundance in a ditch by the road leading to Kenmore under the shelter of Drummond Hill. For many weeks previous to 18th May practically no rain had fallen in the district, and the thick layer of dead leaves which well nigh filled the ditch ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 119 was perfectly dry for the greater part of its depth. On the 2oth, which was a warm, sunny day, some two inches of water stood in a section of the ditch about fifty yards in extent, and in this I counted between sixty and seventy Newts, all of the present species. They were nearly all in pairs, each female being accompanied by a single male with tail invariably curved round towards his head and vibrat- ing rapidly. In other respects they remained quite still, seldom showing any desire to move from the spots on which they rested unless an attempt was made to capture them. ‘Two or three small ones, scarcely half grown, were observed, which struck me as rather odd, looking to the season of the year. Some of the adults I sent home laid eggs shortly afterwards. The Palmated Newt is doubtless common and widely distributed in Scotland, but records bearing on its actual distribution north of the Tweed are extremely meagre, although it is now nearly fifty years since it was first discovered by Wolley in the neighbourhood of Edin- burgh, where it still exists. WILLIAM Evans, Edinburgh. Coleoptera at Loch Awe in June 1892.—During the beginning of June I spent four or five days at the Loch Awe Hotel, and while there worked pretty hard for beetles. On the hill at the back of the hotel I took the following species amongst others: Caradbus arvensis, Pterostichus aethiops and vitreus, Patrobus septentrionis, Phyllopertha horticola (including the black variety), Corymbites tmpressus (2)—one under dead leaves, the other beaten from birch. Corymbites cupreus, tesselatus, quercus, and the var. ochropterus ; Telephorus palustris, figuratus (Scoticus), including a form with the elytra entirely black and the legs, except knees, black. These speci- mens I at first mistook for e/ongafus, and in fact recorded them as such; they belong, however, to Ze/ephorus proper, and not to Rhagonycha, and there can be little doubt they are a variety of figur- atus: they occurred on sweeping coarse grass in a damp place. Otiorhynchus maurus, Gontoctena pallida, Clythra 4-punctata, Megacronus cingulatus, Luperus flavipes, Aphodius lapponum, Coccinella 16-guttata, and Anthophagus testaceus. Crossing the loch and working round home again by the railway bridge I found that beating flowers of the mountain ash, young oaks, poplars, and sallows, produced numbers of beetles, including Zafer nigrinus, Sericosomus brunneus, Rhynchites cupreus and e@neovtrens, Elleschus bipunctatus, Orchestes avellane, Rhamphus flavicornis, Erirhinus tortrix, and pectoralis ; also Coccinella 16-guttata in great numbers. Both the common species of Ahagium were abundant everywhere. On the banks of the river above the loch I found Geodromicus nigritus, and in the pools at and near the top of the hill at the back of the hotel, which pools were full of water beetles, there were Agadus arcticus, congener and nitidus, Hydroporus morto, etc. 120 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY The place is well worth working in fine spring weather. The steep hill facing the south forms a sort of natural sun-trap, and this being almost always damp, is very favourable to the production of beetles, and probably other orders of insects. There were a large number of Tenthredinidz about ; some of these I took, but I have not yet worked out the species—ARTHUR F. CHITTY, Queen’s Gate Gardens, London. The Food of the Sagitta: Additional Note.—In ‘“ Annals of Scottish Natural History,” Part 2, p. 142 (1892), I submitted a few observations on the food of the Sagitta; and, as supplementary to these observations, I desire in the following remarks to record an interesting occurrence recently observed while examining some tow-net material collected between Fidra and the Bass Rock, Firth of Forth. Among this there were as usual a number of Sagitta, large and small. While carefully overhauling the material and taking note of the various organisms present, a peculiar wriggling movement attracted my attention, and on clearing away some things that were obstructing the view, I observed that a comparatively large Sagitta had caught hold of another one about half its size; and it was the wriggling of the smaller one to free itself from the grasp of its big brother that had first attracted my attention. Being anxious to ascertain how the two would get on, I continued watching them, allowing nothing to interrupt me from observing what was taking place, and this is what happened. Shortly after the small Sagitta had been seized by the middle by the larger one, and after it had wriggled a while in its efforts to escape, the two halves became gradually folded together, and the wriggling also gradually ceased ; every second or two a quick movement of the jaws of the large Sagitta was distinctly visible, and all the while the doubled-up body of the victim passed slowly into the mouth and down the gullet of the devourer, and could be seen through its semi-transparent test. In a short time, the head and tail of the captive disappeared together from view within the jaws of the captor. The time occupied from the capture of the small Sagitta till it vanished from sight was a little over five minutes. It would appear from this incident, and from what is stated in a previous note, that the Sagitta is not over fastidious, provided the object is of a convenient size to suit the capacity of its jaws.—THomas Scott, Leith. Damage by the Water Vole (Arvicola amphibia) in Berwiek- shire.—This amphibious animal has come into the pasture-fields at Chirnside and burrowed exactly like a Mole, and is doing much damage. Mr. Cockburn, the forester at Ninewells, has caught twenty-five in the pastures around the mansion-house, and he in- forms me that their burrows are all over the grounds. ‘The river Whitadder is not a quarter of a mile from where it is working. I spoke to a Mole-catcher to-day [13th March 1893], who told me he BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS I2I had caught two in his traps, some distance from water, on Maimes farm last week ; and he said he had never caught any before. Last autumn the artichokes and carrots in my garden were all eaten by some rodent, and I begin to suspect these Water Voles. ‘There can be no doubt that they are spreading to the fields—J. STUART, Chirnside. Niptus hololeucus, Fald., in Caithness.—On the 11th February Mr. Donald Doull sent to the Museum, for identification, several specimens of this beetle, taken in a house at Thurso. So far as I can ascertain, this species has not hitherto been recorded further north than the Moray area, being mentioned for that district by Dr. Sharp in his paper on the Coleoptera of Scotland, ‘‘ Scottish Natural- ist,” vol. iv. (1877-78), p. 322. Its occurrence in the Sutherland area may therefore be of interest.—PERcy HALL GRIMSHAW, Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh. BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS. Orobanche ecruenta, Zerfo/., ‘Rar. it. pl.” Dec., i. 56. = 0. gracilis, Smith, in “ Linnean Trans.,” iv. 672. For some years I have had in my herbarium a specimen of Orobanche named ‘“ O. e/atior” ; the plant, I expect, on which the doubtful record of “Argyll” for O. elatior rests. I merely noted on the sheet “certainly not edatéor” ; and so it has been left, until last autumn my friend Mr. Miller kindly sent me specimens of many gatherings of Orobanche from the Channel Isles. These evidently contained one, or probably two species that had not been reported from these isles, or from Britain proper; hence I was led to ex- amine and dissect all my doubtful Orobanche material, with the result that the Argyll one proved to be O. cruenta. Until regathered it seems best to merely publish this note to call attention to the plant, leaving for a future time a full account of the species, and only giving such helps as will assist in refinding it. It is localised from “near Oban”; and the date of collection is “1845, Miss Harvey.” It grows on Genista tinctoria, Hippocrepis comosa, Lotus cornicu- latus, Lathyrus pratensis, Anthyllts Vulneraria, Ononis arvensis, Fledera Flelix, etc. The occurrence of this species in Scotland may seem somewhat anomalous at first ; but the species of this genus are extremely un- certain in appearing, one year occurring in abundance, the next scarce, and sometimes hardly to be found. O. rubra, Sm. (which Solms-Laubach in Herb. Kew makes a variety of O. efithymum, DC., under the name of var. rudiginosa) is 122 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY equally a plant of Scotland and of the north-west of France (where O. cruenta also occurs), so that too great stress must not be laid on its distribution. O. rubra certainly occurs near Oban, whence came specimens now in Herb. Brit. Museum. O. cruenta belongs to a section of the genus in which there are no other British species ; and it seems to be an exceedingly variable plant on the Continent.—ARTHUR BENNETT. Alehemilla alpina, Z., and A. conjuneta, 4a.—Mr. Druce, in the January number of the ‘ Annals,” quotes Mr. H. Boswell as having produced in his garden A. conjuncta, Bab. from A. alpina, L., from Ben Lawers. My experience of the two plants is by no means the same. _ I have had J, alpina, L. (also from Ben Lawers), for eight years, and A. conjuncta for sixteen years, and in neither case is there the slight- est reversion, one towards the other. A. conjuncta seeds much more freely than a/gina,; but both produce seedlings, which I have watched through to the flowering stage. A. alpina does not bear our dry Surrey climate so well as conjuncta, which grows remarkably well here. A. afvina from Shetland (but kept two years only) also shows no sign of any approach to conjuncta. And in none of the numerous specimens of a/pzza from Scotland, the Faroes, Iceland, or elsewhere, have I seen any real approach to conjuncta, such as would lead one to suppose that the one could be produced from the other. None the less I do not mean to dispute that conjuncta may only be a variety of a/fina; that is another matter.—ARTHUR BENNETT. [My experience with plants of A. al/fina and of A. conjuncta during six years in my garden in Old Aberdeen agrees with Mr. Bennett’s.—J. W. H. TRaiz.] Plants of Glen A’an, Banffshire.—In August 1891, in company with Mr. G. H. Robertson, a few hours were spent in examining the precipices on the south and west sides of the glen which encircles Loch A’an. We had crossed over by the east side of Cairngorm, and found that side poor in plants. The precipices near the head were richer; as also were the shelving rocks down which a stream, fed by the snow on Ben Muic Dhu, falls inte the loch. Arabis petrea, Lamk., occurred on the south side, as did also Cerastium arcticum, Lange, which is probably the C. lattfolium of. “Top. Bot.” C. alpinum occurred on the north side of the glen, on Cairngorm; as did Rhodiola rosea and Saussurea alpina, DC. Trollius europaeus and Cerastium trigynum occurred on the south side ; and towards the head of the glen Cryptogramme crispa, Athy- rium flexile, Phleum alpinum, very rare, and Alopecurus alpinus, also CURRENT LITERATURE 123 scarce. A form of V/olygala serpyllacea with very large leaves occurred in the lower part of the glen, near the level of the lake.— G. CLARIDGE DRUCE. Notes on some Scottish Plants: Ranuneulus petiolaris, J/arsha//, in Easterness.—The above plant I gathered as a curious form of #. -Yammula on the stony margin of Loch Morlich in Glen More, in August 1888. I have sent a specimen to the Rey. E. S. Marshall, who thinks it is to be referred to the above plant. Hieracium Sehmidtii, Zausch, forma, in Elgin.—Mr. Hanbury has thus named a curious hawkweed, gathered by the Findhorn in August 1888. Hieracium tridentatum, /7zes, in Easterness.—This hawkweed was gathered by the Spey side, near Boat of Garten, in 1888, but was omitted from my lists of Easterness plants which have been published heretofore. All the foregoing are, I believe, new county records. —G. CLARIDGE DRUCE. CURRENT LITERATURE. The Titles and Purport of Papers and Notes relating to Scottish Natural His- tory which have appeared during the Quarter—January-March 1893. The Editors desire assistance to enable them to make this Section as complete as possible. Contributions on the lines indicated will be most acceptable and will bear the initials of the Contributor. The Editors will have access to the sources of information undermentioned. ] ZOOLOGY. ALPINE HARE IN THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND. D. A. M. The field, 7th January 1893, p. 15; 21st January 1893, p. 102.— Particulars of introduction about 1847, and its subsequent spread. THE OCCURRENCE OF RiIsso’s DOLPHIN (Grampus griseus) IN THE SHETLAND SEAS. By Professor Sir William Turner, F.R.S. Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin, xi. part il. (1891-92), pp. 192-197.—Four females and two males captured off Hillswick in September 1889. OcCURRENCE OF THE CARRION CROW IN THE ISLAND OF COLL. L. H. Irby. Zoologist (3), xvii. p. 73 (February 1893).—A single bird on the 6th of December 1892. NestinG oF Woopcock. J. J. Armistead. Ze Field, 25th Feb- ruary 1893, p. 296.—Nesting in Dumfriesshire, where they are increasing. Mr. Armistead considers that it is too late to shoot these birds in February. VaRIETY OF Woopcock. J. Whitaker. Zoologist (3), xvii. p. 109 (March 1893).—Shot at Invar, in Scotland, in November last. 124 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY LITTLE GREBE KILLED BY TELEGRAPH-WIRES. Robert Service. Zoologist (3), Xvil. p. 29 (January 1893).—At Maxwelltown, in the first week of December 1892. JoTTincs FRoM My NoTE-Book. By David Robertson, F.LS., E.G.S. Proc. and Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, vol. iii. (N. S.), part lil, (1889-92), pp. 267-271.—Phycis blennioides, Zeugopterus punctatus, Pleurobranchus plumula, P. membranaceus, and Uraster glacialis, are recorded for the Clyde area. ON THE BRITISH SPECIES OF ASTEROLEPIDZ. By R. H. Traquair, M.D:, F.R.S:. £7oc. Roy. Phys. Soc, Edin; saps (1891-92), pp. 283-286.—Bothriolepis leptochirus, 7. sf., de- scribed from specimens obtained from the Upper Old Red Sand- stone of Heads of Ayr, Hugh Miller Collection, Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art. A list of British Asterolepidz is also given, with localities for the Scottish species. List OF SHELLS, ETC., OBSERVED ON THE ARDEER AND IRVINE BEACHES, AYRSHIRE. By John Smith. voc. and Trans. Nat. Aitst. Soc. Glasgow, vol. iil. (N. S.), part li. (1889-92), pp. 243-248.— More than eighty species are recorded. THE RAISED SEA-BOTTOM OF FILLYSIDE,—-RESEARCHES IN 1869-70 and 1888,—by James Bennie, witH LISTS OF THE Mo.uusca,—by Andrew Scott. Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin., xi. part i. (1891-92), pp. 215-237, Plate VIII.—Fifty-six species of Mollusca are recorded. COLEOPTERA AT CRAIGELLACHIE, N.B., SEPTEMBER 1892. A. J. Chitty. xt. Mo. Mag. (2), iv. p. 19 (January 1893).—Twelve species are recorded. COLEOPTERA AT LOCH AWE, JUNE 1892. A. J. Chitty. Zz. Mo. Mag. (2), iv. p. 48 (February 1893).—Ten species are recorded. COLEOPTERA IN ARRAN. T. R. Billups. fomologist, xxvi. p. 54 (February 1893).—A list given of seventy-eight species taken by Mr. A. B. Watson in August and September 1892. COLEOPTERA IN MoraysHIRE. A. J. Chitty. Zz. do. Mag. (2), Iv. pp. 68-71 (March 1893).—Notes taken during the autumn of 1892, on the borders of the Culbin sandhills, about five miles from Forres. A long list of species given, including Balaninus cerasorum, new to Scotland, and Hydnobius punctatissimus, new to the north of Scotland. CoLIAS EDUSA IN ScoTLaNnD. J. A. Mackonochie and Rev. A. B. Watson. xtomologist, xxvi. p. 17 (January 1893).—Male taken and female seen near Wigtown on 22nd September. Speci- men taken at Tarbert, Loch Fyne. Six males (and several more seen) taken at Kilmorie, Arran, and another on the west coast of the island. CURRENT LITERATURE 125 CoLIAS EDUSA IN SCOTLAND. William Cowie. Zt. Rec., iv. p- 40 (February 1893).—One specimen captured at Scotstown Moor, Aberdeenshire, on the 29th August 1892. COLLECTING IN ARRAN. A. B. Watson. L£xtomologist, xxvi. p. 52 (February 1893).— Fifty-five species of Lepidoptera (larvee and imagos) seen or taken in August and September 1892. THE LARVA OF COCCYX NEMORIVAGA, WITH SOME NOTES RELAT- ING TO THE PUPAL STRUCTURE. T. A. Chapman. Zt. Rec., iv. p. 38 (February 1893).—The information is based on specimens obtained in Sutherlandshire in September last. Micro-LEPIDOPTERA IN THE NORTH OF SCOTLAND IN 18Q2. Wm. Reid. £7. Rec. vol. iv. No. 3 (March 1893), pp. 80-85.— A long list of species is given, including Aciptilia tetradactyla, which is probably new to Scotland. HYSTRICHOPSYLLA OBTUSICEPS, RITSEMA, IN SCOTLAND. A. J. Chitty. Zt Mo. Mag. (2), iv. p. 20 (January 1893).—This species, with Typhlopsylla musculi, Dugeés, found on a sick or dying mouse near Forres. ON SOME NEW OR RARE SCOTTISH ENTOoMosTRACA. By Thomas Scott, F.L.S., and Andrew Scott. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 6, vol. xi. pp. 210-215, Plates VII. and VIII. (March 1893).—De- scribes two new genera: (1) Parartotrogus, of which P. Richardi, sf. z., is the type, obtained near Fidra Island, Firth of Forth, and from the “Fluke Hole” off St. Monans; and (2) Moraria, of which M. Anderson- Smithi, sf. 7., is the type, from Loch Morar, Argyllshire [Inverness]. The other records are Lichomolgus concinnus from Granton, and Cyclops Ewarti and Attheyella cryptorum from Loch Morar. A SECOND CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS A CATALOGUE OF THE AMPHIPODA AND ISOPODA OF THE FIRTH OF CLYDE AND WEST OF SCOTLAND. By David Robertson, F.L.S., F.G.S.. Proc. and Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, vol. iii. (N. S.), part ili. (1889-92), pp. 199-223.—Sixty species are added for the district, many of which are new to Scotland, and some recently new to science. A new genus (Pararistias) and a new species (Socarnes erythrophthalmus) are also described. NOTES ON CECROPS LATREILLI, LEACH, AND LAMARGUS MURI- CATUS, Kroyer. By Andrew Scott. roc. and Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, vol. iii. (N. S.), part ili. (1889-92), p. 266.—Both species were found on a specimen of the Short Sunfish, Orthagoriscus mola, which was captured near Inchcolm, in the Firth of Forth, on roth October 1890. Nores ON RHINCALANUS GIGAS, BRADY, AND ECTINOSOMA ATLANTICUM, BRADY AND RoBERTSON. By Thomas Scott, F.L.S. Proc. and Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, vol. iii. (N. S.), part iil. 126 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY (1889-92), pp. 264 and 265.—The first-mentioned species was taken at Orkney in 1889, and near Montrose in 1890. List OF FORAMINIFERA DREDGED IN PORTREE Bay, ISLAND OF Skye. By David Robertson, F.LS., F.G.S. Proc. and Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow, vol. ii. (N. S.), part ii. (1889-1892), pp. 239-242.—-Over 100 species are recorded. BOTANY. Our Enpemic List. By William H. Beeby. /ourn. Bot., March.—Discusses the claims to be considered endemic of several of the plants noted as such in the second edition of /sland Life, by A. R. Wallace, and indicates a different conclusion in the case of some, and grave doubts as to others. First RrEcoRDS oF BRITISH FLOWERING -PLANTS (continued). By William A. Clarke, F.L.S. Journ. Bot., March.—The only Scottish records in this part are Saxifraga rivularis, L., “on Ben Nevis, Dr. Townson, in 1800”; S. cernua, L., 1794, “amongst the rocks on the summit of Ben Lawers, James Dickson”; Lpzlobéum anagaliidifolium, Lam., 1856, “lofty mountains of Scotland, Morne and Lochnagar, etc., Babington”; £. alpinum, L., 1777, “‘on Ben Lomond, about two-thirds of the way up, Lightfoot.” ENGLISH BOTANY, SUPPLEMENT TO THIRD EDITION. Part III. By N. E. Brown.—This part brings the supplement to the end of Dipsacacezee. The completion of the supplement has been under- taken by Arthur Bennett, F.L.S., whose name guarantees the value of the work. NEw AND RARE FINDS IN 1891. By George F. Scott-Elliott, B.Sc. Zrans. D. and G. N. H. and A. Soc., 1893.—Enumerates a good many species from Dumfriesshire, several being noted as introduced. NOTES ON SOME SCOTCH PLANTS, ESPECIALLY WITH RELATION TO DUMFRIESSHIRE AND GALLOWAY, AND THEIR RELATION TO NaTIvE Species. By Arthur Bennett, F.L.S. 7Zzans. D. and G. N. H. and A. Soc., 1893.—This is a valuable analysis of the probabilities of occurrence in S.W. Scotland of several plants. NOTES ON A HERBARIUM COLLECTED BY Miss E. G. ADAMS AND Miss S. D. JOHNSTON aT COWHILL. By G. F. Scott-Elliott. . Zrans. D. and G. N. Hf. and A. Soe., 1893.—The collection includes about 300 species, of which five are recorded as new to Dumfries- shire, viz. Papaver Argemone, Primula elatior, Jacq., Euphorbia amygdaloides, Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus, and Galanthus nivalis, the two last naturalised fully. Mr. Scott-Elliott has since informed us that the Primula and Luphorbia are undoubtedly only intro- duced plants. CURRENT LITERATURE 127 NOTES ON THE FLORA OF MorrFaT DISTRICT FOR 1891. By John T. Johnstone. Zzans. D. and G. N. H.. and A. Soc., 1893. —Includes four species confirmed for the district and numerous local species, many being new to Dumfriesshire. A CONTRIBUTION TO THE CRYPTOGAMIC BOTANY OF THE MOFFAT Disterm by James M*Andrew.. 7vams. 2s and -G.) JV. Ff: and A. Soc., 1893.—Refers chiefly to Mosses and Hepatic, and to some Lichens. FLORA OF DUMFRIESSHIRE AND DuMFRIES District. Part II. From Reseda luteola to end of Rhamnacee. Edited by G. F. Scott- Elliott, assisted by various botanists and entomologists. Zrauns. D. and G. IV. H. and A. Soc., 1893.—In this are included, in addition to the localities for the several species, a record of the insects observed visiting the flowers in the district. An Essay aT A Key TO BritisH Rugi. By Rev. W. Moyle Rogers, F.L.S. Is concluded in /ourn. Got., February, and a full index is given to all the numerous names.—No forms are referred to as Scottish in the two last instalments. RUBUS AMMOBIUS, FocKE, IN East Ross. By Edward S. Marshall. Journ. Bot., March.—A few bushes on shingle by the Carron river. FURTHER NOTES ON HIERACIA NEW TO Britain. By Frederick J. Hanbury, F.L.S. Concluded /ourn. Bot., January.—Two doubt ful forms from Scotland are described, but not named. AJUGA PYRAMIDALIS IN SCOTLAND. By Arthur Bennett, F.L.S. Journ. Bot., ¥ebruary.—Discusses localities and effects of cultivation. “The Old,” in Caithness, is surely a misprint for ‘‘ The Ord.” ALISMA RANUNCULOIDES, VAR. ZOSTERIFOLIUM, FRIES, IN BRITAIN. By Rev. E. S. Marshall, M.A., F.L.S. /ourn. Bot., February. Found in small pits near Beauly, East Inverness. The form is described and full synonymy given. New BritisH Funct. By M. C. Cooke. Grevillea, March.— This paper includes and describes, among others, two species from Scotland, viz. Geopyxis mazalis, Fries, ‘on the ground, Scotland,” and WVeottiella ovilla, Peck, var. flavodisca, Cooke and Massee, “‘on the ground, among moss, Ben Lawers, 2500 feet.” ALGoLocicaAL Notes. By T. H. Buffham, A.L.S. Gvevillea March.—In this paper, and in the accompanying plate, are de scribed and figured the plurilocular sporangia of Chorda Filum, Giffordia Padine, sp. n., conjugation of zoogametes in Cladophora /anosa, and antheridia and spores of Prasiola stipitata. 128 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY REVIEWS. On THE FossiIL FISH REMAINS OF THE COAL MEASURES OF THE BritTisH Istanps. Part I. Pleuracanthide. By James W. Davis, F.G.S., F.L.S., etc. Zyans. Roy. Dublin: Soc., ser. i. volo iv pp. 703-748, Plates LXV.-LXXIII. This ambitious memoir, consisting of forty-six quarto pages and nine plates, need only occupy us so far as the author’s references to Scottish specimens are concerned ; such matters as the remarkable conception of Selachian anatomy involved in the “restoration” of the top of the head of Pleuracanthus being safely left to other periodicals. Mr. Davis enumerates the following species of Pleu7- acanthus as occurring in Scottish Upper Carboniferous rocks : Pleuracanthus levissimus, Ag.—Shettlestone, near Glasgow. alatus, Davis—Stonehouse,. Newarthill. cylindricus, Ag.—Quarter, Hamilton. Thomsoni, n. sp., Davis—Quarter, Kilmarnock. Woodward, n. sp., Davis—Cowdenfoot, Dalkeith. Taylori (Stock)—Airdrie. We may refrain in the meanwhile from expressing any opinion upon the validity of several of Mr. Davis’s new species, but we did not expect the rehabilitation of Stock’s Zay/orz, which we had con- sidered long ago safely relegated to the synonymy of 7. cylindricus, Ag. Mr. Davis seeks to identify two Scottish Lower Carboniferous spines with species occurring in the true Coal Measures; main- taining that 7. elegans, Traq., from the Loanhead Ironstone, is identical with the young stage of P/. /evissimus, Ag. ; while he also identifies a small spine from the ‘ Better-bed” Coal, Clifton, York- shire, with PZ. horridulus, ‘Traq., from the same bed as PV. elegans, It certainly seems to us that Mr. Davis is not yet sufficiently acquainted with the characters of these Scottish spines, else he would not have committed himself to any such identifications. Reference is made at the close of the paper to another Scottish Lower Carboniferous spine—Azodontacanthus fastigiatus, Dayis—in the following terms: “A single specimen, described as a third species [of Anodontacanthus|, A. fastigiatus, from the Blackband Iron- stone at Loanhead, is considered by Dr. Traquair, who has other specimens, to belong to another genus, and awaits his further decision.” Dr. Traquair has, however, so far back as five years ago (Geol. Mag. 1888, p. ror), expressed his opinion that the “species fastzgiazus falls into Pleuracanthus, as that genus at present stands.” A FauNA OF LAKELAND. £rvatum.—lIn our review of this book in the January Annals, p. 61, by an oversight it was stated that the Spotted Eagle and the Frigate Petrel were both washed up on Walney Island in the year 1875. We should have said that the Petrel was thus obtained in 1891. The Annals of Scottish Natural History No. 7] 1893 : [JULY BELFORT ON THE PLAGUE OF FIELD-VOLES IN SCOTLAND. [IT is desirable that the official report on an event so interesting from a natural history standpoint, though so disastrous in its agricultural aspects, as a Plague of Field- voles in Scotland, should find a permanent record in the “Annals of Scottish Natural History.” This irruption, so to speak, of vole life was of such magnitude, and so far- reaching in its devastations, that it was deemed necessary by the Board of Agriculture to appoint a Departmental Com- mittee to inquire into its causes; to cope, if possible, with its results; and to suggest means for the prevention of its recurrence. It was not to be expected, from the very nature of the inquiry, that much, if any, new light would be thrown upon the life-history of this vole; but a mass of interesting inform- ation is afforded by the report, bearing upon the extent and probable origin of the plague, and on other matters con- nected therewith. We reproduce the report of the Commission, omitting such portions as do not bear upon the present outbreak, and such as relate to matters which are purely agricultural in their aspects.—EDs. | 7 B 130 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY To the President of the Board of Agriculture. SiIrR—-The Committee appointed on 28th May 1892 to inquire into and report upon the circumstances attending the plague of voles in some of the southern counties of Scotland, and to ascertain, either experimentally or otherwise as they might determine, whether any, and, if so, what pre- ventive and remedial measures could be adopted, having conducted their inquiry to certain conclusions, beg to submit to your Board the following Report. Before proceeding to the infected district your Com- mittee received evidence from Major Craigie, Director of the Intelligence Department of your Board, who stated that the attention of his office had not been, called to the existence of the plague of voles until the winter 1891-92, when it had been in existence for a considerable time. He laid before us the reports of two of the local inspectors of your Board, Mr. R. F. Dudgeon and Mr. J. I. Davidson, who, early in 1892, had been directed to inquire into the extent of the outbreak in the counties affected. Your Committee also re- ceived through the Office of Woods and Forests copies of correspondence relating to former outbreaks of the kind in England, and through the Foreign Office information of similar plagues in other European countries. 7 Hereafter, your Committee proceeded to the infested district and received evidence from farmers, shepherds, land- agents, gamekeepers, naturalists, and others at Howpasley on 20th June, at Hawick on 21st June, at Moffat on 22nd June, and at Thornhill on 23rd June. They also inspected the farm of Howpasley, about 12 miles from Hawick, which was said to have suffered as severely as any from the ravages of voles. NATURE AND ORIGIN OF THE PLAGUE. The animal which by excessive multiplication has caused so much mischief on hill farms in the southern uplands of Scotland is the short-tailed field-vole (Arvzcola agrestis). Of this vole an excellent and exhaustive account was con- tributed to the “ Proceedings of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club,” in 1878, by the late Sir Walter Elliot, F.R.S. ... REPORT ON PLAGUE OF FIELD-VOLES IN SCOTLAND 431 This field-vole is at all seasons a well-known inhabitant of our pastures, and may be found at all heights from the sea-level to near the summits of our highest hills. The chairman of your Committee saw one in the autumn of 1891 at a height of 2000 feet on Ben Ejibhinn, in Strath Ossian. The attention of farmers and shepherds is only attracted to it when circumstances have combined to cause an abnormal increase in its numbers. One shepherd stated that when as a boy he used to find a nest of voles he would “hap” (protect) it, because it was thought rare. The field-vole usually produces three or four litters a year, each consisting of from four to eight young, but in some ‘seasons they are even more prolific,the breeding season is prolonged, young voles being observed from February to November, and the litter containing as many as ten young. Mr. Service of Maxwelltown, a local naturalist and careful observer, mentioned in his evidence that he had observed females simultaneously suckling young and in a pregnant state. The present outbreak may be traced back to the year 1888, when the voles were observed to be increasing on the farm of Glenkerry and others in Selkirkshire. In the summer of 1889 the low-lying pastures near Closeburn, in Dumfriesshire, were observed to be infested by enormous numbers of voles, which remained there during 1890, and disappeared in 1891, probably moving up to the hill pastures, where at the time of your Committee’s visit they were swarming. On some of the hill farms this excessive increase was ob- served as early as the autumn of 1890; elsewhere, however, they attracted no attention till the spring of 1891. The districts principally affected are the hill pastures in the north-west of Roxburghshire, the south of the counties of Selkirk, Peebles, and Lanark, and the northern part of Dumfries from Eskdalemuir by Moffat to Thornhill. The voles have also appeared in great numbers in the parishes of Dalry and Carsphairn, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. Your local inspector, Mr. R. IF. Dudgeon, has already in- formed you that at the date of his report he estimated that in Roxburghshire 30,000 to 40,000 acres had been affected, 132 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY of which he considered 12,000 to 15,000 acres had been rendered useless ; in Dumfriesshire 40,000 to 50,000 acres, and in the Stewartry of Kircudbright 10,000 to 12,000 acres were described by him as infested by voles. Your Committee received no estimate of the area affected in the counties of Selkirk, Peebles, and Lanark, nor had they the means of verifying Mr. Dudgeon’s calculation in respect to the other counties affected ; but a reference to the map accompanying this Report will show that an area not less than 60 miles in length, and from 12 to 20 miles in breadth, has been overrun. CAUSES OF THE OUTBREAK. The rapid increase in the number of voles to the dimen- sions of a plague was attributed by all the witnesses examined to one of two causes, or to a combination of both. The first of these consists in the character of the seasons. Mr. Service called attention to the occurrence of a series of dry springs in 1890, 1891, and 1892, adducing figures to show that the rainfall in these seasons was very much below the average, and therefore favourable, in his opinion, to the breeding of small mammals. The autumn of 1890 was unusually wet, producing great luxuriance of grass on the hill pastures, which afforded abundant shelter for the voles. The winter which followed, though very severe in England, was a mild one in Scotland. It will be observed that Sir Walter Elliot has traced the cause of the outbreak of voles which took place in 1876 to the unusual mildness of the four or five winters pre- ceding that year. The second cause assigned by witnesses is the destruc- tion of hawks, buzzards, owls, stoats, and weazels by persons interested in the preservation of game. Major Craigie had previously stated to your Board that “a preponderance of opinion amongst farmers is reported, tracing the cause of the present outbreak to the scarcity of owls, kestrels, hawks, weasels, and other vermin.” Of the prevalence of this opinion your Committee were made fully aware, nearly every witness who was examined giving it as his belief that the outbreak was due to the destruction of the “natural enemies” of the REPORT ON PLAGUE OF FIELD-VOLES IN SCOTLAND 133 voles. A similar view was expressed by the witnesses before the committee of the “ Teviotdale Farmers’ Club” appointed to inquire into the cause of the outbreak in 1876; but Sir Walter Elliot states that much weight was not attached to this “popular opinion . . . because no more hawks, owls, weasels, etc., had been destroyed than usual.” They had in fact (to use Sir Walter Elliot’s own words) “been well nigh extirpated long before the outbreak took place.” EFFECT UPON THE PASTURE. Of the damage done to the hill pastures your Committee had ocular demonstration during their visit to Howpasley farm (3000 acres), and nothing short of personal inspection could have given them an adequate idea of the extent of the mischief. The voles had shown themselves there first in what is called the “bog” land, ze. strong marshy land either grazed or cut for hay. Having devoured the grass there, they spread to the “bent,” “lea,” or dry hill pasture, and to the heather, which they destroyed as effectually as they had done the grass. The stem of the grass is eaten close to the ground where it is white and tender, leaving the blade above withered and useless. Plantations are sometimes attacked, the young trees being peeled and killed, but this has not been the case so much during the present outbreak as in former years. The arable land, so far, has not been much affected ; but there is no doubt from the experience of Mr. Oliver, who had three acres of corn damaged by them, that, if unchecked, they might swarm upon the cultivated ground with disastrous effect. Indeed, your Committee have information to the effect that in some districts they have recently appeared in numbers in the harvest-fields. In walking across the hill your Committee saw numbers of voles darting about in every direction, and caught several for examination. ‘The grass, which, at the end of June, should have been in full flush of verdure, was lying in withered wisps over a large extent of the farm, and the heather, which is valuable for winter feeding of the stock, had suffered to a similar extent. 134 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY EFFECT ON THE STOCK. Numerous witnesses spoke to the injury to stock owing to the damaged pasture. This injury was twofold, consisting first in the low condition to which the ewes were reduced, at and after lambing, from insufficiency of food, and the consequent increase of death-rate among them, and secondly, in a diminution in the crop of lambs, and deterioration in their quality. Admitting the serious injury done to the pasture by voles, to which your Committee can testify from personal inspection, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the sheep dependent on that pasture must have suffered to a considerable extent. To quote Sir Walter Elliot’s words, “The importance of these early grasses to flocks emaciated by previous scanty fare, at a time when the ewes, gravid with young, require more than ordinary nourishment to enable them to rear their lambs, explains how disastrous any diminution in their still scanty food might prove, whether from severity of weather, or other unusual cause, such as the swarming of voles.” But it is not easy to estimate the extent to which the death-rate of the ewes was increased, or the crop of lambs diminished as the direct result of scarcity of pasture caused by the voles. REMEDIES. No concerted or systematic attempts to stamp out the plague in its earlier stages seems to have been undertaken by the farmers of the district affected, and this is the more remarkable because some of them, at all events, had the bitter experience of the outbreak in 1875-76 to warn them of the serious results of allowing the voles to get ahead. Isolated efforts were made by some tenants to rid their land of voles by burning the grass and heather, by killing them with men and dogs, by turning out cats, and by poison ; but the effect of such piecemeal endeavours seems to have been well nigh inappreciable. Your Committee are not prepared to declare that landowners and farmers could have arrested the plague, REPORT ON PLAGUE OF FIELD-VOLES IN SCOTLAND 135 but they hold a very strong opinion that the best chance of averting its disastrous effects would have been for all interested in the ownership and occupation of land to have combined for the destruction of the voles when they were first observed to increase. Burning bog-land, bent, and heather, seems to be effective in driving the voles off the portions burnt. Mr. Carthew Yorstoun, Commissioner on the Duke of Buccleuch’s Lang- hoim estate, stated that he had written to every tenant of a hill farm in 1892, asking if an extension of the time for burning would be an advantage. Three-fourths of those written to replied in the affirmative, and received permission to burn from 14th April (the usual limit) to 28th. The remaining fourth said they had already burned as much as the ground would stand. It is not profitable to burn all the rough pasture on a farm, as the sheep depend on it for sustenance when snow is on the ground. Poison has been tried with partial success. Samples of grain treated with strychnine, and coloured red to prevent mistakes, were supplied from Germany and submitted. It is stated that good results were obtained with this in limited areas; for instance, the tenant of Middlegill, near Moffat, holding a farm of 3000 acres, applied this poison to a meadow of I0 acres, and thereby partly destroyed the voles. Sir Walter Elliot quotes a letter from Sir Robert Menzies, who describes how he got rid of the voles which infested 140 acres of Scots fir plantation, by laying down half a ton of half-inch drain-pipes, in each of which was placed a tea- spoonful of oatmeal mixed with phosphorus. But for obvious reasons, the application of poisoned grain over hill farms extending to many thousands of acres, even if practic- able, would be attended with much risk to other forms of life. Pitfalls, ze. holes cut in the ground with precipitous sides, are equally out of the question when a large tract of country has to be dealt with. But they have proved effectual when plantations of limited extent have been attacked. The forester at Branxholm within a week exterminated the voles infesting a plantation of six acres, by digging pits 12 136 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY inches wide at the mouth, 15 inches wide at the bottom, and 18 inches deep. These were placed at a distance of from 12 to 20 feet apart. On the other hand the head-keeper at Drumlanrig said that pitfalls had been tried without much success in the extensive plantations at that place. As a remedy on sheep-farms, pitfalls were graphically appraised thus by Mr. Whittle: “How many holes... would it take to cover my farm of 7600 acres, and what would be the cost ?” The same objection—namely, the nature and extent of the ground affected—applies to the proposal of other expedients which have been resorted to in various parts of the Continent, viz. passing a heavy roller over the eround, trampling it with cavalry, inundating it, injecting water, steam, or noxious fumes into the runs. All of these may be dismissed as wholly impracticable. Large numbers of voles were destroyed on some farms by men and dogs. The vole is extremely rapid in its movements and difficult to hit with a stick. A more effective weapon is a wooden implement shaped like a small spade. The tenant of West Buccleuch, in Selkirkshire, killed by this means 13,000 in three months on 3000 acres; the tenant of Glenkerry (3000 acres) employed a man who killed 15,000 in one month, or about 450 per diem. The tenant of Langshawburn hired a man with 12 terriers, who killed from 400 to 600 a day on 4260 acres. In addition he turned out 100 cats, and by the end of June 1892 reported that there was not one vole for every 100 that there had been on his ground. There can be little doubt that simultaneous and com- bined action of this sort on the part of owners and occupiers, aided by timely and judicious burning zz the carler stages of the outbreak, is the most effective method of staying the ravages of the plague. Unfortunately, not only have these exertions been hitherto isolated and intermittent, but they have been delayed until the voles were swarming over a considerable extent of ground. REPORT ON PLAGUE OF FIELD-VOLES IN SCOTLAND 137 NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE VOLE. No phenomenon in connection with the present plague of field-voles in Scotland has been more marked than the presence of large numbers of the short-eared owl (Otus brachyotus). This bird, which is distributed over almost every part of the globe, is a normal winter migrant to these islands, appearing simultaneously with the woodcock (whence it is popularly known as the “ woodcock owl”) and usually departing in spring. Nests in ordinary seasons are of com- paratively rare occurrence in Great Britain, but in consequence of the vast multiplication of their favourite food, the vole, these owls have not only arrived in unusual numbers, but have remained and bred freely all over the district affected, laying from 8 to 13 eggs (though Professor Newton in his edition of Yarrell’s “ British Birds” mentions seven as an unusual number) and rearing more than one brood. The shepherd on Crooked-stone, near Crauford, has counted 14 nests on his ground. The small wood behind the farm- steading of Howpasly presented a remarkable appearance, the ground being densely covered with the “pellets” or “castings” of owls, composed of the fur and bones of voles. Living specimens of both old and young short-eared owls were produced for the inspection of your Committee at Howpasly. The short-eared owl differs from most other owls in that he hunts in daylight, and his operations can be observed ; but there is no doubt that the nocturnal species are equally useful to the farmer in destroying small rodents, and it would be difficult to condemn too severely the foolish and cruel action of those who allow or encourage the destruction of this useful and beautiful family of birds. It is with much satisfaction that your Committee record that many land- owners and game preservers seem to have become convinced in late years that owls of all sorts are not only harmless to game, but most beneficial to agriculturists, and have issued orders for the preservation of these birds. Next, and hardly second in merit, as a check upon voles and mice, comes the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), and it is to be deplored that popular ignorance as to its food and habits 138 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY is even greater than that which prevails in regard to owls. This bird, although possessing the long wings and dark eyes characteristic of a true falcon, is known to gamekeepers as a hawk—wnoscztur a socizs—its death warrant is a standing order in most preserves, though here again there has been some improvement, and the destruction of the kestrel is forbidden on some estates. The food of this bird is known to consist almost exclusively of mice, grasshoppers, coleop- terous insects, and their larve; but the sort of evidence on which it is condemned may be gathered from the following answers made by a gamekeeper to questions put by your Committee :— Q. Why did you kill the kestrel ?—Well, it was an enemy of the game, of course, and that is why I killed it. Q. How long have you been a gamekeeper ?—Six’ or seven years. Q. How often have you seen a kestrel take game ?— Many a time. Q. What kind of game ?—Young pheasants. Q. Had you many young pheasants at West Buccleuch? —No. Q. Then why did you kill the kestrel >—Because they will kill young grouse. Q. Did you ever see them take young grouse >—No. Q. Did anybody of your acquaintance ever see them take young grouse ?>—No, but I have heard of their taking young grouse. Q. Would you believe a man if he said that he saw a kestrel taking young grouse ?>—Yes, if he said it I would. Q. Any man ?—Yes, if he was not drunk. It is true that one witness,.a tenant of shootings, stated his belief that the kestrel is a “deadly enemy of game” ; that one of this species took 70 young pheasants from the coops, and was shot one evening in the act of carrying off a young pheasant. But he was not speaking from observation, but from the report of his keeper, and there is little doubt that REPORT ON PLAGUE OF FIELD-VOLES IN SCOTLAND 139 kestrels are often attracted to pheasant-coops by the presence of rats and mice drawn thither by the food prepared for the young birds. Against this may be set the evidence of the head-keeper at Drumlanrig (where kestrels are preserved by order of the Duke of Buccleuch), who said that in his experience of over thirty years he thought he could remember twice seeing a kestrel taking a young pheasant. It will, your Committee feel convinced, be a very cratifying result of the present inquiry if it tends to persuade persons interested in game-preserving that the kestrel preys not so much on game as on the vermin of the farm. It may be observed in connection with this question of the kestrel’s habits, that it is rare to find people able to distinguish between one kind of hawk and another. Few of the witnesses before your Committee were able to describe hawks otherwise than as red, blue, brown, or yellow, and it was often impossible to make out what species they intended toindicate. Itis one of the peculiarities of the Halconzde@ that their plumage varies according to age and sex. In the southern counties of Scotland the sparrow-hawk (which does not prey on mice) is generally known as the “blue hawk,” and the kestrel as the “brown” or “red” hawk. But an immature male sparrow-hawk has reddish-brown plumage, and an adult male kestrel has a bluish-gray head and back. Several witnesses deponed to an increase in hawks “ since the mice came,” but were unable to identify the species. No doubt they were kestrels, for other species of hawks do not commonly prey on mice, and your Committee, in driving back from Howpasly, observed five kestrels together hovering over the vole-haunted ground. ... Buzzards probably destroy large numbers of voles and mice, and are too heavy on the wing to do much injury to winged game; but they have become very scarce in southern Scotland owing to their destruction by gamekeepers. Ravens and hooded crows have also become rare, but this cannot be regretted in the farmer’s interest, as they attack young lambs, and even pick the eyes out of the weakly ewes. Moreover the rooks, which it is to be hoped no short-sighted 140 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY policy will greatly reduce in numbers, have done excellent service in digging up the voles’ nests and devouring the young. Mr. Service of Maxwelltown drew attention to a change which had taken place in the habit of rooks in his neighbour- hood during the last ten years, having “developed most marked carnivorous habits, taking eggs, young birds, young poultry, young hares and rabbits to an extent they never did before.” Simultaneously with this manifestation of carrion crow-like habits, Mr. Service had noted an increase in the number of rooks with feathered faces like the carrion crow, which he was inclined to connect with the change in their diet. (See Stevenson’s Biyds of Norfolk, vol. 1. pp. a7a= 27 BN Tere es This alleged modification in the habits of the rook, though favourable to the farmer, has not unreasonably brought him into evil repute with game-preservers. Amongst other birds which have been observed to prey on voles are certain species of sea-gull. Stoats and weasels are among the deadliest and most persevering enemies of small rodents. They kill far more than they can devour, apparently out of sheer blood-thirstiness. In woodlands and on low ground they undoubtedly do much harm to game, especially the stoat, which may be easily distinguished from the weasel (known in Scotland as the “whittret”) by its greater size and by the black tuft at the end of the tail, which is retained at all seasons of the year, even in winter, when the rest of the body becomes wholly or partially white. Adders feed readily on voles, and in July 1892 the chair- man of your Committee was present when one was killed with a vole in its gullet. This was in Wigtownshire, where no abnormal increase in the number of voles has been observed. But a single adder would probably not kill more than one animal of the size of a vole in a single day—so there is no reason to extend protection to these venomous reptiles. Some naturalists aver that the mole preys upon voles, but your Committee, though directing inquiries upon this point, were unable to elicit any evidence tending to confirm this belief. REPORT ON PLAGUE OF FIELD-VOLES IN SCOTLAND 141 Your Committee deem it right to point out that the popular opinion that the excessive multiplication of field- voles is the direct result of the destruction of birds of prey, stoats, and weasels, which has been admittedly great over part of the affected area, does not appear generally to be the outcome of personal accurate observation. Your Committee are of opinion that birds and beasts of prey, even had they been wholiy unmolested, would not have prevailed to avert the vole plague, though they would probably have greatly mitigated its severity; and they are confirmed in this view by the circumstances attending similar outbreaks in this country in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and in foreign countries of late years. Neither in Essex previous to the outbreak reported by Holinshed, nor in South America previous to the outbreak described by Mr. Hudson in The Naturalist in La Plata, nor in Thessaly previous to that prevalent there in 1891-92, was there any check placed by man upon the multiplication of the natural enemies of these rodents. In reply to the question (zz¢er ala) whether “birds of prey and other rapacious animals have assisted to any material extent in the destruction of the voles (in Thessaly) ?” Her Majesty’s Minister at Athens transmitted the following reply: “Birds of prey and other rapacious animals would never suffice to prevent the alarming multiplication of the voles under favourable climatic conditions.” This view has been amply confirmed by the observations of the chairman and secretary of your Committee during their recent visit to the infested plains of Thessaly. Birds of prey—eagles, buzzards, kites, kestrels, and other hawks— are exceedingly abundant there, and no one thinks of molesting them. Indeed, the Turks (of whom there are about 30,000 in the province) are exceedingly kind to wild animals, and object to their being destroyed. In 1866, when that country last suffered from a visitation of field-voles, Thessaly was under Turkish dominion, and birds of prey were protected. The change from Turkish to Greek rule which took place in 1881 made no difference in this respect, yet in favourable seasons the voles multiply in spite of the presence of a very full stock of their natural enemies. 142 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. Your Committee have reluctantly been led to the con- clusion that they are unable to recommend any specific method of dealing with or putting an end to the present outbreak. It appears to be an instance of the power which small animals are well known to possess, of prodigiously rapid multiplication under favourable climatic conditions and with a plentiful supply of natural food. Experience shows that a combination of such favourable conditions will always tend to bring about a recurrence of the plague. That being so, it ought to be the endeavour of every farmer and shepherd to be on the alert, and report without delay to the land-agent, and to the secretary of the local farmers’ club, or agricultural society, the first signs of the multiplication of vermin, so that palliative measures may at once be adopted, not on isolated farms, but everywhere throughout the district. The most effective measures appear to be periodical and timely burning of grass and heather, followed by active pursuit of the vermin by rien using wooden spades, and dogs. If this were promptly done in the earlier stages of the out- break, it is quite possible that it might be averted altogether, or greatly mitigated in severity. It is hardly necessary to point out that the proprietor of the land should be informed as soon as any one else, because his keepers and others might be usefully employed in assist- ing to prevent what amounts, if unchecked, to a common calamity upon all classes connected with land. Where plantations of limited extent are attacked, pitfalls wider at the bottom than at the top, and about 18 inches deep, should be dug. The voles fall into them and cannot escape, and the ground is soon cleared of them in this way. Your Committee cannot speak with approval of the use of poisoned grain, except where the area affected is very limited. Nor have they been able to come to any conclusion favourable to the adoption of Professor Loeffler’s method of destroying voles by means of bread saturated in a preparation REPORT ON PLAGUE OF FIELD-VOLES IN SCOTLAND 143 of the bacillus typht murium, or mouse typhus, The personal investigations made by the chairman and secretary in Thessaly (where in May 1892 Professor Loeffler was employed at the expense of the Greek Government to combat the plague of field-voles then prevailing in that country) convinced them that the favourable reports circulated as to the complete success of the experiments have not been justified by the results, In certain parts of Thessaly the voles were reported by landowners and others to be as numerous in January 1893 as ever they were. Your Committee readily admit that when used in a fresh state, the bacilliferous fluid is an effective though somewhat dilatory poison for mice or voles, and has this advantage over mineral poisons that, as has been proved, it is innocuous to human and other forms of life. It has also been reported by Professor Loeffler that the Scottish voles sent to him alive by instructions from your Committee have been found as susceptible of the mouse typhus bacillus as their Greek congeners. But there are three objections which in the opinion of your Committee render this method almost worthless except for employment in houses, gardens, enclosed fieldsj’or other limited areas : I. It is very expensive ; the virus supplied to the Greek Government was paid for at the rate of about 4s. a tube, containing enough when dissolved to treat about two imperial acres, a cost which in many instances would exceed the rent of the Scottish hill pasture. To this must be added the price of bread used in distributing the virus, which would appreci- ably raise the cost of the process. Thus to deal effectually with a hill farm of say 6000 acres, would entail an expenditure of from 4700 to 41000, making the remedy more costly than the evil. 2. Mouse typhus is not contagious ; it can only be com- municated to those animals that will swallow some of the virus. The allegation that healthy voles will become infected by devouring the bodies of the dead has not been satisfactorily proved. That Greek voles when in captivity had been observed 144 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY to feed upon the corpses of their fellows hardly warrants the assumption that Scottish voles in a state of liberty will do the same; and unless the disease were communicable from one animal to the other, it is not easy to see how the remedy could prove effective on extensive hill pastures. 3. The fluid loses its value in about eight days after preparation. Consequently much disappointment might ensue if, after a supply had been obtained, a fall of snow, or wet weather, were to interfere with its distribution over the land. The remedy which has been found most effectual in Thessaly is an injection of the fumes of bi-sulphide of carbon into the burrows. This, however, is a more expensive process than the other, besides being injurious to the health of those engaged in its application. It is, moreover, inapplicable to the Scottish vole (Avvicola agrestis), which does not burrow to a depth like the vole of Thessaly (Arwicola Giintheri), but lives in shallow runs amongst the roots of herbage. With the under-noted exceptions, the natural enemies of the voles may be divided into two classes, viz. those which destroy the voles, and are harmless to sheep, crops, and game ; and those which, though preying on voles, are so hurt- ful in other ways as to have no claim to preservation : i. Vole-killers, harmless, or i. Vole-killers, hurtful tn other nearly so to sheep, crops, WAYS. and game. Hoses, Owls of all sorts, Ravens, Buzzards, Carrion and Hooded Crows, Kestrels, and the Great Blackbacked Gulls, and Smaller Seagulls. Adders. Strict injunctions ought to be given by landowners that the birds mentioned in the first class should not be destroyed. Their presence in full numbers, though inadequate to avert an outbreak, would undoubtedly tend to mitigate it, and, as has been proved in the case of the short-eared owl, they have the faculty of multiplying abnormally in presence of an REPORT ON PLAGUE OF FIELD-VOLES IN SCOTLAND 145 unusual supply of food. They are at all events most useful allies to man in combating attacks of ground vermin. Your Committee further desire to deprecate in the strongest manner possible the use of the pole-trap for the capture of hawks. Besides the inhumanity of this device, it is indiscriminate, and harmless owls, kestrels, and buzzards are just as likely to be taken by it as are the most mischiev- ous species. Three animals, diligent vole-destroyers, have been omitted from both these lists, because they are undoubtedly hurtful to game. The first of these is the common rook (known to the shepherds as the corn-crow), of which, however, the services to agriculture are now generally recognised. The other two animals referred to are the stoat and the weasel. Of all the smaller beasts of prey these are perhaps the most hateful to gamekeepers, and it is hardly reasonable to expect that stoats should be allowed to multiply in game- coverts, or in the vicinity of pheasant-coops. But your Committee have no hesitation in recommending that weasels, which are persistent mouse-hunters and do little damage to game, should not be molested, at least on moorlands and hill pastures, where they can do little harm and much good. Your Committee cannot conclude their labours without expressing gratitude for the consideration with which they were everywhere received in the course of their inquiry, for the hospitality shown to them, and for the exertions made by various individuals to obtain witnesses and arrange their evidence. HERBERT EUSTACE MAXWELL (Chairman). MINTO. D’ARCY W. THOMPSON. JOHN GILLESPIE. WALTER ELLIOT. ‘J. E. HARTING (Secretary). N 146 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY THE WHISKERED. BAT (VESPERTILIO Wises CIN US, \Ickisi,) TN BAS EOWA ae By WILLIAM Evans, F.R.S.E. On 28th March last, Mr. George Pow, Dunbar, sent me a Bat which I at once saw was worthy of more than the cursory glance I was at the moment only able to give it. Accordingly it was passed on the same day to Mr. Eagle Clarke to be softened (the wing membranes were already too dry to be stretched without tearing), and then compared with the spirit specimens of British Bats in Mr.* Clarke’s collection. A couple of days later we examined it together and found it to be an example of the Whiskered Bat (Vespertzlio mystacinus, Leisl.) I immediately wrote to Mr. Pow for full information as to place and date of capture, and learned from him that the little animal was knocked down on the links about a mile east of Dunbar, on the evening of 20th March, by a fisher-boy, from whom he received it alive. I am thus enabled to add this interesting species to the fauna of the Forth district; and I do so with real ‘satisfac- tion, feeling sure that it is not a record of a mere stragegler from distant lands, wafted hither by a combination of circum- stances which in all probability would not occur again for many years to come, but a genuine addition to the list of our native vertebrates. The specimen, moreover, is but the second that has been recorded for Scotland. The first, which is preserved in the Owen’s College, Manchester, was captured by Mr. J. Ray Hardy about four miles from Rannoch on the Pitlochry Road, in-June 1374. When: referring tommams specimen in my “Mammalian Fauna of the Edinburgh District,” ‘(April 1892), p..23, I ventured: to. point tamtae Species as a very probable addition to our list, and it is there- fore gratifying to be able to add it so soon. For several years past Mr. Pow has rendered me and others invaluable aid in the investigation of various branches of local Natural History, and I gladly avail myself of this opportunity of publicly thanking him and commending his disinterested zeal to the notice of others similarly situated. MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1892 147 REPORT ON . THE MOVEMENTS AND OCCUR- RENCE, OF BIRDS IN- SCOTEAND DURING 1892. By LionEL W. Hinxman, B.A. The usual schedules for recording notes on the move- ments and occurrence of birds during the past year were sent by Messrs. Harvie-Brown and Eagle Clarke to all the sixty light-stations on the Scottish coasts. Of these, twenty-two have been returned. Schedules were also sent to others who were thought likely to take an interest in the matter, with the result that notes have been received from twenty-five observers in different parts of the country, making a total of forty-three schedules tabulated. To those who have so kindly aided us in these inquiries, and to Mr. T. G. Laidlaw for other as- sistance, our hearty thanks are accorded, coupled with the hope that we may continue to be favoured with their valuable co-operation in the future. Further observations are much needed from the faunal areas of Sutherland, West Ross, Moray, Dee, Tweed, Clyde, and Solway—West Ross and Clyde being at present entirely unrepresented ; and it is hoped that a larger number of schedules will be available for next year’s report. It is also a matter of regret that no returns have been made from the Isle of May, one of the most important stations for migration records. The following list gives the names of observers from whom schedules and notes have been received. ‘The localities are arranged under the different faunal areas, proceeding from north to south along the east and west coasts. NORTHERN ISLES. SHETLAND. Locality. Name of Observer. Burrafiord, N. Unst (Shore James Ferrier, Lightkeeper. Station) Sumburgh Head L.H. James Youngclause, __,, Lunrossness J. A. Harvie-Brown. Foula F. ‘Traill 148 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL. HISTORY Locality. N. Ronaldshay L.H: N. Ronaldshay Hoy Sound (High Light) antick Head [ae Pentland Skerries L. H. Dunnet Head L.H. Thurso Lochinver Helmsdale and Brora Tarbat Ness L.H. Glenlivet and Strathspey Fyvie Girdleness L.H. Bell Rock L.H. Arbroath and Montrose Newport and Tayport Callander and Loch Tay Inchkeith L.H. Doune Linlithgow Dalmeny Edinburgh District The Lothians Hallmyre, Peebles Chirnside ORKNEY. Name of Observer. William Ross, Lightkeeper. A. Briggs, Holland House. Thomas Hughson, Lightkeeper. J. C.. Lawrence, ue Malcolm M‘Dougall, _,, SUTHERLAND. David Laidlaw and J. Carson, Light- keepers. Lewis Dunbar. Arthur Beveridge, M.B. MorAYy. Hugh Miller, H.M. Geol. Survey. Arch. M‘Eachern, Lightkeeper. Lionel Hinxman, H.M. Geol. Survey. DEE. George Sim. John Gilmour, Lightkeeper. ' AGAY: James Cadger, Lightkeeper. Del. FE: Dewar W. Berry. W. Evans. FORTH. Charles M‘Fadyen, Lightkeeper. Lt.-Col. W..H. M. Duthie, Row. P. C. Mackenzie, Longcroft. Charles Campbell, Dalmeny Park. T. G. Laidlaw. Bruce Campbell. TWEED. David G. Laidlaw. Charles Stuart, M.D. MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1892 149 OUTER HEBRIDES. Locality. Name of Observer. Butt of Lewis L.H. Alex. M‘Gow, Lightkeeper Island Ghlais L.H., Harris “The Lightkeepers.” Monach Isles L.H. Wm. A. Tulloch, Lightkeeper. Barra Head L.H. James Edgar, 3 Mingalay, Barra John Finlayson. Stornoway H. Mackenzie, Royal Hotel. Rodel, 5S. Harris John Finlayson. ARGYLL AND INNER HEBRIDES. Tiree Peter Anderson, Kirkapol. Skerryvore L.H. John Nicol, Lightkeeper. Skervuile L.H., Jura Alex. J. Grant-and D. M‘Donald. Kilfinichan, Mull C. A. M‘Vean. Oban, Canna, Kerrera, etc. Cecil H. Bisshopp, Oban. Inverary His Grace the Duke of Argyll. Ben Nevis The Observatory Staff. SOLWAY. Loch Ryan L.H. Rodk. M‘Innes, Lightkeeper. Portpatrick L.H. Jas. Biggs, 3 Little Ross L.H. Neil M‘Donald, * GENERAL REMARKS. Owing to the long continued northerly winds during the latter half of April, the bulk of the summer migrants were fully a week late in arrival at all localities, though a few isolated early dates are recorded. Redstarts were again very numerous on the West Coast, though perhaps not so much so as in 1891. A noteworthy movement of Skylarks is recorded from the Bell Rock Lighthouse during the last week of February, beginning on 24th February with great numbers, together with a few Blackbirds,—wind S.E.,and fog,—continu- ing in fewer numbers during the 25th and 26th, and culmi- nating in a rush of hundreds during the night of 27th February, with light variable breezes and thick haze, when many were killed at the lantern. The first important movement in the autumn is recorded from Pentland Skerries on 20th September, but does not 150 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY seem to have been observed at any other station. On that date, with a S.E. gale and haze, a rush of Fieldfares, Red- wings, and Redstarts took place, some of the birds remaining for three or four days. At the same locality, on 4th October, at noon, with a S.E. gale, a great rush of Snow Buntings, Ring Ousels, Redwings, and Fieldfares. This was followed on 5th and 6th October by the greatest movement of the year, and of which we have records from most of the East Coast stations. At Dunrossness, a few stragglers came in on the night of 4th October; but on the night of 5th and 6th October, a sudden shift of wind from N. to S.E., rising to a gale, brought in numbers of Twites, Chaffinches, and Bramblings, with stragglers up to 10th October. At Sumburgh Head, under similar conditions, a rush all night of 5th October, and on 6th October during the day, of Chaffinches and Bramblings. A similar record comes from North Ronaldshay for 5th October, with stragglers up to 14th October. At Girdleness, the migration on this date was very heavy ; and during the afternoon of 6th October, with a southerly gale and haze, there was an extraordinary influx of Thrushes, Redstarts,— which seemed to be mostly females,—Redbreasts, Goldcrests, Willow Wrens, Chaffinches, and Bramblings. Mr. John Gilmour writes on this date: “A perfect rush of birds here this afternoon, the turnip drills in gardens perfectly swarm- ing with the species mentioned.” During November, the chief movements recorded were on the 5th, 18th, 20th, 23rd, and 24th, and included the usual autumn immigrants, with nothing worthy of special remark. The occurrence of the Great Gray Shrike (Lanzus excubitor), a male,-—near Haddington, on 15th June, is an interesting fact. The Iceland Gull (Larus leucopterus) seems to have been more than usually abundant on the North and West Coasts, individuals being reported as seen or shot from eight several localities. NOTES UNDER SPECIES. Turdus musicus (Song Thrush). ORKNEY. . Hoy Sound, Oct. 9. N. Ronaldshay, ‘Ocivaz, numbers about ; Nov. 3, large numbers. DEE . . Girdleness, Oct. 5, numerous. MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1892 151 OuTER HEBRIDES ARGYLL AND ISLES ORKNEY OUTER HEBRIDES SHETLAND . DEE . Tay : OUTER HEBRIDES ARGYLL AND ISLES ORKNEY Moray DEE . FORTH TWEED : OuTER HEBRIDES ARGYLL AND ISLES Skerryvore, Nov. 18, in rush with Fieldfares ; Nov. 23, 24, great rush all night, with Field- fares, Blackbirds, etc. ; E. light, hazy. Skervuile, Nov. 18-20, 23-24, in rushes. Principal movements, Nov. 3, 18, 20, 23, 24. Turdus tlacus (Redwing). Pentland Skerries, Sept. 20, great rush; Oct. 4, in great rush with Fieldfares and Snow Buntings. Last seen April 30, Monach I. Principal movements, Sept. 20, Oct. 4. Turdus merula (Blackbird). Dunrossness, Oct. 30 ; Sumburgh Head, Nov. 5. Girdleness, Nov. 3, 19, numerous. Spring. Bell Rock, Feb. 25, March 3, 11. Skerryvore, Sept. 19, Nov. 20; Nov. 23, 24, in rush. Skervuile, in rushes, Nov. 18, 20, 23. Principal movements, Nov. 18-20, 23, 24. Turdus pilaris (Fieldfare). Pentland Skerries, great rush, Sept. 20; Oct. 4, do. N. Ronaldshay, a few each night, Nov. 5.22% Strathavon, first seen Oct. 15; Strath Brora, Oct. 20. Fyvie, Oct. 18; last seen April 22. Edinburgh, Oct. 5. Hallmyre, Nov. 5; last seen April 11. Rodel, Nov. 1; Skerryvore, Nov. 18-20, 23, 24, in rushes; Monach I., “ Mid-May.” Skervuile, Nov. 18-20, 23, 24, in rushes. First seen Pentland Skerries, Sept. 20 ; last seen Monach I., ‘‘ Mid-May.” Principal movements, Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Nov. 18-20, 23, 24. Turdus torquatus (Ring Ouze)). ORKNEY DEE . SOLWAY Pentland Skerries, in rush with Snow Buntings, Fieldfares, etc., S.E. gale, Oct. 4. Girdleness, Oct. 4. A male, in poor condition, shot at Maxwelltown Dec. 10. 152 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Saxicola enanthe (Wheatear). ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, last seen Oct. 15. Moray . .\ , | Strathspey, April 3 ; Cromdale Hills, Oc.tae DEE . . Kyvie, April 55 Girdleness ct 15: AY. . ' Arbroath, March 22, and Oct .6: FORTH , . ‘Doune, April 4; Edinburgh, April xe: TWEED Chirnside, April 11. OuTER HEBRIDES Mingulay, March 30; Monach I., April 1. ARGYLL AND IsLEes Tiree, one, March 27; plentiful after April 8; last seen Oct. 8. First seen ‘Tiree, March 27; | last secayyae Ronaldshay, Oct. 15. Pratincola rubetra (Whin chat). SHETLAND . . Dunrossness, last seen Oct. 8. DEE. . Pywvie, April 22. Ave, : . Glenlyon, May 8th; not numerous till a week later. FORTH ; . Edinburgh, April 18. TWEED ; . Hallmyre, Peebles, May 5. First seen Edinburgh, April 18; last seen Dunrossness, Oct. 8. Pratincola rubicola (Stonechat). SHETLAND . . Fitful Head, Oct. 8. ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, one shot, Oct. 15.—**The only one I have noticed here.” OuTER HEBRIDES Skerryvore, Sept. 11, 12. Ruticilla phenicurus (Redstart). SHETLAND . . Quendale, Dunrossness, last seen Oct. 2. ORKNEY . . .N. Ronaldshay, Sept. 1, 2, and-one on Ocnwzae Pentland Skerries, Sept. 20, in rush with Turdide. DEE . ; . Fyvie, May 1; Girdleness, Sept. 25 and Oct. 5, in rush, mostly P. ForTH . Dalmeny, April 26; Menteith, April 28. TWEED ; Peeblesshire, May 1. OUTER HEBRIDES Muingulay, Barra, May 31. First seen Dalmeny, April 26; last seen N. Ronaldshay, Oct. 25. Principal movements, Sept. 20-25, Oct. 5. Evrithacus rubecula (Redbreast). SHETLAND . - WDwarossness, Oct.-3; ive or six seen: ORKNEY. . N. Ronaldshay, Oct. 4.—‘‘ Numbers in small parties—a few remaining up to Jan. 7, 1893.” MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1892 153 jo ee Tay p OuTER HEBRIDES ORKNEY DEE. FORTH ‘TWEED : OUTER HEBRIDES SOLWAY Girdleness, Nov. 19 ; numerous, Oct. 5. Bell Rock, Feb. 28. Skerryvore, Oct. 4. Principal movements, Oct. 4-8. Sylvia rufa (Whitethroat). N. Ronaldshay, July 10, one, which remained a few days. Fyvie, May 12. Dalmeny, May 12; West Lothian, Sept. 19. Peebles, May 24. Barra, May 13. Little Ross L.H., May 23. First seen May 12; last seen W. Lothian, Sept. 19. Sylvia curruca (Lesser Whitethroat). TWEED SHETLAND . FORTH OUTER HEBRIDES Nesting at Allantore, Chirnside, June 20. Sylvia atricapilla (Blackcap). Garth, Dunrossness, Oct. 9; one P seen. Linlithgow, May tro. Mingalay, Barry, Oct. 5. Sylvia salicaria (Garden Warbler). TWEED Chirnside, June 5. Regulus cristatus (Golden-crested Wren). ORKNEY DEE . N. Ronaldshay, Nov. 5. Girdleness, Oct. 5, numbers in rush with other small birds. Phylloscopus collybita (Chiff-chaff). TWEED Chirnside, March 30.—“ Increased in numbers 5) re ] of late years.” Phylloscopus trochilus (Willow Wren). SHETLAND . ORKNEY MorRAY DEE . ‘TAY FORTH ‘TWEED Dunrossness, Oct. 6, 21. N. Ronaldshay, Aug. 31, and first few days of September ; large numbers about ; wind E. Glenlivet, May 7. Fyvie, April 22; Girdleness, Oct. 5. Arbroath, May rt. Edinburgh, April 18 ; Callander, April 23. Chirnside, April 20 ; Hallmyre, Sept. 15. First seen Edinburgh, April 18 ; last seen Dun- rossness, Oct. 21. Principal movements, Aug. 31, Sept. 5, Oct. 5, 6. 154 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH: NATURAL THIS f0ORY Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Wood Wren). ay. . Kenmore, May 5, one pair; not numerous till a week later. FORTH . Dalmeny, May 8. West Ross ; | och) Torridon, May 27. Acrocephalus schenobenus (Sedge Warbler). Moray . Helmsdale, May 17. DEE: : ob yvies (Mayen, Sept. E32. TWEED : Elallniyre, Peebles,, May 25: Motacilla (Wagtail). ORKNEY. . N. Ronaldshay, Aug. 22,29, Pied Wagtails.—‘“In family parties on shore ; not observed during © breeding season.” OuTER Hesripes Monach L.H., April 27, 30, “ Wagtails” ; Barra, May 4, White Wagtail; Skerryvore, Aug. 17, two “ Wagtails.” ARGYLL AND IsLEs Tiree, May 3, 6, W hite Wagtail, passing N.E.; Sept. 1, White Wagtail. Anthus trivialis (Tree Pipit). FORTH ' . Callander, April 30; Lothians, May «a. TWEED . Hallmyre, May 24. . West Ross . Loch Torridon, May 26. Lanius excubitor (Great Gray Shrike). ORKNEY. . Pentland Skerries, one ¢ shot, Nov. 20. SUTHERLAND 4 Whurse, “ene 4 Ushot; Dee" 16. ATA: . Arbroath, one caught, sex doubtful, Dec. 7. ForTH . One ¢ killed near Haddington, June 16. TWEED . One seen near Hutton Village, (Chinmeide Qe Fo. Muscicapa grisola (Spotted Flycatcher). FORTH ) . Edinburgh, May 7; Dalmeny, May 14. TWEED 7 Peebles, Maye 1 4, SOLWAY. * little Koss*iH-May 723: Muscicapa atricapilla (Pied Flycatcher). ORKNEY =4, +) N. Ronaldshay, July r,,0one > Sept..2, ones teas 14, two.—‘ Seems me occur ey regularly nearly every autumn.’ MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1892 155 SHETLAND . ORKNEY DEE . Tay FORTH ‘TWEED : OUTER HEBRIDES ARGYLL AND ISLES SOLWAY SHETLAND . ORKNEY Moray Der Tay FORTH ‘TWEED : OuTER HEBRIDES fTirundo rustica (Swallow). Dunrossness, last seen Oct. 8, reported as ‘un- usually abundant in summer of 1892, along with Swifts.” N. Ronaldshay, Aug. 26, one seen flying W. ; wind strong S.W. Fyvie, last seen Nov. 16. Tayfield, April 23; Arbroath, Oct. 6. Callander, April 22; Edinburgh, Oct. 14. Hallmyre, April 11, Oct. 18. Butt of Lewis, May 17, Sept. 17. Inveraray, April 8, one; Jura, April 16. Loch Ryan, April 22. First seen Inveraray, April 8; last seen Fyvie, Nov. 16. Cotile riparia (Sand Martin). Dunrossness, Oct. 8, 13, one seen each day. N. Ronaldshay, Sept. 25, one seen after gale from S.W. Fochabers, last seen Nov. 12. Fyvie, May 2 to Oct 14. Arbroath, April 29. Doune, April 15 ; Edinburgh, Oct. ro. Chirnside, April 30; Peebles, Oct. 6. Monach I., May 25. First seen Doune, April 16 ; last seen Fochabers, Nov. 12. Chelidon urbica (House Martin). Moray DEE . Tay FORTH ‘TWEED ; OUTER HEBRIDES SHETLAND . Helmsdale, May 9. Fyvie, May 2 to Oct ro. Arbroath, April 28. Edinburgh, last seen Oct. ro. Hallmyre, May 13 to Oct. 14. Monach I., May 25. First seen Arbroath, April 28; last seen Hall- myre, Peebles, Oct. 14. Fringilline (Finches). Dunrossness, Oct. 5, Chaffinches and Twites; on succeeding few days Chaffinches in immense flocks, on the 8th associated with Bramblings, the latter forming one-sixth of the whole. Stragglers seen only after Oct. 10, wind shifting from N.-N.N.E. to hard S.E. on night of Oct. 5. 156 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL WISTORY. ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay. Large mixed flocks of Chaf- finches and Bramblings on Oct. 5, and in smaller lots till Oct. ro. Last Brambling seen Oct. 14. The Chaffinches seemed to be mostly females. Oct. 18, a few Redpoles. Oct. 19, small flight of Linnets. OnE «. . Grirdleness, Oct. 5, rush of -Chaffinehes amg Bramblings. TAY .. . Bell Rock, March 3, Chaffinches and Linnets ; April «2, Linnets. OUTER HEBRIDES Rodel, Harris, Nov. 17, several flocks of Chaf- finches and Linnets. Mingalay, May 18, one © Goldfinch; Oct. 5; Siskins; Noy. 25,2am army of Greenfinches. Principal movements, Oct. 5-10, Nov. 15-17. Loxia curvirostra (Common Crossbill). ORKNEY. . N. Ronaldshay, July 7; a female taken near the Lighthouse. Plectrophanes nivalis (Snow Bunting). SHETLAND . . Sumburgh Head, Sept. 13; Dunrossness, Oct. 6 ? and succeeding few days, considerable flocks passing south. Sumburgh Head, Nov. 13, a rush all night. ORKNEY . . Pentland Skerries, Sept. 7 ; N.Ronaldshay, Sept. 19, 21, in small flights, and from Oct. 19 to Oct 24 in flocks of thousands. SUTHERLAND . Dunnet Head, Sept. 18. Moray : . sttath Brora, Oct. 21; Ben Aigan, Oct em DEE, . (Pye Oct. 205 Girdleness, Oct we2: SEA: oe Arbroath, Nov. 15. OUTER HEBRIDES Butt of Lewis, large flocks, Sept. 17; Rodel, Maris, Oct.17; Monacha:, Mays: First seen Pentland Skerries, Sept. 7; last seen Monach I., May 3. Principal movements, Sept. 17-21, Oct. 6, 19-24. Alauda arvensis (Skylark). SHETLAND . . Dunrossness, Skylarks observed drawing together in flocks a day or two previous to the great movement of Oct. 5, 6. Dire: ‘ . Girdleness, Nov. ro, 23, 24, in rushes with other birds ; wind N.E., light. TAv®. i . Bell Rock, Feb. 24, in great numbers at light, Io P.M. till dawn, wind E., fog; Feb. 25, MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1892 OUTER HEBRIDES ARGYLL AND ISLES 157 a few; Feb. 29, in hundreds, 9-12 P.M., hazy ; March 3, a few. Skerryvore, Sept. 19, three young birds; Dec. 4, four, N.W. gale, snow. Skervuile, Jura, Nov. 18-20, 23, 24, in rush with Turdide ; wind strong E., haze. Principal movements, Feb. 24-27, Nov. 18-24. Sturnus vulgaris (Common Starling). ORKNEY ARGYLL AND ISLES N. Ronaldshay L.H., Nov. 5-22, a few each night, with Fieldfares. Large flights in N. Ronaldshay in early autumn, a few only re- maining for the winter. Hoy Sound. Those wintering here leave about May 1, flying W. . Skervuile, Jura, Nov. 23, 24, in rush with Turdide. Cypselus apus (Common Swift). SHETLAND . ORKNEY DEE . Tay FORTH TWEED OUTER HEBRIDES OuTER HEBRIDES MorAy DEE . FORTH ‘TWEED ; ; OuTER HEBRIDES ARGYLL AND ISLES SOLWAY Reported by Mr. John Bruce as occurring with Swallows in Dunrossness during the summer. N. Ronaldshay. ‘Three seen, one killed, Aug. 26, flying west ; wind S.W., very stormy. Fyvie, May 20; Girdleness, Sept. 11. Loch Tay, May 10; Broughty Ferry, Sept. 3. Doune, May 9; Edinburgh, May 12; Hadding- ton, Nov. 16 (‘‘ Annals,” Jan. 1893). Hallmyre, May 11; Chirnside, May 13. Monach I., May to. First seen Doune, May 9; last seen Hadding- ton, Nov. 16. Alcedo ispida (Kingfisher). Barra, July 25. Cuculus canorus (Cuckoo). Glenlivet, May 8; Helmsdale, May 9. Fyvie, May 9. Edinburgh, April 27 ; Callander, April 30. Hallmyre, April 29. Stornoway, May 11; Rodel, May 15; I. Ghlas, Harris, Aug. 22, first time seen here. Skervuile, Jura, May 1. Loch Ryan, May 1. First seen Edinburgh, April 27. 158 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Strigide (Owls). SHETLAND . . Short-eared Owl (A. accipitrinus) seen flying at Sumburgh Head in September. Snowy Owl (Vycte@a scandiaca) seen flying south over Loch Spiggie, Oct. 28. ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay. Long-eared Owl (Aso otus), male, shot Nov. 24. A. accipitrinus, Dec. 2, 3; one killed, one seen. NVyctea scandiaca, seen Nov. 2. Scops owl (Scops giz), one taken at the Light- house, June 2 ; the first record of this owl for Orkney. Circus cyaneus (Hen Harrier). ORKNEY. . Hen Harrier, a male seen July 16; generally seen in September. Ardea cinerea (Common Heron). SHETLAND . . Visits Dunrossness in small parties in autumn. First seen Sept. 1. ORKNEY. . N. Ronaldshay, in small numbers every year, generally appearing early in August. Anatide. Wild Geese. SHETLAND . . Dunrossness, Oct. t0, one Greylag on Loch Spiggie. Bernicle Geese (2. deucopsis) on migration, in numbers Oct. 6 and succeeding few days ; wind N.E. ORKNEY. . N. Ronaldshay, Oct. 7, three Greylag, N.W. gale; Oct. 10, “Wild. Geese”; [algae two Gray Geese. Brent Geese (L. édrenta) fairly plentiful during winter of 1891-92. 6 ip ee . Pink-footed Geese (Aznser brachyrhynchus), Newport, Fife, April 29. Flock of ten, Sept. 19 ; ‘“‘earliest date I have known here.” OUTER HEBRIDES Barra Head, Oct. 17, about 150 Bernicle Geese flying south; wind N. I. Ghlas, May 3, flock of 29 “Wild Geese,” flying nesta ARGYLL AND IsLes Tiree, “Wild Geese” left April 30, in flock of 150, going north, and returned Oct. 7, three weeks earlier than usual; strong N. wind. MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1892 159 ORKNEY SUTHERLAND Swans. N. Ronaldshay, Oct. 15, flock of 30 Whoopers (Cygnus musicus) crossing the island to west. Thurso, March 25, Whooper seen; April gth, young male shot. OUTER HEBRIDES Barra Head, Dec. 7, Swan shot, supposed to SHETLAND . ORKNEY MorAYy Tay TWEED be a young specimen of C. bewitck?. Ducks. Teal (Querguedula crecca), Dunrossness, in numbers about Oct. 8, with Widgeon. Tufted Duck (Fudligula cristata), Sept. 17, a few in Quendale Bay. Longtailed Duck (/farelda glacialis), Oct. 17 in hundreds off coast at-Quendale. Pochard (Fuligula ferina), N. Ronaldshay, Nov. T4. Tufted Duck, Oct. 10. Golden Eye (Clangula glaucion), Nov. 2. Longtailed Duck, Noy. 2, in large numbers. Ruddy Sheldrake (Zadorna casarca), Findhorn estuary, Oct. 19, see ‘* Annals.” Tufted Duck, Newport, Fife, Sept. 12. Tufted Duck, nest with eggs in Selkirkshire, July, see ‘* Annals.” ’ OuvER HEBRIDES Pochard, Rodel, June 5, a pair remaining to SUTHERLAND SHETLAND . ORKNEY SHETLAND . ORKNEY breed. Pintail (Dajfila acuta), Rodel, Oct. 29. Longtailed Duck, a pair seen daily in May, Min- galay. Turtur communis (Turtle Dove). Male shot near Wick June 7. Rallus aquaticus (Water Rail). Loch Hiliwell, Sept. 28 ; Mousa, Oct. 20, “ be- lieved to breed in Shetland.” N. Ronaldshay, in large numbers during the winter ; first seen Nov. 9; most of them dis- appeared by Dec. 9. orzana maruetta (Spotted Crake). One seen near Lerwick, Sept. 21 ; said to be not uncommon between Septemberand November. One killed and another seen, N. Ronaldshay, sept. 27. 160 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Crex pratensis (Land Rail). ORKNEY . . Pentland Skerries, April 27, a pair, the male bird killed at lantern; Hoy Sound, May 18; last seen Oct. 16. SIAR . Fearnan, Loch Tay, May 10; Arbroath, May 23. FORTH ! . Duddingston, May 7; Doune, May ro. TWEED ; Hallmyre, May 4. OUTER HEBRIDES Stornoway, May 6; Island Ghlais, Aug. 23. ARGYLL AND IszEs Tiree, May 16. SOLWAY. . Loch Ryan, May 18. First seen April 27, Pentland Skerries; last seen Oct. 16, same locality, Charadrius pluvialis (Golden Plover). SHETLAND . . Dunrossness, two shot in September ; decidedly scarce in autumn. ORKNEY. . N. Ronaldshay, first seen July 4; in numbers during first half of August, and again at end of November. OUTER HEBRIDES Monach I., May to. Sguatarola helvetica (Gray Plover). ORKNEY. . N. Ronaldshay Sept. 3. OUTER HEBRIDES I. Ghlais, Harris, May ro. Vanellus vulgaris (Lapwing). 'SHETLAND=5 . Dunrossness, scarce on migration ; Oct. 3, one; Oct>6, four. ORKNEY . . Hoy Sound, first seen April 3 ; N. Ronaldshay, mostly leave early in September. dhe ga ; . Bell Rock, Feb. 26, one; March 3, twelve pass- ing west, wind E. OuTER HEBRIDES Barra Head, Nov. 10, two; Oct. 25, one. Butt of Lewis, first seen April 15. Monach L.H., April 18. ARGYLL AND IsLes Skervuile, Jura, Nov. 23, large flock in rush with other birds, wind E. Strepsilas interpres (Turnstone). ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, July 4, five; July 27, a score: and numbers later. A few seem to remain all the year. OuTER HEBRIDES Monach I.—“ A good few always round here: a pair about the same place every year.” ARGYLL AND IsLEs Tiree, May 6.—‘ A few always stay here all summer.” MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1892 161 Phalaropus hyperboreus (Red-necked Phalarope). ORKNEY. . N. Ronaldshay, last seen August 4. ARGYLL AND IsLes A specimen of P. fiulicarius (Gray Phalarope), picked up in Oban Bay, Jan. 15. Scolopax rusticula (Woodcock). SHETLAND . . Sumburgh Head, one seen, Oct. 20. ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, Nov. 3, 9. SUTHERLAND . Dunnet Head, one killed at lantern, Nov. 17. DEE . : . Girdleness, in rush with other birds, Nov. 19. FORTH ; . Spring migration: Doune, March 4, eight birds, new arrivals; March 11, a great many; all passed by March 15. OuTER HeEpRIDES' Barra Head, Oct. 20; Rodel, Harris, Oct. 17; Skerryvore Nov. 23, 24, in rush with Zurdide, wind E., hazy. ARGYLL AND IsLEs Tiree, January 11.—‘‘ Very abundant: more than I have ever seen here before.” Principal movements, March 11-15, Nov. 19, Ix. Af. Gallinago major (Double Snipe). SUTHERLAND . Thurso, Aug. 24, young male killed. SHETLAND . . Among flights of Snipe visiting Dunrossness at latter end of September were a number of individuals which were doubtless specimens of G. major. [1891, J. A. H.-B.] Gallinago celestis (Common Snipe). ORKNEY . . Arrived in N. Ronaldshay as early as August, but most plentiful in latter half of November and December. Gallinago gallinula (Jack Snipe). SHETLAND . . A number seen in Dunrossness: earliest Sept. : 28; most between Oct. 6 and 10; a few remained longer. ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, first seen Sept. 6. Tringa minuta (Little Stint). ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, Aug. 26, in flocks of from ten to fifty, and numerous up to Sept. 2. ARGYLL AND IsLes Tiree, Aug. 31, in large flocks. Tringa striata (Purple Sandpiper). SHETLAND . . Dunrossness, Sept. 29. ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, Aug. 23, five. 7 D 162 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Tringa canutus (Knot). ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, Aug. 12, one; Aug. 17 to 23, in flocks. ARGYLL AND IsLEs Tiree, Aug. 12; May 28, flock of seven flying north. Machetes pugnax (Ruff). ORKNEY. . N. Ronaldshay, Aug. 9, 26, Sept. 1; singly, or not more than three together. ARGYLL AND IstEs’ Miree; Sept. 6; 22, three. Calidris arenaria (Sanderling). SHETLAND . . Quendale, one shot, Sept. 7; the only one seen. ORKNEY. . Wonderfully numerous in N. Ronaldshay ; first seen Aug. 25, flock of fourteen with Ringed Plover. ARGYLL AND IsLEes Tiree, May 16, winter residents have left; May 31, several hundreds in summer plumage, wind S.; Aug. 25, first seen passing south. Totanus hypoleucus (Common Sandpiper). ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, last seen Sept. 1. Moray : . Glenlivet, April 24. Ay’, . Arbroath, April 25. FORTH : . Edinburgh, April 18. TWEED ; Peebles, April 24. OUTER HEBRIDES Monach I., May 1. ARGYLL AND IsLEs Tiree, May 16. First seen, Edinburgh, April 18; last seen, N. Ronaldshay, Sept. 1. Totanus canescens (Greenshank). ORKNEY . . Scarce on autumn migration ; one seen Oct. 25, and two shot out of flock of six in same month. N. Ronaldshay. ARGYLL AND Istes Tiree, last seen May 7, returned Aug. 3. Limosa (Godwit). SHETLAND . . Small numbers of JZ. Jlapponica (Bar-tailed Godwit) at Virkie Voe in October. ORKNEY. . A specimen of LZ. /apgonica in full breeding plumage seen in N. Ronaldshay, June 8. AI ger : . Tay estuary, Sept. 10, Z2.. Zappomica > pameee L. egocephala (Black-tailed godwit) shot in Montrose basin, Sept. 19; and one near Tayport, Sept. 3. MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1892 163 ARGYLL AND IsLEs Tiree, Z. /apponica last seen April 1, passing Sept. 6. L. egocephala, May 29, one ; Junerg, two. Numenius pheopus (Whimbrel). SHETLAND . . Dunrossness, last seen Oct. 3. Tay . . Tayport, Aug. 31. OuTER HEBRIDES Barra, April 12; Rodel, Harris, April 11. ARGYLL AND IsLEs Tiree, April 28; May 7, flocks passing north ; Aug. 25, flocks passing south. Sterna (Terns). ORKNEY . . Pentland Skerries, S. Zuviatilis (Common Tern), May Io. Moray : . Glenlivet, S. fluviatilis, May 13. AS. . Arbroath, S. fluviatilis, May 11, Oct. 1. OuTER HEBRIDES Butt of Lewis, May 24, “Terns” come to breed ; Rodel, June 7. ARGYLL AND IsLes Tiree, S. minuta (Little Tern), May 11, one; plentiful by May 15. Skervuile, Jura, “Terns,” May 17; Arctic Tern, May 9. Larus glaucus (Glaucous Gull). SHETLAND . . Dunrossness, Oct. 9, one, flying north-west ; on Oct. 26, seven, passing south, in single birds and in pairs: wind N.W. by W. Sumburgh Head, Nov. 8, two. ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, Nov. 10, single birds in mature plumage. ARGYLL AND IsLEs Kerrara, March 3, one shot. Larus leucopterus (Iceland Gull). SHETLAND . . One in Grutness Bay, Oct. 13. ORKNEY . . N. Ronaldshay, Jan. 3; Foula, Jan. 12. SUTHERLAND . Sandside, Caithness, Jan. 23; ‘Thurso, Dec. 11, two shot. OuTER HEBRIDES Stornoway, one shot in January, one May 20, and one seen May 23; seen also from July to September, and supposed to have remained all summer. Monach L.H., one seen April 28. ARGYLL AND IsLEs Inverary and Poltalloch, Feb. 4; the latter specimen immature. Stercorarius (Skua). ORKNEY . . Single birds identified as S. fomatorhinus (Pomatorhine Skua) seen at Stromness Point, Nov. 5, Dec. 29; S. crepidatus, Richardson's Skua, common in N. Ronaldshay after Aug. 3. 164 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY (if ame : . S. pomatorhinus shot near Comrie, third week in September. ARGYLL AND Istes Tiree, S. crepidatus, May 20. Procellaria pelagica (Stormy Petrel). Moray : . One captured in Strath Brora, 15 miles from sea, Oct 20. FORTH ; . Inchkeith, twelve seen, Aug. 12. OUTER HEBRIDES Barra Head, Nov. 16. SOLWAY = ts . Loch Ryan L.H., one at lantern, Nov. 25% 5. V2 sale. Colymbus glacialis (Great Northern Diver). SUTHERLAND . Adult male, with breeding plumage not quite complete, caught in nets at Thurso, June 13. ARGYLL AND Istes Skervuile, Jura, pair about the rock, April 17-28. ADDITIONS TO THE AUTHENTICATED COMITAL CENSUS OF THE LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLILVSCA OF SCOTLAND. Wa. DENISON ROEBUCK, F.L.S. Hon. Secretary and Recorder to the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. THANKS to the kindness of several friends,—viz. Mrs. Janet Carphin of Edinburgh, Mr. William Evans, F.R.S.E., of the same city, Mr. Lionel W. Hinxman of the Geological Survey of Scotland, Mr. W. Baillie of Brora, Sutherlandshire, and Mr. W. Duncan of Montrose,—I am able to add a consider- able number of new records in continuation of my paper in the “ Annals of Scottish Natural History ” for October 1892, pp. 235-238, and in former numbers. The paragraphs are numbered in continuation from my last paper. I1. SHELLS FROM LOCHMABEN, DUMFRIESSHIRE.— This is a county from which in former times I have been singularly unsuccessful in obtaining mollusca for authenti- cation and record. I was therefore extremely pleased to receive from Mrs. Carphin a few specimens of Spherzum corneum (referable to the var. zucleus but not perfectly LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA OF SCOTLAND 165 characteristic of it), Puzszdium fontinale, P. pusillum, P. milium (=roseum), Limnea palustris, L. peregra var. lacus- tris, Planorbis fontanus (= nitidus), Pl. nautileus, Pl. albus, Pl. spirorbis, Pl. umbilicatus (= marginatus), Pl. contortus, Physa fontinalis, Valvata piscinalis, Succinea putris, and Vertigo pygm@a var. quadridentata, sixteen species, from Lochmaben. All of these are, with the exception of the Z. peregra, additions to the list of Dumfriesshire shells which have passed the scrutiny of the Conchological Society’s referees ; the specimens have, with one exception, been kindly presented to the Conchological Society’s cabinet. Numerous further additions may be anticipated to the Dumfriesshire list, which, so far, only amounts to a total of 38 species. 12. HELIX PULCHELLA AND H. CAPERATA IN PEEBLES- SHIRE.—It is to Mrs. Carphin also that we are indebted for an example of H/. pulchella taken at Peebles, and one of /. caperata at Innerleithen, both additional authentications for this county, for which we have now 36 species on record. As Mrs. Carphin points out, it is interesting to find the last- named species so far inland, as in Scotland it is more usually found in districts bordering on the sea. I 3. ARION MINIMUS AND PISIDIUM PUSILLUM IN SELKIRKSHIRE.—For these two additions to the county list, which now numbers a total of but 29 species authenti- cated, we are indebted to Mr. Wm. Evans, by whom they were found at Tushielaw, roth July 1892. From this place he also forwarded Cochlicopa lubrica and Hyalinia crystallina, which have been already recorded for the county. 14. LIMNA:A GLABRA IN MIDLOTHIAN.—From Mr. Wm. Evans we have a couple of specimens of this species, collected at Bavelaw Moss, near Balerno, 17th April 1891: an import- ant addition to the fauna of the county of Edinburgh. 15. HELIX HISPIDA (=CONCINNA) AND HYALINIA PURA IN LINLITHGOWSHIRE.—A consignment of shells from this county so far back as the 18th October 1890, which has been mislaid and so escaped my attention, in- cludes these two species, additional to my list. A number of shells collected at Philpstoun on the date mentioned 166 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY included an example of 1. pura, one of H. cellaria, a few of H. nitidula, some young Helix rotundata, a Cochlicopa lubrica, and several Vitrina pellucida. Another box of shells collected about Linlithgow on the same date included, in addition to several specimens of the type and a few of the var. albida of Helix hispida (the shell hitherto known as 4. concinna, and so recorded in my former papers), a young /. asfersa, several small Physa fontinals, several encrusted and blackened examples of Spherium corneum, and numerous Lizmnea peregra, also blackened and encrusted. For the sight of these shells we are indebted to our indefatigable friend Mr. Wm. Evans. 16. VERTIGO PYGMAA! AND OTHER SHELLS IN FIFE- SHIRE.—I have one addition for the Fifeshire list in Vertzgo pygmea, found by Mr. Wm. Evans at Elie, 20th June 1891, along with Helix pulchella and Pupa cylindracea (= umbilt- cata). From Mrs. Carphin we have a specimen of the var. maritima of Limnea peregra, albeit not a very characteristic one, which it is of interest to note, although the species has, of course, been authenticated for the county long ago. 17. ADDITIONAL RECORDS FOR SOUTH PERTH WITH CLACKMANNAN.—From Mrs. Carphin we have received two species additional for this area,—viz. Planorbis nautileus var. crista, and Ancylus lacustris—both from Bridge of Allan, a locality which, although, as Mrs. Carphin points out, it is included politically in Stirlingshire, is included in the vice- county of South Perth in Mr. Watson’s comital scheme, which we follow. From Strathyre we have a couple of examples of Cochl- copa lubrica, which Mrs. Carphin sent us. This, however, has been added (since the census) by Mr. Evans, and is con- sequently no longer an addition. 18. VERTIGO SUBSTRIATA IN SOUTH .PERTHSHIRE.— Mr. Wm. Evans has been so fortunate as to meet with this seldom-detected species on the banks of the Keltie, near Callander, where he found it on the 25th April 1892, in 1 The Editors remind me that this species was recorded from Elie by Mr. Thomas Scott, F.L.S., so long ago as 1891 (‘* Scot. Nat.,” April 1891, p. 50), but as the specimen in question has not been seen by the Society’s referees, it does not come within the scope of this paper. LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA OF SCOTLAND _ 167 company with a few examples of V. edentula. We have had the opportunity of examining the specimens of both, V. substriata being especially noteworthy as an addition to the South Perthshire list. I9. SHELLS IN NORTH PERTHSHIRE.—Mrs. Carphin sent us single examples of Helzx granulata (= sericea), H. arbustorum, and Unio margaritifera, from Dunkeld, and all of them additional records for the vice-county, for which we have now had 52 species placed on record. 20. THE WHITE VARIETY OF ARION ATER IN KINCAR- DINESHIRE.—Although not a new county record, it will be of interest to record that in 1891 I received from Mr. Wm. Duncan, of Montrose, a fine living example of Avion ater var. alba, which he had found on the banks of the North Esk at Morphie. 21. UNIO MARGARITIFERAIN BANFFSHIRE.—The receipt of an example of the pearl mussel from the river Spey at Aberlour, sent by Mr. Lionel W. Hinxman, of the Geological Survey of Scotland, enables us to add this fine species to our list for Banffshire. Another addition for the same county is Helix rotundata, of which we have specimens collected at Dufftown in November 1892 by Mr. Hinxman. At the same time and place he found the following, which, however, have already been placed on record by himself and other friends: Helix hortensis var. lutea 12345, H. arbustorum, Pupa cylindracea (=umbilicata), Bulimus obscurus, Balea perversa, Clausilia perversa (=rugosa), Cochlicopa lubrica, Arion ater, A. minimus, A. circumscriptus, and Agriolimax agrestis var. sylvatica. 22. ADDITIONAL RECORDS FOR EASTERNESS.—A collec- tion of slugs and shells made by Mr. Wm. Evans at Dalwhinnie and received by me on the 17th June 1892 includes three species additional to the vice-county: namely, Avion subfuscus, A, minimus, and Hyalinia fulva ; the other species sent with them including Avzon ater (small), A. c¢rcumscriptus ( = bourg- uzgnatt), A. hortensts, Agriolimax agrestis, Hyalinia. alliaria, H. radtatula, and Cochlicopa lubrica (very young). The elevation at which they were found was 1200 feet. 168 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 23. NEW RECORDS FOR EAST SUTHERLANDSHIRE.— From our old friend Mr. W. Baillie of Brora, to whom at various times we have been indebted for much assistance willingly rendered, we received ‘a few specimens each of Limnea peregra and its var. lineata, *Planorbis nautileus, *Pl. spirorbis, *Pisidium fontinale, P. pusillum and _ var. obtusale, all from Loch Brora, collected on 17th October 1892; and from Brora, the same date, the following land- shells: Cochlicopa lubrica, Balea perversa, Vitrina pellucida, Pupa cylindracea (=umbilicata), *P. marginata, Hyalinia crystallina, 1. cellaria, H. pura, Helix arbustorum, H. caper- ata,and H!. pygmea, the four species marked with the asterisk (*) being additional records. 24. THE FAUNAL STATUS IN SCOTLAND OF NERITINA FLUVIATILIS AND PLANORBIS CARINATUS.—I have been in correspondence with Mrs. Carphin on this subject. She informs me that the former lives in abundance in Loch Stennis, Orkney, and that as to the latter the only Scottish locality given for it is the pond in the Botanic Garden at Edinburgh, which is full of imported plants. There can be no doubt whatever that P/lanorbzs carinatus is certainly not entitled to be ranked as a Scottish shell ; while with regard to the JVerztzna, it would be a matter of considerable interest to ascertain why it should be found in the Orkneys and nowhere else in the kingdom of Scotland. 25. HELIX PYGMAZA AND VERTIGO EDENTULA ADDED TO THE ELGINSHIRE LIST.—So much material has been placed before our referees from the county of Elgin by the kindness of the Rev. George Gordon, D.D., and Mr. William Evans, F.R.S.E., that it is not now an easy matter to add o the number of species that we have had the opportunity of seeing from it. Nevertheless, an examination of a collec- tion of specimens made by Mr. Evans so far back as August 1891 (and which has been mislaid and only just turned up) adds a couple of molluscs to the list of authentications, which now amounts to 55 species. One of these is Helzxr pygmea, a few examples of which were collected at Ballindalloch Castle, 15th August 1891, along with Hyalinia nitidula (one), H. alltarta (a few, small), H. crystallina (several), H. LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA OF SCOTLAND _ 169 pura var. margaritacea (a few), H. fulva (two), Vitrena pel- lucida (one, small), and Carychium minimum (several). The second addition is Vertigo edentula from Cromdale, near Gran- town, a few of which were collected in August 1891 along with Vitrina pellucida (several), Hyalinia cellaria (one), H, alliaria (a few), H. radiatula (a few), Cochlicopa lubrica (several), Limnea peregra (two), and Ancylus fluviatilis (one). 26. SIX ADDITIONS TO THE BANFFSHIRE LIst.—The ex- amination of specimens collected by Mr. William Evans in Banffshire so long ago as August 1891, which I have had the misfortune to misplace, and which I have just found, brings under the notice of our referees as many as six species which they have not hitherto seen from Banff, and which bring its total list of species up to 32. An example of Hyalinza radiatula is among a gathering made at Ballindalloch on the 15th August 1891, which also includes an individual of Vitrina pellucida and several of Helix rotundata and of Cochlicopa lubrica. The other five additions are Hyalinza fulva, H. glabra, H. pura var. margaritacea, Helix pygm@a, and Carychium minimum, of which a few specimens each were collected on the banks of the Avon above Ballindalloch, Banffshire, on the 25th August 1891, along with several Hyalinia crystallina, a few Vitrina pellucida, several Cochlicopa lubrica (both type and var. /ubricozdes), and several Lzmne@a truncatula var. ventricosa. 27. SHELLS FROM EASTERNESS.—I have to thank Mr. William Evans for an interesting series of shells collected during May of the present year at and near Aviemore, in the vice-county of Easterness, which includesas many as I I species which our referees have not hitherto seen from that vice- county. These are Hyalinia nitidula (one), Helix lamellata (one), 77. fusca (one, young), 47. rotundata (one), Vertego edentula (one), Clausilia rugosa (one, small), Succtnea putris (several, young), Lzmnea truncatula (one), Ancylus fluviatilts (a few), and a number of P2sidium pusillum and P. fontinale (these two from Loch Phitinlais). Other shells sent at the same time were Cochlicopa lubrica (a few), Hyalinia fulva (one), #7. crystallina (several), H. radiatula, H. pura var. margaritacea (several), H/. alliaria (several), and Vitrina pellucida (one); and they were accompanied by small 170 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY examples of three slugs: Arion subfuscus (one), A. minimus (two), and Limax cinereo-niger (one, from Loch-an-Eilan). While recording these, I take the opportunity of mentioning several examples of Hyalinza alliaria and a few of Vztrina pellucida collected on the 12th of September 1891 at Nairn, which Mr. Evans has been good enough to allow us the sight of. The eleven additions now brought forward raise the total number of authentications for Easterness to 36 species. ON’ SCOTTISH DESMIDIEA: By Joun Roy, LL.D. (Continued from p. 111.) PLATE IV. DESMIDIEZ (Ke.), DE Bary. DESMTIDIUM (Ag.), De Bary. 1. D. Aptogonum, Breb,—Not common. Sutherland, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle, Fife. B LEhrenbergii, Rab.—Rare. |Aberdeen—pools beside Birsemore Loch; Kincardine—near Banchory. 2. D. cylindricum, Grevy.—General. With zygospores, at Slew- drum in Birse. On . D. quadratum, Nordst.—Very rare. Aberdeen—at Slewdrum in Birse. 4. D. Swartzit, Ag.—General. With zygospores, at Tomachar, in Aberdeen. B quadrangulatum, Ralfs.—Rare. Aberdeen—Scotston Moss (Mr. P. Grant and Dr. Dickie), Heughhead near Aboyne, Black Moss in Cromar, Braemar (Mr. W. West). HVALOTHECA, Kz. 1. A. dissiliens (Sm.), Breb.—General. B bidentula, Nordst.—Common. y tridentula, Nordst—Common. Zygospores are abundant. 2. H. mucosa (Dillw.), Ehr.—Not common. Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Perth, Argyle. B minor, n. var.—Very tare. Only half the usual diameter, g-12 p. Aberdeen—plentiful in a small pool at the west end of Birsemore Loch. ~ Ann. Scor Nar Hist 1893. PEATE Ee ON SCOTTISH DESMIDIEA 171 3. H. undulata, Nordst—vVery rare. Aberdeen—in two pools immediately to the west and north of Loch Dawan. This species was detected in Sweden by Dr. Nordstedt in 1878, and was published in No. 248 of Wittrock and Nordstedt’s “ Algze Exsiccate.” It was first collected and identified as a new species about 1870 by Mr. W. Archer, F.R.S., in the west of Ireland ; and was sent to a few of his friends under the MS. name of /. ¢enuzs, but was not other- wise published, though a careful drawing was made at the time. We found it in Aberdeenshire in 1874, and after- wards in North Wales (Plate IV. fig. 1). GYMNOZYGA, £Ehr. G. moniliformis, Ehr. (= Bambusina Brebissonit, Kg. = Didymoprium Borreri, Ralfs..—General. With zygospores, in Aberdeen, Kincardine, Perth, and Argyle. SPOND YLOSIUM, Breb. S. pulchellum, Archer.—Not common. Ross, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle. This species has been found distinctly stipitate, attached to species of Conferva. Mr. Archer drew my attention to this. SPHAROZOSMA, Corda. 1. SS. Archeri, Gutwinski (“ Flora Glonédw Okolic Lwowa,” Tab. I. fig. 4, p. 29, 1891; Nordstedt in Witt. and Nord., “ Alg. Exsic.,” No. 967, 1889, under Spherozosma vertebratum (Breb.), Ralfs. Forma; and Nordstedt in “ Alg. Aq. Dulcis Exsic.,” Fascic. 21, p. 34, 1889.—Very rare. Aberdeen— pond at Tonley, near Alford, where it is abundant; and near Castleton, Braemar, where we first found it, very sparingly, in 1878. Nordstedt and Gutwinski think that probably this is the species Archer had in view as having a spiny zygospore. I scarcely think so, for he makes no mention of the two rows of granules on the semi-cell, which he was far too good an observer to miss. Biene’s form (Rabenh. ‘‘ Alg. Europ.,” No. 1769) is so completely shrunk, that no amount of coax- ing will show the true form of the cells; but no trace of granules can be seen on them. ‘The probability, therefore, is that his form and Archer’s are the same. Wye Pie 3: ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY . 8. excavatum, Ralfs.—General. Frequently conjugated, especi- ally among stones in the margins of streams. B Watllichit, Jacobs.—Probably not uncommon. _Inver- ness, Aberdeen, Kincardine. y Wallichtt has been observed on Deeside, and is probably common. . S. granulatum, Roy and Bisset.—Widely distributed, but not common. Sutherland, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle. S. secedens, De Bary.—Very rare. Aberdeen—at Slewdrum in Birse, Loch Dawan, and Mosston Moor in Cromar. S. vertebratum (Breb.), Ralfs.—Not common. Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth. ONYCHONEMA, Wallich. . O. filiforme, Ehr. (Spherozosma, Aut.)—Not common. Ross— near Strathpeffer ; Inverness—Lochs Ruthven, Aschie, and Coire, etc., near Brin; Aberdeen and Kincardine have numerous localities. . O. leve, Nord.—Extremely rare. Found once. Aberdeen— by the side of the old road from Aboyne to Kincardine O’Neil, about a mile from Aboyne. O. Nordstedtiana, Turner.—Not common. Probably occurs more frequently than its near relative O. filiforme ; but its separate distribution was not noted till recently. MICRASTERIAS, Ag. . MW. americana (Ehr.), Ag —Rare. Aberdeen—Scotston Moor, Powlair, south of Birsemore, Slewdrum, Morven, Lochnagar, corrie of Loch Ceanmhor; Kincardine—Glen Dye and Clochnaben ; Forfar—Lundie Bog near Menmuir ; Perth— Glen Shee and Glas Maol. B Ralfs.—Very rare. Aberdeen— Corrie of Loch Ceanmhor; Kincardine—Crathes, and about Cam- mie in Strachan. M. angulosa, Hantz.—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Inver- ness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle. Conjugated at Slewdrum on Deeside. Zygospore large, globose ; spines stout, bi-, tri, and quadri-furcate at their apices, and not very numerous. Diameter, without spines, 114-116 2; length of spine, 32 » (Plate IV. fig. 2). M. conferta, Lundell.—Rare. Inverness—Glen Urquhart ; Aberdeen—Upper Powlair in Birse, Birsemore Loch and Dalwhing near Aboyne, pool north of Loch Dawan, and oO’ Io. Li. ON SCOTTISH DESMIDIEAt 173 marshes between Loch Kinord and Cambus-o’-May; Kin- cardine—Muiryhaugh and Dalbrake in Strachan; Argyle— in Glen Coe; Arran—in North Glen Sannox. M. crenata, Breb.—Pretty common. Ross, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle, Arran, Fife. M. Crux-Melitensis (Ehr.), Ralfs.—Rare. Aberdeen—Scotston Moor, Brimmond, Den of Gowner near Old Meldrum, Slewdrum, beside Birsemore Loch, Tomachar and Home- head in Cromar ; Kincardine—somewhere near Cammie in Strachan ; Forfar—Clova Tableland ; Perth—Durdie, near Perth. M. denticulata, Breb.—General. £B notata, Nordst.—Not uncommon. y angusto-sinuata, Gay.—Rare, or overlooked. Kirkcud- bright (Mr. W. West). ' . M. fimbriata, Ralfs.—Rare. Aberdeen—Scotston Moor, near Kintore, Presswhin, Loch Ullachie, near Ballater; Kincar- dine—near Bridge of Feugh; Forfar—vTannadice Curling Pond, marsh north-west from Menmuir Church. B spinosa, Bisset, n. var.—Very rare. Differs from the typical form in having a row of minute spines along each side of the principal sinuses, three or four close to the base of each semi-cell, and a row of about four under the base of the end lobe. Length, 210 yw; breadth, 200; isthmus, 25 p (Plate IV. fig. 3). Aberdeen—Slew- drum, Loch Ullachie and marsh west of it. . M. Jennert, Ralfs.—Not uncommon. Sutherland, Ross, Inver- ness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle, Arran. . MW. mucronata (Dixon), Rab.—Not common. Ross, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle, Arran. M. oscitans, Ralfs. This species was reported from Aberdeen by the late Mr. Peter Grant; but we have seen nothing in this country agreeing exactly with Ralfs’s drawings of it. From two localities—viz. the head of Glen Tannar, Aberdeen, and 3alquhadly Hill, in Fern, Forfar, examples were seen which came near it, but they differed, essentially as I think, in the toothing of the lobes. M. papillifera, Breb.—General. Has been found with zygo- spores in Aberdeen near Dinnet ; and in Perth near Fowlis Wester. . M. pinnatifida (Kg.), Ralfs.—General, but scarce. Forms simi- lar to those noted by Wallich and Elfving have been observed, particularly in a pool a little to the north of Loch Dawan. 174 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 13. MW. radiosa, Ag.—Extremely rare. Aberdeen—Slewdrum, Aboyne, and Birsemore Lochs. B ornata, Nordst.—Extremely rare. Inverness—near Brin; Aberdeen—Slewdrum, and near Craigendinnie Farm ; Kincardine—Scolty Dam. 14. MZ. rotata (Grev.), Ralfs.—General. Conjugated examples with zygospores have been found in Aberdeen at Slewdrum, in Kincardine between Bishop’s Dam and Clochnaben, and in Forfar on Monroman Moor. 15. MW. Thomastana, Archer.—Not very common. Ross, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Stirling, Dumbarton. 16. MZ. truncata, Corda.—General and abundant. A variable species, of which several forms have been observed. One found in Glen Dye, in Kincardine, strongly suggested Nordstedt’s JZ. adscendens. Unfortunately only one example was seen, several years ago. 17.° MZ verrucosa, Bisset.—Rare. Figured and partially described by Wolle in the “ Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club,” pp. 127-128, Lab IL. fig: 10, December 1385: Large, about one-fifth part longer than broad, with num- erous lobed or subgranulated prominences scattered over its surface, of which three at the base of the semi-cell close to the isthmus are larger than the others, and distinctly lobed ; usually there are four on each side of these, reaching close to the margin—these are smaller, and sometimes indistinct; there are usually about eighteen others,—four on the end lobe, five on the upper side lobes, and two on each of the basal lobes, —but these numbers are liable to vary; the margin of the end lobe and upper side lobes resembles JZ. angulosa, Hantz., while the margin of the basal lobes is nearer JZ denticulata, Breb.; the end view, owing to the numerous prominences, is very irregular. Cell very thin; membrane brownish. : This very interesting species is related to JZ angulosa, Hantz., in much the same way as JZ. denticulata, Breb., is to M. Thomasiana, Archer. It is not granulated in the ordinary sense; the prominences seem flattened, and their margins cut into rounded segments, similar to the stigma of a species of Poppy, only more deeply cut. Length, 210; breadth, r80p; isthmus, 29 (Plate IV. fig. 2). _Aberdeen—Collie- ston, Bennachie, Powlair in Birse (where it was detected by Mr. Bisset in 1877), Slewdrum, ‘“‘Old Road” Aboyne, beside Birsemore Loch, Moss of Logie, Morven, Dalbagie ; Kincar- dine—Crathes, pool north-west side of Kerloch. IO. 1p & by ON SCOTTISH DESMIDIE 175 EUASTRUM (Ehr.), Ralfs. Aboense, Elfy.—Rare, or overlooked. Aberdeen—on Ben Muich Dhui, above Loch Etchachan. . affine, Ralfs.—General, not abundant. ampullaceum, Ralfs—Not very common. Sutherland, Ross, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle, Arran, Fife. Conjugated with zygospores in Aberdeenshire, in moraine pools near Cambus-o’-May. ‘The zygospores are globular, with numerous short, conical, acute spines. Diameter without spines, 54-60; length of spine 6.4 p. . ansatum, Ralfs.—General and abundant. Vars. sublobatum and fyxtdatum, Delponte, are common, but scarcely deserve special notice. Found conjugated with zygospores in Aberdeenshire, near Turriff, by Mr. W. Anderson. ‘They are globular, with numerous short, stout, abruptly sharp-pointed spines. Diameter without spines, 38.4; length of spine, 6.4 p. . binale (Turpin.), Ralfs—General and abundant. Extremely variable. The following forms from Ralfs are common, and seem pretty constant. Their zygospores are much wanted. (a) Forma minuta, Lund. (Ralfs, “ Br. Des.,” t. xiv. 8a). (4) Forma (Ralfs, Zc. 84). (c) Forma (Ralfs, Zc. 82, 2). (2) Forma (Ralfs, Zc. 8e), etc. crassicolle, Lundell. Rare. Ross—Poolewe ; Aberdeen— Presswhin and Bogwartle in Cromar, Colonel’s Bed in Glen Ey; Forfar—Canlochan ; Perth—Rannoch, Craig-an- Lochan ; Kirkcudbright—New Galloway. . crassum (Breb.), Lund.—General. cuneatum, Jenner.—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Inver- ness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Arran, Kirkcud- bright. declive, Reinsch.—Abundant. Zygospores are not uncom- mon. . denticulatum, Gay.—General. . didelta, Ralfs.—General. With zygospores, at Dalwhing near Aboyne. ‘They are globular, very thick-walled ; spines not numerous, short, stout, and blunt. Diameter without spines, 73.6%; length of spine, 12.8 p. divaricatum, Lundell.—Very rare. Argyle—in Glen Coe. 176 12: 14. 15 10: 7 18. 19. 20. Zale 22. 22) 24. 25: 26. Ti, ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY elegans, Breb.—General. With zygospores, at Slewdrum. They are globular, with pretty numerous simple spines, taper- ing to an acute point. Diameter with spines, 64; diameter without spines, 51.2 p. B. bdidentatum, Nag.—Common. E. elobatum, Luandell.—Rare. Sutherland—Loch Inver; Ross— ae = ie nD Poolewe ; Aberdeen—Tonley and Tough, near Alford ; Kin- cardine—Cammie in Strachan; Perth—Glas Maol, Ben Chroin, and Craig-na-Lochan (Mr. W. West). . erosum, Lundell.—Not common. Ross, Inverness, Aber- deen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle, Arran. . gemmatum, Breb.—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Inver- ness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth. . Aumerosum, Ralfs.—Not common. Ross, Inverness, Aber- deen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle. . Inerme (Ralfs), Lundell—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle, Arran. . insigne, Hassall—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Inver- ness, Banff, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle, Arran, insulare, Wittr—-Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Inver- ness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle. intermedium, Cleve.—Rare. Sutherland—tLoch Inver ; Ross—Poolewe ; Aberdeen—South Birsemore ; Forfar— Glen Clova ; Perth—Arnbathie Loch; Argyle—Glen Coe. . Lobulatum, Breb.—General, but usually occurs very sparingly. . oblongum (Grev.), Ralfs.—General. With zygospores, in Aberdeen at Powlair in Birse. . pectinatum, Breb.—Very common. With zygospores, in Aberdeen at Slewdrum in Birse, and Dalbagie, near Ballater. PB brachylobum, Wittr—Not so common. pingue, Elfv. (£2. Armstrongianum, Archer’s MSS.)—Very rare. Aberdeen—near Cambus-o’-May; Forfar—in Glen Clova; Argyle—in Glen Coe. This species was gathered by Mr. Archer in Connemara, and shown as a new species at the meeting of the Dublin Microscopical Club on 29th April 1870. A slight descrip- tion, without a name, appears in the club’s transactions of that date. pinnatum, Ralfs.—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Aber- deen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle. ae. 28. 29. 30. ga; 33: ON SCOTTISH DESMIDIE: yi £. Pokornyanum, Grunow.—Extremely rare. Ross—Poolewe (Rev. D. Campbell). £. pulchellum, Breb.—Seems widely distributed, but occurs very sparingly. Sutherland, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle. £.. rostratum, Ralfs.—General, but scarce. E, Sendtnerianum, Reinsch. P latius, n. var.—Extremely rare. Apices broader. Length, 43.2; breadth at base, 25.6y; breadth at apex, 19.2 p. Aberdeen, near Den of Maidencraig. . £. sinuosum, Lenorm.—Rare. Aberdeen—near Kintore, Upper Powlair, Birsemore Loch, South Birsemore, Dalbagie and Castleton ; Kincardine—Cammie, Curran, and Dalbrake in Strachan ; Perth—Glen Garry, Rannoch, and near Coilan- togle Ford. £. sublobatum, Breb.—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Inver- ness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle. EE. ventricosum, Lundell.—Not common. Sutherland, Inver- ness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Perth, Argyle, Arran. . £. verrucosum, Ehr.—General. STAURASTRUM (Meyen), Ralfs. S. acarides, Nordst.—Rare. Aberdeen—Craig Phiobaidh near Girnoc, corrie of Loch Ceanmhor; Forfar—Canlochan ; Stirling—Alva Glen. S. aculeatum, Ehr.—Not common. Ross, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth. S. acutum, Breb.—Not common. Ross, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth. S. alternans, Breb.—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Inver- -ness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Fife. B. pulchrum, Wille.-—Seemingly very rare. Perth—Glen Garry near Dalnacardoch. S. amenum, Hilse. Forma Spetsbergensis, Nordst.—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Dumbarton, Bute. . S. anatinum, Cooke and Wills.—Very rare. Aberdeen—Slew- drum and Blair Glas, and between Loch Kinord and Cambus; Kincardine—near Curran in Strachan; Argyle—Glen Coe. This fine species was first detected in Connemara by 7 E 178 Io. Tek. 12. Te: 16. Ss iS ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Mr. Archer, about the year 1866. He sent it to me with beautiful drawings in 1874. In the following year he gathered it in Argyle, and we found it in Aberdeen. It is very local and rare in this country. apiculatum, Breb.—General, but scarce. With zygospores, at Slewdrum in Aberdeen. . Arachne, Ralfs.—Distribution peculiar ; all but confined to Deeside, where it is not uncommon. Aberdeen—Upper Pow- lair, Slewdrum, Forest of Birse, near church of Birse, south of Birsemore, Craigendinnie, Steps, Glen Tannar, Dalwhing, Tomachar, Culblean, south of Loch Kinord, Dalbagie, Loch Ullachie, Castleton in Braemar, and Glen Clunie; Kincardine, —Nigg, Crathes, Curran; Argyle—Glen Coe. . Arctiscon (Ehr.), Ralfs.—Very rare. Aberdeen—Birsemore Loch and Dalbagie; Argyle—in Mull near Tobermory (1878). arcuatum, Nordst.— Very rare. Aberdeen—pool beside Loch Dawan, Dalbagie, and in Glen Clunie. aristiferum, Ralfs—Not common. Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Perth, Dumbarton. S. armigerum, Breb. (“Liste,” 1856, S. pseudofurcigerum, Reinsch, Ziad S. S. “Acta Senckenb,” 1867, and “Die Algentloray” 16677 Not common. Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Stirling, Arran. With zygospores, at Heughhead, near Aboyne. ‘They are globular, with numerous spines, which are broad at the base and taper to a fine, slightly bifid apex. Diameter, exclusive of spines, 41 »; length of spine, 12 p (Plate IV. Fig. 12). |. Arnellit, Boldt. B tnornatum, n. var.—Extremely rare. ‘The only difference consists in the granules being scattered. Aberdeen —near Alford (Mrs. Farquharson of Haughton). asperum, Breb.—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Fife. aversum, Lundell.—Very rare. Aberdeen—near Aboyne; Kincardine—at Cammie. Avicula, Breb.—General. Zygospores have been seen in the Feugh, at Heughhead, Kincardine. (Plate IV. fig. 11 is probably a form of this species with zygospore. ) . bacillare, Breb. B obesum, Lundell.—Extremely rare. Aberdeen—in a small pool at the south end of Loch Dawan. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. S. S. S. : aes —y ON SCOTTISH DESMIDIEZ 179 bicorne, Hauptfl_—Extremely rare. Aberdeen—north and west margins of Birsemore Loch. bidentatum, Wittr. (.S. longispinum, Lundell, not of Bailey). —Very rare. Argyle—Glen Coe (1878). Bieneanum, Rabenh.—Rare. Caithness—Loch Hempriggs ; Kincardine—Kerloch and Blackhall ; Forfar—Balquhadly in Fern. Forma Sfetsbergense, Wille. — Very rare. Aberdeen— Lochnagar near the summit. bifidum (Ehr.), Breb.—Extremely rare. Ross—at Poolewe (July 1889, Rev. D. Campbell). . botrophilum, Wolle.—Extremely rare. Inverness—on Cairn- gorm, at 3500 feet (Mr. A. I. M‘Connochie). . »S. brachiatum (Ehr.), Breb.—Not uncommon. Ross, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle, Arran. With zygospores, in Kincardine—at Curran and Cloch- naben. brachycerum (Ehr.), Breb.—Not common. Aberdeen, Kin- cardine, Forfar, Perth. Braunii, Reinsch.—Very rare. Aberdeen—near Aboyne on the ‘Old Road.” . Brebtssonii, Archer—Not common. Ross, Aberdeen, and Kincardine, common; Forfar—Barrelwell near Brechin ; Perth—Hill of Alyth, Loch Lundie, and Birnam Hill; Fife —Tents Moor. brevispinum, Breb.—Not common. Sutherland, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth. Cerastes, Lundell.—Extremely rare. Aberdeen—near Loch Dawan. . ». clepsydra, Nordst.—Extremely rare. Aberdeen—at Achnerran, in Logie-Coldstone. -Clevet (St. leve, Ralfs; B Clever, Wittr.)—Very rare. Inver- ness—at Brin, and in Skye near Loch Coruisk ; Argyle—Glen Coe. . coarctatum, Breb.—Very rare. Kincardine—at Cammie in Strachan. . connatum (St. dejectum, y connatum, Lund.)—General. . controversum, Breb.—General. . cordatum, Gay.—Very rare. Inverness—near Brin (Mrs. Farquharson). . corniculatum, Lundell.—Very rare. Aberdeen—Bottomend and Heughhead, Aboyne. 180 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAE- HISfORY 36. S. cornigesum, n. sp.—Extremely rare. Small ; length and breadth equal ; semi-cells oval, diverging widely from the isthmus, which is broad; sides with one simple or deeply cleft stout spine; end with about six small emarginate spines, and two rows of similar spines within the margin; end view triangular, with a stout spine at each angle, and about four small emarginate spines on the margin of the straight sides, and one row of similar spines within the margin. Length and breadth, 27 p, without side spines; isthmus, it 5 length ofspine,-9 (Plate LV. fig. <5): The nearest ally of this pretty species is St AZaamense, Archer ; but the stout spines sufficiently distinguish it. Mr. Archer sent it from Connemara many years ago. Aberdeen—Blairglas, Logie-Coldstone (1878); Argyle— Glen Coe. 37. 8. cosmarioides, Nord.—Extremely rare. Perth—Ben Chuirn (Mr. William West). 38. S. crenulatum (Nag.), Arch.—Pretty common. 39. S. cristatum (Nag.), Arch.—Not common. Sutherland, Ross, Inverness, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle, Fife. 40. S. cuspidatum, Breb.—Not common. Ross, Inverness, Banff, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle. B adivergens, Nord.—Occurs in many localities, but its distribution has not been noted. It is certainly common on Deeside. y coronulatum, Gutwinskii—Extremely rare. Aberdeen —Birsemore Loch. This looks like a distinct species. Al. S. cyrtocerum, Breb.—Not common. Shetland, Sutherland, Ross, Inverness, Banff, Aberdeen, Kincardine, Forfar, Perth, Argyle. With zygospores, in Aberdeen, at Scotston. (To be continued.) ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. The Gray Seal (Halicherus grypus) near Berwieck-on-Tweed.— In the stake nets at Goswick Salmon Fishery, belonging to Sir William Crossman of Cheswick, and situated upon the North- umberland coast about six miles from the mouth of the Tweed, the first catch of the season 1893 was a seal, which was found in the nets on the evening of the 16th February. On the following day, when, on the invitation of Sir William, I paid a visit to Goswick, in company with Captain Norman, R.N., for the purpose of seeing a ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 181 large flock of Wild Swans (Cygnus musicus) which had taken up their quarters there, we were shown the Seal at the fish-house, and the following dimensions were taken: Length, from tip of nose to end of hind flippers, 4 feet 5 inches; girth round chest in front of fore flippers, 2 feet 5 inches; the greatest girth being just 5 inches more, and that immediately behind the shoulders. The weight, we were afterwards informed, was 74 stones of 14 lbs. ; and the seal was, as is usual, very fat. Of fur, properly speaking, there was none ; the only covering being a very short stiff hair, of rather scanty growth, and not much exceeding a quarter of an inch in length on the upper parts of the body, slightly longer and thicker below. The hair presented a dirty white or washed-out appearance all over, and on the upper part of the neck and body had been almost entirely rubbed off, as was supposed, by the attempts of the animal to escape from the net. The skin thus bared was of a dark brown or almost black colour, with several apparently natural spots or rings of a lighter hue about the neck. The whiskers and bristles on the face were very strong and pretty numerous, but had also been much worn and broken. Being rather uncertain as to the species, I had the head cut off and forwarded to Mr. Wm. Eagle Clarke a day or two later, when, from the dentition, he was able without doubt to pronounce the specimen to be a young example of 4. grypus. Although since 1841, when Selby recorded the Gray Seal as a not uncommon inhabitant of the Farne Islands, the species has been well known along the Northumberland coast, one is so rarely properly identified that this notice may not be without interest, while the occurrence, though in England, is so near the Borders that perhaps no excuse is necessary for its insertion in the ‘‘ Annals.”,—-GEORGE BoLam, Berwick-on-T weed. Golden Oriole (Ovio/us galbula) in Orkney.—On the 2oth of May, at 6 p.m., I observed a specimen of this beautiful species at Lopness, Sanday. The bird was quite alone, and did not join the starlings and other birds which were near by. ‘The wind was from the south-east, a fresh breeze, with some fog occasionally, and had blown from that quarter for about a week. As this species has no place in Messrs. Buckley and Harvie-Brown’s Fauna of Orkney, it is probably an addition to the avifauna of the islands—Wn. Harvey, Sanday. Nesting of the Snow Bunting (/lecfrophanes nivalis) in the Eastern Cairngorms.—On znd June, while traversing the bare, stony top overlooking a steep rocky corrie in one of the highest parts of this range, we observed a male Snow Bunting in beautiful summer plumage sitting on a stone a few feet from us and apparently quite unconscious of our presence. On moving nearer, he flew off, and the female was seen creeping amongst the stones close by. From the motions of the birds, we felt certain that the nest was not far off ; 182 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY but two successive spells of ‘‘lying-up” failed to reveal its position, nor indeed did we again see the female bird. The next day we revisited the spot, but saw nothing of either of the birds, and spent some time in fruitlessly tapping and turning over the loose stones in the vicinity, with the hope of putting the female off the nest. On returning in the evening, the male was seen on the point of a rock a little way down the steep scree-face of the corrie, and just below the point where he was first observed. He was singing beautifully, and continued his song while under observation from a distance of a few feet. ‘The female was still invisible, and our chances of finding the nest, owing to the difficulty of driving her out from among such a chaos of loose blocks, seemed almost hopeless. ‘The morning of the 5th, however, saw us back again, accompanied by Captain and Mrs. Savile Reid, Mr. St. Quintin, and Mr. Ogilvie Grant of the British Museum. No sooner had we reached the edge of the corrie than the female was seen a little distance below flitting amongst the stones. Taking up our position in line along the face, we had only to wait ten minutes before the bird was observed to slip in under a rock by one of the writers ; the spot was marked, and we knew the nest was ours. ‘Twenty feet or so below the brow of the corrie, and at an elevation of 3700 feet above sea-level, the nest was placed about 18 inches in amongst the loose granite blocks forming the scree, in a position almost exactly similar to that of the nest taken by one of us in Sutherland in 1886. The eggs, five in number, were perfectly fresh, and the nest was composed chiefly of dry bents, with a foundation of moss, and lined with innumerable hairs of the red deer and a few white ptarmigan feathers.—LIoNEL W. H1nxman, W. EAGLE CLARKE, The Red-backed Shrike (Zamius collurio) nesting in Lanark- shire.—In going over the collection of eggs of Mr. J. Harkness, Cambuslang, a few months since, I was much pleased to have my attention drawn to the eggs of the Red-backed Shrike, taken at Hall- side, near Cambuslang, in the nesting season of 1892. Mr. Hark- ness, while employed at the steel-works at Newton, had a message sent to him on the afternoon of the 22nd of May by Mr. George Jardine, son of the proprietor of Hallside, to the effect that he had discovered a nest of the Red-backed Shrike, with eggs, there. Mr. Harkness went to Hallside that evening, and found the nest placed in a hawthorn hedge about five feet from the ground. It contained six eggs, which were all taken. Two of these were exhibited at the April meeting of the Andersonian Naturalists’ Society. Mr. Harkness informs me that both birds were frequently seen by him and by Mr. Jardine. So far, their return has been looked for this year without result. I have been unable to learn of any previous record of this species nesting in Scotland, although Gray mentions some circum- stances which point to this having happened ; but perhaps the editors ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 183 of the “Annals” may be able to give some information on the subject.—JOHN PATERSON, Govanhill. [This species is said to have nested in the South-Eastern districts of Scotland. On the West it is only to be regarded as very rare; and we do not remember, at the moment, an authentic instance of its having nested there.—Eps. | Cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) and Caterpillars.—It would be interesting to know whether in other places a much larger number of Cuckoos than usual have been noticed, or whether this place has been specially favoured by a convocation of these birds. In ordinary years we usually see a solitary Cuckoo several times in the season, and hear them in the ordinary way; but this spring the walled garden which adjoins the house, and the woods round the house, have for above a week been absolutely alive with them. On the 22nd of May, I noticed an extraordinary number of these birds, and was surprised at the free way in which they showed themselves. As many as three or four would fly up from among the fruit bushes in the garden. One evening, between 8 and g p.m., we frightened as many as six of these birds from the garden ; while the trees round the house seemed full of others cuckooing loudly. The convocation seems dispersing now. Whether the severe measures the gardener is taking to get rid of a perfect plague of Caterpillars in the gooseberry bushes has brought this about, I do not know, but certainly since he gave the bushes a dressing of black-soap and water and paraffin a few nights ago, our Cuckoos have not been so much in the garden. —E. L. Macpowa.L, Lochwinnoch. The Merlin (falco esalon) as an enemy of the Vole.—In his evidence before the Commission on the Vole Plague, one of the witnesses states that the Merlin did not prey on Voles. That it does so, when it has the opportunity, is shown by the fact that two Voles newly killed were found lying at the margin of a nest of this bird on the Pentland Hills, which contained young.—T. G. LaIpDLaw, Edinburgh. Quail in Mid-Lothian (Co¢urnix communts).—I had the pleasure of hearing two birds on the afternoon of Thursday, 18th May. The first was in a rye-grass field on the farm of Loanhead, which lies to the east of the village of Pathhead. The other, which was also in rye-grass, was on the farm of Remote, which lies to the east of, and adjoins the first-named farm. The birds were nearly half a mile apart ; but I could hear both calling at intervals, while walking from the one field to the other. I was close to both birds, but thought it prudent not to disturb them. Mr. T. N. M‘Dowall, farmer, Remote, who was accompanying me, informed me that he had, for a time previously, heard birds on his own and adjoining farms. Remote is near the East Lothian boundary.—P. Apatr, Edinburgh. 184 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Fulmar Petrel (/wmarus glacialis) breeding in Papa Stour, Shetland.—It may be interesting to place on record the fact that thirty pairs of Fulmars had nests on the south-westerly face of the Horn of Papa Stour in 1892. Hitherto, I believe, its only Shetland nesting resort has been Foula——AbELAIDE L. TRraiLi, Edinburgh. The Palmated Newt (J/olge palmata) in Inverness-shire.— Following up my note on this species in the “ Annals” for April last (p. 118), I have now to record it from Inverness-shire, where I found it in May last in some abundance in a pool close to Aviemore, and also at Loch Vaa, about three miles distant.—WIuLLIAmM EvANs, Edinburgh. Seottish Newts Wanted.—I shall be glad to receive specimens of Newts, for examination, from all parts of Scotland, with the view to working out the distribution of the species. All co-operation will be duly acknowledged. ‘They travel well alive in a little damp moss.—WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh. On Nezera cuspidata (Olivi) and Odostomia rufa (Philippi), var. fulvo-cineta, in the Firth of Forth.—These two species have already been recorded for the Forth Estuary, but are apparently rare; and this report of their recent occurrence may therefore be of interest. On the 14th of April last, we were trawling a few miles (6 to 8) east of May Island, in 31 to 32 fathoms of water (ordinary spring tides), when, owing to a slight accident, the bottom tow-net when hauled up was found to contain a considerable quantity of muddy sand ; this sand was casually examined when collected, but appeared to include little of anything that was of special interest. It was nevertheless carefully washed, and when afterwards an opportunity occurred for looking over the material, several interesting things were obtained, among which were /e/alomera declivis, G. O. Sars, and Campylaspis rubicunda, Lilljeborg,—two Crustaceans that have been only lately added to the British fauna, and the two species of Mollusca now referred to. Neera cuspidata is recorded in Leslie and Herdman’s useful little work on the ‘Invertebrate Fauna of the Firth of Forth,” on the authority of Thomas, as occurring off Port Seaton and Fidra, in 17 fathoms. In the same work reference is also made to Firth of Forth records in Forbes and Hanley’s “ British Mollusca,” and in Dr. M‘Bain’s Catalogue (in Wood’s “‘ East Neuk of Fife”); but there appears to be no record of its occurrence in the Forth Estuary within recent years. ‘Though apparently a widely distributed species, there are comparatively few reports of its occurrence on the east of Scotland. Macgillivray has reported it from the Aberdeenshire coast, and I have it from the Moray Firth, The Moray Firth specimen is smaller even than that from the mouth of the Forth ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 185 Estuary. Both the Firth of Forth and the Moray Firth specimens were alive when captured. Odostomia rufa (Philippi), var. rufa-cincta, was first recorded for the Forth by Professor Henderson in the “ Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society, Edinburgh,” vol. viii. p. 313 (1884-85). He obtained one living, and several dead specimens somewhere west of May Island, in 20 fathoms. Our specimens occurred, as already stated, in the same material with the Veera ; a few living specimens were secured, all marked with the characteristic rufous band.—THomas Scott, Leith. The Water Spider (4rgyroneta aquatica) in Inverness-shire.— On rgth May last I captured about a dozen examples of this fine Spider among sphagnum, growing in pools by Loch Phitiulais, near Aviemore. The fact is interesting, inasmuch as it carries the distribution of the species much farther north in central Scotland than hitherto ascer- tained ; the only Scotch habitats on record, so far as I know, being Luffness and Balerno near Edinburgh, Possil Marsh, Glasgow, and Scotston Moor, near Aberdeen. No doubt, when carefully looked for in suitable localities, it will be found to have a much more general distribution than we are at present aware of.—WILLIAM Evans, Edinburgh. Notes on Forth Annelida.—The Forth Annelids appear to have received less attention than several of the other invertebrate groups. This neglect is perhaps partly due to a certain feeling of repugnance with which many people look upon these animals; yet when this feeling can be overcome, the study of the Annelida is found to be exceedingly interesting. The curious Zinews marinus, Mont. = emertes borlasit, Cuv., though comparatively a common species, has not, so far as I can ascertain, been recorded for the Forth. We occasionally obtain specimens of this species measuring several yards in length; yet these, though large, are but pigmies in comparison with the giant described by Professor M‘Intosh in his valuable “ Monograph of the British Annelides.” This specimen had been cast ashore at St. Andrews during a severe storm in 1864; and when put into a jar 8 inches wide by 5 inches deep, it half filled the vessel. At page 183, part 1, of the work referred to, Professor M‘Intosh thus describes the length of the specimen: ‘Thirty yards,” he says, ‘‘ were measured without rupture, and yet the mass was not half uncoiled.” We usually obtain Lineus marinus about the roots of tangles, among which it winds itself in apparently inextricable confusion. Ammotrypane aulogaster, Rathke.—The only Forth record of this species seems to be that contained in the report of the German North Sea Expedition, where it is recorded by Professor Mobius from the vicinity of the Bass Rock. We find Ammotrypane all over the Forth where there is a muddy bottom, which seems to be the kind 186 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY of habitat it prefers. It is also sometimes obtained by us in the stomachs of fishes, ze. haddocks, etc. (a specimen was obtained in the stomach of a haddock captured in the Firth on the 3oth ult.) We are indebted to Professor M‘Intosh for the name of this species. =—tnomas. Scorr, Leith. BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS. Alehemilla vulgaris, Z.—I have been much interested in the translation from A. Kerner, and also in the remarks by Mr. Druce himself on this plant and its forms. It is one to which I have paid some heed, being struck with what appear to me to be two low country forms, and two distinct alpine forms. rst. We have A. vulgaris, ew., almost glabrous, common by the moist waysides and in shady places. ‘This is a strong-growing plant, with the largest leaves on the stem near the roots. The whole plant is of light green colour. 2nd. We have a form, common in similar, but dry situations. It is of a more recent state of growth, with long brown hairs; but otherwise appears to be the same plant. I have always taken this to be A. montana, Willd. 3rd. We have on moist rocky ledges at considerable elevations, and beside mountain rivulets, a plant that seems to come very near A. glabra of Wimmer and Grabowski. It has long, smooth, and shining petioles, generally of a ruby colour. The leaves are much thinner than in either of the preceding, and their colour is light green when the plant grows at about 2500 feet. The parts of this plant are often larger than are those of the other forms; and, as a rule, the largest stem-leaves are about the middle of the stem. I sent this form to Mr. Bennett some years ago, but he returned it as A. vulgaris, L.; for my own part I have always pointed it out on the hill as A. vulgaris, L., var. alsina? I have now got a name that pleases me far better, viz. A. glabrata? Ath. We have that small form, with short grayish pubescence, which is common on mountain sides, and grows almost to the top of our highest mountains. It is possible that the difference in these forms is entirely due to situation ; but, when extreme forms are compared, it is somewhat difficult to admit this. Should the opportunity occur I will collect these forms and send out sets of them to one or two of my friends, as well as to Mr. Druce. The late Professor Balfour told me that a plant of A. alpina had become A. conjuncta after a few years’ cultivation in the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens. I put a plant from Ben Lawers into BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS 187 a rockery at home twenty-three years ago. It was in every way typical alpina last year. I have had at Uddingston algina and vulgaris growing side by side, and often intermixed with each other, for eight years, in the hope of getting conjuncta by self cross-fertilisation. I get many zvu/garis seedlings, but no a/f~ina seedlings, and nothing approaching conjuncta. Although this shows very clearly what decision I ought to come to in the matter, I hear so often of this plant changing under cultivation, that I am not perfectly sure if it does not under certain conditions. I have a specimen of conjuncta in my herbarium that was taken from Ben Lawers by Provost Smith of Kinghorn, many years ago, as a souvenir of his first trip to that mountain. Now if he took alpina, and no other person substituted conjuncta for it, alpina in this case must have changed into conjuncta; but as comguncta is such a common garden hardy herbaceous plant, it is just possible that in this case also the change is very much due to the gardener. I will believe in the change when I see some of my own plants changing.—P. EwInc. Orchids and Rooks.—There is a piece of undulating moor about three miles from Aberdeen, dear to the botanists of that city, under the name of Scotston Moor. On this some years ago various species of Orchids abounded, including Ovchis maculata, O. latifolia, Habenaria Conopsea, and Habenaria bifolia, all plentiful. For a number of years the Orchids showed no sign of diminishing; nor did they appear to suffer from the attacks of any animal. But during a severe winter eight or ten years since the rooks, much straitened for food, turned to the Orchids and dug out and ate the tubers. On several days during that winter, and in the succeeding spring, I observed the rooks in large numbers scattered over the surface of the moor, hard at work, and I was able to convince myself of the object of their search. ‘The ground was full of holes made by them. Next summer the Orchids named above had almost disappeared from their old haunts, showing the damage done to them by the birds. The raid has not been repeated, probably owing to the tubers being too few to offer much inducement to seek them out; and the Orchids are slowly regaining ground ; but it will apparently be some time before the damage is wholly repaired.—JAmMEs W. H. TRAIL. Sundews and Butterflies.—On the same moorland I was once witness to a somewhat striking reversal of the usual law that animals feed on plants. On a swamp not exceeding ten yards across, on which Drosera anglica was growing rather freely, one summer day I noticed upwards of a dozen of the Small Heath Butterfly (Cenxonympha Pamphilus) on the leaves. Some were dead; others were still struggling violently. All were caught by the head, thorax, and legs, and seemed quite powerless to free themselves. I have only once or twice seen 188 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY these butterflies captured on other occasions by sundews. One might well suppose they are too large to fall easy victims. On the occasion referred to, I saw nothing that could explain the large number captured ; nor were the insects at all more numerous than usual on the moor, either at the spot or elsewhere.—ID. New Scottish Hawkweeds.—In a paper on “ British Hawk- weeds” by Messrs. E. F. and W. R. Linton, of which two instalments have appeared in the Journal of Botany (May and June), several new “species” and ‘“‘varieties” are named and described, and numerous additions are made to previous county records. Almost all the plants noticed in the paper are from Scotland. ‘The new forms are: A. grantticolum, n. sp., from Corrie Etchachan, under Ben Muic Dhui; covense, n. sp., fairly abundant in Clova from 500 to 2000 feet above the sea, also in Canness and at Cairnwell ; FH. bifidum, Kit., var. nov. siénuatum, W. R. Linton, near the fall of Unich Water, above Loch Lee in Forfarshire ; A. Pectorum, Linton, var. nov. dasythrix, from Corrie Ardran, in Mid-Perth ; 4. Boswedliz, n. sp., from near Kirkwall in Orkney, the Strath of Dunbeath in Caithness, several localities in Skye, and Meall-nan-Tarmachan and near Killin in Mid-Perth; A. cesium, Fr., var. nov. petrocharts, from the Breadalbane Hills; A. ewprepes, Hanbury, var. nov. glabratum, from Clova district, and from three localities in Mid-Perth; /. stenophyes, n. sp., from Bettyhill in Sutherland, from Mid-Perth, from Dumbarton, and from near Moffat. Experimental researches on the Life-history of Uredineze.— Dr. Plowright has published in “Grevillea” (June) the results of experiments on certain forms of hetercecismal fungi, of some of which a brief account has already appeared in the “ Gardener’s Chronicle.” He finds that 4cidium Periclyment, Schum., on honey- suckle produces a Puccinia on Festuca ovina and on ¥. duriuscula, but not on other grasses, and that, conversely, the spores of this Puccinia produce only “cidium Periclyment. He describes the cycle under the name Puccinia Festuce. He has worked out similar relations between cidium Aguilegie, Pers., and a Puccinia on Agrostis alba and A. vulgaris, and describes the cycle under the name Puccinia Agrostidis. He has established a similar cycle between Uvomyces lineolatus, Desmaz., on Scirpus maritimus and Azcidium Glaucits on Glaux maritima. Uredineze in Seotland.—In reference to Dr. Plowright’s results as stated in the above paragraph, it may be of interest to mention that £cidium Periclyment is common in many localities in Scotland, and that 4c. Aguilegie has been found near Ballater. I have also examples of Festuca ovina and of Agrostis alba, both bearing uredo and teleutospores of Puccinia, found by myself in Aberdeenshire, CURRENT LITERATURE 189 but not in either case in the vicinity of the respective “czdva. Scirpus maritimus and Glaux maritima grow in close proximity on the Links near Old Aberdeen; but I have not detected any fungus of this group on either, despite frequent searches.—JAMmes W. H. TRAIL. CURRENT LITERATURE. The Titles and Purport of Papers and Notes relating to Scottish Natural His- tory which have appeared during the Quarter—April-June 1893. The Editors desire assistance to enable them to make this Section as complete as possible. Contributions on the lines indicated will be most acceptable and will bear the initials of the Contributor. The Editors will have access to the sources of information undermentioned. ] ZOOLOGY. ~ A CATALOGUE OF LocaAL LIsTs OF BRITISH MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES, ARRANGED UNDER COUNTIES. By Miller Christy, F.L.S. Zoologist (3), vol. xvii. pp. 209-216 (June 1893).—The present instalment deals with the Mammals of Scotland. THE PLAGUE OF FIELD VOLES IN SCOTLAND. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Zoologist (3), vol. xvii. pp. 121-138 (April 1893). ORNITHOLOGICAL Notes. By George Bolam. voc. Berwick- shire Nat. Club, vol. xili. pp. 345-368.—Notes on forty-eight species, including Waxwing, Pied Flycatcher, Hawfinch, Hoopoe, Hen Harrier, Honey Buzzard, Smew, Spotted Crake, Great Skua, Red- necked Grebe. WasTE GROUND AND SUBURBAN Birp Lire. By John Paterson. Ann. Andersonian Nat. Soc., 1893, pp. 118-127.—Forty-nine species of birds observed in a small area within the present boundaries of the city of Glasgow. WaxXwING IN CAITHNESS. Zoologist (3), vol. xvii. p. 148 (April 1893).—Specimen captured in February near Rosebank by Mr. John Malcolm, Wick. THE RETURN OF THE SWALLOW. By Hugh Boyd Watt. Ann. Andersonian Nat. Soc., 1893, pp. 83-88.—-Includes an addendum by Mr. John Maxwell, on p. 88, giving dates of arrival of Swallows at Baillieston House, Lanarkshire, from 1855 to 1892 inclusive. WoopcockK NESTING IN Marcu. E. J. W. Wood. Zhe Field, 1st April 1893, p. 470.—Nest with four eggs found 21st March in Islay. Rurr IN THE ISLAND OF Lewis. R. Walters. Zhe Field, 11th March 1893, p. 376.—Specimen shot in the first week of Sep- tember 1892. 190 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH, NATURAL HISTORY THE GADWALL IN SCOTLAND. H. A. Macpherson. Zoologist (3), vol. xvii. p. 153 (April 1893).—Bird shot in December 1892, in the neighbourhood of the Moray Firth. ON SOME NEW REPTILES FROM THE ELGIN SANDSTONE. By E. T. Newton, F.G.S. (From Proc. Roy. Soc., vol. 52).—Notice given in Geol, Mag. N. S., Dec. III., vol. x. p. 173 (April 1893). CAPTURE OF LARGE Cop. G.M. The Field, 1st April 1893, p. 470.—Cod landed at Hopeman, in the Moray Firth, measuring 4 ft. 4 in., and weighing 72 lbs. ; and two others landed at Aberdeen, weighing 52 lbs. and 58 lbs. respectively. A Larce Hauisur. J. 5. M. Zhe Meld, 15th April 1803, p. 572.—-Specimen landed on the 6th April at Stromness, Orkney, measuring 6 ft. 1o ins, in length, and weighing 245 lbs. E1cG SHELLS: ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE LAND AND FRESH- WATER MOLLUSCA OF THE ISLAND OF EIcc. By the Rev. John M‘Murtrie, D.D. Journ. of Conchology, vol. vii. pp. 189-191 (April 1893).—Ten species and two or three varieties added to the record for the island. COLEOPTERA AT THURSO, 1892. Alfred Thornley. Zz. Mo. Mag. (1), vol. iv. p. 142 (June 1893).—Numerous records given for the shore between Thurso and Scrabster, tarns on Holborn Head and Dunnet Head, and the sandhills at Castletown. Wasps AND WASP-NEST BEETLES IN SCOTLAND. A, J. Chitty. Ent. Mo. Mag. (2), vol. iv. p. 91 (April 1893).—Notes made last autumn on the nests of Vespa norvegica (britannica), silvestris, and rufa. Quedius puncticollis, Cryptophagus pubescens, Megacronus analis, and Lathridius minutus taken in or near the nest of Vespa vulgaris. A NEW VARIETY OF TELEPHORUS FIGURATUS. A. J. Chitty. Ent. Mo. Mag. (2), vol. iv. p. 143 (June 1893).—Description given of specimens from Ben Cruachan, previously recorded as T. elong- atus, but now named var. cruachanus. EARLY SWARMING OF BEEs. BB. B. Bantock. Zhe Field, ist April 1893, p. 470.—A hive of bees threw off a swarm on 25th March at New Galloway. LEPIDOPTERA OF THE SHETLAND ISLANDS. By Richard South. Entomologist, vol. xxvl. pp. 98-102 (April 1893).—Upwards of sixty species are recorded. List OF LEPIDOPTERA OF ABERDEENSHIRE AND KINCARDINE- SHIRE. William Reid. Aritzsh Naturalist, part xxv. (January 1893), pp. 8-10.—Tortrices. NOTES ON COLLECTING, ETC.— ABERDEEN. 7G eo ase Brussels. Ran avy ho. g. ‘Soa Paris . oN Ot Ome oy: JO ss St. Malo = Diy iene Mt. Ducan, Bellunine Alps, 5300 feet, 4 80 39 Bedriaga records a female from the Tyrol 90 mm. long. In both female specimens the ground colour, above and beneath, is sulphur yellow. In the larger specimen, the REMARKABLE SPECIMENS OF RANA TEMPORARIA 203 gsround colour of the upper part is obscured by brown and mustard-coloured vermiculations ; the yellow appearing in the form of dots. Six pretty regular longitudinal series of large, deep black blotches, like ink-spots, extend along the body : two series between the giandular folds, and two on each side. The glandular folds are yellow, with a few brown dots, and edged on the outer side with brown and with a series of more or less confluent black spots ; the temporal spot dark brown, edged below with yellow. Hind limbs with black spots; the dark cross-bars traceable, though interrupted and irregular. The throat, belly, and lower surface of thighs are clouded with very pale brownish. The other female is more remarkable: both for its very warty skin, which gives it a quite toad-like appearance, and for its coloration. The ink-black spots noticed in the preceding specimen invade the upper parts in such a manner as to cover them, including the glandular lateral folds and the streak below the temporal spot ; the yellow appearing merely here and there in the form of dots or fine vermicula- tions. The exposed upper surface of the limbs show accord- ingly no trace of cross-bands. On the sides the black is abruptly limited by the bright yellow of the lower parts. The belly is devoid of spots ; but the throat is a little obscured by brownish mottlings. The male is olive brown, more yellowish on the vertebral area, with a few large, irregular, deep black blotches. No cross-bands on the limbs, but small, deep black spots, which are rather crowded on the tibia. Temporal spot not much darker than the ground colour. The throat is pale lilac or pearl grey, as normal in males in summer, and the belly of a very pale yellow marbled all over with grey. A black and yellow male specimen, somewhat similar to the smaller female noticed above, was found in May 1892 at Kinlochewe, Ross-shire, by my colleague Mr. Ogilvie-Grant, and presented by him to the British Museum. Among some specimens obtained by the same gentleman in June last at Glen Avon, Banffshire, one is interesting in showing a pale, black-edged vertebral stripe aS distinct as in the striated variety of Rana arvalis: it is a female, measuring 75 mm. from snout to vent. 204 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY SCORPAENA -DACTYLOPTERA, DELAROCHE SCOTTISH WATERS: By GrEorGE Sim, A.L.S. THIs fish has been long known to the writer under the name of Sebastes norwegicus. Soabundant is it some twelve miles off Troup Head, that frequently from one to four hundredweight have been brought in by one vessel ; while smaller quantities are of much more frequent occurrence. This fish is caught in comparatively deep water, varying from 40 to 110 fathoms. It is an excellent article of food, and as it attains to a length of 18 to 20 inches, it is of some economic importance. As an inhabitant of the British North Sea Area, how- ever, Scorpena dactyloptera was first placed on record by Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, of the Science and Art Museum, Edinburgh, who received a young specimen from the York- shire coast. His remarks thereupon were embodied in a paper on this species generally, read before the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh during the present year. As already stated, Scorpena dactyloptera has been known to the writer, on the east coast of Scotland, under the name of Sebastes norwegicus ; and it might still have been looked upon by him as that species, but for the recent occurrence of another closely allied form, known as Sebastes viviparus, Kroyer. When Sebastes viviparus first came under his notice, the writer compared it with what he believed to be Sebastes norwegicus, and found so many marked differences that he reported his observations in the present volume of the “ Annals of Scottish Natural History,” p. 47, with a view to show that the two forms were specifically distinct : a point that is still doubted by some. . Subsequently he sent specimens of both forms to Dr. Giinther of the British Museum, and that gentleman pro- nounced the Sebastes norwegicus of the writer to be Scorpena dactyloptera ; and since then this view has been supported by Dr. Traquair, and Mr. Eagle Clarke of the Edinburgh Museum. And to all three gentlemen the writer tenders his thanks. SCORPAENA DACTYVLOPTERA IN SCOTTISH WATERS 205 It is considered necessary to make these statements, so that the writer may point out that his remarks in “ Annals,” p. 47, are now of no value, otherwise than as a record of the occurrence of Sebastes viviparus. The chief external difference between Scorpena dactyloptera and Sebastes norwegicus is, that the latter has fifteen spinous rays in the first dorsal fin, while the former has but twelve in the same organ. It appears, however, that far too much value is placed upon spines and rays of fins as a specific distinction. Organs that are subject to such variation in number cannot surely be taken into account; and the species now under notice is no exception to this. The most common number of spines in the first dorsal fin of Scorpena dactyloptera is, as already stated, twelve. However, on the 19th of May last, nineteen examples of this form were brought into Aberdeen, and three of these had each thirteen spines in the first dorsal. Again, on 12th June, twelve more were brought in, one of which possessed thirteen spines in its first dorsal. And further, the writer is in possession of an example of Scorpena dactyloptera, in which the rays of the second dorsal fin stand clear of the connecting membrane for nearly half their length ; and the line is so exactly drawn that it does not seem to be the result of accident. These things considered, he repeats that fin-ray numbers cannot have much value placed upon them as a specific distinction." As some excuse for the error into which the writer has fallen, it may be pointed out that the names Sebastes and Scorpena have been so mixed up together, and applied to Sebastes norwegicus, that he for some time believed these names were synonymous, and that there was no real Scorpena dactyloptera. In speaking of the latter form, Cuvier and Valenciennes say that “this species is so much like Sebastes norwegicus in appearance that it is necessary to place the two species side by side to distinguish them.” It may be further pointed out that this Scorpena dactyloptera has gone under the name of Sebastes dactylopterus (Giinther, 1 [Scorpena dactyloptera and Sebastes norwegicus, though much resembling each other in general appearance, are perfectly distinct species belonging to equally distinct genera, The characters by which they are defined are well marked, and not by any means confined to the spine and ray formula of the dorsal fin. —EDs. ] 206 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY “Cat. Acanth. Fishes,” ii. p. 99); and Savage gives it the name of Sebastes bibronz. On the other hand, Sebastes norwegicus has figured under the name of Scorpena norwegicus by Richardson (“ Faun. Bor. Amer.,” iii. p. 52), Jenyns (“ British Vert.” p. 347), and Johnston (“ Trans. Berw. Nat. Club,” 1838,i.p.170). Now this continual change and substitution of names is an endless source of trouble and perplexity that could, to a large extent, be easily obviated ; and it is earnestly hoped that some mitigation of this growing evil may be soon brought about. ON THE DISCOVERY OF CEPAALASIPSS a THE CAITHNESS FLAGS: (Abstract of a paper read before Section C of the British Association at Nottingham, September 1893.) By Dr. &. GE. Traouair, FR, Ir is remarkable that although Cephalaspzs is so character- istic a genus of fossil fishes in the Lower Old Red Sand- stone of Forfarshire and of the West of England, there has been hitherto no record of its occurrence in the great Orcadian area of Old Red Sandstone which lies to the north of the Grampians. This autumn, however, a magnificent specimen was discovered in the pavement quarry at Spital, about ten miles from Thurso, and presented by the Caithness Flagstone Company to the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art. This unique specimen constitutes a new species, which is the largest known, exceeding in this respect even C. Salweyz, Fgert., and C. /exz, Traq. The length of the shield is 84 inches, and its breadth, were the right cornu entire, would be 12 inches; but this excessive proportional breadth may be so far accounted for by its having been crushed absolutely flat. The snout is pointed, as in C. Campbelltownensts, Whiteaves, though not quite so acutely; but the cornua, instead of being long and curved, as in that species, are com- paratively short and broad based,—the orbits are also pro- portionally smaller and farther apart. The surface-ornament, THE MARSH TITMOUSE IN STRATHSPEY 207 ~ where seen, consists of an excessively minute and close tuber- culation, which is, however, coarser and more prominent round the margins of the orbits: the cornua are not provided with denticles along their inner margins. The pseudo-tesselation of the middle layer is proportionally minute. The remains of the dody are scanty and badly preserved ; but on its scales clear evidence is afforded of a tubercular ornament similar to that of the cranial shield. To this new species of Cephalaspis, which is so interesting from its geological position and locality, I propose the name of C. magnifica. | The occurrence of Cephalaspzs in the Caithness Flags has however, no important bearing on the question of the relative ages of the Orcadian Old Red Sandstone and that of Forfar- shire and the West of England; as a species of the same cenus (C. /aticeps) has already been described by me from the Upper Devonian of Canada.! THE -MARKSH ae GR "T . i . - 4 , ! ay a -_— ¥ ? , - The Rails OF A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE - WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED me «The Scottish Paturalist i EDITED BY J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. A MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION JAMES W. H. TRAIL, M.A., M.D., F.L.S. PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN Yo AND _ WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.5., Mem. Brit. Orn. UNION ' NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH EDINBURGH Bi. DAVID DOUGLAS, CASTLE STREET LONDON: R. H. 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With Extracts from the Field ie Books of a Sportsman and Naturalist. By Cartes Sr, Jouy, ' Author of “Natural History and Sport in Moray.” Second Edition. ae With an Appendix on the Fauna of Sutherland. By J. A. Harvig- na Brown and T, E. Buckiry. ‘Two Vols. Crown 8vo, Illustrated. 21s, THE CAPERCAILLIE IN SCOTLAND. By J. A. Harvir-Browy, With Etchings on Copper, and Map illustrating the extension of its range since its Restoration at Taymouth in 1837 and 1838. Demy 8vo. 8s, 6d, feet EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. . Report on the Great Skua (Stercorarius catarrhactes) in “Gheusgna Bird Notes from North Ronaldshay—A/lan Briggs . : 3 ‘ during the Nesting Season of 1892— Wm. Eagle Clarke, F. L. Bit The Crambi of Scotland— William Reid, F.E.S. is : Weg oH a ‘ Notes on Copepoda from the Firth of Forth: Longipedia coronata, 3 Claus; and a Preliminary Description of an apparently New fcaue and Species — Thomas Scott, F.L.S., and Ane G Scott. Plate II. ; : ; , ; : . Records of Scottish Plants for 1892, additional to ‘ Pee Ba Botany” Ed. 2, 1883—Arthur Bennett, P.L.S. . . ; The Occurrence of Pylaiella varia, Kjeliman, in Scotland—E£. 1. Holmes, F.L.S. Plate Ill... ’ : ‘ d 4 ‘ On Scottish Desmidieze—/ohn Roy, LL.D. . : y : : Zoological Notes ... : 3 : f : : : ae Water Shrew in the Isle of Kerrera— W. Borrer, M.A.; Variations in the Field Vole—R. Service; The Wild Cat in Caithness—/John Gunn ; Common Dolphin dredged off Mull— W.. Eagle Clarke, F.L.S. ; The Ring Ouzel in winter in Perthshire—Zzeut.-Col. H. M. Drummond Hay ; Wheatear | in the Forth District in January—Charles Campéell; Bluethroat in Moray—JZ. Brinsley Brooke ; Bohemian Waxwing in Scotland ; Sparrow and Mouse—W2diiam Loudon; Lapland Bunting in Shetland—/. A. Harvie-Brown, F.RS.£E., F.Z.S. ; Jackdaw in Tiree—Peter Anderson ; Magpie in Orkney—A. Noel Shelton : Tufted Duck and Wigeon in Selkirkshire during the Breeding Season— W. Evans, F.R.S.£.; Pintail Ducks in the Forth District—/. A. Harvie-Brown, F.R.S.E., F. Z.S. 5 Gray Plover in Barra—Dr. J. MacRury; Variety of Golden Plover in Barra—Dr. J. MacRury; Knot in Barra—Dr. /. MacRury; Ruff in Benbecula—Dr. J. MacRury; Curlew Sandpiper in Orkney—A. Noel Skelton ; The Curlew Sandpiper in summer plumage in the Firth of © Forth—W. Evans, F.R.S.£.; Protection of the Osprey ; Occurrence of the Ivory Gull in Shetland—W. Eagle Clarke, F.L.S.; Black Guillemot in black or breeding plumage in winter—Dr. J. MacRury ; The Palmated Newt in West Ross-shire—Z. W. Hinxman, B.A., and W. Eagle Clarke; The Palmated Newt in Mid-Perth—W. £vans, F.R.S.£E. ; Coleoptera at Loch Awe in June 1892—Arthur F. Chitty, F.£.S.; The Food of the Sagitta : Additional Note—7. Scott, F.L.S. ; Damage by the Water Vole in Berwickshire —/. Stuart, M.D.; Niptus hololeucus in Caithness—Percy Hall Grimshaw. Botanical Notes and News ‘ j ; , . f Be Orobanche cruenta—Arthur Bennett, F.L.S.; Alchemilla alpina and A. _ conjuncta—Arthur Bennett, F.L.S. ; Phuc of Glen A’an, Banffshire— G. Claridge Druce, M.A., F.L.S.; Notes on some Scottish Plants— G. Claridge Druce, M.A., F. 1 CRE pais Current Literature Reviews . ¢ : : 5 s : F On the Fossil Fish Remains of the Coal Measures of the British Islands— James W. Davis, F.G.S,, F.L.S., e¢c.; A Fauna of Lakeland, _ Erratum. Printed by R. & R. CuarK, Edinburgh. The geen 5 cottish Natural History A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “Be Scottish flaturalist ”’ EDITED BY J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, F.R.S.E., F.ZS. MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION eee W.. H... TRAIL,’ M.A... M.D., F.RS., F.LS. PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND ‘a “WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.LS., Mem. Brir. Orn. Unton NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH EDINBURGH DAVID DOUGLAS, CASTLE STREET Ul _ LONDON: R. H. PORTER, 18 PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQUARE All Articles and Communications intended for publication, and all Books, ete., for notice should be sent to Mr. EAGLE © CLARKE, MusEuM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH; except those relating to Botany, which should be addressed to PrRoF. TRAIL, THE UNIVERSITY, ABERDEEN. Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the Publisher, Mk. DAVID DOUGLAS, 10 CASTLE STREET, _ EDINBURGH. . Authors of General Articles will receive 25 Reprints Gn covers) of their Contributions gratis. Additional copies, in covers, may be had from the Printers, at the undermentioned rates, provided such orders accompany the Manuscript. 25 Copies. 50 Copies. 100 Copies. si : 4 pages 3/6 4/6 iG. ae , 4/6 5/6 3/6 : oe ith! 6/— 7/- 11/— es 16%) 1), 7/6 8/6 13/6 , Lately Published. Fourth Edition. 8vo. 21s. MODERN HORSEMANSHIP: Three Schools of Riding; an Original We Method of Teaching the Art, by means of Pictures from the Life By Epwarp L. ANDERSON, Author of “Vice in the Horse,” “The Gallop,” ete. * * Re-written and re-arranged, and illustrated by forty instantaneous photo- graphs, most of which have been taken specially for this edition. ; ‘‘ Put shortly, Mr. Anderson’s method is a species of equine drill, calculated to do for the horse what the gymnasium, the drill-master, the fencing-master, and the dancing-master effect in the case’ of the human subject. When perusing his pages the reader may rest assured that he is dealingwith no mere theorist. No one can take up ‘Modern Horsemanship’ without seeing the practicalman in every page.”—The Field. THE ART OF GOLF. By Sir W. G. Simesoy, Bart. I vol. demy 8vo, with 20 plates from Instantaneous Photographs of Professional Players, chiefly by A. F. Macriz, Esq. Second Edition, Revised. 15s. ‘Remains the standard work on the subject, notwithstanding all that has been written con- cerning the game since the publication of the first edition.” —National Observer. EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. aie iret aes ts ee ae ae THE GLASGOW CATALOGUE OF NATIVE AND ESTABLISHED © i PLANTS. Being a Contribution to the Topographical Botany of ui the Western and Central Counties of Scotland, alphabetically arranged © a5 for handiness in recording, showing records for Species and Varieties — Me up to 1892, so far as known, and interleaved so that New Records can ‘ AS be noted. ig Price Gd. To be had only from the Compiler, P. EWING, THE FROND, UDDINGSTON. rh eariaet ) te ¥ AIR CM TAL AAPA LAW PVAL LD ADVE! Ue VES OO SP ea ect od Vi Ads wa ene ee ae) ee eee PN, wy ARE) le arate it VeRGRN HSAROER TE) FT SAG WIMP RRC AUTaN ARO fA CRO LE Da PeN ca AiR Keogh th a oe i ) i RPE EY 3/ » : SON Ce He y EW carve aTu Yat it A” q ; ; : t oe ; AG gece ACR eis ‘ } : CTR Vag BOOKS ON NATURAL HISTORY. — Now ready. In One Volume, with Illustrations. , P Price 30s. PA VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF LAKELAND, including Cumberland wh and Westmoreland with Lancashire north of the Sands. By the be Rey. H. A. MacpHerson, M.A., Member of the British Ornithologists’ i Union. i’ ‘ | Now ready, in 1 vol. demy 8vo. Price 15s. _ SELECTIONS FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE OF DR. GEORGE JOHNSTON, Author of “ A Flora of Berwick-on-Tweed,” “ The History : _ of British Zoophytes,” etc. Collected and arranged by his daughter, ie Mrs. BARWELL CarTER: and Edited by James Harpy, LL.D., Hon. iG Secretary to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club. THE BIRDS OF BERWICKSHIRE. With Remarks on their Local Distribu- bes tion, Migration, and Habits, and also on the Folk-lore, Proverbs, Popular 3 Rhymes and Sayings connected with them. By Grorae MuiruHeap, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. Vol. I. Demy 8vo. Price 15s, Profusely Illustrated with Etchings and Lithographs. Vol. II., completing the Work, in the Press, NATURAL HISTORY AND SPORT IN MORAY. By the late CHarLes St, Jonny, Author of ‘Wild Sports in the Highlands.” Second Edition. In 1 vol. royal 8vo, with 40 page Illustrations of Scenery and Animal Life, engraved by A. DuRAND after sketches made by GnorGe Ret, R.S.A., and J. WycLirre TAYLOR ; also, 30 Pen-and- Ink Drawings by the Author in facsimile. 50s. net. ‘¢This is a new edition of the work brought out by the friends of the late Mr. St. John in 1863 ; but it is so handsomely and nobly printed, and enriched with such charming illustrations, that we may consider it a new book,”—St. James's Gazeite. ‘Charles St. John was not an artist, but he had the habit of roughly sketching animals in positions which interested him, and the present reprint is adorned by a great number of these, facsimilied from the author’s original pen-and-ink. Some of these, as for instance the studies of the golden eagle swooping on its prey, and that of the otter swimming with a salmon in its mouth, are very interesting, and full of that charm that comes from the exact transcription of unusual observation.”—Pall Mall Gazette. A TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE. With Extracts from the Field | Books of a Sportsman and Naturalist. By CHARLES Sr. JOHN, Author of “Natural History and Sport in Moray.” Second Edition. With an Appendix on the Fauna of Sutherland. By J. A, Harvir- Brown and T. E. Buckiry. Two Vols. Crown 8vo, Illustrated. 21s. 7 THE CAPERCAILLIE IN SCOTLAND. By J. A. Harvin-Browy, With Etchings on Copper, and Map illustrating the extension of its range ; since its Restoration at Taymouth in 1837 and 1838. Demy 8vo. 8s, 6d. . EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. c Pociat on the Movements and Occurrence of Birds in Scotl af iS ‘ He | during 1892—Lionel W. Hinxman, B.A. . neat, ¥ Additions to the Authenticated Comital Census of the Land a ie Freshwater Mollusca of Scotland —Wm. Denison Roebuck, — fet On Scottish Desmidiex—/okn Roy, LL.D. Plate IV. . Zoological Notes : . : : : . Orkney— Wm. Harvey ; Nesting of the Snow Bunting i the Eastert Cairngorms—Lionel W. Hinxman, B.A., and W. Eagle C rke, PF. Fe ie The Red-backed Shrike nesting in Lanarkshire—John Paterson ; Cr koo and Caterpillars—Z. L. Macdowall; The Merlin as an enemy of t Vole—T. G. Laidlaw ; Quail in Midlothian—P, Adair; Fulmar Pett LS re breeding in Papa Stour, Shetland—Adelaide L. Traill ; The Pa yO ia Pena Newt in Inverness-shire— William Evans, F.R.S.E.; Scottish } ek wanted— William Eagle Clarke, F.L.S.; On Newra cuspidata < Odostomia rufa, var. fulvo-cineta, in the Firth of Forth—Thomas Scott, oe F.L.S.; The Water Spider in Inverness-shire —W2/iam Evans, 1 F.R.S.E,; Notes on Forth Annelida— Thomas Scott, F.L.S. x a_i. sitet fecvsr ches on the aehiaues of Uredinez ; Uredineae in am Scotland—James W. H. Trail, M.A., M.D., F.R.S. Pe deat sh Current Literature. ; : . ; : pga ox s - 7S ce Carte 7. Sy Foes Sil ea % mee > et $e43 Fi See : pee SS SES Se ee ae ee es ee, De © . aria a be “ty a . . ve ae est ote > 7 . +5 eee fe = E593 [OCTOBER — ss 3 3m ie $= — ee a oe : ges aie bd Pu hd ‘ 2", —. A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “Che Scottish f2aturalist”’ EDITED BY J. A. HARVIE-BROWN, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS UNION : JAMES W. H. TRAIL, M.A., M.D., F.R.S., F.L.S. PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN AND WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.LS., Mem. Brir. Orn. UN1on NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH EDINBURGH DAVID DOUGLAS, CASTLE STREET “LONDON: R. H. PORTER, 18 PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQUARE n . dee serge pac e ee Pric Ci ¢ 25. 6d. A nnual Subscription, payable in advance, 75. 6d., Post fee, hae =u 7 ¥; ee ' eS : All Articles and Communications intended for publicatigh and all Books, ete., for notice should be sent to Mr. EAC CLARKE, MusEuM oF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBUR except those relating to Botany, which should be addresset PRoF. TRAIL, THE UNIVERSITY, ABERDEEN. : Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addres the Publisher, Mr. DAVID DOUGLAS, 10 CASTLE oe EDINBURGH. . Authors of General Articles will receive 25 Reprints covers) of their Contributions gratis. Additional copies, — covers, may be had from the Printers, at the undermentione rates, provided such orders accompany the Manuscript. , 25 Copies. 50 Copies. 100 Copies. 4 pages 3/6 4/6 as ee 4/6 5/6 8/6 — 1eo 6/- 7/- 11/— O23, 7/6 8/6 13/6 Lately Published. Fourth Edition. 8vo. 21s. MODERN HORSEMANSHIP: Three Schools of Riding; an Origi Method of Teaching the Art, by means of Pictures from the Life. aT. Re- written and re- cpanel and illustrated by fae instantaneous phot m a graphs, most of which have been taken specially for this edition. n9 mere Giiarise: No one can take up ‘Modern Potemacchin’ without seeing the pee in every page.’—The Field. THE ART OF GOLF. By Sir W.G. MDa , Bart, 71 vol. ee ably by A. F. Macete, Esq. Second Edition, Revised. 15s. ‘Remains the standard work on the subject, notwithstanding all that has been wnt cerning the game since the publication of tie first edition. "—-National Observer. Now Ready, in One Vol., Feap. 8vo, New Edition, Price 1s. ; or in Cloth, Qs. HOW TO CATCH TROUT. By Taree ANGLERS. The aim of this b is to give, within the smallest space possible, such practical informa and advice as will enable the beginner, without further instruct to attain moderate proficiency in the use of every legitimate lure. ‘A delightful little book, and one of great value to anglers.” —Scotsman. “The advice given is always sound.’ —Field. .: “The most practical and instructive work of its kind in the literature of angling.” —Di Advertiser. 4 ‘‘A well-written and thoroughly practical little book.”—Land and Water. THE GAMEKEEPER’S MANUAL; being an Epitome of the ‘Ga Laws of England and Scotland, a of the Gun Licences oe Be: shire. egal Edition. Crown Rive 3s see EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. In One Volume, with Illustrations. Price 30s. : ‘VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF LAKELAND, including Cumberland _ and Westmoreland with Lancashire north of the Sands. By the _ Rev. H. A. Macpuerson, M.A., Member of the British Ornithologists’ Union. Now San, _ Now ready, in 1 vol. demy 8vo. Price 15s. ee JOHNSTON, Author of “ A Flora of Berwick-on-Tweed,” “ The History of British Zoophytes,” etc. Collected and arranged by his daughter, ts Mrs. BARWELL Carter: and Edited by JAamzs “Harpy, LL.D., Hon. Secretary to the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club. THE BIRDS OF BERWICKSHIRE. With Remarks on their Local Distribu- tion, Migration, and Habits, and also on the Folk-lore, Proverbs, Popular > Rhymes and Sayings connected with them. By GrorcE MoIRHEAD, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S. Vol. I. Demy 8vo. Price 15s. Profusely Illustrated it Etchings and Lithographs. Vol. II., completing the Work, in the Press, . | NATURAL HISTORY AND SPORT IN MORAY. By the late at Cuarutes St. Jonny, Author of “Wild Sports in the Highlands.” a Second Edition. Ta 1 vol. royal Svo, with 40 page Illustrations of Scenery and Animal Life, engraved by A. DurAnp after sketches made by George Ret, B.S.A., and J. Wycuirre Taytor ; also, 30 Pen-and- Ink Drawings by the Author in facsimile. 50s. net. ‘‘This is a new edition of the work brought out by the friends of the late Mr. St. John in 1863 ; : but it is so handsomely and nobly printed, and enriched with such charming illustrations, that we _ *may consider it a new book,”—St. James's Gazette. “Charles St. John was not an artist, but he had the habit of roughly sketching animals in _ positions which interested him, and the present reprint is adorned by a great number of these, - facsimilied from the author's original pen-and-ink. Some of these, as for instance the studies of » the golden eagle swooping on its prey, and that of the otter swimming with a salmon in its mouth, are very interesting, and full of that charm that comes from the exact transcription of unusual __ observation.”—Pall Mall Gazette. ae TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE. With Extracts from the Field a Books of a Sportsman and Naturalist. By CHartes Sr, Jonny, raAR Author of “ Natural History and Sport in Moray.” Second Edition. rigs With an Appendix on the Fauna of Sutherland. By J. A. Harvre- hag Brown and T. E. Bucxiey. Two Vols. Crown 8vo, Illustrated. 21s, Be Bes CAPERCAILLIE IN SCOTLAND. By J. A. Harvie-Browy. ___- With Etchings on Copper, and Map illustrating the extension of its range ‘ since its Restoration at Taymouth in 1837 and 1838. Demy 8yo. 8s, 6d. EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS. ct a + . , we eee —_—" - o> hs 4 ue fh, a oe. cola ee and on some of the Effects of the Visita —Peter Adair . Peay Pang foe tape n ee Sere ae On some Remarkable Specimens of Rana temporaria from Scotlanc —G. A. Boulenger, F.Z.S.. pee : = 2: eae Scorbena dactyloptera, Delaroche, in Scottish ‘Waters — George YT, hae ie Se Pei : : j ay ae 1 aa Cae On the Discovery of Cephalasfis in the Caithness Flags—Dr. Re H., Traquair, ERS. . ; ies mea s ion Sa = Marsh Titmouse in Strathspey —Wm. Evans, Pe e ae i . A List of the Hemiptera Heteroptera and Homoptera occurring i in Perthshire—7Z. M. M‘Gregor . : : : . aa Some Nev Scotch Localities for Arachnids—Geo. H. Carpenter, B.S c. ee Contribution towards a Flora of East Sutherland—Arthur Bennett, Se Pb Se tt % ; F : ie eae eee. 3 On Scottish Desmidieze—/okn Roy, VAD: ‘ae Zoological Notes. (2a The Quail in the Edinburgh District—Wm. Evans, FR. S. E.; Ouails in 328s Barra—Dr. John MacRury ; The Swordfish in the Firth’of Forth— J. MacNaught Campbell, F.Z.S. ; Bonito and Fox Shark in the Solway — Firth—R. Service; Note on a Parti- coloured Plaice —W. Anderson Smith; Psodos coracina (=P. trepidaria) at a low elevation— Wm. — se Evans, F.R.S.E.; Rare Beetles in Inverness-shire — Wm. Evans,. go EP CBN ES OE, AT Siaciaontk carinatum in the Firth of Forth—TZhomas — “Scott, F. Pe S.; Metopa nasuta from the Moray Firth—7; homas Scott, ; £.L.S. ; Cumacea from the Moray Firth—Thomas Scott, F.L.S.. Botanical Notes and News ; F rs Ee AE i ag kS First Records of Scottish Plants ; Rosa resinoides in Mid- Perth—G. € Cry Druce, M.A., F.L.S. ; Juniperus intermedia in ‘Scotland ae Bennett, F.L.S.; Algze Britannicze rariores exsiccatze; Monstrosit (flower on fruit) in Hydrocotyle vulgaris —A. Macdonald; Rare Fungi—John Stevenson ; Parka decipiens—R. Kidston, F.R.S.E. Current Literature. ; ; ; ie gene 3 Reviews . 2 ; ; : ye ; io ei _ Short Sketches of the wa Sports and Natitral Hisioty of the Highlands- - = Edited by "Robert Turner ; Johnston’s Letters— Collected and ‘s arranged by his daughter, ie Barwell-Carter. Edited by ) apres Hardy, LL.D. ,; The Glasgow Catalogue of Native and Establishe Plants —Peter Ewing; Naturalists’ Map of Scotland—/. A. Harvie &, . Brown and J. G. Bartholomew. INDEX . : : < 4 : 3 f Printed by R. & R. CLiarK, Ediniurgh. — Rem a = Pty Ss o— (« ahivi b . iwi 4 J mt fy Oa i { hy + 3 5185 00257 806% ee eee Anh i aie epee re ayer : ; AB 7 a aa ANF Rit PREEMPT PEP 2F vate em Lf ED Me OT . © namcrite, eg meen ee Bs er co PA rt ee ee : -_ f ap rie had pes eqanaeas os liner Fates ae heel ey So ialatoae EA II a - nae arvana rs Src mane pe tO ata eel Meine oC OSL LO x nm “ue sot oHeses aye ee Eos en Betcatin 9 ge Be OWES HH : me year mcs st wean! aa een FHRh ST OH ewes Ose) PHENO PitucgHe.* eee 7 y es » ants rena nen : ~ vase : eS Pre se atsherpe red earn yen na scene baservshsscnnmpamneanconeper pw cela SAM TAs zane ene: Sere oaotore See estoy perry fo Pere as , Oy Bait th ROK 7 i rar , rE J a A a IO 2 paca” : a » o o % at VOR TOF oe tt oe eres see Sartre ; ee etenmaaneaaiorenne di ser aor: eT Pee no nan a . ceweatss ara 2 sratinees - ia angen ang on 1 rey Bee AOS Nt T a Reo Fids ewes are = eesecd ! oa , “Seay eee | Apso wr 7 = te! e : Brie Se ee t eit 7 yet " : ; navn ane + yee ; ENO acewila or ee Bae > . ‘ sae ee pete=% a , Fn ik aan oe he che atin gi | che, aces Sein Sad cal ie al eel ; enininaiaean 1 nage 08 “eat y re - map ohare gunna tere, - ' See HERE AR NSN Ui Nara k SN ERENT ES EL ee .