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HARVARD “UNIVERSIEY.

LiIbRAKY

OF THE

MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY.

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Besa
May od \ A 6% .

A QUARTERLY

“EpITED BY w. EAGLE | “CLARKE; ES.

“MEMBER OF THE cies hake ORNIVHOL OGISTS’ UNION Ny SiC’

CONTENTS.

‘Cannan Seal in Freshwaters of Scotland—J,.-4.

vd Harvie-Brown, BESS PIE sg Hie LO gs Cs 5 55 tn ; Cop
Birds observed in the Valley as the es 1s89— Won.
ei Tt. S. ve Mi a ie a a ; : PAN Ne 5

ad of Rotifera found in the Dundee Ac ea Hood,

gh RAE. SS SAB Gras x ‘ : : 20
‘On he Fiora of Shetland— Wr ‘itican Hi. : aceiy Psat 25
oo for 1890 on the Fungi of East Scotland—Pi ape

Pradl, A.M., M.D. #.L.S, : 2 as : : hee ae.
Zoological Notes ee ibs 7 het 5° to 43
By Charles Cooke—W. ase’ Clarke | SOR a Buldle DB AY RLS |
James Lumsden, F-Z.8., M.B.0.U.—Robt. H. Read, M. B.O. U.
—William Evans, F.R.S.E., &ce.—James Russell . Ait es
ia Buch, anan White, M. DD. LOTR 8. tobert Service.
e cnmeee ‘ ‘ oe ics : : : 43
es The Birds of Tona a Mull oe SK) oe

oR: Ww. Sie EDINBURGH ; eye Tigeek: ‘Grascow; ALEXANDER MurRaY, ABERDEEN;
WwW. ‘Kipp, Duwper; oy A Soupea Montrose ; _ jJoun ANDERSON & Son, DUMFRIES.
Re Age tan oe

sh eh

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THE, SCOTTISH “NATURAL

; ge EDITED BY W. EAGLE: CLARKE, F.L.S.

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SET BE <s on Uz

THE COMMON SEAL IN FRESH-WATER STREAMS
AND LOCHS OF SCOTLAND.

By J. A. Harviz-Brown, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S., &c.

T is well known that seals (Phoca vitulina) in many countries
ascend fresh-water rivers in pursuit of their favourite prey—
salmon and sea-trout—and even permanently exist in fresh-water
areas. Yet it is curious to find how little notice has been taken
of the fact by our naturalists, in relation to British waters, none
of the authorities which I have been able to consult having taken
any special notice of the matter since the days of the “‘ Old Statis-
tical Account,” and of Professor Fleming, dating respectively 1793
and 1822. (‘*Philosophy of Zoology,” vol. ii. p. 82.) Ihave only
given special attention to the matter within the last few years, but
have kept notes on the subject since about 1879, referring to
Loch Awe.

In connection with this curious distribution of the common
seal, I will proceed to treat the subject chronologically. The
earliest notice? of the seal frequenting Loch Awe in Argyleshire,
and coming up the rapid River Awe for that purpose, is contained
in the “Old Statistical Account” (vol. vi, p. 260), where it is
stated :—“‘ The seal comes up from the ocean, through a very
rapid river, in quest of this fish [the salmon]; and retires to the
sea at the approach of winter.” The date of this statement is
1793. We again find this quoted by Fleming in his “Philosophy
of Zoology ” (vol. ii., p. 82, footnote), dating 1822, without remark,
and again, also without remark, in his “History of British
Animals” (p. 17). Since that time I have not been able to find
a published account of this somewhat singular departure in the
habits of the seal—at least, as regards Scotland—in any work de-
voted to British mammals. It becomes, therefore, rather interesting
to find what was then recorded as fact, occurring, beyond dispute,
at the present day. In 1879, as was related to me, ‘‘a large old seal”
frequented Loch Awe between Inverawe Point and the island

*I do not find anything concerning this,in Pennant (1768), Lightfoot’s Flora

Scotica (1777), nor in his later editions,
A

2 The Scottish Naturaltst.

opposite the Pass of Brander. It was seen by many people.
John MacIntyre, boatman at Taycreggan, made the statement
amongst others. It was seen to follow in the wake of the loch
steamer for a long distance. In 1878 it was last seen in August.
In 1879 it was once seen in September, and in 1889 it was seen
as late as November. Many other eye-witnesses have made
similar statements, and there cannot be any doubt that the state-
ments are correct. A little more recent information on the
subject is added by Dr. John Duncan, who was long resident at
Hayfield on Loch Awe side. I give his account fully, as it is
considered of great interest and also because it is desirable
to place the facts on record up to date.

This gentleman writes me as follows :—‘“ For ten years, up to
1883, we spent our autumn holiday on Loch Awe side, and
frequently a portion of April. I think there were few years in
which we did not see one or more seals in the Loch. This was
most frequently in autumn, but I have also seen them in spring.
On one occasion, a bright and absolutely still day, I saw two
quite close to our boat, one of them not more than fifteen or
twenty yards off. I remember a year in which for weeks we
never went out fishing without seeing one somewhere between
Innishail and the Brander Pass. I have several times seen a
seal in the upper pools of the River Awe, and on one occasion
some of us were fishing above the rock with the gangway round
it! when we noticed a seal rapidly diving and rising again in the
river. Presently a salmon threw itself clean out of the water on
the other side into a small basin, from which it could not get
back into the river. It lay splashing there until a navvy, working
on the railway, which was then being made, came down, knocked
the fish on the head and walked away with it. He held it up for
us to see, and it looked about 15 or 16 lbs.”

In connection with this matter it 1s not uninteresting to notice
first the peculiarity of Loch Awe, in that the inflowing and out-
flowing rivers, Orchy and Awe, are both at the same end of the loch.
The Awe is a very rapid, heavy river descending 118 feet in about
four miles, but the Orchy is dead and stagnant as far up as
Dalmally, and there is much swampy meadow-land by its sides.
subject to flooding. Now there is a traditional account that

*4,.€., Close to the outlet of Loch Awe from the Brander Pass and just at
the glide above the first rough stream of the river (H-B).

The Scottish Naturatis¢. 3

“The Brander Pass and River Awe are stated not to be the
original outlet of the loch, and that Loch Awe is almost singular
in this respect amongst Scottish lochs. An examination of the
south-west extremity of the loch shows that the level at one time
was higher and the overflow was into Crinan.” To this account
is also added, ‘‘the Brander Pass supposed to be caused by an
earthquake.” (“A Tour through Scotland.” 1830, p. 218.)
These old records or traditions are in great measure substantiated
by more modern geological evidence. (Geikie, “Scenery of Scot-
land.”) Dr. John Duncan makes the remark in his letter, already
quoted :—‘‘ As to the old outlet of Loch Awe being at the other
end, I have myself no doubt. It would suggest itself even to one
ignorant of geology who has compared that and the present outlet.
Thereis, indeed, but very few feet of differencebetweenthetwolevels.”

Although it is not considered necessary to quote at length all
the evidence we have obtained in verification of the facts above
stated, yet I may state that amongst those from whom I have
received communications on the subject are the following :—Mr.
Muir of Innistrinich testifies to having seen one on rath Nov.,
1888. Mr. R. M‘Cloy, gamekeeper on Poltalloch, unsolicited,
testifies to having seen seals several times in Loch Awe in 1879:
‘and a pair are stated to be there at the present time—May 20,
1888.” Dr. John Duncan says, ‘they certainly come and go, are
seen day after day, and then disappear for weeks.”

Whilst investigating these records, I also learned equally with-
out doubt of the occasional occurrence of Phoca vitulina in an-
other large sheet of water, vzz., Loch Shiel. I first heard of this
through my friend Mr. J. J. Dalgleish of Ardnamurchan. Mr.
Duncan Cameron, at the Fishery at Dorlin, wrote to Mr. Dalgleish
“that one was seen about ten years previously (about 1878) about
400 yards above the falls, at high water and spring-tide, when the
tide was about half-a-mile up the River Shiel” ; and the same person
believed that one was killed in the Bridge Poolabout 60 years ago
(about 1828). Following upon the above is a positive statement, at
alater date, giving the details of the capture from the same
person. A letter from Rev. Father Macdonald, Mingary, Loch
Shiel, is also confirmatory. From these letters the following
facts may be culled. Two cases only can be cited. One seen
about 50 years ago' by a “truthful old man”—Archibald Mac-

tD. C. says 60 years ago.

4 The Scottish Naturalist.

donald, who died about 8 years ago—at the lower end of Loch
‘Shiel, and almost opposite the Rev. Father’s house. The other
instance dates further back, and is traditional of a large seal visit-
ing the far end of Loch Shiel, near Glenfinnan, and shortly after
being seen was shot upon a rock which bears to this day the name
Sgeir nan roin (the seal’s rock). Certain minor discrepancies ap-
pear in the different accounts, but only such as rather tend to the
proof of the general authenticity of the record. I am satisfied
with this, after having weighed all the statements.

Under date of Nov. 25th, 1890, Dr. Duncan writes me as to
the occurrence of the seal in Loch Shiel.in which he tells me
that he was unable to discover “more than vague rumours of
their appearance in the past, and to discover that a certain rock
some miles up Loch Shiel goes by the name of the Seal Rock.
This year I was informed that a seal had been seen in Loch
Shiel by many people for about a fortnight in the early part of
September. I was present on the 25th of September at its
descent of the River Shiel to the sea. I was fishing the
upper part of the large pool below the bridge when it
made its appearance in the centre, and passed down the stream.
My brother-in-law—Captain Bishop Culpeper—was then fishing
the ‘Garrison pool’ about half-a-mile farther down, and he also
saw it swimming quietly downwards. ‘There is, therefore, com-
plete proof of the presence of one seal in the loch and river, and
I have now no doubt that the rumours of others in past years are

quite true.”

As I am discussing seals, it seems to me there are many facts
relating to the Natural History of many of our British Mammals not
yet recorded in books of authority. The following incident is
worthy of record. In Sept., 1880, and again in Nov., 1888—
the latter in reply to my inquiries—my friend Mr. A. Burn-
Murdoch wrote me concerning the curious behaviour of a seal in
Loch Suinart. We quote from his last letter (13th Nov., 1888):
—‘ ‘Memory might be inaccurate, so I quote from my journal,
written at the time. Sept. roth, Sunday,—The carpenter
tells me that after we went ashore on Friday morning, when we
left him and Sandy Cameron, the shepherd, still fishing ‘ cuddies,’
a seal took the ‘cuddy’ that wason the hook. They let the rod go,

: Burt in his “ Letters from the Highlands” (Ed. 1876; Vol. 1 e¢ seg.) says,
‘Che watched seals in the tideway off Inverness Bridge,”

The Scottish Naturalist. 5

and presently it floated up minus the ‘cuddy,’ but with the hook
still there. Again, a second time, the seal caught the hooked fish,
but this time, holding on to the rod, the gut was broken, and fish
and hook were carried off by the seal. N.B.—To verify this by
questioning the shepherd.

‘Sept. 25th, Saturday —. . . . I saw the shepherd and
questioned him about the seal story of the 17th, and he fully
corroborates the carpenter’s account, only that it was thrice the
seal took off the hooked fish—not twice. The shepherd saw the
seal plainly when it seized the cuddy on the hook, and also again
when it tried unsuccessfully to do so—its want of success being
due to the shepherd jerking the fish clear.” Mr. Burn-Murdoch
then continues in his letter, “I often chatted with the men about
the incident, and have not the slightest doubt about its being
perfectly true. We were constantly fishing ‘cuddies’ in the even-
ings at that time, and the seals—one or two of them—were
regularly round us at close quarters, and quite fearless. We
néver fired at them in the neighbourhood of Glenborrodale,
On purpose to encourage their presence, so that the fact of one
being so bold as to take the hooked fish seemed the less extra
ordinary.”

The above incident illustrates how much might be done by
our West Highland lairds and their shooting tenants to encourage
and protect these interesting animals on the shores of our High-
land lochs.

LIST OF BIRDS OBSERVED IN THH VALLEY OF
THH SPHEY DURING AUGUST AND PART OF
SHPTHMBER, 1889.

By WiLuiAM Evans, F.R.S.E., M.B.O.U.

HE following list is based entirely on daily notes which I
made while spending a holiday on the Spey in the autumn

of 1889. My temporary abode was at Kincraig, near Loch
Insch ; and the part of the valley chiefly investigated lies between

6 The Scottish Naturalist.

Kingussie and Aviemore, but flying visits were made as far as the
head of Glen Feshie on the one hand, and Grantown on the
other. The distance between these two places is fully twenty-
five miles, and the intervening country includes some of the finest
scenery in Scotland. The Spey is here already a noble river,
flowing through a narrow: belt of meadow and common with
patches of cultivation at intervals, and receiving the waters of
several important tributaries—-the Tromie and the Feshie, for in-
stance, on the right, and the Dulnan on the left. At Insch the
river widens into a loch, about a mile long by half-a-mile broad.
Finer still are Loch-an-Eilan and Loch Morlich, in whose waters
pine-tree and mountain-top are reflected with exquisite effect.
Birch-woods abound, especially on the north-west side of the
valley, stretching in some parts from the river’s bank to the lower
slopes of the Monadhliath Mountains, which rise to a height of
from 2500 to 3000 feet. On the opposite side the pine-woods
predominate, reaching their greatest extent in the forests of
Rothiemurchus and Abernethy, though the finest trees are pro-
bably to be seen at Castle Grant. Behind these pine-woods rise
the Cairngorms, whose remoter summits—Cairn Toul (4,241 ft.)
and Braeriach (4,248 ft.)—excite the enthusiasm of the mountain-
eer. The country abounds in interest to the student of British
Ornithology, for its woods, lochs, and mountains are the haunts
of such rare species as the Crested Tit, the Osprey, and the
Dotterel.

1. Turdus viscivorus (Missel Thrush).

Abundant throughout the valley, and often seen well up the
hill-sides: mostly in flocks, feeding on the berries of the
various species of Vaccinium, Arctostaphylos, and Empetrum,
which grow in great profusion on the moors and commons:
also observed feeding on juniper-berries and _ bird-cherries.
In Glen Feshie, on 2nd September, I counted over 8o all
in the air at one time.

2. Turdus musicus (Song Thrush).
Generally distributed, but not nearly so numerous as the above.
3. Turdus merula (Blackbird).

Much the same as the Song Thrush in numbers and distri-

bution.
4. Turdus torquatus (Ring Ouzel).
Seen singly, or in small parties, in suitable spots in several

The Scottish Naturatest. 4,

localities on the Monadhliath and Cairngorm Mountains ;
generally at an elevation of from 1,000 to 2,000 ft., but I
startled one along with a flock of ptarmigan at fully 3,000 ft.,
on a ridge where Lmfetrum berries were in great abundance.
The largest party—12 or 13—was observed on roth August ;
and the last seen was alone, on 6th September, high up
among the wild rocks overlooking the western end of Loch
Eunach.
5. Saxicola cenanthe (Wheatear).

Abundant throughout August, up to from 3,000 to 3,500 ft. ;
a few even at greater elevations. One met with on 6th
September, near the summit of Cairn Toul.

6. Pratincola rubetra (Whinchat).

Three on meadow below Loch Insch, on roth August, and one

near Alvie, on the 11th. No others seen.
-7. Ruticilla phoenicurus (Redstart).

Common all along the valley. Last (old and young) observed
at Kinrara, on 5th September.

8. Hrithacus rubecula (Redbreast).

Frequently seen—both old and young—but not so abundant
as in the South of Scotland.

-9. Sylvia cinerea (Whitethrcat).

Only once seen with certainty, namely, near Kincraig, on r1th
August.

ro. Regulus cristatus (Goldcrest).

Abundant, especially in the pine-woods, associating with the
Cole and other Tits. The last tree by the path from the
head of Glen Feshie to Braemar was enlivened by their
presence.

11. Phylloscopus trochilus (Willow-Warbler).

Abundant in all the woods up to about the 23rd of August ;
then rapidly decreasing in numbers, so that by September
never more than one was seen in a day, except on the 5th,
when two (the last observed) were met with at Invereshie.

12. Accentor modularis (Hedge Sparrow).

Far from common: only seen on six occasions, and these
mostly in the lower part of the valley—Aviemore, Carr-
bridge, and Grantown. Three—the most seen together—
were among juniper bushes at the head of Glen Feshie,
entirely away from any dwelling.

8 The Scottish Naturalist.

13. Cinclus aquaticus (Dipper).

Though looked for in every likely place, only four pairs
were detected in the following localities, namely: on the
stream flowing from Cairngorm into the upper end of Loch
Morlich ; onthe Dulnan at Carrbridge ; on the Spey, a short
distance below Kincraig; and on the stream entering
Loch Insch near Dunachtonmore. Perhaps the rivers and
streams are too rapid or too subject to floods for the
Dipper’s liking. Whatever the cause, they are much less
numerous gthan in the lowland counties ; in Peebles-shire,
for instance, I have seen more in the course of an after-
noon’s walk than during a month on the Spey.

14. Acredula rosea (Longtailed Tits).

Of the six Tits seen, this was apparently the least common.
Parties (one consisting of eleven individuals) were met
with on three occasions among alders and birches by the
Spey and the Feshie.

15. Parus major (Great Tit).

Almost as scarce as the preceding. Always among birches and

generally in company with the Blue Tit.
16. Parus ater (Cole Tit).

By far the most abundant of the group, especially in the pine-

woods, but continually met with in the birch-woods as well.
17. Parus palustris (Marsh Tit).

One of the first birds to attract my attention during a short
walk in the immediate neighbourhood of Kingussie, on the
day of my arrival in the valley, was the Marsh Titmouse ; and
thereafter it was noted almost daily. They seemed to have
a great partiality for the birch-woods—indeed, I never
observed them among any other kind of timber—consequently
they were most plentiful on the north-western side of the
river, below Kincraig. ‘They were never alone, but joined
with Blue Tits, Cole Tits, and occasionally Goldcrests, in the
formation of foraging parties. In the woods behind Baldow,
where there is a series of small marshes, and at Docharn,
near Boat of Garten, I have seen from seven to ten at a time,
In no other part of Scotland have I found the species so
abundant.

18. Parus ceruleus (Blue Tit).
Common, but very little more so than the Marsh Tit. Though

The Scottish Naturalist. 9

not confined to the birch-woods, it was oftener seen in these
than elsewhere.
19. Parus cristatus (Crested Tit).

I had not been many days at Kincraig, when a group of Tits
and Goldcrests attracted my attention as they searched the
walls of a garden adjoining a large pine-wood by the road to
Glen Feshie. Examining them through my binoculars, I was
delighted to discover a pair of Crested Tits. The party soon
left the garden and took to the wood, where I followed them
for several hours, studying the habits and call-notes of
Cristatus. Once familiar with the call-note, it was easy to
detect the presence of the birds, even when feeding near the
tops of the tallest trees, where otherwise it was difficult to
identify them ; and I scarcely ever afterwards entered a pine-
wood (they were never noticed out of these), from the head
of Glen Feshie to Grantown, without soon becoming aware
of their presence. In the large forests—those, for instance,
of Rothiemurchus, Glenmore, Abernethy, and about Carr-
bridge—they were by no means rare. They were always in
company with Cole Tits and Goldcrests, seldom more than a
pair, however, being with any one group. During a ramble
in one of the large forests on the 28th August, I detected
themein eight different parties of Tits... It is. difficult to
represent the call-note on paper : the syllables, taurr, twurr,
twurr, written down at the time, still vividly recall the sound
to my mind.

zo. Troglodytes parvulus (Wren).

Frequently observed; occasionally even in remote places

among the hills.
2t. Motacilla lugubris (Pied Wagtail).

Common: occasionally in large assemblages. On 22nd
August, I counted about eighty Wagtails—mostly this
form—among a quantity of mown grass, which had been
carried by the Spey when in flood, and left near the road-side
a short distance above Loch Insch. ‘They were mostly young
birds, but there were several old black-backed males present.
Another considerable gathering was observed near Boat of
Garten, on 4th September.

22. Motacilla alba (White Wagtail).
In the assemblage of Wagtails seen on 22nd August, were two

IO The Scottish Naturaltst.

or three-unmistakable old males of this form. Doubtless
there were also a number of females and young birds, but it
was impossible to identify these with any certainty.
23. Motacilla melanope (Grey Wagtail).
Was frequently seen on the Spey, and the Dulnan.
24. Anthus pratensis (Meadow Pipit).

In flocks on the meadows and commons by the Spey and the
Feshie throughout my stay. The largest gathering was seen
on 3rd September. A few still lingered on the high grounds ;
thus a pair were noticed on Cairngorm on 16th August, at
about 3500 feet, and on the rgth another pair were met with
on the high moor above Loch Eunach.

25. Anthus trivialis (Tree Pipit).

Only once identified, namely on 8th August, in a clump of
trees a little above Kinrara.

26. Muscicapa grisola (Spotted Flycatcher).

Frequently met with. At Invereshie House on 17th August,
they were unusually abundant, and were still in some num-
bers up to the 28th: the last seen was on 2nd September.

27. Hirundo rustica (Swallow).

In greater or less abundance from the first to the last day of
observation (8th September). The largest assemblages were
seen on 6th and 2oth August.

NVote.—I looked particularly for the House Martin (Chelidon
urbica), in Kingussie, Grantown, Carrbridge, and other likely
places, but could see nothing of either the birds or their nests.
This year (1890), I noticed several pairs nesting at Braemar.

28. Cotile riparia (Sand-Martin).
Abundant up to the zoth of August on the Spey below Kin-
craig : a few noted up to 4th September.

29. Certhia familiaris (Tree-Creeper).

One or two seen on many occasions with groups of Tits.
30. Passer domesticus (House-Sparrow).

Common about all the villages and farms.
31. Fringilla chloris (Greenfinch).

Frequently seen, but never in large numbers.
32. Fringilla ceelebs (Chaffinch).

By far the most abundant of the #7ingiliide. Large numbers
were frequently met with in the pine-woods.

33. Linota rufescens (Lesser Redpoll).

The Scottish Naturalist. LI

Abundant in all the birch-woods in flocks of considerable size.
A flock of fully roo fed daily on the catkins of the birches in
front of the house we occupied. No diminution in their
numbers could be detected up to the time I left (gth
September), and the people about the place said they were
seen all through the winter. Eggs that had been taken in
the neighbourhood were shown to me.

34. Linota flavirostris (Twite).

Only seen on three occasions, twice on the boggy moor behind
Feshiebridge, and once ona bit of similar ground at the
head of Loch Garten.

35. Pyrrhula europeea (Bullfinch),

To one accustomed to live in a district where the Bullfinch 1s
almost a rarity, it was very pleasing to meet with parties of
from four to five, up to twice that number, several times a day.
Though seen in both the birch-woods and the pine-woods, I
consider they were most numerous in the former.

36. Loxia curvirostra (Crossbill).

This interesting bird was constantly met with in the pine-woods
in flocks of from seven or eight up to twenty or thirty. There
were never more than from one to three red birds in a flock.
In addition to the cones of the firs, larches and pines, I noticed
that the galls on the twigs of the spruce—which Professor
Trail informs me are the work of Chermes Abietis (an Aphis)
—were eagerly attacked. The Crossbill, as is well known,
breeds very early in the year. I was, therefore, greatly sur-
prised to see two young ones, which, to all appearance, could
not have been more than ten days to a fortnight out of the
nest, being fed by their parents on 4th September. This was
in the forest near Carrbridge. An incessant feelow, peetow,
peet, peetow, peepeet, from the thick branches of a Scotch-fir
attracted my attention, and I soon discovered that the petu-
lant chirping proceeded from two young Crossbills hopping
from branch to branch after the old birds from whom they
were continually receiving food. The way in which they
opened their bills to be fed, at the same time quivering their
wings, and, indeed, their whole behaviour and appearance
pointed to their extreme youth. They never made the
slightest attempt to feed themselves.

37. Exmberiza citrinella (Yellow Hammer).

12 The Scottish Naturalist.

Not particularly common, but a good many seen, especially in
the lower part of the valley.

38. Emberiza schoeniclus (Reed Bunting).

A female at Baldow on 6th August, and another near the
upper end of Loch Insch on the 22nd, were the only ones
seen.

39. Plectrophanes nivalis (Snow Bunting).

On 15th August, I ascended Cairngorm, and when within 1oo
yards of the summit, a Snow Bunting flew past me. On 6th
September I met with another near the top of Braeriach.

40. Sturnus vulgaris (Starling).

Frequently seen in different parts of the district, mostly in good
sized flocks. A number observed at Castile Grant were
evidently at home.

41. Pica rustica (Magpie).
Observed on many occasions, generally 4 or 5 together.
42. Corvus monedula (Jackdaw).

Good many with Rooks near Kingussie, Nethybridge, and else-
where.

43. Corvus corone (Carrion Crow).

Not numerous: seen on 7 or 8 occasions, generally singly or
in pairs. Five were noticed together on 16th August near
Glenmore Lodge, in company with the next.

44. Corvus cornix (Hooded Crow).

Appeared to be more numerous than the last. Eight near
Glenmore Lodge on 16th August; fully a dozen between
Kincraig and Kingussie on the 22nd; and on the 28th, three
nailed to wall at keeper’s cottage in Abernethy Forest. Also
singly or in pairs on several other occasions. The keepers
say they are resident throughout the year.

45. Corvus frugilegus (Rook).

Abundant, frequently in large assemblages. On 22nd August,
I counted between 1500 and 2000 on a field of rough
pasture near Kingussie, and a few days later, another similar
gathering was seen between Boat of Garten and Nethybridge.

46. Corvus corax (Raven).

On 23rd August, in the course of a walk over the Monadhliath
Mountains from Kincraig to the Dulnan, and back to Avie-
more, I saw no less than six Ravens. On the 30th—almost
the only really summer-like day we had during the month—

The Scottish Naturalist. 13

I was busy capturing beetles and other insects in the marshes
behind Baldow when a croaking overhead caused me to look
upwards, and there, at a great height, was a Raven floating
in the clear blue sky.

47. Alauda arvensis (Skylark).

Was not numerous. I only met with it on _half-a-dozen
occasions, in parties of from 3 to 5.

48. Cypselus apus (Swift).

Frequently seen from 3rd August to 4th September. On the
latter date four were circling high over Aviemore Station at
sunset.

49. Caprimulgus europzeus (Nightjar).

One haunting the clumps of birches on the Common, immedi-
ately to the north of Feshiebridge, during the last week of
August.

50. Cuculus canorus (Cuckoo).

Young birds were observed several times. On 7th August one
was still being tended by its foster parents (meadow Pipits).
On the 28th, another was seen to fly on to the roof of a house
at Boat of Garten; and on 2nd September two were noticed
in Glen Feshie.

51. Asio otus (Long-eared Owl).

I should have expected this Owl to be common, but apparently
it was not. It was only once detected, namely, at Invereshie.
Two stuffed specimens in a shop in Kingussie were said to
have been killed in Gaick Forest.

52. Syrnium aluco (Tawny Owl).

Appeared to be fairly common; often heard hooting in the
woods around Kincraig, especially during moonlight nights
in September.

53. Buteo vulgaris (Buzzard).

On 23rd August I had a good view of one hunting along the
side of Cnoc an Fhrangaich on the Dulnan; and on rst
September another was observed soaring «ver the Cairn-
gorms near the entrance to the Alt na Cricke Glen.

54. Aquila chrysaetus (Golden Eagle).

I had the pleasure of seeing this Eagle on three occasions. On
roth August I had been wandering about the Invereshie
deer-forest since early morning, and towards 4 p.m., passing
over Sgoran Dubh, found myself suddenly on the brink of

14 The Scottish Naturalist.

the stupendous wall of precipices which rise almost perpen-
dicularly from the dark waters of Loch Eunach. At no great
distance on my right, an Eagle was perched upon a rocky
pinnacle, and gave the finishing touch to one of the grandest
scenes within our shores. On my approach he took wing,
and soared away to his home on the other side of Braeriach.
The next was seen on 2nd September circling across the
remotest part of Glen Feshie; and four days later, during
the ascent of Cairn Toul, I had once more the pleasure of
witnessing the power and grace of the Eagle’s flight.

55. Accipiter nisus (Sparrow Hawk).
Observed on five or six occasions only, and mostly about In-
vereshie.

56. Falco peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon).

Only seen thrice, namely—one passing from Loch Eunach to
Glen Feshie; another dashing through a flock of Lapwings
at the foot of Loch Insch; and a third on Craigellachie,
near Aviemore.

. *
57. Falco eesalon (Merlin).
Is doubtless more common than my experience, taken alone,
would indicate. I only saw it twice.

58. Tinnunculus alaudarius (Kestrel).

By far the most common of the birds of prey. In Glen Feshie
I have had four, and at the entrance to the Larig Pass three
in view at one time. One rose from a ridge of the Cairn
gorms at 3500 feet.

59. Pandion haliaetus (Osprey).

Up to the 2oth of August a pair of Ospreys were daily visitors
to Loch Insch, where I often watched them capturing large
fish, and carrying them off to their eyrie. As they passed
over-head, I could, with the aid of my binoculars, distinctly
see the fish, which was always carried in a position parallel
to the bird’s own body —the one foot being placed well
in front of the other—making violent efforts to escape
from the talons of its captor. The nest occupied this
year was not on the Castle of Loch an Eilan, but on a Scotch
fir growing on an islet in a little-frequented loch among the
hills.

60. Ardea cinerea (Heron).

The Scottish Naturalist. 15

Frequently seen on the Spey, especially about Loch Insch ; and
also on the Dulnan.

61. Anas boscas (Wild Duck).

On all the lochs, a great increase of their numbers being ob-
served about the middle of August. On the 18th they were
very abundant on Loch Insch, and at flight time the air was.
alive with them proceeding to their feeding grounds.

62. Querquedula crecca (Teal).

Was also common about Loch Insch, especially from the middle
of August onwards.

63. Spatula clypeata (Shoveller).

A pair observed feeding close to the edge of Loch Insch on
13th, and again on 18th August.

64. Fuligula ferina (Pochard).

A few on Loch Insch on 14th, and two pairs on 18th August.

Nineteen beauties on Loch Garten on the 28th.
65. Mergus merganser (Goosander).

Parties of from 3 to ro on Loch Insch throughout August. On
the 18th there were between 20 and 30 on the loch, A
family-party of 7 was observed on Loch Morlich on the 16th.

66. Columba palumbus (Ring-Dove).

Common all along the valley.

67. Columba oenas (Stock Dove).

On 2oth August I had a very good view of one flying up the
valley past Kincraig bridge.

68. Phasianus colchicus (Pheasant).

The only Pheasants seen were a few being reared at Dunach-
tonmore.

69. Perdix cinereus (Partridge).

Coveys were frequently seen on the pastures and commons ad-
joining the Spey.

70. Lagopus mutus (Ptarmigan).

Abundant on all the more elevated parts of the Cairngorms ;
was seldom met with below 3000 feet. In the course of a
walk over the higher ridges of the Invereshie deer-forest, I
put up no fewer than 94. ‘They were generally in parties of
from 6 or 7 to twice that number, though, on one ridge, a
pack of 29 was met with. Five rose within three or four
yards of the cairn on the highest point of Braeriach. On
examining the ground where a flock had been sitting, I in-

16 The Scottish Naturalist.

variably found a number of newly cast feathers. The birds
were, of course, in the grey and white plumage of autumn, and
when at rest among the granite rocks and boulders it was
next to impossible to detect them. During a moonlight
walk across these mountains Ptarmigan were continually
getting up almost among my feet, the rustle of their wings
and the loud gur-r-r-r-r of the cocks, adding not a little to
the eerieness of the situation.
71. Lagopus scoticus (Red Grouse).

Needless to say, this favourite game-bird was abundant on all
the moors on both sides of the valley. In the Invereshie
deer-forest, on 19th August, two rose with Ptarmigan at an
elevation of well over 3000 feet, and four others joined them
from a point still higher.

72. Tetrao tetrix (Black Grouse).

Frequently met with from the head of Glen Feshie downwards.
Most seen in the young fir plantation on the moor behind
Feshie bridge.

73. Crex pratensis (Corn-Crake).

One seen near Kincraig on 5th August. I am told their mono-
tonous call is a well-known sound in the valley during the
summer evenings.

74. Gallinula chloropus (Moor-hen).

Common: seen about Loch Insch, Drimanlochan, Loch Pit-
hulais, &c.

75. Fulica atra (Coot).

Common on several of the lochs ; counted go on Loch Insch
on 18th August, and over a dozen on Loch Garten on the
28th.

76. Charadrius pluvialis (Golden Plover).

Two or three about Loch Insch on the oth, and a few on a
boggy moor on the Cairngorms on roth August were all that
came under my observation.

77. Asgialitis hiaticula (Ringed Plover).

On the night of 9th August I heard Ringed Plovers calling
overhead. I was at the lower end of Loch Insch at the time,
and the birds seemed to be flying up the valley.

78. Eudromias morinellus (Dotterel).

This most interesting bird was met with several times in small

parties on the Cairngorms, but never under 3000 feet. Four-

The Scottish Naturalist. 7,

teen was the most seen together, and on 6th September a
group of six was met with on the top of Braeriach.
79. Vanellus vulgaris (Lapwing).

Abundant in flocks of 50 and under till near the end of August,

when the numbers became greatly diminished.
80. Heematopus ostralegus (Oystercatcher).

Common; feeding in small parties on the meadows and pastures,
occasionally in company with Lapwings. On 6th August
many groups—seldom composed of more than seven or less
than two birds—were observed flying up the valley at a con-
siderable height. By the 27th comparatively few were to be
seen, and on the 31st, eight were seen flying northwards.

81. Scolopax rusticola (Woodcock).

I only once got a glimpse of a Woodcock in the birchwood near
Kincraig. .

82. Gallinago celestis (Common Snipe).

A few put up on marshy ground by the Spey above Loch Insch,
and on the Monadhliath Hills.

83. Totanus hypoleucus (Common Sandpiper).

Frequently observed about the margins of Loch Insch and Loch
Alvie ; last seen on 22nd August.

84. Totanus calidris (Redshank).

Single birds observed on the 11th, 18th, and 22nd August by
the Spey and Loch Insch. .

85. Totanus canescens (Greenshank).

One put up severai times from the banks of the Spey above
Kinrara on 21st August. My attention was first attracted to
it by its loud whistle.

86. Numenius phesopus (Whimbrel).

On 4th August, when midway between Kincraig and Alvie, one
passed over my head, flying in a southerly direction. It was
calling loudly.

87. Numenius arquata (Curlew).

Frequently seen in small parties about Loch Insch and on the
meadows and pastures. On 6th August several groups were
seen flying high in a southerly direction, and calling.

88. Larus fuscus (Lesser Black-backed Gull).

A few were observed near Aviemore on 6th August, and a pair
about Loch Insch on the zoth.

89. Larus ridibundus (Black-headed Gull).

18 The Scottish Naturalist.

Both old and young were frequently seen during the first fort-
night of August. In Kingussie they were flying among the
houses. Eggs taken near Boat of Garten were shown to me.

go. Podiceps minor (Little Grebe).

Three old and four young birds were seen several times on
Drimanlochan, where three old nests were floating among
the Lobelia Dortmanna and other water plants. I also sawa
Little Grebe on Loch Pithulais.

THE GREAT SKUA (Stercorarius catarrhactes); ITS
PRESENT STATUS AS A BRITISH BIRD.

By HAROLD RAEBURN.

N the case of a species like the Great Skua, possessing but
three breeding-stations within the British Isles, and existing
in limited numbers even at those few spots, it is a matter of com-
parative ease to ascertain the total number that yet remain to us.
Unfortunately it is also only too easy to exterminate a bird so
utterly fearless of danger as is the skua in the breeding season,
and which deposits its eggs in places so easy of access, that even
the old women of Foula are able to take part in the plunder of
its nest. ‘This year—18gqo—the persecution which the great skua
has been subjected to has been worse than any previous year ;
and an extremely unpleasant feature—a new one—is the fact that
men calling themselves naturalists—I am glad to say there are no
Scotsmen among them—have visited the Shetlands and, not con-
tent with taking the eggs, have shot the old birds as well, in utter
contempt of the provisions of “ The Wild Birds’ Protection Act.”
I do not alone refer to the proceedings of Mr. Barrington and his
party (cf. “Zoologist,” Sept., Oct., Nov., 1890), for I have the names
of several others who also destroyed great skuas on their breeding
grounds this year. If this sort of thing is going to be repeated,
then, I think, it will be the duty of Scottish naturalists to take the
matter up and put a stop to it by prosecuting the offenders; a
conviction would be easily obtained at the Lerwick Court.

The Scottish Naturaitst. 19

Before giving an account of the present state of each colony,
I shall briefly recapitulate what we know of the numbers of the
great skua existing at its three Shetland colonies in past days.

Foula.—Though this is by far the largest colony at the present
time, it would seem that this was not always the case; their in-
crease in this locality being entirely due to the care with which
they were protected for a long time by the late Dr. Scott of Melby.
About 1770 there appear to have been only a few pairs, for Low,
in his ‘Tour through the Islands of Orkney and Shetland,” says,
‘‘ Six pairs possess the highest ridge of Liorafield . . . . penalty
for killing, 16s 8d., stg."—-a large sum for the locality and date,
and shows in what estimation the skua was held. At the begin-
ning of the present century there seems to have been about a
dozen pairs, and they have increased since then to their present
numbers of about 60 pairs. Ina paper on the “Summer Birds
of Shetland” (Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin. 1888), I stated the
number of skuas then on Foula at only 16 pairs. These figures
I got from the proprietor himself, Mr. Scott of Melby, and I
accepted them in preference to a report of there being as many as
60 pairs which I heard as long ago as 1884. However, I have
estimates this year ranging from 40 to 100 pairs; and giving the
preference to those most reliable, we may take the total of the
colony at about 60 pairs. ‘This is a large number, but after a
long period of immunity the skuas have fallen upon evil days and
the numbers have been decreasing for the last year or two.

Unst.—This is now a very much smaller colony than that on
Foula, but some years previous to 1861, according to Saxby, it
numbered between 50and60 pairs. By187othesehadbeen reduced
to 5 or 6, and the colony has remained at about that number ever
since; the figures for the last seven years showing a slight increase as
the following statistics show :—1884, 5 pairs; 1885, 6 pairs; 1886,
7 pairs; 1887, 8 pairs; 1888, 8 pairs; 1889, 8 or 9 pairs; 1890,
9 pairs.

Northmavin.—This was originally, perhaps, the largest of the
three stations, but being the most accessible, has suffered in pro-
portion. The credit, or rather discredit, of the destruction of this
colony is usually laid upon Dunn, the author of the “‘ Ornithologists’
Guide to the Islands of Orkney and Shetland ;” but this charge he

20 The Scottish Naturalist.

endeavours to deny, laying the blame upon some other tourists
from the south, and upon the officers of a revenue cutter which
was stationed near the locality for some time. Whoever was to
blame, the fact remains that the skuas were reduced from “‘ great
numbers” till they became in 1837 ‘‘almost extinct.” They do
appear to have been entirely banished shortly after, and when
Saxby’s “Birds of Shetland” was published in 1874 they had ap-
parently not returned. For about the last ten years, however, a
pair or two have annually attempted to breed on the old ground,
and an egg was certainly hatched in 1885. ‘This year, 1890, no
less than 4 or 5 pairs have made the attempt to rear their broods,
but the treatment they have received has certainly not been of a
kind to encourage them. Eggs have been taken and old birds
shot in June, and in July the only pair of young hatched were
carried off.

Summing these totals up, we get about 75 pairs as the entire
number of great skuas at present nesting on British soil. This
number is quite sufficient to keep this interesting bird on the
list of our breeding species, if—and this is imperative—they only
receive some measure of protection from dealers and quasi-
scientists on their breeding grounds.

LIST OF ROTIFHRA FOUND WITHIN A RADIUS OF
TWENTY MILES ROUND DUNDEE.

(Read at the Meeting of the H.S.U.N.S. at Montrose in 1890. )
By JoHN Hoop, F.R.M.S.

ORDER 1.—RHIZOTA.
Famity.—FLOSCULARID.
Genus.—F loscularia Oken.

1. F. ambigua Huds. In marshes on Sphagnum, Ranunculus,
and other aquatic plants.

Forfar, Fife, Perth. Common.

2. F. algicola Zuds. Found only in a parasitic alga (Glovo-
trichia pisum), on leaves and stems of various aquatic
plants... Rare.

Stormont Loch, Perth.

The Scottish Naturalst. 2I

3. F. annulata. On Sphagnum in marshes. Rare.

4.

TO.

il.

12.

13.

14.

i

5

Tents Muir in Fife, Forfar.
F. campanulata Dobie. Common on Ranunculus and
other aquatic plants.
In every loch in Fife, Perth, and Forfar.
. cornuta Dobie. Common in ponds, lakes, and marshes.
Perth, Forfar, Fife.
. Spinata. (Yet undescribed), 5 lobed. Rare.
Marsh at Lundie, Forfar.
.calva Huds. On Sphagnum and Myriophyllum. Rare.
Fife (Loch Lundie, Tents Muir), Forfar.
. coronetta Cubitt. On Sphagnum. Rare.
Pond near Dundee, Forfar, marsh on Tents Muir,
Fife.

et” RLS 5

.F. cyclops Cubitt. On Ranunculus, Sphagnum. Not

common.
Camperdown Fish Ponds, near Dundee, Tents Muir.
F. edentata Collins. On Myriophyllum. Rare. /. H.
Black Loch.
F. Hoodii Huds. On Myriophyllum and Sphagnum.
Rare.
Tents Muir, Loch Lundie, Fife, Forfar.
F. longicaudata Huds. On Sphagnum and Ranunculus.
Not common.
Fife, Forfar, Perth.
F. ornata Zhr. Common in lakes, ponds, and ditches; on
Myriophyllum and other aquatic plants.
In tide-pools ; Firth of Tay, on Cozferva.
F. trilobata Collins. Common on Ranunculus, Myrio-
phyllum, and Sphagnum.
Loch Lundie, and lochs around Blairgowrie.

Genus.—Stephanoceros Lhrenb.
S. Hichhornii Zhr. In marshes. Not common.
Black Loch, Stormont Loch, Perth.

FaMIiLy.—UEALICERTID &.
Grenus.—Melicerta.

16. M. Janus Huds. Common on Myriophyllum and Ranun-

culus.
Lakes in Fife, Forfar, and Perth.

20 The Scottish Naturalist.

17. M. conifera Huds. In ditches and marshes on WVitella and
Ranunculus. Sometimes in great numbers, but usually
rare.

Tents Murr.
18 M. ringens Schrank. Common in ponds, ditches, and
marshes on Ranunculus and other aquatic plants.
Perth, Forfar, Fife.
19. M. tubicolaria Zhr. Rare; on Ranunculus.
Pond near Dundee, Forfar (rare).

Genus.—Limnias Schrank.
20. L.annulatus Bailey. Rare; on Myriophyllum.
Ponds near Dundee, Forfar.
21. L. Ceratophylli Schrk. Common on Wyriophyllum and
Chara.
In ponds near Dundee, Forfar.

Grenus.—Cephalosiphon Zhrenb.

22. C. candidus Huds. Very rare; on Ranunculus.
Loch Lundie, Forfar.

23. C. limnias Zhr. Rare; on Myriophyllum.
Toch Lundie, Forfar.

Genus.—Cicistes Lhrenb.

24. Gi. brachiatus Huds. Black Loch and Rosemont Loch.
Sometimes in large numbers, but not usually common.

2s. GH. algicola. Stormont and Lindores Lochs. This makes
its home in a globular parasitic alga (Glovotrichea pisum),
on which it is not rare. This has also been named by Dr.
Kellicott @. muciola.

Stormont and Lindores Lochs.

26. Gi. minutus. Not common; on Myriophyllum and Con-

forum. J, H.
Loch Lundie.

27. Gi. crystallinus Zhrend. Common in ponds on Ranun-

culus, Myriophyllum, and other aquatic plants.
Fife, Perth, and Forfar.

28. Gi. intermedius Davis. In ponds on Ranunculus and
other aquatic plants. Sometimes in great numbers, but
usually uncommon.

Perth and Forfar.

20.

30.

Zr.

32

ao:

The Scottish Naturalist. 23

Gi. longicornis Davis. In marshy pools on Sphagnum and
Ranunculus.
Common in Perth and Fife.
CG. pilula Wil/s. In marshy pools on Sphagnum.
Common in Perth, Forfar, and Fife.
Gi. stygis Gosse. On Ranunculusand Myriophyllum. Rare.
Black Loch, Perth,
Gi. serpentinus Grosse. On Myriophyllum. Rare.
Black Loch.
Gi. umbella Huds. In marshy pools on Sphagnum. Not
common.
In Fife and Perth.

34. Gi. ptygura Huds. Prolific in my aquarium during the past

35:

36.

37:

38.

39:

40.

Al.

42.

43.-

four years. are.
Ci. velatus Gosse. On Myriophyllum. Rare.
Pond near Dundee.

Genus.—Conochilus Zhr. (Free Swimmer.)
C. volvox Zhr. Common in marshy pools.
Tents Muir, Fife ; Stormont Loch, Perth.

OrvER 2—BDELLOIDA.
Famity.—PHILODINID.
Genus.—Philodina Zhr.
P. aculeata Hhr. In ponds and marshy pools. Not
common. :
Fife and Forfar. ° :
P. citrina Zhr. Not plentiful, in lochs around Blairgowrie
and near Dundee.
P. erythrophthalma, Zhr.
Very common in ponds and ditches throughout Perth,
Forfar, and Fife.
P. roseola Hhr. In lakes and ponds. Not common.
Perth and Forfar.
P. megalotrocha “hr. In marshy pools and ponds,
Not rare.
Perth, Forfar, Fife.
P. microps, new species. In salt water in rock-pools.
Rare.
Carnoustie, Firth of Tay.
P. tuberculata Gosse. In marshes on Tents Muir. Rare.

24

44.

45.

46.

47.

48

49

GL.

53. M. clavus Zhr.

54.

The Sco

ttish Naturalist.

Grnus.—Rotifer Schrank.

R. macrurus Schr.
Common.
Fife, Forfar, Perth.
R. macroceros Gosse.
their feet to the leave
plants. Common.
R. tardus “hr. In
common.
Perth, Forfar, Fife.
R. vulgaris Schr. In
of the Tay. Commo

In ponds, ditches, and marshes. —

In lakes and ponds ; fond of fixing
s of Myriophyllum and other aquatic
marshes, ponds, and lakes. Fairly

ponds and ditches and in sea-waters
ia.

Grenus.—Actinurus hr.

A. Neptunius “hr.

In a ditch near Dundee. Very rare.

Genus.—Callidina hr.

. GO. bidens Gosse. In

marshy pools and ditches of green

colour. Not uncommon.

Perth and Forfar.
. C.elegans Lhv.
Common,
Perth, Fife, Forfar.
C. bihamata, Gosse.
Tents Muir.

In ponds and ditches among Conferva.

In marshy pools. Not common.

RAM 12 ve A LD TN EET De.

Genus.—Adineta Hudson.

. A. vaga Davis. Very

ORDER

rare in a small pool near Dundee.

3-—PLOIMA.

FamMity.— UVa CR O C QiDT Daz.

GENus.—Microcodon Fhr.

Black Loch (rare).

FamMity.—_ASPLANCHNID &.
Grenus.—Asplanchna Grosse.

A. Brightwellii Gosse.

Rare in pond in Pitcaro Wood.

The Scottish Naturatlest. 25

ss. A. marina Gosse. Tide Pool, Firth of Tay. Rare.

Grnus.—Asplanchnopus.
56. A. myrmeleo Zhr. Ina ditch, Tents Muir, in 1886. This
was the first time it had been found in Britain.

GENnus.—-Sacculus Grosse.
57. S. viridis Gosse. In Black Loch. Very rare.

Famity.—SYNVCHAETID.
Grnus.—Syncheta Lhr.
58. 8. baltica Zhr. Sometimes abundant in Firth of Tay.
59. S. gyrina. In Firth of Tay. Abundant in Spring. . #.
60. §. longipes Gosse. Numerous in a pond in Emmock Wood,
but elsewhere not common.
61. S. pectinata Ehr. In lochs, ponds, and marshes, Not
rare.
Perth, Forfar, Fife.
62. §. tremula Zhr. In ponds, ditches, and lochs. Common.
Perth, Forfar, Fife.
(Zo be continued.)

ON THE FLORA OF SHETLAND.

By WILLIAM H. BEEBY.

AST summer’s work in Shetland completed the fifth year

of my investigations there; and I propose on the present

occasion to give a rough resumé of what has been done, as well

as of the present state of our knowledge respecting the Flora of
that distant and scattered county.

The species observed growing there by myself number altogether
about 365, every one of which is represented in my Shetland
Herbarium, together with numerous varieties, forms, and states.
Besides these there are some 15 other species, dried examples of
which have been seen, or which are sufficiently vouched for; and

26 The Scottish Naturalist.

there are also some 30 species recorded, and likely to be con-
firmed, but at present not sufficiently vouched for. These three
groups together give a total of 410 species; and, considering that
every new district visited hitherto has contributed its quota of
new records, I am disposed to estimate the Shetland Phanerogams,
Vascular Cryptogams and Characez, at about 450 species. There
are also about 75 additional species recorded. ‘These records
consist, to a small extent, of mere casuals; but, for the most part,
I believe, ofverrors.

Comparing the above estimate with the Flora of Orkney, we
find that Mr. Irvine Fortescue’s list (Scott. Nat., 1882-3)
enumerates 494 species; but many of these are of extremely
doubtful occurrence ; and applying to this list the same rigid
scrutiny that has been brought to bear on the Shetland lists, and
allowing for a few species since recorded, I should accept 450
species as representing the Orkney Flora as at present known.
When fully worked, the Orkneys may be expected to yield some
50 more species than Shetland ; the difference being made up, to
a large extent, of naturalised cornfield weeds, etc.

The districts visited last August were Dunrossness and Walls.
The first comprises the southern portion of the Mainland, including
Spiggie and Quendal, where Carex incurva grows so abundantly
on the sand tracts that here cover so large a part of the country.
As anticipated, this district produced several plants which are not
found farther north in these islands; but Daucus Carota, Hieracium
Pilosella, and several other common plants which were expected,
were not met with. Walls lies on the west side of the Mainland ;
and is remarkable for the innumerable lochs, large and small,
which occur in the district; between 30 and 40 of these were
examined, though in many cases but partially. Many of the
larger lochs contain small islands or holms; and these are of
special interest, as they alone preserve many plants which around
the shores of the lochs are eagerly devoured by the sheep. I
reached one of these holms by wading, and another by swimming,
and I hope at some future time to examine them more closely ;
but to do this a portable boat is required, as most of the lochs
have no boat on them. While at Walls, the island of Vaila was
visited, but on it neither Deanthus deltoides nor Rhynchospora alba
was found. It may be remarked that here the Thrift (Armeria)
is known by its other name of Sea-pink; and this may possibly

The Scottish Naturatlest. Ay

have given rise to the record of the Dianthus as a plant of Vaila
Island. Both of these Vaila records certainly require confirmation.

In all a good number of new county records were made, and an
interesting Carex and Potamogeton were gathered, neither of which
is yet fully determined. The following abbreviations are used :—

D. = District of Dunrossness.
W. = District of Walls.
¢.= Not recorded for the county in Yop. Bot., Ed.
II., or in Bennett’s Additional Records,
unless with some form of query.

+ Batrachium Baudotii.—D. Abundant in the north end
of the Loch of Spiggie, close to the sea; sparingly in other parts
of the loch, and in Brue and Hillwell Lochs. Mostly in the
earlier stages of growth, with copious flowers, and submerged
leaves, but no floating leaves or fruit ; a few plants were found in
very shallow pools, with plenty of ripe fruit and floating leaves,
but with the submerged leaves mostly decayed.

+ B. trichophylilum.—W. Stony bottomof Kirkiegarth Loch,

rather frequent.

+ B. hederaceum Dum.—D. In a ditch at Skelberry, and in a
good many other places in the southern part of the district ; not
seen north of Levenwick.

i Ranunculus Steveni.—This is generally commoner than
R. acris (Borwanus) in the Islands. When growing on dry ground
it is a remarkably hairy, almost hispid plant, with comparatively
few stout stems, and a strong creeping rhizome; when growing
beside streams, etc., the plant is glabrid, and produces innumerable
slender stems from the densely interlacing rhizomes. This latter
state grows in large masses, and differs much in appearance from
the dry-ground plant. Cultivation of the two states indicates that
the differences between them are due to situation alone. The so-
called “ #. acris var. pumilus” belongs to this species. I first
gathered it near Roeness Voe in 1886, when it was so named.
As, however, it was obvious that it did not belong to R. acris, I
have deferred recording it until further attention had been paid to
the Shetland species. I doubt much whether it is entitled to
rank as a variety of A. Steven, and am more inclined to think
it an alpine state of the type—an extreme state, in fact, of

28 Lhe Scotttsh Naturalist.

the wet-ground plant—the difference again being due to
local causes. Mr. F. Townsend also, who has looked over my
Shetland Kanunculi, suspects, from observations on these pumilus
forms in Scotland and elsewhere, that ‘they are but states caused
by situation, climatic conditions,” etc. I have not, however,
grown this form yet in cultivation.

R. acris L.—This extends from north to south, but seems
confined to the sand tracts, and to dry, grassy hillsides near the
sea. |

Nymphea alba L.—Recorded from one locality by Edmond-
ston; it also occurs near Walls in Lunga Water, Bunya Water,
and in a small loch near Brunatwatt.

{ Papaver Lamottei Bor.—D. Field at Exnaboe, near
Sumburgh. Only the aggregate P. dubium previously recorded.

{ Sinapis alba L.—W. A weed in cultivated fields.

{Subularia aquatica L.—W. Rather abundant in a quiet
corner of Bardister Loch.

Cochlearia officinalis L.—D. On the shore at Spiggie ;
this is the first time that I have seen the typical plant in the
Islands.

{ Arenaria serpyllifolia L.—D. On dry banks on both
sides of Quendal House; and in a stubble field at Exnaboe.

t+ Radiola linoides Gmel.—D. Moor at Skelberry ; moor
by Brue Loch.

+ Geranium Robertianum L.—D. Abundant on the
stony shore near Boddam; the locality was pointed out by
Mr. Isbister.

Callitriche stagnalis Scop.—D. I met with this for the
first time in a running ditch at Bakkasetter.

t Arctium intermedium (Lange)?—D. In grassy places,
on Sumburgh Links. Only the old aggregate, 4. Zappa, which
includes our four species, is recorded in Zap. Bot. Owing to
their immature condition, I could not determine the plants with
certainty. I believe it to be referable to the above, though
possibly it may belong to 4. memorosum.

Sonchus oleraceus L.—D. A garden weed at Boddam ;
certainly a very uncommon plant in Shetland.

The Scottish Naturalist. 29

+ Veronica persica Poir.—D. Abundant as a garden weed
at Boddam, whence it will doubtless spread.
+ Rhinanthus major Ehrh.—D. Cornfield at Ringasta,

apparently established. Queried in Yop. Bot., Edmondston’s
records being very doubtful.

+ Mentha hirsuta (L.) Syme.—The Tingwall plant (vide
Scott. Nat., 1889., p. 36.) proves to be the above species.
Though I did not see it in flower, a plant which is evidently the
same species occurs plentifully about the Loch of Spiggie and
Loch Brue, in Dunrossness.

Stachys ambigua.—Having had some doubts about the
Shetland plant, I brought home roots in 1889. It proves to be
quite sterile in cultivation; and is doubtless S. sylvatica x palustris.

t Myosotis palustris L. var. strigulosa (Reich.)—D.
Abundant in swamps about Hillwell Loch, and beside ditches,
etc., thence towards Loch Brue. The Shetland plant is remark-
able for the very deep blue colour of the flowers when growing.

t Utricularia minor L.—W. Abundant in pools on the
Cloka Burn ; Bunya Water ; Burga Water.

+ U. intermedia Hayne.—D. Pools about Loch Brue, and
the south end of the Loch of Spiggie, along with UV. vulgaris. —W.

Pools on the Cloka Burn, with U. vulgaris and U. minor ; Bunya
Water.

+Rumex acutus L.—Upper end of Tingwall Loch, near
Scalloway (1888). This plant differed slightly from the southern
form ; and I have therefore awaited a confirmation of my deter-
mination before recording it.

R. propinquus J. E. Areschoug. Referring to my note
(Scott. Wat., 1890, p. 300), I now give the following localities.
for this plant :—Balta Sound, Unst; and about Scalloway and
Tingwall, abundant.

R. conspersus Hartm.—The records must be restricted to.
the following stations:—Baliasta, Unst; beside Asta Voe,
Scalloway.

+ Euphorbia Peplus L.—D. An abundant garden weed
at Boddam. |

Potamogeton (polygonifolius x heterophyllus ?)—W.

A remarkable pond weed occurred plentifully in. the Burn.

30 The Scottish Naturalsst.

from Brousta Loch. It bears considerable resemblance to deep-
water states of P. polygonifolius ; but differs from that species in
the shape, and texture when fresh, of the submerged leaves ; and
also in producing hardly any floating leaves when growing in still;
shallow water. The few floating leaves produced are much thinner
and less coriaceous. It has been referred with considerable con-
fidence to P. plantagineus ; while P. natans x heterophyllus has
also been suggested. My own opinion is expressed above as to
the origin of the plant; but what it really is must at present be
held to be uncertain.

P. pusillus L.—W. Pools on the Cloka Burn, not in fruit,
but apparently the typical plant, and considered probably to be
so by Mr. Bennett.

¢ Var. rigidus Ar. Benn.—W. Bardister Loch, plentiful. Mr.
Bennett reports: “the same as Dr. Trail’s Orkney plant. Your
specimens are small, and the leaves are shorter than in the full-
grown Orkney plant.”

Zannichellia polycarpa Nolte.-—-W. Bardister Loch ; the
second locality recorded for the county.

+ Scirpus multicaulis Smith.—W. Bogs on the hills
between Burga Water and Snarraness Voe.

+§. fluitans L—W. Cloka Burn, a mile above Walls;
Burga Water; burn running from Houllma Water into Grass
Water.

Carex rigida Good.?—W. An interesting Carex occurred
plentifully on a holm ina loch on Gibbie Law’s Burn. Mr, A.
Bennett has considered it to be probably a lowland form or state
of the above, an opinion in which I concur. Whether it is
referable to any named variety, or whether it be a variety or
merely a state due to situation, must remain open questions for
the present. I cannot give the exact altitude of the station, but
it is a little under roo feet. I have never before met with the
species at so slight an elevation, although on the north side of
Roeness Hill a slender form (C. hyperborea Drejer ?) occurs at an
elevation of 300 or 400 feet.

I am quite unable to concur in the views expressed by Prof. L.
H. Bailey, who (Journ. Bot., 1890, p. 171) unites Carex rigida
and Carex Goodenovit, regarding them as being only varietally
distinct; and I submit that Dr. Boott (cited by the Professor) has
not ‘‘shown” this to be the case.

mi!

REPORT FOR 1890 ON THE FUNGI OF THE HAST
OF SCOTLAND.

(Read at the Meeting of the H.S.U.N.S. at Montrose in 1890.)
By Pror. JAMEs W. H. TraiL, A.M., M.D., F.L.S.

Y Report on this occasion for the first time includes the

Province of ‘‘ Forth;” the species now recorded for that
- district were collected by myself in Fifeshire in August, 1889.

The additions here recorded from ‘‘’Tay,” were coliected partly
in Fifeshire in August, partly near Perth in October, 1889, and I
have also included a few found at St. Cyrus in July, 1890. The
records for ‘‘ Dee” are fewer than usual, owing to want of leisure
to work up the accumulations of material awaiting scrutiny. [|
have included in this list a few species recently published by
others ; and in each case the reference to the place of publication
is given. I include a few species found by me since this list was
read in July, 1890. The names of those species that had not been
recorded from Scotland previous to my last Report, vzz., that for
1889, are marked with an asterisk.

PROVINCE OF FORTH.
UREDINEA,

Uromyces Valeriang (Schwm.) Winter, on Valeriana officinalis;
Largo Law.

U. Anthyllidis (Grev.) Schr., on Anthyllis Vulneraria; Kincraig.

Puccinia Poarum WMiels., on Poa pratensis, and on P. trivialis;
and with it Avcidium Tussilaginis on Z'usstlago Farfara.
Common in August along the Fife shore of the Forth.

P. Baryi (B. & Br.), on Brachypodium sylvaticum ; Kincraig
near Elie.

P. Lapsane (Schultz), on Lapsana communis, near Dunfermline.

P. Lychnidearum Link, on Lychnis diurna ; near Largo.

P. Tanaceti (D.C.) Cooke, on Artemzsia Absinthium ; at Kincraig.
(This has already been recorded from Charleton by Rev.
J. Fergusson, on Tanacetum vulgare, as P. discoidearum.)

*Uredo Symphyti D. C., on Symphytum officinale ; plentiful on
a plant by the road between Queensferry and Dunfermline.

32 The Scottish Naturalist.

USTILAGINE.
Ustilago longissima (Sow.) Tul., on Glyceria aquatica ;, Long-
annet Point beside the Forth, above Culross.
PERISPORIACEA,
Erysiphe Umbelliferarum De Bary, on Heracleum Sphondy-
lium ; Abundant.
PYRENOMYCETES.
Venturia Potentille (Fr.) Che., on Potentilla Anserina ; near
Dunfermline.
Spheerella micropsila (L. & Br.) Cooke, on Epilobiwm mon-
tanum in Kiel’s Den, near Largo.
Asterina Veronices Lib. on Veronica officinalis, in Kiel’s Den.

ASCOMYCETES.
Mollisia Trifolii (Bernh.), on Trifolium repens and 7. pratense ;
near Dunfermline and at Milnathort.

PERONOSPORE.

Peronospora alta Fckl., on Plantago major, near Dunfermline.
Reported by me in 1888 from near Callander, but wrongly
referred to Tay.

P. affinis Rossm., on Fumaria officinalis at Milnathort.

*P, Schleideni Unger, on Onions, near Edinburgh. (W. G.
Smith, from specimen sent by W. Sutherland ; Gard. Chron.
16th Nov. 1888, p. 755.)

SPHROPSIDE.
Ascochyta cornicola Sacc., on Cornus sanguinea; Lahill, near
Largo.
Asteroma Ulmi Klotzsch, on Ulmus montana; near Largo.
Septoria Stachydis &. & D., on Stachys sylvatica ; near
Culross, &c.
MELANCONIE#.
Gleeosporium Ribis (Lib.) Rk. & D., on Ribes nigrum, Lahill,
‘near Largo.
Cylindrosporium Oxalidis Zrai, on Oxalis Acetosella; at
Lahill.
HYPHOMYCETES.
Ovularia spheroidea Sacc., on Lotus major ; near Culross.
O. obliqua (Cooke) Sacc., on Rumex sps. ; abundant.
Ramularia Ajugee Mess/, on Ajuga reptans ; near Largo.

The Scottish Naturalist. 33

R. calcea (Desm.) Ces., on Nepeta Gilechoma; on Castle Island,
Loch Leven.

R. Bpilobii (Schn.), on Hpilobium montanum ; near Dunfermline.

R. pratensis Sacc., on Rumex Acetosa; near Culross, &c.

R. Taraxaci Karst. on Taraxacum officinale ; near Milnathort.

Fusicladium depressum (Bb. & Br.), on Angelica sylvestris ;
near Culross.

Cladosporium Asteroma Fckl., on leaves of Populus alba ;
near Culross.

Cercospora Mercurialis Pass, on Jdercurialis perennis; near
Largo.

Isariopsis carnea Oud., on Lathyrus pratensis ; near Dunferme
line,

Isaria arachnophila /’7., on a spider ; near Culross.

PROVINCE OF TAY.
UREDINEZ.

Uromyces Anthyllidis (Grev.) Sch., on Anthyllis Vulneraria.
St. Andrews.

U. Behenis (D. C.) On Stlene maritima, on the beach at St.
Cyrus, the #e¢dium occurred in July.

Puccinia Porri (Sow.). Not rare on Allium vineale at St.
Cyrus in July.

P. Poarum Mes. Common on Poa pratensis and P. trivialis,

P. Sonchi fob, Uredospores on Sonchus asper, on the beach at
St. Cyrus in July.

P. Schneideri Schroter, deforming stems of Thymus Serpyllaim,
on the Links of St. Cyrus, in July.

P. paliformis, /ckl. on Koeleria cristata, on Kinnoull Hill near
Perth, in autumn.

P. Malvacearum Mont., on Malva sylvestris, at Leuchars in
August, and on Althea rosea (Hollyhock), at Craigo near
Montrose (F. B., W.).

USTILAGINES.

(Tilletia Tritici (Byerk.), = 7. Caries Tul. was most abundant
in August in wheat fields near St. Andrews, and must prove
very injurious to the value of the crop. This species has
been previously recorded from “Tay,” as well as from other

districts ; but I have not previously met with it myself.)
O

34. The Scottish Naturalist.

PERISPORIACES.

‘Exoascus aureus (Pers.) Sadeb., on Populus nigra; Drum-
carrow, near St. Andrews.

PERONOSPOREA.
Peronospora affinis Rossm., on Fumaria officinalis; near Perth.
alta Fckl., on Plantago major; near St. Andrews.
densa Rabh., on Rhinanthus major; Tents Moor.
Obovata Bon., on Spergula arvensis ; near Perth.
Scleranthi Rabh., on Scleranthus annuus ; near

Perth.
HYPHOMYCETES.

yD

*Polyactis galanthina B. & Br. on Gal. nivalis at Glamis Castle.

: (J. S., in Gard. Chron. 4th May, 1889, p. 365) in end of
February. This is very closely related to, if really distinct
from~?. cana,-K. & S:

Ramularia didyma Unger, on Ranunculus repens ; Leuchars.
ee Eipilobii (Schn.), on Hpilobium montanum ; Drum-

carrow.

R. pratensis Sacc., on Rumex Acetosa; common.

R. sambucina Sace., on Sambucus ngra; near St. Andrews.

R. Taraxaci Karst., on Taraxacum officinale ; near St. Andrews.

R. Urticze Ces., on Urtica dioca ; Leuchars.

Fusicladium dendriticum, on apples ; St. Cyrus, in July.

*Hymenula rubella /r. On dead leaves of Typha latifolia, in
loch at Drummond Castle, near Crieff, in September.

PROVINCE OF DEE.
DISCOMYCETES.

*Hymenoscypha amenti (Batsch), on decaying catkins of
Salix aurita; Den of Maidencraig, near Aberdeen, in
January.

H. eburnea (fobd.), on corns of Arrhenatherum avenaceum, in
Braemar in April.

*Lachnea protracta (f7r.) Phill. a ltt. Growing in groups,
among grass on the north bank of the Dee, a short distance
above Ballater in April. Stunted fir trees were scattered
sparingly over the sward where this very handsome addition
to the British flora grew in fair abundance. Mr. Phillips
has described it in Grevillea (1890, p. 83) under the name
L. mirabilis (Borszc.), and it is mentioned by myself under

The Scottish Naturalist. 35

that name, following his authority, in Scot. Mat. 1890, p.
384, with a reference to Wettstein’s excellent figure and
description under the name Anthopeziza Winterr. Both
names must yield place to the earlier name, given by E.
Fries (Nov. Symb. Mant., p. 230).

*Tapesia sanguinea (Pers.), on dead wood of Populus tremula,
in Braemar, in April; and of Rosa canina, near Ballater in
April.

*Propolis Rosze /Fcki., on dead twigs of Hosa canina, near
Ballater, in April.

PYRENOMYCETES.

Lophodermium hysterioides (Pers.), (Hysterium foliicolum
Fr.), common, in May, on dead leaves of Crategus
Oxyacantha, beside the Dee at Cults, near Aberdeen.

*Nectria mammoidea Ph. & Pil, on dead stump of Wex
europeus, near Aberdeen, in November.

SPH/EROPSIDE.

*Dendrophoma pruinosa (/r.) Sacc., in twigs of ash (Mrawi-
nus excelsior), near Aberdeen, in November.

HYPHOMYCETES.

Fusicladium dendriticum (Wallr.) Fckl., on leaves and
fruits of apples (Pyrus AZalus), near Aberdeen, in summer
and autumn.

Illosporium roseum (Schreb.) Mart., on lichens (Parmelia),
on branches of Ash, near Aberdeen, in November.

GASTROMYCETES.

Mr. George Massee, in his ‘ Monograph of the British Gas-
tromycetes” (Annals of Botany, Vol. 1V. part xiii. 1889), notes the
following from Aberdeenshire (all being new records for ‘‘ Dee”),
as seen by himself (? in the Berkeley Herbarium).

Lycoperdon ceelatum Bul/., Aboyne (J.c. p. 74).

*L. echinatum fr. In open places among woods, Aboyne
(Fe. 67).

L. pusillum Fr. (A/ye. Scot. 1001), owing to its structure is re-
ferred to Bovista under the name &, pusilla (Fr.) De Toni.
(l.c. pp. 65-66).

Scleroderma bovista Fr., Aberdeen (/.c. p. 51).

36

ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.

Badger in Lanarkshire.—On the 18th of April last a full-grown
female Badger (Aeles taxus) was captured on the Dolphington Estate, the
property of John Ord Mackenzie, Esq. This makes the third Badger got
there during the last two or three years. CHARLES Cooke, Edinburgh.

The Haunts of the Lesser Shrew (Sorex minutus)—This
small mammal appears to be rather common in the Edinburgh district; and as
so little seems to be known of its haunts and habits, I venture to place the
following note on record.

On the 22nd of November last I captured a specimen among heather at an
elevation of over 1200 feet on the slopes of the Pentland Hills at Colzium.
When first seen it was in an open grassy patch among the heather, but
quickly sought shelter in a thick mass of the latter, through which it threaded
its way with surprising rapidity. —WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE.

Black and Alexandrine Rats at Leith.—I have lately had
several specimens of these rats brought to me alive which have been captured
on vessels while in Leith harbour. ‘The Alexandrine Rat (Mus alexan-
drinus) is abundant on some of the Scotch coasting steamers, indeed, so much
so, that the aid of a professional rat-catcher has to be periodically sought to
keep its numbers down. The Black Rat (Mus ratius) is not so common,
but in June last many were captured on a Leith steamer, and specimens
brought alive to the Museum.—WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE,

The Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Marsh Tit-
mouse, and Woodpeckers, as Scottish Birds.—To ‘The
Ibis” for October last, Mr. Seebohm contributes a paper on Irish
Ornithology, in which, among other things, he contrasts the avifauna of the
Sister Isle with that of Great Britain, and proceeds to draw some interesting,
but speculative, conclusions therefrom.

I beg to draw the attention of Scottish Ornithologists to some of Mr,
Seebohm’s statements concerning the status, etc., of certain species in Northern
Britain—statements which it is thought they will scarcely accept as correct,
although emanating from so high an authority.

Regarding the Reed Warbler, and the Lesser Whitethroat, Mr. Seebohm re-
marks:—‘‘ The Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus streperus) and the Lesser White-
throat (Sylvia curruca) are very doubtfully recorded from Ireland, though
they are common, if local, in England and in many parts of Scotland.” That
the Reed Warbler is common locally in many parts of Scotland is a very sur-
prising statement. Indeed I make bold to ask ifthere is a single thoroughly
reliable instance of the bird’s occurrence in the country—an occurrence backed
by an example of the bird, or by the examination of a specimen, undoubtedly
obtained in Scotland, by a competent ornithologist ? As to the Lesser White-

The Scottish Naturalist. 37

throat, I am not aware that it is common in any, much less many, parts of
Scotland.

The Marsh Titmouse (Parus palustris), we are told, is ‘‘ very rare” in the
north and east of Ireland, and unknown in the south and west of that
country ; and then Mr. Seebohm proceeds to say that curiously enough it is
almost as rare in Scotland as in Jreland. That the Marsh Titmouse is
abundant in some districts, at least, of this country is well shown by Mr.
William Evans in his interesting paper on the birds of the Spey District, at
page 8 of this number of ‘* The Scottish Naturalist.”

In his remarks on the Woodpeckers, Mr. Seebohm is more satisfactory, but
still, so far as they apply to one species, his remarks are not correct. Of the
Green Woodpecker (Gecinus viridis) he says it can only be regarded as a
rare and accidental visitor to Ireland and Scotland, and this is no doubt
correct. The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor), and the
Great Spotted Woedpecker (Dendrocopus major), are described as very rare in
Scotland. This is also true as regards the former species. Of the latter,
however, although it is questionable if the bird is now resident in Scotland—
and is, perhaps, more than rare, in this respect—yet it is, in some years,
almost common during the autumn as an immigrant from Continental
Europe, and tarries for a considerable time with us,

The object of these criticisms is to call attention to the fact that the status
of these species in Scotland is not sufficiently well known to ornithologists ;
and to suggest that original information on their distribution in some cases,
and the details of their occurrence in others, may be usefully made known, to
the advantage of British ornithology, through the pages of our Journal.

WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE.

Woodcocks in Sutherland.—An unusually large flight of Wood-
cocks seems to have arrived in Sutherland this year. On our shooting in the
~ centre of the county, when, for the previous fifteen or sixteen years only some
half-dozen had been killed in all that time, this year seven and twenty were
obtained and a good many more seen. On the whole shooting of some forty
or fifty thousand acres there are not a dozen trees, with the exception of per-
haps a quarter of an acre just round the lodge. The birds seem to prefer
rocky and broken ground with long heather, and, if in such situations there are
patches of wettish, natural grass, so much the better, as these indicate good
soil, and consequently good feeding. At the same time it is by no means
necessary that the two classes of ground should be close together, but Wood-
cocks will not be found near their feeding grounds in ordinary weather,
unless there is good cover for them to lie in during the day.

On the east coast of the county, Woodcocks are very fond of lying in patches
of bracken mingled with stones and rocks, more especially if the weather be
frosty, the harder the frost the better for the sportsman, as thus the more in-
land situations get frozen up, and the birds are forced to come to warmer and
more accessible places, and are then more collected. Snow is a still quicker
agent in driving these birds in, as their feeding and resting grounds are then
covered, and they take themselves either to the woods, or to the whin and
broom bushes so abundant on the coast.

38 The Scottish Naturalist.

In regard to woods, those composed of birch always hold more birds than
clo those of fir ; indeed, all game seem to prefer birch to the latter, with the
exception perhaps of pheasants.

When Woodcocks come to the whin bushes, they always prefer those that are
old and hollow in the centre to the thicker, and apparently more shelter-giving
ones ; the reason for this is that the bird likes to be able to move about in his |
temporary abode, and get away easily, which he cannot do if the bush is too
thick ; indeed, in such situations, we have often heard the bird fluttering to

get out, when disturbed by the dogs, and then settle down again, until
eventually driven out.

In many places on the east coast may be found patches of old natural grass,
more or less wet—these form a very great attraction to the Woodcocks, whose
borings and droppings may be seen in such places in any direction.

In those steep burns whose sides are more or less covered with bushes and
which run roughly, east and west, we have observed that Woodcocks prefer the
more northerly and, apparently, colder aspect. This was especially noticeable
the other day when beating two such burns, as out of some fifteen or sixteen
birds seen, only about three were flushed on that side of the burn which faced
south and west, and one or two of these might have come over from the other
side when disturbed.

After this long digression, which, however, we trust may have something o
interest, if not of novelty, in it, we must finish by making out our original
point, vz., that a more than usually large flight of Woodcocks pitched in
Sutherland this season.

On Monday, Nov, 17th, after 2.30 p.m. ten Woodcocks were found; on
‘Tuesday 18th, two guns got ten, and several more were seen; and on
Wednesday roth, the same guns shot eighteen, and at least twenty-five were
found, probably more.

These numbers may not appear large to many of our readers, no doubt
but at the place we are alluding to, so many birds are rarely, if ever seen, ex-
cept in a storm, and not always then; and, during the three days given above,
the weather was very mild and open, and by no means favourable for Wood-
cock shooting there.

We heard, too, of large numbers having been seen in another very similar
locality not far from this, so the flight would appear to have been very general.
Beyond the ‘‘ small dark ” bird, and the ‘‘ large, light-coloured ”’ bird, so often
mentioned by sportsmen, we have never noticed any allusion to the variations
in the plumage of the Woodcock. Anyone who will take the trouble to ex-
amine a lot of these birds hanging up with their backs to the front, will see
that they are by no means all shaded and marked alike.—T. E. BUCKLEY,
Rossal, Inverness.

Hybrid between Pheasant and Capercailzie.—A hybrid be-
tween these species was shot here on 8th of November last. It was observed
feeding in a corn field along with some pheasants, and on being disturbed ran
a considerable distance before taking wing. It shows very clearly the character-
istics Of both species in both plumage and shape.

The Scottish Naturalist. 39

So far as I know, this is the first instance of those species breeding together,
and it would be interesting if we could state with certainty how the hybrid
is bred. We have, however, no proof of this, and it is impossible to say if it is
between a capercailzie cock and pheasant hen, or the reverse. When shooting
the wood near where it was shot we saw both cock and hen capercailzie and
pheasants, but came upon no more hybrids.—JAMES LUMSDEN, Arden,
Alexandria, N.B.

[I have examined this most singular and interesting specimen. In general
‘appearance it resembles a cock capercailzie with the tail of a pheasant ; but
a closer examination reveals modifications in both characters and plumage due
to its mixed parentage.

The head is that of a cock capercailzie, but the bill is rather weak, and the
cheeks are naked below the eye, as in the cock pheasant ; the beard, however,
is well developed, The tarsus is only feathered on its upper part, the lower
three-fourths, or more, being scutellate and bearing a nodule in the place of the
phasianine spur. The toes are also mainly those of the pheasant, for only the
faintest trace is to be found of the lateral horny processes so characteristic of
Tetrao. The tail is decidedly cuneate in form, but not so pronouncedly so as
in the pheasant, and consists of eighteen feathers.

In colour the feathers of the crown and hind-neck are green with yellowish-
grey margins. ‘The sides of the face green with dull yellow patches. Breast
glossy green. Feathers of the abdomen and sides with two dull yellow bars
and a broad terminal margin of green; giving a blotched appearance, the
green largely predominating. The back and scapulars resemble those of a
‘cock capercailzie, but the vermiculations on the feathers are coarser and of a
dull yellowish tint. The tail feathers are barred with pale brown on a black
ground, and are broadly edged with black. The wings are a mixture of dull
yellow and black, and the primaries, on their outer margins, are barred with
pale brown, as in the pheasant; the white shoulder mark of the male caper-
cailzie is conspicuous.—ED. ]

Curious Site for Ring Dove’s Nest.—In April, 1888, I found the
nest of a Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) in a hawthorn bush in a wood near
Dumbarton. The height from ground to top of nest was only two feet eleven
inches.— RoBERT H. READ, Cathcart, Glasgow.

Harly Nesting of the Teal.—On March 3rd, 1889, a shepherd on
the moors a few miles south of Glasgow saw a hole in the snow, and, thinking
a rabbit might be sitting there, pushed in his arm. To his surprise, however,
out flew a Teal (Querquedula crecca), and in the hole under a tuft of heather
he found its nest containing two fresh eggs.—ROBERT H. READ.

Scaup inland near Glasgow.—From the 2nd to the 8th of this
month—November, 1890—was a week of very rough weather, especially along
the west coast. On the 6th a duck which had been shot on fresh water near
Glasgow was sent to me for identification, and turned out to be a young male

40 The Scottish Naturalist.

Scaup (fuligula marila), The Scaup is a true sea-duck and seldom comes
inland except during very rough weather. Iam not aware that it has even
been obtained near Glasgow before. —RoOBERT H. READ.

Black Tern in the Firth of Forth.—On 2nd October last Mr.
J. B. Hunter of Musselburgh shot a young female Black Tern ( Hydrocheli-
don nigra) in Aberlady Bay. Mr. Hunter tells me it was a single bird, and
was flying over the sands at low tide. The sex was determined on dissection
by Mr. Small, Edinburgh, to whom it was sent for preservation. As far as I
am aware this is but the fifth that has been obtained in the Firth.— WILLIAM
Evans, Edinburgh.

Hoopoe in Hast Lothian.—On the 11th August last a dead Hoopoe
( Upupa epops) was found floating in the east bay, North Berwick, within 200
or 300 yards of the shore, and sent to Mr. Small for preservation. It was a
female. When in North Berwick shortly afterwards, I called on the man
(M‘Donell) who picked it up, and ascertained from him the precise locality
and date.—WILLIAM Evans, Edinburgh.

Opah and Sun-Fish in the Forth.—Fine specimens of these fishes
were captured in the Forth estuary about the 12th of October last.

The Opah (Zampris lun) was found on Pettycur Sands, near Kinghorn, by
a workman. The Sun-fish (Orthagoriscus mola) was caught at Aberdour by
a boatman, and weighed two-and-a-half hundredweights. About the middle
of September I had it reported to me by Mr. Wm. Evans, that several small
Sun-fish, about 12 inches in length, had been found stranded on the beach at
North Berwick.

Both are of uncommon occurrence in, but neither are new to the Firth of
Forth.— WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE.

Acanthocinus eedilis, L. at Bo’ness-on-F'orth.—In the fourth
week of September, a male specimen of this fine longicorn beetle was captured
in a coal pit at Bo’ness at a depth of 150 fathoms.—JAMES RUSSELL ALLAN»
Edinburgh.

[The specimen, which was presented by Mr. Allan to the Edinburgh
Museum, had no doubt been imported_in the larva or pupa state in pit-battens
of fir-wood, probably from Scandinavia. It is thought to be an indigenous
species in the fir-forests of the Tay, Dee, and Moray districts.—ED.]

Dasypolia templi in the Forth District.—The Brindled Ochre
Moth would appear to be rare in the district, and has been thrice captured
by me, namely—one (male) on window at Morningside, Edinburgh, 11th Oct.,
1882 ; one (male) at the lantern, Isle of May Lighthouse, 17th Sept., 1885 ;
and one (female) at rest on trunk of Scotch fir, Bavelaw Wood, near Balerno,
21st April, 1888.— WILLIAM Evans, Edinburgh.

Is the Range of Noctua sobrina Increasing ?—It is about

The Scottish Naturaltst. Al

forty years since Noctua sodrina Gn. was first discovered in Britain, The
place of its discovery was the neighbourhood of Loch Rannoch, a district
where so many boreal and alpine insects have been first detected as British
species. For many years after its original capture JV. sodriza seems to have
escaped observation, and continued to be very rare in collections. This
appears to have been due to ignorance on the part of collectors of its habits.
The majority of species of the genus (Voctua come readily to ‘* sugar,” but at
the season at which J. sobrina is in the perfect or imago-condition, there are
in Rannoch, at least, so many counter attractions in the way of wild flowers,
that ‘‘ sugar” is apt to fail, in great measure, as a bait. Although 1. sobrina.
will come to ‘‘ sugar,” yet it has a much greater preference for the flowers of
the ling (Cal/wna) , and the discovery of this habit, by a collector who visited
Rannoch sixteen or seventeen years ago, resulted in furnishing many cabinets
with a series of the hithertorare moth. It still, however, continued to be—
so far as our knowledge extended—confined to Rannoch and an adjacent part
of Glen Lyon, which were the only recorded British localities till quite re-
cently.

Within the last few years, however, it has been detected in several localities
in the neighbourhood of Perth, and still more lately it has been captured in
the lowlands of Aberdeenshire.

The point of interest, then, is this—has it always inhabited these recently
detected Jocalities, or is it a new-comer ?

Some Perth collectors, whose acquaintance with the district extends over
many years, seem to be of opinion that itis a recent immigrant. That it is so
cannot, of course, be positively affirmed, but it is a fact that one of the localities
in which it has been recently captured, is a place whose lepidopterous fauna
has been studied, with more than usual care and perseverance, for many years.
Hence if NV. sobréna was always a constituent of that fauna, it is at least curious
that it escaped detection for so long a period.

The Continental distribution of the insect is rather extensive. The type
occurs in Central Germany, Switzerland, and Central Russia; and a variety
has a still wider range, reaching from the Pyrenees to Lapland and eastward to
the Altai. The food plant of the larva presents no obstacles to the distribution,
since it—the Blaeberry or Bilberry (Vaccindum myrtillus)—is common
throughout the country.—F. BuCHANAN WHITrzE, Perth.

Sirex gigas and 8. juvencus in South-West Scotland.—
These fine Sawflies are very seldom referred to as indigenous Scottish species.
In this neighbourhood they occur annually with more or less frequency. Some
years I have had as many as a dozen of S. gigas, while in other seasons only an
odd specimen or two, but I think for anumber of summers past, it has not been
altogether absent.

I have never been able to find S. gigas in the larval stage, or emerging from
the wood in which it had passed its early life. In the case of S. juvencus there
are at least three localities of the Solway area where it has been found breeding.
From Munches in Kirkcudbrightshire, some years ago, a block of larch wood
was sent me from which I bred a number of very large specimens, both males

42 The Scottish Naturalsst.

and females. In 1889 S. juvencus was noted emerging from trunks of larch
trees growing on Closeburne estate in Dumfriesshire at an elevation of over 800
feet, and specimens were sent me for identification. In June of this year,
while in a hothouse at Southwick House, Kirkcudbrightshire, the gardener
drew my attention to a number of this insect fluttering against the glass roof.
They had been emerging daily for some time previously. All I saw were
rather small males. ‘They were proceeding from blocks of rough wood that
were being used as stands for flower-pots. These blocks had been cut from a
silver fir growing in the avenue at Southwick, which had become so sickly and
unsightly that it had to be felled. It is extremely probable that the decay of
this tree had been caused by the ravages of the larvz of S. juvencus.—ROBERT
SERVICE, Maxwelltown.

Testacella haliotidea in Kirkcudbrightshire.—Early last
April a fine large specimen of this curious mollusk was found in the Corberry
Nurseries here, and I handed it to Mr. Rimmer, F.L.S., author of Land and
Fresh-water Shells of the British Isles, who informed me that it was of the
usual type found in Southern England, and agreed with me in the opinion that
it had been accidentally introduced across the border, most likely in hampers
of greenhouse plants, or some other nursery goods. Not many days elapsed,
however, until numbers more of the slug were picked up in and about the
glasshouses in the nurseries. Some of these were a good many yards away
from the houses right in the open air. They were in all stages of growth.
With a little searching now, a specimen or two can be found at any time, more
especially in a large glasshouse in which Tomatoes are grown. Probably they
may increase and multiply and so form a permanent colony, for I am not so
uncomplimentary to my own faculties of observation as to even hint that they
have been here ‘‘all along,” but quite overlooked until this season. The
workmen in the nurseries have christened them ‘‘ shell back slugs,” and they
receive with extreme dubiety any statement regarding the food of the slugs in
question which is at variance with that orthodox belief of the gardeners’ creed,
that snails of all sorts are obnoxious beasts to be destroyed at sight! Mr.
William Evans tells me there is a previous record of this species in Scotland—
_In Sang’s nurseries, Kirkcaldy. There can be no doubt, I think, looking to
the similarity of locality or habitat, that in both instances this interesting slug
has been introduced unintentionally from the South.—ROBERT SERVICE.

Wild Cat in Shetland.—Mr. J. G. Laurenson, while shooting rabbits
on October 7th, on the cliff east of Bressay Lighthouse, encountered a wild
cat, also in pursuit of the rabbit. He shot at the cat and wounded it, when
it sprang at him while he was in the act of again firing, and though it received
its coup de grace by the shot, it tore his wrist. It weighed 15 lbs. and measured
30 inches from the nose to the tip of the tail, (Thomas Marshall, Zoologest,

1890, p. 454.)

The Scottish Naturalsst. 43

A Seal in the Clyde.—The unusual occurrence of a Seal being found
in the Clyde has recently been reported. The animal is stated to have been
shot at a point some two miles above Port Glasgow, and to have weighed 50
Ibs. (Fée/d, October 11th, 1890, p. 549.)

Increase of Redstarts in West Scotland.—Extraordinary
numbers of Redstarts (Azticilla phoenicurus) were observed at Ballachulish in
August last ; whereas not a single bird was seen there five years ago, although,
no doubt, there were a few pairs in the district. (Arthur H. Macpherson,
Loologist, 1890, p. 437-)

Buffon’s Skua on the Solway.—“‘ A Buffon’s Skua (Stercorarius
parasiticus )—a rare visitor to the western coasts of Britain—has been shot
near Carsetthorn, on the shores of the Solway. The bird was in immature
plumage.” (Rod and Gui, Nov. 8, 1890.)

Baltimore Oriole in Shetland.—A bird of this species was cap-
tured alive at Balta Sound, Unst, on September the 26th, 1890, by Andrew
Anderson, and immediately sent to London for preservation, It was sub-
mitted for identification to Mr. Harting, who considers it an immature female,
and very properly remarks that it had probably escaped from confinement,
since it is often imported as a cage-bird. A bird of this species was also seen
at Haroldswick on the same day. (H. Dykes Lloyd, Me/d, Nov. 15th, 1890,

p- 746.)

RHVIEW.

The Birds of Iona and Mull. By the late H. D. GRAHAM, edited
by J. A. Harvie-Brown, F.Z.S. Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1890.
This is another of those handsome volumes belonging to the series on the
Vertebrate Fauna of Scotland at present being issued by Mr. David
Douglas. In his preface, the Editor wishes it understood that it should be
looked upon in the light of a relief volume, amongst heavier work, affording
not only a very pleasant and entertaining notice of the birds of the Sacred
Island, but at the same time giving an insight into the fascinating life of a
naturalist, who at one time spent so much leisure in their pursuit and study.
Much of the substance of this book was communicated during the life of the
author in a series of admirably descriptive letters, commencing in 1851, and
ranging over twenty years, to his friend and companion, Mr. Robert Gray, and
shortly before the death of Mr. Graham, which took place in 1872, he gave
consent for their publication, as a memorial of many pleasant years spent in
Iona, and a contribution to the Ornithology of Scotland, dedicated to those
who, like himself, were imbued with the true spirit of inquiry, and sought
their information in the open field.

44 The Scottish Naturalist.

Unfortunately the unexpected and much-to-be-regretted death of the author
of the Birds of the West of Scotland, prevented the wishes of his deceased
friend being carried out, and thus it fell to the lot of another ornithologist, in
the front rank of Scotch naturalists, Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown, to complete
a task which had been commenced by Mr. Robert Gray. That the Editor has
done his work ably and well, will, we think, be admitted by all who are com-
petent to judge, and the result has been, these graphic and pleasant pages
have at last been published. What, perhaps, will most strike the reader in
The Birds of Iona, is the author’s intense love and appreciation of Nature, as-
shown in his weird and varied sketches of the wild scenery of those sea-girt
islands, which formed his happy hunting-grounds, and in his power of clear
and skilful word-painting—indeed, it is impossible not to feel, in reading these
chapters, that we have here to do with a real naturalist of rare ability and
descriptive power.

In a series of twenty-seven letters, commencing with January, 1852, and
filling 152 pages, the author deals with the out-door life of a naturalist and
sportsman at all seasons and in all weathers, with life-like notices of his.
feathered favourites, from that bird of the northland, the charming white-
winged snow-flake, cowering amongst winter stubbles, to the wary old whaup
squattering in the ooze of the foreshore. Nor was his knowledge confined to
land and shore birds ; in his boat, the ‘* Scarbh,” and a shooting punt, made by
cutting an old skiff in two, and usually accompanied by his two little terriers,
Dash and Doran, he explored at one time or other all the holes and corners in
the neighbouring coasts and islands.

The limits of a short review will only permit mention of a few of the chief
points of interest in the book. Fain would we have followed the author to
the breeding haunts of the Stormy Petrel, in some of those wild, unfrequented,
and fortunately still ratless islands, which surround Iona and Staffa—witness
with him the harrying of a raven’s nest in a very dangerous cliff—or listen
delighted to the long-tailed ducks, the Gaelic name of which is Lach Bhinn,
or the musical duck, a creature which seems to revel in the uproar of the
elements, when the storm is loudest and the waves run mountains high—their
voices heard in concert far away at sea, like distant bagpipes or the notes of a
bugle—as borne on the breeze, rising and falling—like the syllables—our-o-u-
ah! our-o-u-ah ! loud, clear, and triumphant between the thunderings of the
surf. Then there are the haunts of the rock-doves to be visited, in the granite
precipices of Mull, or the basaltic cliffs of Staffa, pierced by innumerable
caverns, from the majestic Hall of Fingal to little fairy caves where the cool,
white shell-sand is scarce dimpled by the sparkling ripples of the sheltered
sea.

Most interesting, too, are the notices of the habits and breeding haunts of
the Black Guillemot, either diving in pursuit of small fry or sitting erect on
the ledges of the rocks—their plumage a perfect bottle-green with a pure white
patch on the wing—brilliant in their red-slippered feet relieved against the
black basalt, and scarcely less so the rich orange of the mouth, seen when
they gasp out their plaintive, kitten-like mewings—a lovely creature seen in
bright sunshine above a summer sea.

Not less bright is the plumage of the Green Cormorant, a common bird in:

The Scottish Naturalist. 45

these western waters—a mixture of green and gold, like the most gorgeous
shot-silk raiment, traversed by delicate bands of rich velvet—the beak is of
gold, and its eyes living emeralds. He also wears a plume upon his head as
a mark of nobility. This plea for the Scart reminds the author of a reply
made by a worthy old friend who, for half a century, ruled the glens of Mull
with his ramrod. ‘*‘ All God’s works are lovely ; every beast and every bird
is bonniest of its kind. ’Deed, sir, and the Hoodie Craw hersel’ is a pratty,
pratty beast, if it werena that she’s just vermin.”

We confess at first we were somewhat at a loss to understand the energy
displayed by Mr. Graham, at all times, in the pursuit of the gorgeously at-
tired Scart. Could it be for the pure love of slaying so beautiful a thing?
The matter was made plain to us later in the chapter—‘‘ keep a sufficiently
long time, skin off his jacket, and make him into soup. It requires a couple
to make it good, and then I defy the Court of Common Council or a jury of
Aldermen to detect the difference between it and the finest hare soup.” A
fact, no doubt, new to many, but one which the Editor, in a footnote, most
cordially endorses.

In 1852, Mr. Graham knew of three nests of the Chough in Iona, one of
these was placed near the top of the great Tower of St. Columba’s venerable
shrine; also several other pairs nested, at this date, on the rocks of Mull. It
is a matter of regret, as mentioned by Mr. Harvie-Brown, that this quaint and
charming bird has now ceased to occupy any of the sites mentioned. Formerly
the natives called it St. Columba’s bird, which is suggestive of its once having
bred about the Cathedral in considerable numbers, when its haunts were less
disturbed by summer excursionists.

The second half of the volume is taken up with a notice of the birds of Iona
and Mull, each species under a separate heading. We think the Editor has
exercised a wise discretion in leaving Mr. Graham’s notes intact, without any
attempt to bring the list up to date—postponing all additions to the avi-fauna
to some future volume of the series, which will embrace a larger and more
natural area,

Mr. Graham was an artist of very considerable merit; the sketches in this
book, 74 in number, have been selected from his numerous drawings.
Although they cannot be considered highly finished productions, they are
truthful and often very humorous, evidently characteristic of the man, and
add much interest to the descriptive text, illustrating various phases of bird-
life, and the author’s own personal adventures and wanderings by land and
flood.

The Birds of Iona, as a contribution to Ornithological literature, must be
accepted as the life-record of an enthusiastic naturalist, ever careless of his
own personal risk when knowledge was to be acquired. Each page of the
letters and journal is full of life and vigour. Mr, Robert Gray, in concluding
the original preface, says, that in presenting this book he ever kept in view
the difficulty, he might almost say impossibility, of adding to the journals of so
gifted a writer, a word that would enhance their originality or freshness.
We certainly require no higher testimony than this to the merits of the
author,

46

NOTES AND NEWS.

The Editor has much pleasure in announcing that Prof. Trail, the past
Editor of this Journal, has most kindly offered to edit the Botanical matter
contributed to the ‘‘ Scottish Naturalist.”” This valued assistance the Editor
has gladly accepted and begs to fully acknowledge the obligation.

To the Studies from the Museum of Zoology in University College, Dundee,
Professor D’Arcy Thompson has contributed a valuable and interesting article
On the Systematic Position of Hesperornis. In this he tells us that he has for
some years considered Prof. Marsh’s group of Odontornithes, or Toothless
Birds, as an unreal and illusory one, and that it is as unreasonable to unite
them, on account of the persistence of their teeth, as to group together the
‘toothless Mammals. Regarding Hesperornis, he considers that from purely
osteological characters, there is a wide difference between it and any of the
Ratite—the Ostriches, Cassowaries, Emeiis—with which it has hitherto been
associated, but that its close resemblance to Divers and Grebes is clear and
patent. From these characters Hesperornis is a Diver of great size and
prodigious swimming power, and possessed of anatomical resemblances almost
amounting to identity with existing Colymbide or Divers—resemblances as
great as between Stringops and other Parrots, and much greater than between

the Dodo and ordinary pigeons.

‘¢The Auk ” (October, 1890, p. 413), informs us that ‘‘the real character of
the European House-Sparrow ” is at last attracting the attention of legislators.
The State of Massachusetts Legislature, after an extended discussion, has
passed an Act entitled ‘‘An Act providing for the Extermination of the English
Sparrow in the Commonwealth.” The bird had already been deciared an out-
law in several States, and the offering of bounties for its wholesale destruction

has been agitated for in others.

In “* The Ibis ” for October last (p. 411), Dr. Giinther describes and figures
the foot of the young of the Wryneck (Zyna torquilia). In the nestling the
skin of the heel is greatly thickened, forming a prominent pad studded with
conical tubercles. The function of this structure is to enable the chick to
move about the nest-hole, to do which it does not use the toes, but pushes it-
self forward by means of the rough surface of the heel-pad. Dr. Gunther
remarks that it would be interesting to ascertain ifa similar structure is to be

found in nestling Woodpeckers of the same age—two days.

Two new birds have recently been added to the British Avifauna. Mr.

James Backhouse in “‘ The Naturalist” (1890, p. 258), recorded the occur-
rence near Scarborough, on the 23rd of October, 1889, of the Asiatic Turtle

The Scottish Naturalist. 47

Dove (Yurtur orientalis), in first plumage. Although a native of Asia, this
species has been detected as a straggler in Europe, including Scandinavia.
The second species is also an oriental stranger, namely, the Indian Roller
Coracias indicus). This bird was shot near Louth, in Lincolnshire, on the
8th of October, 1883, and was recorded in the Migration Report for 1883,
p- 47, as a Common Roller. It remained unexamined until Mr. Cordeaux,
who communicates the facts to ‘‘The Ibis” for January, 1891, happened to
see it and rescued it from oblivion. The Indian Roller is a native of India
and Persia, but has occurred as an occasional visitor in Eastern Europe.

A ‘* Forth Branch ” of the Selbourne Society has been ormed in Edinburgh
and is the only one existing at present in Scotland. One of the primary
objects of the Society is to ‘‘ preserve from unnecessary destruction such wild
birds, animals, and plants as are harmless, beautiful and rare.” We would
fain call the attention of the Scottish Branch of this very worthy Society to
the case of the Great Skua mentioned by Mr. Harold Raeburn at page 18
of this number of the ‘‘ Scottish Naturalist.” We, too, know from personal
experience gained in its only British haunts in Shetland, that unless those
interested in such work will take up the case of this most interesting species,
it must soon be expunged from the list of our indigenous birds. The
Honorary Secretary of the Forth Branch is Miss Isabel B. Waterston, 45
Inverleith Row, Edinburgh.

Dr. F. Buchanan White contributes to the ‘‘ Journal of the Linnean Society”
(Vol. XXVII., pp. 333-457), an important monograph entitled ‘‘ A Revision
of the British Willows.” The chief results of his long and close study of this .
group of plants—only too well-known to British botanists as one of the most
difficult in our native flora—have appeared ina paper by Dr. White in our
last issue as regards the nomenclature of the forms that he recognises as species
and as hybrids respectively. But in the ‘‘ Revision” we have the group treated
of in a manner that explains the author’s reasons for the conclusions at which
he has arrived, and enables us to appreciate in some degree the labour in-
volved.and the completeness of the material employed in the investigation.
Dr. White has brought to the study of British Willows a very thorough ac-
quaintance with the labours of salicologists, both British and foreign, and has
rendered these available to British botanists in a way previously unknown.
He has probably unequalled acquaintance with our native Willows in the wild
state, and has thus been enabled to trace out the genealogy of many of the
doubtful forms. Thus equipped he has been able to throw light on not a few
of the difficulties that beset the path of salicologists, and while adding con-
siderably to the list of known hybrids, he has done the useful work of sweep-
ing aside names representing forms too inconstant to deserve even varietal
rank. The number of true species admitted in the ‘‘ Revision” as British is
17, while the known hybrids reach 41. Of these, all the species have been met
with in Perth and Forfar, and over two-thirds have been found in Midlothian,
including even ‘‘alpine” forms among the latter, The ‘‘ Revision” is accom-
panied with three diagrams, of which one illustrates graphically the views of
leading British botanists with regard to the British Willows at various periods.

48 The Scottish Naturatsst.

The second diagram illustrates the modes in which complex, as well as simple,
hybrids can be built up, till, as Wichura showed, as many as six true species
may be represented in certain artificial hybrids, The third illustrates very
clearly the relationship of the Tribes and Species of Willows to one another
and their capacities for hybridisation. ‘The thanks of British botanists are due
to Dr. White for the service he has rendered by a monograph that will un-
questionably take a high rank among such works, and will greatly lessen the
difficulties of all students of Willows.

-<

The Gardener’s Chronicle (4th Oct., 1890, p. 288) mentions a tulip tree
growing in Kilgraston grounds, Perthshire, which was planted 180 years ago.
It measures 60 feet in height, the stem is bare to about 12 feet, and the spread
of the branches is 30 feet. At Hopetoun House, near Edinburgh, two tulip
trees were recorded in 1830 as 86 years old and 60 feet in height.

The British foxglove is said to have established itself on the slopes of
Stringer’s Creek Valley, near Walhalla, Victoria. All along the banks it was
conspicuous this season by its purple flowers.

At the first meeting this session of the Edinburgh Botanical Society, Dr. W.
‘Craig exhibited a specimen of the beefsteak fungus, Fustwlina hepatica, which
was found growing on a Spanish chestnut in his garden in Edinburgh. This
is the first instance on record of its being found growing on this tree in Scot

land.

Under the heading of an ‘‘ Extraordinary Flight of Leaves,” Mr, James
Shaw writes to Nature (Oct. 30, p. 637) describing a very singular occurrence
witnessed at Dalgouar Farm, Dumfries-shire, in Oct., 1889, This flight was
at first mistaken for a flock of birds, but as the objects fell to the earth they
were found to be oak leaves. The air was thick with them, and they de-
scended in an almost vertical direction. The effect seen in the sunshine was
beautiful. The wind was from the south, and gentle with showers of rain,
After the fall was over the leaves were found to cover a tract on the hill about
a mile wide and two miles long. The leaves were entirely those of the oak,
but there are no oak trees growing in clumps within eight miles of the scene.

We are glad to note the great and praiseworthy activity prevailing among
the Scottish Faunists. In this Number it is our pleasing duty to review the
latest additionto Mr David Douglas’s fine series—‘‘ The Birds of Iona and Mull.”
Now there lies before us the prospectus of what promises to be a singularly
acceptable volume of this same series, devoted to the ‘‘ Vertebrate Fauna of
the Orkneys,” by Messrs. Buckley and Harvie-Brown.

wae

ic tions aw: ‘the vice: igtidents 12 M. Cawppenr,
Bs. MM, &, M.; 3 “Reve Ue CAMPBELL, B. D. ; : tants Ee

3 ecent Progr ‘ess in in the ee icus: of iiecuiety, with Mhustra- a
_ tiens.” SAM. Mavor. M.1.E.E. :

To. sats RAS Corea Sketch of ‘the Progressive Development of Animals.” |
. J. ARTHUR THomson, M. A., F.R.S. EK. | .

e . 24. —“The Life: History and Structure of some of the Common Zoophytes.”
pane J. H. Fortarron, M.AL, DiS ‘

Brown, F. Za S. EROS E.

—Open Night for Communications from Morir: and Exhibition
_ of Specimens. Papers already promised by P. DUNSIRE 5 ; JOHN
WATSON ; wv ILLIAM ens ee

Sec: i of Sopiclies throughout ‘Stotland are nih? to ere notes of Meeting osand —
. Excursions beret Pes ieee THES, 1 POR recularly om thts pase. :

On the Ist of every y Mouth, ae 16e Ne ee 24 2. Boo

A Conliaciad - €? Ge ie ee ew. pedciss - WLW. Fowt. ER,
Mz. ae ee LL. Sis IR: M‘LACHLAN, FLR-S:, F.LS.:.£. SAUNDERS, -
se L. Bee : and io "Es STAINTON, BRS. owe:

eae "TAYLOR BROS ‘ gr. Ann STREET. 9 ~
2 BERuIN: : R FRIEDLANDER & SOHN, Carisrrasse, 11.
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a The Isle of May tits Bird Life and oe Nia fl Hino ne a

ee use of ‘AG riciihiiiaks and others.

TH K FIELD OLUB i is sabliaied with the view of. poipalsee am
of communication between lovers of Natural History in its widest se
and especially between the Members of the leading Field Clubs
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particularly of the snp ects which come pip the province ~of

e “Natural History : as may interest the more Honarat reader; and ‘ pore
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ey Ste,
Vee Re
h occasional

kg

44
the.

It will treat. mo

Pa The Collector and his wants will be carefully considered. Under | the
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aes A special column will be devoted to Notes on the Oceurrence of Rar

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OT gage ele ‘other circumstances of general interest. f
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publisher,

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The True Status of the Sparrow
The Five Senses of Insects

_ Setting and Preserving Beetles

- Electricity in Animals
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The Fresh and Salt Water

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-. British Bats

What is the Duckbill 7 e
Fish out of Water
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The Cuckoo and Its Eggs
New Work for New Workers
Bird Preservation in England

THE FIELD CLUB can be had for localization by Nate” Historss
and Field Clubs at very reasonable terms, which may be learned from the

~The seope and peneral character of THE FIELD CLUB are
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ae by 2 |

It is also proposed to

Something about J elly-Fish
British Weasels aay
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The Respiration of hase
Venomous Fishes .
Luminosity in Animals — ms
Can Fishes Hear? ~ Previa?
Self-Mutilation in the Lo
Animals
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Sticklebacks *
Entomology of ‘the “Mont
&c. Pita &o.

=

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A QUARTERLY

MAGAZINE OF NA TURAL ee
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ener OF: “SHE BRIT ISH ORNTY HOLOGISTS? UNION, Gy

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srieg iid Scott, PY, e
otes on. Birds in the Parishes of Methlick aad tarves:
~ Aberdeenshire-—Georyc Muirhead, FR eee ae BOBS ee:
rhe Great. Grey - ‘Shrike as (a Scottish Bird— Rey. He: A:
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[ Scot. Nat. r8or, Pl. 1.

Figures 1, 2, 3, show different positions of Vertigo concinna., Figure 4 shows the mouth of

Vertigo pygmea for comparison, (All magnified. ) ;

us
ul
‘
|
I

iS

ahs ebm tee erm

Drawn with ‘‘ Abbe” Camera.

SS
panne

SOME NOTES ON THE SCOTCH SPECIES OF THE
MOLLUSCAN GENUS VERTIGO,

By Tuomas Scott, F.L.S.,

Naturalist to the Fishery Board for Scotland.
PLATE I.

N the following Notes, though reference is made to the
distribution of the recent (or living) species of Vertigo
observed in Scotland, my chief purpose is to bring together the
various records I have been able to collect bearing on their
fossil distribution. The nomenclature and arrangement of
Jeffrey’s ‘‘ British Conchology” are adhered to. The Rev. Canon
A. M. Norman, F.R.S., &c., is publishing in the ‘ Annals and
Magazines of Natural History” a ‘‘ Revision of British Mollusca”
which will be of great value to students of systematic conchology.
In this revision he includes the species of Pupa and Vertigo under
the one generic name, Pupa, Draparnaud, and retains Vertigo as a
sub-genus in which the two sinistral species, V. pusi//a Miill., and
V. angustior Jeff. are included.
The following papers will be found useful as bearing on the
recent distribution of the species.

1836. “ Excursions illustrative of the Geology and Natural His-
tory of the Environs of Edinburgh,” by William Rhind,
M.R.C.5.E. &c.

1843. “The Molluscous Animals of Scotland,” by Professor
Macgillivray.

1870. “ A Catalogue of the Mollusca of the Counties of Aberdeen,
Banff, and Moray,” by Robert Dawson, A.M. (published
by the Aberdeen Natural History Society).

1873-74. “‘ List of Land and Fresh-water Mollusca of Scotland,”
by Dr. F. Buchanan White (pub. in the “Scottish
Naturalist”),

1876. “ Land and Fresh-water Mollusca,” by F. G. Binnie (In

“Fauna and Flora of the West of Scotland ”).
D

50 The Scottish Naturatist.

1885. ‘‘Notes on the Land and Fresh-water Mollusca about
Greenock and surrounding District,’ by Thos. Scott
(“ Tran. Nat. Hist. Soc. of Glasgow ”).

1886. “ Preliminary Notes on the Land and Fresh-water Mollusca
about Tarbert, Loch Fyne,” by Thos. Scott (‘‘ Journal of
Conchology ”).

1889. ‘The Land and Fresh-water Shells of the Neighbourhood of
North Berwick, Haddingtonshire,” by Rev. John M‘Murtrie,

_ MAA. (‘Journal of Conchology ”).

1891. “Census of Scottish Land and Fresh-water Mollusca,” by
Wm. Denison Roebuck, F.L.S. (“ Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc.,
Edin.”).

The species of the genus Vertigo referred to in the following

Notes are—

VERTIGO ANTIVERTIGO (Drap.).

This Vertigo as a recent (or living) species is, where the condi-
tions are favourable, of comparatively frequent occurrence. It is
recorded in Roebuck’s ‘‘Census” from six different counties, in-
cluding Sutherlandshire—to these I am able to add another, v7z.,
Fifeshire. Some time ago Mr. J. W. Paterson of Edinburgh, sub-
mitted for my inspection a number of shells obtained by him near
Largo during last autumn, and among them I observed this species.
The fossil distribution of Vertigo antivertigo in Scotland seems to be
very limited, as yet I only know of its occurrence in the Elie
post-tertiary deposits described in the Proceedings of the Royal
Physical Society, Edinburgh, vol. x., p. 334, and since in what
appears to be an older deposit than that described in the Pro-
ceedings referred to. This deposit—which also occurs at Elie—
was exposed while some drainage operations were being carried
out. This Vertigo was comparatively common in both deposits.

VERTIGO PYGM#A (Drap.).

This is a common species in many places; at least I have
found it so both in the east and west of Scotland. Last autumn
I collected a good number of specimens among the ruins of an
old boundary wall near Elie, and J. W. Paterson showed me
specimens collected by him near Largo. I have also obtained it on
Inchkeith. Fife is not included in the ‘‘Census” of distribution
for this species.

The Scottish Naturalist. 51

Its fossil distribution is limited, though not so much so as the
last; it was obtained at Elie with the other; it was also obtained in
a post-tertiary deposit at Kirkland of Leven, and in what appears
to be an interglacial peat-bed at Hailes, near Edinburgh.*

VERTIGO SUBSTRIATA (Jeff.).

This, though apparently not a common species, is widely dis-
tributed. In Roebuck’s “Census” Loch Fad, Bute; Kuinkell
Braes, near St. Andrews; and Brora, Sutherlandshire, are men-
tioned as localities. In my collection are specimens from
Routen-burn Glen near Greenock, certified by the late Dr. J. G.
Jeffreys. It was obtained by T. Edwards of Banff, and one
specimen was found by Dr. Macgillivray in the Den of Rubislaw,
Aberdeenshire.

As a fossil I do not know of its occurrence anywhere else than
at Elie, where it was obtained in the two separate deposits, one
apparently older than the other, referred to above.

VERTIGO PUSILLA (Miill.).

This seems to bea rare shell in Scotland; only two localities
are mentioned in the “ Census”—Banks of the Clouden near
Maxwelltown, Kirkcudbright ; and Largs, Ayrshire. My friend, Mr.
James Steel of Glasgow, has also obtained it in the vicinity of the
Clyde near Lanark. I saw one of the specimens he obtained, and
he also exhibited them at a meeting of the Natural History Society
of Glasgow during the last summer session of the Society. So far
as I know this species has not been recorded as a fossil in
Scotland.

VERTIGO ANGUSTIOR (Jeff.).

This interesting and rare shell has been added to the Scotch
List of Land Mollusca, by Mr. W. Baillie, Brora, Sutherlandshire.
Its solitary occurrence in this northern county might naturally raise
some doubt as to its being really indigenous. What I have now to
record, however, will tend to dispel such a doubt, if any existed.
Duringsome drainage operations at Elie last year,a deposit of earthy
peat wascut into. A quantity of the material was sent to me by Mr.

* «The Ancient Lakes of Edinburgh ” (Proceed. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin.,
Wl. :X.5; Ps 126).

52 The Scottish Naturalist.

James Bennie of the Geological Survey ; in the material there:
were land and fresh-water shells in considerable abundance, and
among other rarities this Vertigo was of frequent occurrence. I
obtained no fewer than six species of Vertigo in the material sent
to me from the deposit referred to, vzz., Vertigo antivertigo, V.
pygmeaa, V. substriata, V. angustior, V. edentula, and V. minu-
tissma.. ‘The presence in such numbers of Vertigo angustior, as a
fossil at Elie, points to its more frequent occurrence in Scotland
when this deposit was being formed than it appears to be now, and.
also proves its claim to be an indigenous species.

VERTIGO EDENTULA (Drap.).

As a recent shell, this species, though widely distributed, is not
very plentiful. As a fossil it occurred in the same deposit with
the last. It is also recorded by Mr. David Robertson, F.L.S., from
the Arctic shell clays at Garvel Park, near Greenock.*

VERTIGO MINUTISSIMA (Harim.).

This pretty shell is still very local and rare in Scotland. It is not
the smallest of our Vertigos, though the name might lead one to
suppose it was. There are seven specimens of this shell in my
collection collected among the debris at Salisbury Crags, and
none of them can be considered very small comparatively. In
Rhind’s List of Land Shells found near Edinburgh, and published
in 1836, the following are recorded—/upa pygmea, King’s Park,.
Pupa edentula, Roslin, King’s Park, and Pupa cylindrica, Salisbury
Crags. This last seems to be Vertigo minutissima (Hartm.), not
Helix Cylindracea (Da Costa), which, according to Jeffreys,
appears to be Pupa umbilicata, Drap. (Dr. Norman in his Revision
of the British Mollusca restores Da Costa’s name, Pua cylindracea),
and what makes it more likely that this Vertzgo is referred to is,
that Dr. Rhind records Pupa muscorum (= P. umbilicata?), Pupa
marginata and Pupa bidentata, all from the King’s Park, but he
only records Pupa cylindrica from Salisbury Crags which is the only
known habitat for Vertigo minutissima. If my conjecture is right,
this rare species has been known as a resident among the debris of
Salisbury Crags for a much longer time than is usually supposed.

* “ The Post-tertiary Beds of Garvel Park, Greenock” (Trans. Geol. Soc. of
Glasgow, vol. vii., p. 36).

The Scottish Naturalist. 53

This species, as already stated, was one of the fossil Vertigos ob-
tained in the material from the Elie post-tertiary deposit, and so far
as I know this is the first record of its occurrence as a fossil in Scot-
land. Inthe “Census” it is stated that “Dr. Buchanan White
speaks of its having been found at Balmerino in Fifeshire, a
locality which it is desirable should be reinvestigated.” If this
implies a doubt as to the genuineness of the “ find,” the following
will show that Dr. William Turton had no doubt about it. In his
‘Manual of the Land and Fresh-water Shells of the British Islands,”
p. 201, (1840), he says—‘‘ It (Vertigo minutisstma) was sent to Dr.
Fleming by Mr, Chalmers, Surgeon, Kirkcaldy, who found it in
the parish of Balmenna (Balmerino), Fifeshire.” Captain Thomas
Brown also refers to it under the name Vertigo cylindrica, Ferussac,
and says, ‘ Found near the village of Balmenna, Fifeshire, by my
friend, Mr. Chalmers, Surgeon, Kirkcaldy.”* Though there can be
no doubt that Dr. Chalmers did obtain this Vertigo as stated, it
would be interesting to have the district “reinvestigated,” as per-
haps other “ rarities ” might be secured besides this Vertigo.

VERTIGO CONCINNA, provisional name.

In the post-tertiary marl at Kirkland, Leven, described in the
Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society, Edinburgh, vol. x., p.
334, a Vertigo closely resembling V. pygmcaa occurred as a
moderately common shell. The surface is smooth and polished,
the form is somewhat oval, rather turmid, whorls convex, more
rounded on the lower side, apex of spire blunt, whorls 43,
‘suture distinct, mouth small, rounded, scarcely if at all flexuous as
in V. pygmea, destitute of teeth—not even a trace of a tooth
being observed in the most perfect of the shells. Length, about
2 mm.; breadth, fully 1 mm. In the “ Preliminary Notes ona
Post-tertiary Fresh-water Deposit at Kirkland, Leven, and at Elie,
Vifeshire,” in the Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society already
referred to, I have proposed Vertigo concinna as a provisional
name for this shell.

* See also Dr. Fleming’s description in ‘‘ British Animals” (1828).

54

NOTES ON BIRDS IN THE PARISHES OF METH-
LICK, AND TARVES, ABERDEENSHIRE.

By Grorce MuiruHeap, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S., &c.

HESE contiguous parishes are situate between fourteen and
twenty-six miles north north-west of Aberdeen, and are
about ten miles distant from the east coast of the county. Their
united extent is about 31,coo acres—nearly all arable—and their
altitude above the level of the sea varies from 64 feet at Tangland
Bridge on the River Ythan, to 579 feet at the Moss of Belnagoak.
The surface, although undulating, has, generally speaking, a bare
appearance, owing to the absence of trees and hedgerows—the
fields being chiefly fenced by low stone walls. The climate is cold
and moist. On the march between the two parishes the beauti-
fully wooded pleasure-grounds of Haddo House—the residence of
the Earl of Aberdeen—extend to nearly two thousand acres, and
are continued along the banks of the Ythan to the sylvan valley
of Gight, where the picturesque, ivy-clad ruins of the ancient castle
of that name, celebrated for its connection with the family of Lord
Byron, add a charm to the romantic scenery.

The Ythan, with its deep and sluggish waters, flows through the
parish of Methlick for five or six miles, where its stream is increased
by the Little Water of Gight, the Burn of Kelly, and other smaller
rivulets. There are three artificial lakes of considerable extent in
the grounds of Haddo House ; and several mosses and bogs still
exist in the wilder districts.

The number and variety of the birds found at present in the two.
parishes, when compared with those ina similar extent of country
in the south of Scotland, are somewhat smaller, and this is more
particularly the case with the migratory insectivorous species, many
of which, such as the Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat,
Wood Wren, and Chiffchaff, being conspicuous by their absence.
{t is probable that this may be accounted for by the great scarcity
of the smaller migrants on the east coast of Aberdeenshire, and
the district being far removed from the regular line of their
migration.

The following short notes on the birds which have occurred, or

The Scottesh Naturalist. 55

are found in the two parishes, are proposed to be supplemented

when further observations have been made.

Missel Thrush. (Turdus viscivorus.) Rather scarce. A few
are found in the woods at Haddo House; and at Gight.
Song Thrush. (Turdus musicus.) Not plentiful. Found
chiefly in grounds at Haddo House, and at the Braes of
Gight. Numbers seen at the Old Castle of Tolquhon on the
29th of Oct., 1890, where there are some very large holly and
yew trees, which appear to be 400 or 500 years old. When
shooting partridges here during the autumn of 1890, I did not
observe any Song Thrushes rising out of the turnips as they

are seen to do in the South of Scotland at that season.

Fieldfare. (Zurdus pilaris.) Very numerous all over the dis-
trict, especially in the deer park of Haddo House, where
they resort in the clumps of old Scotch fir at night. No
Redwings have been observed as yet.

Blackbird. (Zurdus merula.) Found in small numbers in the
policies of Haddo House, at the Braes of Gight ; and where
there are plantations in the district.

Wheatear. (Sazicola enanthe.) Plentiful in spring, and may
be seen flitting along the dykes by the roadsides in summer.

Whinchat. (Pratincola rubetra.) Rather common in spring
and summer when it may be seen frequenting the wild
uncultivated grounds and young plantation where whin and
broom abound.

Stonechat. (Pratincola rubicola.) Rare. One observed near
Inverebrie in the beginning of May.

Redstart. (Ruticilla phenicurus.) Rare. A pair nested in a
wall near Methlick village in the summer of 1890.

Redbreast. (Lrithacus rubecula.) Common.

Golden Crested Wren. (fegulus cristatus.) Plentiful in the
woods of Haddo House.

Willow Wren. (Phylloscopus trochilus.) Common in summer
wherever there are trees.

Sedge Warbler. (Acrocephalus phragmitis.) Numerous in the
dwarf bushes and rank vegetation by the side of the Ythan
in summer.

Hedge Sparrow. (Accentor modularis.) Rather scarce.

Dipper. (Cinclus aquaticus.) Frequently observed on the

56 The Scottish Naturalest.

Ythan ; Little Water of Gight ; Burn of Kelly ; and other small
streams.

Long-tailed Titmouse. (Acredula caudata.) A large flock
seen at the Braes of Gight on the 3rd of September, 1890.
Great Titmouse. (Parus major.) Scarce.

Coal Titmouse. (Parus ater.) Found in small numbers in
the fir woods.

Blue Titmouse.- (Parus ceruleus.) Common.

Wren. (Troglodytes parvulus.) Abundant.

Tree Creeper. (Certhia familiaris.) Seldom seen.

Pied Wagtail. (Motacilla lugubris.) A few pairs scattered
over the district in the breeding season. Seen in flocks
migrating in spring and autumn.

Grey Wagtail. (Motacilia melanope.) A pair seen at Upper
Mili Pond in September, 1890.

Meadow Pipit. (Anthus pratensis.) Common.

Spotted Flycatcher. (Muscicapa grisola.) Not uncommon
in summer. A pair nested at the Kennels, Haddo House, in
June, 1890.

Pied Flycatcher. (Muscicapa atricapilla.) A male was seen
at Wardford Wood, on the banks of the Ythan, in the parish
of Methlick, on the 13th of May, 1890.

Swallow. (Hirundo rustica.) Very plentiful.

Martin. (Chelidon urbica.) Numerous.

Sand Martin. (Cotile riparia.) Rather scarce.

Greenfinch. (Ligurinus chloris.) Abundant.

Sparrow. (Passer domesticus.) Very numerous.

Chaffinch. (fringilla celebs.) Plentiful.

Brambling. (fringilla montifringilla.) Seen in small flocks
amongst Chaffinches in winter. :

Linnet. (Zinota cannabina.) Very plentiful.

Bullfinch. (Pyrrhula europea.) Found in considerable num-
bers at Gight, and in the woods near Haddo House.

Crossbill. (Zowxia curvirostra.) Frequents the pine woods
about Haddo House in great flocks in winter and spring. A
pair were seen at Gight on the rst of May, 1890. It doubt-

The Scottish Naturalist. 57

less breeds in the district, but its nest has not yet been dis-
covered.

Yellow Bunting. (Hmberiza citrinella.) Common.

Reed-Bunting. (Hmberiza scheniclus.) Not numerous. A
nest found at mouth of the Ebrie in summer of 1890.

Starling. (Sturnus vulgaris.) Very plentiful.

Magpie. (Pica rustica.) Rare. One seen at Tolquhon on the
16th of October, 1890.

Jackdaw. (Corvus monedula.) Scarce.

Carrion Crow. (Corvus corone.) Plentiful. Numbers roost
during winter in the trees on an island in the Upper Lake in
the grounds of Haddo House.

Hooded Crow. (Corvus corniz.) Rare.

Rook. (Corvus frugilegus.) Very numerous. There is a very
extensive rookery at Haddo House.

Skylark. (Alauda arvensis.) Plentiful in some localities.

Swift. (Cypselus apus.) A few frequent suitable buildings.

Nightjar. (Caprimulgus europeus.) Has been seen at Gight.

Kingfisher. (Alcedo ispida.) Rare. Two seen on the Upper
Lake in the grounds of Haddo House in August, 1890.

Cuckoo. (Cuwculus canorus.) Plentiful. Young one shot in
Deer Park on the 7th of August, 1890.

Long-eared Owl. (Asvo otus.) Rare. Has been seen at
Gight.

Short-eared Owl. (Asvo accipitrinus.) Has been obtained in
the neighbourhood of Gight.

Tawny Owl. (Syrniumaluco.) Found in small numbers in the
woods of Haddo House.

Golden Eagle. (Aquila chrysetus.) A beautiful female was
shot at Gight onthe 11th of February, 1884, and is now
preserved at Haddo House. It was seen eating a hare shortly
before it was killed.

Sparrow-Hawk. (Accipiter nisus.) Common. Breeds annually
in the woods.

Peregrine Falcon. (Falco peregrinus.) Has occurred at
Gight. .

Merlin. (falco esalon.) Frequently seen. A female was shot

58 The Scottish Naturalist.

while feeding on a skylark, at Milltown of Ardlethen, on the
30th of August, 1890.

Kestrel. (Falco tinnunculus.) Numerous. Breeds annually in
the woods.

Osprey. (Pandion haliaetus.) A male in full plumage was
seen at the Lake of Keithfield in the grounds of Haddo.
House on the 18th of June, 1890.

Common Heron. (Ardea cinerea.) Plentiful. There is a
small Heronry of eight or nine nests in the woods of Haddo
House.

Bean Goose. (Anser seyetum); and Pink-footed Goose.
(Anser brachyrhynchus.) Are said to frequent the farms of
Lethenty and St. John’s Wells in spring when the corn is
being sown.

Whooper. (Cygnus musicus.) A specimen, which is preserved at
Haddo House, was shot in the neighbourhood a few years
ago.

Teal. (Querquedula crecca.) Small flocks frequent the lakes at
Haddo House in autumn and winter.

Wigeon. (Mareca penelope.) Large numbers are seen on the
Lower Lake at Haddo House in the autumn and winter
months.

Tufted Duck. (fuligula cristata.) Seen in small numbers on
the lakes of Haddo House in winter.

Golden Eye. (Clangula glaucion.) A few frequent the lakes
at Haddo House during the winter months.

Common Scoter. (@demia nigra.) Specimen noticed on
Keithfield Lake in winter of 1889-90.

Goosander. (Mergus merganser.) Occasionally seen on the
Ythan during the autumn and winter months. A female
shot on that river near Methlick on the 21st of October, 1890.

Ring Dove. (Columba palumbus.) Very numerous in the
woods of Haddo House.

Stock Dove. (Columba cnas.) Very rare. One was seen in
grounds of Haddo House in September, 1890. Mr. Gordon
of Ellon killed a specimen while shooting wood pigeons
there, on the evening of the 19th December, 1890. He saw
several small flocks frequenting the wood near the curling

- pond.

The Scottish Naturaitst. 59:

Black Grouse. (Zetrao tetriz.) Very scarce. Several fre-
quent the Braes of Gight. A few years ago it was found in
small numbers in the Bellmuir Wood.

Red Grouse. (Lagopus scoticus.) A few found in the Moss of
Belnagoak.

Pheasant. (Phasianus colchicus.) Abounds in the woods at
Gight and at Haddo House.

Common Partridge. (Perdix cinerea.) Not very plentiful.

Land Rail. (Crex pratensis.) Frequents the haughs by the side
of the Ythan.

Water Rail. (Rallus aquaticus.) Occasionally found about
small streams and ditches.

Moor Hen. (Gallinula chloropus.) Very numerous by the side
of the Ythan and in the lakes at Haddo House. While
shooting in the young fir woods along the west side of the
Little Water of Gight on the 28th of February, 1891, I saw
several Moor Hens fly from amongst the thickest cover.

Coot. (Fulica atra.) Frequents the lakes at Haddo House in
small numbers where it nests.

Golden Plover. (Charadrius pluvialis.) Small flocks are
seen on the high-lying grass fields in autumn and winter.

Lapwing. (Vanellus cristatus.) Plentiful.

Oystercatcher. (Hematopus ostralegus.) A fine specimen
was seen in the deer park at Haddo House on the 28th of
June, 1890. This bird breeds on the farm of Ardlethen in
the parish of Ellon.

Woodcock. (Scolopax rusticola.) Plentiful at certain seasons
in the woods. Has been found breeding in the Badicbath
Wood at Gight. When shooting partridges near Tolquhon
Castle on the 16th of October, 1890, I killed the first Wood-
cock of the season. It rose from a clump of brackens.

Common Snipe. (Gallinago celestis.) Found in considerable
numbers in the Red Moss and the Moss of Cairnies, where it
breeds.

Jack Snipe. (Gallinago gallinula.) Scarce. Killed one at
the Red Moss on the 14th of November, 1890.

Common Sandpiper. (Zotanus hypoleucus.) Frequents the
Ythan and other streams in small numbers in summer.

60 The Scottish Naturalist.

Curlew. (Numenius arquata.) Frequents some of the grass
fields in the autumn,

Black-headed Gull. (Larus ridibundus.) A pair nested in
an oat field on the farm of Little Ythsie in the summer of
1890. This attracted considerable attention in the neigh-
bourhood, for no gulls had been seen breeding there previ-
ously, and the situation of the nest, though on boggy land,

_ was comparatively dry.

Common Gull. (Larus canus.) Occasionally visits ‘abe grass

fields,

Herring Gull. (Larus argentatus.) Sometimes seen on the
pasture lands.

Little Grebe. (Podicipes fluviatilis.) Has been occasionally
seen on the Ythan.

THE GRHAT GREY SHRIKE (Lanius excubitor),
CONSIDERED AS A SCOTTISH BIRD.

By Rev. H. A. Macpuerson, M.A., M.B.O.U.

HE March number of “The Zoologist” contains a short
summary of the habits of the Great Grey Shrike. It
occurred to me when epitomising a large amount of materials for
that paper, that it might be well to separate the Scottish notes and
to arrange them under their proper faunal areas. While English
naturalists are content to work on _ with artificial political
boundaries, Mr. Harvie Brown has emancipated Scottish naturalists
from the thraldom of such unnatural ties, by taking the lead in
writing vertebrate faunas of the natural areas into which Scotland
falls ; and hence within the next few years, we shall possess a com-
plete vertebrate fauna of Scotland, each natural division being
undertaken by Mr. Harvie Brown or some other Sco¢écsh naturalist.
It seems to me, that this plan of following natural divisions should
be applied to each individual species of bird or mammal. It only

The Scottish Naturalist. 61

requires to’be well known to be valued as a most useful aid to
definiteness of distribution. Following the precedent of my Report
on the Visitation of Pallas’ Sand Grouse to Scotland, I have
arranged the occurrences of Lanius excubitor under the faunal
divisions, and I venture to hope that others will adopt the same
plan in dealing with Scottish birds. I have treated the two forms
Lanius excubitor and Lanius major as one, because of the difficuity
of separating them. In this connection, I may add that, though I
have examined many Grey Shrikes shot in Scotland and the North
of England, I have only as yet seen one adult male, killed in Eng-
land, that combined the characteristic of the single white alar bar
with the white rump and white breast that distinguish the Siberian
specimens of Lanius major that Mr. Seebohm kindly showed me.
But upon this point I may be permitted to quote a letter from my
friend, the late Mr. Robert Gray, written about a bird that I had
reported to him, and dated from Edinburgh, January 3, 1884:
“The bird you refer to,” he says, ‘‘is evidently the well-known
excubttor, which always has the double wing spot. JLaneus major
or Pallas’ Shrike has occurred many times in Scotland, and is the
species of whose existence in the Eastern Counties I ventured to
surmise in my ornithological correspondence twenty years ago,
although I failed to convince Messrs. Sharpe and Dresser when
they published their diagnoses of British Shrikes in their Birds of
Europe.”

In confirmation of Mr. Gray’s remark, I would add that almost
all the Scottish Grey Shrikes that have come under my _ notice pos-
sessed only a single white alar bar, though one fine double-barred
bird lived for some time in our possession. I believe that most
of our Scottish Shrikes are of Scandinavian origin, and more or less
cross-bred.

I. SCOTTISH SOLWAY AREA.

The Grey Shrikes are comparatively rare in the west of this
faunal area, but more numerous on their lines of migration from
the Forth to the Solway. Mr. R. Service wrote in 1884 that “the
Great Grey Shrike had occurred nearly every winter for the last
few years” in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. Mr. R. Gray records
a young male shot near Kirkcudbright on the 28th of October,
1880, This specimen exhibited vermicular markings on the

62 The Scottish Naturalist.

inferior surface (Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. vi. p. 359).+ Of other
recent examples, [ may name an adult male killed near Stranraer
in the autumn of 1884; and another old male, shot at Lauriston
near Castleton, December 14th, 1889. This last was a double-
barred bird; the lower parts white, with very scanty traces of
vermiculations. On opening its body, I found the remains of a
Shrew (Sorex). In 1890, my friend, Mr. ‘T. Bell of Liddel Bank,
near Canonbie, observed a double-barred Grey Shrike on February
24th, but contented himself with examining the bird closely with
a powerful glass.

Il. TWEED AREA,

The ornis of a large portion of this area has been exceptionally
well explored by the members of the Berwickshire Naturalists’
Field Club. In Vol. I. of his ‘‘ Birds of Berwickshire,” a work which
is chiefly a valuable resumé of the avian memoirs of the B.N.C.,
Mr. Muirhead mentions about a dozen specimens of this Shrike as
killed in Berwickshire. I have no doubt that it is in fact an almost
annual visitant to Berwickshire. Chambers, in his “ History of
Peebleshire,” includes the Great Grey Shrike as a rare visitant to
that county. In Selkirkshire, a male bird was shot at Bowhill on
March goth, 1876 (Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. iv. p. 115).

Ill. FIRTH OF FORTH AREA.

To no part of Scotland are the visits of this fine Shrike more
frequently paid than to this area.

The present winter, 1890-91, has been marked by an unusual
scarcity of this species throughout Great Britain; but Mr. W.
Evans tells me that a single example was shot upon the Forth early
in the season. The late Dr. Smith on many occasions exhibited
specimens of the Great Grey Shrike before the Royal Physical
Society of Edinburgh, the birds being obtained within the limits of
this area, and five or six being often obtained in a single winter. I
may cite, in passing, a few of these occurrences, vzz., an immature
bird, shot at Dunbar in November, 1858; an adult male shot at
Tulliallan near Kincardine, March 30th, 1859; one killed at
Alloa and another at Fenton Barns in October, £865; one seen
near Edinburgh, and another shot at Dunipace in February, 1866
(Zool. 1867., p. 143); one shot at Ormiston, Haddingtonshire, in

The Scottish Naturalist. 63

November, 1876; one shot at Culross, March 1gth, 1881 ; another
visited the Isle of May, October 16th, 1882 (Migration Report,
ESSe. Ds ,12),

I have examined others killed in this district more recently.

IV. TAY AREA,

The Great Grey Shrike becomes more rare north of the Forth,
but is found all along the line of the east coast. Mr. W. Horn
states in his Notes on the Birds of North-West Perthshire that
*““several (Great Grey Shrikes) have been killed in different
parts of Perthshire, but I have only heard of one in this particular
district.”

Mr. P. Henderson of Dundee has most kindly favoured me
with the following remarks :—‘‘ The Great Grey Shrike is rare in
this quarter, and in the last twenty years, I am safe to say, that not
more than twelve have passed through my hands for preservation,
and of late years, say within the last five years, I have only seen
four specimens ; one in June, 1884, one in May, 1885, and in
June, 1887. Last year (1888), I had one from Kinnaird, Perth-
shire. ‘This season I heard of one being got at Monifieth, east of
Broughty Ferry. ‘They are comparatively rare with us” (In Lit.,
Qets''235 13809).

V. DEE AREA,

As long ago as 1849, the Rev. James Smith was inclined to
refer an Aberdonian Shrike to the well-known Nearctic species,
Lanius borealis. The bird in question was shot near Aberdeen in
January of that year, and had a single white alar bar (Zool., 1849,
Pp. 2495, 2567).

In 1859, a Great Grey Shrike was killed in Aberdeenshire on
the 28th of October.

In 1860, an “immature” male (by dissection) was captured
upon the rigging of a vessel sixty miles off the east coast upon the
rst day of October (Zool., 1860, p. 7235).

Mr. Sim, A.L.S., a well-known Aberdeen naturalist, kindly in-
formed me in October, 1889, that the accompanying notes include
all the specimens of local Grey Shrikes that had passed through
his hands during twenty-five years: “1865, one kiiled at Balogie ;

64 The Scottish Naturalist.

1866, March 17th, one at Parkhill, another at Corse; 1887, a
male bird flew on board a fishing boat in Aberdeen Bay on the
2nd of May ; 1889, a male caught with bird-lime on Aberdeen
Links on the 7th of February.” To these notes I may add that
my friend, Miss D. Hamilton of Skene, wrote to me under date of
December 29th, 1889: ‘ Just a line to tell you that there is a
Great Grey Shrike here; I saw it first on December 12th, and
since then several times, always about the lawns and garden. On
the 17th I saw it catch a Bank Vole in a cabbage bed, and carry it
to an apple-tree, where I found it inserted between two branches.”

VI. MORAY FIRTH.

Charles St. John writes of this bird in his usual happy style =
‘‘ Last winter I saw a Great Ash-coloured Shrike, or Butcher Bird,
in my orchard. ‘The gardener told me that he had seen it for some
hours in pursuit of the small birds, and I found lying about the
walls two or three chaffinches which had been killed and partly
eaten in a style unlike the performance of any bird of prey that I
am acquainted with ” (“ Wild Sports of the Highlands,” p. 86).

Within this area this Shrike is, comparatively, a rare bird. In
Banffshire one was shot in February, 1859. Near Forres a Great
Grey Shrike was shot in January, 1560 (Zool., 1860, p. 6860).

In 1889 I examined a single-barred Grey Shrike, shot near
Forres in February of that year. The birdstuffer who received
this specimen, Ledingham, told me that he had only mounted
one other specimen of this Shrike, and that twenty years earlier.
In confirmation of this, another taxidermist, Mr. James Brown of
Forres, wrote to me (in Lit., Oct. 21, 1889): “I do not remem-
ber more than two specimens of the Great Grey Shrike being
killed in this district, the species being very rare here.” He then
instances one killed at Brodie about the 1st of February, 1889,
and another killed near Elgin some twenty years earlier.

VII. SUTHERLAND AND CAITHNESS.

Mr. Reid of Wick most courteously reminds me, that he has
furnished all his local information to Messrs. Harvie-Brown and
Buckley, whose information I quote accordingly. Our authors
state that, in Sutherland, the species must be considered an

The Scottish Naturalist. 65

“irregular autumn visitant ; more common perhaps than is sup-
posed. Observed as long ago as 1845, a specimen in the museum
being dated that year. .. We have ourselves observed one or
two specimens on the south-east coast, and there is in our collec-
tion at Dunipace a male bird shot near Tongue, and sent to us in
the flesh by Mr. Crawford on 7th December, 1875.”

With regard to Caithness, Mr. Shearer states “thrice found.
This bird was once captured by me in spring, in the act of attack-
ing a linnet fixed in a hair snare, and itself got entangled also.”
(Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. II. p. 337.) Messrs. Harvie-Brown and
Buckley add that this Shrike “has been frequently obtained in Caith-
ness, and almost always in the winter.” They cite a few occurrences
(Vertebrate Fauna of Sutherland, Caithness and Cromarty, p. 119).
In 1889, I examined a single-barred Grey Shrike, killed by James
M‘Ewen, Ausdale, Berriedale, ‘Wick, on or about the 15th of
April that year. Mr. James Sutherland writes to me that he had
no reliable information prior to 1889, except the notes recorded
by Mr. Harvie-Brown. ‘But on the 24th of March this year, a
specimen was seen by Mr. Grant, gardener, in our neighbourhood.
This he minutely described to me at the time. . . The last time
it was seen by him it had a small bird in its beak. It then flew
over the garden wall.

‘‘ About three weeks afterwards, a fine specimen entered a house,
where it was captured and put in a cage, not far from the above
garden. It only lived a few days in confinement. It damaged
itself about the beak in trying to regain its liberty. It was pre-
served, and is now in the possession of Mr. Sandison here. You
will see that formerly it was observed here in the fall of the year.”

This specimen, it would appear, was captured in April, 1889.

VIII. ORKNEY AND SHETLAND ISLANDS.

Mr. Reid of Wick reminds me that Messrs. Baikie and Heddle
record some three occurrences of the Great Grey Shrike in
Orkney.

Mr. James Sutherland, in a highly interesting letter, tells me of
a specimen obtained in Orkney in October, r889. Mr. T. E.
Buckley will no doubt tell us of additional occurrences, should
such exist, in his “ Birds of Orkney.”

For Shetland, I have at present only Saxby’s single record of a

Great Grey Shrike, seen in December (Zool. $.S. p. 2561).
E

66 The Scottish Naturalist.
IX. WEST ROSS. AND SKYE.

The Great Grey Shrike is not included in Mr. Dixon’s catalogue
of the Birds of Gairloch, nor yet in my list of the Birds of the
Isle of Skye.

We should, nevertheless, expect that it will eventually occur in
at least the mainland portion of this faunak area.

X. OUTER HEBRIDES,

Iam not cognisant of any occurrence of this species in the
Outer Hebrides.

XI. ARGYLL AND THE ISLES,

i

The late Mr. Robert Gray says that he examined specimens of
this Shrike, which had been procured in Argyllshire (Birds of the
West of Scotland, p. 65). I am sorry that I can not personally
extend this statement.

XII. CLYDE AREA.

There are many records of Great Grey Shrikes killed in this
large faunal region. Mr. Harvie-Brown remarks that a male
Great Grey Shrike, killed at Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire, Feb.
3rd, 1883, ‘illustrates line across central districts of Scotland ”
(Migration Report, 1883, p. 12). Among other instances, the
following may be cited :—1865, one killed in Dumbartonshire in
December; 1866, January, another killed at Motherwell; 1868,
December, one. In 1878, a Great Grey Shrike was killed at
Rossdhu in December, when the incident elicited from Mr. James
Lumsden the accompanying criticism :—‘“‘ The Shrike is very rare
in the Loch Lomond district, not more than four or five specimens
having occurred” (Proc. N. H. Glasgow, 4, p. 200). But the
species reappeared in 1881, when a male bird, which had recently
eaten a goldcrest, was shot on the 30th of December.

In reviewing the foregoing data, it becomes apparent that the
Great Grey Shrike occurs irregularly and in sparing numbers all
over Eastern Scotland; that it is fairly represented in the south-
west of the Scottish mainland, but is seldom detected in the
Shetland and Orkney faunal area, and is not known, so far as

The Scottish Naturalrst. 67

available information goes, in West Ross, Skye, or the Outer
Hebrides.

Of some thirty-six occurrences, the exact dates of which are
known, eight birds were killed in October, eight in December, six
in February, and five in March.

Occurrences in April and May are far more frequent than some
ornithologists suppose.

The earliest autumnal arrival on our east coast (of Scotland)
appears to be that of the bird killed at sea on the 1st of October,
though I have examined birds caught in England three weeks
earlier.

Among recent contributions to the literature of this species
may be mentioned, Seebohm, “British Birds,” Vol. I., and “Proc.
Roy. Phys. Soc.” Vol. VIL p. 223; Collett, “The Ibis,” 1886; H. A.
Macpherson, ‘‘ Trans. Cumb. and Westd. Assoc.,” IX., pp. 106,
107, this last containing a description of the habits of the Great
Grey Shrike, as studied in a Scottish example.

SOME NOTES ON BIRDS RECENTLY OBSERVED
IN THE TAY DISTRICT.

By Cot. H. M. DrummMonp Hay, M.B.O.U.

ed-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio, Linn.)—A bird of
R this species in skin, was forwarded to me for identification,
by A. Nicol Simpson, Esq. of Mayfield, Arbroath, early in
September last, which had been shot on the coast some miles to
the west of Arbroath, near Ethie, on the 13th of the preceding
montb, August, 1890—proving on inspection to be a female of
the second year, not having quite attained the adult plumage.

Hybrid.—A very curiously-marked Mallard (Anas boscas),
doubtless a cross between the Mallard and Pintail Duck (Azas
acuta), which was in company with a common Mallard, were both

68 The Scottish Naturaltst.

shot right and left on the banks of the Tay, near Seggieden, by
the gamekeeper there, on the 30th December, 1890. ‘The
peculiarities in this bird are as follows :—The bill bluish grey with
the centre ridge black instead of being greenish yellow, as in the
common Mallard, and much narrower in comparison to its length.
The head, instead of being of the rich, glossy green of the common
bird, inclines more to a brownish shade, which is especially seen
as the feathers are lifted up by rubbing the wrong way. The
white collar is broader and inclining upwards on the side of the
neck as in the Pintail, but not nearly to the same extent. The
wing is also different. ‘The speculum being bright green instead
of purplish blue and much narrower—the primaries also being
shaded with brownish chestnut instead of white. The legs also
are of a much paler yellow than those of the typical bird—but the
most marked difference is in the tail—the under coverts have the
black more extended. The tail feathers are much more prolonged
and pointed than in the Mallard, and wanting the curled feathers
—the two centre ones which are black, are the longest, but
shorter than those in the true Pintail, and inclined upwards as if
partaking somewhat of the character of the curled feathers of the
true Mallard. The measurements of the two were about equal,
barring the greater length of the tail in the Hybrid.

Smew (Mergus albellus; Linn.)—A female of this species, be-
lieved to be a bird of the year, was shot on the Tay at Seggieden, on
the same day as the above, 30th December, 1890, also by the
keeper. This is a very rare bird in Perthshire, and only the
second that I have any record of as having been got on the Tay
“proper,” and the fifth within the whole district or watershed of
the Tay and its tributaries—extending along the coast as defined
by the Tay District Salmon Fisheries, from the Redhead to Fife-
ness. In the Tay, Mr. Thomas Marshall of Stanley tells me (in
lit. 27th November, 1888) that a female of this species was shot
only a few days previously, namely, on the 2oth, in the Stormont-
field breeding ponds, with four salmon parr in its stomach, and
the remains of others more or less digested. ‘this bird was in
fine plumage. Of the three others obtained in the district—the
first of which I find any record, was in the winter of 1837, when
a female was shot on the Eden, near St. Andrews ; and in the
same vicinity on the Kenley on the 16th February, 1871, a male
was shot in full adult plumage; this bird had 10 minnows in the

The Scottish Naturalist. 69

stomach (—jide R. Walker, Scot. Wat., 1871, p. 80); and a very
fine male, also in full adult plumage, was shot on the Loch of
Forfar by Sheriff Robertson of Burnside, I think, in 1834.

Great. Crested Grebe (Podicipes cristatus, Linn.)—A male
of the second year, in immature plumage, was shot on the Tay,
opposite Kinfauns Castle, by Roger Davidson, Esq., Kinfauns
Manse, on the ist of January, 1891. This is also an uncommon
bird on the Tay, as well as in the district at large—the only one
on the Tay that I have been able to record of late years is one
shot opposite Errol by a punt gunner in December, 1885. ‘This
was likewise a male in immature plumage. As to the other parts
of the district, a fine specimen in full plumage, a female, was shot
by Sheriff Robertson of Burnside, on the Forfar Loch, in the
autumn of 1887—and several years ago, I saw a fine pair in full
adult plumage that had recently been shot in the vicinity of
Dunkeld. There are probably other instances which have not
come to my knowledge.

As it may not be generally known that both the RazorBiILL
(Alca torda) and the GuILLeEmMor ( Uria troile) are occasionally
to be seen fishing in fresh water, I may mention that Mr.
Thomas Marshall of Stanley, a most observing ornithologist,
tells me (in lit. 27th November, 1888), that several of these
birds of both species had been on the water about Stanley
and Stormontfield for the last four weeks. There can be no
doubt but what these were feeding on salmon parr, which
may have attracted them, and what almost seems to bear
this out, is the fact of a Guillemot being shot above Seggieden
very early on the morning of 16th February, 1890—\though on the
tidal part of the river, the water there is quite fresh, and is so for
some way down. This bird, which was an adult male in winter
plumage, had evidently been fishing some distance up the river, as
when seen it was swimming down with the current at a great pace
—the season was exceptionally mild and had been so for some
time past, so that it must have come up fishing on its own account
and was then returning to the estuary. The stomach contained
merely the remains of some small fish which could not be identi-
fied ; but that there should have been nothing found in the stomach
in a fresh state is easily accounted for, from its not having been

70 The Scottish Naturalist.

killed dead, and the fact of a boat having to be got, as the retriever,
when reaching the bird, refused to touch it, some time therefore
elapsed before it could be picked up, and as is the case in most
sea-birds, the fresh contents of the stomach would have been
ejected. The Guillemot has also been frequently got on Loch
‘Tay.

In connection with the sea-birds visiting fresh water I may men-
tion that with regard to the Scaup (Fuligula marila) being found
inland and shot near Glasgow, as stated by Mr. Robert Read in the
last number of the “ Scot. Nat.” p. 39—that in the Tay district they
are not unknown to our fresh waters, several instances of their cap-
ture occurring on Loch Rannoch, many miles from the sea. And
specimens from that locality have been forwarded to the Perthshire
Society’s Museum in Tay Street, Perth. It has also been got on
Methven Loch, four or five miles on the other side of Perth, and on
the Tay above Seggieden, where, as before stated, the water is fresh ;
and an instance will be found in the ‘Scot. Nat.,” 1880, p. 340, re-
corded by myself of a female Scaup taking up its quarters inthe curl-
ing pond at Seggieden, for about three weeks, during which time it
fed almost entirely on a species of water snail then literally in thou-
sands (Limnca peregra), which it seems to have entirely extermin-
ated, as the species has never been found since. I may further
mention that this pond is frequently visited by ducks from the river
close at hand. On the Clyde, where the Scaup is an exceedingly
more abundant bird than it is on the Tay (I speak of some years
‘ago), I have seen large flocks as high up as Bowling, only eight or
nine miles below Glasgow, so that it would not be difficult for a stray
bird to ascend that distance or even higher, should they still fre-
quent the Clyde as they used to do.

THH ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE PRESER-
VATION OF THE GREAT SKUA.

W E, learn with pleasure that the great Silver Medals of the

Zoological Society of London have been awarded to
Mrs. Edmonston of Buness House, and to Mr. Robert Scott of
Melby, in recognition of the effective protection accorded by
members of their families, for 60 years, to the Great Skua (Stexcor-
arius catarrhactes), at its breeding stations in the islands of Foula
and Unst.

Ft

LIST OF ROTIFEHRA FOUND WITHIN A RADIUS OF
TWENTY MILES ROUND DUNDEE.

By Joun Hoop, F.R.M.S.
(Concluded from p. 25.)

Famity.—TRIARTHRID 4.
Genus.—Polyarthra Lhr.
03. P. platyptera Zhr. In ponds and marsh pools. Common,
Tents Muir; Emmock Wood; Fife; Forfar; Perth.

Genus.—Pteroessa (osse.
64. P. surda Gosse. Black Loch, near Blairgowrie. Rare.

Genus.—Triarthra Ehr.
6s. T. longiseta Zhr. Sometimes met with in large numbers,
in ponds and ditches in Forfar and Fife; but not common
usually.
66. T. mystacina Zhr. Met with once or twice in a pool in
Emmock Wood ; but rare.

Famity.—HYDATINID 2.
Genus.—Hydatina Lhr.
67. H. senta #hr. Common in stagnant pools, near farm-

yards, in spring and early summer. (Males, May and
June). Fife and Forfar.

Genus.—Notops Hudson.
68. N. clavulatus Zhr. In marshy pools, on Tents Muir and
in Stormont Loch. Not common.
69. N. hyptopus hr. In marshy pools, on Tents Muir.
Not numerous.

FaMILy.—_NVOTOMMATID
Grenus.—Notommata, Gosse.

470. N. aurita Hhr. Rea Loch; White Loch, Blairgowrie ;
Tents Muir. Common.

71. N. cyrtopus Gosse. In marshy pools. Perth; Fife; Pit-
caro, Forfar ; but not common.

72. N. brachyota Hhr. Black Loch, Loch Rea, Marlee Loch.
Not rare,

2 The Scottish Naturalist.

73. N. saccigera Zhr. Loch Lundie, Rosemont, Forfar
Perth. Not common.
74. N. naias Zhr. In lochs and marshy pools, near Blair-
gowrie. Rare.
75. N. lacinulata hr. This vigorous little creature is to be
met with frequently in ponds and ditches.
Perth, Forfar and Fife.
76. N. collaris Zr. Black Loch and Stormont Loch, and in
marshy pools.
Perth and Fife. Not common.
77. N. tripus Zhr. In ponds and lachs in Perth, Fife, Forfar.
Common.
78. N. ansata Zhr. In lochs, ponds and marshes; but not
common.
79. N. pilarius Gosse. Stormont Loch and Marlee Loch.
Perth. Common.
80. N. forcipata Zhr. In marshy pools and ditches. Not
common.
81. N. ovulum Gosse. In my aquarium.

Genus. —Taphrocampa Grosse.

82. T. annulosa Gosse. In marshy pools.
Perth; Fife; Forfar. Sparingly.

Grenus.—Pleurotrocha £hr.
83. P. constricta Hhr. Common in Monk Mure, Stormont -
Loch and Black Loch,
Perth.
84. P. leptura Zr. In marshy pools.
Lundie. Not common.
85. P. gibba Zhr. Midmill Pond, near Dundee. Rare.

Grenus.—Copeus Grosse.
86. OC. spicatus Huds. Black Loch, Perth; only one specimen.
87. C. labiatus Gosse. In Midmill Pond and in marshes.
Forfar; Perth; Fife. Not rare.
88. C. pachyurus Gosse. Pretty numerous in marshy pools,
on Tents Muir and in Lundie Loch. Not common.
89. C. Cerberus Gosse. Black-Loch, Stormont Loch, and Rea
Loch, and in marshy pools, Lundie. Not rare.

The Scottish Naturatst. 73

go. OC. caudatus Collins. Midmill Pond, Black Loch, and
lochs around Blairgowrie.
Forfar and Perth. Common.

Genus.—Proales (osse.
gi. P. sordida Gosse. In Pitcaro Wood and Black Loch.
Forfar and Perth. Not common.
g2. P. felis Hhr. In marshy pools in Fife and Forfar. Not
rare.
93. P. parasita Hhr. Lives where Volvox globator is found,
being parasitic in that species, in lochs and marshy pools.
Fife and Perth. Common.
94. P. gibba Zhr. In ponds and ditches in Forfar. Not
common.
95. P. tigridia Gosse. In ponds and marshes at Lundie.
Forfar.’ , Rare.
96. P. petromyzon “hr. In lochs and ponds.
Fife, Perth, Forfar. Not rare.

Genus.—F urcularia Lhr.

97. F. marina Dw. Firth of Tay at Carnoustie, in Forfar.
Not common.

98. F. gracilis Zhr. Stormont Loch and Monk-Mire Loch,
Perth: Not-rare.

99. F. forficula Zhr. Rescobie Loch and Balgavies Loch, and
in Perthshire lochs. Common.

100. FB’. ceeca Gosse. In marshes and ditches on Tents Muir.

Fife.” Rare:

tot. F. ensifera Gosse. In marshy pools on Tents Muir, and
pond in Emmock Wood. Not rare.

102. EF’. spheerica Gosse. In tide-pools of the Tay, and inhabits
fresh water also, in Forfar. Rare.

103. F. longiseta Lhr. In ditches in Forfar. Rare.

104. F. eequalis Zhr. In marshy pools at Lundie. Not
common.

105. F. micropus Gosse. In ditches in Forfar and Fife. Rare.

Genus.—Hosphora Lhr.

106. . aurita Hhr. In ditches and marshes, in Forfar and
Fife. Common.

7A The Scottish Naturalist.

Genus.—Diglena Lhr.
107. D. circinator Gosse. In lochs in Perth and Forfar. Not
rare.
108. D. forcipata Hhr. 1n pond near Dundee, and in marshy
pools at Lundie.
Forfar. Rare.
109. D. permollis Gosse. Midmill Pond and marshes on Tents
Muir. Not rare.
110. D. caudata hr. In lochs around Blairgowrie in Perth.
Common.
111. D. catellina Hhr. Numerous in tide-pools in Firth of
Tay. It inhabits both salt and fresh water.
112. D. clastopis Gosse. Ina ditch, Tents Muir, Fife. Rare.
113. D. suilla Gosse. At Wormit, Invergowrie. Not rare.
Marine.
114. D. pachida. Firth of Tay. Marine.

Genvs.—Distemma Zh.
115. D. marina Gosse. Firth of Tay, at Carnoustie.
Forfar. Rare.

116. D. raptor Gosse. Common in salt water in tide-pools in
Firth of Tay.

117. D. platyceps Gosse. In tide-pools at Carnoustie. Not
common.

118. D. labiatum G'osse. In marshes at Rescobie in Forfar. —
Rare.

SuB-OrDER.—LORICATA.
FaMILy.—RATTULIDA.
Grnus.—Mastigocerca hr.

119. M. carinata hr. Common in ponds, ditches, and

marshes.
Perth ; Forfar; Fite.
120. M. elongata Gosse. Not rare in marshes.
Perth: Forfar iite:
121. M. bicristata Gosse. Common in marsh pools only.
Perth’; Forfar ; Fife:
122. M. Irnis Gosse. In marshy pools around Blairgowrie. Not
rare.
123. M. bicornis Zhr. Common in marshes.
Perth ; Forfar; Fife.

124.
120,
126.
127,

128.

120.
130.

13t.

132.
133:

134.
£35.

136.
537.

138.

139.

T 40.

LAT.

The Scottish Naturatist. 75

M. rattus Zhr. In ponds and marshes.
Perth ; Forfar ; Fife.) Common.
M. scipio Gosse. In marshes.
Fife; Perth. Not rare.
M. lophoessa Gosse. In ponds, ditches and marshes.
Common in Fife, sparingly in Perth.
M. macera Gosse. In marshy pools on Tents Muir and
near Blairgowrie. Not rare.
M. stylata Gosse. In ponds and ditches in Fife and
Perth. Not common.

Genus.—Rattulus “hr.
R. tigris Mill. In ponds and marshes. Common in
Perth, Forfar and Fife.
R. calyptus Gosse. In rock pools, at Carnoustie in Firth
Of Lay. , JRare. .
R. cimolius Gosse. In ditches and marshes in Perth and
Hite), Rare.

Grenus.—Ccelopus Grosse.
C. minutus Grosse. Black Loch and marshes. Perth.
Rare.
C. cavia Grosse. Black Loch, Perth. Not common.
C. tenuior Gosse. Rescobie Loch, Forfar. Rare.
C. brachyurus Gosse. Black Loch and Stormont Loch,
and marshes in Perth and Fife. Rare.

Famity.—DINOCHARIDA.
Grenus.—Dinocharis £hr.
D. pocillum “hr. Common in lochs, ponds, ditches and
marshes. Perth; Forfar; Fife.
D. tetractis Zhr. Common in ditches, ponds and lakes.
Perth > Fite’: Horfar.
D. Collinsii Gosse. Black Loch, Perth. Rare.

Genus.—Scaridium Lhr.
S. longicaudum Zhr. In lochs (Lundie, Stormont,
Monk Mire) and marshes. Perth; Forfar; Fife. Common.
S. eudactylotum Gosse. Black Loch, Perth. Rare.

Genus.— Stephanops Lhr.
S. armatus Hudson. Rescobie Loch, Forfar. Rare.

76

142

The Scottish Naturatsst.

. S. muticus hr. In ponds, ditches, marshes and lakes
Perth; Forfar; Fife. Not rare.

143. S. chleena Gosse. Common in marshes on Tents Muir,

144

145

146
147

148

149
150

151

152

Fife, Perth. Not scarce.
. S. unisetatus Collins. Loch Rea, Perth. Rare.

Famity.—SALPINID &.
Genus.—-Salpina Lhr.
. S. brevispina Zhr. In lakesand ponds. Perth; Forfar;
Fife.) Common,
. S. mirina Grosse. In tide-pools in Tay ; Forfar ; Fife. Rare.
. §. eustala Gosse. Common in ponds and ditches. Perth;
Forfar ; Fife.
. S. macracantha Gosse. Midmill Pond. Marshes on
Tents Muir. Perth y Fife; Forfar. Common.

Genus.—Diaschiza (osse.

. D. exigua Gosse. Black Loch, Perth. Rare.

. D. Hoodii Gosse. Black Loch, Perth. Marshes on Tents
Muir. Rare.

. D. semiaperta Gosse. Common in lochs around Blair-
gowrie, and in marshes on Tents Muir, and in ponds near
Dundee. ‘

. D. tenuior Gosse. In lochs and marshes. Fife; Perth;
Forfar. Not common.

153. D. globata Gosse. In 1886 it was prolific in my aquarium,

154
155

156

also in Black Loch, Perth. Not usually common.
. D. valga Gosse. Common in lochs in Perth.
. D. peta Gosse. In marshes at Lundie, Forfar. Rare.

Genus.—Diplax Grosse.
. D. compressa Gosse. In ponds and ditches near Dundee.
Not common.

157. D. trigona Gosse. In marshes at Lundie, Forfar; Perth.

1538.

159

Rare.

Genus.—Diplois Gosse.
D. Daviesize Gosse. In ditches on Tents Muir and in
a pond near Dundee. Not common.
. D. propatula Grosse. In ponds and ditches. Forfar and
Fife. Not rare.

160.

r6r.

167.

es
17%.

072:

r73

174

Ge

57 6.

The Scottish Naturalst. 77

FamiLy.—HUCHLA NID.
Grenus.—Euchlanis Lhr.
E. triquetra Zhr. Common in ponds, lakes and marshes.
Pern Kortar ; Fite.
EB. dilatata hr. White Loch, Rea Loch, Stormont
Loch, Lindores Loch, Lundie Loch and Rescobie Loch.
Perth ; Forfar; Fife. Common.

. BE. macrura “hr. Lundie, Rescobie Loch. Not very

common, but not rare.

. E. defiexa Gosse. In lochs around Blairgowrie and

Lundie. Not rare.

. E. pyriformis Gosse. Black Loch, Perth. Rare.

Famity.—_CATHYPNID 4.
Grenus.—Oathypna (osse.

. OG. diomis Gosse. Black Loch and Stormont Loch, Perth.

Not rare.

. GC. latifrons Gosse. Black Loch and Lundie Loch. Perth ;

Forfar. Rare.

C. luna Hhr. Common in ponds, ditches and marshes.
Perth; Forfar’; Eife.

_ G. rusticula Gosse. Midmill Pond. Marshes on Tents

Muir, Fife; Forfar. Common. .

. O. sulcata Gosse. Inmarshes, Stormont, and Tents Muir.

Perth’; Fife. “Rare.

Genus.—Distyla Eckstein.
D. Lud wigii Gosse. Lundie Loch, Forfar. Rare.
D. Gissensis “#ckst. Stormont Loch, Rescobie Loch, and
in marshes in Forfar and Perth. Common.
D. flexilis Glosse. Ponds near Dundee. Rare.

Genus.—Monostyla Lhrh.

M. cornuta “hr. Common in ditches, pools and marshes,
all over Perth, Fife, Forfar.

M. mollis Gosse.. Rescobie Loch, Balgaves Loch, Forfar.
Rare,

M. bulla Gosse. Lundie Loch and Monk-mire Loch;

Perth and Forfar. Not uncommon.

M. quadridentata £hr. Ditches near Dundee; and

marshes on Tents Muir. Rare.

78 The Scottish Naturalist.

Famity.—COLURID ZL.
Genus.—Colurus £hvr.
177. ©. dicentrus Gosse. In tide-pools at Carnoustie, Firth of
Tay. Not rare.
178. C. grallator Gosse. Tide-pools in Firth of Tay. Rare.
179. C. leptus Gosse. In fresh water at Emmock Wood ; also
marine in Firth of Tay. Rare.
180. C. deflexus Zhr. Common in ditches and marshes, in
fresh water.
Perth ; Forfar.
181. C. obtusus Gosse. In ditches near Dundee, in fresh water.
Common.
182. C. caudatus “hr. In Black Loch and in ditches.
Fife; Perth. Common.
183. C. amblytelus Gosse. In salt water in rock-pools, at
Carnoustie, Firth of Tay. Not common.
184. C. dactylotus Gosse. In tide-pools on Lucky Scalp,
Firth of Fay. “Rare.
185. C. pedatus Gosse. Wormit Bay (tide-pools), Firth of Tay,
Marine. Rare.
186. C. ccelopinus Gosse. In tide-pools at Carnoustie, Firth of
Tay. Not rare.

Grenus.—Metopidia Zhr.

187. M. solida Gosse. In ditches, ponds and marshes.
Perth; Forfar; Fife. Plentiful.

188. M. lepadella Zhr. In lakes, ponds and ditches.
Forfar; Perth; Fife. Common.

189. M. oxysterna Grosse. Abundant in Black Loch and Stor-

mont Loch, Perth.

190. M. braztea “hr. Common in marshes and ditches.
Perth’; Fite,

191. M. triptera “hr. Lundie Loch and Black Loch.
Perth ; Forfar. Not common.

Grenus.—Monura Zhr.
192. M. colurus Zr. In tide-pools.
Firth of Tay.
193. M. loncheres. In tide-pools.
Invergowrie, Firth of Tay. Common.

194

195.

196.

197.

198.

199.
200.
201.

202.
203.

204.
205,
206.

207.

208.

200.

The Scottish Naturalist. 79

Genus.—Mytilia Grosse.
M. tavina Gosse. In Firth of Tay, Fife and Forfar.
M. poecilops Gosse. In tide-pools.
Firth of Tay, Invergowrie, Forfar. Common.
M. producta Gosse. In tide-pools.
Firth of Tay, Fife. Rare.
M. teresa Gosse. Lucky Scalp, Firth of Tay. Marine.
Rare.

Grnus.—Cochleare Gosse.

C. turbo Gosse. Numerous in Black Loch, Perth; else-
where not common.

Famity.—PETEHRODINID.
Genus.—Peterodina Lhr.
P. patina Zhr. Common in ponds and ditches and lochs.
Berth Forfar ; Fife.
P. valvata Huds. In lochs (Lundie, Black Loch, Stor-
mont), Perth and Forfar. Not rare.
P. clypeata Zhr. Plentiful in salt-water. Firth of Tay.
P. truncata Gosse. Rea Loch, Perth. Very rare.
P. truncata Grosse. Var. In Loch Lundie, and pond
near Dundee. Rare.

FamMity.—_BRACHIONID 4.
Genus.—-Brachionus ihr.
B. urceolaris Zhr. Var. In ponds, ditches and marshes.
Reruo > Morar.) ife... “Common:
B. Mulleri “hr. In salt-water pools, in Firth of Tay.
(Marine). Plentiful.
B. rubens Zhr. In ponds and marshes.
Fife ; Forfar. Rare.
B. pala Hhr. In ponds and ditches.
Forfar and Perth ; sometimes plentiful, but usually not
common.
B. angularis Gosse. In ponds and ditches.
Forfar. Common.
B. tridens. In salt-water tide-pools.
Firth of Tay. Rare, marine.

8o

210.

211.

212.

223,
224.

The Scottish Naturalist.

Grenus.—Noteus Zhr.

N. quadricornis “hr. In Black Loch, Lundie Loch ;
sometimes in the Dundee water supply.
Perth ; Forfar. Rare.

Famity.—A VURAHIDZE.
Genus.—Anurea (osse.
A.hypelasma Gosse. In lochs (Lundie, Rescobie,
Balgaves, Stormont, Black).
Perth and Forfar. Common.
A. aculeata Zhr. Common in ponds and marshes.
Perth; Forfar; Fife. Common.

. A. cochlearis Gosse. In lochs .around Blairgowrie, Loch

Lundie. Perth and Forfar. Common.

. A. serrulata Zhr. In ponds and ditches.

Fife and Forfar. ‘Not common.

. A. tecta Gosse. In ponds and ditches.

Forfar. Not common.

Genus.—Notholea Gosse.

. N. thalassia Grosse. In tide-pools at Tayport near Dundee.

Firth of Tay. Common.

. N. scapha Gosse. In tide-pools at Carnoustie and Tayport.

Firth of Tay. Common.

. N. spinifera Gosse. In tide-pools. Firth of Tay. Com-

mon.

. N. jugosa Grosse. In tide-pools. Firth of Tay. Rare.
. N. rhomboidea Gosse. In Firth of Tay. Common.
. N. labis Gosse. In pond in Emmock Wood, Forfar. Not

common.

. N. longispina Kellicott. Stormont Loch. Perth. Rare.

Genus.—Eiretmia Gosse.

FE. cubeutes Gosse. In Black Loch. Perth. Rare.
BE. pentathrix Grosse. In Stormont Loch. Perth. Rare.

SI

LIST OF PLANTS SEEN IN THE VALLEY OF
BRAEMAR AND ON MORRONHE.

By Pror. C. C. Bapincton, M.A., F.R.S.

| Y object in drawing up this list is to record the plants
_ found in and about the village of Braemar, and on the
slopes of the hills to a moderate elevation: the top of Morrone
(2819 feet) being the highest point attained. The bridge at
Braemar is 1,160 feet above the sea ; and the highest cultivation is
at the farm of Tomantoul, on the slope of Morrone, at 1500
feet. Castleton of Braemar is situated almost upon the 57th
degree of north latitude, and at an elevation of 1160 feet above
the sea.

It seems to me that more attention should be bestowed upon
the plants which grow in such elevated valleys as this, and on the
weeds of cultivation found in them, than is usually given by
botanists. The cause of this neglect isnot far to seek. Botanists
visit such districts as Braemar for a few days at a time in order to
gather the rare plants growing on the hills, especially the more
elevated ones; and it is only such as myself, who go there to
spend many weeks, who have time to attend to the less interest-
ing, because less rare, plants of the fields and road sides.

I have spent six or eight weeks in Braemar, in several suc-
cessive years, during the months of August and September ; and
have not found it desirable to attempt the ascent of the higher
mountains, several of which I visited many years since in com-
pany with the late Prof. J. H. Balfour. I have therefore not re-
cently gathered many of the plants of those elevated regions :
only such of them as descend as far as the top of Morrone. ‘To
the plants inhabiting that hill I have paid considerable attention.

Persons who are not able to scale the higher mountains will
find Morrone well worthy of their attention. Its top is well de-
serving of a visit, not merely for the very beautiful view obtained
from it, but also for the plants inhabiting its apparently barren
ground, which careful observation will soon show not to be really
barren. This hill is easy of access; and, in addition to its
higher parts, the beautiful woods covering its lower slope for
some distance to the west of Tomantoul are very rich in interest-

ing plants. The ravine of Corriemulzie is well deserving of
F

82 The Scottish Naturalist.

careful and repeated examination; also the banks of the two
rivers, Dee and Clunie, are rich in plants.

My district may be described as extending from a little below In-
vercauld Bridge to Glen Derry, up Glen Clunie to Fraser’s Bridge
over the Clunie, and in Glen Callater to the head of Loch Calla-
ter. I have not included the corrie of Loch Candor, so well
known for its rich flora ; for it requires a young and active man to
examine it successfully. Itis often visited by botanical parties
from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.

A few species that do not come within the boundaries here
defined have been mentioned for special reasons. ‘They are
enclosed in square brackets to distinguish them,

I have included a few plants not gathered by myself, but most
of which [ was shown in a living state.

It has not been my object to describe the exact localities.
When the plants are tolerably abundant this is unnecessary; when
they are rare it is undesirable.

It should be remarked that Castleton is just on the upper line
of growth to which Ulex europeus and Sarothamnus scoparvus ex-
tend ; only an occasional plant of either of them is to be found ;
and, I believe, none occur at a higher elevation. (See S. scoparius. )

I have appended a list of the species of Hzeracvwm observed by
my friend, Mr. F. J. Hanbury, near Braemar, as it possesses con-
siderable interest ; distinguishing in it those that grow on the
higher mountains from the inhabitants of the valleys.

It may be well to point out what especially strikes a botanist
arriving at Braemar from the south. He immediately notices the
great abundance of Alchemilla alpina and the presence of Aumex
domesticus. His first walk along the bank of the Clunie, toward its
junction with the Dee, introduces him to Cardwus heterophyllus
and Meum Athamanticum, and probably to roses different from
those with which he is familiar. On turning to the higher ground,
—for instance at the top of Chapel Brae—he is struck by the
abundance of Pyrol@, and finds occasionally a plant of Zrventalis
ewropcea or, perhaps, of Cornus suecica, and also abundance of Vac-
cinium Vitis-Idea (called Cranberry in Braemar) and of Arctosta-
phylos Uva-ursi. On examining the base of Morrone he would find
all these in finer condition ; and upon its top Azalea procumbens
and Juncus trijfidus in the dry parts ; and in wet spots Vaceenrum
uligenosum and Rubus Chamemorus.

The Scottish Naturalist. 83

Having published this list, I leave it to others to try and add to
it, as doubtless those who visit the country early in the year will
easily do. The early plants are known to me only by finding
them in a withered state in the autumn.

The late Mr. Wm. Gardiner of Dundee printed “ Botanical
Rambles in Braemar” in 1845, but he took no notice of the
plants to be found in the low country, and devoted especial atten-
tion to the Cryptogamic plants. It is doubtful if his little book
was ever really published, as it bears only a printer’s name (James
Duff, 29 Hill Street, Dundee) on the title page.

[NoTre.—By Professor Babington’s wish, with a view to render the subjoined
list more complete a few species have heen added, and also notes on certain of
the other species, by Dr. John Roy of Aberdeen, by Dr. Buchanan White and
by myself. Such notes are in brackets; and the initials R., T. and W.
indicate by whom each is added.—/. W. 1. Trazi.]

RANUNCULACEZ.

Thalictrum alpinum JZzzz. Borders of Loch Callater, but
rare.

Anemone nemorosa Zzzn. Abundant in the woods.

Ranunculus floribundus Bad. There appears to be a
small form of this in the reservoirs. Itis probably the R. aguatilis
of Dickie’s “‘ Botanists’ Guide.”

R. hederaceus Zzzn. In the valley, but rather rare.

R. Flammula Zizz. Common; especially in its creeping
and rooting form, which is often mistaken for R. reptans Zznn.

R. auricomus Zzzuz. In the woods in several places.

R. acris Zzzn. Common even at high elevations. All that I
saw appeared to be R. Borzeanus Jord.

R. bulbosus Lzzz. Is probably not unfrequent in the
valley.

R. repens Zzzz. Common.

Caltha palustris Zzzz. Common. A small form is abun-
dant even to a great elevation.

Trollius europezeus Zinn. Abundant in the woods.

FUMARIACEA.
(Fumaria officinalis L. up to 1100 feet, W.)
CRUCIFERZ.

Barbarea vulgaris &. Br. Rarely at Castleton.

Arabis petrzea Lizz. On the shingles by the river Dee,
having been washed down from above.

A. hirsuta &. Br. Rare.

84 The Scottish Naturalist.

Cardamine pratensis Zzzz. Common.

C. hirsuta Zzzz. Common.

Sisymbrium Thalianum Gay. Rare at Castleton.

Erysimum cheiranthoides Zzzz. On cultivated land at
Castleton.

Capsella Bursa~pastoris Mench. Common.

Camelina sativa Crantz. A weed of cultivation, even to
1,500 feet. Common in a field near Castleton.

Sinapis arvensis Zzzn. Cultivated land.

S. alba Linn. Cultivated land.

Draba verna Zinn. Cultivated land.

Lepidium Smithii ook. Mr. Watson found this on the
bank of the Dee at Castleton.

Subularia aquatica Zzzn. Lower end of Loch Callater.

Raphanus Raphanistrum Zinn. Cultivated land.

CISTACEA.
Helianthemum vulgare Gert. Common, even to 1,700

feet of elevation.
VIOLACEMA.

Viola palustris Zzzz. Common.

V. Riviniana Reich. Common. I suppose that this is the
V. canina of Dickie.

V. lutea Huds. Common. Usually more or less purple.

VY. tricolor Zzzz. Common on cultivated land.

DROSERACE.
Drosera rotundifolia Zzzz. Common.
D. anglica Auds. Mr. A. K. Clark found this in Glen
Callater. (Between Auchallater and Glen Callater, once, 2.)
POL YGALACE.
Polygala vulgaris Zzzz. Common in the typical form.
CARYVOPHVLILACEZ.
Silene acaulis Zzzz. Low down by Loch Cailater.
Lychnis Flos-cuculi Zizz. I did not see this, being pro-
bably too late for it.
(L. vespertina Mill. up to 1,100 feet, W.)
L. Githago Scop. Rarely, on cultivated land.
Sagina procumbens Zzzz. Common.
S. Linneei Presb. (S. saxatilis). High on Morrone,
S. nodosa &. ey. Common.
Arenaria Trinervis Zzzz. Rather rare.

The Scottish Naturalist. 85

A. serpyllifolia Zzzz. Common.

Stellaria media V7//7, Common.

S. Holostea Zzzz. Rather common.

S. graminea Zinmz. Abundant.

S. uliginosa J7Zurr. Common.

Cerastium glomeratum Zzhu//l. Common.

C. triviale Zzzk. Common in a very hairy state.

Cc. alpinum JZznz. Dickie found this near Ballater, at an
elevation of 1,480 feet. We may, therefore, expect to find it in
some damp spot on Morrone ; but I did not see it.

[C. arcticum Zavge. Grows on the high mountains. What
is the C. latifolium of Dickie, found by Croall on Little Craigen-
dall? I have specimens from Croall, but cannot answer this
question from them. ‘Those who possess specimens of Croall’s
collection would do well to examine them with care. We do not
seem to possess the true C. Zatz/o/ium in Britain. |

Lepigonum rubrum /y. Dr. Dickie found this at Castle-
ton. I did not see it there. (Chapel Brae. &. Up to 1100
feet W.).

Spergula arvensis zzz. var. sativa. Common on culti-
vated land at Castleton.

Scleranthus annuus Zzzz. On cultivated land at Castleton.

ELATINACEZ.

(Elatine hexandra D.C. Loch Callater, 2.).

HVPERICACEA.
Hypericum pulchrum Zzzz. Common.
(To be continued).

RECORD OF SCOTTISH PLANTS FOR 1890,
ADDITIONAL TO “TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY.”
Hid. 2.

By ARTHUR BENNETT, F.L.S.

»

HESE records for 1890 are about 130 in excess of those of

1889. This being so, and from feeling that they occupy so

large a space in a quarterly publication, I have not recorded any

varieties, or hybrids ; these are becoming so numerous that they
must be excluded.

86 The Scottish Naturalzst.

Mr, Druce, in “‘The Journal of Botany” for 1890, p. 40, ef seg.
has recorded many varieties. Dr. F. Buchanan White in the
‘Journal of the Linnean Society” for 1890, records many hybrids
of Salix, in a “ Revision of the British Willows,” which should be
consulted by every botanist interested in British plants.

In the way of new plants I have nothing to record; as, although
the genus A/zeracium is still yielding “species” which cannot be
placed to any Scandinavian form, they have not yet been pub-
lished.

Two can be recorded as additional Scotch plants, z2z., Rubus
Sprengelit Weihe, found by Mr. C. Bailey in Kirkcudbright and
Wigton, and determined by Mr. J. G. Baker of Kew; and U#7-
cularia neglecta Lehm., gathered by Mr. J. Corrie in Dumfries,
and sent me by Mr. Fingland. The nearest English station I have
seen this from is Cheshire, gathered by the late Mr. A. Croail of
Stirling.

The sequence of the counties is the same as before, and abbre-
viations: Scot. Wat. for “Scottish Naturalist ;” 7. B., ‘‘The Jour-
nal of Botany”; sf. denotes that the writer possesses a specimen
from the locality in question ; ! that he has seen a specimen, but
has returned it to the collector.

72. Dumfries.

(From Wr. J. Fingland, unless otherwise shown.)
Cakile maritima.

Ulex Gallii.
Potentilla alpestris. /. S. Johnstone, sp.
fe argentea. Dr. Davidson.

Rosa rubiginosa.
Rubus Lindleianus.
Saxifraga aizoides. ev. W. Bennett.
S. nivalis.
S. sponhemica.
Epilobium tetragonum.
Eryngium maritimum.
Valeriana dioica.
Crepis biennis. /. Shaw and Scott Elliot.
Hieracium sparsifolium Lindeb.
iy argenteum. ev. £. & Linton.
Centaurea Cyanus.

The Scottish Naturalist. 87

Senecio viscosus,
Cichorium Intybus. Scott E/liot.
Calamintha Clinopodium. fev. #. F: Linton.
Utricularia neglecta. /. Corrie sp., ex Lingland.
New to Scotland, the nearest English station I have
seen it from 1s Cheshire.
Suseda maritima.
Salix triandra.
S. ambigua.
Malaxis paludosa. /. Corrie, 1887, but gathered by D7.
Grierson some years ago.
Allium vineale, b. bulbiferum.
Sparganium minimum.
Schcenus nigricans.
Carex atratan | Aev- Lo L.. Linton.
€:i-pulla.
Phleum arenarium. Dr. Davidson.
Hordeum pratense. /. M‘Andrew.
73. Kirkcudbright.
Thalictrum majus Crantz. /. M/‘Andrew, sp.
¥. flavum. i sp.
Vicia lutea. e HOES;
Rubus Sprengelii. C. Bazley, 1889, ex 7. M‘Andrew.
New to Scotland, named by Mr. J. G. Baker.
74. Wigton.
_ (From specimens sent by Mr. 7. M‘Andrew.)
Ranunculus bulbosus.
Draba verna.
Viola odorata.
Cerastium semidecandrum.
Drosera intermedia.
Geranium pratense. JZS.
Trifolium striatum.
Vicia lathyroides,
V. lutea.
Rubus Sprengelii.
R,. Lindleianus.
» polyanthemos Lind.
Rosa mollis. All four C. Batley, ex WM‘ Andrew ; named by
Mr. Baker.

The Scottish Naturalsst.

Saxifraga granulata. JZ.S.
Leontodon hispidus. JZ.S.
Bidens tripartitus.
Utricularia vulgaris.

VU. 4) Bremin?
Hyoscyamus niger. /. Corrie.
Orchis incarnata.

Habenaria bifolia.
Listera cordata. JZS.
Carex eu-flava.
C. Céideri Ehrh.
Bromus asper.
B. arvensis.
Festuca arundinacea Schrad., 7de Hackel.
Polypodium Phegopteris. JZ.S.
lee Dryopteris. JZ.S.
Cryptogramme crispa. JZ.S.
Polystichum lobatum. JZ.S,
Cystopteris fragilis. JZ.S.
Ophioglossum vulgatum. JZ.S.
Lycopodium selaginoides. JZ.S.
L, Selago. JZ.S.

75, AYT-
Carex Boenninghauseniana. LZ. Watt, sp.
Lepturus filiformis. Somervzlle /

76. Renfrew.
Cicuta virosa. 4. Somerville /

77. Lanark.
Salix undulata. &. M/‘Kay, fide Dr. B. White.
Potamogeton Zizi. all herb, at Kew!

80. Roxburgh.
Salix viridis Fr. 4. Brotherston, fide Dr. B. White.

84. Linlithgow.
Dianthus deltoides. /. C. Druce, /.B., 1890, p. 40

(To be continued.)

89

NEW DISCOMYCETES FROM ORKNEY.
By WILLIAM PHILLIPS, F.L.S.

HE following species have been detected among some of the
material collected by Professor Trail in Orkney, in August,
1888, which I had set aside for further examination.
(All measurements, unless so stated, are in micromillimetres.)
Hymenoscypha Symphoricarpi, z. s.
Scot. Wat. 1889, p. 139, No. 105, as Hymenoscypha aurea (Pers.).

Cups scattered, stipitate, cupulate, then expanded, plane, gla-
brous, or minutely tomentose on the sub-bulbous slender stem ;
margin entire; bright yellow throughout; asci cylindrical, nar-
rowed at the base; sporidia oblong or oblong-fusiform, rather
obtuse, a gutta at each pole; paraphyses filiform, slender.

On dead branches of Symphoricarpus racemosus, Binscarth.

Cups 300-500 broad, stem 300-1000 long; asci 60x 7. This is
a slender delicate species, which does not agree well with any
described species. It comes near Phialea vitellina (Rehm.) Sacc.,
but differs in the sporidia, and tomentose sub-bulbous stem.

Mollisia (Pyrenopeziza) Carduorum (Rehm).

Pyrenopeziza Carduorum Rehm., Ascom. No. 68; Winter, in
flora, 1872, p. 526; Saccardo Syl/. Fung., Vol. VIIL., p. 359.

On Carduus lanceolatus, Binscarth.

‘**Cupulis dense gregariis v. sub-confluentibus, sessilibus, extus
glabris, papillatis, opaco-nigro-fuscis, basi pilis hyalinis repentibus
cinctis, primo globosis, margine incurvo, papillato-crenato fim-
briatove, demum difformibus, apertis, planis, fere emarginatis,
disco plano incano-glauco, ‘5-1°7 mm. latis; ascis cylindraceis,
sessilibus, 8-sporis, 50-65 x 7; paraphysibus simplicibus filiformi-
bus, hyalinis; [sporidiis lanceolatis|, rectis v. curvatis, 4-8-nu-
cleatis, 12:19 X 1°5-2.

“In caulibus putridis carduorum in Franconia,” Winter, Z.c.

Mollisia (Niptera) cinerella, Sacc.
forma Caespitosa, mihi.

On decorticated wood of Fagus sylvatica, Binscarth,

The cups break out in czespitose heaps: the sporidia are
clavato-fusiform, and are furnished with a gutta near the ends.

Lachnella orbicularis, 2. sf,
Minute, scattered, erumpent, sessile, orbicular, when dry black,

go The Scottish Naturattst.

when moist fuliginous, clothed near the margin with short,
fuliginous, asperate hairs; asci subfusiform, broad; sporidia
eight, fusiform, pointed at the ends, tri-guttulate, 10-14x
2-2°5 ; paraphyses acerose, a little exceeding the asci in length.

On dead culms of Juncus squarrosus. Greenay Hill in Birsay.

Cups 100-200 broad, asci 35-387; paraphyses 40-43 x 2°5.
This has many points in common with Dasyscypha Rehmit
(Staritz), Sacc.; but differs in being perfectly sessile and much
smaller in size.

Lachnella brunneo-ciliata, x. sf.

Scattered, stipitate, cupulate, dark brown; margin ciliated with
dark brown asperate hairs; hymenium pale-cinereous; asel
cylindraceo-clavate ; sporidia eight, oblong-elliptic, or subcymbi-
form, obtuse, uniseptate, 12-14 x 3-4; paraphyses acerose, broad,
exceeding the asci.

On dead culms of Juncus sqguarrosus. Shore of Loch of Banks
in Birsay.

Cups 300-600 broad ; stem equalling in length the diameter of
the cup; hairs 60x 4; asci 65x 7; paraphyses 80x5. This is
quite distinct from Dasyscvpha Rehmet (Star.) Sacc.

Lachnella (Helotiella) Laburni, z. sf.

Cups minute, scattered, sessile, at first globose, urceolate, dirty
white cr pale brown, margin ciliated with pale brown hairs; asci
cylindraceo-clavate, or clavate; sporidia 8, oblong, obtuse, uni-
septate, slightly constricted, hyaline, 13 x 5; paraphyses slender,
sparse.

On twigs of Cydésus Laburnum, Binscarth.

The cups are 200 broad, urceolate ; the hairs are non-septate,
paler near the base, 60-65 long, 3 broad; the asci are 70 x 10-12.

It is remarkable that on the branches of Cytisus radiata, in
Northern Italy, a minute species—/Vipzera Raineri (De Not.)
Sacc., occurs with very similar sporidia. I cannot suppose, how-
ever, that they are the same plant, as De Notaris has said nothing
about the margin of 4V. Raineri being ciliated.

Ascobolus stictoideus, Speg.

Michelia, Vol. I., p. 474. Saccardo’s Sylloge Fungorum, VIII,
p. 515.

‘“‘Laxissime gregarius v. sparsus, minutus, vix }-} mm. diam.,
externe aquose albidus, disco dilute olivaceo ex ascis exsilientibus
nuigro-punctato, totaliter in fimo immersus, non v. labiis tantum

The Scottish Naturalist. QI

exsertis, crassiusculis atque laceris; ascis paucis, 5-10, magnis,
150-160 x 40, clavato-saccatis, breviter et crasse stipitatis, superne
crassiuscule tunicatis, octosporis; paraphysibus septulatis, apice
curvulis, obvallatis ; sporidiis distichis vel irregulariter polystichis,
ellipticis, 25 x 14, primo hyalinis, levibus, dein amoene violaceis,
minute ac densissime verruculosis, postremo roseo-fuligineis.
Tunica ascorum iodi ope obsolete ccerulescit.”
On dog’s dung, at Howan, in Birsay.
Cenangium Empetri z. sp.

Cups scattered, minute, at first nestling beneath the epidermis,
then erumpent, subturbinate, or barrel-shaped, margin connivent,
then erect, torn; externally vertically wrinkled, -granular, black,
corlaceous ; hymenium nearly black; asci cylindraceo-clavate ;
sporidia 8, elliptic, becoming fuliginous grey, 15-17 x 7-93; para-
physes filiform, occasionally branched.

On dead leaves of Lmipetrum nigrum.

Cups 300 broad in the widest part, and the same in height ;
ascl 100 x 15, cell-wail conspicuous.

BOTANICAL NOTES.
Dy. Claridge Drice, M.A., F.L.S.

Scotch Equiseta, Hquisetwmarvense, L. var. alpestre, Wahl., Cairn y
Daimh, E. Perth; Tolmount, Forfar. #. silvaticum, L. var. serotinwm,
Milde, Ben Lawers; Mid-Perth. 2. palustre, L. var. nudum, Duby, Glen
Sheer, E. Perth; beside the White Water, Forfar ; var. polystachiwm, Vill.,
Coninish Valley, Argyll. #. limosum, L. var. Linneanum, Doll, Boat of
Garten, Easterness. £. maximum, Lamk., var. serotinwm, A. Br. Mun-
lochy, Wigton.

Cerastium arcticum, Lange. This occurred on the north side of
Cairngorm, in Easterness.

Don’s Plant of Ranunculus nivalis. While recently staying
with Miss Palmer I examined a few specimens collected by George Don for
her grandmother, the fourth Countess of Aylesford, which I had not pre-
viously seen. One of these was labelled, ‘*‘ Ranunculus nivalis, Sp. Pl. 1321.
High mountain near Mar Lodge, Aberdeen.” This is not the Linnean
nivalis ; but is closely allied to R. acris, L. var. pumilus, Wahl., which I
have collected from Corrie Scheadna, Easterness, and Glen A’an, Banff.

It may interest Scotch botanists to learn that the very interesting and
beautiful drawings of British plants made by the Countess of Aylesford are
now in the possession of her grand-daughter, the Countess of Dartmouth.
They probably include several of Don’s plants.

Q2

ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.

Notes on the Badger.—Mr. Cooke records the capture of a Badger
( Meles taxus) in Lanarkshire on 18th April, 1890. I am sorry to hear
of it. The animal is well nigh extinct in the Lowlands now. They are quite
harmless, the utmost grudge gamekeepers can have against them is because
they dig young rabbits out of the burrows and eat them. It is also alleged
that they destroy eggs, and it is quite true that, being omnivorous, they will
eat an egg if it is offered them; but they are strictly nocturnal in their habits,
and by night every decently-behaved game bird is on her eggs. I have suc-
ceeded in re-establishing them in Wigtonshire, having, some years ago, turned
out a dog and four bitches. —HERBERT MAXWELL, Monreith, Wigtonshire.

Wild Cat in Shetland.—Several communications have been received
on the subject of the Wild Cat in Shetland, recorded from ‘‘ The Zoologist ”
in our last number. The purport of these is that there are no true Wild Cats
in the Islands ; and the one shot at Bressay is to be regarded as nothing more
than a specimen of the domestic animal living in a feral condition.

Daubenton’s Bat in Mid-Lothian.—I have recently examined
specimens of this probably much overlooked species which were captured at
Liberton, near Edinburgh, in July, 1880, and supposed to be specimens of the
Pipistrelle (Vesperugo pipistrellus). Daubenton’s Bat (Vespertilio dauben-
toni) has not, I believe, been hitherto recorded for the county.k—W™M. EAGLE
CLARKE,

Chiff-Chaff in Inverness-shire.—For several years, both by per-
sonal observation, and through the medium of resident friends, I have been
endeavouring to discover if the Chiff-Chaff (Phylloscopus rufus) had ever
been identified in Glen Urquhart, or any of the neighbouring glens that branch
off Loch Ness. Although rumours more or less confirmatory of its occurrence
have reached me, it was not until June, 1890, that all doubts upon the point
were dissolved and the species actually located. While upon a visit to the
district, in the above-named month, I both saw and heard a pair in the Pass
of Inverfarigaig, one of the most romantic of our Highland gorges. They
were haunting a dense clump of fir trees not far from the spot where Dr.
Bryce, the geologist, was killed while in pursuit of his favourite science, and
from the fact of their occurring in June the inference might be drawn that they
were breeding. Upon this latter point, however, no authentic information is
as yet forthcoming, more especially as this locality is sparsely populated, and
the few people who do take any interest in ornithology seem to be unac-
quainted with the difference between this bird and its congener the Willow
Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus). I may state that having an intimate know-
ledge of the species in various parts of England there is not the slightest doubt
of its having been identified as stated above. ARCHIBALD CraiG, Edinburgh.

Lesser Redpoll in Perthshire. —A lesser Redpoll (Zizota rufescens)

The Scottish Naturalist. | 93

was to be seen in Lochearnhead Hotél garden, in August last. It was certainly
this species and not a Twite.—J. H. GURNEY, Keswick Hall, Norwich.

An Undomed Nest of the Long-tailed Tit.—While staying at
Aberlady last May, the keeper at Gosford asked me to look at a nest, ina
thorn hedge close to his house, which puzzled him. The nest, he said, was
like that of a Shilfw (Chaffinch), but contained three very small white eggs
spreckled with minute red dots. On going to the spot I found, as the keeper
had indicated, a nest which to all appearance was that of a Chaffinch ; but on
closer inspection it was seen to be occupied by a Long-tailed Tit (Acredula
rosea). The bird was very reluctant to quit its charge ; and, drawing itself
deep into the nest, did not leave it till my finger touched the rim. Only two
of the seven eggs laid got the length of hatching, and the tiny young ones dis-
appeared also before they were many days old. I then took the nest, which,
with one of the eggs, is now before me. It is exactly like that of a Chaffinch, only
a little deeper, perhaps, in proportion to its breadth. The outside is beautifully
~ covered with lichen, and the inside warmly lined witha profusion of Pheasants’
feathers. In depth it is fully 23 inches inside, and 34 outside ; across the top
it is 3? inches. The rim is uniformly finished all round and shows no signs of
ever having had adome. In none of the works I have consulted is there any
reference to an undomed nest of this species. —WILLIAM EvANs, Edinburgh.

Bittern (Botaurus stellaris) in Berwickshire.—On 24th December last,
I saw in Mr. Hope’s Shop, George Street, a fine specimen of this bird which
had been shot the previous day at Lowhaughs on the Whitadder. It proved,
on dissection, to be a male, and is the property of Mr. W, A. Miller of Berwick-
on-Tweed.—WILLIAM EVANS, Edinburgh.

Little Bittern in Shetland.—An example of this bird killed in the
island of Whalsay so far back as 1883, was recently forwarded to me for
identification. The sender was under the impression that it wasa Little Egret,
but though the specimen was ina very dilapidated condition, Mr. Harting,
who kindly compared it for me, had no hesitation in confirming my identi-
fication of itas Ardetta minutia. It was shot by John Lawrenson, on Whalsay,
in the ‘‘ middle of August, 1883,” and roughly stuffed by him. This is the
first record as far as I have been able to ascertain of the occurrence of this bird
in the Shetland Islands. —H. RAEBURN, Romford.

Bewick’s Swan on Loch Lomond.—During this winter a flock of
Bewick’s Swans (Cygnus Bewicki) have frequented the Loch. On
the 26th December, 1890, as I was standing on the public road
about 4.30 P.M., a pair (both old birds) passed close over my _ head.
The same evening a gamekeeper shot a pair quite near the same place. They
came over his head as he sat at the edge of the loch waiting to get a shot at
wild ducks. This pair are now in my collection of local birds here. The one
is a fine old bird and the other a young one in immature plumage. It is only
in very severe winters that Wild Swans of any kind are met with on
Loch Lomond. This winter has not been very hard here. There has been a

94 | The Scottish Naturatlast.

good deal of light frost but not much hard frost. ‘This may rather surprise
some of our friends in the South, who look upon Scotland in winter as a sort
of small Arctic region. I wonder if London or Loch Lomond have been the
most like the Arctic regions this season.—JAs. LUMSDEN, Arden, Loch
Lomond. .

Hybrid Pheasant and Capercaillie.—Mr. James Brown, High
Street, Forres, has, as a taxidermist, for several years been the medium of
making known many additions to the fauna of the Province of Moray. This
season there were sent to him two handsome, robust birds, giving no uncertain
sound as to their parentage—hybrids, between the Capercaillie and the
Pheasant. Mr. B. has compared them with the description given on pp. 38
and 59 of our last number, and finds them agreeing with Mr. Lumsden’s bird.
He is under the impression that the two specimens he got were part of a brood
of hybrids, and that there are still some members of it among the /fere
nature.—G. GORDON, Elgin.

Land-Rail in Mull and Jura in Winter.—On the 2oth December
1890, in shooting the Home Covers, the snow knee-deep, I shot two Land-
rails (Crex pratensis) right and left. Mr. Evans, the tenant of Jura Forest,
informs me that he shot a bird of this species at Jura, on the 3rd of the same
month.—MACLAINE OF LOCHBUIE,

Sabine’s Snipe in Clackmannanshire.—A fine specimen of this
melanistic form of the Common Snipe (Gallinago celéstis), was shot on 13th
December last on Grassmainston Moor close to a sheet of water named
Gartmoor Dam, by R. Gate, gamekeeper to Lord Balfour of Burleigh. - His
Lordship has presented it to the British Museum.—J. J. DALGLEISH, Edin-
burgh.

Incident in the Life ofa Dunlin.—On January 6th, I shot a Dun-
lin (Tringa, variabilis) with a cockle, nearly the size of a walnut, tightly
clamped on to the end of its long, slender bill. It puzzled me at first to
know what it was, for it got up from my feet and flew heavily away with what
appeared to be a ball of something hanging to one of its feet. I believe this
is not an uncommon occurrence, but how it happens is not quite clear, for the
bill of a Dunlin is not adapted for extracting a cockle, whether dead or alive,
from its shell,

[The bird had, no doubt, unwittingly inserted its bill into the open valves
of the buried molluse when probing the shore in search of food.—ED. ]

Buffon’s Skua in Aberdeenshire.—A fine specimen of Stercor-
arius parasiticus was killed at Blackpool, Millbrex, Fyvie, on the 2nd Oct.,
1890.—GEORGE SIM, Gourdas, Fyvie.

Hared Grebe on the Firth of Forth.—On December 31st last,
I shot a specimen of the Eared Grebe ( Podicipes nigricollis) in Aberlady
Bay, which proved to be a male. When first noticed, it was diving close to
some rocks at nearly high water. The gizzard contained a brown fibrous

The Scottish Naturalist. 95

mass of what seemed to be half-digested feathers and a lot of small crusta-
ceans like small white shrimps. I have seen these feathers before in the
gizzard of the Black-throated Diver, and I am told it is usual to find them also
in Grebes. Where does the bird get them from, and why are they swallowed?
—To help digestion in some way >—CUTHBERT CHRIsTY, Edinburgh.

[The crustaceans were submitted to Mr. Thomas Scott, F.L.S., for identifica-
tion, and he kindly informs us that they all belonged to one species, viz.,
Mysis vulgaris, Leach, one of the ‘opossum shrimps.” Mr. Scott counted
the remains of about fifty specimens. This species of Mysis, Mr. Scott re-
marks, is common above Queensferry, and in ponds of the brickfield at Sea-
field, near Dunbar.—ED. ]

Wildfowl in Scottish Solway Faunal Area.—Wildfowl has
been plentiful on the shores of the Scottish Solway this winter ; but the only
uncommon bird (for the locality) that we heard of, on the Scotch side, was a
Great Crested Grebe ( Podicipes cristata), shot near Gretna in January.—
H. A. MAcPHERSON, Carlisle.

Bird Notes from the Solway District.—During the past winter
there have been few rarities among the birds. A Buffon’s Skua ( Stercorarius
parasiticus) in October, and the Smew (Mergus albellus) in December are
the most noteworthy. I hear also of a Common Bittern ( Botaurus stellaris )
shot in the third week of January on Greenlaw, and sent to Mr. Burnett
Haugh, Castle-Douglas, for preservation. During the dark stormy weather in
November, Mr. James M‘Call, Carsethorn, informs me he saw Storm Petrels
occasionally off Southerness. There has been a most unusual immigration of
Bramblings (Fringilla montifringilla) or ‘‘Cocks o’ the North,” as they are
more usually termed. I heard of them from many different Jocalities—from
one place in the Stewartry a flock computed to be over a thousand strong was
reported. In this immediate neighbourhood they were very abundant wherever
there are beech trees, on the seed of which tree they are very fond of feeding.
I have seen several flocks of probably two hundred birds in each. It is many
years since these pretty finches appeared in such vast numbers. A flock of
Whooper Swans (Cygnus musicus ) was observed at Cally House, on the 14th
of January.— ROBERT SERVICE, Maxwelltown,

Anchovy in the Solway Firth.—Towards the end of November,
when skinning a Black-throated Diver (Colymbus arctzcus) (which, by the
way, is not at all a common species in the Solway Firth), I found the remains
of many small fishes in its stomach. With one exception these had been so
far digested as to be irrecognisable, but the exception was a little Anchovy
( Engraulis encrasicholus ) about two inches in length. It may be remembered
that Anchovies were found pretty numerously in the Solway last June, and
that those captured then were the first that had been known to be taken on
the west coast of Scotland. Judging from the size of the specimen thus taken
from the Black-throated Diver’s gullet, there is a very reasonable inference
that the little fish may have been bred in the Solway. If so, it is a matter of
considerable interest to ichthyologists. Although it is improbable that

96 The Scottish Naturalist.

Anchovies will ever become of commercial importance within the limits of our
Firth, still if they should be ascertained to visit the deeper parts of the
Galloway coast with any regularity in future for the purpose of spawning, their
systematic capture might soon prove remunerative.—ROBERT SERVICE, Max-
welltown.

REVIEW.

The Naturalist of Cumbrae.— A True Story, being the Life of
DAviID RosBErRTSON. By his friend the Rev. THoMAS R. R. STEBBING,
M.A. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Triibner & Co. 18091.

In the Rev. Mr. Stebbing, David Robertson, the Cumbrae Naturalist, has
found an able and appreciative biographer. He has gathered together a large
body of facts in the life of his friend, and if he has erred in marshalling too
many before the public, the error may be ascribed to his.anxiety to do his friend
full justice. ‘* Though left without education in his boyhood,” David Robertson
has become, in mature age, ‘‘ a distinguished votary of science.” His remark-
able life is another example of the success and distinction which the poorest
may achieve. He was well advanced in life before his mind took a bent for
Natural History, and his biographer places before the reader, who is assumed
to be ignorant of the subject, a popular account of the pursuits and investiga-
tions of a Naturalist.

The leisure of the last thirty years or so of his life has given Mr. Robertson
opportunity for continued and fruitful scientific work. Among the Cumacea,
Copepoda, Ostracoda and Foraminifera he has done specially good work.
Among these lowly forms of marine life he has discovered several species new
to science, and a genus, as well as numerous species, has been named in his
honour. His large collection of microscopical forms of the marine fauna,
found round the Cumbrae islands, has frequently been referred to by well-
known scientists, several of whom have had to appeal to him for living speci-
mens of some of the rarer species. Mr. Robertson, however, is no mere
collector of specimens, although his collections have tended greatly to advance
scientific knowledge. He has-.solved several problems of biological interest
in the life-history of the Echinoderms, Crustaceans, and Molluscs. His ex-
plorations, too, have not been confined to the Clyde, but have extended to
England, Ireland, and the coasts of Norway.

Mr. Robertson’s first publication seems to have been a contribution in
1858 to the Annals and Magazines of Natural History ‘* On the Habits of the
Common Mussel.” Since then he has been a frequent contributor to scientific
periodicals, including the Quarterly Journals of the Geological and Micro-
scopical Societies. Even now, entering on his 85th year, Mr. Robertson’s
zeal for Natural History pursuits is unabated, for ‘‘he is still ready to observe
and to record.”

The pleasant way in which the story is told makes the biography full of
interest from beginning to end. It is a most enjoyable book, and one which
will do everyone good to read, whether interested in Natural History or not.

Un < pihaserated hy Photwiaie
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THE OLD FUR MARKET OF DUMFRIES.

By ROBERT SERVICE.

T what time the old Fur Market in Dumfries became a
recognised institution is unknown, and the phrase “ from
time immemorial” may be set down as more or less aptly
applying to its beginnings. In the earliest part of this century it
had reached large proportions, and was then regarded ‘‘as the
first fur market in the United Kingdom” (Dumfries Courier,
February 27th, 1816). In Brewster's Cyclopedia it is said:
—‘*At the Horse Fair in February a larger quantity of hare-
skins is annually disposed of than in any other town in Scot-
land ; not fewer, on an average, than 30,000. And in Fleming’s
“ British Animals” (1828, p. 21) there is another reference to
the Fair :—‘‘In Scotland the skins (of hares) are collected by
itinerant dealers, and annually sold in the February market in
Dumfries, sometimes to the amount of 30,000.” And again in
the ‘‘ New Statistical Account” of Dumfries-shire (1835, p. 21) it
is stated :—‘‘ At the Fair in February an incredible quantity of
hareskins is purchased. The average number cannot be under
30,000, and one year no less a sum than £6000 is said to have
been paid for that one article.”* These are all the references I can
find in general literature in regard to this once famous trade,
and the following statistics have been compiled from the market
reports in the old files of the Dumfries Courter, kindly placed
at my disposal by the proprietors. Of course these figures have
been prepared entirely from the naturalists’ point of view, but at
the same time, I may express a hope that the compilation may
prove not altogether without interest to others than naturalists.
Now-a-days the fur market is as unknown to the general
populace of Dumfries as if it had never existed, altho’ it survived
until about 1874. For centuries previous to 1848, it was held on
the usual stance in the open street, during the Candlemas Fair,

1 This quotation bears a strong resemblance to the preceding one from
Fleming. Very curiously, my copy of Fleming is the one formerly belonging
to the late*-Mr. Duncan, who wrote the article on Dumfries Parish for the
Statistical Account.

oO
Le)

a ae re: ie
{ ~

Cp. fur-| — 10. _ Tice 4 | ; Fur-!

rier’s dozen. | E: ed. | rier’s lozen.

———

1816 16s 8s to 9s 15S IIS
1819 12s
1820 ‘ 12s
= 1821 D 16s | 14S
oa 1822 48,000 16s to 175
aa 1823 50,000° 148 to 15S
1824 |‘‘less thanusual” 12S 6s
d 1825 €0,000 14S to 15S 4s 6dto 5s 6d
la 1826 12s 5s to 5s 6d 18s to 21s 7s to 7s 6d
1827 48,000 12S 38 6d to 4s 16s
<x 1828 38,400 12S to 14S 18,000 4s 6d
1829 40,000 14s 6d 3s to 5S 400° 16s to 185 | a4 hy 85 to 10s
= 1830 10,000 12S 4000 35 to 4s “few” 18s { oes last) 85 to 10s
; ae 10,000 225 2500 4s 600 226 6 Badgers, 2 Foxes, 36 Cats.
aa s $232 aap oP “a drug in 18s
Q 1833 IIs 6d 5s to 5s 6d | the market ” 14S c few id Ios
= 8 1834 13,258 13S 4667 5s : 12s “limited ”
= 1835 18,000 IIs 3sto4s |‘‘belowaverage”| 14s to1ss | ‘*oneortwo”
f, SS 1836 78 2s to 3s 6d 12S to 13S | ‘*two or three”
x 1837 8000 6s & 6d to 7s ‘almost none” 15S 6a few”
WY) 1838 10,000 5s to 6s Is to 1s 3d “scarce” 14S “ ccarce”
(x) & 1839 4800 ros 6d 1s 6d -tfey.” “ few”
Be 1840 10,000 IOs 16,000 ts 6d "e considerable 248 to 28s | ‘stock small” | 12s to 135 ‘* Badgers 5s to 6s each,
rev 1841 20,000 7500 1s 6d numbers 18s 12S stock small.”
~ SS 1842 23,000 gs 6d to ros 6d \IS 3d to 1s 6d se average :
(1 8&8 1843 20,000 5s to 5s 6d 1s 3d to1s 6d 12s prices”
I 1844 18,000 '5s 6d to 6s 6d | 1s gd to 2s : 12S 6s to gs
= ~ 1845 23,000 5s 6d to 6s 22,000 | 2s to 2s 2d 120 208 10s
8 1846 2s to 2s 6d | rs to 1s 3d
~ a) aS) 1847 4000 1s 3d to 1s 4d 6d to 8d__{‘* small number” 12S ie no otters”
S 1848 “ The once exjtensive fur |market has |\dwindled a |way to nothing.”
a) a 1849 600 1s 6d |
1850 5600 4S 3S
(L, 1851 10,000 3S to 3S 6d 10,000 Is rod to 2s 18s 7S 6d
~ 1852 10,000 4S 10,000 1s 8d to 2s 26s to 30S 8s to 10S
©) N 1853 16,000 5s 3d to5s6d| 10,000 38 3d 28s to 30s 8s to r0s
iS 1854 37,000 4s 6d 35,000 +=|286u to2s tod)‘ getting scarce” 30s 8s to gs
r 1855 35,000 3s 35,000 2s oO. 248 to 26s s to 6s : :
Y 1856 40,000 5s to 58 6d 50,000 3s 6d to 35 od 240 30s to 36s : Boxe a PaeaCas pe Bp E02
) 1857 50,000 6s to 7S 70,000 48 3d to 4s 4d|‘‘ rather scarce” | 42s to 45s 12 Baltontos ” “ af ” = ”
1858 45,000 3s 60,000 2s ‘* very scarce” 18s 6 6s to 7s ” Do pes Se Os
_ 1859 65,000 7S 75,000 4s to 4s 3d 24s to 30s | ‘“‘very scarce” | 8s to ros
Y) 1860 70,000 6s to 6s 6d 100,000 | 3s to 3s 3d 168 | 248 to 30s 7s to 9s
vibe 1861 50,000 6s to 6s 3d 75,000 |3S 3d to 3s 6d|“‘becoming rare | 24s to 30s 8s to 10s
1862 45,000 4s 3d to 4s 6d 2s 4d to 2s 7d] ‘‘no great num-/} 24s to 33s 8s to 10s
— 1863 5s 6d to 5s 9d 3s od ber” 30s to 36s 36 8s to 10s
< 1864 6s 38 gdto 3s10d 30s to 30s 6d 8s to 9s
1865 iSs 3d to 5s 6d 38 to 35 3d 428 “a few” gs to 10s
— 1866 '5s 4d to 58 6d) Pasa 12 36s 6 3s to 6s
Y) 1867 5s 6d to 6s 38 3d to 4s : 42S gs to 10s
1868 5s 68 38 24S to 36s 8s to 11S
1869 5s 3s ‘© No foumart, jotter, or fox |skins on offer.”
1870 4s to 4s 6d | 2s to 2s 3d Do. do. do. |
1871 45,000" 486d | 200,000% |2s 3d to 2s 4d |
1872 | | | | % pn Z
1873 5s gd 388d =| ** No foumart 'skins or ottlers offered now-a-days.” Sues ties sold Dy dealers
| 1874 | 180,000* 5s | 2s 6d | hee heed: | on Wetted during the entire winter. |

o~

The Scottish Naturalst. 99

annually held about the third week in February. From 13848,
the trade almost entirely left the streets, and became centred in
the stores of several large rag merchants and general dealers, and
thereafter instead of all the trading in peltry being done during
the Fair week, furs were bought and sold the whole winter
through.

Many curious items of information about the skin trade, and
the animals which supplied the staple, are contained in the
old reports, and some of these will be mentioned in the notes
that follow the tables. The most prominent features of the
annual fairs have been arranged in a tabulated form: as in that
way, information may be presented in a clearer and more
accessible form. The remarks in these tables marked with
inverted commas are the same words used in the old reports from
whence I have already stated all the materials of the present
sketch have been derived.

The Lurriers' Dozen.—The furriers’ “dozen” consisted of
twelve very best full-sized skins, ora greater number of small-
sized, or secondary quality, or torn skins, so that a ‘“‘ dozen”
sometimes really consisted of twenty or thirty, or more of inferior
skins. The skins were classified into “ whole,” ‘ racks,” and
“light.” The “whole” were good perfect skins, ‘‘ racks ” were
those which had been torn, or were otherwise imperfect; and
“light” were half skins or portions of skins.

Localities supplying the Skins.—An extract from one of the
market reports (Courzer, 1829) will fully explain whence the
furs were derived :—‘‘In addition to skins received by packmen
in exchange for goods in all the parishes of Dumfries-shire, and
the Shire and Stewartry of Galloway, supplies were forwarded
from various counties-—Ayr, Lanark, Peebles, Selkirk, Roxburgh,
Cumberland, and even Northumberland.”

Where they were sent to.—At the annual fairs furriers were in
attendance for the purpose of purchasing supplies from Aberdeen,
Perth, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Greenock, Berwick, Penrith, New-
castle-on-Tyne, Preston, Sheffield, Sunderland, Lancaster, Man-
chester and London. ‘The greater portion of the furs bought were
sent south.

What they were used for.—There is not much information to
be gathered on this point. The great bulk of the hare and rabbit

ICO The Scottish Naturalist.

fur was used up in the manufacture of the tall head gear, once so
indispensable a portion of the daily garb of former generations.
Foumart skins were mostly manufactured into ladies’ boas, and
old wardrobes yet contain specimens of such. There is one of
these old boas of foumart fur in the possession of a member of my
family, and this article has been in existence for over two score
years at anyrate, and probably a good deal more. With regard to
otters there is a very interesting passage in the Courier for Feb-
ruary 21st, 1829 :—‘“ About fifty otter skins were exhibited in all,
which sold from 8s. to ros. each. Most of these were from Galloway,
and the time has been when a Dumfries dealer bought sixty otter
skins from one individual, and then—that is thirty years ago—
(say 180c) the price, in place of 1os. was very nearly three times
that sum. At the period to which we allude, nearly the whole
otter skins, exported to London, were made into purses, highly
ornamented with gold and silver lace, and sent out to Africa as
presents to an endless number of barbarian princes and others,
with whom it was our interest to court an alliance. But after the
decay of the African trade we discontinued exporting purses to
those who no longer assisted in filling our own, and hence the
lessened value of the article in question. Otter skins are now
mixed with those of beavers —just as the fur of an Ayrshire rabbit
serves as a substratuin for the finer material yielded by a crack
Galloway hare.”

Causes of the Decline of the Fur Market.—This was partly caused
by the large increase in the importation of foreign furs, when the
import duties were discontinued, but mainly through the opening
of steam communication with the South. As soon as steamers
began to ply regularly between the Galloway and Dumfriesshire
ports, and Liverpool, great quantities of hares, rabbits, and other
game were forwarded to the latter port, and of course their skins
went with them. It is recorded that early in the winter of 1843,
the s.s. Nithsdale took at one trip from Dumfries to Liverpool
{our tons of hares and rabbits. ‘‘ Twelve tons of game left Kitk-
cudbright in one day; and to the value of £400 weekly from
Kirkcudbright and Wigton” (note by Sir W. Jardine in Jesse’s
Edition of ‘‘ White’s Selborne,” 1851, p. 398). Afterwards railway
communication was completed and swept away the remains of the
fur market. Minor causes of its decay were found in the fact
that about the year 1815, travellers directly representing the great

The Scottish Naturatst. IO!

furriers of the south began to collect the skins at the farm houses,
instead of leaving the local pedlars and dealers to do so, and also
that silk hats shortly after this date began to supersede the older
fashion.

Hares.—It is somewhat saddening from the naturalists’ stand-
point to see in recent years, sincé the Ground Game Act came
into operation, how helplessly the poor hares have succumbed.
The threatened extinction of this valuable animal in the south-
western counties, which seemed so imminent only a short time
ago, has apparently been sensibly checked, but there is small hope
that it will ever again recover its former numbers.

Rabbits.—On the other hand the rabbits seem to be more than
holding their own, and in favourable situations are actually more
numerous than before the passing of the afore-mentioned Act.
But this is rather a digression from the main subject. At our
old fur market in Dumfries the skins of Ayrshire rabbits were
most valued, and always, brought the highest prices. ‘‘ Rabbits
are divided into four kinds, vzz., warreners, parkers, hedgehogs,
and sweethearts. Burrowing underground is favourable, it appears,
to the growth of fur, and the ‘ warrener, though a member of a
subterranean city, is less effeminate than his kindred that roam
more at large. His fur is most esteemed, and after him comes
the ‘parker,’ whose favourite haunt is a gentleman’s pleasure
grounds, where he usually breeds in great numbers, and not in-
frequently drives the hares away. A ‘hedgehog’ is a sort of
vagabond rabbit who travels tinker-like throughout the country,
and wh» would be better clad if he remained at home. ‘Sweet-
hearts ’ are tame rabbits, and their fur, though sleek, is too silky
and soft to be of much use in the important business of hat
making” (Courzer, February 23rd, 1830). In connection with the
rapidly increasing number of rabbit skins, shown by the tables to
have been offered at the annual markets, it may be of interest to
point out that in 1812, Dr. Singer wrote in the ‘ Agricultural
Survey of Dumfries-shire” (p. 384) that ‘‘a few rabbits are to be
found, but hardly worth mentioning. There is no regular
warren.”

Loumarts.—“ Fitches” was the name invariably set down in
the reports for this malodorous quadruped, but this appellation
has gone so much out of use that I have preferred the more
familiar name. Needless to say the beast has practically dis-

102 The Scottish Naturalist.

appeared, but many men—alas! they are old boys now !—-yet tell
how in their youthful days they hunted the polecats for the sake
of the skins, which brought them so much welcome pocket money
at Fair times. I believed at the time I furnished Mr. J. A.
Harvie-Brown with some information about foumarts in this dis-
trict for his articles on the Rarer Animals of Scotland (see
Loologist, 1881, *‘ Polecats,” pp. 165, 166). that they were then
quite extinct. Within the last few years this opinion has been
slightly modified by hearing of stray polecats here and there
throughout the Stewartry. It will be seen that the tabulated
statistics I have given above bring down the records of polecats
in this district a few years later than is given in Mr. Harvie-
Brown’s paper.

Otters.—These animals are still tolerably numerous throughout
our streams, and there is a steady local demand for their skins.
Many a young gamekeeper makes his first advance to his
sweetheart by offering the fair one an otter skin to make a
muff !

Various Skins.—The only miscellaneous skins mentioned as
sold at the fur markets in Dumfries are badgers, foxes, and cats.
It is almost certain the latter were all the domestic animal. Fox
skins were always an illicit article in Dumfries-shire ; those offered
always came, or at all events were said to come, from Galloway,
where foxes still are, as they have always been, vermin, and where
even the county gentlemen pay a reward for their destruction !
Badger skins were never a large item in the fur market-—the
Dumfries folks set too high a value on the live animal to deprive
it of its skin. Dumfries badgers were at one ume in great
demand by our southern neighbours, and were reckoned the
gamest in the kingdom. ‘They were all, however, procured on the
Galloway side of the Nith. In the Stewartry it is believed the
badger still maintains a precarious existence, but in Dumfries-shire
it is doubtful if there is one left, although one was killed at Dals-
winton, near Dumfries, so lately as April 12th, 1887.

103

A PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE BIRDS OF THE
MELROSE DISTRICT.

By A. H. Evans, M.A., F.Z.S.

HILE not pretending to be perfect, this list may, perhaps,
be useful to anyone requiring information about the
birds of the Border country. It includes the whole county of
Roxburgh and portions of those of Selkirk, Peebles, Berwick, and
Northumberland ; while references have purposely been given in
many cases to records of species from places near these parts,
though hardly within the prescribed limits. Many of the details are
‘due to the late Archibald Jerdon of Jedbank, and the late Andrew
Brotherston of Kelso—both extremely accurate and careful ob-
servers—while the valuable notes from Mr. George Bolam of Ber-
wick-on-Tweed, and Mr. W. Boyd of Faldonside, with papers by Mr.
A. Kelly of Lauder, and Mr. J. Thomson of Stobo in the Azstory
of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, have furnished much add1-
tional matter, which would have been otherwise hard to obtain.
I hope at some future time to be able to make additions and
emendations to the present sketch; of the latter I am conscious
many will be found necessary.

Mistletoe Thrush (Zurdus viscivorus). Here, as in other por-
tions of the Borders, this species has extended its breeding range
‘considerably during the last half century. Owing to the severe
winters experienced lately, the number of birds is not at present so
great as usual, but is again on the increase.

Song Thrush (Zurdus musicus). A common resident.

Redwi Turdus ilk Winter visitors in great quan-
eres horus). tity, usually arriving at the end

Fieldfare (Zurdus pilaris). of September

White’s Thrush (Zurdus varius). Mr. Forbes Burn ob-
tained a specimen of this rare thrush at Hardacres in Berwick-
shire in the last week of December, 1876, as recorded in Aisv.
Ber. Nat. Club, viii., p. 518, by the late Andrew Brotherston.

Blackbird (Zurdus merula). Found breeding everywhere.

Ring Ouzel (Zurdus torquatus). In the Melrose district
proper this bird is not seen in the breeding season, its chief nest-
ing-quarters being in that part of Roxburghshire near Yetholm,
where it is common, and in the upper valleys of the Jed and

Ig4 The Scottish Naturalist.

Leader. In the high parts of Selkirk, Peebles and Dumi/ries, in
the opposite direction, it is again met with; and, in short, may be
said to be a plentiful hill-bird throughout the surrounding coun- —
try. Nests are found from April to June.

Wheatear (Saxicola enanthe).. Very common on the higher
Cheviots, and not unfrequently found on the lower hills. It
appears, as a rule, about the beginning of April, and begins to
breed early in May, preferring holes in walls to any other nesting
sites in this countryside, where, indeed, I have not heard of other
positions being used. On the East Coast, it nests in holes in the
ground commonly.

Whinchat (Pratincola rubetra), Not very common in the
neighbourhood, but widely distributed.

Stonechat (Pratincola rubicola). Breeds locally through
Roxburghshire and the neighbouring counties, though I have
never noticed it in large numbers at any spot. It is occasionally
found high up the Cheviot valleys.

Redstart (uticilla phenicurus). Many persons in the dis-
trict consider that this species has increased considerably of late
years, but, in my opinion, the supposed increase is chiefly due to
closer observation. Fifteen years ago or more, the bird was
certainly not uncommon in certain parts, especially in the valleys
of the Cheviots ; and, though many of the nesting-sites were on
the English side of the Border, [ think that a more careful search
would have disclosed an equal number on the Scotch side. At
all events it is now to be found breeding in many places in the
low country of Roxburghshire and the adjoining counties, as at
Faldonside near Melrose, Lauder, and Stobo, as well as high on
the hills. I once found a nest close to Great Cheviot with dis-
tinctly spotted eggs.

Redbreast (7ithacus rubecufa). Common and extending to
the head of the hill valleys.

Whitethroat (Sy/via cinerea). Not a very common bird,
though it breeds in many places.

Lesser Whitethroat (Sy/via curruca). I have only heard
of the occurrence of one specimen of this bird in the counties
on the Eastern Borders, though several observers have recorded
supposed instances. It is not an especially easy bird to distin-
euish at a distance, and until further examples are procured

The Scottish Naturalist. 105

from the neighbourhood, it is better to regard its presence as ex-
ceptional. The above instance was at Berwick-on-T weed.

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla). Though the Blackcap is far
less plentiful near Melrose than it is a hundred miles farther
south, it is found breeding in most places where the surroundings
are really suitable; it is, however, often overlooked, and few
persons distinguish it from the Garden Warbler. At Ormiston,
and other places between Kelso and Jedburgh, as also round
Kelso, it is always to be found, the valleys of the Teviot and
Tweed being well adapted to its habits; but the wild moorland
country, which fills so large a part of the district, affords few op-
portunities for its establishment. An example was taken at Ednam
by the late A. Brotherston, on December 25th, 1865.

Garden Warbler (Sylvia hortensis). Mr. James Hardy,
Secretary of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, considers that he
has established the fact of this bird’s occurrence at Ormiston,
while it visits other parts of the counties of Peebles, Roxburgh,
and Berwick, such as Stobo, Jedburgh and the Kelso country ;
but as the note, nest and eggs are so similar to those of
the Blackcap, further identification is necessary to define its exact
range, and this, it is to be hoped, will be forthcoming, as in May
or June it is easy to observe the birds when incubating. I have
never seen a nest of this species in the district, but only that of the
Blackcap.

Golden-Crested Wren (Regulus cristatus). Frequent
among the spruce fir woods, and, therefore, rarer towards the hills.

Chiffchaff (PAyloscupus rufus). Not so common as the next
species, but, nevertheless, breeds here and there in the larger
woods and shrubberies. In the hill valleys it chooses the planta-
tions in which the trees are highest, but does not reach so far up
the streams as the Wood Warbler, resembling in this respect the
Willow Warbler. The nest is almost invariably raised from the
ground, often in a large fern or low shrub.

Willow Warbler (PAyloscopus trochilus). Sparingly dis-
tributed throughout the low-lying portions of the country, less
common near the hills. It is, however, reported to be common
at Lauder.

Wood Warbler (Pryoscopus sibilatrix). JT am unable to
state the exact distribution of this species at present, but it is very
common in some of the Cheviot valleys, where it frequents small

106 The Scottish Naturalist.

alder plantations ; it is also found breeding at Faldonside near
Melrose, and is common at Jedburgh, Stobo, and Lauder, and
on parts of the Kale Water.

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus phragmitis). Not unfrequent
at such places as the banks of the Tweed between Melrose and
the mouth of the Yarrow, or of the latter river itself, as well as in
small thickets on brooks.

Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella nevia). Though it is
stated in the 4th edition of Yarrell’s History of British Birds that
this bird ‘‘seems to miss the border counties of Berwick and
Roxburgh as well as Selkirk,” it is in reality much more common
in certain portions of the two first counties than in most parts of
Britain. Not only has it occurred and nested in Berwickshire
and as far down the valley of the Tweed as Berwick, but it is
frequently met with during summer throughout the northern part
of Northumberland and thence across the moors to Roxburgh-
shire. On the rough heathery sides of the Cheviots, especially at
an elevation of about 1500 feet, it is here and there plentiful, and
may, no doubt, be found on the other hills of the neighbourhood.

The nest is extremely hard to find upon these hills, where it can
only be placed amongst the moss at the base of tall heather; and
this coupled with the fact that the note of the Sedge Warbler is
usually mistaken for that of this bird—whence reports of its
occurrence are often disbelieved—may, perhaps, account for its
supposed rarity.

Hedge Accentor (Accentor modularis). Common every-
where and often found near solitary shepherds’ houses far up the
hills.

Dipper (Cinclus aguaticus). Very common on all the streams
flowing from the Cheviots, wherever there are suitable rocks or
banks for the nest ; though not much seen on the larger rivers.
Near Selkirk it is less plentiful, but towards the lower part of
the Tweed it is very abundant on the tributary waters. A nest
has been found in January, while the site is not uncommonly a
hole in the ground instead of rocks.

Long-tailed Tit (Acredula rosea). In the spring these birds
are at times extremely common in the woods at Faldonside and
the neighbourhood, as well as at Lauder and elsewhere. The
nest does not seem to have been very often found, though in-
stances have occurred at Duns and just across the Border. ‘This

The Scottish Naturalist. 107

is, no doubt, due to the care with which it is often concealed, and
‘its likeness to its surroundings ; as there is no reason to doubt
the fact that the majority of the individuals seen are breeding.

Great Tit (Parus major). Very common.

Coal Tit (Parus britannicus). In most places this is the most
abundant member of the genus, and it is certainly one of the
characteristic birds of these parts. Nidification takes place ex-
tremely early, and it is possible to find young birds in a consider-
ably advanced stage quite early in May, or even in April in for-
ward. seasons. Most of the birds breed either in holes in
the ground or in stumps very near it, but many nests are placed
under the tiles or in the rough thatch of sheds. But the holes
‘must be dry.

Marsh Tit (Parus palustris). This bird is hardly so plentiful
-as might be expected from the nature of the woodlands. It does
not by any means find the proximity of water necessary, nor yet
does it favour marshes. I have known it breed in the lower Tweed
valley, and in the flat country between this and the hills, while
‘the bird may also be found in the hill regions of the Cheviots
and on the Jed, near Jedburgh. The nest is generally in rotten
‘stumps, often very small, a rather higher position being chosen
than by the Coal Tit.

Blue Tit (Parus ceruleus). Very common everywhere.

Nuthatch (Svtta cesta). Avnest is said by the late A. Brother-
ston of Kelso to have been built in ‘‘a narrow strip of plantation
‘between Houndridge and Harpertoun, near Ednam,” about 1850,
“in a hole in the decaying stump of an oak.” Mr. Brotherston,
quoting from the late R. Gray’s Birds of the West of Scotland,
says that in March, 1857, a specimen was taken at Duns; and on
January 18th, 1877, a female was captured at Jedburgh. [See
wiier. wer. Var. Club, Vil... px5o3% vill., p. 15°75]

Wren (Zroglodytes parvulus). Common everywhere, reaching
to the head of the hill valleys.

White Wagtail (AZotacil/a alba). Not observed nearer than
the border between Berwickshire and Haddington.

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla lugubris). Common on all the
streams, though often found at some distance from them, breed-
ing in ivy-covered walls or on stony banks.

Grey Wagtail (MJotacilla melanope). One of the most
noticeable species of the district, where it is very plentiful, especi-

108 The Scottish Naturalist.

ally on the smaller streams or on rocky parts of those that are
larger. Incubation begins about the end of April, so that it is
one of the early breeders on the rivers; the nest being equally
often among roots projecting from banks, in holes in walls, or on
small ledges of rocks. Unlike the Pied Wagtail, it is seldom
absent from the waterside.

Yellow Wagtail (MJotacil/a raii). While Mr. Pow records
the annual occurrence of this species on the coast of Haddington
in the spring (77st. Ber. Nat. Club, xi., p. 544), it has only been
observed on two occasions, as far as I am aware, in these parts,
7z., at Jedburgh, before 1874, and at Goswick in June, 1878.

Meadow Pipit (Axthus pratensis). Extremely common,
especially on the moors. Nests may be found early and late ;.
and so many in June or later that there can be no doubt that
two broods are reared.

Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis). Not at all uncommon in the
Cheviot valleys, though those on the English side are better
wooded, and therefore more adapted to its requirements than the
Scotch. Nor is it unfrequent on the lower reaches of the ‘Tweed,
from Berwick to Cornhill, at Duns, Lauder, and other-parts of
the adjoining counties. In many places it is doubtless overlooked
by observers unacquainted with the note, as without this it is.
somewhat difficult to determine.

Rock Pipit (Anthus obscurus). Never found inland, and
therefore comes no nearer than the neighbouring parts of the coast.

Golden Oriole (Oriolus galbula). Not recorded from any
place nearer than Belford. [See Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, x., p. 387.-]

Great Grey Shrike (Zanius excubitor). Specimens are not
unfrequently shot at various times of year, two of which are pre-
served in a small collection of local birds at Faldonside near
Melrose, belonging to Mr. W. B. Boyd, while others are recorded
from Bowhill, Lauder, Lochton, and Carham in spring and autumn.
This is the only species which occurs regularly in the neighbour-
hood, though the Red-backed Shrike probably breeds towards the
southern end of the Cheviots, some 50 miles distant, and has
been met with near Berwick-on-Tweed on two occasions. A pair
of “ Ash-coloured Shrikes” were seen on the wall of Fowberry Park
on June 27th, 1872, by Mr. C. H. Cadogan, which he believed to-
be breeding there. [A/és¢. Ber. Nat. Club, vi., p. 301.] |

Waxwing (Amfpelis garrulus). A winter visitor, not uncom-

The Scottish Naturalst. 109

mon in some seasons, such as those of 1868, 1872 (April and
May), 1873 (winter up to February) 1883 (January and February),
and 1884 (January). In the immediate neighbourhood examples
have been procured at Kelso, Stobo, Rodono, and other places.

Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola). A common
summer visitor, breeding in many places.

Pied Flycatcher (Muscicapa atricapilla), Not known to
breed regularly nearer than the centre of Northumberland, where
it is not very rare in the Alnwick district. It is on record that
prior to 1872 a pair were seen to fly out of some ivy at Long-
shaw on Alwen Water in summer which were probably nesting
there ; and at Stobo, in Peebleshire, two pairs did so in 1885,
and were again seen the next year.

Red-breasted Flycatcher (Aluscicapa parva). It is well
known that an example was obtained by Mr. G. Bolam at Berwick-
on-I'weed on October 5th, 1883, but none have been observed
hereabouts. [See “7st. Ber. Nat. Club, x., p. 387.]

Swallow (/irundo rustica). A common summer visitor,
arriving about the first or second week in April, and sometimes
leaving as early as October.

Martin (Chelidon urbica). Not so abundant as might be ex-
pected. Here and there numbers nest, as at Yetholm and on the
railway bridge at Roxburgh ; but the bird appears to be scarcer
than formerly, which, I think, is also the case in most parts of the

eastern Borders. It also occurs in the wild country round St.
Mary’s Loch.

Sand-Martin (Cottle riparia). Not uncommon, breeding
chiefly in sandy*railway embankments. Its arrival is recorded as
early as April 3rd.

Tree Creeper (Certhia familiaris). Avery abundant species
in the Border country, where the woods are well suited to: its
requirements. The nest is found either behind loose sheets of
bark on tree stems, under the tile edgings of the roofs of sheds
and boat-houses, or;in crevices of trunks. A certain preference
is shown for the neighbourhood of water.

Goldfinch (Carduelis elegans). his bird, which undoubtedly
used to be plentiful all along the Border, and mav have bred in
the district, has now become exceedingly scarce. In some places
it has disappeared entirely, in others it has reappeared at intervals.

110 Lhe Scottish Naturattst.

as at Lauder in 1873 and 1874, and on Tweedside in 1875. All
occurrences of late years have been in winter.

Siskin (Cirysomitris spinus). Not uncommon in winter and
early spring, especially in the hill valleys, where it frequents the
small alder plantations for weeks ata time. Mr. John Thomson
states that he has found a nest at Stobo, in Peeblesshire.
[ Ast. Ber. Nat. Club, xi., p. 553.]

Greenfinch (Ligurinus chloris). Common.

House Sparrow (Lasser domesticus). Common.

Tree Sparrow (fasser montanus). Certainly breeds on the
lower reaches of the ‘'weed and along the Northumberland coast.
I believe it will be found to do so near the higher reaches also,
though no record of the nest exists at present for that countryside,
as far as I am aware.

Chaffinch (/7ingilla celebs). Very common, extending far
up the hill valleys. Nests containing eggs with blue ground
colour are not uncommonly found.

Brambling (/7ingilla montifringilla). Common in winter as
a rule, and if anything more so in the hilly country, though not
on the highest hills. ;

Linnet (Linota cannabina). Abundant in gorse covers and
similar places in the breeding season, but by no means common
everywhere.

Lesser Redpoll (Linota rujescens). Occurs at times near
Jedburgh, Lauder, and Stobo, probably also elsewhere. It
may occasionally breed near these parts, but evidence is at present
wanting.

Twite (Linota flavirostris). According to the late A.
Brotherston of Kelso, this species may be found in summer in
the Bizzle ravine on Cheviot. I have never observed it there my-
self; but the spot is very suitable, and I have no doubt that
excellent observer was quite correct in his statement. It is also
said to be found in some numbers at Bowhill in Selkirkshire, and
again at Peebles. This points to a range extending from St.
Mary’s Loch and the Moffat Hills to Berwickshire, where it is
occasionally met with on the Lammermuirs ; but it cannot be
called a common bird in the district, and is decidedly less plenti-
ful than in portions of Yorkshire and other counties farther
south, or even than in the south of Northumberland, at the other
end of the Cheviot range.

The Scottish Naturalist. III

Bullfinch (Pyrrhula europea). Very abundant in winter at
Faldonside and on the Teviot; no doubt it breeds sparingly
throughout the district, as it does also nearer the East Coast. In
1876 it was said to bea recent immigrant at Lauder, where 30
years before it was unknown. .

Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra). A winter visitor, from
September to February, recorded from Lauder in 1859, from Jed-
burgh, Yetholm, and Haddon-rig, as well as Berwickshire generally,
in 1874, and from Stobo in 1873, 1879 and 1883; having no
doubt occurred at intervals between those dates, though details
are wanting, owing to the bird not being considered especially
rare.

Corn Bunting (Z£eriza miliaria). This bird is not rare
in some parts of the country, as for instance at Wooler on the
English side of the Border; on the Scotch side it is less plen-
tiful. It is a local species, and only a few places seem to suit its
habits.

Yellow Bunting (Zméeriza citrinella). Common.

Reed Bunting (Zmleriza scheniclus). Widely distributed,
but nowhere very common.

Snow Bunting (Plectrophanes nivalis). A winter visitant,
common enough as a rule, and in some years very abundant.

Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). About the year 1830 the Star-
ling was not very common on the Border, and was only seen in
many parts in flocks in autumn. Now it is universal and abund-
ant. In the early part of the century it is said to have been almost
unknown in Berwickshire.

Rose-coloured Pastor (Pastor roseus). Apparently not re-
corded from the immediate neighbourhood, though noticed on at
least three occasions between 1833 and 1877 in Northumberland.

Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus). Has never occurred in the
immediate neighbourhood, nor did it ever breed on the hills, as
it does in Wales; but on the East Coast it is well known to have
nested near St. Abb’s Head, as recorded by the late P. J. Selby.
(Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, i., p. 253); one pair remained at that
station in 1850.

Jay (Garrulus glandarius). I find an instance of this bird’s
occurrence recorded from Lauder in 1873, where another example
was seen a short time previously. Before the middle of the cen-
tury it certainly bred in North Northumberland and Berwickshire ;

/

II2 The Scottish Naturaltst.

but there, as in Roxburghshire and the other adjoining counties,
it has been exterminated.

Magpie (/7ca rustica). Decreasing throughout the district
where it was formerly common. It still occasionally breeds with us.

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula). Common, and perhaps more
so nearer the hills, where it nests in rabbit holes on the lower
slopes. An entirely grey specimen was once captured at Faldon-
side, near Melrose.

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone). The Cheviots afford an abund-
ance of quiet and suitable nesting-sites, so that it is not wonderful
that the number of crows to be found there is very great. I have
never seen so many at any other place in Britain. In the low
country they are of course kept down by the keepers, and, there-
fore, only breed sporadically.

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix). Mr. George Bolam of Ber-
wick-on-T'weed records (fist. Ber. Mat. Club, viii., p. 495)
an instance of one of these birds interbreeding with a Carrion Crow
at Skirlnaked near Wooler on the English side of Cheviot ; and in
the more immediate neighbourhood Mr. A. Kelly has noted a
similar case at Lauder. On Mr. Bolam’s authority we also hear
that from 1876 to 1882, or possibly longer, hybrids between this
bird and the Carrion Crow were bred on the cliffs north of
Berwick-on-Tweed, while even in 1834 the same thing happened
at Fowberry near Wooler.

Rook (Corvus frugilegus). Abundant. As Mr. J. Smail, of
Galashiels, has published an exhaustive list of the Border rookeries
in Hist. Ber. Wat. Club, x., pp. 159-184, I may refer to that
periodical readers interested in the subject of the distribution and
habits.

Raven (Corvus corax). One pair still breeds on the Cheviots, ©
and occasionally a second nest has been found at a different
station on that range, where I have seen the nest on most inacces-
sible rock-faces more than once. About 1830 a pair frequented
Ruberslaw, and at West Hope, near Lauder, the bird is reported to
have been then common, though now unknown.

Sky Lark (A/auda arvensis). Abundant throughout the dis-
trict, but said to be decreasing near Jedburgh in 1870.

Wood Lark (4/auda arborza). Never noticed near Melrose.
Selby gives it as an occasional visitant at Twizell in Northumber-
land. [His¢. Ber. Mat. Club, i., p. 258.]

The Scottish Naturalist. Giz,

Shore Lark. Does not seem to leave the coast, where it is
seen frequently.

Swift (Cypselus apus). A very plentiful summer guest, breed-
ing under the thatch of the cottages in villages such as Yetholm, as
well as under tiles where thatch is not obtainable, and in holes in-
side church towers. I have never seen nests made entirely of
glutinous matter, all having a much larger proportion of clean
straw. ‘The return migration usually takes place about the end
of August.

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europeus). This bird may be met with
on most of the rough parts of the country adjoining the hills, though
rarely on the higher hills themselves ; it comes to us in the latter
part of May, and nests soon after its arrival. Woods or thickets
overgrown with bracken, gorse coverts or hills covered with stunted
heather, are its favourite resorts, but even in the cultivated parts
it is sometimes found during summer, an example having been
observed at Faldonside on one occasion for a month, and others
at Roxburgh Moor, Sunlaws, and Stichill.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major). Often
visits the district on migration, in some years in considerable num-
bers. Recorded in 1868, 1886, and 1887,

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus minor). An
instance of the capture of this bird occurred at Embleton in
Northumberland in 1845, and another at Otterburn in Redesdale
prior to 1881. I have never heard of others near these parts.

Green Woodpecker (Gecinus viridis). Though this species
has been known to breed in the south of Northumberland, |
have never known of even a supposed case in this district.
This information may be useful in connection with the bird’s
northward range and its limit.

Wryneck (lynx torquilla). Though well acquainted with this
bird in the South, I have never seen nor heard it in this country
side. As regards its range, it used to breed regularly at Durham,
some 30 years ago—in one spot, while Selby, in 1836, noted it
from Twizell and Lucker in Northumberland, the latter in the
month of September (/7ist. Ber. Nat. Club, i., pp. 110 and 259).

(To be continued.)

114

THE FISHES OF LOCH LOMOND AND ITS
TRIBUTARIES.

By ALFRED Brown.

N submitting a Catalogue of the Fauna of any particular area,

it is perhaps desirable to give a sketch, however slight and

imperfect, of the physical conditions and general surroundings of
the district under review.

The area with which we are at present concerned is that of
Loch Lomond, and the tributary streams which complete its
system ;—a district which, towards its northern boundary, pre-
sents a landscape barren, steep, and rugged in the highest degree,
while in the south it suddenly broadens out into the fertile valleys
and rich fields of the Lennox country. The sharp boundaries be-
tween these extremes, as seen at Balmaha and Rossdhu, appear
to constitute the very gates of the Highlands.

Loch Lomond, then, is a sheet of water some 24 miles long
by about 6 miles broad at its greatest width ; narrow and deep at
its upper or northern end, and rapidly widening and shoaling at
about 9 miles from its lower extremity, where the River Leven, in
a deep and rapid stream, carries its surplus waters to the Clyde,
which it enters at Dumbarton.

The surface of the loch is but little raised above the sea level,
and a subsidence of a few feet would convert it into an arm of the
Clyde Estuary, a condition which, without doubt, existed at a very
recent geological period, as we find—in the cuttings formed
when making drains, and in the clay banks exposed and cut into
by the action of the water—numerous shells of marine bivalves, of
species still living in the adjacent seas, such as JAZytzlus modtolus,
Pecten maximus, Cyprina tslandica, and species of Ze/lina, all of
which are characteristic of our post-tertiary deposits.

So far as I know, no extinct species have been collected from
these clay banks or cuttings ; but one shell, Pecten islandicus,* is
there found which has since retired from British waters, and is
now only recorded from more arctic regions—Norway, Iceland,
Labrador.

I imagine that during the period of elevation which culminated

1 Dr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys obtained this species at depths varying from 80 to

170 fathoms among the Shetland Islands. See Report on Dredging among
the Shetland Isles, Brit. Ass. Report, 1867.—ED.

The Sccttish Naturatsst. ITS

in changing Loch Lomond from a salt to a fresh water loch, there
must have been a very great lapse of time before the physical
features of the loch itself and the surrounding country assumed
their present form, and that during this period a condition of things
existed favourable to the presence and propagation of the many
groups of coarse fishes which flourish in swampy, marshy sur-
roundings.

It is the presence of a considerable assemblage of such fishes
which constitutes the chief distinctive feature of the Loch Lomond
fish-fauna ; and I believe we may search Scotland in vain for a
similar concourse of species; for, as will be seen by the following
catalogue, we here find, besides almost all the accepted species of
true Salmonide known in Britain, and the Coregonus, an aberrant
member of that group, no less than 14 species of coarse fish which
may be considered indigenous, and many of which are rarely met
with in the company of the nobler sporting fishes of the salmon
tribe.

The most notable absentee is the char, a fish inhabiting many
of our Scottish lakes, principally those of an alpine character, and
which one would expect to find amongst the inhabitants of a
deep, cold, clear loch such as that under consideration. It is
probable that the comparatively recent marine condition of Loch
Lomond, and its palustrine rather than alpine connection, is a
sufficient reason for the absence of this fish.

The tributary streams are numerous, and drain an immense
tract of country. Beginning at the head of the loch we have the
Falloch, a stream much frequented by sea trout, but whose upper
waters are cut off by a precipitous fall, quite impassible to fish.
Passing down the Dumbartonshire side we come to the Garabal,
a small stream issuing from a loch of the same name high up
among the hills, which holds brown trout of very excellent quality.
Next is the Sloy water, issuing from Loch Sloy,a lake about a
mile long, lying 4 or 5 miles inland, swarming with brown trout
of small size ; farther down, between Tarbet and Luss, is the
Douglas, a: stream of some size, but, like the Falloch, cut off as a
spawning ground for sea trout bya steep broken fall a short dis-
tance from the mouth. Lower down are the Luss and Fruin,
which rise in the glens of. the same names and afford, during
their entire course of six miles and eight miles respectively, ex-
cellent spawning ground for brown trout, salmon, and sea trout.

!

116 The Scottish Naturalist.

On the Stirlingshire side, except the Snaid which flows from Loch
Arklet, there is no stream save the Endrick, which, with its tribu-
tary, the Blane water, drains a great extent of country, and brings a
large body of water into the loch. Salmon, sea-trout, and brown
trout, are numerous throughout the entire course of the Endrick,
and in the lower reaches pike, perch, roach, and tench, are also
found.

The Leven, which debouches at Balloch, holds all the fish com-
mon to the loch (except, perhaps, the Powan), and, in addition;
there are occasional shoals of Grey Mullet (AZugil Chelo ?) which
come up with the tide as far as Dalquhurn. The extensive pollu-
tion of this river has, however, much impaired its value, both as a
fishing stream, and as a highway for the migratory Salmonidz from
and to the sea.

Loch Lomond is studded with numerous islands of considerable
size and great beauty. These islands have an important bearing
on the presence and abundance of fish, as on their western and
northern sides they are fringed by extensive banks of boulders,
brought down, doubtless, by ice from the western high lands.
Similar deposits and banks of boulders are found all along the
Stirlingshire side of the loch, whilst on the Dumbartonshire side,
and on the eastern and southern faces of the islands, no such
boulders exist ; the only exception being Inch Moin, which is little
more than floating peat, and probably had no existence at the
time the boulders were deposited. These banks are the favourite
resort of the Salmonidee, to the almost entire exclusion of the
coarse fish, which seem to prefer a muddy or sandy bottom.

The visible supply of food for all these fish is very meagre.
There are but few species of mollusca, and these are not numer-
ous in individuals. After careful search I have only obtained 2
Ancylus, 2 Planorbis, a Cyclas, a Succinea, and the ubiquitous
Lymnea peregra. The large Avatina has lately been found on
cleaning out a reservoir at Balmaha, but, so far, has not been
observed in the loch itself.

Besides these mollusca there is a fair supply of small water
beetles, marsh and caddis worms, planarize and entomostraca, but
on the whole the supply does not seem adequate to the mainten-
ance of such a numerous population. .I am inclined to think that
the younger and weaker fish pay a heavy toll to their stronger
neighbours, and make up the deficit in the general commissariat.

The Scottish Naturalist. 117

The following is the Catalogue of these fishes so far as observed
by me :—

Petromyzon fluviatilis, Zzvn/, the River Lamprey.
Stone Fel. Nine eyes.

Very common in the loch, remaining there all the year round,
and ascending the streams in the month of April to deposit their
spawn. When engaged in this operation they assemble in groups
of 20 or 30 individuals of both sexes on the shallow fords,
where they scoop out a redd, or trench, in the gravel, in which
they deposit their spawn promiscuously. ‘The redd is then again
covered up with gravel, and the eggs left to hatch out. This
small species, which seldom exceeds 12 inches in length, or
weighs more than an ounce, attacks and destroys all sorts of fish,
but more especially brown trout and powans, the latter falling
easy victims to its voracity, and they may frequently be seen floating
on the surface of the water with the lamprey attached, its jaws
and head buried in the flesh of its victim.

In, England this fish is sought after as.bait and, occasionally, for
the table; but it is not reckoned of any value with us.

Petromyzon marinus, Zinzé, the Sea Lamprey, or Spotted
Lamprey.

Very scarce in this district. I have not myself seen it, but am
informed by two trustworthy observers that it has been seen in
Luss water upon several occasions ; the description given of the
fish’s appearance and actions putting the verification of the species
beyond a doubt.

Unlike the smaller species, the sea lamprey is migratory,
ascending the rivers from the sea about midsummer, and spawn-
ing in pairs, not gregariously, in July or August.

In England this fish is highly esteemed for the table, and is in
season from December till May. It never appears in the Scotch
markets, as our fishermen look upon it with the utmost disgust
and fear.

Anguilla vulgaris, Zeach, the Sharp-nosed Eel.

This is by far the commoner of the two species frequenting the
loch. The young ascend from the sea as Elvers, about the size
of a darning needle, in the month of May, and we find them up
to all sizes during the whole summer until October, when they
disappear. What becomes of them is not certainly known, but it
is probable that a portion of the mature eels go down at that time

t

118 The Scottish Naturalist.

to the sea, where they spawn in the brackish, water in December,
the young fry being observed in numbers from February onwards
in the tidal waters of the Clyde.

The remainder of the adult eels seem to remain in the loch,
dormant, until the following spring, when they are again found in
plenty by anyone setting lines or traps for them. This remainder
of mature eels probably go down to the sea at the next, or some
future period of migration. No upward migration of large eels
has ever been observed, and the apparent conclusion—or rather
inference—is that when once the eel descends from the fresh water
to his birthplace in the sea he never returns.

Anguilla latirostris, Azsso, the Broad-nosed Eel.

This species has probably much the same habits as its sharp-
nosed congener; it is, however, much scarcer in Loch Lomond,
and grows to a larger size. From what I have learned from those
who angle for eels, and from my own observation, I should say
that the present species sometimes attains a weight of 12 or 14
lbs., whilst the sharp-nose rarely exceeds 5 or 6 lbs. It is seldom,
however, that examples of these sizes are obtained, the tackle in use
for this angling being generally incapable of holding such monsters.

Salmo salar, Zizzé, the Salmon.

' The true salmon frequents the loch the whole year round, being
most plentiful from July till October. A run of large-sized fish
takes place in March or April, but the main run is in July. Grilse
are chiefly obtained from middle of July onwards, but occasion-
ally they make their appearance as early as zoth June. The
largest salmon I have seen taken by rod and line weighed 314
Ibs., but by net I have a note of one which turned the scale at 41
Ibs. ; and I am told on good authority that, about forty years ago,
a fish weighing 52 lbs. Tron weight (equalling about 70 lbs. avoird.)
was taken in the Leven at Dalquhurn. ‘The grilse, as a rule, do
not exceed 6 lbs.

The salmon enter such tributary streams as afford them proper
shelter early in August, and remain there until they have spawned ;
but in the shallower waters, such as the Luss, they do not make
their appearance until December, when they are ripe for spawning,
and return to the loch as soon as that operation is performed.
Kelts, or spent fish, remain in the loch until April. Smolts start
upon their downward migration in early May in great numbers,
and have all passed down to the sea by the first days of June.

The Scottish Naturalest. 119

Until 1890 the entire district had enjoyed an immunity from
the fungoid disease which has been so fatal to the salmonidz in
other parts of Scotland, but in that year the Saprolegnia made its
appearance, though not in a virulent form. I observed about
half-a-dozen cases amongst salmon and trout taken in the nets
belonging to the Duke of Montrose, and the fishermen told me
they had occasionally, in the same year, got a stray fish so affected ;
a circumstance which had never occurred in their previous ex-
perience. The only other fish attacked at this time were the
minnows, which were frequently covered with large snow-white
patches of fungus. It remains to be seen whether this slight
attack will develop into a severe epidemic in the coming years.

Salmo eriox, Zinné, the Grey Trout or Bull Trout. This
species is somewhat scarce, and but little is known of its habits.
It is, however, probable that it does not enter the loch so early as
the true salmon, at least, I have never seen one taken earlier than
August, and I have not been able to get any reliable information
on the subject from the fishermen. ‘The largest example I have
taken, or indeed seen, weighed 94 lbs. Nothing is known as to the
time of spawning, or the migration of the young in this district,
the present species being generally confounded with the true
-salmon or the sea trout.

Salmo trutta, /leming, the Sea Trout. The sea trout is to
be found during the entire year, but there are probably very few
‘clean fish in the loch before the end of April. The heaviest fish
make their appearance in May and June, and a smaller sort from
July onwards. ‘The whitling, or blacknebs, run from the middle
of July until the end of the season, the principal migration being in
August. ‘The sea trout of Loch Lomond are exceptionally large
and fine, running ordinarily up to 4 or 5 lbs., and occasionally up
to 8, 9, and even 14 lbs., a fish of the latter weight having been
taken with rod and line a few years ago. ‘The variations in shape,
proportion, colouring, and marking are infinite, and it is not easy
to tell where Salmo trutta ends and fario begins. ‘The sea trout
enter the tributary streams with the first floods in June, and con-
‘tinue passing up during the whole summer. They do not spawn
until late in October or November, by which time the earlier fish
have pushed their way up to the very head waters of the streams.
After spawning they gradually drop back into the loch, where they
remain for some time, and have not all gone to the sea until the

/

120 The Scottish Naturalst.

early days of May. The smolts are numerous in the loch in April
and May, and have generally all disappeared by the middle of the
latter month.

Salmo fario, Zzzné, the Brown Trout. The common.trout
abounds in the loch and all the tributary streams, and, like the
preceding species, exhibits an infinitude of variation. It occasion-
ally grows to a large size, specimens weighing 84 lbs., 9} lbs., and.
114 lbs., having come under my own observation, but these are
exceeded by a trout weighing 12 lbs., taken at Inversnaid in 1889,.
and one of a like weight at Rossdhu a few years earlier. These
large fish were all taken by anglers with rod and line; trout of 2
to 6 lbs. are by no means scarce, many such being taken. every
year.

A few large fish ascend the streams early in summer along with
the sea trout, and remain in the upper reaches until spawning has
been completed, but the bulk of the brown trout do not visit the
spawning beds until they are about ripe—in October and Novem-
ber—when they enter the streams, remaining only a few days and
then dropping back into the loch, where they speedily recover
their condition.

In addition to the foregoing species of the typical Salmonide, we
may possibly include the Great Lake Trout from Switzerland, and
the Brook Trout from North America, both which species have been
introduced. I do not think, however, that they have thriven ; or,
at least, they have not maintained their identity, as no trace of
them has been seen since they were turned in many years ago.
The so-called Salmo ferox is also said to exist, but I do not think
this variety has ever been taken ; the name fevox being applied to
any ugly overgrown brown trout, whilst the true Sadmo ferox is a
very handsome fish, with a perfectly symmetrical body, smallish
head, and spotted with very large elliptical spots of a deep purple
colour with a yellow halo.

Coregonus clupeoides, Zacéside, the Powan. Fresh-water
Herring. This aberrant member of the Salmonidz frequents the
loch in enormous numbers, and is captured solely by net, only a
few instances being on record in which they have been taken by
fly or bait.

The powan spawns from October to December, and, unlike the
typical Salmonidz, does not enter the streams for that purpose,
but deposits its spawn on stones and gravel in the shallow bays..

The Scottish Naturatsst. 12!

The young powans I have taken in great numbers in small creeks
in the month of July. They were then about two inches long, so
that they probably hatch out about February, z.e., about the same
time as the trout and salmon.

Their food consists, as far as I have been able to ascertain, of
small entomostraca, along with a few minute beetles and small
worms, with which, and a mass of soft green weed, their stomachs
are often quite distended. The powan has a strong smell, some-
what like that of the sparling, and when they float in great shoals
on the surface of the water, as is their custom in summer and
autumn, the surrounding air for a considerable distance is tainted
with their scent.

Owing to their sluggishness, and this habit of lying on the sur-
face of the water, they constitute a favourite food of the larger
gulls and cormorants, and are also ready victims to the pike and
other voracious fishes.

On an average, this handsome fish does not exceed half-a-pound
in weight, but they occasionally attain to as much as two pounds.

Eisox lucius, Zizné, the Pike or Gedd. Common through-
out the whole loch, but chiefly frequenting weedy bays and back-
waters near the mouths of streams. The pike spawns in April,
depositing the ova on sticks and weeds in the shallow waters.
The young are found in late summer about 4 or 5 inches long.
This fish grows to a great size, the heaviest I have seen and can
vouch for, being 24 lbs.; but one came ashore dead a few years
ago near Luss, which was estimated at over 4o lbs.; and Yarrell
records a specimen from this loch weighing 79 lbs. Yarrell does
not give his authority for this monster, but I believe it is recorded
in the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal.

It has been generally assumed that the pike is not indigenous
to this country, but I know of no evidence to warrant such a be-
lhef of greater weight than some old rhymes ; and the very extensive
geographical range of the species tends materially to negative the
assumption.

As is well known, the pike has a bad character for its voracity,.
which, from my own observation and the numerous tales of
anglers and others, I fully believe it deserves; but Mr. David
Robertson has lately endeavoured to show that the pike is physi-
cally incapable of being a very voracious feeder, and adduces
evidence of some weight in support of this view.

i

122 The Scottish Naturalist.

Tinca vulgaris, Cuvier, the Tench. This fish is found only
in the vicinity of the mouth of the River Endrick, and in a small
pond near the Charcoal Works at Balmaha. All the examples
taken from the loch were captured by ground baits, and the
largest which has come under my observation weighed 6 lbs.
This fish is probably scarce, but from its sedentary habits, and its
being only captured by a method of angling now little practised,
we cannot be positive on this point. In England the tench
spawns in June and July, shedding its ova upon weeds and sticks.
It is said that the spawning female is invariably attended by two
males.

Leuciscus rutilus, Zzvné, the Roach or Braize. The
roach is very common in the shallower parts of the loch, in the
upper reaches of the Leven, and in the Endrick. It is a gregari-
ous fish and attains a fair size, the maximum being probably about
2 lbs.

The roach spawns in the loch in June, depositing its eggs on
stones in shallow bays, and it is probable that the young hatch out
very quickly, as I have taken them about 14 inches long in July.

Parnell, however, says that they ascend the streams tributary to
Loch Lomond to spawn, and that in such vast numbers that they
are taken in thousands in baskets and nets by the people inhabit-
ing the banks of these streams. The Rev. David Ure, in a statis-
tical account of the parish of Killearn, corroborates this story as
far as the Endrick is concerned.

I have made diligent inquiry of gamekeepers and villagers, and
others in the Vale of Endrick on this subject, without eliciting any
information ; no one whom I have questioned having ever heard
of such a phenomenon. On the opposite side of the loch, where
I have resided for many years, I am certain that no such
migrations take place, although the roach is as abundant in that
locality as in any other part of the loch.

Leuciscus phoxinus, Z7zzé, the Minnow. This fish is very
abundant, frequenting the loch in large shoals, and the lower
reaches of the streams in lesser numbers. The minnows spawn
in May and June, principally, as I believe, in the loch, depositing
their ova on stones and gravel in the shallow bays. They generally
spawn in pairs or three together (probably two males and one
female), but occasionally I have observed them performing this
function gregariously in common. During the spawning time the

The Scottish Naturalast. 123

male fish assume a dark olive colour on the back, their bellies are
blotched with black and crimson, their lips black, their head
covered with small, pure white, hard tubercules. These males,
after spawning, ascend the streams a short distance, and, assem-
bling in deepish rocky or stony holes, lie together for days in a
solid mass which might readily be mistaken for a bed of weeds, or,
as suggested by Parnell, of water ranunculus just bursting into flower.

After remaining in this condition for a week or so, they gradu-
ally separate, return to the loch, and resume their ordinary ap-
pearance. The female does not change her colour during
spawning, but retains the beautiful, blackish-grey, mottled back and
silvery sides and belly.

Nemachilus barbatula, Zzuné, the Loach or Beardie.
This species, in spite of its proverbial fecundity, appears to have
become very scarce in the locality. Perhaps, however, its exces-
sively shy and retiring disposition may cause us to believe that it
is much scarcer than it really is.

The loach frequents stony ground in shallow water, and 13s
found in some numbers in the pools left by retiring floods. It
spawns in April, produces a large number of ova, is very vora-
-cious, and, notwithstanding its apparently weak powers of swim-
ming and sedentary habits, is at times irritable and restless,
moving rapidly and frequently from place to place.

Pleuronectes flesus, Zzuzze, the Flounder. This species
still frequents the loch, but is, I think, no longer common. It
-ascends the Leven from the sea in summer, and enters the loch,
passing up at least as high as Luss ; but I know nothing whatever
of its habits whilst in the fresh water. Not having taken or seen
-a specimen of the flounder for more than thirty years, and the
statement that it existed in the loch being generally discredited, I
lately caused lines to be set in likely places, and after some days
succeeded in securing two examples, thus proving their continued
presence with us. The flounder chiefly inhabits muddy and sandy
ground in the brackish water of estuaries, where it is said to spawn
in March and April.

Gasterosteus aculeatus, Zizné, the Stickleback, or Bane-
-stickle. The three-spined stickleback is exceedingly abundant
throughout the district, going about in shoals when young, but be-
-coming solitary when adult. They spawn in the loch in May and
June, depositing their ova in holes or crannies in rocks and wood,

124 Lhe Scottish Naturalist.

and sometimes, as I am informed, in regular nests over which the-
male fish is said to mount a careful guard until the eggs are
hatched. It has not been my good fortune to observe either the
nests or the paternal surveillance. |

When these fish live in a confined pond, or small river, the
males at spawning time assume very vivid colours. The throat
becomes bright crimson, the whole body a lively green, and the
eyes flash alternately emerald and fire, whilst the motions and
actions of the little creature itself are savage and warlike in the
extreme. In the broad and ample waters of Loch Lomond, how-
ever, no such change takes place; the fish retain their wonted
appearance, and the males are not to be distinguished from the
females, save by their smaller size and less portly bodies.

This hardy little fish is found throughout the whole kingdom,
and is as much at home in salt as in fresh water.

Gasterosteus spinulosus, /exyzs, the Four-spined Stickle-
back. ‘This species, which may indeed be only an abnormal form
of the preceding, is very scarce, only two examples having come
under my notice. ‘These specimens were taken in July, and al-
though they were along with many hundreds of the common
species, there was no hesitation in picking them out as something
different from the others. ‘They appeared to be intermediate in
shape between aculeatus and pungttius.

Gasterosteus pungitius, Zznné, the Ten-spined Stickleback.
This, the smallest of the genus, occurs sparingly along with the
other species. Its habits are much the same as aculeatus, and it
is probable that it spawns at the same time and in the same
manner as its larger and commoner congener, but I have not had
an opportunity of observing and noting the facts.

Perca fluviatilis, Zé, the Perch. The perch in former
years was exceedingly abundant all over the loch, but it is now
not nearly so numerous, although still found in considerable shoals,
chiefly of small-sized fish.

Occasionally the perch attains a great size, the largest which I
have seen weighing 4} lbs. and 44 lbs., both taken by rod and line
in Loch Lomond.

This fish spawns in April and May, depositing its eggs on weeds
in shallow bays and backwaters, three or four individuals being
generally engaged in spawning together. After spawning, the perch.
quickly recovers its condition, and is quite fit for the table in July

7 125.

NOTES ON THE “CENSUS OF SCOTTISH
MOLLUSCA.”

F, BucHanan Wuirte, M.D., F.L.S., F.E.S.

| R. T. SCOTT’S remarks (in his valuable paper on the

Scottish species of Vertigo) upon the Fifeshire locality
for Vertigo minutissima (Scot. Nat., April, 1891, p. 53) rather tend
to confirm the impression which a perusal of Mr. Roebuck’s
“Census” left upon me. That “Census” is a very valuable and
interesting contribution to our knowledge of the distribution in
Scotland of the Land and Fresh-water Mollusca, but I think that
the author has not made it quite clear that it is a “ Census,” not
of the recorded distribution, but of specimens received as vouchers.
Hence, in the tabulated statement all the old records are neces-
sarily ignored, and, if it alone is consulted, a very erroneous im-
pression of the actual work which has been done amongst the
Scottish Mollusca will be conveyed. In addition to this, doubt
seems to be cast upon the genuineness of previous records, although
I do not believe that Mr. Roebuck intended to do this. In con-
nection with the “‘ Census,” I am sorry that Mr. Roebuck did not
see his way to indicate the distribution in the faunal areas or dis-
tricts, that is, of the natural divisions instead of the artificial
divisions formed by the counties. Since the whole world is now
divided into accepted faunistic areas, and the local faunistic areas
of Scotland are coming more and more into use (See Rev. H. A.
Macpherson’s paper, p. 60), it is retrogression to go back to the
artificial boundaries of the counties. Mr. Roebuck has two or
three objections I think (his paper is not now beside me) to the
use of the natural areas. One is that these are too large. In one
case—that of “‘ Moray” —I have for some time been of his opinion,
but when I first divided Scotland into faunistic areas (Scot. WVat..
vol. I., p. 161, 1872), I did not see my way clearly to sub-divide
it. Another objection is that it is difficult to divide England into
similar areas. This difficulty is, I think, more imaginary than
real. A year or two ago I found that England could be divided
into twelve great divisions. Some of these would require to be
sub-divided, but that is a matter for English naturalists to settle
amongst themselves. It will Aave to be done some day, so the

126 The Scottish Naturalist.

sooner some attempt is made to do it the better. It might be ex-
pedient to have a conference of both English and Scottish
naturalists (botanists as well as zoologists) to discuss the matter of
natural faunistic areas. A third objection is that a special map is
required for the natural districts, whilst any map will show the
county boundaries. But in these days of cheap map production
this objection is not of much importance. On the other hand,
what definition of the county boundaries isto betaken? The old
or the new? ‘The old boundaries are shown in our present maps,
but what about the alterations in several counties made by the
Boundaries’ Commissioners of the Local Government Act? If
these alterations are given effect to in future maps,’ the records of
counties will in some cases be misleading. (To give an example.
I lately found a “station”—not hitherto recorded—for Helix
virgata, beside the River Forth, and just on the boundary be-
tween Perthshire and Clackmannanshire. Now, if that snail had
been included in the ‘‘Census ” of vouchers, it might have ap-
peared in the West Perth—or, as Mr. Roebuck calls it, South
Perth—column. But the Boundary Commissioners have handed
over this outlying bit of Perthshire to some other county, and I
suppose that in future maps it will cease to appear as part of
Perthshire. ) |

In conclusion, I notice that Mr. Roebuck is in doubt as to which
vice-county some of the specimens sent from “near Perth,” be-
long. Moreover, if my memory is not at fault, some of the Perth-
shire localities are placed in the wrong vice-county. It seems a
pity, therefore, that on these points local information was not
asked for. Several Perthshire collectors of Mollusca would, I am
sure, have been pleased to have helped to make the ‘‘ Census”
more perfect, while an examination of the extensive collection of
the local Land and Fresh-water Mollusca in the Perthshire
Natural History Museum would, I think, have been of service to
the census-takers.

1 Just after writing this I noticed the advertisement of a map “‘ showing the
new county boundaries.”

12%

NOTES ON THE AUTHENTICATED COMITAL DIS8-
TRIBUTION OF SCOTTISH LAND AND FRESH-
WATER MOLLUSCA.

By Wm. DENISON ROEBUCK, F.L.S.

I.

N continuation of the “ Census of Scottish Land and Fresh-
Water Mollusca,” which was published recently in the
Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, I propose
to publish from time to time in the Scottish Naturalist, under the
above title, such further notes on the comital range of Scottish
land and fresh-water mollusca as the kindness of Scottish natural-
ists may enable me to, and already I have, through the kindness
of Mr. J. Charles Smith of Penrith, and of the Rev. J. McMurtrie
of Edinburgh, some much-needed additional records to bring
forward, and through the kindness of Mr. Bennie an important
note bearing on the right of Zimncea stagnalis to be regarded as
native in one of its authenticated habitats.

Before giving these, however, it is incumbent upon me to say a
few words in reference to the adverse criticisms of Dr. Buchanan
White which appear on another page. Dr. White not only prunes.
the branches of my tree but he also lays his axe to the root, in
his notes, and I must do what I can to make’ matters clear in
respect to the various points to which he refers. His most im-
portant criticisms are those regarding my adoption of Mr. Cottrell
Watson’s botanical vice-counties instead of Dr. White’s own river-
basin areas, and my confining myself to the authenticated records
of the Conchological Society instead of including all published
records.

With regard to the latter point, 1 had imagined that I had made
myself sufficiently clear in my “Census ” that it simply dealt with
authenticated records. The great advantage of this is, that my
paper, instead of being of unequal value (as printed records in
the mass necessarily must be), is of uniform and equal value
The determination of the species or variety of each of the numer-
ous records I published is exact and reliable, and, therefore,
every record can be quoted with confidence.

No one will imagine fora moment that I doubt the genuire-

128 The Scottish Naturalist.

ness of records made by competent authorities, whoever they are,
but every one will admit that errors of determination are some-
times made in print, and that it would hardly be safe to assume
that because a record is printed it is necessarily correct. We
have, therefore, the very great advantage of reliability of deter-
mination gained by confining the ‘‘Census” to authenticated
records.

With regard to the question of counties versus river-basin areas,
‘we can very readily concede the theoretical superiority of the latter,
and I may here say that having been a subscriber to the Scottish
Naturalist from its beginning under Dr. White’s editorship, I was
much interested in his proposal to divide Scotland into river-
basin areas, and very shortly after it appeared I followed it up for
my own personal use by dividing England, Wales and Ireland
into similar areas, of which I made for the whole of the British
Isles fifty-eight divisions, including Dr. White’s Scottish ones. 1
then tabulated the recorded distribution of British Aculeate
Hymenoptera, so that I may fairly claim to have given Dr. White’s
system a fair and sympathetic trial. I found, however, that the
divisions were neither small enough nor numerous enough.
Shortly afterwards the Conchological Society was founded, and
the authentication system instituted. The whole question was
then gone into, and the practical difficulties of subdividing the
natural river-basins, their inequality when not subdivided, and
the necessity of the areas being more numerous, turned the scale
in favour of the Watsonian system of counties and vice-counties,
in spite of our natural leaning in favour of a system based on the
physical features of the country. The question of maps, too, which
Dr. White considers of so little importance, is really a very great
difficulty. It would have been impossible for me, personally, to
publish a special map, which must necessarily be on a fairly large
and detailed scale, and to have it disseminated sufficiently widely ;
whereas, on the contrary, the boundaries of counties are shown
in nearly every map and known with accuracy, while their sub-
divisions can be indicated without difficulty. So far as concerns
the Boundary Commissioners, if I understand Dr. White rightly,
their work would seem to have been further advanced in Scotland
than here in England. Various changes in the boundaries of my
own native county of York have long ago been recommended by
them, but the recommendations seem already to have fallen into

The Scottish Naturalist: 129

oblivion, without any attempt being made to give them legislative
effect. It therefore seems to me premature to consider whether we
adopt any other than the present definitions of counties.

Iam glad to note Dr. White’s reference to the willingness of
Perthshire collectors to assist in making the “ Census ” more per-
fect, and also to the valuable source of information afforded by the
- Perthshire Natural History Museum; and I need hardly say that I
shall be delighted if Perthshire collectors would act in accordance
with Dr. White’s statement, and forward specimens to the Concho-
logical Societyat Leeds for authentication, carefully stating the exact
locality and the particular division of Perthshire from which each
set of specimens comes. I have placed the “near Perth” records
under the vice-county in which the sender informed me he had
collected the specimens; but there are some cases in which I was
unable to obtain the desired particulars, and these have been sub-
ject to the rule that the record must be placed on the same side of
the boundary line as the town itself, and it is these latter records
that require confirmation.

I hope that I may be able to induce Scottish naturalists gener-
ally to do their utmost to assist us to complete the task of record-
ing and authenticating the comital distribution, by sending
examples to the Conchological Society of anything which will
serve to fill up a blank in the tables of distribution appended to
my paper, a copy of which table I will gladly send to any one
who is desirous of helping in the work.

I have now to say that I wish to enlist the assistance of Scottish
naturalists in another direction. I have never lost sight of the
printed records, have diligently collected them wherever I met
with them, and have in preparation a Bibliography of published
records of Scottish Land and Fresh-Water Mollusca, to be printed
at some future time. If, therefore, my friends will kindly draw
my attention to any records that have appeared in print, and will
assist me to make the Bibliography complete, they will confer upon
me a great obligation. The Bibliography, when published, will
then form the necessary supplement to the “Census,” and will
clear me wholly from any suspicion of ignoring published
records.

The Introduction of Limnzea Stagnalis into
Lanarkshire.—It is always to me a matter of gratification

to be able to correct errors, and 1 am much indebted to Mr.
I

130 The Scottish Naturalist.

James Bennie, of the Geological Survey of Scotland, for some
valuable information as to the introduction of this fine and con-
spicuous species into one of the three stations given for it in my
“Census.” In that paper I give it for ‘‘ Lanark.—Old Quarry at
Possil by Glasgow (T. Scott; A. Somerville.)” Immediately
the paper appeared I received a letter from Mr. Bennie giving the
history of this occurrence, and forwarding me copy of a letter
from Mr. Wm. Newton MacCarthy of Glasgow.

It would appear that nearly thirty years ago the late Mr.
George Combe, heating engineer, of Glasgow, brought from
England a large number of JZ. stagnalis for Mr. MacCarthy’s
aquarium, so large a number that when the aquarium was stocked
Mr. MacCarthy, and a few other members of the Glasgow Natural
History Society, took them to Possil Marsh and threw them into
the quarry and into the deepest drains of the Marsh. Some years
afterwards specimens were obtained by collectors, but it is so
many years since Mr. MacCarthy visited the marsh that he does
not know if any are to be obtained now. ‘The introduction was
made by Messrs. Coutts, Mahony, Newstead, MacCarthy and
Combe, and the day must have been a holiday (New Year’s Day,
Mr. Bennie thinks), as Mr. Mahony had no other days for his
outings. Mr. MacCarthy suggests that this shell has in a similar
manner been introduced into its other Scottish stations, and Mr.
Bennie adds that it was the belief of the introducers that the Z.
stagnalis was at that time exclusively English in its range, and
that they were doing a patriotic act in introducing so handsome a
species into Scotland. Mr. MacCarthy’s supposition is probably
correct, and I hope that the full history of the Hawick and Aber-
lady occurrences, should they have been originally introduced,
may be forthcoming. Nevertheless, it is to be noted that the
published records of the species in Scotland date back to 1836
(Gulane Loch) and 1833 (pond in Botanic Garden, Edinburgh,
E. Forbes), so that the difficulty is increased by the lack of full
evidence. There are also Berwickshire and Northumberland
records given in 1838 in Dr. Johnston’s Berwickshire list.

It is very much to be wished that careful record should invari-
ably be made of introductions of species into new districts, in
which case we can entertain no particular objection to the practice.

Banffshire Mollusca.—For the very few Banffshire records
given in the ‘‘Census” I was indebted to Mr. Lionel W. Hinx-

The Scottish Naturalist. 131

man, of the Geological Survey of Scotland, who sent me a number
of species from Tomintoul. I have since received from Mr. J.
Charles Smith, of Penrith, a number of shells collected by him at
Aberlour. They are: Vitrina pellucida, Zonites alliarius and var.
viridula, Z. nitidulus, *Z. purus var. margaritacea, *Z. fulvus, Z.
crystallinus var. contracta, Helix arbustorum, *Vertigo edentula,
Clausilia rugosa, Zua lubrica, and, from the River Spey, Banff, * Unto
margaritifer and *Anodonta cygnea. Of these, the five marked
with the asterisk are additional to the list given in my “Census,”
and raise the number of authenticated Banffshire species from
19 to 24.

I may add that Mr. Smith has most kindly presented the speci-
mens to the Conchological Society, which body is making a series
of county collections, and will be pleased to have any amount of
-assistance in this direction.

Shells of North Ebudes.—The Rev. J. McMurtrie, M.A.,
D.D., of Edinburgh, has recently forwarded for the Conchological
Society’s collections a fine series of the Shells of the Island of
Figg, illustrative of an excellent paper which he has sent to be
read before the Society, giving full details of the relative abun-
dance or scarcity, etc., and which will be in due time printed in the
Society’s organ, the “Journal of Conchology.” I will not antici-
pate this further than to say that the collection includes examples
of 29 species, of which no less than the following 20 are new to
the vice-county of North Ebudes, and raise its authenticated
fauna to 31 species: Avion ater, A. subfuscus, Limax arborum,
Zonites cellartus, Z. alliarius, Z. purus, Z. radtatulus, Z. crystallinus,
Z. fulvus, Helix aspersa, 1. nemoralis, H. hortensis, H. arbus-
torum, H. sericea, H. fusca, H. ericetorum, Pupa ringens, P. umbtlt-
cata, Clausilia rugosa, and Zua lubrica. The example set by Mr.
Smith and Mr. McMurtrie is one which I hope will have many
imitators, and I shall be only too pleased to have the opportunity
of sending to the Scottish Naturalist a regular succession of notes
under this heading. The counties from which records are most
desired are the following: South Ebudes, Shetland Islands, North
Aberdeen, Orkney, Hebrides, West Ross, Mid Ebudes, Wester-
ness, from none of which have we had the opportunity of authen-
ticating more than a score of species ; while in the South I may
name Dumfriesshire and Wigtonshire as areas from which we
have seen but very little more.

132

LIST OF PLANTS SEEN IN THE VALLEY OF
BRABMAR AND ON MORRONE (Continued ).

By Pror. C. C. Basincton, M.A., F.R.S.

GHERANIACEZ.
Geranium sanguineum Jinn. Dickie found this at
Castleton. I have not seen it there.
G. sylvaticum Linn. Common.
G. dissectum Jinn. Castleton.
G. Robertianum Zinn. Common.

| OXALIDACE.
Oxalis Acetosella Zinn. Common.

LINACEL.
Linum catharticum Zinn. Common.

LEGUMINOS 24. |

Ulex europzus Jinn. A few weak plants at Castleton
which lies at its highest limit of growth.

Genista anglica Zinn. Common, but usually quite prostrate.

Sarothamnus scoparius Koch. Very rare about Castleton.
- [A prostrate variety grows at a high level on Ben-a-Bourd, W.]}

Trifolium pratense Zinn. A doubtful native in Braemar.

T. medium Huds. Not common.

T. hybridum Zinn. Naturalised in fields from cultivation.

T. repens Zinn. Common.

Lotus corniculatus Zinn. Common.

[Astragalus alpinus Linn. The late Prof. Balfour and I
found this on Little Craig-an-dal in 1842. I have not been there
since. |

Vicia Cracca Zinn. Common.

V. sepium Zinn. Common.

V. sylvatica Zinn. Dr. Dickie found this in Braemar. I
have not seen it. (In a hollow on the Carr Rocks, &. 7. W.)

Lathyrus pratensis Zinn. Rare.

L. macrorrhizus Wimm. Common.

ROSACEZ,
Prunus Padus Linn. By the rivers at Castleton.

The Scottish Naturalist, 133

Spireea Ulmaria Zinn. Common.

Alchemilla vulgaris Zinn. Common.

A. alpina Jinn. Very common.

A. arvensis Zinn. Rare.

Potentilla Anserina Zinn. Not very common.

P. maculata Pourr. (P. alpestris of Dickie). I did not recog-
nise this; but Dickie records it as found at Corriemulzie, Craig
Koynach, Carr Rocks, and Glen Callater. (Abundant on the
turf behind Tomantoul farmhouse and west of it, W. Between
Morrone and Chapel Brae, 7’)

_ P. Tormentilla Zinn. Common.

P, procumbens Szbth. Common.

Comarum palustre Zinn. Common in wet marshes.

Fragaria vesca Linn. Carr Rocks.

Rubus Idzus Linn. Common.

R. suberectus Anders. The late Prof. Macgillivray thought
that he had found this at Castleton; but I fear that he was
mistaken.

R. nitidus (by which I suppose R. Lindleianus Lees was in-
tended), is also erroneously, as I believe, recorded by Prof.
Macgillivray. (Castleton appears to be above the range of the
true fruticose Rubi.)

R. saxatilis Zinn. Not uncommon on Morrone.

R. Chamzemorus Linn. Common on the wetter parts of :
Morrone.

Geum rivale Zinn. Not uncommon.

Rosa spinosissima Zinn. Rare.

R. Sabini W. Glen Clunie.

R. Doniana Woods. Prof. Macgillivray found this by the
Linn of Quoich.

R. mollis Sm. Common.

R. tomentosa Sm. Common.

R. inodora fr. Is recorded by Prof. Macgillivray as between
Banchory and Castleton ; but I have not recognised it there.

R. canina Zinn. Mr. Baker names my specimens from
Castleton, &. verticillacantha Mérat ; subcristata Baker, coriifolia
Fr., and Watsoni Baker.

(It is manifest that the Roses require more attention, and at an
earlier season, than I have been able to give to them.)

Pyrus Aucuparia Zinn. Common.

134. | The Scottish Naturalist.

ONAGRACEZ,

Epilobium angustifolium Zinn. Rare in damp places,.
such as Cotriemulzie.

E. montanum Zinn. Common.

E. tetragonum Zinn. Is recorded; but I have not seen it.

E. palustre Zinn. Bogs and wet ditches, not very common.

E. alsinifolium Vill. On Morrone. Recorded from the-
Carr Rocks.

E. alpinum Zinn. By streams high up on Morrone.

Circgea alpina Zinn. Mr. Barron found this at Castleton.

HALORAGACE.
(Hippuris vulgaris Z. [think I have seen this in a pool
petween the road and the river west of the village, W.)
Myriophyllum alternifolium D.C. In the River Dee,
Loch Callater, and other places. This is the only species ob-
served by me in Braemar. (It is the only one observed by us with
certainty in Aberdeenshire, &. 7.)

PORTULACE.
Montia fontana Zinn. Common in streams.

CRASSULACE.
(Sedum villosum 4. In a marshy spot by a streamlet in
Auchindryne, a short distance west of the Fife Arms Hotel, RB.)

SAXIFRAGACEHA.
Saxifraga stellaris Zinn. Morrone.
S. aizoides Zinn. Very common.
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Zinn. By streams.
C. alternifolium Zinn. Is recorded by Prof. Macgillivray
as growing at Corriemulzie. (I gathered it there in April, 1890, 7.)

UMBELLIFERZ.
Sanicula europza Linn. Woods on Morrone.
Carum flexuosum Fr. Common.
Pimpinella Saxifraga Zinn. Common.
Meum Athamanticum Jac. By the rivers.
Angelica sylvestris Zinn. Common.
Heracleum Sphondylium Zinn. Common.
Daucus Carota Linn. Very rare amongst crops.
Chzerophyllum sylvestre Zinn. Castleton.

The Scottish Naturalist. 135

Myrrhis Odorata Scop. Very rare; an escape from cultiva-
tion.

Scandix Pecten-Veneris Zinn. A few specimens were
found on the thatch of a house.

CORNACEZ.
Cornus suecica Zinn. Common in the Morrone woods.

CAPRIFOLIACE.
Sambucus niger Zinn. Very rare, and apparently not native.
Lonicera Periclymenum Zinn. Dr. Dickie found this on
Craig Koynach, and Prof. Macgillivray at Corriemulzie. I did
not see it.
Linnea borealis Gronov. On the Carr Rocks (“ Ben Beck”
is probably the same place), and near Invercauld Bridge.

RUBIACEL.
Galium boreale Zinn. Common.
G. Verum Linn. Common.
G. mollugo Linn. Near the Manse.
G. saxatile Zinn. Common.
G. palustre Linn. Castleton.
Asperula odorata Linn. Carr Rocks, and Corriemulzie.

VALERIANACEE.
Valeriana officinalis Zinn. Common.

DIPIACEA..
Scabiosa Succisa Zinn. Common.

COMPOSITA.

Tussilago Farfara Zinn. Common.

Bellis perennis Zinn. Common.

Solidago Virga-aurea Zinn. Rather common, especially in
its form cambrica.

Antennaria dioica R. Br. Morrone.

Gnaphalium sylvaticum Zinn. Morrone.

Gn. norvegicum Gunn. I have what appears to be this
from Morrone.

Achillea Millefolium Zinn. Not common.

A. Ptarmica Zinn. Not common.

Chrysanthemum segetum Zinn. On cultivated land, rare.

Ch. Leucanthemum Zinn. Common.

1 36 The Scottish Naturalist.

Matricaria inodora Zinn. Common.

Artemisia vulgaris Zinn. Common.

Tanacetum vulgare Zinn. About Castleton, only as an
escape from cultivation, but quite established beside the Clunie.

Senecio vulgaris Zinn. Common.

S. sylvaticus Zinn. Castleton.

S. dacobzeea Zinn. Common.

Carduus crispus Zinn. Castleton.

C. lanceolatus Zinn. Castleton.

C. palustris Zinn. Castleton.

C. heterophyllus Zinn. By the rivers.

C. arvensis Curt. Castleton.

Saussurea alpina Decand. Glen Callater.

Centaurea nigra Zinn. Castleton.

C. Cyanus Linn. Cultivated land.

Lapsana communis Zinn. Castleton.

Hypocheeris radicata Zinn. Common.

Leontodon autumnalis Zinn. Common.

Taraxacum Officinale Web. Common, (Var. erythro- .
spermum, roadsides west of the village, W.7’.)

Sonchus arvensis Zinn. Castleton.

Crepis hieracioides W.dé K. On a rocky mound by the
Clunie at Castleton.

C. paludosa Mench. Castleton and Corriemulzie.

Hieracium Pilosella Zinn. Common.
.anglicum fr. By the rivers.
.iricum Fr. Castleton.
. vulgatum Fr. Common.
. prenanthoides Zinn. By the Clunie at Corriemulzie.
. crocatum Fr. By the Clunie.
.auratum fr. By the Clunie.
.cessium Finn. Castleton. Is this the ‘‘H. murorum”
of Dickie ?

H. boreale Fr. This is doubtful. I did not see it. Croall
issued H. prenanthoides under this name.

Tom tm tt

RECORD OF SCOTTISH PLANTS FOR 1890,
ADDITIONAL TO “TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY.”
Ed. 2.

Continued.

By ARTHUR BENNETT, F.L.S.

86. Stirling.
(From specimens sent by Col. /. S. Stirling and R. Kidston.)

Ranunculus hirsutus.
Meconopsis cambrica. ¢
Cochlearia officinlis. 4. Croadd.
Nasturtium sylvestre.t
Draba muralis.t
Sisymbrium Sophia.t
Sinapis tenuifolia.t
Thlaspi arvense.t+
Cakile maritima.
Silene anglica.t :
Cerastium arvense. Macdougat.
Sagina maritima.
S. apetala.
Spergularia rubra.
Hypericum Androseemum.
Malva rotundifolia.
Tilia vulgaris.t
Acer Pseudo-platanus. ¢
Melilotus alba.t
Trifolium arvense.t+
Vicia angustifolia.
Potentilla alpestris.
Rosa tomentosa.
Alchemilla vulgaris.
Pyrus Malus.
Circza alpina.
C. intermedia.
Epilobium anagallidifolium,
Lythrum Salicaria.
Ribes alpinum.

The Scottish Naturalist.

Viburnum Opulus.

V. Lantana.
Helosciadium inundatum.
Peucedanum Ostruthium.t <A. Croad/.
Carum verticillatum.
Daucus Carota.

Knautia arvensis.
Arctium intermedium.
Carduus setosus.t
Bidens tripartitus.
Tragopogon eu-pratensis.
Hieracium umbellatum.

ie fs auratum Fr.
Pedicularis palustris.
Verbascum nigrum.t
Veronica Anagallis.
Solanum nigrum.t
Mentha alopecuroides.t
Ballota nigra,+
Myosotis sylvatica.
Atriplex deltoidea.

A. (patula) erecta
Rumex conglomeratus.

R. —nemorosus.
Ulmus campestris.t
Ceratophyllum demersum.
Pinus sylvestris. t ?

Orchis incarnata.
Potamogeton obtusifolius.

FP: pusillus.

Pe Friesii, ‘‘ mucronatus. |
Sparganium ramosum.

S. minimum.

Juncus trifidus.
Scirpus lacustris.
S. maritimus.
Carex dioica.
Coy irises
C. acuta, v. gracilis Almq
C. levigata.

The Scottish Naturalist. 139

Milium effusum.
Catabrosa aquatica.
Sclerochloa distans.
Ss maritima.
Festuca rubra.
Hordeum murinum.

87. Perth, W.
Saxifraga sponhemica,
Salix phylicifolia, Marshall & Hanbury.
Carex vaginata,

88. Perth, Mid.

‘‘ Rosa agrestis, inodora,” Mr. Druce says that Crepin has
determined this to be a fomentosa form.

Saxifraga groenlandica, Druce, J. B., 90, p. 42.

Salix viridis Fr., ; DeFRIB ~ White.

S. undulata,

Poa nemoralis, fide Hackel “3000 ft. on Lawers,” P.

Ewing, 1400 ft. higher than on record previously.

89. Perth, E.
Rubus villicaulis, Marshall & Hanbury.
Hieracium holosericeum, P. Lwing ex. Hanbury.
in Farrense Hanb., JZessrs. Linton, J. B., 1890, p.
167.
Salix undulata, Dr. #: B. White.

go. Forfar.
Hieracium umbellatum, Messrs Linton, J. B. 1890, p. 167.

92. Aberdeen, S.

Salix undulata, coll. Zraz/, fide # B. White (Linn. Soe.
Journ.)

93. Aberdeen, N.
(Recorded by Prof. Traz?, Scot. Nat., 1890, p. 366.)
Lepigonum rupestre Kindb.
Carduus setosus.

C. _tenuiflorus Curt.
95. Elgin.

Callitriche platycarpa.

140 The Scottish Naturalist.

96. Kasterness.
(By Mr. Druce, J. B., 1890, pp. 40-42.)
Fumaria densiflora.
Rubus pyramidalis Kaltenb.
Lythrum Salicaria.
Serratula tinctoria.t ?
Arctium intermedium.
Aster tripolium.
Primula veris.
Atriplex erecta.
Quercus sessiflora.
Agrostis nigra.
Poa Balfourii.
Glyceria maritima (Nairn).
Triticum junceum (Nairn).

97. Westerness.

(From specimens sent by M/r. S. Mf. Macvtcar.)
Ranunculus Ficaria.
Nuphar intermedium.
Corydalis claviculata.
Arabis Thaliana.
Viola Curtisii (slight doubt).
Honckenya peploides.
Arenaria trinervia.

yt serpyllifolia.
Cerastium tetrandrum.
Erodium cicutarium.
Geranium dissectum.
Trifolium minus.
Vicia hirsuta.t ?

V. Orobus.
Epilobium tetragonum.
Circeea alpina ?
Myriophyllum alterniflorum.
Sedum acre.
Hydrocotyle vulgaris.
Sherardia arvensis.t
Sonchus asper (form).
Eupatorium cannabinum.

The Scottish Naturaitst. 141

Erythrea Centaurium.
E. littoralis.
Veronica Beccabunga.
Orobanche rubra.
Stachys ambigua.
Lycopus arvensis. f
Anagallis tenella.
Salicornia herbacea. A. Somerville, 1885.
Cephalanthera ensifolia.
Orchis majalis.
Juncus maritimus.
J. Kochii.

ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.

Note on Pupa concinna.—In the Scottish Naturalist for April, Mr.
Thos. Scott gives a description and figure of a supposed new species of Vertigo,
proposed to be called V. concinna. It is to be noted that long ago Lowe
described a species from Madeira as Pupa concimna, and as most authors
seem now agreed that Vertzgo is but a sub-genus of Pupa, it appears that Mr.
Scott’s name for the new shell cannot stand.
T. D. A. COCKERELL,
3 Fairfax Road, Bedford Park,
London, May 28th, 1891.

Note on Vertigo concinna—Scott.—In my paper on ‘‘ The Scotch
Species of the Molluscan genus Vertigo,” in the last issue of the Scottish
Naturalist, I proposed Vertigo concinna as a provisional name for what appears
to be an undescribed species from a post-tertiary marl at Kirkland, Leven,
Fifeshire. Mr. T. D. A. Cockerell points out in the present issue of the
Scottish Naturalist, that Lowe has described a Pupa from Madeira as Pupa
concinna ; this I was unaware of, and as there is a tendency among recent
authors to consider Vertigo as a sub-genus of Pupa (see preliminary remarks,
p. 2. of my paper), I have decided, in order to avoid possible duplication, to
change Vertigo concinna to Vertigo levenensis.

THOMAS ScoTT, F.L.S.

Abundance of Thrushes in Scotland.—During the past spring one
of the most striking features of the bird life in the Scottish Midlands has been
the great flocks of Thrushes which have visited us. While our English neighbours

142 The Scottish Naturalist.

have been noting their scarcity or absence, we have had a population far ex-
ceeding our normal one. My observations have been made mainly in
Stirlingshire, but Mr. Harvie- Browninforms methat he has lately noticed the same
phenomenon in Aberdeenshire. The species which has received the greatest
increase has distinctly been the Song-Thrush, which has been at least twenty-
fold more common than in ordinary years, but the Missel-Thrush has also
occurred in very much larger numbers than usual. The Redwing and Field-
fare also appeared to be more numerous than during the past few winters.
There was, however, little or no apparent increase in the number of Blackbirds.
There can be no doubt but that the extremely severe weather experienced in
the south of England during the late winter and spring, compared with the
mildness of the same seasons in Scotland, is the chief explanation of these
occurrences. The most delicate species, the Song-Thrush, has been almost
completely banished from the inhospitable South, and nearly the same has
obtained with the Missel-Thrush, while the more hardy Blackbird has been
able to withstand the inclement season. I observed the reverse of the present
distribution in the spring of 1882, when, in Stirlingshire, I did not come across
a single Song-Thrush, the effect of the severe winters of 1879-80, but going to
England I found them in great abundance.

Falkirk.
G. Lgsrim:

REVIEWS.

Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Islands.
Issued by LorpD LILFORD, F.L.S., etc., President of the British Orni-
thologists’ Union. London: R. H. Porter, 18 Princes Street, Caven-
dish Square.

We note with much pleasure that a second edition of this splendid and
much-needed work has been called for, when scarcely one half of the parts
forming the original edition have been issued. That such should be the
case, is indeed a remarkable as well as a most significant fact. Those who
are familiar with the literature of British Birds are aware that apart from
Gould’s costly book all the works devoted to the subject are either inade-
quately or feebly illustrated, and the object of Lord Lilford’s ‘* Illustra-
tions” is to supply this want. This it does most admirably ; indeed it is not
too much to claim for the pictures, as a whole, that they are without
rivals. The second edition is limited to four hundred copies.

The Honey Bee: Its Natural History, Anatomy, and Physiology. By
T. W. Cowan, F.L.S., F.G.S., ete. London: Houlston & Sons.

This little book, though it treats on what may be considered by some as a
much bewritten subject, is nevertheless a very welcome one, bringing as it

The Scottish Naturalist. 143

-does the information on which it treats down to date, besides containing some
original matter. Much has been contributed recently to the more perfect
knowledge of the Natural History of the Bee, but this has not been put together
and presented to the publicinaconvenient form. Most of the illustrations—and
there are many—are quite new; and the subject-matter is treated of in a
thoroughly systematic manner. We have formed a very high opinion of the
book, and can thoroughly recommend it to all who desire to possess the best
account of the Honey Bee. The price of the book, 2s.6d., places it within the
reach of all.

Die Vogelwarte Helgoland, Von Heinrich Gitke. —Ornithologists
throughout the world, and especially the students of Migration, will give a
cordial welcome to Herr Gatke’s work entitled ‘‘ Die Vogelwarte Helgoland,”
which, in an exceedingly handsome form, has just been issued by Joh.
Heinr. Meyer, Braunschweig. After reading it one is almost forced to
the conclusion that it constitutes the most important contribution to orni-
thology which has appeared for many years. It is edited by Professor Rudolf
Blasius, who, with questionable taste, has dedicated this eminently Gatkian
Volume to Johann Blasius, his father. Ina short preface the author narrates
the circumstances which led him to the study of the birds of Heligoland, how
as a marine painter he came to reside on the island, and how the extreme
ornithological richness of the locality forced itself upon his attention. The
book begins with a series of chapters on Migration, the first being a general
sketch of the distribution of birds in Heligoland from January to December, a
charmingly written paper in which Herr Gatke clearly demonstrates that the
brush is not the only instrument he uses with pictorial effect. The following
chapters are ‘* On the Direction of Flight,” ‘* On the Altitude of Flight,” ‘* On
the Speed of Flight,” ‘* On the Meteorological Relations of Migration,” ‘‘ On
Migration in Relation to Age and Sex,” ‘‘On Exceptional Occurrences,”’
“What Guides the Migrating Bird,” and the ‘‘ Causes of Migration.” The
second part of the book‘consists of a paper, ‘‘ On the Change of Colour of Birds
without Moulting,” and the third part gives a description of the occurrence of
the 396 birds which have been observed in Heligoland. This last division,
which forms the greater bulk of the volume, will be found to be of extreme in-
terest, and its importance to the students of British ornithology cannot well be
over estimated. Herr Gatke’s admirable work is one which will be studied by
all who profess acquaintance with birds, and its appearance in English transla-
tion will be awaited with impatience. Gark.

An Introduction to the Study of Mammals Living and
Extinct. By W. H. Flower, C.B., F.R.S., &c., and R. LYDDEKAR.
London : Messrs. Black, 1891.

The advent of this work has been waited for with muck interest, not simply
as the product of one possessed of such special qualifications for the task as
Professor Flower, but more perhaps as the jozw¢ product of zoologist and
paleontologist. Strange indeed it seems that such a natural union (of fellow
labourers in a common field, for such is really the case) should be an event of

144 The Scottish Naturalist.

rare occurrence, but it is so, and any effort to remove the barrier which has
hitherto existed between Biology and Palzontology is, in our opinion, worthy
all praise. From this point of view, the work is a most useful one, and we
congratulate the authors upon the outcome of their labours.

The work is at once recognised as an expansion of the numerous contribu-
tions (especially the admirable article on ‘‘ Mammalia”) to the Eucyclopedia
Britannica by the senior author.

Chapter I. deals with a general definition of the Mammalia, the limits and
connections of the class and the economic uses to which they have been put.
Following this is a necessarily somewhat lengthy chapter of 74 pages, in
which the general anatomical characters are considered. Here the section on
the Dental-system may be mentioned as specially good, but its usefulness
would doubtless have been enhanced by the introduction of more numerous
illustrations had the space permitted it. Chapter III. is devoted to
the origin and classification of Mammals. In discussing the phylogamy
of the group, the most recent evidence is taken into account, but the con-
clusions arrived at still tend to support the view long ago advanced by
Professor Huxley, that the immediate progenitors of Mammals must be sought
for, not among the Samopsida, but as low down as Amphibia. The notes on

classification wind up with a concise table of the Orders, Sub-orders and

Families—the extzmct forms being at once distinguished from the living by a
conspicuous difference in type. Geographical and Geological Distribution
constitute the next section of the work. From Chapter V. onwards the differ-
ent Orders and Families are taken in succession, beginning with the JZono-
tremes and ending with the Homznide. In this last section the Human
Family is dealt with, and we find much information of general interest bearing
upon the characters and origin of the different races of Mankind—a subject
upon which Professor Flower speaks with special authority as an anthropo-
logist of eminence. It is quite unnecessary to deal with the chapters on the
different groups individually, for there is little if anything to criticise, unless it
be that we cannot help feeling that in some cases the descriptions of the fossil
forms are briefer than we should have wished, for there is no doubt that a
very considerable proportion of those who consult the work will come in

search .of information on the paleontological side. The illustrations are

mostly excellent,,the majority of which will be familiar to many as having
previously done service in the Encyclopedia Britannica articles referred to.

od

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>

ON THE OCCURRENCE OF THE SIBERIAN WHITE
CRANE (Grus leucogeranus) IN THE OUTER
HEBRIDES.

By Wm. EaaLe CLARKE, F.L.S., &c.

N the roth of August last, Dr. John MacRury shot at Barra

a bird, which he thought more resembled a White Stork

(Ciconia alba) than any other species on the British list; though

he was well aware that it differed in several important parti-
culars.

These facts he communicated to Mr. J. A. Harvie-Brown, who,
in turn, informed the writer of the occurrence, and also that the bird
had been sent to Mr. Bisshopp, of Oban, for preservation. Being
in Oban on the 8th of September, I took the opportunity of
calling upon Mr. Bisshopp, who kindly showed me the bird,
which I was not alittle surprised to find was a fine adult specimen
of Grus leucogeranus, Pallas—an eastern Asiatic species, new to
Britain and to Western Europe. The bird, Mr. Bisshopp informed
me, was a female, and this is also indicated by the dimensions.

Dr. MacRury first noticed the bird in the evening, resting on
the sandy shore near to the mouth of the Cuir River, on the
western side of the island. As soon as the Crane caught sight of
him, it rose at once, although he was from two to three hundred
yards distant, and it was then noticed that the bird appeared to be
entirely white with black tips to the wings. Its flight was slow
and steady, like that of the common Heron, and it uttered
now and then a plaintive whirring note. After circling about for
a short time it alighted near the top of a sandy hill, among some
rocks, and was stalked to within sixty or seventy yards, and
brought to earth with a broken wing by a successful shot from a
wire B.B. cartridge. On being approached, the bird turned
fiercely on its captor and showed much fight, catching hold of the
muzzle of the gun with its bill, As it appeared to be otherwise
uninjured, Dr. MacRury hoped it would survive the broken wing,
and tried to feed it on small trout, but it seemed to be very wild,

and refused all food, and only survived three days.
K

146 The Scottish Naturalst.

Dr. MacRury furnishes the following useful notes on the speci-
men: length from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail, 49
inches; expanse of wing, 84 inches; from tip of bill to end of
middle toe, 60 inches ; bill reddish-brown ; a bare space from the
base of the bill to:a line behind the eyes of a red colour; irides bright
yellow ; legs pink ; primary quills black, but none of these black
features are to be seen when the bird has its wings folded, when
it appears entirely white. To these particulars I am able
to add the following dimensions: culmen of bill, 7 inches; tarsus,
9°5 inches; wing (straight from the carpal joint to end of longest
primary), 21 inches.

The occurrence in Western Europe of Asiatic species of high
northern range has, owing to the advancement made during
recent years in our knowledge on the subject of migration, come
to be no longer regarded as mysterious or inexplicable. In
the present instance the occurrence, perhaps, admits of this
simple explanation, namely, that on quitting its summer haunts, the
bird winged its way westwards instead of eastwards, with the
result that it reached the shores of our Western Islands; whereas,
had it turned to the left and followed an accustomed easterly
route taken by the peregrinators of its kind, it would have
reached the islands of Japan, and proceeded hence to its winter
retreat. .

The true home of Grus leucogeranus during the summer is the
northern and central regions of Eastern Asia, and it may also be
to some extent resident in this vast habitat, for it certainly ap-
pears, according to our present knowledge of its distribution, to be
nowhere common or generally distributed during the winter months.
Its usual winter quarters are said to be the plains of Northern
India, where, however, it is described as being somewhat local and
rare. On migration it visits China and Japan; and though prin-
cipally a spring and autumn migrant to the islands of the latter
country, it is considered probable that some may remain to winter.
This extreme easterly line of migration also indicates, it is thought,
that there are winter haunts of this species, which are, as yet,.
unascertained.

This Crane has, however, occasionally wandered into European
Russia, most frequently to the districts around the mouth of
the River Volga; but it has not hitherto, I believe, been observed

west of St. Petersburg.

van?)

A PRELIMINARY LIST OF THE BIRDS OF THE
MELROSE DISTRICT. ©

By -A.. H. Evans, M.A., F.L.S:
(Continued from p. 113.)

Kingfisher (Avcedo zspida). Sparingly distributed over the
rivers and burns, chiefly the former. A pair or two are still to be
found on the Tweed both above and below Melrose; the nest has
been found near Kelso, Lauder, and Stobo, while the bird certainly
breeds on the Teviot. In 1874 there was a great decrease in
its numbers, possibly owing to the great floods of that year spoiling
many nests, while the severe winter of 1878-9 again lessened the
stock.

Roller (Coracias garrula). Only recorded from Northumber-
land, as far as the Border districts are concerned.

Hoopoe (Upupa epops). Not recorded nearer than Northum-
berland.

Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus). A very common bird with us,
especially on the heather-covered hills, where it usually deposits
its eggs in the nest of the Meadow Pipit. ‘hough never an early
breeder, seldom laying before the middle or end of May, it is very
irregular with regard to the time; for I have found on the same
day a fresh egg in one nest and a partly fledged young bird in
another a few hundred yards off, while eggs may be found from
May until quite the end of June, or even July. The date of ap-
pearance is usually about April 25th.

Barn Owl (Sérix flammea). About the middle of the cen-
tury this owl became extremely rare in most parts of the district,
and nesting sites on or near the lower Tweed valley were deserted
and have never since been occupied; but on the higher reaches
of that river and throughout the country round, a considerable
number of pairs have always been found, and at the present time
they seem to be on the increase at Kelso. At Lauder they used
to be common, though they are not so now, and at Cherrytrees
near Yetholm a pair built their nest annually in the ivy covering
ofa larch tree. But the two following species are much more plen-
tiful than the present bird.

148 The Scottish Naturalist.

Long-Kared Owl (Asio otus). Not uncommon in Scotch fir
woods, and generally distributed in small numbers where these
are to be found, as on the banks of the Jed and at Lauder. It is
decidedly less common in our inland parts than it is nearer the
east coast. The end of March and the beginning of April are the
usual times for laying, but I have known nests with fresh eggs as
late as the middle of May.

Short-Eared Owl (Asio accipitrinus). This owl having been
known to breed as near as the Dumfries-shire hills, and having
certainly also done so in one place on the English side of the
Cheviots, should have been found nesting also in the wilder parts
of the county of Roxburgh ; but I am unable to trace any account
of its nidification nearer than Lauder, where two or three nests
have been found in the month of June. Of course, in autumn,
great numbers of migrants visit the coast and sometimes reach
farther inland, and in the winter of 1875-1876, and again in that
of 1876-1877, the flocks were very large.

Tawny Owl (Syraium aluco). The common owl of the dis-
trict, frequenting all the thick woods, especially those in the valleys
of the Tweed and Teviot, and in Peeblesshire. While not rare
even at the very base of the Cheviots, it gives way to some
extent to the last species where the country becomes bare and
the woods are rather of firs than of deciduous trees. The eggs
are found in old crows’ or magpies’ nests, as well as in hollow
trees, and are laid in March, if not earlier.

Tengmalm’s Owl (Nyctale tengmalmi). Occasionally shot
in the neighbourhood in spring, as on Feb. 4th, 1873, at Berwick-
on-T'weed, and in 1861 near Embleton.

Marsh Harrier (Circus eruginosus). A permanent resident
in former times, according to Selby (Ast. Ber. Nat. Clud, i., p.
256), though it has long disappeared from the Border, nor have I
been able to find a recent instance of an example being procured.

Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus). This species, which is now
only a rare and occasional visitor, is mentioned by Selby (/7zs¢.
Ber. Nat. Club, i., p. 256) as a permanent resident in 1841, and
for many years afterwards—probably until 1859—continued to
breed in some numbers on the higher heaths of the Lauderdale
hills; while other nesting sites were tenanted in Berwickshire,
Northumberland, Selkirkshire, and doubtless Peeblesshire. On the
Cheviots examples were often observed in summer until a still later

The Scottish Naturalist. 149

date, and probably a few of these were breeding there, as the
country afforded so many suitable spots.

Montagu’s Harrier (Circus cineraceus). No examples are
recorded from the immediate neighbourhood, but near Alnwick
and Beal in Northumberland single specimens were obtained be-
tween 1847 and 1850.

Common Buzzard (Buteo vulgaris). No doubt at one time
the Buzzard may have bred in the Cheviot region, where many
parts of the country are extremely well suited to its requirements ;
but for many years it has only been known as an occasional visitant
—generally from autumn to spring—to different places in the
neighbourhood. Sir Walter Elliot says that it used to be common
jn the Wolfelee district, and in September, 1874, and the spring
of 1876, it occurred at Kelso, Duns, and in Lauderdale (where it
_ had been seen before), not to mention innumerable instances in
which the record is merely that of a ‘‘ Buzzard” and the species is
doubtful. In 1879 an example was killed on September 17th near
Stobo in Peeblesshire.

Rough-Legged Buzzard (Archibuteo lagopus). This species
is certainly less common than the last hereabouts, though in cer-
tain years it occurs in great numbers. Such were 1875 and 1876,
especially the latter, when examples were obtained at Selkirk,
Kelso, Lauder, Stow, Peebles, and other places in the vicinity, while
the immigration extended throughout Berwickshire and Northum-
berlandas well. The times of capture,varied from February 13th to
November 28th ; all I have noticed, however, being in February,
April, October, or November, so that in the case of both this bird
and the Common Buzzard the migration takes place in spring as well
as autumn. A pair [¢ 9] were noticed on April 28th, 1877, at
Innerleithen, of which one was not shot till May rst, but no signs
of a nest were apparent, nor is it likely that they would have re-
mained to breed. Others were reported to have been seen in
Peeblesshire up to the second week in May. In 1879 examples
were again observed in Peeblesshire.

Golden Eagle (Aguila chrysaétus). It has always been be-
lieved, and probably rightly, that this bird used to breed in small
numbers in the wilder parts of the Borderland. According to Sir
Walter Elliot (A/zst. Ber. Wat. Club, vi., p. 318) in a valuable
paper on “ Raptorial Birds,” Sir W. Jardine, writing in 1838, says
that it has not done so for twenty years; while Wallis, as quoted

150 The Scottish Naturatst.

by Bewick, says that “it formerly had its eyrie on the highest and
steepest part of Cheviot.” An eyrie is also reported to have existed
on the detached hill of Ruberslaw in Roxburghshire, but in this
case there is probably some mistake, though no doubt the birds
were formerly often seen there. Specimens continue to be ob-
tained at intervals in the neighbourhood, as at Bughtrig on Kale
Water, prior to 1882.

Sea Hagle (Haliaetus albicilla). This species used to fre-
quent St. Abbs Head and the neighbouring shores of the Berwick-
shire coast in the middle of the century, and a specimen was
observed there in 1871, but farther inland records of its occurrence
are rare; examples at Hunt Law in the Lammermuirs, Marchmont
and Bedshiel near Duns, and Bowhill near Selkirk having ap-
proached our district more closely than others. February seems
to be a favourite month for their appearance. No doubt many
are confounded with Golden Eagles.

Goshawk (Astur palumbarius). A male specimen was shot at
Minto Crags, Roxburghshire, on November 13th, 1869, while other
cases of the bird’s occurrence are more or less doubtfully reported.
As regards the supposed notice in the “ Liber de Melros,” a con-
fusion has no doubt arisen between this species and the Peregrine,
which is often called the ‘‘Goshawk”; and the same may be
said of the old records from the Moffat hills.

Sparrow Hawk (Accipiter nisus). This hawk is plentiful in
the valley of the Upper Tweed, where it breeds. It is widely dis-
tributed throughout the district, though not equally common in
all parts ; (see ‘‘ KESTREL,” zzf/ra). In Lauderdale it is also some-
what abundant.

Kite (ilvus ictinus). Used to be common in the south of
Scotland a century or more ago, and bred in North Northumber-
land on Alnwick Moor.

Black Kite (A@lvus migrans). No specimen recorded from
the district. That recorded by Hancock in the ‘ Ibis’ for 1867,
p. 253, from Northumberland, was about 50 miles distant.

Honey Buzzard (fernis apivorus). An occasional visitant.
Instances are recorded of examples being obtained at Lauder; at
Twizell in Northumberland on September 2oth, 1846 ; at Newton
Don near Kelso on May 22nd, 1865; at Penmanshiel in Berwick-
shire on May 29th, 1876, and again in 1879; at Whitsome in Ber-
wickshire on October 26th, 1888; and at three or four places in

The Scottish Naturalist. 151

the same county in June, 1845, and in the years 1863-4. The
occurrences being almost all in summer show that the birds
visit us in the breeding season, and would probably nest if un-
molested.

Peregrine Falcon (7alco peregrinus). The Peregrine does
not breed nearer to Melrose than the Cheviots, where one pair still
lingers, but it used to do so at the head of Moffatdale, and until
1873 a nesting site was annually occupied, according to Mr. Andrew
Kelly, on the Longcroft water near Lauder. It is well known that
this fine hawk still has one eyrie on the Berwickshire coast, where
four were tenanted in 1850; though Cheviot is the sole re-
maining spot in North Northumberland where a pair can be found
at the present time.

Red Footed Falcon (Fako rufipes). Not recorded from
the district, though a specimen was once obtained at Hauxley
in Northumberland (Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, v., p. 469).

Hobby (falco subbuteo). This hawk is very uncommon on the
Border, but nevertheless examples are regularly met with in various
places, generally in June; the bird may breed with us occa-
sionally, or would do so annually if undisturbed. Instances of its
capture have occurred at Lauder, Branxholm, Duns, Bowmont
Forest, Kelso, and other localities.

Merlin (alo esalon). Like the Peregrine Falcon, the
Merlin is found breeding at a few spots on the Cheviot range,
and is a well-known bird to the shepherds, though many of them
confound it with the Cuckoo. No instance of its nesting on the
lower hills of that range is, apparently, recorded; but it is not
uncommon in a few parts of the Lammermuirs, near Lauder,
where it is said to nest, as a rule, on trees. This statement rests
on the authority of Messrs. Scott and Kelly. (Aust. Ber. Wat.
Club, vil., p. 301.)

Kestrel (falco tinnunculus). Near Melrose itself, this bird is
comparatively scarce, its place being taken by the much more
abundant Sparrow-Hawk; but in. the lower ground around
Jedburgh the reverse is the case. This is probably due to the
nature of each district, and to the consequent food supply; possibly
also to the greater abundance of suitable nesting sites for. the

-Kestrel in the latter part of the country. In Peeblesshire the bird
is now rare, and in Lauderdale it is almost extinct, while it is
-always less abundant in the hilly portions of the Border. It

152 The Scottish Naturalist.

invariably uses the nest of another bird when breeding in
trees.

Osprey (fandion haliaétus). This species is an occasional
visitor to the district ; it is reported to occur periodically on the
Tweed by Sir Walter Elliot in the History of the Berwickshire
LVaturalists’ Club, vol. vi., p. 320; while specimens have been
observed at Kelso (May 24th, 1873, and September 28th, 1876),
at Southernknowe, near Great Cheviot (September 26th, 1881),
and on the rivers Leader and Gala. It therefore comes both in
spring and autumn.

Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). An occurrence at Tollis-
hill shows that it occasionally visits our inland districts. The
Shag, as well as this species, breeds on the neighbouring coast.

Heron (Ardea cinerea). This species is much less rare here-
abouts than in many other parts of the country. Not to mention
a large number of heronries in Northumberland and the farther
part of Berwickshire, there is one at Wells, close to Rubers-
law; another at Ormiston House, near Jedburgh; and a third,
which is smaller, and consists of about a dozen nests, on the
upper waters of the Bowmont, at Swindean; a fourth at Dodburn on
Allan Water ; a fifth at Hendersyde Park, Kelso. At Lauder there
are two—in Luggy Wood, and at Olisterdub respectively; while
at Mertoun on the Tweed, and at Lithtillum Loch there are
two more—all in Berwickshire. In Selkirkshire there is one at
the Haining, Selkirk. In Peebles, one at Dawick, and one at
Portmore.

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea). Not recorded hereabouts,
except from the coast of the Firth of Forth.

Great White Heron (A7dea alba). Recorded from E.
Lothian in “st. Ber, Nat. Club, viil., p. 51.

Squacco Heron (Ardea ralloides). Recorded from Howick
in Northumberland in Azs¢. Ber. Mat. Club, x., p. 589.

Little Bittern (Ardetta minuta). Recorded from Northum-
berland in 1872. (¢st. Ber. Nat. Club, viii., p. 195.)

Night Heron (Wyeticorax griseus). Recorded only from
Northumberland and Berwickshire, in winter and spring (see /zs¢.
Ber. Nat. Club, vi., p. 434).

Bittern (Botaurus stellaris). Shot occasionally in the neigh-
bouring counties, but not recorded near Melrose itself. The
nearest locality in which it is said to have been resident is Huntley-

The Scottish Naturalest. 153

wood Moss in the Lauder district; this was the case in 1810.
(The American Bittern was recorded from Drumlanrig in 1873, in
fiist. Ber. Nat. Club, vii., p. 525.)

White Stork (Ciconia alba). Unknown in the Melrose
district, though one was captured at Newton by the Sea, in North-
umberland, in 1843 (see Aist. Ber. Nat. Club, ii., p. 78), and
another at Scremerston in the same county, January roth, 1874
(op. cit., vii., p. 180.)

Spoonbill (Plalatea leucorodia). Has occurred on the Dunbar
coast, but no nearer.

Glossy Ibis (gadis falcinellus). A specimen was shot on
August 28th, 1885, at Mindrum, just on the English side of the
Border.

] Not many records are to
Gray Lag Goose be found stating the exact

(Anser cinereus). | species, though all of these are
Bean Goose found in winter on the East

(Anser segetum). | Coast and most have occurred
Pink-footed Goose | as stragglers inland; the

(Anser brachyrhynchus). Gray Lag in various places,
White-fronted Goose Gaitnes Bedunanitanderand the

(Auser albifrons). | Haining, the Pink-footed at
Bernacle Goose Presmenan in E. Lothian, the

(Bernicla leucopsis). | White-fronted possibly in Rox-
Brent Goose burghshire, the Bernacle at

(Bernicla brenta). | Yetholm Loch, and the Brent

} on Oxnam Water.

[Egyptian Goose (Chenalopex egyptiaca). In 1878,
‘*One specimen was shot in Selkirkshire on roth December, and
another on St. Mary’s Loch on 24th December.” (R. Gray, His?
Ber. Nat. Club, viii. p. 500). But this and the following species
are kept as tame birds on the lochs around. |

[Canada Goose (Bernicla canadensis). Specimens, probably
escaped from captivity, have been observed at Lauder, Yetholm,
Kelso, and other places. In the winter and spring of 1866-7, a
large flock visited the district. (Azst. Ber. Wat. Club, vi. p. 435.)

Hooper (Cygnus musicus). As a rule only recorded from
the coast, but often seen inland. Generally the recorders merely
report a “ wild swan.”

Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus bewicki). ‘Two specimens from

154 The Scottish Naturaltst.

a flock of five were obtained at Shaws, near Selkirk, on November
29th, 1882, and about the same time several were seen on the
Kast Coast. .

Sheld-Duck (Zadorna cornuta). Only recorded from the
coast. |

Wild Duck (Azas boscas). Common.

Gadwall (Azas streperus). I can find no record for the
district. |

Shoveller (Spatula clypeata). Occurs, chiefly in winter, at
Iegerwood Loch, Bughtrig, Hoselaw, and many other places,
while a specimen was obtained at the last on April 8th, 1876,
which was probably breeding there. The bird certainly nests in
the neighbourhood, as the eggs have been actually found on the
Northumberland coast.

Pintail (Dajila acuta). Rare in the district, but noticed
nearly every year, even among the Cheviots.

Wigeon (Marea penelope). Fairly common from autumn to
spring.

Teal (Querguedula crecca). Resident, breeding on several of
the marshy moors and on sides of lochs in the neighbourhood, as,
for instance, at Primside near Yetholm, and at Jedburgh.

Garganey (Querquedula circia). Not recorded from the Mel-
rose country, but on March rath, 1885, a specimen was shot at
Falden in Berwickshire. (Ast. Ber. Nat. Club, xi., p. 237.)

Pochard (fudigula ferina). Not at all uncommon in winter.
Recorded from Yetholm, Hoselaw, Frogden, Bughtrig, Stobo, and
the Haining, and also from many parts of Berwickshire. At
Faldonside it occasionally stays till late in spring, but has never
been known to breed.

Tufted Duck (fuligula cristata). Breeds in Roxburgh-
shire at Yetholm Loch ; and, asa young female was shot at Hoselaw
Loch close by on August 2oth, 1879, its range may have spread
to that spot. At many other places, such as the Haining,
Bughtrig, and St. Mary’s Loch it has been noticed, and it is in
fact one of the commonest winter ducks.

Scaup (fuligula marila). Common only at some places, as
at Yetholm, where there is a large expanse of water; but met with
at times throughout the counties of Peebles, Roxburgh, Selkirk,
and Berwick.

Goldeneye (Clangula glaucion). Fairly common at the

The Scottish Naturalst. 155

usual times of year on the Tweed and Teviot, and is recorded
from Stobo in Peeblesshire, and even from Bughtrig in the hill
country of Roxburghshire. At Faldonside in 1890 one pair re-
mained till well on in May.

Long-Tailed Duck (Zarelda giucialis). A single specimen
has been shot on Yetholm Loch—a young male. (See Ast. Ber.
Nat. Club, vii., p. 502.)

Scoter (Gdemia nigra). Has been shot at St. Mary’s Loch,
and is occasionally seen in Berwickshire, but does not appear yet
to be recorded from Roxburghshire, which lies between.

Velvet Scoter (Gdemia fusca). In the summer of 1879
a bird of this species frequented the rocks at Berwick-on-T weed.
(See Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, ix., p. 170.) Never seen inland here, as
far as J am aware.

Goosander (Jlergus merganser). Common on the Tweed
throughout the district, while generally seen on the spring
migration. It is also frequently met with at Selkirk, Hawick,
Lauder, on the Teviot and Yarrow, and at Yetholm and Hoselaw
Lochs. It never breeds with us.

Red-breasted Merganser (JMergus serrator). 1 can only
find one instance of the occurrence of this species in the district,
and that on the other side of Cheviot, at Weetwood, near Wooler,
in the month of January. But I believe this is due rather to an
absence of records than of birds, though they are certainly very
uncommon.

Smew (MJergus albellus). A pair were obtained at Kelso on
January 26th, 1869, a single bird at Bowhill on January 25th,
1877, a couple on the Till previous to 1880 with others which were
not preserved and about which no details are procurable.

Ring-Dove (Columba palumbus). Plentiful.

Stock-Dove (Columba enas). I can find no record for the
immediate district, though the Northumberland and Berwickshire
breeding sites are only some 30 miles distant from Melrose.
Probably nests will be found, if looked for carefully, in suitable
places: these seem to be generally dry banks with holes in them
hereabouts, rather than hollow trees. (For the above mentioned
counties see “77st. Ber. Nat. Club, vili., pp. 134, 5283; ix., pp. 165,
351, 562; x., p. 391, and for E, Lothian xi., p. 545.)

Rock-Dove (Columba Jivia). Not recorded from the
district. Even the birds at St. Abbs Head are only tame pigeons

156 The Scottish Naturalist.

which have become wild, and no true Rock-Doves bred there even
in 1850.

Turtle-Dove (Zurtur communis). Whether this species has
extended its range of recent years, in the same way as the Stock-
Dove, or whether closer observation has caused it to be noticed,
must remain doubtful at present; but examples have been obtained
in Northumberland during June and October, in E. Lothian or
Berwickshire at about the same times of year, and ‘in this district
at Clifton Park near Kelso on May 28th, 1874, and at Kilham—just
on the English side of the Yetholm Hills—on June 3rd of the
same year. These two last were male and female, and it has
been suggested that they may have been a pair, as the localities are
not very far apart. ‘The eggs in the hen’s ovary were “larger than
peas.” (See “ist. Ber. Nat. Club, xi., p. 259.)

Again on June 25th, 1877, an adult female was shot at Stichill,
and Sir George Douglas in 1879 stated that the bird has visited
Springwood Park, Kelso. A young bird was shot on September
17th, 1880, at Lamberton, in Berwickshire.

Pallas Sand Grouse (Syrrhapies paradoxus). In 1863
examples were obtained in the district, and again in 1888, of which
years the irruptions are chronicled in Prof. Newton’s well-known
paper in the /dzs for 1864, and—as far as our district is con-
cerned—by Messrs. Embleton and G. Bolam in the Aistory of the
Berwickshire Naturalists Club, 1863 and 1889. ‘To these records
I will therefore refer my readers for details.

Black Grouse (Zétrao ¢etrix). Breeds on the Cheviots, in
some numbers, and has been seen near Faldonside in September.
It is also found in summer on the Lammermuirs near Lauder, and
at other places in the neighbourhood.

Red Grouse (Lagopus scoticus). Abundant throughout the
district, particularly on the Cheviots, where very large bags are
made; on the lower hills it also breeds, but in smaller quantities.

Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Abundant.

Red-legged Partridge (Caccadis rufa). Not noticed
hereabouts, though introduced near Gullane Links in E.
Lothian.

Partridge (Perdix cinerea). Abundant; less so towards the
hills.

Quail (Coturnix communis). An occasional or perhaps even
a regular visitor to a few places. Nests have been found at Kelso

The Scottish Naturatcst. 157

and Ednam, while the bird probably breeds at Lauder. (Cf Hist.
Ber, Nat. Club, x., p. 392.)

Corn Crake (Crex pratensis). Rather local but not un-
common; at Yetholm it breeds in a gorse covert on the river
‘“haugh” in preference to the fields. Arrives fairly early in
May.

Spotted Crake (Porzana maruetia). Was occurred in
October at Gradon Moss, and near Berwick-on-Tweed at Gains-
law.

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus). This bird has been noticed
at Ormiston, Stobo, Jedburgh, and Legerwood Loch, while speci-
mens are contained in the small collection of birds at Faldonside,
probably shot there ; but it has never been detected breeding in the
district. The lochs are not, for the most part, surrounded by the
style of vegetation it would choose.

Moorhen (Gadllinula chloropus). Common and universally
distributed.

Coot (Fulica atra). Breeds abundantly on the small lochs
and larger ponds in many places, as at Faldonside, The Haining,
Nisbet near Mounteviot, and Stobo.

Crane (Grus communis). A specimen was shot at Threep-
wood near Lauder, before 1874. (See Hist. Ber. Nat. Clud, vii.,
P- 395:)

Great Bustard (Otis tarda). Except that in January, 1871, a
specimen was shot and perhaps another observed at Fenham on
the east coast of Northumberland, and that Hector Boece in his
Scotorum Historia mentions Bustards in the Merse (Jerchia), no
records exist for this district or those immediately adjoining.

Dotterel (Zudromias morinellus). ‘There used to be several
places in the neighbourhood to which these birds annually resorted
in spring and more rarely in autumn, while on migration, though
now they seldom occur. None of these were nearer to Melrose
than Lauder, and the majority, as Lamberton, Scremerston, Pen-
manshiel, Abbey St. Bathans, Gullane, &c., were faraway. But the
birds were occasionally observed at other places, as Langley-ford
under Cheviot, Morebattle and Bughtrig on Kale Water; and at
these the birds may have been annual visitors also, though over-
looked. At Lauder it is very positively stated, on the authority of
Messrs. Tilly and Scott, that they “have nested on the outground
of Broadshawrig year after year for 10 years,” and that a young

158 The Scottish Naturaltst.

bird was obtained there prior to 1874. (Just. Ber. Nat. Club,
Vil., Pp. 305.)

Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis) Common on the
Cheviots, and extending to the other hills. It breeds in this
district about the beginning of May, being one of the earliest of
the moor birds; but late nests may be found in June. The
sites chosen are invariably on the higher portions of the hills, and
in ascending these one may calculate on meeting with the birds at
an altitude, roughly speaking, of 1500 feet.

Grey Plover (Sguatarola helvetica). Though not uncommon
on the nearest part of the East Coast from autumn to spring, no
examples are recorded from the interior. It arrives on the shores
about August at the earliest, being then in summer plumage.

Ring Plover (gialitis hiaticula). Breeds on the Tweed
near Kelso, and probably has. done so near Coldstream, while
undoubted instances have occurred near Jedburgh and on the
lower part of the Teviot. Most of these places are from 25 to 30
miles from the coast, where the bird is common.

Lapwing (Vanellus vulgaris). Curiously local, being very
abundant in both wild and cultivated country in some parts, while
in others it is almost unknown. In the immediate neighbourhood
of Melrose it is not very common.

Oystercatcher (Hematopus ostralegus). Seldom seen so
far inland, but instances have occurred at (Scotch) Belford on the
Bowmont and Dryburgh on the Tweed, as well as at Stobo in
Peeblesshire.

Red-Necked Phalarope (Phalaropus hyperboreus). Only
recorded from the Dunbar coast, as far as these parts are con-
cerned.

Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius). An example was
procured at Millerstain in Berwickshire on November 14th,
1875.

Woodcock (Scolopax rusticula). This species nests at Bow-
hill, and a brood was noticed at Abbotsford, on May 26th, 1867,
so that both in Selkirkshire and Roxburghshire the bird remains
during the summer, as it does in Northumberland and other
counties adjoining. No doubt many other instances of its breed-
ing will be forthcoming shortly, as it is apparently increasing on
the Borders.

Great Snipe (Gallinago major). Occurs occasionally in

The Scottish Naturalzst. 159

autumn, and is recorded at that season from Lauder, Yetholm,
and Nisbet.

Common Snipe (Gallinago celestis). Not very common in
the breeding season, though in suitable localities a considerable
number pass the summer. In winter it is extremely abundant.

Jack Snipe (Gal/nago gallinula). Common in the winter in
certain parts, though hardly so much so as in the counties east-
ward,

Dunlin (Z7inga alpina). This bird is not known to nest on
the coast of Northumberland, where the salt marshes are, per-
haps, of too wet a nature, but a few pairs have long been known
to do so at the south end of the Cheviot range, near Hesleyside ;
while during the last fifteen years I have noticed a couple here
and there in the breeding season on the higher parts of the hills
between Wooler and Yetholm. Mr. A. Chapman, in his “ Bird
Life of the Borders,” mentions having seen a small colony on
Cheviot, and the late A, Brotherston has noticed an occasional
bird in summer on Yetholm Loch.

Little Stint (Zringa minuta). Not found nearer than the
Holy Island mud-flats, where it occurs in September.

Curlew Sandpiper (Z7inga subarquata). Common in some
years on the East Coast in September, but never reaching inland
to these parts.

Purple Sandpiper (Z7izga striata). re. found on the

Knot (Z7inga canutus). East Coast.

Ruff (Machetes pugnax). Only on the East Coast, where it is
fairly often obtained in autumn or winter.

Sanderling (Catdris arenaria). Also found on the mud-
flats of the coast, coming in August in numbers, but less common
after September.

Bartram’s Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda). That re-
corded by Mr. G. Bolam, from Longhoughton in 1879 (Hist. Ber.
Nat. Club, ix., p. 167), is the only example from these parts.

Common Sandpiper (Zotanus hypoleucus). A very com-
mon bird in summer upon the smaller and more stony streams,
though on the larger rivers it is not so often found, which may be
due to lack of suitable breeding places. On the islands in the hill
brooks the fairly substantial nest is often met with, generally
slightly protected, but never covered, by a branch of gorse, an
old log, or a tuft of herbage. Nor is it confined to the islands,

@

160 The Scottish Naturalist.

but is met with on the banks as well, where thickets of butterbur
(Petasites vulgaris), clumps of grass or heather, serve to conceal
the eggs. The birds reach their breeding quarters about the fourth
week of April.

Green Sandpiper (Zotanus ochropus). Found in the district
in autumn, very rarely, but a specimen was observed at Rox-
burgh Mill, on the Teviot, in 1875, and another at Crailing, on
Oxnam Water, in 1876, both in November.

Wood Sandpiper (Zotanus glareola). Has not been shot
nearer than Holy Island.

Redshank (Zotanus calidris). An occasional pair may be
observed in summer on the moors near Melrose, which no
doubt breed there, as they do in inland parts of the neighbouring
counties. But the major part of our resident birds on the Borders
certainly rest on the coast lands. They may be met with on the
rivers in July and August: probably they are then on their way
from the higher grounds to the sea.

Spotted Redshank (Zotanus fuscus). Twice recorded from
the sands at Holy Island, but no nearer.

Greenshank (Zotanus canescens). Not by any means un-
common on the nearest parts of the East Coast in winter; and
in 1888 a pair certainly bred on a_heather-covered moor,
interspersed with small lochs, in Roxburghshire. I saw the hen,
unmistakably with young, in the month of August. She flew
round in a state of the greatest excitement, with the usual shrill
cry, never going many yards away, and occasionally perching on
an old rail on the moor; moreover I found a nest, lately used,
which probably belonged to the same bird. In September an
example has been observed on the Teviot, near Nisbet.

Bar-Tailed Godwit (Zimosa lapponica). The common God-
wit of the East Coast from September onwards, but it does not
reach inland to Melrose even as a straggler. Specimens are
sometimes shot on the shore in summer plumage.

Black-Tailed Godwit (Zimosa belgica). Only occurs at
long intervals even on the North Northumberland coast, and
never Inland.

Curlew (Numenius arquata). Universally distributed over the
moors, where it arrives at the end of April and begins to breed at
once.

Whimbrel (Numenius pheopus). Another species usually

The Scottish Naturalist. LOL

confined to the coast, where it is rather rare. It arrives in July
and occasionally stays till May or even June. An example has
been shot at Greenlaw in September. | 3

Terns. Only on the coast asa rule. One is recorded from
Stobo, species undetermined. No doubt other egg birds
have visited the district. |

Gulls. Most of the ordinary species are occasionally ob-
served in the neighbourhood, but of course the only gull
breeding with us is the BLACK-HEADED (Larus rtdibundus),
which is verycommon. There are colonies at Paston on the
lower Bowmont, Hoselaw Loch, Legerwood Moss, a small loch
near the Haining, Selkirk, with several between Melrose and
Selkirk, on the moors. Pallinsburn, in Northumberland, 1s
only a short way from Kelso, and there are others at greater
distances outside the immediate district. The birds come early
in March and leave about the middle of July, if undisturbed,
which is seldom the case.

Great Skua (Stercorarius catarrhactes). An occasional
visitor, recorded from Oxnam Water in September, 1875.

Pomatorhine Skua (Stercorarius pomatorhinus). In 1879,
during the autumn, great numbers of this species frequented the
coasts of Northumberland and Berwickshire. (See His¢. Ber. Vat.
Club, ix., p. 54.)

Richardson’s. Skua (Stercorarius crepidatus). On Novem-
ber 2th, 1874, an individual was. shot at. Cowdenknowes, while
others have been, recorded from the. coast, near Coldingham,
Holy Island, and Beadnel, where they are at times to be found
in small, and more rarely in large, numbers in autumn.

Buffon’s Skua, (Stexcorarius parasiticus), A single specimen
was shot in the plumage of the first year on Rule Water in the
first week of September, 1875.

Razorbill (Ada tordaz). In March, 1880, a Razorbill was
picked up dead near Morebattle. on the Kale.

Guillemot (Uvia troile). About 1868 an example was found
swimming in the Leader at Lauder.

Ringed Guillemot. This variety has occurred on the
Teviot, on the Leader, and at Oxton. ‘The first instance, at least,
was in autumn. As it is hardly likely that three specimens of

this bird have visited us as,against one of the common species,
L

162 The S cottish Naturalist.

we may fairly assume that more of the latter have been observed,
but not put on record. ;

Black Guillemot (Uria gryile). Only on the coast, and
uncommon there.

Little Auk (Mergulus alle). This bird has occurred more
commonly in the district than any other member of the family.
Instances are at Harryburn (Lauder), Hendersyde Park (Kelso),
Duns, and on the Tweed below Kelso, besides a large number of
cases in Northumberland. In the autumn of 1876, and again in
that of 1878, the bird was very plentiful on the coast.

Puffin (/ratercula arctica). On August 4th, 1873, a specimen
was caught in the Kale at Grahamslaw.

Great Northern Diver (Colyméus glacialis). Only found
on the nearest part of the coast, where all of the three commoner
species of diver are frequently met with.

Black-Throated Diver (Colyméus arcticus). In the first
week of April, 1876, and again on April 4th, 1877, a single
specimen was obtained on St. Mary’s Loch in Selkirkshire, while
an example was killed at Bowhill on the lower part of the Yarrow
shortly before 1876. The continual occurrence of this species
in spring, at the same spot, induces the belief that a pair might
possibly have remained to breed if unmolested. St. Mary’s
Loch is wild and suitable, but as it is far from their usual
breeding haunts, this must be considered a very doubtful case.

Red-Throated Diver (Colymdus septentrionalis). Recorded
from Weetwood, near Wooler, just beyond Cheviot, and from
Bughtrig, on this side of it, the former in January, 1877.

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps )} All birds of the sea-

cristatus). coast, with the exception
Red-Necked Grebe (fodiceps ofan occasional straggler.
griseigena). Sclavonian Grebes are re-
Sclavonian Grebe (odiceps { corded from Legerwood
auritus). Loch, but the Eared
Bared Grebe (fodiceps nigrt- | Grebe is more common
collis). J on the coast.

Little Grebe (Podiceps fluviatilis). Breeds sparingly in the
district, as at Mertoun and Roxburgh, at Nisbet and Lauder. It
Is often seen in other places, and will no doubt be found breed-

The Scottish Naturalist. 163

_ing at some of them, such as Whitmuir, near Selkirk, a very likely
spot.

Fulmar (7ulmarus glacialis). }

Found ionally on th
Manx Shearwater (Pufinus | on. nee

| Kast Coast, as in August 1878-

anglorum). Bein yh (oe el
Great Shearwater (Pufinus | ( = Fee age
major). Ms

Fork-Tailed Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorrhoa). This species
was obtained at Glanton, on the other side of the Cheviots,
on December 1st, 1867; at Roxburgh, in October, 1873; at Eck-
ford, on December 3rd, 1879; and at Branxton, in Northumber-
land, on December 3rd, 1885.

Stormy Petrel (Procellaria pelagica). Occasionally met
with in the district, as at Stichill and at Maxton, and on Rule
Water, Roxburghshire (September 23rd, 1876).

CORRIGENDUM ET ADDENDA.

p. 108. Great Grey Shrike.—For two specimens in Faldonside
collection, read one.

Mr. Archibald Jerdon contributed the following notes on the
Birds of the District to ‘The Zoologist ” :—

Note on the Arrival of some of the Summer Birds at Bonjed-
ward, near Jedburgh. “ Zoologist,” i., 1843, p. 230.

Notes on the Partial Migration of Birds in Roxburghshire,
op. cit. v., 1847, pp. 1770-1772.

Note on the Arrival of Summer Birds of Passage in Roxburgh-
shire, in the years 1846 and 1847, t. c. p. 1786.

A List of the Birds of Roxburghshire, op. cit. vili., 1850, pp.
2872-2878.

( 164. )

LIST OF BIRDS THAT’ BREED ON OR NHAR THE
SHORES OF A MOORLAND LOCH IN PERTH-

SHIRE.

By LirEvuT.-COLONEL W. H. M. Duruie.

WITHHOLD the name of this loch for fear of the Birming-

ham Oologist, who might make a swoop upon it, and spoil
the:charm of a place so prolific in. its gle of birds that breed
in its vicinity.
, Although within five miles of a railway station, it lies pe:
and secluded, bounded on three sides by heather-clad hills, and
on the fourth by fir woods which shield it from the world, and
with the exception:-of two or three sheep farms, there is no
sign of human existence to be seen from its shores.

Only two miles beyond the limit which I have prescribed to
myself, there is a typical and romantic eyrie, where year after
year, within the memory of the oldest inhabitant, a pair of Ravens
have returned to rear a brood in the home of their ancestors. I
was tempted to enlarge my area in order to bring in this interesting
bird, and had I done so, I could have included also the Kestrel,
Tawny Owl, Stock-dove, and a few others, but I thought it best
to confine myself to the smallest space (viz., one mile from the
loch) within which the greatest number of birds breed.

In preparing the accompanying list, many pleasant memories
have been awakened of red-letter days, spent in the spring-time of
the year at this charming spot.

We remember with what a sense of relief we escaped from the
irritating Peewits which had mobbed us all the way up the hill,
and plunging into the wood we listened to the cooing of the Ring
doves in the pine branches, and the twittering of Tits busy among
the fir cones, while the wind stole through the trees with a sound
like the sea on a sandy shore.

Perhaps we see a Roe Deer gazing at us with her large lustrous
eyes, and do not notice till she moves away that two others are
with her, so marvellously do the coats of these animals harmonise
with the colouring of the woods. We watch them bounding away

The Scottish Naturalist. 165

towards the moor, and see them stop every now and then to look
back before re-seeking covert.

On clearing the wood the music of the moorland falls on our ears.
The Curlews are in splendid voice, and pour out their prolonged,
rippling notes as they sail over the heather. The Cuckoo is con.
stantly heard, and high in the sky, the Larks fill the air with-me-
lody, while below, numberless small birds—Twites, Meadow-Pipits,
and others difficult to distinguish—spring from the ground at our
feet, and perch on the heather stems to sing to us as we pass. “But
the climax of interest is reached at the loch side, when thousands
of Black-headed Gulls rise from their nests in the reeds, and ‘from
the water: our eyes are fairly dazzled by the flashing and gleaming,
and glancing of innumerable wings, and our ears deafened by the
cries of the multitudinous hosts of these beautiful creatures float-
ing and swooping in graceful curves around us. It isa curious
sight to watch a Mallard startled from the rushes trying to steer
a course through the maze of white wings. The sedate Coots
and Moor-hens seem unmoved by the uproar, and swim about
by the margin of the sedges unconcerned. A Pochard drake may
be seen with his handsome red head, and back of powdery grey,
swimming backwards and forwards near a tuft of rushes where the
duck is sitting on her eggs.

Two or three Shovellers dash past in swift erratic flight, the
drakes being conspicuous at a long distance by the broad light
band across the shoulders. The loch is rich in breeding ducks,
no less than five varieties nest in its vicinity, among them the
Tufted Duck, several pairs of which have remained, during the
last few years, late into the summer. Their nest has, however,
not yet been found, but this year a female accompanied by a
young bird was seen on the 3rd of August.

While we are watching the ducks, we notice a small bird with
a golden-brown back moving about like a mouse at our feet—it is
a Dunlin, whose nest is probably close by in the grass.

We hear the plaintive whistle of a Golden Plover, and see him
standing on the top of a bare knoll where the heather has been
burnt.

Redshanks with drooping wings fly ‘round us, and add their
shrill cries to the chorus of strange, wild music that floats about
in the air, and which haunts the memory long after we have left

166 The. Scottish Naturalist.

behind us the lonely loch and breezy moor with its background
of grey hills. |
» Missel Thrush, Turdus viscivorus. There is generally a pair
nesting in the fork of a rowan or birch tree, by the side of the
burn which issues from the loch.
Song Thrush, Zurdus musicus. Nests in the wood.
Blackbird, Zurdus merula. Nests in the wood.
vWheatear, Sazxicola enanthe. Two or three pairs haunt old
dykes on the edge of the moor, where they breed.
vWhinchat, Pratincola rubetra. Have seen one nest within
the limit, in grass, well concealed under a rose bush.
-Redbreast, Zrithacus rubecula. Nests in the wood.
vGolden-crested Wren, Regulus cristatus. Nests in the

‘Willow Wren, Phylloscopus trochilus. Nests in the wood.
Sedge Warbler, Acrocephalus phragmitis. In reeds by loch
side.
Dipper, Cinclus aquaticus, Nests in the bank of the burn.
Great Titmouse, Parus major.
Coal Titmouse, P. britannicus.
Blue Titmouse, P. ceruleus.

v Wren, Troglodytes parvulus.
Pied Wagtail, Iotacilla lugubris. Near the burn.
Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis. Very common.

Tree Pipit, Anthus trivialis. Common in plantations below
the fir woods, but have seen a nest within the limit.

Swallow, Hirundo rustica. Nests in the boat-house, and at
farm buildings near the loch.

Martin, Chelidon urbica. At farm buildings.

House Sparrow, Passer domesticus. At farm buildings,
where it is doing its best to banish the Martin.

Nests in the wood.

v Twite, Linota flavirostris. Fairly common, breeding in the
heather.

Chaffinch, Fringilla celebs. Nests in the wood, and in
bushes by the burn side.

Yellow Bunting, Lmberiza citrinella.
Reed Bunting, Lmberiza scheniclus. Very common.

The Scottish Naturalist. 167

- Starling, Sturnus vulgaris. Breeds in Ash trees near farm
buildings.
- Carrion Crow, Corvus corone. Breeds in the fir woods when
allowed.

. Skylark, Alauda arvensis.

« Cuckoo, Cuculus canorus. Common, generally selecting
Meadow Pipits’ nests for its eggs.

_ Long-eared Owl, Asio otus. In fir wood.
. Sparrow Hawk, Accipter nisus. In fir wood.

- Merlin, Falco e@salon. One or two pairs nest annually near
the loch.

» Mallard, Anas boschas. Common.
VShoveller, Spatula clypeata. Two or three pairs,
Teal, Querquedula crecea. Common.
V Pochard, Fuligula ferina. Four or five pairs and increasing.

“Tufted Duck, Fuligula cristata. Bred on the loch this
season. Two birds, one of them a female, accompanied by a
young one, were seen there on the 3rd of August.

“ Ring-dove, Columba palumbus. Breeds in the wood.
Capercaillie, Tetrao urogallus.
Black Grouse, Zetrao tetrix.
_ Red Grouse, Lagopus scoticus.
Pheasant, Phasianus colchicus. A few outlying nests found
in the wood and on the moor.
Partridge, Perdrix cinerea.
Moor-hen, Gallinula chloropus,
Common Coot, Fulica atra.
Golden Plover, Charadrius pluvialis.
Lapwing, Vanellus vulgaris.
_ Woodcock, Scolopax rusticula.
Common Snipe, Gallinago celestis.
~ Dunlin, Tringa alpina.
. Common Sandpiper, Totanus hypoleucus.
« Redshank, ZVotanus calidris.
Common Curlew, Vumenius arquata.
‘+ Black-headed Gull, Larus ridibundus.

toe)

~ VARIATION IN BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA.
By F. BucHanan WuiTE, M.D,, F.L.S., F.E.S.

( 7 HEN the introduction of the Linnean or binomial system
of nomenclature, and the example and enthusiasm of the

great Swede and his contemporaries, had imparted new life 'to the
study of nature, there was a tendency everywhere towards a muilti-
plication of specific names. Hence, in the earlier manuals .and
catalogues, forms which we now know to be merely varieties or
conditions, are accorded full specific rank. As time went on,.and
knowledge increased, naturalists began to see that many of these
were merely subsidiary forms, and reduced them to the rank of
varieties. More extended studies showed that in some cases
even this position was not ‘tenable, and so the names were sunk as
mere synonyms. Many varieties were, however, retained, but'the
real significance of such forms was not understood ; no system of
classifying them had been tried; no attempt been made to
account for their origin. In a word, no Darwin had arisen to
instruct naturalists to penetrate, if possible, into the arcana nature.
Now that the fauna and flora of the British Islands has been, to

a large extent, well worked out, naturalists, who are not on theone
hand merely collectors, nor on the other purely biologists, have
begun ‘to turn their attention to other matters than simply amass-
ing material; and amongst other things have commenced to give
a more serious study to the subject of variation and its origin.
That the study of variation, as it occurs in wild animals and plants,
is still in its infancy must be admitted. At the same time sufficient
attention has been paid to it to show that not only is it one of
much interest but of no little difficulty. For its proper elucidation
a large amount of material, both in specimens and in observations,
is necessary. When those have been collected, it is possible that
problems which are still obscure may be cleared up, Asa help
to this desirable result we therefore welcome a recently published
work? on one group of the British Lepidoptera, a class of the
Insecta which, not only on account of the number of species con-

*“¢The British Noctuz and their Varieties.” By J. W. Tutt. Londons
Swan Sonnenschein & Co. Vol. i. 1891. .

The Scottish Naturales. 169

tained in it, but’from its popularity with collectors, affords ample
material for the study of variation. |

In the text of his book Mr. Tutt does not enter upon the subject
of the cause of ‘the varieties, but in the introduction he refers
briefly to some theories thereon; and in a series of articles
on “ Melanism and Melanochroism” in “The Entomologists’ Re-
cord” he has discussed at considerable length one aspect of it.

The chief feature of “The British Noctusze and their Varie-
ties” is the careful manner in which all marked variations
from the type of each species are described. There seem to be a
few species—but a very few-——in which there is scarcely any
variation. On the other hand there are some which are quite
protean in their inconstancy of coloration and markings. ‘Taking,
however, the majority of the species, the rule seems to be that
each has several well marked varieties. Although the main ob-
ject of the book is merely the discrimination of the varieties which
exist, and not a discussion of their distribution (though localities
are often mentioned) or origin, yet a study of it will show that in
the Woctuce, just as in other animals and also in plants, some
variations have intimate connection with the localities they in-
habit, and hence—it may be supposed—have the cause of their
origin in the conditions which surround them—in other words,
their environment.

In many cases British specimens are somewhat different from
Continental examples of the same species; and specimens from
South Britain differ from North British ones. As a rule, though
by no means invariably, there is a tendency in the latter to
melanochroism or melanism, but in some species the very opposite
is the case.

Amongst the Woctuce, there are, according to Mr. Tutt, three
modes of variation: (1) in general coloration, (2) in the markings
of the wings, and (3) in the size and shape of the insect. All
these may be combined in one specimen.

Although Mr. Tutt calls all forms which differ distinctly from
the type “‘ varieties,” it is evident that all the forms so designated
are not of equal value or rank. Staudinger’s division of forms
into “varieties ” and ‘‘aberrations,” seems to be a preferable mode of
classification, but doubtless Mr. Tutt has reasons for the plan he
has adopted.

An “aberration” is a varietal form which occuts along with the

170 The Scottish Naturattst.

type. It may occur only once, or very rarely, or it may be not
unfrequent. A “variety,” on the other hand, is a form, which in
some locality or country has supplanted the type, and which,
though only a “local race,” might readily be taken (as indeed has
happened in some cases) for a distinct species. Whilst the
difference between an aberration and a variety thus seems to be
sufficiently great, it must not be forgotten that gradations between
them sometimes occur; and, moreover; that what is an aberration
in one country may attain the rank of a variety in another, or
vice versd, and that even the type of the species might have to be
considered in some circumstances as no more than an aberration.?

In other families of the Zepzdoptera, we have in Scotland several |
well marked examples of varieties or local races, eg. the var.
Artaxerxes F. of Lycena Astrarche Bgstr.; var. subochracea B.
White of Zygena exulans H. & R.; var. borealis Stdgr. of
Spilosoma fuliginosa L.; var. ochracea B. White of S. menthastri
Esp. ; var. scoteca B. White of Thera juniperata L., etc.;and amongst
the Noctue there are also some forms which are recognised as
local races, as, for example, the var. myrice Gn. of Acronycta
euphorbie F. It seems probable, therefore, that some of the
numerous varieties mentioned by Mr. Tutt are varieties, in the
Staudingerian sense, or local races, whilst others are merely aber-
rations. With the large amount of material that Mr. Tutt has,
and his experience in this family, we may hope that some day he
will point out which of the named forms are to be looked upon as
varieties, and which as aberrations.

More than half of the species have yet to be dealt with by Mr.
Tutt, but, amongst those already treated of, a number of varieties
which occur in Scotland are mentioned. Probably many others
also occur, but as there is no definite statement to that effect we
will not mention them just now.

So far as can be gathered from a brief examination of the
descriptions, the following Scottish varieties are melanochroic or
melanic, i.e., they are darker (although not necessary suffused
with black) in colour than the type of the species :—

Cymatophora duplaris L. B obscura Tutt; Asphalia flavicornts L.

1 For example, if in a country where a local race had supplanted the more
widely diffused typical form, the latter occurred occasionally, it must be re-
garded—strictly speaking—as an aberration only, so far as that country is
concerned.

The Scottish Naturalist. . 7

B scotica Stdgr. and y rosea Tutt; Acronycta rumicis L. a salicis
Curtis ; Leucania lithargyrta Esp. y ferrago F., 6 extralinea Tutt,
and ¢ fulvescens Tutt; LZ. impura Hb. a fuligosina Haw.; L.
pallens L. 2 ectypa Hb. and y rufescens Haw. ; Tapinostola fulva
Hb. y punicea Tutt, € fluxa Tr.,and 7 neurica St.; Hydrecia nictitans
L. 5 erythrostigma Haw. and « obscura Tutt; H. micacea Esp. 46
brunnea Tutt ; Helotropha leucostigma Hb. a albtipuncta Tutt ;
Aylophasia polyodon L. a obscura Tutt, B brunnea Tutt, y infus-
cata B. White and 6 ethiops Stdgr.; X. rurea F. € putris Hb. €
combusta Haw. and t nigro-rubsda Tutt ; Mamestra furva Hb. y
anfernalis Ev. ; Luperina testacea Hb. y conerea Tutt and 6 nigres-
cens Tutt ; Caradrina taraxact Hb. a sordida Haw.

The following varieties are paler than the type :—

Cymatophora or F. a scotica Tutt and / flavistegmata Tutt ;
Tapinostola fulva Hb. P ochracea Tutt and 6 pallida St.;
AXylophasia Zollikoferi Frey a pallida Tutt; X. rurea F. a
argentea Tutt, 6 ochrea Tutt and 6 jlavo-ruga Tutt; Mrana fasciun-
cula Haw. 6 cana Stdgr.

Some of the following varieties do not fall into either of the
above groups, whilst the position (so far as can be learned from
the description) of others is somewhat doubtful :—

Acronycta menyanthidis Vw. B scotica Tutt (pale?) ; Zapinostola
fulva Hb. « pygmina Haw. (pale?); Apamea gemina Hb. «a
rufescens Tutt, B intermedia Tutt and a remissa Hb. ; Chareas
graminis L. agramineus Haw., PB tricuspis Esp.. y rufa Tutt
and 6 rufo-costa Tutt.

From these lists it will be seen that considerably more than
half (28 to 18) of the varieties mentioned are melanochroic (in the
sense in which that term is used), thus supporting the statement
made above, that in North British specimens there is usually a
tendency to a darkening of the coloration.

We look forward with interest to the continuation of Mr. Tutt’s
valuable work.

(172)

NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH ENTOMOSTRACA. ~

By Tuomas Scott, F.L.S.
(Naturalist to the Fishery Board for Scotland.)

HE following notes refer to a few species of Entomostraca,
which are as yet rare in Scottish waters.?

Eurytemora (Temorella) hirundo, Giesbrecht. This
Copepod was taken some time ago with the tow-net in the upper
waters of the Forth, z.e. between Kincardine-on-Forth and Alloa.
It was comparatively common, and both male and female were
obtained,—many of the latter with large ova-sacs. It somewhat
resembles Zemora longicaudata, Lubbock,—a species common
all round our shores,—but the abdomen and caudal stylets are
much more slender than in that species, and the serration of the
terminal spines of the swimming feet is so fine that it requires a
high power of the microscope to see the serratures distinctly,
whereas the serratures of the terminal spines of the swimming feet
of Temora longicaudata are coarse and easily made out even with
a hand lens. Hurytemora has not been observed before in Scot-
land. Its usual habitat seems to be the brackish water of estuaries
and the mouths of rivers. It was first made known to science
by Giesbrecht, who discovered it in Kiel inlet, where the conditions
appear to be somewhat similar to the upper reaches of the Forth.
It is rather singular that though comparatively common in the
Forth when first observed, yet, when tow-netting over the same
area later on, Hurytemora was of a very rare occurrence.

Diaptomus serricornis, Lilljeborg. This species was
moderately common among some tow-net material from Loch
Mullach Corrie (Maol a Choire) in the district of Assynt, Suther-
landshire. The material was collected by W. S. Caine, Esq.,
ex-M.P., who was making an examination of this and other
Sutherlandshire lochs, and forwarded to me for examination. The
material contained a considerable number of Copepoda, including
this rare Diaptomus, and a species of Daphnia, to be presently
referred to. Failing to identify the Dzaptomus as belonging to

1 For further information on the Zntomostraca of Scottish inland waters, see
Ninth Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland, part ili, (1891).

The Scottish Naturalist. 173

any. British species, I submitted specimens to Prof. G. S. Brady,
F.R.S., who recognised it as the Diaptomus serricormes of Lilljeborg.
Professor Brady informs me that hitherto it appears:to have been
observed only in Lapland; and is thus. an interesting addition to
the British Fauna. Both male and female specimens occurred in
the material. The male is readily distinguished by possessing a
toothed appendage at the distal end of the third last segment of
the right anterior antenna.

_ Canthocamptus northumbricus, Brady. My son, Mr.
A. Scott, obtained this species some time ago in Duddingston
Loch, Edinburgh. It is quite distinct from any other British
Canthocamptus, and is easily recognised. Each abdominal seg-
ment has two rows of stout sete round the posterior margin.
There are other striking, though less obvious, characters by which
the species is distinguished. Aztheyella spinosa, Brady, is also
frequent in Duddingston Loch. This, and the Canthocamptus,
are described and figured in the Monograph of the British Cope-
poda by Prof. Brady.

Monstrilla, Dana. This curious genus of the Copepoda is
now'represented in the Forth Fauna by at least two species, v7z.,
Monstrilla rigida, I. C. Thompson, and Monstrilla helgolandica,
Claus. The first was obtained off Musselburgh, and the other
near the Bass Rock, and also west of Queensferry. JZonsérilla
differs a good deal from the Coryece:de, among which the genus
is provisionally placed. The mouth organs are almost altogether
absolete in Jonstrilla, and only one pair of antennz are developed.
There is also present in both male and female a peculiar genital
appendage, not observed in any other genus of the family. JZon-
strilla thus differs very markedly from all the other Coryccerda.
Monstrilla was first added to the British Fauna by Sir John
Lubbock in 1857, but for the next thirty years no specimens of
Monstrilla were recorded from our seas. In 1887, I. C. Thompson,
F.L.S., obtained near Puffin Island, Anglesea, the species de-
scribed by Sir John Lubbock in 1857. Since 1887, Monstrilla
has been recorded from various places, and there are now seven
species described as belonging to the British Fauna, Several
specimens have been taken in the Forth, but usually not more
than one or perhaps two ata time. I have also taken Monstrilla

174 The Scottish Naturalist.

in St. Andrews Bay. Six species are described by G. C. Bourne,
M.A., F.L.S., in the ‘Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science,”
- vol. xxx., N.S. (1890). Another is described by I. C. Thompson
in Trans. Biol. Soc., Liverpool, vol. iv.

Daphnia sp. In the tow-net material from Loch Mullach Corrie
in which Diaptomus serricornis occurred, a species of Daphnia
was obtained that differs somewhat from any I have previously
observed in Scotch inland waters. It comes near Daphnia pulez,
but may be distinguished by the spine at the extremity of the
valves of the carapace being black. The terminal joints of the
setze of the antennz are also of a black colour,

Graptoleberis (Lynceus) testudinaria (Fischer). This
pretty but rather small Cladoceran was taken by hand-net in
Lochend Loch, Edinburgh, some time ago. Although apparently
of frequent occurrence in some parts of Britain, I have failed to
observe it in the tow-nettings from Scotch lochs examined by me,
except Lochend Loch and Loch Mullach Corrie, where it also
occurred. It is readily distinguished from other British Lynceidz
by its large, erect, hood-like head, which incloses the antennules,
straight ventral margin, and the two or three—usually three—
comparatively large teeth at the ventral angle of the carapace.
Its small size may cause it to be frequently overlooked, its length
being scarcely the 4oth of an inch. It frequents lochs where the
water is pure and bright.

1 Thompson also (loc. cit.) discusses the classification of Monstrilla.

LIST OF PLANTS SHEN IN THE VALLEY OF BRAHE-
MAR AND ON MORRONE (Continued from page 136).

By Pror. C. C. Bapincron, M.A., F.R.S.

CAMPAN ULACELL.

Lobelia Dortmanna Zinn. Loch Callater.
Campanula rotundifolia Zinn. Common.
C. latifolia Zinn. Corriemulzie.

The Scottish Naturalist. 175

ERICACEG.

Arctostaphylos Uva ursi Spr. Morrone.

Calluna vulgaris Salish. Common.

Erica Tetralix Zinn. Common.

E. cinerea Zinn. Not common, but generally distributed.

Azalea procumbens Zinn. Near the top of Morrone.

Vaccinium Myrtillus Zinn. Common.

V. uliginosum Zinn. Wet hollows on Morrone.

V. Vitis—Idzea Zinn. Common on the hills.

VY. Oxycoccus Zinn. I possess a specimen of this, gathered
by Mr. A. Croall in Glen Callater, and issued as No. 319 of his
Plants of Braemar, and Mr. W. Gardiner gathered it in the wet
hollows, forming the head of a stream flowing down Morrone into
Glen Clunie (it still grows there, W. 7’). Itseems to be very rare.
The fruit called “ Cranberry” in Braemar, is that of V. Vites—
Idea.

Pyrola media Sw. Morrone woods.

P. minor Zinn. Morrone woods and Craig Koynach.

P. secunda Lin. Morrone, Ben Beck, Craig Koynach ;
rare in all the places.

GENTIANACEZ.
Gentiana campestris Zinn. Common.

BORAGINACA.

Lithospermum arvense Linn. Introduced with crops.

Myosotis repens Don. Common.

M. ceespitosa Shulzz. Castleton.

M. arvensis Hofim. Cultivated land.

M. versicolor fezchenb. Castleton.

Cynoglossum officinale Zinn. Mr. A. K. Clark is said to
have found this at Castleton.

Echium vulgare Zzmm. Mr. Clark found this at Auch-
allater. t

SCROPHULARIACELL.

Scrophularia nodosa Limm. Not uncommon. Dickie
overlooked it, and gives it only 500 ft. of elevation.

Digitalis purpurea Zinn. Rare at Castleton.

Veronica scutellata Zinn. Not very common.

V. Beccabunga Lizz. Common.

176 The. Scottish Naturalist:

. Chameedrys Zinn.. Common.
. Officinalis Zzxzn. Common.
. serpyllifolia Zzzz. Common.
. arvensis Zimn. Common.
. agrestis Zizn. Common. .
Melampyrum pratense Zinn... Common ; especially the
variety montanum Johnst.
Pedicularis palustris Zinn. Common.
P. sylvatica Zinn. Common.
Rhinanthus crista-galli Zinn. Common.
Euphrasia officinalis Zizn. Very common. |
EK. paludosa Zowns. M.S. - An interesting plant, found by
Mr. Townsend, in 1890, in aspongy bogat Castleton. It belongs
to Section “ Gracilis” of his.paper in the Journal of Botany, xxii.
Ds Lik

<qacac

LABIATAE.
Mentha arvensis Zinn. Castleton.
Thymus serpylum Zinn. Common.
‘Nepeta Glechoma Benth. Castleton.
Prunella vulgaris Zinn. Common.
Lamium amplexicaule Zinn. Castleton.
L. purpureum Zinn. Castleton.
Galeopsis Tetrahit Zznn. Castleton.
G. versicolor Cur¢. Castleton.
Stachys palustris Z7nn. Common, also var. ambigua.
S. sylvatica Zin. Corriemulzie.
Teucrium Scorodonia Zinn. Castleton.
Ajuga reptans Zinn. Rather common.

LENTIBULARIACEZ.
_Pinguicula vulgaris Zinn. Rather common in boggy
places.

Utricularia vulgaris Zinn. Rev. J. Brichan found this in
Loch Callater. . (In a pool between the road and the river, west
of the village. W.)

PRIMULACEZ.

Primula vulgaris Huds. Is probably common.

P, veris Zinn. Probably common (seen by me only on the
ascent to Tomintoul farm, and not common. (/’). I was far too
late for these plants, and had to. determine them from the leaves.

The Scottish Naturalist. 177

Trientalis europz#a Zinn. Common in the woods,
Lysimachia nemorum Zin. Common.

PLANTAGINACE.

Plantago major Zinn. Common.

P. lanceolata Linn. Common.

‘Littorella lacustris Z. Up to 1650 ft. (W.)
CHENOPODIACEA:.

Chenopodium album Zinn. A rare weed amongst crops.

POL YGONACEZ.

Rumex obtusifolius Zinn. Castleton, but rare.

R. crispus Zinn. Castleton.

R. domesticus Zin. Common in the valley.

R. Acetosa Zinn. Common.

R. Acetosella Zinn. Common.

Oxyria reniformis Hook. Morrone and Glen Callater.
(Shingle along the Dee, extends down the river almost to
Aberdeen. /.)

Polygonum viviparum Zinn. Very common.

P. aviculare Zinn. Common and variable.

P. Convolvulus Zinn. Castleton.

EMPETRACEZ.
Empetrum nigrum Zinn. Common.
HUPHORBIACEZA.

Euphorbia Helioscopia Zinn. Castleton.
E. Peplus Zinn. Castleton.
Merc urialis perennis Zinn. Common.
CALLITRICHACE 4.
Callitriche stagnalis Scop. Common.
C. hamulata Kitz. Loch Callater.
ORTICACEA.
Urtica dioica Zinn. Common.
U. urens Zinn. Castleton.
AMENTIFER A.

Salix aurita Linn. Castleton.
S. Caprea Zinn. Rare at Castleton.

178 The Scottish Naturalist.

S. repens Linn. Common. I did not attempt to determine
the various Willows in and about Glen Callater and on Morrone.
I had not sufficient materials in the autumn to do so: S. reticu=
lata (Linn.), forms of S. nigricans (Sm.), S. phylicifolia
(Linn.), S. Arbuscula (Linn.),and S. Myrsinites (Linn.), may
possibly be found there. I did find S. herbacea (Linn.), on
Morrone.

(Salix. I have seen S. aurita, S. caprea, 8. cinerea, S.
repens, S. nigricans, and S. phylicifolia within the limits.
I have seen zm some herbarium S. pentandra. S. reticulata, S.
Myrsinites, &c., occur beyond the limits. I doubt S. Arbuscula
occurring anywhere in Aberdeenshire, W.)

(S. Lapponum Z. A bush onS.E. shoulder of Morrone, 7’. )

Populus tremula Zinn. Common.

Myrica Gale Zinn. Common.

Betula glutinosa Fr. Very abundant. I did not see any
other species. The head of Glen Callater should be searched for
trees supposed to be B. intermedia.

(B. nana Zinn. Glen Thom, Candlich, at the foot of Little
Craigundal, £.)

Alnus glutinosa Gertn. Common by the rivers.

Quercus Robur Jinn. Castleton.

Corylus Avellana Zinn, Common.

CONIFER.
duniperus communis Zim. Common. The bushes are
usually prostrate, and seem to show that /. nana is not distinct.
Pinus sylvestris Zen. Very abundant. Several other
Conifers may also be found ; but they have been planted.
(Larix europzeus Z. I have found this, self-sown, on the
top of Morrone, W.)

ORCHIDACE.
Orchis maculata Zinn. Common.
Gymnadenia albida fick. Morrone.
Habenaria viridis #. Br. Morrone.
H. bifolia 2. Br. Inthe Manse Wood, Castleton.
Listera ovata &. Br. Morrone woods. (Along the banks
of the Dee and the Clunie, near their confluence, 7’)
L. cordata &. Br. Morrone woods.

The Scottish Naturalist. 179

Malaxis paludosa S.W. Dr. Ogilvie found this near the
Linn of Dee.

ALISMACELL.
Triglochin palustre Zinn. . Common.

MELANTHACEZ.
Narthecium ossifragum Huds, Common.

JUNCACE ZL.

Juncus effusus Zinn. Castleton.

Jd. conglomeratus Zinn. Castleton.

d. triglumis Zinn. Morrone. I could not find it at the
spot recorded at the foot of Craig Koynach by Dickie. (This
spot was drained some years ago, &.)

d. trifidus Zinn. On the upper part of Morrone.

Jd. acutiflorus Zhrh. Common.

d. lamprocarpus Zhrh. Common.

Jd. nigritellus D. Don. In rather elevated boggy places.

Jd. Supinus Moench. Common.

Jd. Squarrosus Zinn. Common.

Jd. bufonius Zinn. Common.

Luzula sylvatica Bichen. Common.

L. pilosa Willd. Common.

L, campestris Willd. Common.

L. multiflora Zej7, Common.

L. spicata De Cand. In Glen Callater. Found by Dr.
Dickie on the boulder by the roadside between Invercauld Bridge
and Castleton.

TY PHACEZ.

Sparganium minimum fr. Loch Callater. Castleton.
All the specimens of Sparganium that I could find belonged to
this species.

POTAMOGETONACEL.
Potamogeton natans Zinn. Castleton and Loch Callater.
P. polygonifolius Pourr. Castleton.
P. heterophyllus Schreb. Loch Callater.
P. lucens Zenn. Loch Callater. I did not find P. prelongus

in Loch Callater, from which it is recorded with doubt by Dr.
Dickie.

180 The Scottish Naturalist.

CYPERACEZ.

Schzenus nigricans Zzznz. Stated to grow in Glen Callater.
I did not meet with it. (We have looked for it in Glen Callater
in vain, &. and Z:) |

Eleocharis palustris &. Br. Common.

Scirpus ceespitosus Lizz. Common.

Eriophorum vaginatum Zizz. Common. |

E. polystachyum Linn. (£. angustifolium.) Common.

Carex dioica Zinn. At Castleton, but I was too late for that.

C. pulicaris Zzzz. Morrone and Carr Rocks.

C. pauciflora Lightfoot. Dr. Dickie found this in Glen
Callater. (I have gathered it on the moor beyond Loch Callater,
4

C. stellulata Gooden. Common.

C. ovalis Gooden. Morrone.

C. rigida Gooden. Morrone.

C. vulgaris 47. Common.

C. aquatilis Waf/. Round the head of Glen Callater.
Brought to me by General Goddard, who found it below the
Breakneck Fall, I believe. (Plentiful on the tableland above the
Fall, but never seen by us in the Glen, &. and 7-)

C. glauca Murr. Common.

C. pallescens Zzuu. Common.

C. panicea Linn. Common.

C. capillaris Zzmz. Has been found on Craig Koynach. I
did not see it, being too late. (Not rare about the foot of the
Carr Rocks, 7.)

C. przecox /Jacg. It is stated to be abundant. I was too late
for it

C. pilulifera Zzzz. Common.

C. flava Zinz. Common.

C. AAderi Zhrh, Rather rare.

C. binervis Sm. Common.

C. ampullacea Gooden. Castleton.

GRAMINE A.

Anthoxanthum odoratum Zizz. Common.

Alopecurus pratensis Zzzm. Common.

A. geniculatus Zinn. I have overlooked this, which is pro-
bably common. |

The Scottish Naturalsst. 181

Nardus stricta Zzzn. Common.

Agrostis vulgaris Witi.. Common; and in the form Vaahis
on Morrone. |

Holecus mollis Zzzn. Castleton.

_H. lanatus Zizm. Castleton.
Aira ceespitosa Zzzn. Common.

A. setacea Huds. Inthe Manse Wood.

A. flexuosa Zzzn. Common.

A. caryophyllea Zizn. Castleton.

Avena pratensis Zinn. Common; variety a/fima on Mor-
rone, but hardly distinguishable from the typical plant.

Arrhenatherum avenaceum Beauv. At Castleton.

Triodia decumbens Beauv. Common.

Koehleria cristata fers. Castleton.

Melica nutans Zzzn. Common.

Poa annua Zinn. Castleton.

P. Balfourii Para. ‘On rocks at the north base of Morrone.
Mr. Croall.” Dickie. I overlooked it.

P. nemoralis Zizz. Common.

P. trivialis Zzzz. Common.

P. pratensis Zizzn. Common.

Glyceria fluitans #. Br. Castleton.

Briza media Zzmz. Common.

' Cynosurus cristatus Zzmz.. Common.

Dactylis glomerata Zimn. Common.

(Calamagrostis Epigeios Aotz. Along north bank of Dee,
east of Invercauld Bridge, #. & Z. Colonel Drummond Hay
found this at Corriemulzie ; but we could not discover it, W.)

Festuca sciuroides Roth. Castleton.

F. ovina Zinn. Common. |

Bromus (Serrafalcus) commutatus Schrad. Castleton,
but rare.

B. mollis Zinn. Common at Castleton.

Triticum repens Linn. Castleton.

Lolium perenne Linn. Castleton.

EQUISETACE&,.

Equisetum arvense Z. Near Castleton.
(E. pratense Hhrh. On the way to, and on Little Craig-
andal, &. and W.)

182 The Scottish Naturalist.

E. sylvaticum Zinn. Morrone.

E. limosum Linn. Castleton.

E. palustre Zinn. Common.

FILICES.

Cryptogramme crispa &. Br. Brought to me from, I
understood, the foot of the Breakneck Fall. (Not seen by us
below 2500 feet line, R. and 7.)

Polypodium vulgare Zinn. Common.

P. Phegopteris Zinn. Morrone, Carr Rocks, and Corrie-
mulzie.

P. Dryopteris Zinn. Rather common.

P. alpestre Hoppe. Glen Clunie.

P. flexile Moore. Glen Clunie. I have a specimen, found
near Fraser’s Bridge, which I believe is this plant. (Not seen by
us in Braemar, R&. 7. W.)

Lastrea Thelypteris Presb. Rare. I have specimens.
(Not seen by us in Braemar, &. 7. W.)

L. Oreopteris Presb. Common.

L. Filix-mas Presb. Common.

L, dilatata Presb. Near Fraser’s Bridge.

L. AZ&mula brack. Near Fraser’s Bridge. My specimen
leaves a little doubt as to this species. (We have not seen this in
Braemar, &. 7’. W.)

(Polystichum Lonchitis Roth. Used to be not uncommon
on the Carr Rocks, #. and 7.)

Cystopteris fragilis Bernh. Rather rare. Mr. Gardiner
says he found C. dentate at several places, I saw only C, fragilis.

Athyrium filix-feemina Roth. Rare.

Asplenium Trichomanes Linn. Rare at Castleton.

A. Ruta-muraria Linn. A little above Invercauld Bridge,
fide Dr. Dickie. It escaped my notice.

A. viride Huds. Corriemulzie, Carr Bura, and a few other
places ; but rare.

Blechnum boreale Sw. Common.

Pteris aquilina Zinn. Up to about 1900 feet.

Botrychium Lunaria Sw. Carr Rocks.

(Ophioglossum vulgatum Jinn. Found by Rev. J.
Crombie near Invercauld Bridge, £.)

LYCOPODIACE.
Isoetes, lacustris Zinn. I have seen this from Loch

The Scottish Naturalist. 183

Kandor ; and record it here to put on record the species growing
there.

(I. echinospora. Discovered in Loch Callater by Prof.
Dickson. I have gathered it there, W.)
' Lycopodium clavatum Zin. Morrone.

L. annotinum Zinn. Morrone.

L. alpinum Zinn. Morrone.
- L. Selago Linn. Morrone.

Selaginella spinulosa A. Br. Common.

CHARACE.

Nitella opaca Ag. Beside the cottage on the Queen’s Drive.
Chara fragilis Zinn. (C. delicatula Braun.) In the reser-
voirs, and in the streams connected with them.

APPENDIX.

Mr. F, J. Hansury has kindly drawn up a complete list of the
Hieracia known by him to grow on the mountains of Braemar
and in the valley near Castleton. I think it desirable to publish
this list without exact localities. The species will all be illustrated
in the valuable and beautiful work which he is publishing upon
this genus of plants.
1. H. Pilosella Zinn. Common.
var. concinnatum Hanb. Ben-na-muic-dhu.

2. H. alpinum Zenn. General at high elevations.

var. insigne. Not so common.
H. holosericeum Backh. At high elevations.
H. eximium Backh. On the mica schist at high elevations.

var. Zenellum Backh. On the granite.
5. H. calendulifolium Backh. On Loch-na-gar.
6. H. granulentum Backh. On Ben-na-muic-dhu, &c.
7. H. globosum Backh. On high ground.
8. H. nigrescens Welld. Common, but very variable on the

high ground.
H. Backhousei Hand. At @ high elevation. See J. of Bot.

XXVil., 74.

10. H. longulatum Backh. By elevated streams.

134

WE.
H. chrysanthum Backh. In the higher glens.

T2.

£3;
14.
15.

16.

17,
18.
19.
20,
2i.
22.

23:
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.

29.

30.
31.
ae.
33:.
34-
35:

. anglicum /r. Common in the valley.
. Iricum Fr. Near Castleton. |
. lasiophyllum Koch. Little Craig-an-dal. I suppose that

The Scottish Naturalist.

Senescens Backh. Glen Callater.

var. moicranthum Backh. och-na-gar, &c.

this is in my H. cinerascens. ,.

. Schmidtii Zausch. By the river from Castleton up-

wards.

. onosmoides fr. Castleton. I did not detect this.
. argentium /’r. Rare on the higher mountains.
. hitidum Backh. Rare on the higher mountains.

ageregatum Backh. Rare on the higher mountains.

murorum Jinn. Common. 7
caledonicum Hanb. Castleton. See Journ. of Bot.
XXVil., 75. ;

cesium fr. Doubtful.

. bifidum Azz. In the higher valleys, but rare.
. Sommerfeltii Zandeb. In the higher valleys, but rare.

flocculorum Backh. In the higher valleys, but rare.

vulgatum #7. Common.

Friesii Hartm. (H. igothicum Fr.) Castleton.

rigidum Hartm. (H. Tridentatum Fr.) In the valley,
but very rare.

Jarenanthoides Zinn. By the rivers at Castleton.

strictum /’r. Near, but above, Castleton.

crocatum /’r. Castleton.

auratum /’r. Castleton.

. Eupatorium Griseb. (Hl. corymborum Fr.) Castleton.

commutatum JLindeb. (H. boreale Fr.) Backhouse re-
cords it, but not so Hanbury. Croall issued what he
called “ H. boreale” (No. 315), but the specimen re-
ceived by me is H. prenanthoides, C. C. B. 3

A $E85~>)

RECORD OF SCOTTISH PLANTS FOR 1890,
ADDITIONAL TO “TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY.”
Eid. 2.

(Continued. )

By ARTHUR BENNET?, Bub. S:

97. Westerness—( Continued).

Scirpus maritimus.
Carex vulpina.

C. sylvatica.
Agrostis alba.

Poa trivialis.
Festuca rubra.

F. __ sciuroides.
Psamma arenaria.
Bromus commutatus.
Botrychium Lunaria.
Asplenium marinum.

98. Argyle.
Orobus tuberosus. 7. dng.
Hieracium senescens. Jarshall & Hanbury, J. B., 1890,
p. 180.
Filago minima. TZ. King.
Lycopsis arvensis. Z: zug.
Sparganium affine. Marshall & Hanbury.
Bromus asper. Z. Xing.

99. Dumbarton.
(From specimens sent by Wr. Z. Watt. )

Ranunculus pseudo—fluitans.
Prunus insititia.
Myriophyllum spicatum.
Helosciadium inundatum.
Leontodon hirtus. .
Linaria Elatine.t

186 The Scottish Naturalist.

For Potamogeton pectinatus, Scot. WVat., 1890, p. 268, read
P. flabellatus.

Potamogeton rufescens.

Zostera nana.

Carex pendula,

Briza media.

too. Clyde Isles.
Carpinus Betulus.t| 4. Somerville,
Avena pubescens, A. Somerville.

105. Ross, W.
(By G. C. Druce, J. B., 1890, p. 40.)

Drosera intermedia.
Ulex europezeus.
Lathyrus pratensis.
Vicia sepium,
Rubus saxatilis.

R. affinis W. & N,

R. calvatus Blox.
Epilobium obscurum.
Hieracium nigrescens.

isl holosericeum,
Campanula rotundifolia,
Pyrola media.
Lycopus europzeus.
Mercurialis perennis.
Myrica Gale.
Cladium Mariscus. A. H. Evans.
Carex paniculata.
Elymus europzeus,

106. Ross, E.
(Records by Messrs. Marshall & Hanbury.)

Ranunculus bulbosus,
Cochlearia danica.
Polygala oxyptera.
Spergularia marginata.
Cerastium tetrandrum.

The Scottish Naturahst. 187

Anthyllis Dillenii.

Geranium pusillum.

Vicia angustifolia.

Epilobium obscurum.

Callitriche platycarpa. Druce, J. B., 1890, p. 40.
f@thusa Cynapium. |

Ligusticum scoticum.

Caucalis nodosa.

C Anthriscus.
Hieracium caledonicum. Hanb.
Carlina vulgaris.
Inula dysenterica.
Gentiana Amarella.
Veronica Buxbaumii.t
Rhinanthus major.
Myosotis collina.
Sueeda maritima.
Salix Smithiana.

S. Caprea.
Juniperus nana.
Orchis latifolia. (seg.)
Potamogeton heterophyllus. s/.
Scirpus uniglumis.
Carex ‘“ Cideri,”
_ Phragmites communis.
Avena pubescens.
Phleum pratense. Druce, J. B., 1890, p. 40.
Poa nemoralis.
Festuca “ elatior.”
Triticum junceum.

gia pungens?

107. Sutherland, E.

(Records by Messrs. Marshall & Hanbury.)

Nympheea alba.
Polygala depressa.
Prunus spinosa.
Cratzegus Oxyacantha.
Epilobium obscurum.

1838 The Scottish Naturalist.

Saxifraga stellaris.
Galium boreale.
Sherardia arvensis.
Hieracium sparsifolium. Lindeb,
H. Langwellense. .Hanb.
Calamintha Acinos.
Lamium purpureum.
Myosotis repens.
Anagallis arvensis.
Rumex crispus.
Ulmus montana,
Betula pubescens.
Pinus sylvestris.
Juniperus nana.
Habenaria eu-bifolia.
Carex flava. (agg.)
C. pallescens.
C... fulva.
Agrostis canina.

108. Sutherland, W.

(Records by Messrs. Marshall & Hanbury.)
Drosera obovata.
Hieracium eximium. Hanb. Monogr. Hierac., p. 19.
Chenopodium album.
Salix ambigua.
Potamogeton prelongus. JZarshall, sp.
Melica nutans.
Polystichum lobatum.

110. Outer Hebrides.
(Records by Mr. W. S. Duncan.)

Ranunculus bulbosus, Scarp.
Arabis hirsuta, Bernera.
Subularia aquatica, Harris, sf.
Draba verna, Harris, sf.

Orobus tuberosus, Harris.
Helosciadium inundatum, Harris.
Sonchus oleraceus, Scarp.

The Scottish Naturalast. 189

Carduus heterophyllus, Harris.
Myosotis versicolor, Searp.
Lysimachia nemorum, Harris.
Polygonum Hydropiper, Harris.

r viviparum, Scarp.
Orchis mascula, Scarp.
Habenaria eu-bifolia, Harris.

Et, chlorantha, Harris.
Listera ovata, Scarp.

L. cordata, Scarp.
Potamogeton pusillus, Scarp, sp.
Scirpus multicaulis, Scarp.
Carex pauciflora, Harris.

C, pallescens, Harris.
Scolopendrium vulgare, Scarp.
Polypodium Phegopteris, Scarp.
Pilularia globulifera, Harris.

112. Shetland Isles.
_ (Records by Mr. W. H. Beeby, Scot. Nat., 1891, pp. 25-30.)

Ranunculus Baudotil. sf,

Ree trichophyllus. sf.
ioe hederaceus. A. H. Evans.
R. Steveni.

Papaver Lamottei.
Subularia aquatica. sf.
Brassica alba.t
Arenaria serpyllifolia. sf.
Radiola Millegrana.
Geranium Robertianum. sf.
Scandix Pecten-Veneris. 4. H. Evans.t
Carduus “nutans.” A. H. Evans.t
Arctium intermedium P
Rhinanthus major (conf.) s2.
Veronica Buxbaumii. s/.t
Mentha aquatica !
Utricularia minor. sf.

U. intermedia. sf,

190 The Scottish Naturalist.

Rumex propinquus. J. H. Aresch.
R. pratensis (acutus).
Euphorbia Peplus.t
Potamogeton pusillus. s/.
Scirpus fluitans. sf.
S. multicaulis.

ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.

Daubenton’s Bat (Vespertilio daubentoni) in Elginshire.—It gives
me pleasure to record the capture of a fine example (a male) of this bat at
Cromdale Church, about two-and-a-half miles below Grantown, Strathspey.
The church, which stands within a few feet of the river Spey, is surrounded
by a stone-and-lime wall, from five to six feet high. When passing the church
about 7 p.m. on 5th instant (September, 1891), a somewhat loud chirping, not
unlike that of a young finch, attracted my attention. At first I thought the
sound came from an overhanging tree, but I soon traced it to a hole in the
top of the wall—a narrow opening between two of the copestones. By
removing a few pieces of lime I was able to insert my hand far enough to
secure the creature, which, so far as I could discover, was the only occupant
of the hole. The sound it uttered was louder and less shrill than that usually
made by the Pipistrelle. If I mistake not, this species has not hitherto been
recorded from a locality so far north in Scotland. I have shown the specimen
to the editor, who confirms my identification.

I take this opportunity of reminding the readers of the Scottish Naturalist
how very little we know of the distribution of the bats in Scotland. Every
opportunity of securing specimens for identification should therefore be taken
advantage of. —WILLIAM EvaNs.

The Recent Introduction of the Badger into Linlithgow-
shire.—In June 1881, the Earl of Rosebery sent some badgers from one of
his English estates to Dalmeny Park, Linlithgowshire, where a pair were
turned down and left to shift for themselves. They very soon disappeared :
one was caught on the Hopetoun estate, the other was believed to have met its
fate in East Lothian. A more successful attempt was made in 1888, when
three badgers were sent from England and put into an old fox’s earth, and were
fed on dogs’ biscuits and rabbits’ liver for some time. The badgers soon set
about enlarging their den by deepening it ; and up to the present time, about
two or three tons of sand have been thrown up by them. The den is well
hidden among brackens six feet high, and the badgers have several ‘‘ runs,”

The Scottish Naturalist. IQI

towards the entrance. ‘Towards winter they take in a supply of dry bracken
for bedding. Unfortunately one of the three was caught in a rabbit trap,
and, after dragging the trap about for some distance, the trap caught on a
wooden paling, where it was left with the foot of the badger init. This badger is
believed to have died some time afterwards—at least it was not seen often after
that. The remaining pair bred last year, and had at least two young ones,
which were seen by the gamekeeper’s boy.—BRUCE CAMPBELL, Edinburgh.

Italian Ratcatchers in Scotland in the 17th Century.—It
may, perhaps, be as new to others as it was to me, to find that, according to the
Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, A/us vratius was destroyed by foreign
traps. Among the Decreta of the Privy Council of Scotland, given at Edin-
burgh on July 3rd, 1610, was this: Anthone Auregio, Anthone Soubonga, and
Fabian Fantone, strangers, having arrived in this country of purpose to use
their ‘ trade and industrie of making of hekkillis and utheris ingynnis for tak-
ing of rottonis and myce, the Lords grant them license to exercise their said
trade in any part of the country, and discharge all magistrates from hinder-
ing them in making and selling their work.” (Register P.C.S., vol. ix.)—
H. A, MAcPHERSON, Carlisle.

Variety of the White Mole.—On the 15th of May last, I received
from Mr. James Culton, Dildawn, near Castle-Douglas, a fine pale variety of
the mole. It was not exactly white, neither was it the pale cream-coloured
variation usually met with, but something between white and pale cream, and
was much paler than the usual run of these light varieties. On the under
part it had a bright, rusty-coloured stripe, occupying the mesial line, with
branches of the same colour towards each of the sockets of the fore and hind
limbs. About the same time a similar variety of the mole was sent to Mr.
Hastings from the neighbourhood of Thornhill.—R. SERVICE, Maxwellton,

The Nut-cracker in Wigtownshire,—I have pleasure in reporting
the occurrence of an extremely rare and interesting visitor to Scotland—the Nut-
cracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes). My younger son, who is a well-informed
naturalist, on whom I am abie to rely as a careful observer, watched the bird
at Corsemalzie, Wigtownshire, feeding on mountain-ash berries, and assures
me that he could not be mistaken, as he and a companion got quite near the
bird. He identified it afterwards by comparison of three authorities, Yarrell,
Morris, and Lord Lilford, in all of which it is well figured.

Though common in many parts of Europe, it is a rare visitor in this country,
there being only three authenticated instances of its having been shot in
Scotland. I trust that a like fate may not overtake the specimen which has
ventured to Wigtownshire.-~HERBERT MAXWELL.

192 The Scottish Naturalist.

Hoopoe in F'yvie.—A fine adult specimen of Upupa epops was killed
in this neighbourhood on the 26th August, and sent to me for preservation.
This is the first instance known to me of the occurrence of this elegant bird
here. —G. Sim, Aberdeen.

Scops Owl in Aberdeenshire.—A fine female specimen of Scops
gitu was picked up dead, but in a perfectly fresh condition, upon the Great
North of Scotland Railway, near Kintore, on September 2nd. This is the
second, so far as I amaware, onrecord for Scotland. The first having been shot
at Morvich, near Golspie, May, 1854, as reported by Messrs. Harvie-Brown and
Buckley (‘‘ Vertebrate Fauna of Sutherland, Caithness, and West Cromarty,”
p- 163). The example now noted weighed two-and-a-half ounces. Extent of
wings, eighteen inches; beak to tail, six and-a-half inches. The stomach was
crammed with earwigs and beetles.—Gro. Sim, Aberdeen.

[Col. Drummond Hay recorded (Scot. Nat., vol. ii. new series, p. 365) a
pair, male and female, shot at Scone, in May 1846.—Ep.]

_. A late Scaup in the Solway.—A fine female scaup (Fuligula mar-
tla ) was taken not far from Carsethornon July 4th, and I havehad an opportunity
of examining the preserved skin. The only explanation of such an unusual
occurrence that suggests itself is, that the bird may have been a slightly
wounded one that was unable to take the usual northward flight at the migra-
tion period.—R. SERVICE, Maxwellton.

Sand-Grouse in Kirkcudbrightshire.—A friend tells me that he
saw a Sand-Grouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus ) on 30th June at a place in Kirk-
bean, which I am not at present at liberty to specify more definitely. As this
gentleman knows the species perfectly well, having been quite familiarly ac-
quainted with the appearance and daily habits of the birds during their mem-
orable, but transient, visit of three years ago, I have every confidence in ac-
cepting the statement. The bird was seen in a turnip field, and rose and flew
to another field on my friend’s approach.—R. SERVICE, Maxwellton.

The American Red-breasted Snipe in Argyllishire.—A fine
male specimen of Macheramphus griseus, in first plumage, was shot at Pol-
talloch, by a son of Colonel Malcolm, on the 2nd of September last. I saw this
bird in Mr. Bisshopp’s shop in Oban, where it had been sent for mounting.
This is the third specimen of this North American species known to have
occurred in Scotland.—W. EAGLE CLARKE, Edinburgh.

The Gar-Pike in the Solway.—A Gar-Pike (Belone vulgaris) was
brought to me in May by Mr. Marshall, fish-dealer. It was caught ina hand
net near the mouth of the Nith. It was 33 inches long, in splendid condition,
and weighed 1lb. 140z. It was a female fish, and contained large masses of
ova nearly ready for extrusion, and the gills and alimentary canal were infested
by many small thread-like worms. The Gar fish is seldom met with in our
waters, but of late years a few have been taken in the salmon nets in Auchen-
cairn Bay.—R. SERVICE, Maxwellton.

The Scottish Naturalist. 193

The occurrence of Timarcha levigata in S.-W. Scotland.
—The late Andrew Murray, in his ‘‘ Catalogue of the Coleoptera of Scotland,”
records Timarcha levigata as having been taken in Kirkcudbrightshire by the
Rev. Mr. Lamb. Dr. Sharp ignores this record altogether, and Canon Fowler
says of it—- the single Scotch record, ‘ Kirkcudbrightshire, Murray’s Cata-
logue,’ is extremely doubtful.” I am glad of the opportunity of vindicating
Murray, for, within the last ten days, Mr. Robinson Douglas of Orchardton has
captured on Screel nearly a dozen of this handsome, large, and conspicuous
beetle. Mr. Lennon has also captured some specimens at the same place.
‘They were found on bare spots surrounded by tall brackens, and seemed to
come forth in the hottest sunshine late in the afternoon. I may also mention that
the late Rev. Wm. Little, for many years minister of Kirkpatrick-Juxta, was
one of Mr. Murray’s coadjutors in the preparation of the catalogue. Mr.
Little’s large collection of insects is now in my possession, and amongst the
beetles are three specimens of 7. levigata. Unfortunately, they bear no
locality labels, but two of the specimens are of Mr. Little’s own setting, and
may have been collected in Scotland.—R. SERVICE, Maxwellton.

Is the range of Boarmia gemmaria, Brahm (B. rhomboid-
aria, Hb.), extending in Scotland ?—In Stainton’s ‘‘ Manual,” pub-
lished in 1859, this species is said to be ‘‘ scarce in Scotland, occurring at the
Cumbraes”’; butin 1877, inmylist of Scottish lepidoptera published in this maga-
zine in that year, I was able to mention four districts in which it had been ob-
served, viz., Tweed and Tay in the East, and Solway and Clyde inthe West. At
that time it was very scarce in this neighbourhood (Perth), but of late years it
has much increased in numbers. Before this season I had not noticed it in my
garden, although I had seen a specimen not very far off; but during the past
summer many specimens have come in at the open windows, and hence I
am inclined to suspect that the range of the moth is extending. Perhaps some
of your entomological correspondents may be able to tell us if they have
noticed a similar increase in their districts. -F. BUCHANAN WHITE.

BOTANICAL NOTE.

_Linaria minor L. in Perthshire.—This plant has—apparently all of
a sudden—established itself, at least for the present, in several places in Perth-
shire. A few years ago a single specimen occurred at Invergowrie station (on
the Perth and Dundee railway), a place where usually several ‘‘ aliens ” may
be found. I cannot remember noticing it at Invergowrie again till this year ;
but now it is not only rather common there, but has been seen by, or reported
to, me from four other places, all, however, on railway lines, but not near

N

194 The Scottish Naturalist.

Invergowrie. These places are Barnhill near Perth, Strathord, Stanley, and

Methven, There is little doubt but that the railway traffic has been instru-

mental in the distribution of the plant, but by what method is not so clear.

It would be interesting to know if it is spreading in a similar way in other

parts of Scotland. Its recorded distribution is from Lanarkshire and Berwick-

shire southwards, but it has also been reported as a naturalised plant in
Kinross-shire.—F. BUCHANAN WHITE.

REVIEWS.

An [Illustrated Hand-Book of British Dragon Flies. By
the Editor of ‘‘ The Naturalists’ Gazette.” Birmingham : The Naturalists’
Publishing Company. London; E. W. Allen.

We have strong feelings on the subject of books of a scientific nature, how-
ever small they may be, appearing without the name of the author on the title
page; and our confidence in this little book is not enhanced by the fact that
its compiler has not cared, for reasons only known to himself, to declare his
identity. This is a cheaply got up booklet of 98 small octavo pages. giving
descriptions of each species, and some indication of their distribution and time
of appearance. The author has thought it well to describe a considerable
number of varieties of each species, and to all of these he has given scientific
names, chiefly with the authority of ‘‘ mihi.” Unfortunately we have no
modern work on this most interesting group of British insects, and we
trust that this small treatise may be the means of calling attention to the
fact, and that it may not too long continue to be the only work on sale on
the subject.

The British Naturalist Catalogue of the Land and Fresh-
water Mollusca of the British Isles, with all the Named
Varieties. By Theo. D. A. Cockerell (Swan Sonnenschein & Co.,
London. 8vo. 19 pages).

This list is a reprint of articles contributed to the ‘‘ British Naturalist,” and has
evidently involved much painstaking research on the part of its author. It is,
however, difficult to understand why the listis published when the Conchological
Society’s List, of which a new and revised edition is about to be published,
may be regarded as the standard catalogue for students in this branch. One
point of great practical convenience seems to have been overlooked by Mr.
Cockerell—viz., that the generic name should be repeated for every species,
which would at once make it available as a label list. There are a few mis-

The Scottish Naturalest, 195

prints, rather more than a good printer would allow to issue from his press ;
but for these, of course, it is the publisher and not the author who is
responsible,

A Vertebrate Fauna of the Orkney Islands. By Thomas
E. Buckley and J. A. Harvie-Brown. Edinburgh: David Douglas,
1891. pp. xxiv and 314. Map and plates.

From an early date in the annals of British natural history, the Orkneys
have very justly proved an attractive field for the labours of naturalists. This
is due, no doubt, to the importance that attaches to their geographical position
and to the charm that surrounds all our northern isles.

Commencing with Sibbald in 1684, a number of books and papers of greater
or lesser import have appeared, but strange to say the last, and what promised
to be, in some respects, the most useful of these, appeared so long ago as 1848,
in the shape of the incomplete Historia Naturalis Orcadensis, of which only
the first portion treating on the mammals and birds saw the light. Thus it is
needless to say that a book dealing adequately with such an important region
of the British Fauna was a decided desideratum, This blank is most admir-
ably filled in by the book under consideration, which, from its thoroughness,
and the excellent manner in which the subject is treated, will, we have no
hesitation in opining, prove as welcome and as useful a volume as any of its
predecessors in this fine series, The introductory matter deals in chrono-
logical order with the natural historians of Orkney, and includes a list of the
works devoted to or dealing with the Fauna of the islands. Then follows a
section containing a concise and useful description of each island, with an ac-
count or its chief faunal characteristics.

The Orcadian mammals treated of are thirty-nine in number. Among
these, as we should naturally expect, the Catacea are strongly represented 3
no less than fourteen species being included in the list; while in the Pinnipedia,
such interesting forms as the Walrus, Greenland Seal, etc., claim a place.
It is somewhat surprising that the authors should countenance for one
moment the inclusion of such a mammal as the Mouse-Coloured Bat in the
Fauna of the isles—a species which can only be regarded as question-
ably British. This bat and the noctule should surely have been
enclosed in the thickest of brackets. On the other hand, the short but in-
teresting note recording the Water-Shrew for Orkney, as given by Messrs.
Baikie and Heddle, was worthy of full quotation in place of the mere allusion
made to it at p. 65. The authors of the Historia Naturalis Orcadensis state
that the example obtained was ‘‘an undoubted specimen of this species,
hitherto unknown to exist in Orkney”; and it has not been known to occur
since.

Relating to the two hundred and thirty birds recorded, there is very much
of extreme interest, and it is difficult to particularise among so much that is
good, However, we cannot pass over without special allusion to the informa-
tion it has fallen to the lot of the authors to unearth, thus late, relating to that
most interesting—alas mainly because extinct—bird, the Great Auk. This
occupies pp. 245-257, and forms a contribution of considerable importance to

196 The Scottish Naturalist.

the scanty literature relating to Alea zmpennis as a British bird. A fine etch-
ing of the range of cliffs in Papa Westray, frequented by the last of the
Orcadian Great Auks, and an autotype picture of the actual cranny
wherein they rested, and perhaps nested, are given. Referring to the occur-
rence of Charadrius fulvus at p. 202, the authors not unnaturally expatiate
upon the almost wonderful discrimination displayed by the Orcadian boatman
in detecting the decidedly subtle distinctions between this species and the
common bird. Such, if actually displayed, was indeed not a little remarkable;
but this reminds us that there is another version relating to the origin of this
specimen besides that recorded in ‘‘ The Field” of December roth, 1887.
According to this unpublished account, the bird, though doubtless from
Orkney, passed through the hands of Messrs. W. Johnston & Co,, Poulterers,
Queen Street, Edinburgh. We mention the above facts with the view of
drawing our authors’ attention to a subject not unworthy of their further
investigation.

Of resident Reptiles there are none, and the class has a solitary representa-
tive in such a waif as the Hawks-billed Turtle. The Amphibians are repre-
sented by the Toad.

Over one hundred Fishes are enumerated, and the account of the Trouts is
especially worthy of the attention of all interested in the variations of these
particularly plastic species.

We might dwell further and quote much with advantage, if space permitted
us, from the numerous items of great interest in which the book abounds, but
we must be content to have given some idea of the scope of the work, and in
bearing testimony as to the admirable and painstaking manner in which all the
details relating to both the islands and their Vertebrate Fauna have been
worked out ; and it only remains to say that, in point of illustration and general
get up, the book is in all respects a worthy companion to the elegant volumes
of this series which have already appeared.

er

; aa A. FE: S.5 R. Mi acdvan, F. R. 4 Pik: S. ; E. annine
; ay 1s S.5 and H. T. STAINTON, PRS. , &e.

NDON coun VAN VOORST, ‘I PATERNOSTER Rew, E. CG;

.—The volumes now commence with the naan of each year. Sub-
ions (6s. per volume, post free) should be forwarded to the Editors at the
address.

Laas: ‘TAYLOR BROS., ‘Sr. abe ernie,
| Burns; ‘R. FRIEDLANDER & SOHN, CARLSTRASSE, 11.

Piao: HARDWICKE & BOGUE, 192 Piccapiuty, W.

o.

a4

use of Agriculturists and others.

The Collector and his wants will be ibarobatty considered. Un
title of THe Ovur-poor Naturauist, helpful papers will appear
earlier numbers, with instructions for the. preparation of specimens:
the collection, and the various other brauches of indoor work. —

A special column will be devoted to Notes on the Occurrence
Birds Insects, &c., the appearance of the Summer and Autumn mi
and. other sirctimetances of general interest. )
establish an Exchange Column, advertisements in which will be in

free of charge to subscribers.

py
THE FIELD CLUB can be had for fetalivation by Natural :
and Field Clubs at very reasonable terms, which may be learned fron

publisher.

The scope and general character of THE FIELD. CLUB.
indicated by the following subjects, which will be treated in mes :
numbers :— :

The True Status of the Sparrow | Something about Jolly-Fish

The Five Senses of Insects
Setting and Preserving Beetles
Electricity in Animals

The Spread of the Hessian Fly

The Fresh and Salt Water
Aquarium
British Bats

What is the Duckbill 7 ?

Fish out of Water

Insect Artillery

The Cuckoo and Its Eggs
New Work for New Workers
Bird Preservation in England

Sold by all Booksellers, and by the Publisher.

we

- Publi hed Monthly, lage si with o

‘THE FIELD CLUB i is Beshod with the view of ovpye
of communication between lovers of Natural History in its-wide:
and especially between the Members of the leading Field Ch
Natural History Societies in the United Kingdom.
particularly of the subjects which come within the province —
Societies, and at the same time will give attention to such branch
Natural History as may interest the more general reader; and “popula
treatment will, in all cases, be combined ‘with scientific accuracy.
Articles on Economie Zoolog; ay will from time to time appear,

Flat Fish

tt will trea

It is also pro

British Weasels .

The Respiration of Insects.
Venomous Fishes
Luminosity in Animals —

Can Fishes Hear ? Sexe
Self-Mutilation in the La

Animals a "4
Caterpillar Breeding. :
Sticklebacks

Entomology of. the
&e. &c. &e.

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