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MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION PANEE S| Wis “BRAT MCAl MDE ERS: Ee Es: 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, 7 PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQUARE 2 VD Ais )7 The Annals of Scottish Natural History No. 33] 1900 [JANUARY Ae BREW “NOTES “ON “THE WORKING \OF> TEE WILD BEDS PROTECTION ACT (Crso7)) By WitiiaAM Berry, B.A., LL.B. THE Wild Birds Protection Act of 1894 has now been in operation within one district of Fifeshire for three complete seasons. Even after such a short period as this, though great results cannot yet be looked for, some distinct effect and improvement are already to be seen ; and it may be interesting, such as they are, to have them recorded in the ‘ Annals.’ The district referred to lies in the north-east of the county, and is known as the ‘Tentsmuir’; about a third of it has been under the writer’s pretty constant supervision since the autumn of 1890. For some time before that this moor, which is naturally very attractive to many species of wild birds, had not been sufficiently watched or protected, and in the absence of this had become a happy hunting- eround for egg-gatherers, who regularly searched it for eggs, and gathered every egg they could find. Most of the eggs were doubtless boiled for food if fairly fresh, or thrown away and destroyed if much incubated, though the egg-gatherers as a class are not very fastidious; but boxes were also regularly despatched by rail to collectors and dealers in 5B) B 2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY London and elsewhere. Of course the results of such practices as these could not but be injurious; and, in fact, they were too easily seen. The Common Terns seemed to be able to hold their own in spite of any amount of persecu- tion, and Sheldrakes were more numerous than was to have been expected, but all other species were distinctly scarce. There were a few Curlews and Golden Plovers struggling for existence, a certain number of Lapwings, and on the northern ‘third’ perhaps five or six pairs of Eiders; but most of the nests were plundered one by one, and of the Eiders in particular very few were ever able to hatch. Moreover, there was little that could then be done to remedy this state of matters, though whatever could be done was done; but neither force nor argument are of much use where there is not legal support in reserve behind them. After a year or two of continual watching, some little improve- ment was indeed perceptible ; a certain percentage of Eider Ducks were now able to hatch out successfully, and the Terns perhaps increased in numbers; but the improvement was too slight to permit of great hopes being entertained of anything like a satisfactory result being attainable. Such improvement as there was, was only secured at the cost of very much uphill work. Such was the state of matters in 1894, when at length an Act was passed which gave a little legal backing to those who were interested in the protection of nesting wild birds; and Tentsmuir, which is an isolated and sparsely inhabited tract lying within a highly populous district, seemed an exceptionally suitable spot in which to test its efficacy. To bring the Act into operation there, it was necessary to secure the assistance of the County Council; and there ensued a lengthy correspondence with the County Authorities, firstly, to satisfy certain members of the Council that no valuable interest was in conflict with that of Wild Bird Protection, and thereafter, as to the form in which a Protecting Order should be drawn up, even such details as the Latinity of the scientific nomenclature to be adopted being fully discussed. However, in time all objectors were won over, the piloting of the matter through its various stages in the Council being kindly undertaken by Sir Ralph Anstruther, Bart. and an THE WORKING OF THE WILD BIRDS PROTECTION ACT 3 application to the Secretary for Scotland was in due time sent in. An Order was then issued, on the 7th of January 1897, placing Tentsmuir under the operation of the Act for five years from the following month of March. The writer, who had the advantage of the suggestions and advice of the editors of this magazine, drew up a list of birds to be protected under the Act, which list was that eventually adopted. His desire was to see included under the prohibition the eggs of all birds which bred, or which were likely to breed, on the moor, excepting only those of birds noxious to agriculture, or so common as to require no protection ; but the eggs of one or two rather improbable breeders which happened to resemble those of more common birds were also included in the list, in order to obviate as far as possible the necessity for skilled evidence in the course of any legal proceedings which might have to be taken should any con- traventions of the Order be reported. On the whole these efforts were well rewarded ; for at the close of the succeeding breeding season there was quite a different story to tell. Formerly neither force, argument, nor persuasion were of much avail; but now, to all who did go to the moor for the purpose of gathering eggs, the appear- ance of a watcher or gamekeeper was the signal of general flight. There were, however, comparatively few who attempted to defy the law. Even up to the present time only one serious case has been reported, namely, on 20th June 1898, when two labourers from Tayport were found with eighty-one Terns’ eggs in their possession. These men were charged before the Sheriff at Cupar, and were fined 41: 4s. each; but the other two or three trivial contraventions which have been discovered were all committed in ignorance, and in their case a verbal reminder of the existence of the Act was all that was called for. In 1898 the Secretary for Scotland proposed to all the County Councils in the country that the protection of wild birds and their nests and eggs should be undertaken, under their auspices, in something like a systematic and methodical manner ; and two short but sufficiently comprehensive lists of the birds which it was deemed advisable to favour with the protection afforded by the various Acts were at the same 4 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY time drawn up, one list being applicable to the North and the other to the South of Scotland. The disadvantages of having, perhaps, totally different groups of birds protected within adjacent counties having practically the same physical configuration were sufficiently conspicuous ; and the County Council of Fife, among others, adopted Lord Balfour’s scheme, with the relative schedule of birds applicable to the southern half of Scotland. The adoption of this plan involved the repeal of the Tentsmuir Order of the previous year, with its very much longer list of protected birds ; but the General Order does all that is required, as well for Tentsmuir as for the rest of the county ; though, as it may be hoped that our breeding lists will be extended as the universal system of egg-gathering hitherto in vogue is gradually checked, it might be well to add to the lists from time to time any new birds whose claims to protection may emerge. Already, in fact, the addition of the Pintail to our list is emphatically called for; and the Arctic Tern, which the writer would have liked to see included in the original list, might be added at the same time. But if the lists are thus subject to occasional revision, great things may be hoped from this well-considered scheme. The Act, however, when it has been adopted, must be properly supported and enforced, and not permitted to become a dead letter in the district ; without support and assistance from game preservers and land- owners generally, its power for good will be much restricted. On the northern ‘third’ of Tentsmuir, where the Act has been thus backed up, there has been an undoubted im- provement. Several Eider Ducks’ nests may now be found, without difficulty, where one was to be found before ; and of those found this year, all but two, which were destroyed by the heavy rainfall, were successfully hatched. Golden Plovers have been more numerous this summer than they have been for years ; moreover, they all left the moor soon after the middle of July, instead of lingering on into August as they would probably have done had even the earlier eggs been gathered. This year it was the early eggs that were hatched, and long before August both young and old had gone else- where. Ducks of two or three kinds nested in most unusual numbers, and among them was at least one pair of Shovellers THE WORKING OF THE WILD BIRDS PROTECTION ACT . 5 —a bird, so far as the writer’s experience goes, quite new as a breeder on Tentsmuir. While the Act of 1894 has thus proved itself to be of much value and efficacy, there are one or two points where, in scope or in working, it may be extended and improved. A little is yet wanted to enable those of us who have no sympathy with what sometimes passes for ‘oology’ nowa- days, to check its ill effects. Great sympathy may indeed be felt with egg-collecting where the collecting is done by the collector himself, and done, as it quite well may be done, so as to cause inappreciable harm to the birds themselves ; but with the taking of entire clutches of eggs, or, worse and worse, of several clutches of eggs of the same bird, the writer at least has absolutely no sympathy at all. No scientific purpose would seem to be served ; indeed, practically all that can be known about British oology is known already ; and for purposes of research large, if not complete, collections can be studied in the museums which exist in most of the chief towns in the kingdom. Certainly the pleasure of searching for and finding the nest of a new bird is great, and when the nest has been found it can do little or no harm if one or two of the eggs are taken—taken, perhaps, more as a memento than as specimens of great scientific value ; but surely the rest of the clutch might be left alone to hatch in peace, so that the pleasure of searching for several nests of the same kind (and of leaving them undisturbed when found !) may be enjoyed during succeeding years. While, however, with personal egg-collecting it is perhaps unnecessary,as it would certainly be difficult, for the Legislature to interfere, there is another method of egg-collecting, carried on in another way altogether, of which it is hard to speak in measured terms. This system is as follows :—A, a dealer in some large town, sends out circulars broadcast, offering to pay cash down for eggs of almost any kind, whether they are “protected” under the Wild’ Birds Acts; or “came” within the meaning of the Poaching Prevention Acts, or unfortunately not protected at all. There is much reason to fear that there is generally B, a malefactor ready to fulfil A’s requirements to the letter. Presumably there is some- where or other a C who considers himself a ‘collector, and Onis ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY who is ready to pay A a still larger sum for his ill-gotten plunder. A clause in a new Wild Birds Act which would render it an offence for any one, either from within a protected area, or from outside it, to solicit the taking of eggs of protected birds there, might do something to check what is at present a serious and a growing evil, while over the inter- ference with the nefarious system in all its branches it would only be possible to exult. It is earnestly to be hoped that when the whole matter comes to be reconsidered in the light of a few years’ experience of the working of the present Act, this point may be taken up and dealt with. The expense entailed, under the terms of the present Act, on any community which takes steps to put it in operation is another matter which might be considered. The provisions of the Act itself are as follows :— SECTION 4.—(1) The Council of an administrative county shall in every year give public notice of any Order under this Act which is in force in any place within their county during the three weeks preceding the commencement of the period of the year during which the Order operates. (2). Public notice under this Section shall be given— (a) As regards each place in which an Order operates, by advertising the order in two local newspapers circulating in or near that place ; (4) By fixing notices of the Order in conspicuous spots within and near each place in which the Order operates ; and (c) In such other manner as the Secretary of State may direct, or as the Council may think expedient, with a view to making the Order known to the public. The result of these provisions is that the whole text of every Order issued by the Secretary for Scotland in terms of the Act, with all its lists and schedules, has not only to be inserted zz ertenso in the advertisement columns of two news- papers several times over ; it must also be printed on posters and exhibited on notice boards, ‘in conspicuous places within or near each place in which the Order operates, during three whole weeks in each year. The cost of erecting the notice boards (and of replacing those of them which were defaced or broken up by presumably aggrieved egg-stealers) must THE WORKING OF THE WILD BIRDS PROTECTION ACT 7 have amounted to quite a considerable sum in the case of the Tentsmuir Order alone ; and undoubtedly this is an item of expense which many Councils may be glad to avoid in- curring, by the simple expedient of leaving the Act severely alone. Might it not, therefore, be sufficient for the County Authorities to be directed merely to promulgate the Order by means of handbills displayed in the windows of police stations ‘within or near’ the protected area, or in some such simple way? The saving in expense would be considerable, and would be all in favour of our cause. It is also to be hoped that the Legislature will at the same time increase the penalty——as it may be, the ridiculously inadequate penalty—which is all that can at present be im- posed on an offender convicted of a contravention of any of the Wild Birds Acts. Under certain circumstances a very small fine may be all that is called for; but if anything is to be done to curb the marauding instincts of professional egg- dealers or of ignorant men with guns, both the transgressor himself, and also any person who has solicited, or being his employer has knowingly permitted him to do the wrongful act, must be liable to a penalty much heavier than the present maximum of 41 per egg taken or per bird destroyed ; and, as a matter of course, any eggs found in the possession of an accused person, or the skins of birds he has killed, should in every case be confiscated as a necessary con- sequence of the conviction. There are too many men whom it is scarcely possible to persuade not to shoot every unusual but interesting or beautiful bird they come across ; and there are gamekeepers who not only shoot down Owls and Buzzards, Woodpeckers and Jays, without a shadow of remorse, but who are encouraged by their employers to do so. One would fain hope such men are less numerous than they were ; but, be they many or few, may it soon be within one’s power to bring to bear upon them a force more persuasive than argument. 8 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Pie FISHES OF THE, FIRGE. OF FOR Nw ITS: TRIBUTARIES: SPECIES ADDED SINCE DR. PARNELL'S ‘ESSAY’ OF 1837. By WILLIAM EAGLE C1iarkg, F.L.S. Dr. PARNELL’S Prize Essay ‘On the Natural and Economi- cal History of the Fishes, Marine, Fluviatile, and Lacustrine, of the River District of the Firth of Forth’ was contributed to the “ Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society ” in the year 1837, and forms the bulk (pp. 161-520, and pls. xviii.-lxiv.) of vol. vii. of the series published in 1838. It remains to this day one of the most important con- tributions to British faunal Ichthyology. Even in other than its local aspects it still possesses considerable value, for Dr. Parnell’s careful original descriptions of numerous species may yet be consulted with advantage. Since Parnell’s day no one seems to have made a special study of the Fishes of the Forth. This is greatly to be regretted, for much remains to be accomplished. It is true that the Fishery Board for Scotland has conducted a series of most valuable and interesting investigations and experiments on the Forth and its Fishes ; but these have naturally been chiefly made in the furtherance of their economic aspects, though the purely faunal side has not been neglected, and that such is the case will be manifest in what follows. The object of this contribution is to gather together the widely-scattered records of the past sixty years which relate to such species as are additions to Dr. Parnell’s List. In pre- paring this paper I have thought it best to give the details relating to the various occurrences as concisely as possible, and to give full references for all the published records. I have been fortunate enough to obtain privately some additional information of importance, and in this connection I have to tender my thanks and acknowledgments to my friends Mr. Thomas Scott, Naturalist to the Fishery Board for Scotland, and Mr. William Evans. No doubt some records have escaped me, and a notice of such would form a welcome contribution to this magazine. It was not my FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH AND ITS TRIBUTARIES 9 intention to have published on this subject at present, but Ichthyology is not well represented in our pages, and, as an opportunity arose, I availed myself of it. The Firth of Forth is here considered to be bounded on the east by a line drawn from St. Abb’s Head (outside the Isle of May) to Fife Ness, and agrees with the area defined by Dr. Parnell. Dr. Parnell’s List included 112 species;—as we now know them,—and this contribution adds 28, making a grand total of 140 species to date. SEBASTES NORWEGICUS (Ascanius). Traquair, “ Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin.,” vol. x. p. 509 (1891). There is no record for this northern deep-water form within the somewhat shallow waters of the Firth. The Bergylt is, however, occasionally captured outside the Isle of May, and a specimen obtained there was exhibited by Dr. Traquair (Zc.) at the meeting of the Royal Physical Society on the roth of March 1890. SCORPANA DACTYLOPTERA, De/aroche. Scorn] Anns scot. Nat Elist.,”2 1894, (p.c1er- In 1894 Mr. Thomas Scott submitted to me a specimen which had been captured by a Granton trawler to the south-east of the Isle of Mayon the 22nd of March of that year. Mr. Scott (Zc.) also records another example taken 17 miles north-east of Dunbar, on the 30th of April 1894. Neither specimen was full grown. This fish is common in deep water in the Mediterranean and the North Atlantic as far north as Tromsoe. It was not added to the British fauna until the year 1889, when one was obtained off the south-west coast of Ireland ; but it was not detected in British waters proper until 1893, when a specimen was taken on the Yorkshire coast (see Eagle Clarke, “ Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin.,” vol. xii. pp. 94-101, pl. xii, 1894). It has since proved to be not uncommon in certain deeps in the Moray Firth. TRIGLOPS MURRAYI, Giinther. EAGLE CLARKE, “Ann, Scot. Nat. Hist.,” 1895, p. 23. Murray’s Gurnard is one of the most interesting additions to the fauna of the Firth of Forth. A specimen, 5 inches in length, was submitted to me by Mr. Thomas Scott, which had been captured 10 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY by him to the west of the Isle of May on the 28th of November 1890. It is a somewhat rare fish, and its distribution is peculiar, since it appears to be entirely confined to Scottish seas, wherein it was discovered by Sir John Murray in 1885. TTRACHINUS DRACO, Linneus. Gray, “Zoologist,” 1849, p. 2519; Futon, “Rep. Fish. Board Scot.,” 1889, part ai, p. 356 (1890); Scorr, “ Ann: Scot: Nat. Hist.,”> 1963,p. 253. It is rather remarkable that the Greater Weaver should be such an uncommon species in the Firth of Forth, for it is quite the reverse at St. Andrews, where it is described as frequent after storms ; and it is not rare on the Scandinavian coasts. It was first recorded for the Firth by the late Mr. Robert Gray (Z.c.), who obtained a specimen near to the Bass Rock on the 14th of August 1848. It was next captured—so far as we know—at Largo Bay in May 1889 by Mr. Scott, as mentioned by Dr. Wemyss Fulton (Zc). Mr. Scott also took one, 12 inches long, in a shrimp-trawl in the ‘Fluke Hole,’ off St. Monance, on the 29th of August 1895 (Fulton, Zc.) Lastly, so far as the Firth proper is concerned, an example was reported to me as having been captured, on a hand-line baited with mussel, off Craigleith at the beginning of July 1899. It is also occasionally captured by the trawlers outside the May Island and off St. Abb’s Head. ORCYNUS THYNNUS (Linncus). Jameson, “Proc. Roy.. Phys. Soc. Edin.,” vol. ii. p. 16 (1863); M‘IntosH, “‘ Rep. Fish. Board Scot.,” 1885, App., pp. 206- 207, pl. viii. (1886); MASTERMAN, of. ci¢., 1893, part ili. pp. 273-283, pls. xi. and xi. (1894). A specimen of the Tunny, 8 feet long, which had been captured in Aberlady Bay, was exhibited by Professor Jameson at the meeting of the Royal Physical Society on the 28th of April 1842, and is the first Forth record known to me. A fine male, 9 feet long and weighing 6? cwts., was caught in a trawl in the ‘Fraith,’ off Pittenweem, in October 1885, as recorded by Professor M‘Intosh (Zc.). The skeleton of this specimen was described in detail by Mr. Masterman (4c), and its characters and anatomy by Professor M‘Intosh (Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist.” (5), vol. xvii. pp. 236-337, pl. xi.). FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH AND ITS TRIBUTARIES 11 CAPROS APER (Linne@us). Traguarr, “Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin.,” vol. x. p. 506 (1891). A specimen of the Boar-fish, recently captured near the Isle of May, was exhibited at a meeting of the Royal Physical Society, on the 20th of February 1889, by Dr. Traquair. Another example was obtained in the following year, also taken off May Island. GOBIUS PAGANELLUS, Gmelin. Ginrtuer, “Catalogue of Fishes,” vol. iii. p. 53 (1861). Dr. Giinther tells us that there is a half-grown specimen in the collection of fishes in the British Museum from the Firth of Forth. It would be both interesting and useful to obtain some further information regarding this fish as a native of the Forth. APHIA PELLUCIDA (/Vardo). GUNTHER, “Catalogue of Fishes,” vol. iii. p. 80 (1861). Dr. Giinther (Zc.), under the name of Latrunculus albus, gives the Firth of Forth as a habitat of the Slender or White Goby, and mentions that there are three examples from the Firth in the national collection in the British Museum. My friend Mr. William Evans informs me that at the beginning of August 1896 he observed a number of small Gobies in deep pools at the east limit of Aberlady Bay, and that he believed them to belong to this species. This is another Goby about which it is highly desirable we should obtain further information as a Forth species. Dr. Day (“ British and Irish Fishes,” vol. i. p. 171) says that he obtained specimens at Aberdeen. LIPARIS MONTAGUI (Donovan). Evans, “Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.,” p. 255 (1897). In August 1897, Mr. William Evans found Montagu’s Sucker on three occasions in rock-pools at North Berwick. Here they concealed themselves among the fronds of Laminaria digitalts growing round the margins of the pools, and could only be detected on the closest inspection. The specimens captured were from 2 to 2.5 inches in length. This species is probably not uncommon in the littoral waters of the Firth. Professor M‘Intosh (“ Marine Fauna of St. Andrews,” p. 175) says that it is abundant in the rock-pools at St. Andrews. 12 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY BLENNIUS GATTORUGINE, 4 loch. GUNTHER, “ Catalogue of Fishes,” vol. iii. p. 213 (1861). According to Dr. Giinther (Zc), there are five adult mounted examples of the Gattoruginous Blenny in the British Museum collection from the Firth of Forth. This is yet another species about which it is most desirable we should have further information. It is said to have been captured on two occasions at Banff by Edward. CARELOPHUS ASCANII (Walbaum). FuLton, “Rep. Fish. Board Scot.,” 1889, part. ili. p. 357 (1890); EAGLE CiarkKE, “Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.,” 1895, p. 24. Dr. Wemyss Fulton (Zc.) records an example of Yarrell’s Blenny, 5-5 inches long, which was caught on a baited line two miles off the mouth of the Tyne on the 13th of September 1880. A specimen 7.5 inches long was brought to me on the goth of August 1894. It had just been captured off Craigleith on rocky ground in to fathoms, and had taken a hook baited with mussel. Mr. Evans tells me that he took one from a rock-pool at North Berwick in January 1896. Professor M‘Intosh (“Marine Fauna of St. Andrews,” p. 175) says it is not uncommon in deep water, and occasionally in the stomach of the Cod. LUMPENUS LAMPETRIFORMIS (WValbaum). Day, “Proc. Zool. Soc.,” 1884, pp. 445-447, pl. xli., and “ Rep. Fish. Board Scot.,” 1883, App., -p. 78, pl x.\(1884)§ SCOnl, op. -c77. 1888, part ili. p. 326 (1889); FULTON, of. cz. 1889, part iil. p. 357 (1890); M‘INTOSH, of. cit. 1893, part iil. pp. 225-227, pl. il. fig. 2 (1894); EAGLE CLarKE, “ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.,” 1895, pp. 25, 26. This Blenny was described as new to the British fauna by Dr. Day (4.c.), from a specimen captured 15 miles off St. Abb’s Head in May 1884. It was taken in a trawl in 4o fathoms of water, and was sent to him by Professor M‘Intosh. In 1887 Mr. Scott (/.c.) found specimens on several occasions in the stomachs of Cod trawled in the Firth, but failed to identify them owing to their mutilated condition. In the following year, however, he took eight specimens in a shrimp-net, when trawling a few miles east of Inchkeith. Since then there are several records (Eagle Clarke, Zc.), and the fish seems to have thoroughly established itself in the deeper waters of the Firth. FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH AND ITS TRIBUTARIES 13 TRACHYPTERUS ARCTICUS (Briinnich). ReEip, “Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist.” (2), vol. iil. pp. 456-477, pl. xvi. (1849). A specimen of this deep-sea form, known as the Deal-fish or Vaagmaer, was cast ashore dead, but in a perfectly fresh condition, at Elie, early in April 1848. It was received on the 7th of that month by Professor Reid of St. Andrews, to whom it was sent by Dr. John Berwick of Elie. The specimen measured 5 ft. 4 ins. ‘ from the point of nose to termination of the vertebral column,’ extreme height of body 11 inches. This appears to be the only specimen that has ever been obtained in or near the Firth of Forth, and it afforded Professor Reid material for a long and exhaustive account of a very remarkable fish. He was wrong, however, in his surmise that this example was the first that had been found in the British seas, for it had previously been recorded from Orkney several times, first in 1817, and from the Moray Firth in 1847. REGALECUS BANKSII (Cuv. and Vad.). Mr. James Marr, harbour-master, North Berwick, informs me that, some fifty-five or sixty years ago, a specimen of Banks’s Oar-fish was found by his brother, awash among the waves, on the east shore at that town. Mr. Marr remembers the occurrence well, and described the fish and its long-produced first dorsal rays with accuracy. The specimen, which was about 15 feet in length, was, Mr. Marr informs me, sold by his brother for 45 to Mr. Muirhead, fishmonger, Edinburgh. No account of the occurrence of this rare and interesting abyssal form on the shores of the Firth appears to have been contributed to the scientific press of the period, at least I have as yet been unable to find sucha reference. As the fish was exhibited to the public, however, some account of it may have found its way into the newspapers. I should be glad to learn of any such references if known to any of our readers. GADUS MINUTUS, Linne@us. Rep. MaRINE ZOOL. Como., “ Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin.,” vol. ii. p- 443 (1863); Ewart, zdzd. vol. vill. p. 273 (1885); FuLTon, “Rep: Hishe: Board Seot:,” 1890, part, inp. 62 (Som): EAGLE CLARKE, “ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.,” 1895, p. 26. The Power Cod was added to the fauna of the Firth of Forth through the investigations of the Marine Zoology Committee of the Royal Physical Society in 1863, but without detailed particulars. On the roth of March 1884 Professor Ewart (Zc.) exhibited a 14 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY specimen at the meeting of the Royal Physical Society which had been recently taken off Eyemouth. One 7 inches long was captured by the ‘ Garland,’ whilst trawling west of the Isle of May, on the 17th of December 1890, as recorded by Dr. Wemyss Fulton (Z¢.); and another, 4.18 inches, was taken in the same station on the 29th of April the same year (Eagle Clarke, Z.c.). My friend Mr. Miles Johnson showed me an example, 6.35 inches long, which he had captured with rod and line, baiting with mussel, off the Bass Rock, in 12 fathoms of water, on the 2nd of August 1899. Mr. Scott informs me that it occurs above Queensferry, but it is not a common species in the Firth, and that it is confined to moder- ately deep water. Fertilised ova were obtained off the Bell Rock in June 18o91, and it is said to be common at St. Andrews. PHYCIS BLENNOIDES (L7iinnich). Scott, ‘‘ Rep. Fish. Board. Scot.,” 1888, part iil, p. 326 (1889). Mr. Scott (Zc.) records the capture of a Greater Forked Beard off St. Monance, remarking that there did not seem to be any previous record for the Firth of Forth. This specimen was taken with beam- trawl in February 1888. Mr. E. E. Prince, now Inspector of Fisheries, Dominion of Canada, however, writing in the “Scotsman” of 5th March 1887, says that this fish is ‘not uncommon off the mouth of the Firth. Occasionally fine specimens are stranded at St. Andrews.’ ARNOGLOSSUS MEGASTOMA (Donovan). Ewart and MaliTLanp, “ Rep. Fish. Board Scot.,” 1886, App., p. 63 (1887) ; ScorTt, of. cit. 1888, part. lll. pp. 325-326 (1880). In their account of the “ Fish taken by the ‘ Garland,’” Messrs. Ewart and Maitland (/.c.) mention a Sail Fluke (4. megastoma) of medium size, trawled at Station VI. (off Pittenweem, 10-15 fathoms) on the 15th of September 1886. Mr. Scott (/.c.) records ‘a few specimens inside May Island and near Fidra[in 1888]. This species is not recorded by Dr. Parnell in his “ Fishes of the Firth of Forth,” and is probably not very common in the estuary.’ SOLEA LUTEA (£7550). Rep. MARINE. ZOOL. Comm., “ Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin.,” vol. il. p. 240 (1863). Under the name of AZonochirus lingulatus, the Marine Zoological Committee of the Royal Physical Society records four Solenettes FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH AND) ITS TRIBUTARIES 15 dredged in the Firth on the 28th of September 1860, and describes them as new to the fauna of the Firth. There are, to my knowledge, no other records for this species in the area under consideration. Messrs. M‘Intosh and Masterman, however, procured the eggs of this species in St. Andrews Bay in May and July 1890 (“ British Marine Food Fishes,” p. 396, 1897). THYMALLUS VULGARIS, /Vi/sson. Evans, ‘‘ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.,” 1892, p. 271. Mr. William Evans (Zc) tells us that the Grayling was introduced into Cobbinshaw Loch about fifteen years prior to 1892. LEUCISCUS VULGARIS (Linn@us). VANS, “Ann: Seot: Nat. Hist, 1di92,p= 2 7.0. Mr. Evans (/.c.) records the introduction of the Dace into Linlithgow Loch in 1883, and describes them as being abundant there in 1892. TINCA VULGARIS, Cuvier. Day, ‘ British and Irish Fishes,” vol. ii. p. 191 (1883). Dr. Day (Zc.) informs us that ‘‘a few are found near Edinburgh.” My friend Mr. William Evans tells me that the ponds in Gosford Park, East Lothian, hold Tench. ENGRAULIS ENCRASICHOLUS (Linn@us). Futon, ‘Rep. Fish. Board Scot.,” 1889, part ili. p. 351 (1890). In winter of 1889-90 Anchovies were captured at several localities on the Scottish coasts. The data obtained through the inquiries instituted by the Fishery Board enabled Dr. Wemyss Fulton to record (Zc.) the following information relating to the Firth of Forth :— One crew of Anstruther herring-fishermen were certain that they had caught some Anchovies among herrings in the Firth (off the Fifeshire coast) at the end of December 1889 ; and one, five inches in length, was detected by the Fishery Officer among herrings landed at Dunbar on the 22nd of January 1890. NEROPHIS LUMBRICIFORMIS ( Yarrel/). EAGLE CLARKE, ‘‘ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.,” 1895, p. 27. A specimen of the Worm Pipe-fish, captured by me under a stone, between tide-marks, at North Berwick on the 2oth of August 1894, appears to be the only example of the species recorded for the Forth fauna. 16 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY CARCHARIAS GLAUCUS (Linnaeus). Evans, ‘‘ Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist.,” 1898, p. 239. A Blue Shark, to feet long, was, according to the “ Edinburgh Evening Dispatch,” captured on Kinghorn beach on the 30th of November 1894. One captured in the salmon-nets at Gullane Point, East Lothian, on the 7th of July 1898, was examined and recorded by Mr. Wm. Evans (¢.c.). This species is probably more frequent in its visits to the Forth than our present knowledge might warrant us to believe. It is mentioned as not uncommon at St. Andrews ; captured in the salmon-nets (M‘Intosh). ALOPIAS VULPES (Gme/in). Hamitton, “Nat. Lib. Brit. Fishes,” vol. 11. p. 313 (1843). A fine specimen of the Fox-Shark was exhibited, at a meeting of Wernerian Society, which had been captured in Largo Bay in August 1842 (Hamilton, Z<.). A second example of this rare visitor to the waters of the Forth is recorded by Mr. Stirton in the present number of the “ Annals.” It was strangled in a salmon-net in Roome Bay, Crail, on 29th of August 1899, and measured 13 feet 10.5 inches in length. LA&MARGUS MICROCEPHALUS (LZoch). Brown, “ Zoologist,” 1860, p. 6861; Rep. Zoot. Comm., “ Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin.,” vol. 11. p. 445 (1863); Brook, ‘‘ Rep. Fish. Board Soc.,” 1885, App., p. 227 (1886). Dr. Robert Brown (¢.c.) records the first Greenland Shark for the Firth of Forth—an example 10 feet long, captured on the 5th of May 1859. This specimen, perhaps, is the one alluded to in the Report of the Marine Zoology Committee of the Royal Physical Society (Zc), wherein it is stated that ‘about three years since, in May, one was caught near Inchkeith, and is now in the University Museum.’ Mr. George Brook (/.c.) recorded a young female, 5 feet in length, captured in the Firth on the 2nd of February 1886. Mr. William Evans informs me that a male, about 5 feet long, was exhibited in Mr. Anderson’s (fishmonger) shop, Edinburgh, which had been taken off the Isle of May on the 16th of December 1889; and that another was cast up west of the mouth of the Tyne on the 17th of February 1895. OCCURRENCE OF THE FOX-SHARK IN FIRTH OF FORTH 17 ECHINORHINUS SPINOSUS (Gmelin). Duns, “Rep. Brit. Assoc.,” 1871, p. 132; TuRNER, “Journ. Anat. Phys.,” 1875, p. 297 and figs. The Rev. Professor Duns communicated to the Edinburgh Meet- ing of the British Association, in August 1871, a “Notice of Two Specimens of “chinorhinus spinosus taken in the Firth of Forth.” Unfortunately, the mere title of the paper is given in the Report. Sir William Turner (/c.), however, alludes to these specimens as having been captured at Bo’ness and off Elie respectively, and mentions that the specimens are preserved in the Museums of Science and Art and of the Free Church College, Edinburgh. — Sir William further remarks that Professor Duns was the first naturalist to determine the presence of this species in Scottish seas. A third example,—a female,—6 feet 6 inches in length, was captured on lines with a herring bait, near the Bass Rock, in June 1874, and came into the possession of Sir William Turner, who figured and described it (Zc) in detail. MYXINE GLUTINOSA, Linmceus. GUNTHER, “ Catalogue of Fishes,” vol. viii. pp. 510, 511 (1870). Day, “ British and Irish Fishes,” vol. ii. p. 365. There is an adult specimen in the British Museum collection presented by — Woodfall, Esq. (Gtinther, Zc.). Dr. Day (Zc.) informs us, on the authority of Goodsir, that the Glutinous Hag or Borer is found in the Firth of Forth. I have not yet been able to trace Goodsir’s original record for this species as a Forth fish. Mr. C. W. Peach obtained a Forth specimen in March 1877; and Mr. William Evans informs me that the late Mr. F. M. Balfour obtained it at Dunbar. ON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE FOX-SHARKEK [INS Gee PIRT oH OF FORDE: By JOHN STIRTON. ON the evening of the 27th of August 1899, a Fox- Shark (Alopias vulpes) was found strangled in the salmon- nets in Roome Bay, Crail, by Alexander Clark, salmon-fisher, and his crew. The fish had rolled the net round its gill- openings in such a manner as to suffocate itself, and this without damaging the net in any way. I saw it the next morning, and took the photograph of it now reproduced, [| 33 Cc 18 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY also measured the specimen, with the following results : Length from snout to tip of tail, in a straight line, 13 feet 10% inches ; length of tail, 6 feet 11 inches; colour, light bluish slate ; sex, male; pupil of eye elongated. [The only previous occurrence in the Firth of Forth known to us is that of a “fine specimen” captured in Largo Bay in August 1842 (“ Nat. Lib. Brit. Fishes,” ii. p. 313).—EDs.] DIPTERA SCOTICA: II—INVERNESS-SHIRE. By Percy H. GrimsHaw, F.E.S. THE remarks made by me in the first two paragraphs of the first paper of this series (“ Annals,” 1899, pp. 84-85) will apply equally to the present contribution. In presenting this second instalment, I would again draw attention to the great paucity of information concerning the distribution of Diptera in Scotland, this being especially shown forth by the fact that I have been unable to find, after careful search, DIPTERA SCOTICA : II.—INVERNESS-SHIRE 19 more than a szugle record referring to the present county, although I have examined the more important entomological and other magazines from the years 1831 to 1899 inclusive! The record in question is that referring to the Gall-midge, Hormomyta juniperina, L. Galls of this species on branches of the common juniper were exhibited by Professor Thomas King at a meeting of the Glasgow Natural History Society on the 30th September 1890, and were stated to have been obtained at Boat of Garten. For the present list of 173 species I am much indebted to my friends Mr. Wm. Evans, Mr. L. W. Hinxman, Mr. Wm. Eagle Clarke, the Rev. E. N. Bloomfield, and above all, Lieut.-Col. J. W. Yerbury, to all of whom I here tender my grateful thanks. The interesting and well-preserved col- lections formed by the last-named gentleman form indeed the “backbone” of the present contribution, and I am glad to have the present opportunity of publicly acknowledging the debt under which he has placed me through his great generosity. All the specimens mentioned in the present paper under his name have been presented by him to the Edinburgh Museum, and hence have been examined by me. Since the list was made up, a further consignment, containing many interesting additions, has been received from the same source, and these will form a valuable supplement to be published later. Family BIBIONID#:. 1. Bisio pomon&, /ab.—Rothiemurchus, September-October 1894 (Hinxman) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). Family CULICID. 2. CULEX PIPIENS, Z.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). Family PTYCHOPTERID. 3. PTYCHOPTERA SCUTELLARIS, J/g.— Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). Family LIMNOBID/. 4. Pepicia R1vosa, Z.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). Family TIPULID. 5. Tiputa Lunata, Z.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). 20 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Family RHYPHID. RHYPHUS FENESTRALIS, Scof. —Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). Family STRATIOMYID.. . Microcurysa pouita, Z.—Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans). Family TABANID/. 8. H#MATOPOTA PLUVIALIS, Z.—Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans). 9. H&MATOPOTA CRASSICORNIS, Wh/ig.—Aviemore, June 1893 Io. If. TZ Zales 23) . CHRYSOPS QUADRATUS, JZz. (Evans). THERIOPLECTES TROPICUS, Z.—Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans) ; Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). THERIOPLECTES SOLSTITIALIS, JZg.— Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans); Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman) ; Aviemore, July 1898 (Yerbury). TABANUS SUDETICUS, Ze//er.—Kincraig, near Kingussie, August 1889 (Evans). CHRYSOPS CHCUTIENS, Z.—Kincraig, near Kingussie, August 1889 (Evans). Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). CHRYSOPS RELICTUS, J7/g.— Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans) ; Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman) ; Aviemore, July 1898 (Yerbury). Family LEPTID. . LEpTIS SCOLOPACEA, Z.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). . Leptis notata, JZg.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . LEPTIS TRINGARIA, Z.— Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). LEPTIS LINEOLA, /ad.— Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). ATHERIX IBIS, /a,—Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans). Family ASILIDA:. DIOCTRIA REINHARDI, /V’zed.—Four specimens, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). . Lapuria FLAvA, Z.—Rothiemurchus, June 1893 (Evans) ; Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). DysMACHUS TRIGONUS, JZg.—One male, Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury). DIPTERA SCOTICA: II.—INVERNESS-SHIRE 21 Family THEREVIDA. . THEREVA ANNULATA, /aé.—Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family EMPID. . RHAMPHOMYIA SULCATA, /77,—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). . RHAMPHOMYIA ALBOSEGMENTATA, Z/¢¢.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). . RHAMPHOMYIA SPINIPES, /7z.— Rothiemurchus, September- October 1894 (Hinxman). . EMPIS TESSELLATA, /al.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). . Empis BOREALIS, Z.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). . TTACHYDROMIA CURSITANS, /ad.—Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). Family DOLICHOPODID. . DOLICHOPUS CLAVIGER, Sfan.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). 2. ARGYRA ARGYRIA, AZg.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). . LIANCALUS VIRENS, Scop.—Rothiemurchus, September-October 1894 (Hinxman). Family SYRPHID. CHRYSOGASTER HIRTELLA, Zzw.— Kingussie, August 1898 (Yerbury). . CHILOSIA ANTIQUA, AZe.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . Leucozona Lucorum, Z.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . MELANOSTOMA MELLINUM, Z£.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman); Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). . PyropH&na ocymi, /aé.—Aviemore, July 1899. . PLATYCHIRUS ALBIMANUS, /ad.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke) ; Rothiemurchus, June-July, 1895 (Hinxman). . PLATYCHIRUS PELTATUS, JZg.—Aviemore, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). . PLATYCHIRUS CLYPEATUS, JZg.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). . Dea ALNETI, /77.—Female, Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). 22 43- 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 53: 54. 5a: 56. 57: ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY DIDEA FASCIATA, A/cg.—Two females, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury); two females, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yer- bury). SYRPHUS BARBIFRONS, //z.—Male, Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke); two males on window of hotel, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). SYRPHUS COMPOSITARUM, Verral/.—Kingussie, July 1898 (Yer- bury); Aviemore, July-August 1898 (Yerbury); Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). SYRPHUS CINCTELLUS, Z/¢.—Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). SyRpPHus cinctus, //7z.—Through the kindness of the Rev. E. N. Bloomfield, I have seen a female of this species which was taken by Mr. G. H. Verrall at Inverness in June 1884. SYRPHUS LAPPONICUS, Z/¢,—Col. Yerbury took a male of this rare and interesting species at Aviemore in July of the past year (1899). The only other British record appears to be that given by Verrall in the “Ent. Mo. Mag.,” vol. xxii. p. 230 (1886), which refers to a female caught at Pitlochrie in June 1870. SYRPHUS LUNIGER, d/g.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). SYRPHUS VITTIGER, Z¢4,—Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans) ; Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury); Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . SYRPHUS RIBESII, Z.—Aviemore, April 1893 (Evans) ; Rothie- murchus, September-October 1894 (Hinxman) ; Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke); Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman), . SYRPHUS GROSSULARIZ, JZg.— Rothiemurchus, September- October 1894 (Hinxman) ; Aviemore, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). SyRPHUS TRICINCTUS, //7.—Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). SYRPHUS ANNULIPES, Z/4,—Two males and one female, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). SYRPHUS ALBOSTRIATUS, //z.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). SYRPHUS LATERNARIUS, AZii//,— Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). SPHROPHORIA PicTa, JZg.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). 74. 75: DIPTERA SCOTICA: II.—INVERNESS-SHIRE 23 . SPHEGINA CLUNIPES, /7z.—A male of this species, taken by Verrall at Inverness in June 1884, was kindly sent for my inspection by the Rev. E. N. Bloomfield. . VOLUCELLA PELLUCENS, Z.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). . SERICOMYIA LAPPONA, Z.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman) ; Kincraig, August 1899 (Evans). . ARCTOPHILA MussiTaNs, /aé.— Male and female, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). . ERISTALIS TENAX, Z.—Rothiemurchus, September-October 1894 (Hinxman). . ERISTALIS INTRICARIUS, Z.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke) ; Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). . ERISTALIS ARBUSTORUM, Z.—Rothiemurchus, September- October 1894 (Hinxman) ; Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). . ERISTALIS RUPIUM, /ad.—Rothiemurchus, September-October 1894, and June-July 1895 (Hinxman). . ERISTALIS PERTINAX, Scof.— Rothiemurchus, September- October 1894 (Hinxman) ; Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke) ; Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury); Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). . ERISTALIS NEMORUM, Z.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). . HELOPHILUS PENDULUS, Z.—Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . HELOPHILUS LINEaTUS, /aé.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . CRIORRHINA FALLAX, Z.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). This is the species given in Verrall’s “ List of British Dip- tera” (1888) as Spzlomyia fallax. . XYLOTA SYLVARUM, Z.—Kingussie, July 1899 (Yerbury). . SYRITTA PIPIENS, Z.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke) ; Rothie- murchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). . CHRYSOTOXUM ARcUATUM, Z.—Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family CONOPID. Conops QUADRIFASCIATUS, Deg.—Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). Family OESTRID. CEPHENOMYIA AURIBARBIS, JZg.— As recorded in the “ Annals ” for 1896 (p. 61), two males and one female of this interest- ing Bot-fly were captured by Mr. Hinxman on the slopes of 79: So. ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Cairngorm, Glenmore Forest, in June 1895. Hitherto this species has been referred to under the name of C. rufibardis, Mg., but as Meigen’s description of auribarbis was printed on an earlier page in his “Systematische Beschreibung ” than that of ~ujfiarbis, both being now regarded as the same species, the name here used must in future serve as the correct designation. I am indebted to Mr. Ernest E. Austen, of the British Museum, for drawing my attention to this point. Family TACHINID. . HyALomyiA PUSILLA, JZ¢.—Male and female, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). . EcHINoMyIA GRossa, Z.—Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yer- bury). . ECHINOMYIA FERA, Z. — Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1898 (Yerbury); Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). MICROPALPUS VULPINUS, /77z.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman) ; Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1898 (Yerbury); Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; Kingussie, July 1899 (Yerbury); Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). MICROPALPUS PUDICUS, /ovzd.—Two males and two females, Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury); three males and three females, Aviemore, July 1898 (Yerbury); seven males and seven females, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; one male, Kingussie, July 1899 (Yerbury) ; seven males and two females, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). I have followed Austen (“ Ent. Mo. Mag.,” 1898, pp. 36-38) in referring this handsome species to pudicus, Rond. Whether Fallen’s hemorrhotdalts is the same species seems to be still open to doubt—if it is, then Rondani’s name must be sunk as a synonym. At present it seems safer to call the insect pudicus, always bearing in mind that even its generic position may be called in question. For further particulars the note by Austen (Z.c.) should be consulted . SIPHONA GENICULATA, Deg.—Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . SIPHONA CRISTATA, /ad.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . THRYPTOCERA CRASSICORNIS, JZe.— Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . THRYPTOCERA BICOLOR, J7g.—One specimen, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). 85. 86. SF. 88. 89. go. gt. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97: IO. 102. . SARCOPHAGA ALBICEPS, JZ¢. DIPTERA SCOTICA: II.—INVERNESS-SHIRE 25 THRYPTOCERA MINUTISSIMA, Z¢/,—A single specimen of this rare species captured at Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yer- bury). MACQUARTIA TENEBRICOSA, JZe.—Female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). ERIGONE STRENUA, J7g.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). CHETOLYGA QUADRIPUSTULATA, /ab.—Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). OLIVIERIA RUFOMACULATA, Deg. — Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1898 (Yerbury); Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury); Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). ExorisTa vuLGARIS, /7z.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). SIsyROPA LOTA, JZg¢.—Three males and one female, Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury); four males and four females, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury); seven males and two females, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). MEIGENIA FLORALIs, J7e.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). MASICERA RUTILA, JZe.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). METOPIA LEUCOCEPHALA, /oss?t—Eleven females, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). : METOPIA ARGYROCEPHALA, JZg.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family DEXID/. MYIOCERA CARINIFRONS, //z.—Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury); Kingussie, July 1899 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Dexia vacua, /7z.—Rothiemurchus, June and July 1895 (Hinxman) ; Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family SARCOPHAGID. . SARCOPHAGA CARNARIA, Z.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . SARCOPHAGA ATROPOS, JZge.—Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). CyYNOMYIA MORTUORUM, Z.—Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). CyNOMYIA ALPINA, Z/4—One female, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; nine males and one female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Evidently this species, only recently con- 26 O32; 114. 115. 116. ng ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY firmed as British, is not uncommon in Scotland. The female is wonderfully like the common Bluebottle (Caliphora erythrocephala, Mg.). ONESIA SEPULCHRALIS, J/g.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke) ; one male and a tiny female, Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; two males, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). [Two small specimens, both males, belonging to the present genus, but very different from sepu/chralis, were captured by Col. Yerbury at Kingussie in July 1898. They are evidently new to Britain, if not to science. | Family MUSCID. . Lucitia cornicina, /ab.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). . Luciiia c#sar, Z.—Rothiemurchus, September-October 1894 (Hinxman); Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). . Lucitia sERicatTa, JZg.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke); Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). . CALLIPHORA ERYTHROCEPHALA, //g.—Rothiemurchus, June- July 1895 (Hinxman). . CALLIPHORA VOMITORIA, Z.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). . POLLENIA VESPILLO, /ad.—Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury). . POLLENIA RUDIS, /ab.— Rothiemurchus, September- October 1894 (Hinxman) ; Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury). . PYRELLIA CYANICOLOR, Z/¢4.—Three males and one female of this lovely species taken at Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . PYRELLIA LASIOPHTHALMA, JZcg.—One male and two females, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury); one female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . MESEMBRINA MERIDIANA, Z.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman) ; Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). GRAPHOMYIA MACULATA, Scop. Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). GRAPHOMYIA PICTA, Z¢¢t-—Three males, Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury); three males, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; one male, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). It is doubtful whether this form, of which I do not know the female, is entitled to specific rank. It may be only a variety of the preceding. MORELLIA SIMPLEX, Zw.—Male, Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; male, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; three males, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). MoRELLIA HORTORUM, /7z.—Female, Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury); male, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). 118. 119. I20. 121. 122. 123. 124. Is ey EG: . HypRopHoRIA DivisA, JZg. DIPTERA SCOTICA: II.—INVERNESS-SHIRE 27 Family ANTHOMYID. POLIETES LARDARIA, /ad.—Rothiemurchus, September-October 1894 (Hinxman). HyeETopEsIA INCANA, Wied.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). HYETODESIA HIRSUTULA, Z/4—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). HVETODESIA BASALIS, Z/¢.—Rothiemurchus, September- October 1894 (Hinxman); Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). HYETODESIA SCUTELLARIS, /7z.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). HveEToDESIA FLAVEOLA, /77z.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). SPILOGASTER DUPLICATA, J/g.—Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). Hyprot#aA DENTIPES, /aé.—Male, Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury). . Hypror#a simitis, J/eade.—Three males, Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury); male and female 77 cozti, and two females, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . Hypror#a IRRITANS, /7z.—One male and three females, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Hypror#a MEreorica, Z. (?)—Three females, which I refer to this species, taken at Inverdruie, May 1895 (Clarke). DryMEIA HAMATA, //x.— Male, Rothiemurchus, September- October 1894 (Hinxman). Male, Aviemore, June 1893 (Evans). . HyDROPHORIA LINOGRISEA, J/g¢.—A male kindly sent for my inspection by the Rev. E. N. Bloomfield, taken by Verrall at Inverness in June 1884. . Hytemyia stricosa, /aé.—Female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . CHORTOPHILA SYLVESTRIS, /Zz.—Male, Rothiemurchus, June- July 1895 (Hinxman). For the identification of this specimen I am indebted to Dr. Meade, of Bradford. Homatomyia aprica, Ha/—A female, taken by Verrall at Inverness in June 1884, was kindly sent to me for inspection by the Rev. E. N. Bloomfield. CaRIcEA TIGRINA, /ad.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). 148. 149. 150. C5. 152. . TRICHOPALPUS PUNCTIPES, JZg. ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY . MACRORCHIS MEANS, JZg.—Three males, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . HOPLOGASTER MOLLICULA, //n,—Male, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). Family SCATOMYZID. . CORDYLURA PuDICA, JZe.—Four males, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . CORDYLURA RUFIMANA, AZg.—Male, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . CORDYLURA PUBERA, /ad.—Five males, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . NORELLIA STRIOLATA, JZg.—Female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . PoGoNoTa HIRCUS, Z/4.—Two males and one female of this remarkable species taken at Kingussie, July 1899 (Yerbury). . MIcROPROSOPA PALLICAUDA, Zf¢t.—Female, Aviemore, April 1893 (Evans). Female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . SCATOPHAGA SUILLA, /al.—Two males and one female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . SCATOPHAGA INQUINATA, JZg.—Male, Rothiemurchus, Sep- tember-October 1894 (Hinxman). . SCATOPHAGA STERCORARIA, Z.—Female, Aviemore, April 1893 (Evans). Family HELOMYZID. HELOMYZA OLENS, J7Zg.— Male, Rothiemurchus, September- October 1894 (Hinxman). TEPHROCHLAMYS FLAVIPES, Z/¢. — Female, Rothiemurchus, September-October 1894 (Hinxman). The only other British locality hitherto recorded for this species appears to be Newmarket, where a couple of females were taken by Mr. Verrall in October 188g (see “ Ent. Mo. Mag.,” 1894, p. 144). Family SCIOMYZID. DryomyzA ANILISs, //n.—Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; Kingussie, July 1899 (Yerbury). DRYOMYZA DECREPITA, Z¢4.—Eleven specimens, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). ScloMyzA PALLIDA, /7Zz,—Three males and one female, Avie- more, July 1899 (Yerbury). 164. 165. 166. . TEPHRITIS MILIARIA, Schra, DIPTERA SCOTICA: Il.—INVERNESS-SHIRE 29 . PHAOMYIA FUSCIPENNIS, JZg.—Male and female 77 coiti#, and a second male, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . TETANOCERA FERRUGINEA, //n,—Male, Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury). . TETANOCERA ROBUSTA, Zzw,—Female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . TETANOCERA RETICULATA, Z.— Kingussie, August 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . TETANOCERA UMBRARUM, Z.—Two males and two females, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . TETANOCERA PUNCTULATA, Scop.—Two males, Aviemore, July 1897 (Yerbury). . LimnIA UNGUICORNIS, Scop.—Male, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . ELGIVA ALBISETA, Scof.— Male and female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . Exciva porsALis, /al.—Male and female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). . ELGIvA LINEATA, //7z.—Two males and five females, Avie- more, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family PSILIDZ. . LOXOCERA ARISTATA, /z.—Kingussie, July 1898 (Yerbury) ; Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family MICROPEZIDZ. CALOBATA PETRONELLA, Z.—Female, Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury). Family ORTALID/Z:. CEROXYS CRASSIPENNIS, /ab,—Six specimens, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family TRYPETID~. SPILOGRAPHA HAMIFERA, Zw.—Female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). This species is evidently very rare, as the only reference to it as a British insect that I can find is the following remark by Verrall (“ Ent. Mo. Mag.,” xxii, 1886, p- 234): “I have a female of this from Scotland, given me by Dr. Algernon Chapman.” Aviemore, July 1898 and July 1899 (Yerbury). 30 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Family LONCHAZID. 168. PALLOPTERA SALTUUM, Z.—Female, Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family SAPROMYZID. 169. SAPROMYZA RORIDA, //z,—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family OPOMYZID/. 170. OPOMYZA GERMINATIONIS, Z.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman); Nethy Bridge, August 1898 (Yerbury); Avie- more, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family EPHYDRID. 171. NOTIPHILA ANNULIPES, S¢x.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). 172. OCHTHERA MANTIS, Deg.—Aviemore, July 1899 (Yerbury). Family BORBORIDZ. 173. BORBORUS GENICULATUS, J/cg.—Rothiemurchus, June-July 1895 (Hinxman). NOTES ON THE SCOPISH SPECIES -OF for GENUS HEMEROBIUS. By KENNETH J. Morton, F.E.S. IN recent numbersof the “ Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine ” (commencing with that for April 1899), Mr. M‘Lachlan has published notes which will form, when completed, practically a revision of the Palzarctic species of the genus Hemerobzus. A reference was made to two of the papers in the July (1899) number of the “ Annals,” but a further notice of the subject may be useful, because important changes have been made in the nomenclature. Several species have not been elucidated satisfactorily hitherto, and, in consequence, con- siderable confusion exists in the Scottish records. The members of the genus in question are widespread, and the greater number of the Palearctic species are found in Scotland. Some of them extend to North America—a fact that may yet prove a disturbing element as regards names. THE SCOTTISH SPECIES OF THE GENUS HEMEROBIUS 31 The following are the species known from Scotland :— fT. nervosus, F., is widely distributed in Scotland, and is usually rather common, especially where there is natural birch in quantity. It is probably the detwdinus of Strom, an older name. FT, subnebulosus, Steph., is very abundant near houses, and is the fFlemerobius of Edinburgh gardens. Ff, mortoni, M‘L., just described from a pair found at Rannoch in June 1898, is evidently not rare in the alpine and boreal regions of Europe. It is remarkable that it should have remained so long unnoticed, or at least undescribed, by Continental entomologists. HT, marginatus, Steph., is locally common, probably over the whole of Scotland. Like A. nxevvosus, it is fond of birch trees. I have seen it in many localities from Wigtownshire to Inverness. Ff. lutescens, Fab., was at one time mixed with A. Awmud/z, and afterwards confused with HZ. ovotypus, Wallengren. All the published Scottish records under the last-mentioned name refer to /uéescens. FT, humult, L.inn.—As indicated, two species were mixed under this name. I think recent records, at least, will refer to what is here called humult. fT, orotypus, Wall.—This species is still little known, and is, no doubt, confused by Continental entomologists with some of the allied forms. Authentic Continental records are, however, confined to Scandinavia and the Pyrenees. In the British Isles it has been taken in Yorkshire, on Exmoor, and in Ireland, as well as in several Scottish localities. It may have been referred to previously without name, but no definite records of its occurrence in Scotland exist prior to those mentioned at page 189 ate. #7, stigma, Steph., is common wherever there are conifers. The records are under the name of //. “mébatus. fT, pini, Steph.—The distribution of this species is uncertain. I have taken it in Lanarkshire, and it may be general, but perhaps not common. Ff. atrifrons, M‘L., has been recorded from Inverness-shire. It also occurs in the south, as I took a specimen from /unzperus near Cockburnspath in Berwickshire. The last-mentioned two species constitute, with 7. /imbatellus, Zett. (not yet known from Scotland), a very closely allied group. It may be that they are really forms of one protean species. HI. nttidulus, Fab., and Hf. micans, Olivier, are rather common in many localities. The only Scottish species not yet dealt with by Mr. M ‘Lachlan are Hf. inconspicuus, M‘L., and 17. concinnus, Steph. H1. inconspicuus has been found in Lanarkshire, Perthshire, and Inverness-shire, but is usually not common. HZ. concinnus is not rare in the pine forest districts of the North, where its striking variety guadrifasciatus, Reuter, is also found. 32 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY While in existing records reference is made to the variability of the species, no attempt, as far as I know, has been made to separate the two forms with regard to the localities where they have been found. Definite observations are much wanted as to whether the type form and the so-called variety occur separately or together in the particular localities. |The variety is so very well marked that this should be attended to carefully with the view to settle the claims of guadrifasciatus to the more exalted rank of a species. TOPOGRAPEICAL (BOTANY {OF SCOLEAND: By James W. H. Trait, A.M., M.D., F.R.S. (Continued from p. 172.) [Names of plants in z¢alzcs, except as synonyms within curved brackets, denote that the plants were cevtazz/y introduced into Scotland by man. ¥f after a district-number denotes introduction by man into the district; ‘‘ cas.” denotes casual occurrence, and ‘‘ esc.” evident escape or outcast from culti- vation, both being due to man’s agency. Square brackets enclosing the name of a plant or a district-number denote that the record was made in error. ? after a district-number denotes, at least, need of confirmation ; after + it denotes doubt as to whether the plant owes its presence in the district to man. The SALICACEA, accidentally omitted from their proper place in our last issue, will be included in the Supplement. Corrections and additions to the records now published will be gratefully received and acknowledged by the compiler, whose earnest wish it is to supply an accurate statement of our present knowledge of the distribution of the uncultivated plants of Scotland, whether native or introduced by man intentionally or casually,—J. W. H. T.] CYPERACEA. Eleocharis acicularis, A. Br., 72-78, 83, 85-90, 96, 99-101, 105 (?), 100, TEE (er), 112. E. palustris, A. 47., all. E. uniglumis, Rezchd., 82, 84, 85, 88, 89, 91, 92, 94-97, 100-104, 106, 109-112. var. 6. Watsoni (Lad.), 98. var. pumila, Benn, 110. E. multicaulis, Sw., except 78, 80, 82, 94, 107. Scirpus pauciflorus, Lightf, except 78, 93, 94, 107. S. ceespitosus, Z., except 82. S. fluitans, Z., except 72, 78, 79, 80, 82, 84, 98, 99, 106, 107. S. cernuus, Vah/. (=S. Saviz, 5. and Maur), 74, 75, 97, 98, 100-103, (105), 106, 110. . setaceus, L., all. . lacustris, L., except 78, 84, 94. MN TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 33 S. Taberneemontani, Gmel., 73-76, 82, 85, 87-90, 93, 95-97, 99, 102-104, 106, IO0g-IITI. S»maritimus, Z., except 77, 78, 79, 80) 94, 95, 107, 108, 109, 171, LIZ: var. compactus, Koch, 110. S. sylvaticus, Z., 72, 73, 75-81, 83, 85-94, 98, 99. S. Caricis, Retz. (= Blysmus compressus, Panz.), 72, 73, 75, 76, 79- 83, [99 ?], 100 [102 ?]. S. rufus, Schrad. (= Blysmus rufus, Link.), except 78, 79, 80, S86, SS, 39. var. 0. bifolius, Walbr., 110. Eriophorum alpinum, Z., 88, 90 (extinct), 108 (?). E. vaginatum, Z., except 78. E. angustifolium, fo¢/., all. E. latifolium, Hoppe, 72-74, 77, 81, 83, 87-90, 96-98, 101 (?), 105-108. [Z. gracile, Koch, has been recorded from 88 and go, almost certainly in error. | Rhynchospora fusca, Roem. and Schultz., 73, 97. R. alba, Vahl. except 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 4, 85, 89, 109, 111 (doubtful in g1-95). Scheenus ferrugineus, Z., 88. S. nigricans, Z., 72-76, 81, 85, 89-92, 94-112. b. nanus, Lange, 105, 109, I12. Cladium jamaicense, Cvantz, 72-75, 81, 90 (extinct), 97, 100, 102, LO3, FO, Od. Kobresia caricina, W7//d., 88, 89, 98 Carex dioica, Z., except 78, S2. C. pulicaris, Z., except 82. C. rupestris, A//., 72 (??), 88, go, 92, 105 (needs confirmation), 108. Gapaucifiora, Lightf., except 74, 76, 77 (2), 78, 79, 80; &1,.82, 83, 34,93, 102, 172. C. chordorhiza, Z/rf., 108. C. incurva, Zightf, 82, 83 (?), 84 (?), 85, 86 (Sonntag), go-96, 106- reste, [C. divisa, Zuds., has been recorded, apparently in error, from 83, 90. | C. disticha, Huds., except 78, 94, 95, 96, 97, 9S, 101, 104, 105, 106, NOGMOS TLIO LIL LL2: C. arenaria, Z., except 72, 78, 79, 80, 83, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89. C. teretiuscula, Good., except 78, 91, 93, 94, 97, 101, 103, 104, 108, TOG, LOD) ITs 112: var. 6. Ehrhartiana (//opfe), 74, 86. @P paniculata, Z., exctp7. 76, 75, 36; 102,104, 107, aie: forma simplicior, Anderss., 106. Gyvulpina, Z., except 73, 79, SO) 939, 96, 99, 105, 106, 107, 108; HOD LDL LL SS) D 34 C: ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY muricata, Z., except 78, 82, 90, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, 101, 102, 108, 90%, 105, 106, 108, 109, 110; Lite a i: [C. divulsa, Good., has been recorded, probably in error, from 76, C. Pl (Gu@Ue@te. er © Oy (GiGieie ry, 1¢) 83.] echinata, Murray (= C. stellulata, Good.), except 78. var. Grypus, Schk., has been recorded from Perthshire and from 98, but reverts in cultivation to the type. . remota, Z., except 78, 82, 84, 85, 93, 104, 108, 109, 110, 111, were . axillaris, Good., 72, 73, 83, 88. All these records greatly need confirmation. . Boenninghauseniana, Wethe, 75, 83, 88 (??), 94, 97. . helvola, 4. Blyti, 88, 90, 92. . elongata; 2.,° 72,573: . approximata, Hoppe (=C. leporina of “Top. Bot.”), 90, 92, 94, 96. : fe Good. (= C. canescens, L.), except 78, 103, 106, 107, 108, 109, THOP IT, TILe. var. 0. alpicola (Wahilenb.), 88 (?), 89, 90, 92, 96, 97, 106, 108. . ovalis, Good. (= C. leporina, 1..), all. var. capitata, Sonder, 108. . alpina, Sw. (= C. Vahlit, Schk.), 88, 90, 92. . atrata, Z., 72, 86, 88-90, 92, 96-99. . fusca, AU, (= C. Buxbaumit, Wahlenb.), 97. . HMudsonil, Av. Benn. (= C. stricta, Good.), 73,-76, 7%, 90,162; too, [83, 84, 85, 95, 98, 99, require confirmation ]. . acuta, Z., 73-77, 80, 81, 86, 88, 89, 98, r00, r02. [It has also been recorded from 83, 84, 90-93, 95, 96, 99, 101,109, 111; but there is reason to believe that C. aguatilis, var. elatior, has been mistaken for C. acu¢a in most, if not all, of these counties. | var. gracilescens, Almg., 74, 86. . rigida, Good., except 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, §1, 82, 83, 84, 885, SIL EB a var. hyperborea, Dreger, 90. Mr. A. Bennett believes that Zimula, Fr., also occurs in go (above Caenlochan). Herr Kiikenthal regards “mula, Fr., as a hybrid between vigida and Goodenowiz. A hybrid between these species has been recorded by Rev. E. S. Marshall from 98. . aquatilis, Wahlenberg, aggregate, except 74, S2, $3 (?), 91 (?), 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 110, 111, 112. var. 6. elatior, Bab. (= Watsont, Syme), is the most common form of this sedge in Scotland, at least in lower localities. It has been recorded by name from most of the vice- counties under ager. var. c. cuspidata, ZLestad., 109. TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 35 var. @. epigejos, Lestad., 88 (?), 92. var. é. virescens, Anderss., 73, 88, 89. var. f minor, Boott, 72, 88-90, 92, 93. aquatilis x rigida, 90, 98 (Rev. E. S. Marshall). [C. salina, Wahlenberg. | var. 0, kattegattensis, /7zes, 96, 109. var. epigejos, /7tes (non Leestad.). Mr. Bennett refers to this form specimens sent him by Dr. White from Caenlochan. aquatilis x kattegattensis (= C. Grantiz, Ar. Benn.), 109. C. czspitosa, Z., 112 (Unst). C. Goodenowii, /. Gay (=C. vulgaris, Fries), all. var. b. juncella (Z. AZ. Fries), 74, 86, 88, 90, 95, 96, 104, 105, 108-110, II2. var. d@. meleena, [Vimmer, “ Perthshire,” 105 (G. C. Druce, who regards it as “simply a diseased state ”). (C. spiculosa, 7~.), forma hebridense, Av. Benn., 110, Harris. This is probably a hybrid between var. juzce/la and a form of C. salina. (See A. Bennett, in “Journ. Bot.,” July 1897.) C. flacca, Schreb. (= C. glauca, Murray), all. var. 6. Micheliana, S772., 92. var. ¢. stictocarpa, Druce, 72, 88, 90, 98. var. d@. acuminata, Avderss., 110. C. limosa, aggregate, 72, 73, 75-77, 80, 81, 84-90, 92, 94, 96-99, LOU, LO2, 104, 108-110. C. magellanica, Lam. (= C. trrigua, Smith), 72, 73,77, 83 (? Sonntag), 85-88, sie (Gr 92; 98, 99, 110. C. limosa, Z., segregate, 72, 73, 75, 76, 80, 81, 84, 85, 87-90, 96- 99, IOI, 102, 104, 108-110. C. rariflora, S., 89, 90, 92, 94, 96 [108 ??]. C. pilulifera, L., except 82, S4. Jorma reptans, Lange, 112. var. 6. longibracteata, Lange ( = Leesit, Ridley), go, 92, 105, 107. . verna, Chaix (=C. precox, Jacq.), except 94, 97, 101, 108, 105, NOG, MOT LOD, 110) L122): . pallescens, Z., except 80, 82, S4, 93, 94, 111, 112. . panicea, Z., all. var. &. intermedia (AZzég.), 97. var. tumidula, Lestad., 96, 105, 108. C. pelia, O. # Lang, 109. Kiikenthal considers this to be vida x panicea. C. vaginata, Zausch, 72, 86, 88-90, 92, 94, 96-99, 105, 108, 109. The form sparsiflora, Hfartm., occurs in several places in Scotland, but it is scarcely more than a state of vaginata. C. atrofusca, Schk. (= C. ustulata, Wahlenb.), 88. @ Oe i@ 36 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY C. capillaris, Z., 72, 87-90, 92, 94, 97; 98, 106, 108, 109, 112 (?). var. major, 89. C. pendula, Huds., 72-77, 81-83, 86-88, 90(?), 91, 92 (?), 93-95, 99. [C. strigosa, /Zuds., has been recorded, in error, from 83 and 106.] [C. ventricosa, Curtis (= C. depauperata, Good.), has been recorded from go, in error. | C. sylvatica, Huds., except 78, 84, 93, 94, 104, 106, 107, 108, 109, INO! LLL, HAZ: C. levigata, Sm., except 75, 80, 82, 84, 87, 89, 90 (2), 93, 95, 106, 107, LOS MOQ MLO ML, LLL C. binervis, S7., except S4. Mr. Bennett considers that the mountain form of this (for which Mr. Druce has proposed the name wzgrescens) is “ B alpina” of Drejer subsp. Sadleri, Linton (=“ frigida, All.,” of “Lond. Cat.”), Qo?)*O2, 110: C. distans, Z., except 76(?) 77,78, 7IOOOLN?) 68 (2) 87, Obs 39.92, 95, 40,96,.99, 104, 105, 107 aioe var. littoralis, Anderss., 106 (near Tain). . diluta, Bed. (=C. punctata, Gaud.), 73, 74. . fulva, Good. (including Hornschuchiana, Bad.), except 78, S82. . extensa, Good., except 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 92 93, 96, 104, 108, 112. var. pumila, Anderss., 96, 100, 105, 107, 108. C. flava, Z., aggregate, all. var. a. flava, segregate, 72-74, 80, 83, 85-92, 94-96, 98, LOG, [O32 104, 166, TOs, 100, Iida to, var. 0. elatior, Schlecht (lepidocarpa, Tausch.), 79, 84-92, 96, Loz, 103, 100, Lin, Tr2 var. c. CEderi, Ehrh. (minor, Towns., fide Mr. Bennett), 72, 74, 78, 88, 92, 94-98, IOI, 107-112. var. d@. cyperoides, Marss. (deri of “Eng. Bot.,” fide Mr. Bennett), except 76, 77, 78, 80, 81, 84, 93, 94. flava x fulva (= xanthocarpa, Degl.), 72, 88-90, 92, 96, 98- TO2, Od, TOG, 110, Lik . filiformis, Z., 72-75, 79-81, 83, 88-90, 92, 95-98, 101-108. . hirta, Z., except LOL, 105, LOG MOT 10S, 102110; Tid de . Pseudo-cyperus, Z., 957, 102 (“by lake in Isla,” Zighffoor). . acutiformis, LArh. (= C. paludosa, Good.), except 84, 85, 87, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 101, 103, AOLRMO5, 10s, 10S, 11 islam ee C. riparia, Curtis, 72-77, 81-83, 85-87, 90-94, 96, 99, 105 (?), 106 (?), IIo (?). C. rostrata, Stokes (= C. ampullacea, Good.) except 78. var. 8. elatior (BZyzt) is recorded in Ewing’s ‘‘ Catalogue” for 76,,86, 102, T1To: var. brunnescens, Anderss., 96. GiG @ OI @® TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 37 C. vesicaria, Z., except 78, 82, 83 (2), 84, 92 (?), 93, 94, 104, 107, NOS. IGOR IGE TOE var, alpigena, Fries, 88. var. 0. dichroa (Anderss.), found in 88, is referred by Prof. Bailey to C. rostrata. C. rostrata x vesicaria, 88, 92. C. pulla, Good., aggregate, 72, 86(?), 87, 88, 90, 92, 96-99, 104, TO LOO: var. 6. Grahami (Aooft), 88, go. GRAMINACEA. Panicum glabrum, Gaud. (= Digitaria humifusa, Pers.), casual, e.g. in 92. P. Crus-galli, L., casual in 92. P. miliaceum, 1., casual in 92. Setaria viridis, Beauv., casual, 80, 92. S. verticillata, Beauv., casual, 92. Phalaris canariensis, L., a frequent casual, 72-75, 86-89, 91, 92, QO O22. P. caerulescens, Desf., casual in 92. P. arundinacea, Z., all. Anthoxanthum odoratum, Z., all. A. Puellii, Lecog. and Lamotte, casual in 73, 80, 92 (var. ava). Hierochloé borealis, oem. and Schult, 73, 109. Possibly also in 89 (Glen Shee) and go (Glen Cally); but these records need confirmation. Alopecurus myosuroides, Huds. (= A. agrestis, L.), cornfield weed or casual in 72, 75-78, 82, 85-87, 89-92, 96-98, 108, 109. [A. fulvus, Sm., recorded on doubtful authority from 85, 86, 90, 109. | A. geniculatus, Z., all. A. pratensis, Z., except 97. A. alpinus, S7., 88 (?), 89, 90, 92, 94, 96, 97. var. 6. Watsoni, Syme, 89, 90, 92. Milium effusum, Z., 72-77, 79-81, 83-93, 95, 96, 98, 99, 101, VO2s 100, 107, Tix (2). Phleum alpinum, Z., 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 97. P. pratense, Z., except 110(?), 112(?). Watson questions its claim to be native north of Caledonian Canal. var, 6. nodosum (Z.) ) Probably not uncommon, though var. c. stoloniferum, Bad. { seldom specially recorded. P. arenarium, Z., 72, 73, 82, 83, 85, 86, 90-93, 94(?), 105. Mibora verna, Beauv. ( = Chamagrostis minima, Borkh.), 827, 867. Agrostis canina, L., except S1. var. &. scotica, Hackel, 90, 104, 105. var. grandiflora, Hackel, 95, 96, 98, 105, 109. var. mutica, Gauwd., 95, 96, 105, I12. 38 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY A. palustris, Aids. (= A. alba, L.), except 80. var. 6. stolonifera (Z.), common. Specially recorded from 7Ae SO, TOO, 111, 182. var. ¢. maritima, JZey., 75, 88, 95, 100, 103, 105, 108, 109, Die: var. d. coarctata, Hoffm., 88, 96, 105, 109, 112. var. patula, Gaud., 105, 109. A. vulgaris, W7¢h., all. var. 6. pumila (Z.), common, 72, 74, 75, 86-98, 101, 102, 104, 112. (The ovaries are infested with spores of a Tilletia.) var. c. nigra (With.), 87, 88, 91, 96, 97. A, scabra, Willd., 97. Stipa capillata, 1.., casual, e.g. at Grangemouth, in 86. Polypogon monspeliensis, Desf., casual, 80, 85, 86, gt. P. littoralis, Sm., casual, 80, 85. Calamagrostis epigeios, Roth., 74, 75, 80 (??), 857, 86, 88, 89, gt, G2, 103: C. lanceolata, Roth., 73 (83, probably in error). Gastridium australe, Beauv., casual in 80. Apera Spica-Venti, Beauv., casual or introduced, 76, 83, 86. A. interrupta, Beauv., casual in 82. Deyeuxia strigosa, Awzth., 109. D. neglecta, Kunth., go (extinct). var. ¢. borealis, Av. Benn., 88. Ammophila arundinacea, Host (= Psamma arenaria, .), except 76, 18, 49, 30, 84, 83, 89; 99 (from 77, 98, 103, 105 \without localities). Lagurus ovatus, L., casual in 87. Aira caryophyllea, Z., all. A. precox, Z., all. Weingertneria canescens, Bern., error or introduced in 75, 97. Deschampsia czespitosa, Beauv., all. var. d. alpina, Gaud., 88, 92, 94, 96, 97-99, 102, 103, 105, 108, 109 (102, 103 without localities). var. ¢. pseudo-alpina, Syme, 86, 94, 96, 97 (99 without locality), 105, 107, 108, I10. D. alpina, Roem. and Schult., 86, 88-90, 92, 94, 96-99, 103, 108, Tro (?), 111 (? error). D. discolor, Roem. and Schult., 90 (?), 91, 92, 94-97, 102-104, 106- 100, 112, D. flexuosa, Z7in., except 82. var. 6. montana, Hook. f, 86-90, 92, 94, 96-98, I00, 103- Toy, TPS, 112. var. ¢c. Voirlichensis, AZe/uz//, 88. Holcus mollis, Z., all. TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 39 H. lanatus, Z., all. Trisetum pratense, Pers. (= Avena flavescens, L.), except 93, 98, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 109, 110, 112. Probably has been ‘‘introduced ” into some vice-counties. Avena pubescens, Auds., except 78, 79, 82, 93. var. glaberrima, Borb., 105, 108. A. pratensis, Z., except 76, 77, 78, 82, 84, 100, 101, 102, 103, 105, LOS LOI MALO LLG, var &, alpina (Sm.), 72, Perthshire, 92-94. var. ¢. longifolia (Parn.), 88, 89. A. strigosa, Schreb., a weed in fields, etc., 72-74, 87-89, 92, 94-96, Log. Tro, Trt. A. fatua, L., a weed in fields, and casual, 72, 74, 75, 77, 80-83, 85, 87-89, 91, 92, 94-96, 105, III, 112. Arrhenatherum avenaceum, Geawv., all; usually as var. 6. nodosum, Leeichb. Sieglingia decumbens, Bernh. (= Triodia decumbens, P. B.), all. Phragmites communis, Z7iz., except 107 (?). var. 6. nigricans, Grex. and Godr., 95, 96, 98, 105, 108. Sesleria czerulea, 4vd., 86, 88, 96, 105 (reported erroneously from 92). Cynosurus cristatus, Z., all. Keeleria cristata, Pers., except 76, 77 (?), 78, 84, 105, 108+, LL: Molinia varia, Schranck (= M. caerulea, Moench), except 78. var. 6. depauperata (Lzzd/.), 83, 85, Perthshire, 91, 92, 96, 07.805, 108. Catabrosa aquatica, Beauv., except 73, 76 (2), 78, 79, 80, 84, 98, LO5. var. 6. littoralis, Parn., 75, 95, 100-102, Ifo. Melica nutans, Z., except 74, 78, 79, 85, 93, 100, 101, 102, 103, TOD HOD TIO, LIT. 112. Meunitlora, £., excep? 73, 82,93, 94, 96, 97, LOT, 102, 104, 105, WOGS HOS LOD MNOS ELT, Dactylis glomerata, Z., all. Briza media, Z., except 76, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, LAOS LET (P)y LIZ. Poa annua, Z., all. var. 6. supina, Gaud., 88, 92, 105, 108. . alpina, Z., 83 (Sonntag), 86-90, 92, 94, 96-99, 104, 108. . stricta, Zzzdb., 90, 92, 97. | The records of both are in need of . laxa, Haenke, 90, 92, 97 (?) \ being confirmed. . cenisia, AZ/., var. flexuosa, Wahlend., 88. - glauca (S77.), 87, 88, 90, 92, 94, 98, 99, 104. . Balfouri (Parn.), 72 (2), 88, 90, 96, 98, 105 (92 in “Eng. Bot.,” iil.) 70) !99) Iqe}iso} Ino}! tne) 40 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY P. nemoralis, Z., 72, 75-80, 83, 86-92, 94-101, 104-106, IIoj. var. ¢. Parnellii, WZ. and Avz., 89, 92, 95, 96. var. @. divaricata, Syme, 88, 92, 98. var. e. coarctata (Gaud.), 89. var. glaucantha, Rezchd., recorded from 72, 88, 97, 104. P. compressa, Z., 76, 77, Go, 81,°33; 85 (?);186,)88,460, .00(?), 1067 (?) (111 and 112 are errors). var. 4, subcompressa (Parn.), 89. P. Chaixii, Vil. (=P. sudetica, Haenke), casual in 72, 80, 88, 89. P. pratensis, Z., except 107. var. 6. subceerulea (S7.), 72, 74, 84, 88, 89, 92, 105-110, pee var. c. angustifolia (Z.), 108. var. d. strigosa (Gaud.), 88, 89. P. palustris, Z., 88, doubtfully indigenous. P. trivialis, Z., except 107. var. &, Koeleri (DC.), 73, 88. var. @. glabra, Doel/., 105, 109. Glyceria fluitans, R. B7., except S4. var. 8. triticea, /7ies, 108, 110. G. plicata, /7ies, 80-82, 84-86, 88, 89, 96, 98, 100, 101, 106, Lia (?). var. 6. pedicellata (Zozwmnsend), 88, 89, 98. var. @. depauperata, Crépin, 96. G. aquatica, Sw., 72-77, 83-90, 927, 95, 99, 103. G. maritima, A/er¢. and Koch, except 77, 78, 79, SO, 88. G. distans, Wahlenb., 73, 76 (?), 83 (?), 85-87, 89, 90, 92, 108, 109, rit, P12. var. 6. prostrata, Beeby, 112. Festuca procumbens, Awzth., 867, and doubtfully in 75, 81, 83, go. F. rigida, Kunth., 83, 85, 87, 90, 917 (?), 927 (?), 106. F. rottboellioides, Awnth. (= Poa loliacea, Huds.), 73-75, 83, 85, 86, 9o(?), 7, LOI-103; TLo, TLA(F): F. Myuros, Z. (=: Pseudo-myuros, Koch), casual, or introduced probably in 72, 73, 77, 81, 85, (90 ?). F. sciuroides, Roth., except 79, 82, 84, 104, 1107, 111%. F. ovina, Z., all. var. 6. capillata, Hacke/, 74, 97, 109. var. ¢. glauca (Zam.), common, along coasts especially, though recorded by name from 97 and 104 only. F. duriuscula, Sw., aggregate, all. F, rubra, 2. var. 6. arenaria (Osbeck), 72-77, 81, 83 (?), 85, 88, 90-96, 100, 101, 104, 106, Sutherland, 109, r10, 111 (?), 112 (?). sub-vars. grandiflora, Hacke/, 88, 89, 98, 106, 109, 110, and juncea, Hackel, 109. TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 41 var. ¢. fallax, TZhuill. (=F. duriuscula, segr.). Probably common. var. d@. pruinosa, Hackel, 104-107. sub-var. barbata, Hacke/, on Am Teallach in 105. F. sylvatica, Vill, 72, 73, 75, 77(?), 83, 86-89, 91, 92, 94-97, 99, IOI (without locality), 105. F. elatior, Z., aggregate, except 107. var. b, pseudo- -loliacea, Hackel, 72 (“ Fl. Dumf.”), 109. var. ¢. pratensis, ie recorded from all except 74, 7S, S4, G3, 90,97, 98; 104, LODGLO7, ILO LEZ: var. pratensis, /7uds. x Lolium perenne (= / /oliacea, Curt.), bracketed with /Arvafensis, Huds., in “Top. Bot.,” ed. 2, occurs occasionally in most vice-countries, though ex- pressly recorded from few, ¢.g. 72, 92. F. arundinacea, Schreb., bracketed in “Top. Bot.,” ed. 2, with Ff. elatior, probably occurs in a number of vice-countries ; but the records are in much need of revision, the forms having been often included under the same name by the recorders. It seems thus scarcely worth while to enumerate those from which ‘‘ arundinacea” has been named. ff. strictior, Hackel, 109. Bromus giganteus, Z., except 78, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, LL: var. 0. triflorus, Syme, 88, go, 106. B. ramosus, Ads. (= B. asper, Murray), except 7S, 96, 97, 104, LOS tL HOS Tiel, Lae var. a. serotinus (Lenek.), 97. B. erectus, 83, 85. (Also recorded for 72, 73, 82, but doubtfully native in Scotland.) B. madritensis, .., has been recorded from 83 and 85, but as a casual. L. rubens, L., casual at Inverurie, in 93. B. sterilis, Z., except 96, 97, 101, 102, 104, 105, 107, 108, 110; 112; perhaps not native in all. B. secalinus, Z., 72, 73, 75, 76, 83, 84, 86, 87, 90-92, 95, 97, TOs, LDL 2 aa bane introduced in most districts, among grass seeds. var. 0. velutinus (Schvad.) has been recorded from 74, 83, and 111, but records need confirmation. Beracemosus, 2.) 72-780 1,.53) 87) O28 000077) 90, Ob wk He B: commutatus, Schrad., 72-75, 761, 77m 78; 79; 82, $3) 185-87, 89-102) 105, TOG, 108, THe (e) E24. s (hope Bot. ed. 2) includes vacemosus under commutatus. The records need revision. ) Bamollis, £Z., all: var. d, glabratus, Doe//., is recorded from 75, 88, 89, 105, 42 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY B. arvensis, L., introduced or casual in 74, 85, 86, 90, 92. (The records of this species are too much confused with some of the preceding, to permit of disentangling them.) Brachypodium gracile, Beauv. (= B. sylvaticum, Roem. and Schult.), except 112. (B. pinnatum, 4eawv., recorded in error from 85 and 94.) Lolium perenne, Z., all. Some of the varieties are of frequent occurrence in fields and waste places, z¢adicum (Braun) being especially common. LL. temulentum, Z.; 72,82 {107 1, 0S eas. 09 Cas., 92 Cas, 954 (r): Of very uncertain occurrence, scarcely more than a casual. Var. J. arvense (/V7ti.) is commoner than type. Agropyrum caninum, Beawv., except 82, 84, 98, 99, 102, 104, LOT (2); LOD, TLOL TIE. var. 6. Donianum (F B. White), 88. A. repens, Z., all. (Mr. G. C. Druce records vars. maritimum, Druce, and cesium, Doell., from 105, W. Ross.) dar. Weersianum, “Gray, 75,-78, S60, So001.02,-105, 107, LOO; 112. A. pungens (?), Roem. and Schult, 75 (?), 103, 106 (?). var. b. littorale (Reichd.), 83, 85, 99-101, 104, 107, III, E26 A. acutum, oem. and Schult., 73, 74, 83, 85, 95, 100, 105, 106, TOO, LLO, Lit. A. junceum, 4eauv., 72-75, 85, 87, 91-97, 100-112. Lepturus filiformis, 7727. (including var. 4. incurvatus (Z777.), 72, 13s 155 Ses OS!) OAs OSs, LOO, M102. TORN). i gilops triuncialis, L., and 4. caudata, L., casuals, 92. Nardus stricta, Z., all. Hordeum secalinum, Schreb. (=H. pratense, Huds.), 73, 81 (in Berwick), 86, 87 (reported from 75, 83, 85). H. murinum, Z., 75, 80-86, 89, 90, 917, 927, 957, 1097 (from III in error). H. marinum, Huds. (= H. maritimum, With.), 84, 87, 90 (? error) ; very doubtfully native. Elymus arenarius, Z., 72(?), 75, 82, 85, 90-97, I00, IOI, I04, 105, 107-112 (extending its range and abundance). (Several cultivated cereals, ¢.g. Avena sativa, A. orientalis, Triticum sativum, and other “wheats,” Hordeum distichum, Hl. hexastt- chum, Secale cereale, etc., occur frequently as casuals in many districts.) (Zo be continued.) SEED DISPERSAL OF PINUS SYLVESTRIS & BETULA ALBA 43 ON THE SEED DISPERSAL, OF PINUS SVEVESTRIS ANDVEEGOLA ALBA. By Rosert Situ, B.Sc., University College, Dundee. ALTHOUGH much has been written on the subject of the adaptations of plants for the dispersal of their seeds, there is still a lack of precise information with regard to the distance to which the seeds of even common species may be carried by these means. Fliche, who may be regarded as the chief contributor to this subject, has given’ a series of measurements which he made of the distances between certain seedlings and their parent trees. His figures are remarkably small; thus the greatest distance to which the seeds of Pzuus sylvestris were carried was only 115 metres, of Fagus sylvatica 500-600 metres, of Pyrus Aucuparia 1400-2100 metres. The importance of such measurements, with regard to the determination of the time required for the migra- tions of plants across a region, or to the study of the comparative effectiveness of the various adaptations for dispersal, will be sufficiently evident to any student of these subjects. It is plain, however, that many more examples from different regions would require to be studied before the data could be safely utilised in forming any generalisations. The scarcity of recorded examples may probably be ascribed to the great difficulty experienced in finding cases where seedlings can be with certainty traced to their parent plants. A particularly favourable example has come under my notice in the north-eastern part of the county of Fife, on that stretch of fixed dunes known as Tentsmuir, between Tayport and the mouth of the river Eden. The moor is 1 Fliche, ‘Un Reboisement’ ( ‘‘ Annales de la science agronomique,”’ i., 1888). Detailed accounts of the distances to which seeds may be expelled from those plants provided with mechanical devices for the purpose are given in works by Lubbock, Kerner, etc. ; but, so far as I am aware, very few besides Fliche have sought to ascertain the distances to which seeds are carried by other than mechanical devices. Clement Reid, in his recently published work on the ‘‘ Origin of the British Flora” (1899), p. 28, describes an interesting case of the dispersal of acorns by means of rooks, where the seedlings were found more than a mile from the parent plants. 44 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY roughly oblong in shape, five miles from north to south, and one and a half miles from east to west. It is made up of heath, pasture, marsh, and loose sand dunes, according to the prevalent conditions of soil and moisture. On the landward side a series of woods runs from north to south. These are mainly composed of Scots Pine and Birch, and some of the trees are of considerable age, many bearing an abundance of seed. They are freely exposed to the full force of the prevailing south-west and west winds, which before encountering them have an uninterrupted sweep over a number of miles of low, rolling country. In the spring of 1899 a careful survey was made of the northern part of the moor on the eastern side of Fettersloch Wood. Although at first sight the moor appears to possess no higher vegetation than the uniform heather and heaths, a closer examination shows a number of young Pine and Birch trees a few feet in height. There is no record, so far as I am aware, that this part of the moor ever possessed mature trees, and the Ordnance Map of the year 1866 shows it to have been much the same as at present. There can be no reason for supposing that any one has planted these few and scattered young trees. Fettersloch Wood is the nearest possible source, and doubtless the true source, of the seeds which have given rise to them. The wind is the most likely agent of transportation, since both species are pro- vided with seeds bearing winglike expansions. Since birds eat these seeds, they may aid in the dispersal; but it is unlikely that this has happened in the present case, where all the conditions are in favour of wind transportation. The following observations were made at distances measured from the nearest point of the wood along a line running in a north-easterly direction. Although the measure- ments were made by pacing, they may be regarded as of sufficient accuracy for the present purpose :— Yards. 1—48. Cones of Pine, and dead branches (absent beyond this point). Attg2. 2 Pines— (1) Height 7 feet, circumference 14 inches, about seventeen years old, in good condition. (2) Broken across, circumference 8 inches, still living. SEED DISPERSAL OF PINUS SYLVESTRIS & BETULA ALBA 45 Yards. At266. 1 Pine, top broken, circumference 8} inches, still living. r Birch, height ro feet, circumference 8 inches, in good condition, bearing staminate catkins. ,, 306. x Pine, height 3 feet, about ten years old. foo. 0 Emme: 3 Birches, all in good condition. » 746. 1 Pine, dead, about seven years old, in damp soil amongst Erica Tetralix. » 771. 1 Pine, dead, about seven years old, in damp soil amongst Erica Tetralix. », 937. 1 Pine, fourteen years old at least. ,, 878. 1 Pine, height 5 feet, circumference 94 inches, in good condition. ,», 886. 1 Pine, height 7 feet, circumference 164 inches, about 13 years old, in good condition. 5 Pines, in good condition; these were not on the direct line of measurement, but near the last- mentioned example, and at much the same distance from the wood. Beyond this point no trees were observed, the ground being composed of loose dunes, and in other ways unsuitable for the growth of trees. These observations show that Pine seeds have been carried as far as 886 yards, and Birch seeds as far as 489 yards. It will be observed that the trees occasionally occur in groups separated by long gaps. This is due to the nature of the ground, which is in the form of alternating ridge and hollow. The ridges are drier and more suitable for the growth of trees than the marshy hollows. The dominant vegetation on the ridges is usually Caluna vulgaris, while in the hollows Avzca Tetralix is the most abundant. All the trees from I to 500 yards are associated with Calluna vulgaris. From 500 to 800 yards the ground is occupied by a broad marsh with Aveca Tetrahx, and there only two trees were found; both were dead, probably having suc- cumbed to the damp nature of their habitat, which may perhaps have been drier while they lived. From 800 to 886 yards the association is again that of Cal/una vulgaris, although with some Erica Tetralx mixed ; and in this part eight of the trees were found. 46 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY The marshy nature of the ground is only one of the conditions which have prevented the moor from being natur- ally replanted in course of time by the abundant source of seeds in the old wood, with the prevalent westerly wind to transport them. The stunted growth of the trees—one of which is seventeen years old and yet only 7 feet high—and the frequency of broken tops and branches testify to the severity of climatic conditions. Sheep and rabbits nibble the young leaves; and every few years the heather is burnt by the game-preserver. When all the causes tending towards ex- termination are considered, it is surprising that even a few examples have managed to survive. These favoured few are mostly in spots which have escaped burning for a number of years; and the best grown specimens have been sheltered during their earliest years by the long heather around them. . Although 489 yards from the wood is the greatest dis- tance at which any Birch trees were found, this is probably considerably under the distance to which the seeds may be carried. It might be suggested that a number expressing more accurately the maximum distance of transportation would be obtained by measuring the distances of seed-dis- persal of those isolated young Birch trees which are common on some Highland moors. The distance of 886 yards (810 metres) here deter- mined as within the possible range for the dispersal of Pine seeds is very much greater than that of 115 metres given by Fliche. In his paper he contrasts the smallness of the distance to which Pine seeds are carried by the wind with the greater distances to which animals carry the seed of Beech (500—600 metres) and Rowan (1400-2100 metres) ; but if this new estimate for the Pine is accepted, this contrast can no longer be regarded as established. It is evident, from the disparity which exists between the few definite measurements yet published, that many more cases must be recorded before we can reach any degree of accuracy on the subject. ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 47 ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. Marten in Argyllshire.—(/wstela martes)—Two Martens, male and female, were sent to Inverness, for preservation, by Mr. Campbell, Glenfinnan, Argyllshire. They are in beautiful dark fur with orange-coloured throats. Mr. Campbell adds that he believes there are more of them in that neighbourhood. They were taken in the beginning of November.—T. E. Buck ey, Inverness. Long-eared Bat in Elgin.—In May 1898 a fine example of Plecotus auritus was caught in a hollow tree in the oak wood near the town of Elgin, and was carefully preserved by Mr. Gordon Taylor, Bishopmill. As this species has not been recorded for Elginshire in Messrs. Harvie-Brown and Buckley’s “ Vertebrate Fauna,” nor in the “Annals,” I thought the fact worthy of notice.— Wma. Taytor, Lhanbryde. Bird Notes from Tiree and Coll.—In his notes on the Birds of Coll and Tiree, Colonel Irby gives the Partridge (Perdix cinerea) as nesting in Coll but not in Tiree. Partridges have nested in Tiree for the last six years, and there were several nests nine years ago. The Great Black-backed Gull (Zarus marinus) is not mentioned as breeding in Coll. It breeds on Gunna, whence I have seen its eggs. A pair of Stonechats (Pratincola rubicola) nested this year in Tiree. —PETER ANDERSON, Tiree. Marked Starlings.—On the chance of getting some information about the roading of the Starling (Stwrnus vulgaris), | have com- menced to mark Starlings here in Denmark, and this autumn I have marked 165 examples. ‘The mark is a small ring with some letters and a number, placed on one foot of the bird. Possibly some of my Starlings will visit Britain, and therefore I take the liberty to ask you if you will take the trouble to interest yourself in my experiment (1) by publishing in the manner you think the most practical, and (2) by informing me of the capture of any of these marked Starlings, giving a description of the ring and its inscription, or, the bird being killed, by forwarding the marked foot with the ring to me. Eventual results will in due time be published.—H. Cur. C. MortTeEnSsEN, Adjunkt ved Katedralskolm, Viborg, Danmark. [We have pleasure in making known Herr Mortensen’s experi- ment and his request.—EDbs. | Black Redstart in the Solway Area.—An immature Black Redstart (Autficilla titys) was shot upon the foreshore near Silloth, Cumberland, on 17th November, by a young lad in my service, whom I had directed to look along the shore with a gun. It was rather shy, and he spent about half an hour in trying to get a shot at it, before he secured it. It is only the second ‘‘ Solway ” specimen that I have examined in the flesh, and is the first that I have secured 48 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY for the collection of the Carlisle Museum. Perhaps I may be allowed to take this opportunity of reminding ornithological friends that I am leaving Cumberland at the end of the year. I hope to continue to study and record our Lakeland birds ; letters directed to the care of the Carlisle Museum will continue to find'me; but our home address, after 31st December, will be The Rectory, Pitlochry, Perthshire —H. A. Macpuerson, Allonby. Grasshopper Warbler nesting in Morayshire.—The Grass- hopper Warbler (Locustella nevia) is not recorded in Messrs. Harvie-Brown and _ Buckley’s “Fauna of the Moray Basin” as nesting in the district ; nevertheless it has done so for at least the last three or four years. In July 1896, and again in July 1897, I saw eggs in the possession of a schoolboy which he had got beside the river Lossie, near Elgin. I asked him to let me have the nest if he should find another, and in July 1898 he sent me a nest and an egg which he had obtained in the same locality. I had little doubt regarding them; but they have now been submitted to Mr. Harvie-Brown, and he is quite satisfied as to their identity ROBERT H. MACKESSACH. Yellow Wagtail at Beauly.—On 11th July I saw a single specimen of Mofacilla rait in the marshy meadows near the mouth of the Beauly River. This occurrence of the Yellow Wagtail is perhaps worth recording, as the exact status of the species in the North of Scotland seems uncertain. Messrs. Harvie-Brown and Buckley (“ Fauna of the Moray Basin”) have not seen it north of the Great Glen; Booth records it from Tain and Inverness ; and St. John speaks of it as of rare occurrence in the county of Moray.— LionEL W. Hinxman, Edinburgh. Great Gray Shrike in the Solway Distriet.—A Great Gray Shrike (Lantus excubitor) was captured below Glencaple on 14th October. It was kept in a cage, but died in a few days. The bird afterwards came into my hands. It proved to be a female, and, from the vermiculated markings on the feathers of the breast, I con- clude it is immature. This species is not nearly so frequently met with of late years as was formerly the case, when for a considerable period several were seen every winter.—R. SERVICE, Maxwell- town. Kingfisher near the Beauly Firth.—A Kingfisher (A/cedo ispida) was shot on a small burn close to the Firth, near Lentran, on 11th November. When a Kingfisher does visit that neighbourhood, it is almost sure to be found about that burn, where I have myself seen it on one occasion in August of last year.—T. E. Buck.ey, Inverness. Bee-Eater in Shetland.—For some days last week a strange bird was seen flying about at Symbister, and on Monday morning Mr. ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 49 Arthur Adie found the bird dead on the top of a wall there. It was sent to Lerwick, where it was identified as the Bee-Eater (JZerops apiaster). ‘The only specimen recorded as having been got in Scot- land was one shot in the Mull of Galloway in October 1832. The bird is from ten to eleven inches long, and the plumage is exceedingly pretty. The Bee-Eater was sent down to Mr. John Irvine, who is having it stuffed.—‘‘ Shetland Times,” roth June 1899. [This bird has been seen or captured on about six occasions in Scotland.—Ebs. } The Long-eared Owl in Islay.—As there is no later record of the occurrence of the Long-eared Owl (Aso ofis) in Islay than that contained in Harvie-Brown and Buckley’s “‘ Fauna of Argyll,” in which there is an allusion to one having been shot on the island in February 1853, it may be interesting to state that a young male of this species was brought to me by Peter Currie, crofter, on 14th October last, which he had found in a trap at Duich Lotts. The bird was alive when found, but dead and too much damaged to set up nicely when I got it. It was sent on to Mr. John Paterson, Glasgow, by whom the identification has been confirmed. It is noteworthy that the find occurred on bare, peaty moorland, miles away from any kind of plantation or cover, such as this species usually frequents.—THomas F. Gitmour, Port Ellen, Islay. Forth.—An Old Record of the Kite in Fifeshire.— My friend Colonel H. W. Feilden has lately placed in my hands an interesting old letter, which, amongst other items, contains a record of the Kite (Afilvus wtinus) in the county of Fife. The letter is dated from Cambo House, 22nd August 1844, and is from William Leyland Feilden—the present Baronet—who, at the time he wrote it, was nine years old. Colonel Feilden adds that: ‘‘ There is no question about the correct identification of the bird, for it was stuffed and was for years after in my father’s collection. The passage in the letter is a short one, and as follows: “ James shot a very fine Kite the other day: he had set about a dozen traps for it, and at last he shot it.” Colonel Feilden adds: ‘‘ James, who shot the Kite, was James Forrester, the gamekeeper at Cambo House, Fifeshire.” I consider this an interesting record, and I would be pleased if any of our readers could give any earlier or later data of “The Kite in Fifeshire” or “ Forth.”—J. A. Harvir-Brown. Barnacle Goose in the Dornoeh Firth.—A Barnacle Goose (Bernicla leucopsis) was sent from Tarlogie, near Tain, to Mr. Mackay for preservation on 9th November. As far as our present informa- tion goes, it is a rarity in that neighbourhood.—T. E. BuckLey, Inverness. Long-tailed Dueck in the Solway Distriet.— Again this season I have to record the occurrence of Harelda glacialis in the Solway. 516) E 50 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY A fine female specimen came into my hands this autumn. In recent years the species, so abundant in north-western waters, has been finding its way round to our firth with increasing frequency.— R. SERVICE, Maxwelltown. Smew and White-fronted Goose in Shetland.—I received from Mr. T. Henderson, jun., of Dunrossness, an immature Smew (JZergus albellus) shot on Loch Spiggie on 15th December: in the letter accompanying the specimen, Mr. Henderson informs me that he also shot a White-fronted Goose (Azser albifrons) on the 13th.—T. E. BucKLEY, Inverness. Red-legged Partridge in Forfarshire.—When shooting in Forfarshire on the 6th November, I saw a Red-legged Partridge (Caccabis rufa) shot: it was a male in fine plumage. The keeper said that he was aware of a pair being on the ground, and that he had seen a nest with eggs in the spring.—W. H. M. Durutr, Row, Doune. Former presence of the Ptarmigan in Rum.—lIt may interest those who are studying the historic aspect of the past and present distribution of our native Scottish animals to know of an old record —which I do not remember having seen quoted—of the presence of the Ptarmigan on the island of Rum, as related in a somewhat uncommon book which is now before me, and for which I am indebted to my friend Colonel H. W. Feilden, who also drew my attention to the passage. The work is ‘‘ The Life of Edward Daniel Clarke,” by William Otter, and the preface to the second edition bears date of 31st December 1824. ‘This author is best known to general readers by his series of volumes entitled “ Travels in various Countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa,” 11 vols. 1816-1824. But I am not aware that it is generally known that he made a voyage to Scotland and the Western Isles, as related in his “ Life,” vol. i. chap. iv. p. 250. The passage referring to the Ptarmigan is as follows [I quote it fully, as I believe it possesses sufficient interest to Scottish naturalists generally]. Having described the great crater or corrie of Oreval—a mountain in Rum—and the ancient method of entrapping the Red Deer, Clarke goes on to say: “ Mr. M. remaining in the crater with his gun to seek for game among the heath and morass, I continued my journey towards the summit. In my way up, among the loose stones near the top, those beautiful birds—the Ptarmigans—came so near me, and appeared so little alarmed at my intrusion, that I nearly took one of them with my hands. It appeared ofa fine glossy dark colour, almost black, with a beautiful ring of the purest white round its neck.” [This sounds— says the reader—uncommonly like a misidentification.] Clarke then goes on to say: ‘“‘ They change their colour with every season of the year, and are seen alternately brown, gray, and white. Its most usual appearance is that of a dusky brown, “ke moorfow/s” ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 51 [the italics are ours]. As the autumn draws to a close it becomes gray, and in the winter it is perfectly white. It never appears in the lower region, but almost always inhabits the tops.” I add no remarks to the quotations given, preferring that they should stand as given.—J. A. HARVIE-BRown. Capereailzie in Strathnairn.—I may shortly state that, since the winter of 1894, I have introduced a considerable number of Capercailzie (Zetrao urogallus) from Norway and Austria. Thirty- one were turned down that year, and some every year since. A good many died on their first arrival, from insufficient pen room ; but most of them have been turned out, and have remained in the woods round. I heard of three broods in 1897, and I knew of one in 1898: one, consisting of five young birds, was lately seen by a keeper near this house. A cock and a hen have this year strayed as far as Daviot. One of the broods (1897) was at Brin, where also a fine cock was shot by a keen young sportsman. Another, I believe, was killed at Aldourie, also a bird at Foyers. A hen, too, was unfortunately shot here last year by the subscriber. If the proprietors, shooting tenants, and keepers will kindly refrain from shooting them for some years to come, I feel sure that the large fir woods in this district will eventually form a most suitable home for them.—W. DauziEL MACKENZIE, Farr, Inverness. Spotted Crake in Inverness-shire.—A Spotted Crake (Porzana maruetta) was shot near Culloden about 30th September. Probably these birds are much commoner here than is generally supposed, but without a good dog they are not easily found.—T. E. BucKLEy, Inverness. Pratineole near Montrose.—I received for identification a young Pratincole (G/areola pratincola), a bird of the year, which had been shot on the Mill Burn, Rocksands, Montrose, by Mr. Stormond, Henry Street, on the 4th of November 1899. It is a rare visitor to Britain, and has only been recorded for Scotland on one occasion, namely at Unst, Shetland, in August 1812.—J. A. HARVIE-BROwN. Albino Lapwing in Inverness-shire.—Considering the enormous numbers of these birds, albinisms are not very common amongst them. Mr. Mackay showed me one that he had received from Mr. J. Carver, Crubenmore, near Dalwhinnie, on the 3oth of September.—T. E. Buck.ey, Inverness. Spotted Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit in East Renfrew- shire.—As the Spotted Redshank (Zotanus fuscus) has been recorded only once from “ Clyde” (‘‘ Annals,” 1899, p. 51), it will doubtless be worth while to record its reappearance at Balgray Dam, East Renfrewshire, in the present autumn (1899). On 16th and 17th September a pair of birds has come under our observation. Ina small creek on the west side of the dam a Common Redshank, a 52 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY pair of Spotted Redshanks, a pair of Greenshanks, and a few Lap- wings were together. ‘These we watched for a long time in a favourable light at a distance of about twenty paces. The Spotted Redshanks were in spotted and dusky, but changing plumage, the white stripe from the bill to the eye being well defined. Their call note, though very distinct, seemed to resemble considerably that of the Common Partridge. Early in September M‘Culloch and Son, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, received a Black-tailed Godwit (Zzmosa belgica) to preserve. On inquiry, this specimen was found to have been shot by Mr. Gilmour of Barrhead, near Caldwell, in Neilston parish, a little beyond our limits; but on 21st September we had several good views of a second example at Balgray Dam. Both of these were birds of the year. The note of the Balgray bird was a “kip,” occasionally uttered once, but usually repeated, similar to a note emitted by Black-headed Gulls when quarrelling among them- selves.— JOHN PATERSON and JOHN ROBERTSON, Glasgow. Black Tern in the Firth of Forth.—On the 7th of August last I saw a Black Tern (//ydrochelidon nigra) near Aberlady. It hawked about for some time, keeping mainly to the course of the Peffer Burn, and then disappeared over the trees near the bridge. The bird was in adult plumage.—T. G. LarpLaw, Edinburgh. Sharks in the Moray Firth.—On Saturday, 7th October last, a large male Basking Shark (Se/ache maxima) was stranded at Kingston, and was said to have lived twenty hours after, as it lay on the beach near high-water mark. It was a full-grown animal, and probably an old one. It measured—total length, 30 feet ; girth, 14 feet ; length of pectoral fin, 6 feet; breadth, nearly 4 feet. The first gill-cover was 64 feet long; claspers, nearly 4 feet long; and the tail was 64 feet across. Hundreds of people went to see it. Mr. Muirhead of Fochabers and others took photographs of it. Several newspapers had it reported asa whale! Another Shark, probably of the same species, was seen alive within three miles of the same place, and near the shore. ‘The Porbeagle (Zamna cornudbica) has been common in the Moray Firth during the past year. ‘Two were stranded at Nairn in September last, and one east of Lossiemouth last year.—Wm. TayLor, Lhanbryde. Larger Spotted Dog-fish in ‘‘ Clyde.’’—The ‘‘North British Daily Mail” of 11th December contained a paragraph stating that the Girvan great line boats fishing off Lendal on the gth had caught seven Dog or Hound Sharks ; some measured about five feet in length and twenty-four inches in girth, and the females were full of well-developed eges. The paper further stated that the species is known as hound dog-fish or rock-shark, .S. ca¢w/ws. On communicating this to Mr. Thomas Scott, F.L.S., he writes me: ‘‘This record is of special interest, because the species is a rare one in the Clyde; so much so ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 53 that I was inclined to doubt whether I should admit it amongst my Clyde species.”.—Hucu Boyp Watt, Glasgow. Carabus monilis, /, in ‘‘Clyde.”—Mr. John Dunsmore has shown me a specimen of this beetle which he captured near Paisley. I submitted the specimen to the Rey. Alfred Thornley, and he has stated that the identification is correct. Carabus monilis has hitherto had only an insecure position on the Scottish list. It is included in Wilson and Duncan’s “‘ Entomologia Edinensis ” (1834), with the following remark: ‘ Rather scarce ; it has been taken near Coates, immediately to the west of the New Town.” In Murray’s ‘Catalogue of Scottish Coleoptera” (1853) there are two records: “Near Edinburgh, Sir P. Walker,” and “Granton, Mr. R. Logan.” Dr. Sharp was evidently not sure about these records, as in his “Catalogue of the Coleoptera of Scotland,” which is the standard list of Scottish Coleoptera, the species is bracketed as a doubtful one.—ANDERSON FERGUSSON, Glasgow. Xantholinus fulgidus, /, in “ Clyde.”—On 22nd April 1899 I took a specimen of Navtholinus fulgidus amongst rubbish in a sand- pit at Tollcross, near Glasgow. This species does not appear to have been recorded for Scotland. It is not given a place in Dr. Sharp’s “Catalogue of the Coleoptera of Scotland.” I am indebted to the Rev. A. Thornley for confirming my identification of the beetle. —ANDERSON FERGUSSON, Glasgow. Destruction of hibernating Tortoise-shell Butterflies by the Common Wren.—For some years past a rather large number of hibernating Tortoise-shell Butterflies (Vavessa urtice) have come into the house here in autumn for winter quarters, and I have always protected them. ‘This year there was a larger number than usual, there being upwards of twenty specimens on the walls and ceiling of an inner passage, in what may be described as clusters of four or more together, and there were many others in rooms. In November I began to notice detached wings of wrtice lying about, and I saw that the butterflies were rapidly disappearing. I was not long in finding the cause of this destruction, for in going into a room where the window was raised for airing, a Common Wren (Z7oglodytes parvulus) flew on to the inner sill of the window with a butterfly in its mouth. On going forward, it left it, still alive, but with the head neatly decapitated. Since then it has found its way by open windows into every room in the house, until not a single Vanessa urtice remains. If this is a general habit of the Common Wren, it is not to be wondered at that the finer species of the Vanessid@ are comparatively scarce. It would be interesting to hear if any of your readers have had a similar experience. —A. ELuior, Caverton, Roxburgh. 54 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY Nyssia zonaria, Sc#zf.—In Mr. Evans’s note in the “ Annals” for October last, on the occurrence of this moth in the Hebrides, in place of 1847 (twice) and 1849, read 1844 and 1845. The Death’s-head Moth in the Solway Distriet.—Concerning the unique occurrence of numerous larvze of this great moth (Acherontia atropos), I have now to record several interesting captures. One was found beneath a lilac bush, from which it had evidently tumbled, at Cassalands, Maxwelltown, on 3oth August. Four days later another was found feeding on a lilac tree at Rotchell Park, not far away from the first-named locality. On 6th September I received a third larva from Meikle Cloak, near Dalbeattie.