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The Annals
OF
Scottish Natural History
mM QUARTERLY NAGAZINE
WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED
“Che Scottish Naturalist”
EDITED BY
j. A. HARVIE-BROWN, .F-R-S.E., F-Z.S.
MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ UNION
JAMES W. Hi. RATE, MA M.D: PRs: 21:8.
PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN
AND
WILLIAM EAGLE CLARKE, F.L.S., Mem. Brit. OrN. UNION
NATURAL HISTORY DEPARTMENT, MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND ART, EDINBURGH
1899
EDINBURGH
DAVID DOUGLAS, CASTLE STREET
LONDON: R. H. PORTER, 7 PRINCES ST., CAVENDISH SQUARE
The Annals
ot
Scottish Natural History
No. 29] 1899 [JANUARY
REE. AD EAN See iVe Teles:
THE death of Dr. Hardy, which took place at his residence
at Oldcambus Town Head, in the Parish of Cockburnspath,
Berwickshire, on Friday, the 30th of September, 1898, has
caused a blank in the ranks of Scottish Naturalists, which
will not be easily filled. Born near Penmanshiel, on the Ist
of June 1815, James Hardy had thus, at the time of his
death, already entered upon his eighty-fourth year; but he
came of a long-lived race, and, as recorded upon the tomb-
stone in God’s acre at Coldingham Abbey, where his mortal
remains were laid in their last resting-place, on Wednesday,
the 5th of October last, his father had lived to the ripe old
age of 100 years.
The eldest son of a highly respected family, which had
for many years been established as farmers in the Parish of
Cockburnspath, James Hardy, after obtaining a good pre-
paratory education at the village school, entered the
University of Edinburgh about the year 1833. After four
sessions of College life, one of which was spent at Glasgow
for the purpose of attending a special class there, he returned
home in somewhat indifferent health, and for a few years his
course in life seems to have been uncertain. Although from
early boyhood a most diligent student, he appears to have
29 B
2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
evinced little predilection for any of the professions, and
until 1846 he remained at home, busying himself about the
farm, but all the time improving himself by close and
attentive reading. In that year, what seemed a favourable
opportunity of opening an Academy for higher education
presented itself at Gateshead-on-Tyne, and he went there
and laboured, not unsuccessfully, for a few years; but, his
health again giving way, he was compelled once more to
return to the parental roof. From this time forward, up to
the date of his death, he continued to reside in his native
parish, ostensibly engaged in farming, but neglecting no
opportunity of making himself thoroughly acquainted with
the Natural History, and Antiquarian lore, of the Border
Counties, and extending his reading to a great variety of
subjects. During his residence in Gateshead he became
acquainted with many of the leading scientific men on
Tyneside, and joined the Literary and Philosophical Society
of Newcastle, as well as the Newcastle Antiquarian Society,
and he was one of the earliest members of the Tyneside
Naturalists’ Field Club, formed in 1846. In 1848, in con-
junction with his friend the late T. J. Bold, he undertook
“A Catalogue of the Insects of Northumberland and
Durham,” which was published, with Hardy as its editor, in
the “ Transactions” of the Tyneside Club." The Catalogue
extended to the order Coleoptera only, and, including, as it
did, 353 genera, and 1170 species, was marvellously exhaust-
ive, taking into account the somewhat meagre attention
which had, up to that time, been paid to the Beetles of the
district. Many other papers from his facile pen appeared
from time to time in different scientific journals, always
written with that accuracy, and careful regard to fact, which
ever distinguished him; and he was soon recognised, not
merely as an authority on all local subjects, but as one well
versed in some of the least-known branches of Botany, and
Entomology. The pages of the earlier numbers of the
“Border Magazine” were frequently enriched by his essays,
not always confined to prose work, and the Folk Lore Society
was equally indebted to him. Amongst his contributions
to the last-named Society may be mentioned his “ Popular
1 Vol. i. pp. 37-96, and vol. ii. pp. 21-97, and 164-287.
THE LATE JAMES HARDY, LL.D. 3
History of the Cuckoo,”’ which contains a vast fund of
information on this oft-written-upon, and almost inexhaust-
ible subject; and the paper, which runs to over 40 pp.,
is an apt illustration of the resources of its author, and
the thoroughness with which his work was always done.
In 1892-95 the Folk Lore Society published, under his
editorship, two volumes entitled “Denham Tracts,” com-
prising a collection of folk lore by Michael Aislabie
Denham; and interspersed throughout the book are to be
found many additions by the editor from his own store of
information, these being always distinguished by the initials
(J. H.) appended to them.
It was, however, in connection with the Berwickshire
Naturalists’ Club that Dr. Hardy was perhaps best known,
and to the members of that club his loss is well-nigh irre-
parable. Though he did not formally join the club till
1863, he had contributed considerably to its “ Proceedings ”
for many years previously ;* and upon the death of Mr.
George Tate, in 1871, he was appointed, along with the late
Dr. Francis Douglas, to the Secretaryship. From that time
forward the duties of editing the annual publications
devolved almost entirely upon him, and the success with
which he accomplished that work is written in every volume
of the Club’s history. Losing the help of Dr. Douglas by
that gentleman’s death in 1886, Dr. Hardy acted as sole
Secretary of the Club till 1896, when the Rev. George Gunn
was associated with him in that office. In recognition of
his valuable and gratuitous services, his fellow members
presented him, in the jubilee year of the Club (1881), with
a valuable microscope bearing an appropriate inscription,
together with a cheque for 4111 towards enabling him to
bind up his voluminous collection of books, pamphlets, and
manuscripts.
In April 1890, Mr. Hardy had the degree of LL.D.
conferred upon him, honorzs causa, by the University of
Edinburgh ; and two months later, at its first meeting for the
year, the members of the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, in
1 Folk Lore Record, part ii.
2 His first paper, entitled ‘‘ Contributions to the Flora of Berwickshire,”
appeared in 1839, vol. i. pp. 206-210.
4 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
tendering their congratulations to him, upon the distinction
conferred upon him by his Adma Mater, made him the
recipient of a handsomely illuminated address, together with
a cheque for £400.
Through the instrumentality of the late Sir William J.
Hooker, James Hardy had become known, at an early
period, to the late Dr. George Johnston, of Berwick-on-Tweed,
and their acquaintance soon grew into a close friendship,
which was only to be parted by death. How well and
usefully they worked together is demonstrated in nearly
every volume written by the gifted author of “ The Natural
History of the Eastern Borders”; and a few years ago
Dr. Hardy edited a volume of the correspondence of his late
friend, which had been brought together, and was published
by his daughter Mrs. Barwell Carter. Amongst the many
contributions to our knowledge of the Border Counties, for
which we are indebted to Dr. Hardy, may be instanced his
“Popular Rhymes of Berwickshire,” “The Wild Cat in the
Border District,” “Bowling as an Extinct Game in Berwick-
shire,” the “ Lichen Flora,” and “ Moss Flora of the Eastern
Borders,” his “ Contributions to the Entomology of the
Cheviot Hills,’ “On Urns and Other Antiquities found
round the Southern Skirts of the Cheviot Hills,” “ Ancient
Stone and Flint Implements of Berwickshire and_ the
Borders,” and his “ History of the Wolf in Scotland ”—all
of which appeared in the “History of the Berwickshire
Naturalists’ Club,” and are full of interesting details concern-
ing the subjects treated. Many of them have been largely
quoted, not always with due acknowledgment made, and one
of them, “ The Wolf in Scotland,” was so appreciated by
Mr. Harting, that it was very largely made use of in his
“Extinct British Animals,’ with but very scanty reference
to the scource from which his information was obtained ; and
the writer has frequently heard Dr. Hardy refer, with
considerable sarcasm, to the piracy so committed. Many
other papers, too numerous to refer to here, were contributed
by him ; and in these are to be found, not only additions to
the local Fauna, and Flora, but many species are therein
recorded, which had not previously been found in Scotland,
or the British Islands, while not a few of them were entirely
THE LATE JAMES HARDY, LL.D. 5
new to science. To enumerate even the latter is beyond
the scope of this article, but several of his discoveries, still
bearing the specific name of H/ardzz, will serve to keep for
ever green the memory of one we all loved so well.
In Ornithology, as in other matters, Dr. Hardy’s local
knowledge was very extensive ; while the readiness with which
he was always willing to place his information at the disposal
of others is amply acknowledged in Mr. Muirhead’s “ Birds of
Berwickshire,” scarcely a chapter of which but bears the im-
press of his helping hand. His knowledge of local family,
and county history was also very great; but enough has
already been said to illustrate the varied, and extensive
character of his work, and it is no flattery to say, quod
tangit ornat. Dr. Hardy married in 1877 a daughter of
the late Mr. Halliday of Wooler, who was a distant rela-
tive, and she survives to mourn his loss; he had no
family.
A few years ago he had a severe attack of shingles,
followed by heavy hemorrhage from the nose; but though
this had greatly reduced his accustomed vigour, his friends
had no reason to anticipate so sudden a collapse as that which
occurred. The garden at Town Head, enriched from time to
time by the attentions of a wide circle of botanical friends,
contained a fine collection of alpine, and herbaceous plants,
many of which were grown in a state of great perfection ; and
it was Dr. Hardy’s almost invariable habit, when the weather
permitted, to make a tour of inspection round his borders
after tea-time. Owing to the fine open autumn, many of
these were in full bloom on the 30th September, when he
went out for the last time to take his accustomed walk.
Thinking that he was lingering over them longer than was
prudent, Mrs. Hardy shortly afterwards followed her husband
into the garden, and was shocked to find him lying peacefully
in his last slumber.
At the annual meeting of the Berwickshire Naturalists’
Club, which fell due within a few weeks of Dr. Hardy’s death,
a most feeling tribute was paid to his memory by the President
of the Club, Colonel Milne Home, and a scheme was inaugu-
rated by which it is hoped to publish some suitable monument
of one who had the best interests of the Club so much at
6 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
heart. As one of a small committee appointed at that
meeting, it fell to the lot of the writer, a short time ago, to go
through some of the papers left by the subject of this notice,
and to say that the quantity of MSS. discovered was a
surprise is to convey but an inadequate idea of its extent.
Whenever a rare book, or document of interest, came within
his reach it had been carefully, and literally transcribed, and the
amount of physical labour entailed in this respect alone must
have been enormous ; but in addition to the copied matter,
a large quantity of original, and collated material was dis-
closed, and from this it is hoped to publish as soon as possible
one or more memorial volumes.
GEORGE BOLAM.
NOTES “ON THE EEPPECIS (OF lie hE Crna
OCTOBER GALE UPON MARINE, LIFE ON
THE COASTS OF THEO tEirANS:
By WILLIAM Evans, F.R.S.E., M.B.O.U.
THE outstanding feature of the weather experienced on the
east side of Scotland during October 1898 was the severe
easterly gale which set in on the 14th, and, but for a
temporary lull on the 16th, continued without cessation till
the morning of the 19th. A natural result of so protracted
a gale from the direction of the open ocean was, of course,
an exceptionally heavy sea in the Firth of Forth. The fact,
too, that the storm was coincident with the spring tides
rendered it) all the more destructive (“Uhe 7th andirsth
were particularly stormy days, and it was during full tide on
the morning of the latter day that the bulk of the extensive
damage to property took place. Harbour works, sea-walls
and embankments, shipping, etc., were everywhere more or
less seriously damaged, while many houses in the low-lying
parts of the coast towns and villages were flooded to an
alarming extent. Sandhills and natural embankments
closely abutting on the beach were in many places very
considerably encroached upon, and numbers of pine trees
THE EFFECTS OF THE RECENT OCTOBER GALE 7
erowing alongside the shore west of Granton were under-
mined and overthrown.
It is not, however, the object of the present notes to
enlarge upon the damage done to property by the storm,
but to give some indication of its effects on certain members
of the marine fauna of the Firth of Forth as observed by
myself on various parts of the coast between North Berwick
and Cramond. On 20th October I walked along the beach
from Levenhall to Cockenzie for the purpose of seeing what
hade been cast) ashore there. “1 next "examined! the shore
from Portobello westwards towards Leith. Then followed
excursions from North Berwick to Gullane, Longniddry to
Gosford, and Granton to Cramond.
If one may judge by the paucity of positive evidence
met with on the beach, the fatalities among the feathered
frequenters of the Firth must have been wonderfully few—a
young Gannet, two Shags, a Guillemot, a Herring Gull, and a
Kittiwake being the only dead birds I noticed myself. A
Storm Petrel, however, was picked up near Dunbar, and
another was got at Cramond; and Mr. R. Godfrey found
the remains of a Pomatorhine Skua near Bo'ness.
I had hoped to find some of the rarer fishes washed
ashore, but in this I was sadly disappointed ; for, with the
single exception of a specimen of the Four-bearded Rockling
(Motella cimbria) kindly handed to me by Mr. Godfrey from
the shore between Leith and Portobello, nothing uncommon
came under my notice. Indeed, examples of any species of
fish, save one, were decidedly scarce. The Cat or Wolf Fish
(Anarrhichas lupus) was this exception, and it was a notable
one. Hundreds were cast up on the beach in the neighbour-
hood of North Berwick. On 26th October I counted no
less than 204 between the harbour and a point opposite the
island of Fidra, and many more were no doubt buried
beneath the tons of tangle (Laminaria), wrack (Fucus), and
other sea-weeds heaped at the farthest corner of every little
bay. Over thirty were to be seen in a small bay between
Gosford and Aberlady, and numbers were also stranded, I
was told, in the vicinity of Dunbar. The majority of those
I saw were from two to three feet in length: the largest
measured was 3 feet 5 inches, while a few were not more
8 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
than one foot. That such wholesale destruction should have
overtaken this particular fish, while others inhabiting the
same localities escaped, is certainly somewhat puzzling.
They must have been literally pounded to death amongst
the rocks by the force of the waves, having probably in the
first place been caught up by the ground-swell invading
their haunts at low-water. The only other fishes I observed
were half a dozen Anglers (Lophizus piscatorius), a few
Sea-Bullheads (both Cottus bubalis and C. scorpius; one
of the latter, got at Morrison’s Haven, being a well-marked
example of the var. grwnlandica), a Whiting, and a small
Coal-fish.
Of the Invertebrates, none seem to have suffered more
than the Mollusca; and perhaps the most interesting forms
I met with were two Cephalopods, namely Rossza macrosoma,
of which one specimen occurred at Morrison’s Haven, and
Eledone cirrosa,.of which nine lay stranded on the beach
west of North Berwick (see separate note on p. 53). An
example of another Cephalopod, Zodarodes sagittatus (Lmk.),
was cast ashore west of Portobello. Among Gastropods,
the Common Whelk (Buccznum undatum) was a conspicuous
sufferer, large numbers of shells, with the all but dead
animals hanging half out of them, being thrown up by the
waves in many places. The still larger Weptunea antiqua
had also succumbed in considerable numbers. Shells of
Philine aperta, with the animals attached, were fairly common
among rejectamenta immediately to the west of Portobello ;
and on the beach at Prestonpans, the day after the storm, I
picked up two specimens of Capulus hungaricus still showing
signs of life.
But no forms seem to have fared worse than some of the
Lamellibranchs. Living gregariously, as so many of them
do, practically on the surface of banks of sand or mud in
more or less shallow water (some not even beyond low-water
mark), they fall a ready prey to the fury of storms of the
present type. Whole colonies of certain species must have
been literally ploughed up and swept bodily away by the
terrific ground swell, and after much tossing too and fro
deposited in a dead or dying state on the gently sloping
beach. A few Oysters (Ostrea edulis) came ashore at Preston-
THE EFFECTS OF THE RECENT OCTOBER GALE 9
pans, and also, I was told, to the west of Portobello ; but as
usual it was the Scallop or Clam (Pecten opercularis) that was
most in evidence. At Prestonpans they were stranded in
great numbers, to the evident regret of the fishermen, who
depend much on this species for bait. Many were also
thrown up between Portobello and Leith, and to the westward
of Granton, but in nothing like such numbers as I remember
seeing in these localities after a storm about twenty-two
years ago. The Common Mussel (Mytelus edulis) was like-
wise conspicuously abundant, and its larger relative (J/odzola
modtolus) was more or less plentiful in most localities. Many
Cockles (Cardium edule) were to be seen scattered along the
tide-mark, and in several places, as for instance on the
Craigentinny shore, C. echznatum was common. Near Port
Seton a specimen of C. xorvegicum occurred, and an example
of Pectunculus glycimerts was picked up alive at Prestonpans.
The large Cyprina tslandica was common between Preston-
pans and Cockenzie and some other parts of the coast, as
were also Venus gallina, Tapes pullastra, Mactra solida, and
a few other species. Venus exoleta and V. fincta were both
cast up alive on the beach between North Berwick and
Dirleton, but only in very limited numbers. At the same
place I picked up several detached valves of V. fasczata, and
of Pholas crispata and P. candida, but I doubt if they were
there as the direct effect of the storm. Jactra stultorum
and JZ. subtruncata were both numerous on the Craigentinny
shore and between Longniddry and Port Seton, and in the
same localities many examples of Lutrarza elliptica were
lying about—all I examined being empty, however, for the
animal is soon separated from the shell. A feature of the
beach at Levenhall was the abundance of TJel/ina balthica,
which shell was also present in a number of other places.
Other species cast up, but not in any quantity, as far as I
observed, were TJellina tenuis, T. fabula, Scrobicularia alba
(Portobello), Donax vittatus (Longniddry), and Corbula gibba
(one specimen west of Granton). In several localities JZya
arenaria and MW. truncata were numerous, and Saxcava
rugosa was everywhere common in roots of tangle. Axomia
ephippium, A. patelliformis, and Helcion pellucidum were also
common on tangle roots, etc.
10 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Crustaceans, too, it was evident, had perished in large
numbers. Hundreds of dead Hermit Crabs (Pagurus bern-
hardus), many of them of large size and nearly all in the
naked condition, were noticed on several parts of the shore ;
and Spider Crabs (Hyas araneus), all more or less mutilated,
were frequent. Among the heaps of sea-weed and other
debris, mangled remains of the Common Shore-Crab (Car-
cinus ni@nas) were abundant, while here and there many
examples of its swimming relative Portumnus depurator
were met with. On the Craigentinny beach, two specimens
of the small Porcellana longicornis were obtained. At North
Berwick a good many Lobsters (Homarus gammarus) were
cast ashore, and near Prestonpans I picked up a broken
specimen of WVephrops norvegicus.
To all appearance, the destruction of Echinoderms had
not been less heavy. On the shore west of North Berwick
many large Sea-Urchins (Echinus esculentus), battered and
rubbed, were scattered about, and they again occurred in
considerable numbers a mile or so west of Aberlady, while
odd ones were noticed much farther westwards. At Bogle-
hill, Longniddry, two specimens of £. mzliaris were found.
Echinocardium cordatum was cast up, but not in any
abundance, at several points between North Berwick and
Gullane, and at Longniddry. Great numbers of the
Common Cross-fish (Asterias rubens), dead and broken, were
lying about ; and the Sun-star (Crossaster papposus), though
less numerous, was likewise common. Solaster endica, Crib-
rella oculata, and Ophtothrix rosula (=O. pentaphyllum ?)
occurred, but not plentifully, at Prestonpans and Dirleton ;
and among rejectamenta at Morrison’s Haven a couple of
Ophiopholis aculeata were obtained.
Of other groups I took little note, but I could not help
being struck with the great numbers of the two common
Sea-Anemones (Actinia mesembryanthemum and Teaha
crassicornis), and also of Alcyonium adigitatum and an
Ascidian (A. virginea ?), mixed up in the general wreckage
at several points between North Berwick and Port Seton.
The Sea Mouse (Aphrodite aculeata) occurred in some
numbers at Gosford, Prestonpans, and Portobello. Any
one interested in Hydroid Zoophytes could, no doubt, have
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF BALLINLUIG DISTRICT II
got quite a number of species: I noted Thuzaria thuja and
a few other conspicuous forms in several places.
The list, it will be seen, is almost entirely made up of
veritable “common objects of the sea-shore,” as indeed it
was bound to be. It is, perhaps, unnecessarily long, but my
object in making direct references to so many species is to
show more clearly how widespread the influence of the gale
really was.
NOTES ON THE BIRDS, OF BALEINEUIG
DIST RIGS PE RIG Srl
By Bruce CaMPBELL.
DURING the last five years, in the months of May, June,
July, or August, I have spent my annual holiday at Ballin-
luig ; and having paid considerable attention to the bird -life
during my rambles in the district, I now venture to put my
notes on record. The district is situated between Dunkeld
and Pitlochry, and is noted for its exceedingly mild
climate. The lower ground is well wooded, and consists
chiefly of Scotch Fir, Larch, and Oak; the higher ground
is principally moorland, and somewhat rocky.
For other information regarding the ornithology of the
Upper Day area, 1 may refer readers to “Notes on the
Birds of North-West Perthshire, by William Horn,
“Proc. Natural History, Society of Glasgow,” vol. ii, 1881,
Pp. 54-69.
Wuincuat, Pratincola rubetra.—A scarce summer visitor. <A pair
usually seen about the whins at the golf-course.
STONECHAT, Pratincola rubicola—Al\so scarce, but three or four
haunt the railway embankment between Ballinluig and
Logierait.
WHITETHROAT, Sylvia cinerea.—Not at all scarce. ‘This species is
not mentioned in Mr. Horn’s list, though he gives the Lesser
Whitethroat—-probably an error.
Biackcap, Sylvia atricapillaa—Very scarce. Not noted by
Mr. Horn, but one or two summer in the wood at Ballinluig.
GARDEN WaRBLER, Sylvia hortensis.—Also a very scarce bird. I
only once heard it, and then among the broom at Ballinluig.
12 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Cuirr-cHarr, Phylloscopus rufus.—One pair heard and seen in the
wood at Logierait in June 1893.
Lonc-TAILED Tit, Acredula rosea.—Not very common. A family
party occasionally met with.
MarsH TirmousE, Farus palustris—Scarce. First observed in
June 1893 in the fir wood at Logierait.
Gray WactalL, MZotacilla melanope-—Somewhat scarce. ‘Two or
three occasionally seen about the Tummel side.
GoLDFINCH, Carduelis elegans.—One or two birds seen daily for two
weeks in July 1895 (see “ Annals,” 1895, p. 251, and 1896,
p25):
SIskKIN, Chrysomitris spinus.—Not at all scarce, and generally dis-
tributed ; but is most plentiful about Tullymet.
LESSER REDPOLL, Linxota rufescens—Not at all scarce. I saw
several birds, evidently paired, in May 1897.
Twit, Zinota flavirostris—One bird only observed on the moor
near Balnagard.
CrossBiLL, Loxia curvirostra.—A flock of about forty observed in
August 1894 on Killiehangie Hill.
Corn Buntinc, Emberiza miliariaa—Not common. One or two
pairs at Logierait.
Jay, Garrulus glandarius.—By no means scarce, although regarded
by game-preservers as vermin and shot and trapped at every
opportunity. On more than one occasion I have seen as many
as five old birds flying together into a fir wood in several
places in this locality. I do not think the bird is decreasing in
numbers. On 2nd May 1898 Mr. Laidlaw and I saw a party
of at least twenty in a wood at the foot of Killiehangie Hill.
RavEN, Corvus corax.—I have seen three or four, recently killed,
hanging at the keeper’s “ Larder” at Kinnaird House.
CARRION Crow, Corvus corone.—Plentiful all over the district. I
have seen several hybrids between this and the next species.
HoopEep Crow, Corvus cornix.—A single bird occasionally seen
about Killiehangie.
KincrisHER, Aledo ispida.—Very scarce. Only one bird observed,
in June 1893, flying down the Tummel.
WuitE OwL, Strix flammea.—I have only seen a single bird of this
species in the district, near Logierait. All Owls are rare owing
to game preserving, and are usually seen nailed to keepers’
** Larders.”
LONG-EARED Owt, Aso ofis.—Decidedly scarce. I was shown a
nest, the young from which had been destroyed, at Logierait.
NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF BALLINLUIG DISTRICT 13
Tawny OwL, Syrnium aluco.—Although scarce, this is the com-
monest species of Owl in the district.
Buzzarp, Luteo vulgaris—Scarce. A single bird was seen, in
1895, about Killiehangie.
SPARROW- Hawk, Accipiter nisus.—Somewhat scarce. In June
1893 I discovered a nest containing six eggs in a fir tree ona
small island on the Tummel at Ballinluig; and the following
year, in the wood near the school, I found a nest with four eggs
—the female sat on the nest till a keeper actually touched her.
MERLIN, Falco esalon.—I have only two records for this species,
namely, August 1896 and May 1897.
Common Heron, Ardea cinerea —Fairly common, though there is
no heronry in the district.
COMMON SHELD-DUCK, Zadorna cornuta.—One pair only observed,
in June 1893, flying up the Tummel. Not in Mr. Horn’s list.
GOOSANDER, JZergus merganser.—One pair observed in May 1897.
Stock Dove, Columba e@nas.—Not uncommon, and appears to be
on the increase.
CaPERCAILLIE, Zetrao urogallus—Common in this district. Most
plentiful in the wood between the junction of the Tay and
Tummel.
BLACK GROUSE, Ze¢vao ¢etrix.—Not a very plentiful species in the
district.
Common Coot, /ulica atra.—Only one pair seen, and they were
accompanied by a brood of young.
OYSTER-CATCHER, //ematopus ostralegus.—Very plentiful. Breeds in
numbers among the stones on the islands and by the river side
(Tummel). Observed by Fleming (“ British Animals,” 1828),
breeding at Moulinarn.
Woopcock, Scolopax rusticula.—Plentiful. May be seen on summer
evenings flying over the tree tops.
ComMMoN TERN, Sterna fluviatilis.—A few pairs about the Tummel.
Earliest seen, 3rd May 1897. (This species is not recorded by
Mr. Horn, who, however, includes the Arctic Tern—surely a
mistake. )
PurFin, Yratercula arctica.—One seen on the Tummel at Ballinluig,
in August 1891, by my friend William Smith, M.A.
LITTLE GREBE, Podiceps fluviatilis—Fairly common. Usually nests
at the curling pond, Logierait.
14 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
In addition to the species specified, I have also seen the
following birds in the district, about which it is not necessary
to offer any remarks. There are the Missel Thrush, Song
Thrush, Blackbird, Ring Ouzel, Wheatear, Redstart, Red-
breast, Goldcrest, Willow Wren, Wood Wren, Sedge
Warbler, Hedge Sparrow, Dipper, Great Titmouse, Cole
Titmouse, Blue Titmouse, Wren, Creeper, Pied Wagtail,
Meadow Pipit, Blue Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Swallow,
House Martin, Sand Martin, Greenfinch, Sparrow, Chaffinch,
Linnet, Bullfinch, Yellow Bunting, Reed Bunting, Starling,
Jackdaw, Rook, Skylark, Swift, Cuckoo, Kestrel, Mallard,
Teal, Wood Pigeon, Red Grouse, Pheasant, Partridge, Corn-
crake, Waterhen, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Snipe, Redshank,
Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, and Lesser Black-
backed Gull.
NOTE ON THE EGGS OF THE WOOD SAND
PIPER, (LOTANTS (GLARE OLA) AeA N Sas
PLGINSHIRE IN 1853:
By Witu1am Evans, F.R.S.E., M.B.O.U.
SOME years ago, when looking over the pages of Morris’s
“ Naturalist,’ I came upon the following note by the late
C. Thurnall, Whittlesford, Cambridge, which I have not seen
mentioned in any ornithological work. It occurs on page
254 of the part for November 1853, and reads as follows :—
“T obtained a nest, containing four eggs, of the Wood Sand-
piper, on the 23rd of May 1853, from a birch plantation,
situated some distance from a small loch in the county of
Elgin, N.B. I saw the bird fly off the nest, and I remarked
to my companions that it was a Wood Sandpiper, and when
I saw the eggs I was perfectly satisfied that I was correct.
I have shown them to Mr. Yarrell, who says they are
extremely like that bird’s eggs; and Mr. Bond has also
seen them, and has no hesitation in pronouncing them as
such.”
The above note, it will be seen, sheds a flood of light on
the history of the eggs in Bond’s collection, to which A. G.
ON THE SUPPOSED EGGS OF THE WOOD SANDPIPER 15
More and other writers refer. More’s words (“ Ibis,” 1865,
p. 435) are :— My friend Mr. F. Bond tells me that he has
some eggs taken in Elginshire, which he considers belong
to the Wood Sandpiper.” That Bond’s eggs were from the
nest recorded by Thurnall there can, I think, be no doubt,
though positive proof may not be forthcoming. Assuming
that the specimens, or some of them (for Thurnall may not
have parted with the whole clutch), are still in existence in
the collection of Baron d’Hamonville (to whom Bond sold his
collection in 1875), or partly there and partly in Thurnall’s
collection, wherever that may now be, it is far from certain
that their identity could now be established. Neither Bond
nor Thurnall, I understand, were in the habit of writing on
their eggs. Professor Newton tells me that, in a list of
Thurnall’s collection drawn up after his death (some ten to
fifteen years ago?), “4” Wood Sandpiper’s eggs are entered ;
but no particulars are given, and these specimens, or some
of them, may very well have been Continental ones, which
were easily enough obtained in the “fifties.” But even if
the Elgin eggs could be satisfactorily traced, there would
still remain the more difficult question—Were they really
those of a Wood Sandpiper? My own feeling is that they
were ; and it must be remembered that there is no inherent
improbability in this view, for the species was, as a matter of
fact, breeding in at least one county in Britain at the very
time Thurnall found the eggs under consideration. That
county was, of course, Northumberland, where Hancock’s
historic nest was discovered on the 3rd of June, exactly ten
days after Thurnall’s. It has to be noted, however, that
Yarrell does not appear to have béen so sure of the
authenticity of the Elgin eggs as Bond was; and he does
not even allude to them in the 3rd edition of his “ British
Birds,” published in 1856, though he there takes notice of
Hancock’s record.
The only other instance of the supposed nesting of the
Wood Sandpiper in Scotland is that related by Booth in his
“Rough Notes,” the locality being Gullane Links in East
Lothian, and the date June 1867. But here again the
evidence is incomplete.
The object of the above jottings is the elucidation of
16 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Bond’s oft-quoted statement as published by More. Should
they meet the eye of any one in possession of information
calculated to still further elucidate the subject, I trust he
will not fail to make it known through the pages of this
journal.
Since writing the above and sending it to the “ Annals,”
I have received a piece of valuable information from Mr.
Edward Bidwell, London, which practically sets the matter
at rest. Mr. Bidwell writes me that in an old list of British
Birds in which Bond made notes of his collection of eggs,
the following entries occur under the head of Wood Sand-
piper, namely :—
2 Scotland, Cy Thurnall:
1, Tristram’s sale, 1854.
3, Wolley’s sale, 1855.
6; Holland, J; Baker
“You may be sure,’ adds Mr. Bidwell, “that the eggs
were those of the Wood Sandpiper, for Bond had a marvel-
lous knowledge of eggs.”
A NOTE UPON THE CHANGES OF PLUMAGE OE
THE LITTLE GULL GAROSMaINOT US):
By Rev. H. A. Macpuerson, M.A., M.B.O.U.
ALTHOUGH the Little Gull does not seem to have been
found breeding west of the Baltic, it is a curious fact that
individuals occur in the British Islands in almost every
month in the year, and in nearly every stage of plumage ;
from the nestling which has only left the breeding-grounds
of the species a few weeks, to the adult bird in full nuptial
or complete winter dress. So far as my experience goes,
the great majority of the specimens of Larus minutus that
have been procured in this country were killed in the dress
of the first winter, a phase bearing a certain resemblance to
the coloration of the immature Kittiwake (Azssa tridactyla).
THE CHANGES OF PLUMAGE OF THE LITTLE GULL 17
But before I attempt to explain the evolution of plumage
which appears to characterise this diminutive sea - bird,
perhaps I may be allowed to enumerate the specimens
which have come under my notice since the autumn of
1893 in the neighbourhood of the Solway Firth. Of
course the number may appear inconsiderable to East Coast
naturalists ; for the Little Gull is a comparatively rare bird
at any time in Western Britain. In 1893 an immature bird
was shot upon Rockliffe Marsh by a man named Park, who
procured it on the 25th of October. It was sent to me
through the kind offices of the late Mr. A. Smith of Castle-
town. It proved to be a female. On the 13th of January
1894 I received another immature bird, which had been
killed by Irving Murray at Priestside, near Annan.
In June of the same year (1894) a single Little Gull
made its appearance on the estuary of the Wampool and
Waver, near Silloth. It associated with the numerous
Brown-headed Gulls (Larus ridibundus), old and young,
which were then clustering on the sands, and showed a
partiality for the open portion of the widest creek upon
Skinburness Marsh. After it had haunted the vicinity for a
week or ten days, it was shot on the 29th of June by a
fisherman, who mistook it for a specimen of Bonaparte’s
Gull (Larus philadelphia), which he only knew from the
figure in Mr. Saunders’ Manual. No Little Gulls came
under my notice in 1895, nor did I hear of any in 1896,
until the 16th of September, when a man named Peal
brought me a specimen which he had just shot on the north
side of the river Esk, opposite Rockliffe Marsh. This bird,
when first observed, was hovering over the water very much
like a Tern,—so he said,—and appeared to be in pursuit of
winged insects. Upon dissecting this specimen, I found a
single beetle in its stomach.
On the goth of October, in the same year, my friend
Mr. Thomas Mann shot another Little Gull on the coast near
Allonby (where I now reside). He told me that the flight
of this bird, which he most generously presented to me,
resembled that of a Tern rather than that of a Gull. I
neither saw nor heard of any Little Gulls in 1897. But in
January 1898, Peal the wild-fowler shot another Little Gull
29 €
18 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
on the open coast near Bowness-on-Solway. This he dis-
posed of to Mr. W. Mackenzie, as he thought that we had
enough Little Gulls already in the Carlisle Museum. A
seventh specimen was killed during the last days of October
1898; zot, indeed, upon the Solway Firth, but upon the
Eden, which is one of the chief tributaries of this firth.
This bird was shot near Nunwick by the keeper of my
friend Mr. R. Heywood Thompson. I understand that it
was accompanied by another bird of the same species, which
escaped destruction. Other local specimens of Larus
minutus are recorded in the “Fauna of Lakeland”; but I
do not wish to refer to them now, because the specimens
just enumerated as taken J/ocally, between 1893 and 1898,
suffice to illustrate the principal stages which Larus minutus
appears to pass through. In extreme youth, as exemplified
by the bird shot 16th September 1896, the Little Gull
wears a brown and white dress, rather suggestive of Larus
ridibundus in early life. The bird just mentioned has the
forehead white ; crown light brown, occiput rich dark brown,
upper back dark brown sprinkled with a few pearl-gray
feathers ; centre of back white; lower back dark brown,
each feather being white at the base ; upper tail-coverts
white tipped with dusky brown. The scapulars are dark
brown, narrowly edged with pale buff, and one or two gray
feathers are present; primaries black above, marked with
white on the inner webs; secondaries white with blackish
central shaft-stripes ; tail white barred with black ; chin and
lower parts pure white, except the dark brown patch in
front of each wing. We reach a slightly more advanced
stage in the bird killed near Allonby on 9th October 1896.
The crown is now white as well as the forehead ; the warm
brown of the occiput and hind-neck have become paler, with
fine light edges to the feathers; the dark mantle is now
profusely mottled with pearl-gray feathers ; the scapulars are
still dark brown. The dark patch in front of each wing has
grown fainter in colour, and is less prominent. The third
bird, viz. that shot near Nunwick at the end of last October
(1898), retains more nest plumage than is usually found at
such a late period of the autumn. The ear-coverts, which
are rich brown in the first-named, and slightly marked in
‘uoszaydovyy “vy ‘yy Aq wnasnyy P[STAVD 9y} 0} pajuasaid sprrq yjog
) 96g1 ‘gt raquiajdag uo yar AeM]OS ay} Uo poure}zqo Sparq oy} Woy uMviqg
‘SSQALANIN SA IVT
Pogr ‘6z ounf pu ‘(punosSar0j ur Surpjsou
20 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
the second, have become deep iron-gray, as has the occiput ;
the crown and forehead are conspicuously white; the dark
brown scapulars still persist; the dark patch of brown
present before each wing in the two youngest specimens
has now disappeared ; the remains of the brown hind-neck
form a dark bar extending towards the wings. This latter
character is well defined in the fourth bird, shot on the 25th
of October 1893, in which the dark bar just mentioned has
become quite black, while the feathers covering the fore-arm
have become blue instead of dark brown; a few of the
scapulars are still dark brown, but the forehead is pure white
and the crown and ear-coverts have become iron-gray. The
mantle is chiefly pearl-gray, and the upper tail-coverts are
pure white, though the lower back is still black. The bird
killed on 13th January 1894 has the forehead white, but
the occiput and ear-coverts are iron-gray, almost black; the
hind-neck and mantle are pearl-gray, mixed, however, with
more dark feathers than are present in the bird of 25th
October 1893. Any dark feathers that persist have changed
from deep brown to black. The sixth bird retains the dark
wing-coverts ; otherwise, the entire upper surface resembles
that of the adult in winter. I think that this bird, shot in
January 1898, was in its second winter, and would have
worn immature dress until the summer of 1898; when it
would have commenced to moult into full adult winter dress,
passing for the first time into full nuptial garb, with the
black head and xed legs, in the springs of 1609. Wins
conclusion is based, partly, upon the plumage worn by the
bird shot on 29th June 1894. This bird has the forehead,
crown, and hind-neck pure white ; occiput pearl-gray mixed
with iron-gray ; ear-coverts black; the lesser wing-coverts
are pearl-gray, but most of the greater coverts are still dark
brown, though new pearl-gray feathers are moulting in; the
mantle and scapulars are, of course, pearl-gray, and the lower
parts are white. Perhaps the most interesting point about
this bird, is that z¢ zs mozlteng im new inner primaries,
pearl-gray above bordered with white, and black on the
under-surface. This is shown in the bird drawn with a
raised wing (see illustration).
The secondaries, and the remaining primaries, are similar
THE CHANGES OF PLUMAGE OF THE LITTLE GULL 21
to the immature birds already described, save only that, in the
June bird, the white tips of these feathers have become obsolete,
or nearly so, by wear. The tail is still barred with black ;
but the fork of the tail, which is such a well-marked feature
of Larus minutus in early youth, though sometimes forgotten,
has virtually disappeared. The lower parts are no longer
plain white ; they are tinged, in the fresh bird, with a lovely
pink hue. I believe that this bird, obviously a non-breeder,
was bred in the summer of 1892; and that, having spent its
first year, and the winter following, in immature dress, it
commenced in the summer of 789z to assume mature plumage,
though not the plumage of the nuptial season, but that of the
first adult winter. In other words, the Little Gull wears nest
plumage for the first two or three months of its existence, but
assumes the plumage of “the bird of the year” in the first
autumn, and retains this with modifications until it is two
years old; it then begins to change the wing quills, as a
preliminary to passing into full zwzs¢er dress in the following
autumn. The feet of the Little Gull probably become red
during the third winter. At all events, the feet of the bird
killed on 29th June were not red but flesh-coloured, as in the
younger birds which I have examined in the flesh. I have
not seen a bird assuming summer full breeding livery, though
I have examined a bird killed after the black head had
become donned. Mr. W. Evans reminds me that he has
recorded a Scottish specimen obtained, in the act of assuming
nuptial dress, on 11th May (“Annals of Scottish Natural
History, 1897, p. 194). In this bird) “the tiny) black
feathers, just bursting through their sheaths,” made it apparent
that in one instance, at any rate, the hood would have been
acquired by an actual moult, and not by the old feathers
changing from white to black. It will of course be under-
stood that, though I have only referred directly to some eight
specimens in all in this little paper, I have nevertheless ex-
amined a good many others, which either were not local, or
were in one or other typical stage of plumage, and therefore
of no particular help in tracing the evolution of this exquisite
otseau de mer, from its first brown and white dress to that of
the adult, with its jetty hood and pale ash-gray mantle.
Almost every Little Gull that has been obtained in Lakeland
22 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
has been procured within a short flight of the Solway Firth.
Some specimens have been obtained when frequenting arable
land, others on the banks of our rivers, and others again upon
the sandy flats of the upper reaches of the Firth. But the
species is at all times one of our rarest visitors.
NOTE ON THE OCCURRENCE OF AWABOLIA
NERVOSA IN JUNE, WIth “REMARKS ON
THE BEFECT OF ALTITUDE ON Get Tiki
OF APPEAK ANCE FOr (INSECIES.
By KennetH J. Morton, F.E.S.
AT the end of June last I spent a few days at Uddingston,
on the Clyde, and on the 26th of that month I captured, on
the banks of the river, a Trichopteron which at the moment
I did not recognise, as it was quite unlike anything usually
occurring at that season. On examination, it proved to be
a male of the autumnal Azadolia nervosa, perfect in all
respects, and apparently just emerged. The other caddis-
flles which were out were Leftocerus nigro-nervosus,
L. annulicornis, Allotrichta pallicornis, and other insects of
early summer. The causes which led a species so decidedly
autumnal to appear so far out of its due time are at
present to me quite inexplicable. It is known that insects
of autumnal habit, under ordinary circumstances, appear
earlier in localities lying at some altitude than they do in
lower-lying districts with milder temperature. The present
instance cannot, however, be explained under this principle :
the date is too early, and the locality practically at sea-level.
In connection with this) record, it may net besouteot
place to make a few remarks on the principle just alluded
to, as I am not sure that it is one fully appreciated by
British Entomologists. The principle appears to be an
operative one in: Scotland; and it does ynetseeim to be
confined to species which are strictly autumnal, but it also
exists amongst insects which may be considered as belong-
ing rather to summer. Of course due allowance must be
THE OCCURRENCE OF ANABOLIA NERVOSA IN JUNE) 23
made for favoured localities: these do not affect the general
question.
Two instances came under notice in the Aviemore
district in the summer of 1896.
In the early part of July, Avzmelesta minorata was fly-
ing in worn examples on the slopes of the Cairngorms, and
the species seemed to be getting over. But just before |
left the district at the end of the month, it began to appear
in profusion and perfection at a locality much lower down,
not far from Loch-an-Eilan. This is doubtless the locality
referred to by Tunaley (“Proc. South Lon. Ent. and Nat.
Hist. Soc.,” 1897, p. 5), who visited the district that summer
from the 29th July.
The other species was Erebia ethiops. Tunaley (op. cet.
p. 4) says, with regard to this species: “After the 21st of
August the insect was fassé in the lower glades, although it
was taken on the higher slopes until the 8th of September.
Indeed, one could have divided the locality into a series of
ascending zones corresponding with the appearance of
successive broods extended over a period of six weeks.”
This seems to give an entirely misleading idea of the
sequence of emergence. £. ethiops appeared at one of the
highest points of its occurrence near Aviemore as early as
2nd July, certainly very much earlier than it did in some of
the lower glades there, and also, I am informed, very much
earlier than it did near Forres, about sea-level. The term
“higher slopes,” used in speaking of the Aviemore district,
might be misconstrued: £. @thzops is not an inhabitant of
the higher slopes of the hills at all, although Dr. Buchanan
White’s maximum of about 800 feet is, without doubt, some-
times exceeded.
Regarding autumnal insects, a good illustration is given
by King (“ Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. of Glasgow,” 1886, p. 362),
who has recorded a Trichopteron, Halesus aurzcollis, Pict.,
from the higher part of Glen Tromie, on 27th July. This
species is a strictly autumnal one in the lowlands, and has
never come under my own notice earlier than September.
Further instances could be added without difficulty, but,
in the absence of written notes regarding them, I refrain
from doing so, It may be more useful to give some
24 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
subject two Continental
remarks bearing on the by
Entomologists of repute.
My valued correspondent and friend, Dr. Ris of Rheinau,
Switzerland, records (“ Mitt. Schweiz. Ent. Ges.,” Bd. 9,
Heft 10, p. 441) that he captured Chetopteryx Gessnert,
a Trichopteron, at Airolo on 27th and 28th September,
while the insect did not appear for about a week after at
the lower locality of Mendrisio. In connection with this,
Dr. Ris makes the general statement: “ Die Spatherbstthiere
im milden Tiefland in der Regel spater erscheinen als in
rauhern Gebirge.”
In response to inquiries whether the experience of
Swiss Lepidopterists agreed with his own, Dr. Ris had the
soodness to send me data regarding the times of appearance
of certain Lepidoptera in different Continental localities.
These were kindly provided by Dr. M. Standfuss of Ziirich,
and the information seems to me to be so interesting that I
give it here in full :—
arene ? Riesenge- ‘ Besicza
9 Sil 2) Ziirich, birge, Swiss Alps | Montero- |(Southern
x eas Switzerland-| Silesia (1500 m.). tondo, Hungary),
"Plain (1100 m.). Banat.
Bombyx populi, Z. | Mid Oct. to! October, | September, | September,
Mid Noy. | November October October
Bombyx catax, Z.|\ | Mid Oct. to) October, | September, | September, Mid Mid Nov. to
(everia, Avxock) Mid Nov. | November October October November | Mid Dec.
Bombyx trifolii, £sf.|Mid Aug. to Mid Aug. to| Mid July to September, | September,
end of Sept.| Mid Sept. | end of Aug. October October
Ptilophora plumi- ) | Mid Oct. to| September, | September,
gera, Esp. J | Mid Nov. October October
Cheimatobia V| Mid Oct. to) End of Oct. | Mid Aug. to} August to
brumata, Z. J|end of Nov. |to beginning] beginning | beginning of
of December| of October | October.
Dr. Ris adds that, notwithstanding the difference of
altitude, the climate of Ziirich is very much milder than that
of the Silesian plains.
the Riesengebirge, and Ziirich with the Alps.
Parchwitz may be confronted with
It requires little reflection to see the advantage, or even
necessity, of the early appearance of late autumnal species
in higher latitudes and altitudes.
they may.
They must appear while
It is perhaps more interesting, because the
THE OCCURRENCE OF ANABOLIA NERVOSA IN JUNE) 25
necessity and advantage are not quite so obvious, to find that
summer insects in similar localities are also subject to acceler-
ating influences. With these species, it may be desirable
that the young larve should be up to the usual standard of
growth before their enforced earlier hibernation ; but this does
not explain the earlier appearance of the perfect insects the
following year, seeing the larve will usually resume feeding
later in spring. In a,single-brooded species having a con-
siderable range in altitude and latitude, the time during which
the vital processes can be active must be shorter in the colder
than in the milder localities, and the loss of time in the colder
must be compensated for by acceleration in development.
This more rapid development probably accounts for the
relatively small size of examples of certain species of
Trichoptera from elevated Highland lochans compared with
examples of the same species from lower levels. (If no such
difference exist between examples of the same species from
low and from high levels, and if the more rapid development
of the high be taken as the normal, then may it not be inferred
that the development of the insect is retarded at the lower
levels by what may be termed a modified condition of
zstivation?) When the acceleration is insufficient, the
species must have reached the limit of its distribution in
altitude or latitude, or, it must at least cease to be an annual
insect. It is well known that some boreal and alpine insects
fail to put in the cycle of their existence within the year.
To any one living in a hilly district, with time sufficient
for the investigation of a fairly large area, this subject
presents a field for interesting work. Of course, it would be
essential to base observations on insects found on their
breeding-grounds, and not on mere stragglers wandering
“up hill and down dale.”
26 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
A4ESCHNA CGRULEA, STROM, A BOREAL
DRAGON-ELY.
By KeEennetH J. Morton, F.E.S.
“E3SCHNA C@RULEA was formerly commonly known by the
name 2. borealis, Zett., but Mr. M‘Lachlan, in a recently
published article on the subject (““E. M: M.,” vol. xxxiv.
p- 226), has shown in a satisfactory way that the name
which was applied by Strom certainly refers to this species
and has priority. For a long time it remained one of the
less-known European members of the family, but recently it
has been taken rather freely in our Highlands. It is one
of our most interesting insects, and when alive and fully
adult one of our most beautiful.
The first observation of its existence in this country was
made by a Mr. Wilson, as recorded by De Selys in the
“Revue des Odonates ” (1850), where Wilson is said to have
taken a specimen in “one of the Northern Counties,” which
specimen was presented by him to De Selys. Dr. Hagen’s
notice in his ‘Synopsis, published in the “ Entomologist’s
Annual,” 1857, was based on this, and the species was not
made more particularly known as British until Mr. M‘Lachlan
found it in Rannoch in June 1864. From that time down
to 1890 no further mention is found of it, and there was
even a doubt expressed as to its survival. In the last-
named year Mr. King and I took a few examples in Rannoch
(Ee M.oM:,” vel. xxv. p. 383), and anmeo5 1 took itemore
commonly about the foot of Glen Lochay, also in Perthshire.
In June of the present year Briggs, King, Porritt, and myself
went to Rannoch, and when I left on 21st June . cerulea
was just appearing. From the reports afterwards received
from these gentlemen, the species must have occurred in
numbers which, in the light of former experiences, must be
considered almost phenomenal.
In July last I again met with cwrulea in Glen Lochay,
much more commonly than in 1895, and I was enabled to
observe it over a wider area than on my previous visit. It
occurred at least 7 miles up the Glen, and in one of the
LESCHNA C@RULEA, A BOREAL DRAGON-FLY 27
lateral valleys went right to the watershed between Glen
Lochay and Glen Lyon. There is therefore little doubt that
it occurs in Glen Lyon, as I indicated (“E. M. M.,” vol. xxxi.
p. 260) it probably would. It was also found quite near
the watershed between Glen Lochay and Glen Dochart, and
although it may not be quite safe to assume that it also
occurs in Dochart, there is no reason why it should not.
The area of its known distribution may be defined thus:
The north side of Loch Rannoch (including the lower
part of the Ericht valley); how far eastward it goes on this
line is uncertain, but westward it has been observed near
Dunan. On the south side of the Loch it has been found
chiefly about the Black Wood ; but there is good reason to
suppose that it is well distributed over the country due south
of Loch Rannoch, passing into Glen Lyon, and thence to the
south side of Glen Lochay.
Beyond these limits, it is impossible to conjecture what
its range is. It was not met with at all during a month’s
stay in the Rothiemurchus and Glenmore district of Speyside
in 1896, although I kept a special outlook for it; nor did
Mr. King, who was in the district at the same time, see it then
or on previous visits to this and to the Kingussie districts.
From the country to the west and south-west of Rannoch
and Glen Lochay it has so far never been obtained, King
having failed to find it during sojourns at Glen Orchy and
Dalmally in different summers.
Not only &. cwrulea, but 4°. juncea and Cordulegaster
annulatus range high up the hillsides, following the course
of the burns to their sources. There is no physical barrier
to a much wider distribution of cevrulea,; climate does not
stand in the way, and its powers of flight are more than
sufficient to carry it over any pass and to make it as wide-
spread as the other two. But dragon-flies are very local.
The normal time of appearance of cwrulea seems to be
about the middle of June, although in some seasons it may
be out rather earlier. In Glen Lochay, during the past
summer, it was flying freely over the lower grounds up till
about the 8th of July, when it practically vanished there-
from, although it continued to be seen over 1000 feet, both
along the burns and on peat-bogs, until at least 25th July.
28 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
What caused it to change ground it is difficult to say. It
may have been due to one or other (or all) of three causes:
(1) The intrusion of schia juncea into its feeding-
grounds, One littke glade, which must have been connected
by a favourable route with a good breeding-place for dragon-
flies, and in which I have seen three individuals of cwrulea
hovering round a big moss-covered stone facing the sun, was
one day suddenly invaded by half a score of the larger
species. (2) The warmer weather may have caused it, as
an alpine or boreal insect, to seek the cooler heights; or
(3), most probable of all, when fully adult, it sought to be
near its breeding-places.
In Rannoch this insect is usually found in the opener parts
of the woods. In Glen Lochay there is not the same extent
of woodland, and it seeks the shelter of the hollows down
which the little burns run, where there are usually thickets
or clumps of birches. In the latter district it has been ob-
served to be especially fond of basking on light-coloured
stones or moss, and it is indisputable that light-coloured
clothing, white nets, and such things, in strong sunlight, are
irresistibly attractive to this species, although its congener
4. juncea is rarely lured by anything of the kind. . cvrulea
is perhaps most susceptible to such attractions before fully
adult ; later it becomes shy, and always, if any attempt is
made to chase, it is difficult to capture, although its flight is
more jerky and less powerful than that of jumcea. I have never
seen it carrying on the long-sustained hawking operations
which the latter insect delights in.
I have indicated that in Glen Lochay . cerulea is
usually found near burns. But I do not think the species
breeds therein. At present I am a little uncertain whether
it breeds in the lochans amongst the hills or in the less
constant waters of the peat-bogs ; more probably the former.
Still, it was about the peat-bogs the last examples of the
season were flying when taken—some old males, rather ragged
in the wings, but with the blue colour of their bodies almost
dazzling in its beauty. It is the preponderance of blue that
serves at a glance to distinguish our insect from juscea.
Old males of juzcea have the blue markings sometimes very
fine, but they are not nearly so extensive as in cvrulea.
NOTES ON THE FLORA OF WIGTOWNSHIRE 29
The Continental distribution of the species is: Scandi-
navia, in which country it extends far within the Arctic
Circle ; the Schwarzwald in Germany ; and it has been found
in one or two Alpine localities in Switzerland.
The primary object of this paper is to induce Scottish
Naturalists to observe our dragon-flies, in order that the
distribution of this species and others may be worked out.
Somatochlora arctica is, | believe, not known from any other
Scottish localities except Rannoch and Glen Lochay. SS.
metallica | have not heard of from any other locality than
Dr. Buchanan White’s original one in Strathglass. A
number of other species recorded from Scotland by Hagen
in his ‘Synopsis’ have never been seen by me from this
country. It is not desirable that the claims of these to be
included in our fauna should rest on information somewhat
old and indefinite, and efforts should be made to confirm
their presence by new and reliable records.
NOTES ON THE FLORA OF WIGTOWNSHIRE.
By G. Ciaripce Drucet, M.A., F.LS.
AT the request of the late Mr. Hewett Cottrell Watson, in the
year 1883 I visited Wigtownshire in order to compile a list of
plants, as he had records of only a small number from the
county. Accordingly, making Newton Stewart my head-
quarters, I spent nearly a fortnight in exploring the county ;
but a sprained ankle restricted my work considerably. In
the same year, but later in the season, Mr. Charles Bailey also
spent a few days in the county. The most interesting plant
which I observed was that form of Melampyrum pratense
which has all the flowers of a pure golden-yellow colour, which
I found by the banks of the River Cree above Newton Stewart,
and to which I gave the name var. #zans. An interesting
form of Vicia sylvatica, which I called var. condensata, was
seen on the shingle at Port William, where Cramdbe maritima
occurs. My list comprised the following plants :—
30 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Species previously recorded in ‘‘ Topographical
Botany” . - : ; : 35
Observed by me :—
Native Species : : : : 439
Aliens and Denizens . : 33
|
Varieties ; : . : : 35
Mr. Charles Bailey’s additions :—
Native Species ; : ; : 7
Casuals or Aliens
Varieties
Since that time Mr. J. M‘Andrew has added many species,
some of them being very interesting. These have mostly
been published in the “Flora of Dumfriesshire” by Mr. G. F.
Scott-Elliott in 1896.
In this Flora there are recorded 49 species presumably
native and 6 introduced that were not seen by me on my
first visit, although they had been already found in the
county, chiefly by Professor Balfour, Dr. Greville, and Dr.
M‘Nab. In addition to these, 120 species (more or less) are
added on records subsequent to my visit. There are also
about 45 Casuals or Aliens.
In the “Annals of Scottish Natural History” Mr. Arthur
Bennett has recorded, chiefly on the authority of Mr.
M‘Andrew, Fumaria confusa, Rubus polyanthemus (which is
probably R. pulcherrimus), R. Lindlecanus, Leontodon hispidus,
Ranunculus circinatus, Utricularia intermedia, Carex inter-
media, and Dianthus deltoides ; but probably the last of these
is not truly wild. Svomus arvensis is certainly only a Casual.
Although these were published before the “ Flora of Dum-
friesshire ” appeared, none of them are included in that work ;
but Leontodon hirtus is given. (Do both species of Leontodon
occur?) Since the publication of the “ Flora of Dumfriesshire,”
Hieractum gothicum, H. auratum, Calamagrostis Epigetios,
FHymenophyllum unilaterale, and Potamogeton /ucens have also
been recorded in the “ Annals.”
In the papers on the “ Topographical Botany of Scot-
land” Professor Trail gives Sz latifolium, Daucus gummifer,
Senecio vescosus, as being recorded for the county, and, with
some doubt either as to the correctness of the name or as to
NOTES ON THE FLORA OF WIGTOWNSHIRE 31
being indigenous, Ulex nanus, Hypericum hirsutum, Saponaria
offictnalis, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Inula Helentum, and Pulmon-
arta offictnalts. None of these are given in the “ Flora of Dum-
friesshire.” On the contrary, Professor Trail does not give
(among others) Ranunculus auricomus, Aquilegia vulgaris,
Papaver Rheas, P. Argemone (seen by me), Reseda Luteola,
Viola odorata, Stellaria nemorum (seen by me), Prunus domes-
tica, Callitriche verna, Epilobium tetragonum, and Leontodon
hispidus. Some of these are undoubted errors. He queries
Stellaria palustris and Hypericum hirsutum. Yam credited in
the “Flora of Dumfriesshire” with recording Ranunculus
Lenormandt and Tanacetum, but I have no recollection of
seeing them in the county.
(Enanthe pimpinelloides of the “ Flora” from Wigtown,
which was recorded by Professor Balfour, is G@. Lachenalzz.
In more recent times Mr. Charles Bailey has gathered Rubus
Scheutzit at Castle Kennedy.
The total number of species therefore recorded for
Wigtownshire stands somewhat as follows :—
Native Species, including Denizens and Colonists . 668
Casuals, Aliens, etc. ‘ 5 : Or
(ays)
In the late August of the dry summer of 1898 I spent
a few days in the neighbourhood of Stranraer, when I noted
between 400 and 500 species; but the great majority of
these I had observed on the previous visit. Among the
more interesting plants which I gathered are the following
(* denotes those which appear to be new records ; + indicates
that the plant is of Casual or Alien origin) :—
Ranunculus acris, Zzzz., var. *Steveni (Andrz.), forma angustisecta
hirsuta, Freyn.—Roadside near Stranraer.
Caltha palustris, Zézz., var. *laeta (Schott).—Near Dunragit.
Cardamine pratensis, Zzzn., var. *palustris (Pe¢erm.).—Dunragit and
Lochnaw.
Teesdalia nudicaulis, &. Br—Not observed by me in 1883. I
gathered in 1898, in the hollows on the sand dunes of Torrs
Warren, growing in almost pure sand, and presenting, instead
of a flat rosette of leaves, a somewhat globular rosette, anchored
32 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
by the tap-root to the sand, but in such a manner as to twist
round in the eddies of wind. In fact it exhibited an early
stage of that vegetative growth which reaches such a highly
differentiated character in the “ Rose of Jericho.”
*Viola canina, Zzzz.—Torrs Warren.
*V. Curtisiil, ors¢—Locally plentiful on Torrs Warren.
Stellaria nemorum, Zzzz.—In the policies of Lochnaw, and near
Craigencross.
S. media, Cyr., var. *major, Koch.—Stranraer.
Buda rupestris.—Portpatrick.
Hypericum Androsemum, Z777.—Lochnaw.
H. elodes, Zzz2z.—Torrs Warren.
Malva moschata, Z7zvz.—Lochnaw.
Torrs Warren.
Millegrana Radiola.
Geranium sanguineum, Zzzz.—Somewhat local on the sands of
Torrs Warren.
Erodium cicutarium, Z’//é7.—This occurs as a small form with very
finely dissected leaves on Torrs Warren, and is identical with
one which is found on the Newcastle Sandhills of County Down.
It is very near to, if not identical with, the Zrodium dissectum,
Rouy., in “ Flore de France,” vol. iv. p. 108.
Ulex Gallii, PZanch.—Shores of Loch Ryan, etc.
*+Melilotus officinalis, Zam,—Stranraer.
Rubus nessensis, Azders.—Shore of Loch Ryan.
R. pulcherrimus, /Vewm.—Glenluce, Stranraer, Portpatrick, etc.
R. Scheutzii, Zzzad—Near Dunragit.
R. Selmeri, Zzd.—Near Stranraer, Lochnaw, and Portpatrick.
R. Sprengelii, 17. and W.—Near Glenluce. Previously recorded
by Mr. C. Bailey.
*R. danicus, Locke.
*R, infestus, /V. and 4V.—Near Stranraer.
*R, pallidus, Bad., not W. and V.—Lochnaw.
R. Radula, /Vezze.—Glenluce.
R. corylifolius, S7z.—Stranraer, Portpatrick.
Potentilla palustris, Scop.—Torrs Warren.
Rosa spinossima, Zzz2.—Torrs Warren.
*!Pyrus intermedia, “A7h.—In the policies of Lochnaw, etc., almost
certainly planted.
Near Stranraer.
NOTES ON THE FLORA OF WIGTOWNSHIRE 23
Sedum rupestre, //wa@s.—Near the lake at Lochnaw, probably intro-
duced. This was recorded from here by Professor Balfour,
but queried in the “ Flora of Dumfriesshire.”
*Galium erectum, 7wds.—On the margin of a field near the road
between Stranraer and Craigencross. I have used this name
in the sense in which most of our British authorities would
employ it. Herr Freyn considers it to be a form of Galium
Mollugo, Linn., var. erectum, Beck, ‘‘ Fl. Nieder-Oester,” p. 1126
= (G. erectum, //uds.), sed panicula non angusta. He does not
agree with the definitions given in Beck’s “ Flora,” and prefers
to refer this form to a variety of G. JZollugo.
*+Chrysanthemum Parthenium, /es.—Portpatrick.
*+Cichorium Intybus, Zz7.—Casual at Portpatrick.
Lysimachia vulgaris, Zz22,—By the lake at Lochnaw.
*+Vinca minor, Zz7,—Planted in the policies of Lochnaw.
*Gentiana baltica, JZurdeck.—On the sands of Vorrs Warren.
*Mentha verticillata, Awds.—Near Craigencross.
Galeopsis Tetrahit, Zzvz., var. “nigricans, Brébisson, “ Fl. de la Nor-
mandie,” p. 246.—Stranraer, Dunragit.
Dondia maritima (Sw@da maritima, Dumort.).—On Torrs Warren.
Atriplex patula, Zzvz. (evecta, Huds.)—Stranraer.
*A. calotheca, vies.
by Herr Freyn.
On the shingle at Stranraer. Named for me
Polygonum aviculare, Zzn., var. vu/gatum, also a form between
viulgatum and psammophilum, Beck, “Fl. Nieder-Oester,” p.
232.—On the shingly coast of Loch Ryan, near Stranraer.
*+Rumex alpinus, Zz7.—Near Broadstone, Stranraer.
Ruppia maritima, Zzz2. Agg.—Stranraer.
Carex paniculata, Z72.—Dunragit.
C. extensa, Good.—Portpatrick.
C. pendula, Huds.—Policies of Lochnaw. Is this native here?
*Glyceria plicata, 77zes (Panicularia plicata).—Stranraer.
Bromus hordeaceus, Zzmm., var. *glabrescens (Coss. et Germ.).—
Stranraer.
*Hordeum murinum, Zizz.—On shingle at Stranraer. Perhaps a
Casual.
Catabrosa aquatica, Beawv.—On shingle at Stranraer, and as a very
minute form on the sands of Glenluce—the so-called var.
littoralis, Parnell.
29 D
34 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Agrostis alba, Zznz., var. *coarctata (Hoffm.).—On the sands of
Torrs Warren.
Festuca ovina, Zzz7., var. *vw/garis.—Torrs Warren.
F. rubra, Zzzz.
Osmunda regalis, Zz72.—Lochnaw, probably planted.
A maritime form at Portpatrick, etc.
Equisetum maximum, Zam:.—Portpatrick, and as the var. mus.
On the shingle of Loch Ryan, near to Sheuchan Mill,
several Casuals were seen. These probably owe their origin
to the siftings of Eastern barley from the mill in question.
Among them were :—*Medicago denticulata, W7d/d., *Meli-
lotus indica, A, *Trifolium lappaceum, Zzuu., *T. re-
supinatum, Lzuv., “Trigonella Foenum-grecum, Lzun., *T.
ceerulea, Sev, *Lathyrus Aphaca, Zzun., *Vicia villosa, Roth.,
V. lutea, Zziv., *Lythrum Hyssopifolia, Zzzz., *Ammi majus,
Linn., *Coriandrum sativum, ZLznzz., *Galium tricorne, Szokes,
*Plantago Psyllium, Zzzz., Phalaris paradoxa, Linu., *Santia
monspeliensis, Parl, (= *Polypogon), “Hordeum marinum,
Huds., and *Lolium italicum, Braun.
It may be well to point out that there are earlier records
than those given in the “ Flora of Dumfriesshire ” for, among
others, the following species, nearly all of which will be
found in my list of 1883 :—Coronopus Ruellii (C. procumbens,
Gilib., see “Top. Bot.”), Hypericum acutum, Wanch. (7.
tetrapterum, Fries), Malva sylvestris, Lez, Ilex Aquifolium,
Linn., Ulex Gallii, Planch., Rosa spinosissima, Lzvv., Genanthe
crocata, Lzun., Myrrhis Odorata, Scop., Torilis Anthriscus,
Gertn. (Caucalis Anthriscus, Hads.), Hedera Helix, Lzuz.,
Lonicera Periclymenum, JLzzz., Scabiosa arvensis, Lz77.,
Artemisiavulgaris, Lzvz., Carduus crispus, Zzzz. (acanthoides),
Fraxinus excelsior, 2zzz., Ligustrum vulgare, Zzzz., Con-
volvulus sepium, Zzzz. (Volvulus sepium, /uszger), Myosotis
versicolor, Rezchd., Lycopsis arvensis, Lzuzz., Veronica ser-
pyllifolia, Zzzz., V. Tournefortii, Gzze/. (Buxbaumii), Plantago
major, Lzzz., Myrica Gale, Lzzz., Phalaris canariensis, Lzvz.,
and Agrostis alba, Lzzx. The records of Arctium minus
and Primula veris, attributed to the Rev. W. W. [not C. C.]
Newbould were made by me, as to my knowledge he never
botanised in Wigtownshire ; but the latter species I did not
myself see in the county.
NOTES ON THE FLORA OF WIGTOWNSHIRE 35
Several critical forms, including the Euphrasiz, collected
by me this season are at present undetermined. Eleven
native species, twenty-three Aliens and Casuals, and eight
varieties were, however, added to the list. The native, or
probably native, plants of the county, therefore, at present
recorded number 679, and the Casuals and Aliens 115.
Atriplex calotheca, if correctly named, is especially
interesting, as it will, I believe, be an addition to the Scottish
flora.
[NoTE.—In respect of Mr. Druce’s references to records
in my paper on “Scottish Topographical Botany” in this
journal, I have to thank him and all other friends that call
attention to errors of commission or of omission. Those
that have tried similar work will be the most ready to
understand how difficult it is to avoid or detect errors in the
enumeration and revision of districts denoted by numbers only,
without the names as a check. I intend, in a supplement, to
correct all such errors as I detect in my lists, or as are brought
to my notice. I shall therefore be glad to receive information
bearing on the distribution of plants in Scotland to add to
numerous records already accumulated towards the prepara-
tion of the Appendix.
But without deferring till this is ready, I shall now
account for those discrepancies between my paper and the
“Flora” issued by Mr. Scott-Elliott in 1896.
Saponaria officinalis, Linn. has been substituted by mistake for
iS. Vaccaria, Linn., found in 74 as a Casual by Mr. M‘Andrew.
Hypericum hirsutum, Linn., is given with (?) owing to its being
noted for 74 in Mr. Bennett’s “ Additional Records ” for 1891,
though not in the “Flora.” Saxi/raga oppositifolia, Linn., for
way (2) read 774(?). The. query after 7 refers “not to’ the
specific identity of the plant, but to its claim to be regarded
as native. Sum latifolium, Linn., for 74 read 75. Daucus
gummifer, Lam., is given in ‘Topographical Botany,” 2nd
Ed., on Mr. M‘Andrew’s authority. Juula Helenium, Linn., is
named as an introduced plant in 74 by Mr. M‘Andrew in his
‘List of Wigtownshire Plants.” Sevecto viscosus, Linn., must be
omitted, being due to an error in transcription.
JAMES W. H. TRAIL]
36 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
PLANTS“OF°LISMORE,
By Symers M. Macvicar.
Tuis island is interesting from its position in Loch Linnhe
at the western end of the Great Glen of Scotland; and for
its geological formation, being composed of limestone, a
scarce formation on this part of the coast, and almost limited
to a few adjoining islets, and to small patches on the main-
land close to its north-eastern extremity in Appin. The
island lies north-east by south-west, its extreme length
being nine miles. The larger part averages one mile in
breadth, but, as it narrows towards the ends, the average of
the whole island is about three-quarters of a mile. It
contains about 4500 acres, or seven square miles. It is low
lying ; but the surface is uneven with depressions, and the
jagged rock appears on the surface in many parts. There
are a few eminences at the southern part, the highest being
417 feet in height, and towards the north end there is one of
275 feet. The shore is rocky, with small cliffs in places.
The soil has long been noted for its fertility, the name,
Lismore, meaning “the large garden.”
Mr. J. Shankland, Achnacroish, who has kindly supplied
information about the island, writes that it has always been
maintained that there was much wood on it at one time,
and that most of it was finally exterminated by being rooted
out or cut down for the sake of cultivating the land. He
also mentions that there is a seam of peat through the centre
of the island from end to end where roots of trees can still
be found, and that they lie at an average depth of seven to
ten feet below the surface, mostly pointing in the same
direction as if they had been blown down. There are few
trees on the island now, but a fair quantity of shrubby
growth is to be found in the rougher places.
The indigenous species are Prunus spinosa, L., very
common, Ruwbz and Rose, Pyrus Aucuparia, Ehrh., Crategus
Oxyacantha, L., common among rocks, Hedera Hlelix, L.,
common, Lonzicera Periclymenum, L., rather common, Calluna
Erica, DC., scarce, and the only heath noticed, /rarznus
PLANTS OF LISMORE 37
excelsior, L., a few fairly large trees scattered over the island
(some of which may have been planted), and several smaller
ones among the rocks and small cliffs about the shores
(there appears to be little doubt that the latter are native,
and not merely seedlings from the possibly planted larger
trees), Corylus Avellana, L., common, Quercus Robur, L.,
and Salzx aurita, L., common.
In Walker’s “ Essays on Natural History,” 1808, and in
his “Economic History,’ mention is made of a large in-
digenous yew tree which grew on the sea cliff in the
adjoining island of Bernera. It was cut down last century,
and was of “sufficient size to form a large staircase in the
house of Lochnell.”
All the specimens seen of the following were undoubtedly
planted :— Sambucus nigra, L., Ulmus montana, Stokes,
Betula pubescens, Ehrh., Alnus glutinosa, Medic. Salix
viminalis, L. About Kilcheran House, the most sheltered
part of the island, there are good-sized trees of beech and
sycamore. The “colonists” seen were Brassica Sinapistrum,
Boiss., Bursa pastoris, Weber., Viola arvensis, Murr., Spergula
arvensis, \.., var. satzva (Boenn.), Chrysanthemum segetum, L.,
Senecio vulgaris, L., Sonchus oleraceus, L., S. asper, Hoffm.,
S. arvensis, L., Lamium purpureum, L., Euphorbia Heltoscopia,
L. About houses and in waste places were <gopodium
Podagraria, L., Anthriscus sylvestris, Hoffm., Galium Aparine,
L., Artemisia vulgaris, L., Arctium minus, Bernh., Cnzcus
lanceolatus, Willd., Scrophularia nodosa, L.; and by roadsides
mostly were Graphalium uliginosum, L., Taraxacum officinale,
Web., and Plantago major, L.
There are three lochs on the island, each about half a
mile in length, their bottom being composed of a thick
deposit of marl—ten to sixteen feet deep, according to the
Old Statistical Account of 1791. The vegetation in the
lochs is much encrusted with lime, especially among Characeeé
and aquatic mosses. Sczrpus lacustris, L., and Phragmites
form tall masses at the sides in some parts, while in deeper
water the yellow water-lily appears to be more common
than the white one, this being the reverse of the usual order
on this coast.
The flora of Lismore differs from that of most of the
38 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
islands of the Inner Hebrides to the north of it in the
common occurrence of certain species which have a preference
for limestone, and in the scarcity of those preferring peat.
To the former cause is due the abundance of Wasturtium
officinale, RK. Br, and Asflentum Ruta-muraria, L., the
occurrence of Scolopendrium vulgare, Symons, as a common
plant, and the presence of ffelzanthemum Chamecistus,
Mill. which is not uncommon. It is more difficult to speak
with certainty of the absence of certain peat plants without
a more prolonged examination than I was able to make,
but several of the common species which especially affect
this soil were not seen.
I am indebted to Messrs. W. H. Beeby and Arthur
Bennett for kind help with Sjarganium and Potamogeton,
and to Messrs. H. and J. Groves with Characee.
An asterisk denotes a new record for v.c. 98, in which
vice-county Lismore is included.
*RANUNCULUS DrovuEtTu, Godr. (confirmed by Messrs. H. and J.
Groves).—Rare ; stream at Loch Fiart. This species has also
been found in the islands of Islay, ‘Tiree, and the Outer
Hebrides.
*ARABIS CILIATA (?)—This puzzling plant occurs in small quantity
on rocky banks at Achnacroish. I had previously gathered it
in 1896 in Coll and Tiree, and it was referred to this species,
but with some hesitation, by Mr. Arthur Bennett and by the
Rev. E. S. Marshall. I lately sent specimens from the three
localities to the British Museum for an opinion. In reply, Mr.
J. Britten kindly wrote that they could not come to any
definite conclusion about the plant. He was inclined to think
that the two species [.4. Azrswta and A. ciliata] were too closely
allied to be tenable as species, and mentioned, ‘‘ Your plant
has not altogether the appearance of the Renvyle plant, of
which we have two good sheets from Shuttleworth—/ha? is
smoother and slender, but I do not find any character by which
to distinguish it. Syme’s character from the shape of the seeds
does not seem to hold good. Your plant is quite the same as
one gathered by Mr. Shoolbred in North Uist last July.” The
Scottish plant would, I suppose, rather come under the var.
hispida, Syme, if it were distinct from 4. Airsuta.
HELIANTHEMUM CHAMACcISTUS, JZ7/7.—Not uncommon. Mentioned
by Lightfoot in ‘‘ Flora Scotica,” under Czs¢us helianthemum, as
seen by him during his short visit to this island.
PLANTS OF LISMORE 39
HYPERICUM ELODES, Z.—Rather common. A very local plant in the
Inner Hebrides. It is given by Balfour for Islay, by Mr. A.
Somerville for Iona, and I have seen it in Tiree and Canna.
RUBUS DUMNONIENSIS, Bab.—Occurs here, as in Mull and parts of
the West Coast mainland, as one of the most frequent
brambles.
AGRIMONIA EupatoriA, Z.—Rare. Among shady rocks remote from
houses. It has here all the appearance of being native, but it
has been introduced into some places on this coast in former
times for its medicinal qualities.
HIPPURIS VULGARIS, Z.—Rather common. Very local in the Inner
Hebrides. It is given for Islay by Lightfoot, as well as by
later botanists ; and it occurs commonly in Tiree.
CAMPANULA ROTUNDIFOLIA, Z.—Very abundant. This is a local
species north of Loch Linnhe. While common on the basalts
of the islands and mainland, and occurring rather commonly
on the Lewisian Gneiss of Tiree, it is absent from large tracts
of the Dalradian schists of the mainland, or occurs very
rarely, and usually as an undoubted introduction with grass
seeds.
VERONICA ANAGALLIS-AQUATICA, Z.—Common. As in Tiree, Coll,
and the Outer Hebrides, this is the common plant, V. Beccabunga
being rare. It is a very rare plant on the mainland north of
Lismore.
EUPHRASIA BOREALIS, Zozvzs.—Common and generally spread in
uncultivated pastures. E. BREVIPILA, Burnat and Gremli.—
Less common and more local than the preceding. FE. GRACILIs,
#r.—Uncommon, probably owing to the scarcity of peaty soil.
SUDA MARITIMA, DYu7.—Salt marsh near the Pier. No personal
authority is named in ‘‘’Top. Bot.,” ed. 2.
*SPARGANIUM NEGLECTUM, Geeby.—Mr. Beeby, after a careful
examination of my specimens, considers that he cannot do other-
wise than name them as this species; but as the fruit is not
nearly ripe, and as it has not hitherto been recorded in
Britain north of Yorkshire, he considers it desirable that ripe
fruit should be examined. Its range in Denmark has, however,
recently been extended northward to c. 56° 25’, and in Sweden
to c. 56° 10’, while Lismore is c. 56° 30’. I found the plant in
three localities on the island.
*SPARGANIUM MINIMUM, /7.—In a few localities.
LEMNA MINOR, Z.—Rare. A rare plant on this coast north of
Loch Linnhe.
40 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
AuisMA PLANTAGO-AQuaTIcA, Z.—Loch Fiart. The only locality
on this coast to the north of Lismore from which I have seen
it recorded is Tiree, where it is rare, and occurs as the var.
lanceolatum, Afz.
POTAMOGETON NATANS, Z.—Rather rare. Loch Balnagown.
*POTAMOGETON COLORATUS, Hornem.—Exit stream of Loch Fiart.
Lismore and Coll are the only definite localities for this plant
north of the Clyde. The apparent absence of the commonest
pondweed of this coast, P. polygonifolius, is rendered more
interesting by a remark of Mr. Fryer’s in his “ Monograph of
Potamogetons of the British Isles,” at present being issued,
that “‘it is not a little remarkable that where codora‘uws abounds
polygontfolius is seldom or never present.”
PoTAMOGETON aNGusTIFOLIUS, Presi. (Zizi, Roth.) [?].—Loch
Fiart. An interesting plant still under examination.
*POTAMOGETON PRALONGUS, WWu/f—Loch Fiart. I have gathered
this species in Mull and Skye, but it appears to be rarer in the
islands than on the coast mainland, where it is to be found in
most of the deeper hill-lochs which I have examined. It has
not been yet recorded from the Outer Hebrides, Mr. Bennett
informs me that there is a specimen of Sir W. Hooker’s from
Skye in the Kew Herbarium.
*POTAMOGETON PERFOLIATUS, Z.—Loch Fiart and its exit stream.
Not an uncommon plant on the islands and mainland of this
coast.
PoTAMOGETON pusILLUS, Z.—Loch Balnagown, etc. Occurs also
in what is probably a luxuriant sterile state.
CAREX TERETIUSCULA, Good. var. Lhrhartiana (Hoppe) (fide
Messrs. Beeby and Bennett)—Not uncommon in damp
pastures. Neither the species nor its variety has been recorded
from the islands north of this, but Dr. Shoolbred writes me
that he found the former last year in the Outer Hebrides.
CAREX PANICULATA, Z.—Loch Balnagown. Rare on the islands to
the north of Lismore, but occurring in Mull, Tiree, and the
Outer Hebrides.
*CAREX VULPINA, Z.—Among wet rocks near the shore.
* AVENA PUBESCENS, /Zids.—Only a few plants seen.
CHARA FRAGILIS, 4esv.— Uncommon.
CHARA ASPERA, /Vi/d@.—Common. This is the prevalent species,
and is doubtless the Chara hispida which Carmichael gives for
this island in Hooker’s Flora Scotica.
*CHARA vuLGARIs, Z.—Much less common than the preceding.
*Var. LONGIBRACTEATA, Awetz.—Loch Balnagown.
LICHENS AND MOSSES FROM CARSAIG, ARGYLE 41
LICHENS AND MOSSES FROM ‘CARSAIG,
ARGYLE:
By JAMES StirTON, M.D., F.L.S.
THIS year, during the month of August and part of Sep-
tember, at Carsaig, near Tayvallich, I picked up a few
mosses as well as lichens worth recording. This locality
cannot be said to have a diversified flora, although the rock
formation, as is well known, is diversified enough. The
first peculiarity in plant distribution that attracted my
attention while driving from Ardrishaig was the extreme
luxuriance of Cotyledon Umbilicus, extending, as it did, for
miles along the roadside, while here and there /aszone
montana obtruded itself. The plant, however, which stamped
almost a character to the vegetation was the lichen Parmelia
caperata, which occurred in great profusion, its yellow or
greenish-yellow colour rendering it very conspicuous. It
was afterwards found in luxuriant fruit in several places.
Besides this Parmelia I secured P. conspersa, P. pertusa,
P. cetrarioides, P. levigata, ete.
The first moss which arrested my attention was
Didymodon flextfolius, with sete just beginning to protrude.
On the 20th September, two or three days before leaving
the district, I secured specimens with abundant fruit, having
about one in four capsules ripe. Under ordinary conditions
of weather another month was amply sufficient to render the
capsules fully ripe. Now Wilson in “ Bryologia Britannica ”
states the period of maturing fruit as from February to
April.
Along the sea-shore here, as elsewhere throughout the
West Coast of Scotland, was found in abundance 777chos-
tomum mutabile (1 give Wilson’s name as more familiar to
me), along with its numerous varieties, culminating in 77.
“ioralie .(Nitt)). .»;For the last I have) little reeard asia
species, and prefer ranking it under 77. mutabile. More
than 30 years ago I sent specimens of this variety from
Tighnabruaich to Mr. Wilson, who named it drevifolium of
Tr. mutabile. 1 distributed, at that time, tufts of this variety
42 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
to several botanists. I scarcely see the justice of substitut-
ing for it the more recent name, 7” “torale (Mitt.).
Another moss in this section was found for the first
time, viz. Zr. 2ztidum (Lindb.). I can recognise the claims
of this moss to specific distinction.
Another feature of the moss-flora of this region was the
prevalence and luxuriance of Dzcranum Scottzanum. This
moss usurps the place of D. fuscescens, which can scarcely
be said to have secured a hold here. Closely associated
with it, the tufts often growing in apposition, or, at times,
intermingled, was detected another Decranum. Amid the
general resemblance of the two mosses, the latter was usually
distinguished by its larger, more luxuriant habit of growth.
In 1869 I detected a few stems of this Dzcranum, and, in
1874, published a description of it under the name JD.
Fergusont. It belongs to the same section as D. congestum,
inasmuch as the leaves have cylindrical connecting tubes
or pores. The following is a somewhat more detailed
description :—
Dicranum Fergusoni forms large, rather lax tufts, 2 to 4
inches in diameter, and from 1 to 3 inches in height.
Stems stout, sparsely dichotomous, rufo-radiculose ; leaves
erecto-patent or subsecund, rather glossy, slightly crisped
when dry much as in D. Scottzanum, slightly serrated on
the margin near the apex or entire, lanceolato-subulate,
margins incurved above; nerve stout, thick, projecting
behind, 4 to 4+ the breadth of leaf a little above the base, or,
at times, a little broader, smooth behind, or only slightly
nodulose near apex, slightly excurrent ; cells near base long
and narrow, .04 to .07 by .oo5 to .oo8 mm.; angular cells
large, hexagonal, lax, brown; upper cells rhomboid, .o0g to
.O16 by .005 to.008 mm. The cylindrical pores are seen
in the lower third, more plentifully near the nerve, and are
rather longer than usual; at times they may be detected
higher up. These pores are most distinctly seen in leaves
of the previous year’s growth when the chlorophyll is non-
granular or diffused. Barren.
This moss differs from its congener D. congestum in
being much more robust, nerve nearly twice the breadth
relative to leaf, the cells at base much narrower than in
LICHENS AND MOSSES FROM CARSAIG, ARGYLE 43
Continental as well as Scottish specimens of the latter, the
cells shorter near apex and in the excurrent nerve.
The other moss is a Campylopus which I had previously
detected in 1871; but as. the small specimen had been
lost, and has not hitherto turned up, I refrained from pub-
lishing a description of it. It was rediscovered this year in
considerable abundance on wettish grassy slopes of one of
the lesser hills near Carsaig, at an elevation of not more
than 300 feet above sea-level.
Campylopus melaphanus,n.sp. In dense tufts, dark green
above, almost black below; stems I to 2 inches high, pale
brown in a young state, becoming dark brown afterwards,
slightly dichotomous or fastigiate near apex, slightly
radiculose below, radicles pale; leaves erecto - patent,
straight, frequently in cuspidate tufts at apex, for the most
part black-tipped, concave throughout, toothed at apex;
nerve half width of leaf near base, composed of two rows of
largish pellucid cells in front, of a corresponding row behind
of smaller pellucid cells, and of one intermediate row of
small, dark, opaque cells. The cells of the posterior of the
two front rows become often dark and nearly opaque, as do
also, although less frequently, those of the back row. The
wings at the basal angles of the leaves are dilated into
auricles of large, thin-walled, colourless cells, which ultimately
become slightly brown on the part next the nerve; the
pagina, which nearly reaches the apex, is composed of cells
which near the base are oblong, .018 to .028 by .o1. to
O4)-mms; above, near the apex, they are dense, .009) to
.oI4 by .005 to .0oo8 mm. The nerve becomes brown
throughout, although the browning process is first perceptible
at the apex.
This moss has a curious blending of characters belonging
to both C. fleruosus and C. Schwarzit, The alar spaces
exactly resemble those of the latter, as do, to a certain
extent, a section of the nerve, and the colour of the radicles ;
the other characters resemble more or less closely those of
the former moss. The blackening of the stem and nerve is
a curious peculiarity, and would seem to connect the moss
also with C. atro-vizrens. Indeed, the eye is first attracted to
it by the black tips of even the young leaves.
44 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Since writing the above, I have again gone over carefully
my collection of Dzcrana from Carsaig, and have alighted
upon another whose characters cannot be reconciled to those
of D. congestum or D. Fergusont.
In this, the areolation approaches closely that of
D. Scottianum as well as of D. fuscescens, viz. cells near base
oblong, .03 to .04 by .007 to .o11 mm., rapidly lessening in
size upwards until, in the upper half, they are .006 to .0oog by
.005 to .0O7 mm.,and densely packed together. The nerve
is thick, and occupies about one-fourth the breadth of the leaf
near the base ; it tapers upwards and is lost a little below the
apex, instead of beines excurrent as ain/ihemoter, | Lhe
margins of the relatively shorter leaves are largely, and
more or less sharply, serrated in the uppermost fourth as
well as the corresponding back of the nerve nodulose. The
alar spaces are well developed, and are composed of large
brown cells with thick walls. In places the cylindrical pores
are numerous, lateral as well as apical ; and they are seen
farther up the leaf than usual, even connecting the smaller
cells. This moss may meanwhile be named WDecranumne
subnitescens.
Apart from the presence of pores, or rather tubes, this
Dicranum, and probably the preceding one also, might
merely be reckoned forms of D. /fuscescens, just as
D. congestum had previously been reckoned. The latter
is now classified in a different section from D. /uscescens,
viz. under that of which D. scoparium may be said to be
the type. Whether the presence of these slender connect-
ing tubes in any Dzcranum should continue to mark such a
sharp line of distinction is another question. Meanwhile I
am compelled to follow the general trend of opinion and to
act accordingly. I must confess, however, that I have not
yet detected these tubes in the leaves of specimens of true
D. fuscescens. In my opinion, the porous system of this
section of the Dzcrana requires thorough revision, not only as
regards the existence of such tubes in other and different
species, but also as regards their physiological significance.
They are very slender, not more than .oo2 mm. in breadth,
and are easily ruptured, hence their detached groupings.
Their previous existence is supposed to be indicated by
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 45
minute mammillaform prominences on opposite cell-walls,
although such prominences are not seen while the tubes
retain their connections.
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.
Proposed Memorial to the late William Maegillivray, M.D.,
LL.D.—William Macgillivray, Professor of Natural History and
Lecturer on Botany in Marischal College and University, Aberdeen,
died in Aberdeen in September 1852, and was buried in New
Calton Burying-Ground in Edinburgh. ‘To the present hour his
grave is not marked even by an ordinary tombstone. There is
nothing to indicate the spot save four low corner-stones, each bearing
thei letters“ W. M.”
This fact having been brought to light, it was resolved
that an effort should be made to secure at least the erection at
his grave of a memorial of so admirable a man and so eminent
a naturalist.
Some months ago a meeting was called of all who cherish the
memory of Dr. Macgillivray, which resulted in the appointment of
a Committee charged with the duty of issuing a circular to his
surviving students and others likely to be interested in the proposal,
collecting subscriptions, and erecting a memorial at his grave,
any balance to be spent in commemorating him also in Marischal
College.
The Committee feel that no argument is needed to commend
the present proposal. Many who had not the privilege of studying
under him, or knowing him personally, are aware how greatly the
works which flowed from his diligent pen promoted the study of
Natural Science fifty years ago, and acknowledge that his great
work, “A History of British Birds,” has placed him in the front rank
of British ornithologists. His posthumous work too, “‘The Natural
History of Deeside,” printed for private distribution by command of
the Queen, although less widely known, is notable alike for the
charm of its literary style, and the full and accurate scientific in-
formation it affords regarding the fine valley which it describes.
Soon after the Committee was formed, it became evident that
they would be in possession of funds more than sufficient for the
erection of a churchyard memorial, which must be simple if it would
be in keeping with the character of the man to be commemorated.
The proposal, which has been cordially received by the members
of Committee as that which, above all, would have gratified Mac-
gillivray, is to found a Macgillivray Gold Medal in the University
46 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
of Aberdeen, to be given as a prize to the best student in Zoology,
Botany, or Geology; or to former students for the best original
research work ; or for the best series of specimens worthy of being
placed in the Natural History Museum, or the Botanical Museum,
of the University.
It is estimated that a sum of #250, or thereby, would be
sufficient for both a becoming memorial at the grave and for such
a medal.
Subscriptions may be made to the Rev. Dr. FARQUHARSON, Selkirk ;
or to the Epirors of this Magazine.
Phoea greenlandiea on the Aberdeenshire Coast.—Mr. Sim,
of Castle Street, Aberdeen, secured a skull of the Harp Seal, in
August 1897, from Cruden Bay. The Seal had evidently been
killed by blows on the head, and the occipital bones of the skull
were badly broken, so that its length cannot now be given. The
dentition was complete, and measured 1# inches in the lower, and
1Z inches in the upper jaw. ‘The length of the lower jaw is 33
inches, with the rami nearly parallel in front. The teeth are separate
and arranged in a straight line, this alone distinguishing it from the
Common Seal, P?. vitulina. As this is a very rare mammal on the
coasts of Scotland, I asked Mr. Sim to allow me to send a note of
it to the “‘ Annals.’,—Wm. TayLor, Lhanbryde.
Supposed capture of a White Whale in the Tay Estuary.—
The ‘Scotsman ” for the 26th of November records that ‘‘ there was
landed at Dundee Fish Market yesterday a White Whale [ De/phin-
apterus leucas| 4 feet 6 inches in length. The fish was caught at
the mouth of the Tay by some Broughty Ferry fishermen in the
morning, and is the first caught in the vicinity.”
Being interested in the occurrence of this rare Arctic species in
Scottish waters, we wrote to a valued correspondent at Dundee,
asking him if he could kindly procure for us some further particulars
concerning this interesting capture. To our great surprise, we were
informed that the supposed White Whale was nothing more than an
ordinary Porpoise (Phocwna communis) !
It appears to us to be highly desirable that correspondents and
others who write to the public press should consult some authority
before venturing to record creatures unknown to them. In this case
a reference to any book on British mammals would have sufficed,
and would have prevented the public from being misinformed and
naturalists from being misled.—EDs,
Bird Notes from Tiree.—On the 23rd of September I observed
a Curlew Sandpiper (Z7inga subarquata) some distance from the
shore and running along the margin of a small pool. It was very
tame, and allowed me to get quite close to it. ‘This is the first
instance of its appearance in Tiree that I know of.
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 47
On the 12th of November, over 40 Bewick’s Swans (Cygnus
bewick’) were feeding in the ditches at the boggy end of the “ Reef.”
They were scattered over a considerable area, and waddling up and
down like ducks.
Migration has been much later here this autumn than usual. It
is true a few species of migratory birds did arrive about their usual
dates; but the great bulk of them were a month late—the White-
fronted Geese (Azser albifrons) were about five weeks late. Three
great movements of Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis) occurred :
a big rush at the middle of September; another, not so big, about
the middle of October ; while the most pronounced of all took place
from the 7th up to the 18th of that month.—PETER ANDERSON,
direc.
Goldfinch in West Lothian.—On the roth of December I saw
three Goldfinches (Carduel’s elegans) in Dalmeny Park. As this
bird is very uncommon in the Edinburgh district, I send this
notice of its occurrence to the “ Annals.” ——BRucE CAMPBELL, Edin-
burgh.
Hoopoe near Dunbar.— A Hoopoe (Upupa epops) was got
near the beach, about three miles east of Dunbar, after the great
storm which culminated on 17th and 18th October last.—D. Bruce,
Dunbar.
Kingfisher in West Ross-shire.—On the roth of September a
Kingfisher (4d/edo isfida) made its appearance on the river Broom,
Lochbroom, and was seen for three weeks afterwards, but not since,
though it may still remain. So rare is this bird here, that no one
ever saw one before this year.—J. A. Fow.Ler, Inverbroom.
The Greater Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major) in
the South-east of Scotland.—Among the more noteworthy
of last year’s bird-movements was the immigration of Greater
Spotted Woodpeckers which reached our shores about the end
of autumn. <A few of these fine birds probably find their
way to us from the Continent every autumn, but marked im-
migrations are usually separated by a good many years. The
last movement on a scale equal to the present one took place in
1886. But the first place as a Woodpecker year in Scotland
probably belongs to 1868: at any rate, its record of the sense-
less slaughter of this beautiful and useful species north of the Border
is, fortunately, unsurpassed—Mr. R. Gray states that he himself ex-
amined upwards of sixty specimens. As has frequently been pointed
out, these flights consist almost entirely of. birds of the year, which
are known by the presence of a patch of red feathers on the crown
of the head. For a knowledge of the following occurrences in
South-eastern Scotland last autumn (1898), I am indebted to the
48 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
columns of the “ Scotsman,” and to a few friends and correspondents
who have been good enough to favour me with communications on
the subject :—
October 18.—An immature ¢, shot at Ayton, Berwickshire (J.
Buglass).
21.—One seen in a wood near Melrose (G. S. Ferrier).
21.—One, immature, shot near Newport, Fife (J. T. Croall).
27.—One, an immature @, shot near Thurston, East
Lothian, and another seen about same time
(W. Anderson).
‘ last week.—One seen in Broxmouth Park, near Dunbar
(D. Bruce).
November 7.—One observed running about the thick trunk of a
large elm in the grounds of Cameron House,
Newington, Edinburgh, by Mr. Vipont-Anderson.
g.—One seen by Sir Thomas Gibson Carmichael, Bart.,
at The Inch, near Edinburgh; and one (prob-
ably the same bird) seen later on the same day
in the adjoining grounds of Kingston Grange by
Mr, I: Speedy: 1 visited) these and ether
localities on the 11th (a very misty day), but
could see nothing of the bird, though I twice
heard a suspicious “tapping,” apparently in
Moredun grounds. Evidence of its recent
presence was, however, distinctly visible on many
of the trees, especially the aged planes, from whose
trunks it had prised much of the semi-loose bark
in search of insects, etc.
10.—One seen at Wauchope House, Hawick (W. Mac-
millan Scott).
“i 15.—One seen in plantation near Aberlady, East Lothian
(W. Saunders).
15 and 16.—One seen in Dalmeny Park, Linlithgow-
shire (B. Campbell).
December 3.—An immature ? received by Small from Tulliallan,
9
2)
)
In connection with these records for the South-east of Scotland,
allusion may be made to the following occurrences in other parts of
the country, namely: A bird shot at Tongue, Sutherland, on 22nd
October (J. Box); one (of three) shot near Glenbervie, Kincardine-
shire, on 27th October (G. H. K.); and one received by Small
from Forfar on 26th October. I hear of other records, which, I
understand, are being communicated to the “ Annals” by those in
possession of the facts—W. Evans, Edinburgh.
Great Spotted Woodpecker.—In addition to Mr. Evans’s notes
we have received the following :—
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 49
BERWICKSHIRE. — One seen at Burnfoot on 14th October,
another at Blackadder woods on 18th November. Nested again at
Duns woods, where they are preserved.—CHARLES STUART, Chirn-
side.
FORFARSHIRE.—One seen in the woods at Colliston Castle,
near Arbroath, on the 22nd of October.—T. F. DEwar.
ABERDEENSHIRE.—One roth October, and another 12th Novem-
ber, seen near Aberdeen.—L. G. Esson, Aberdeen.
Two young birds shot on the 29th of October at Peterhead.
In one of these the crimson was developing on the head.—\Wwm.
SERLE, Musselburgh.
Six have passed through the hands of Mr. George Sim; all but
one birds of the year.
CAITHNESS.—One obtained at Scotscalder on 30th September,
and a young male caught at Auchingill on 19th October.—LEwis
Dunpsar, Thurso.
One near Wick, 4th November.—J. SUTHERLAND.
European Hawk-Owl in Aberdeenshire.—On 21st November
an excellent female specimen of the European Hawk-Owl (Surana
ulula) was shot by William Smith, factor on the Haddo House
Estates. The bird weighed 114 ounces, expanse of wings 284
inches, length from beak to end of tail 144 inches. The stomach
was filled with the bones and hair of mice. ‘The chief external dif-
ference in this species from that of our native Owls are its long
rounded tail and short wings. And the principal internal difference
lies in the fact that the furcula is not complete, that is, it does not
form the usual V- or U-shaped bone common to most other birds,
but takes the form of two long bony processes, which are united to
the anterior point of the sternal crest by strong tendons, each ?
of an inch long. Two examples of the American Hawk-Owl
(Surnia funerea) have been obtained in Scotland, and one supposed
European Hawk-Owl in Unst.—G. Sim, Aberdeen.
Honey Buzzard in Aberdeenshire.—A young specimen of the
Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus) was shot near the home farm of
Kinmundy on 15th September, and sent to Mr. M‘Boyle, Peterhead,
for preservation.—G. Sim, Aberdeen.
Honey Buzzard at Peterhead.—There was shot at Kinmundy on
19th September an immature specimen of the Honey Buzzard
(Lernis apivorus). The plumage was dark brown, with a slightly
lighter shade on the cheeks, throat, and belly ; there were three bars
of a slightly darker colour on the under side of the tail feathers ;
these feathers likewise were tipped with gray. The plumage was
very close, and when separated showed abundance of white. There
was one shot at Pitfour in the same neighbourhood, probably a
young male, seven or eight years ago, and is now in the possession of
the gamekeeper there. —WILLIAM SERLE, Musselburgh.
29 E
50 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Rough-legged Buzzards in East Lothian.—A fair number of
Rough-legged Buzzards (Luteo lagopus) seem to have arrived in
Scotland about the end of last autumn. In the vicinity of Dunbar
one was fired at and wounded on 22nd October. Escaping for the
time being into Broxmouth woods, it was finally captured there four
days later. Mr. D. Bruce, to whom I am indebted for these par-
ticulars and for a photograph of the bird, obtained possession of it
and has it alive still. Mr. Bruce adds that about the close of
October and beginning of November he several times saw large
Raptores on the wing in the Dunbar district—one, which he feels
sure was a Rough-legged Buzzard, was being buffeted by crows near
Drem. ‘Three specimens of this species—all from one locality at the
foot of the Lammermoors, south from Haddington—were received
by Messrs. Small for preservation on 12th, 14th, and 19th Novem-
ber respectively, and Hope had one sent from the north of Scotland
in the beginning of December. I suppose it is useless pleading with
most gamekeepers to spare the lives of such fine birds.
Mr. Bruce also reports large numbers of ‘newly arrived” Short-
eared Owls and Fieldfares about Dunbar during the week ending
5th November.—WiIxL11AmM Evans, Edinburgh.
Garganey and Gadwall in Aberdeenshire.—Seven specimens of
the Garganey (Querguedula circia), and four of the Gadwall (Azas
strepera), were killed at Pitfour on 22nd October.—G. Sim, Aberdeen.
Remarkable variety of the Black Grouse.—A young male
Black Grouse was shot at Bowhill, in Selkirkshire, on the 11th of
November, which is remarkable, since it shows a decided tendency
towards albinism. ‘The prevailing tint of this specimen is ashy-gray,
darker on the back and sides of the breast, which are brownish-gray,
and on the head and neck, which are blackish-gray. The wing-
coverts, secondaries, and scapulars are faintly, almost invisibly,
vermiculated with brown. A few of the neck feathers are edged with
black. The wing spot is present, but, being only a little lighter in
tint than the general coloration of the wing, it is not at all conspic-
uous.—Wmn. EAGLE CLARKE.
Spotted Crake at Dunbar.—About 11 p.m. on 18th October,
what, from the description given me, must have been a Spotted
Crake (Porzana maruetta) came against the lighted window of the
west signal cabin at Dunbar Station, and was captured by the men
on duty, who kept it over night, and let it away in the morning.
About the same time a Spotted Crake, possibly the same bird, was
got at Dunbar Old Barracks.—D. Bruce, Dunbar.
Baillon’s Crake in Caithness.—When shooting here in Sep-
tember I obtained a female specimen of Baillon’s Crake, which is
now being set up by Mr. Dunbar of Thurso.—Wwno. ARKWRIGHT,
Westfield Lodge, Thurso.
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 51
Little Bustard in Aberdeenshire.—On the 24th of October
last, when out shooting partridges at St. Fergus,—part of the Pitfour
estate in Aberdeenshire,—I shot a bird which the Pitfour keeper
and Mr. Sim the Aberdeen naturalist have pronounced to be a
Little Bustard (Ovs ¢etrax). The bird was first seen in a turnip-
field. It got up out of shot, and flew with a slow, leisurely flight.
It seemed to be weak, as if wounded. I went after the bird and
secured it. Mr. Mutch, the keeper, when skinning it found a swan-
shot embedded in its thigh. It may be mentioned that for about
ten days before, N.E. gales of unusual severity had prevailed on this
coast. This may account for the presence of so rare a visitant.
Mr. Sim remembers one other having been got near Aberdeen a
good many years ago.—J. G. WALKER, London, W.
Gray Phalarope on the Solway Firth.—A small specimen of.
this Phalarope was brought to me at the Carlisle Museum on
roth December, when I ascertained that it had been shot on the
coast near Cardunock the previous day. No doubt it had been
driven up the estuary by the strong S.W. winds. It was zo¢ in full
winter dress, as one would have expected a December specimen to
be. On the contrary, the upper parts still retained a large pro-
portion of the first feathers; so that it might well have been
procured in September in the same garb. A fine old bird which
was procured locally on the 24th of December 1894, and added to
the same collection, zs in perfect winter livery, except that it still
retains a single feather of the red summer dress upon the rump.—
H. A. Macpuerson, Allonby, Cumberland.
Solitary Snipe near Elgin.—A specimen of the rare Gadlinago
major, rare at least in the north of Scotland, was shot on Saturday
15th October 1898 by Mr. J. Brander-Dunbar at Pitgaveny, near
Elgin. The bird rose out of a fairly dry grass park, along with a
Common Snipe. It hada scar on the breast, probably done against a
wire fence or telegraph wire. I weighed it on the following Monday
morning, and found its weight was exactly 8 oz.—T. E. BuckLey,
Inverness.
Spotted Redshank, Ruff, and Curlew Sandpiper in East Ren-
frewshire.—We have had great hopes of adding something to our
list of East Renfrewshire birds this autumn, owing to the consider-
able sheet of water known as Balgray Dam being very low—leaving
a great portion of the bed of the dam exposed. In this we have
not been disappointed. The Curlew Sandpiper (Z7inga subarquata),
of whose appearance on fresh-water lochs in Scotland there are few
or no notices, was again observed (and see “ Annals,” 1897, p. 124)
this autumn, between 25th September and 23rd October, both inclu-
sive, never more than three birds being noted at one time. A Ruff
(Machetes pugnax), apparently a bird of the year, a species we have
52 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
not previously observed here, although it has been shot on one occa-
sion (“ Annals,” 1895, p. 229), was seen between the same dates.
This bird was often seen within the period indicated, and admitted
of a very near approach. <A Spotted Redshank (Zotanus fuscus) was
also identified on the 16th of October, and was again seen on the
22nd, 23rd, and 30th zdem. ‘The great extent of mud exposed, and
the absence of bushes and reeds, presented conditions suitable for
this species. The Spotted Redshank proved to be much more
wary than the Ruff. There were no Common Redshanks about on
any of the occasions on which it was observed, unless the last, and
then only one bird. Its appearance was quite distinct, owing to the
absence of the band of white on the secondaries when seen on the
wing ; and when observed alongside the Ruff, as it was frequently, it
was plainly a larger bird than the last named, with much longer legs.
It was an exact replica in appearance of the bird in the foreground
of the cut of this species in Yarrell, striking us at once as a very
light-coloured bird, and we could always distinguish it easily in the
company of Golden Plovers, etc., even at a distance. Unlike its
congener, the Common Redshank, it appeared to be a silent bird,
as we never heard it utter a note on any of the four days which we
spent hunting it round the dam. We are not aware of any previous
record of this species having been obtained or observed in “ Clyde.”
It is, of course, an addition to our East Renfrewshire list—JoHN
PATERSON, JOHN Rosertson, Glasgow.
A Habit of the Black-headed Gull.—With reference to the
Rev. Mr. Serle’s note in the ‘‘ Annals” for October regarding this
Gull’s habit of pattering with its feet in the shallows, I may mention
that during the last twenty years or so I have, in the same locality,
—Dalmeny and Cramond,—frequently noticed these Gulls acting
similarly, and, as they always pecked at something after ‘ beating
time,” I am inclined to think that their pattering was not altogether
for diversion.—BrucE CAMPBELL, Edinburgh.
Pomatorhine Skua on the Solway Firth.—Two immature ex-
amples of the Pomatorhine Skua (Stercorarius pomatorhinus) were
shot on the shores of this Firth, between Annan and Gretna, on
26th October and. rst November. ‘They were sent to me for identi-
fication, and have been retained for the Carlisle Museum. These
are the third and fourth specimens that have been shot on our coast,
and sent to me, in the last sixteen years. ‘The first and second
were older specimens, though not in full adult livery—H. A. Mac-
PHERSON, Allonby Vicarage.
Pomatorhine Skua in West Lothian.—After the severe gale
last October, I picked up a Pomatorhine Skua (S¢ercorarius pomato-
rhinus) on the West Lothian foreshore on the 28th of that month.
The bird was a quite recent specimen, but headless, and had been
sorely battered about by the gale—Rosert Goprrey, Edinburgh.
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 53
Fulmar Petrel breeding on Noss, Shetland.—Last summer I
found the Fulmar (/i/marus glacialis) breeding on the Noup of
Noss. This is the first breeding-station observed on the eastern
seaboard of Britain, and, as such, marks a very distinct extension of
the Fulmar’s range.—RosBertT Goprrey, Edinburgh.
Some Searce Fishes in the Solway.—Mr. Pool, of the Port
Ling Fishery, has sent of late several species of fishes not regularly
met with. One of these was a “ John Dory” (Zeus faber), of which
several examples have lately occurred in the Solway. Another was
a very fine large example of the Horse Mackerel, or Scad (Caranx
trachurus), a species I have not seen before from the Firth proper,
though it is occasionally caught off the mouth of the Dee. A third
species is of interest, as it has not, I believe, been recorded from the
Solway, although locally abundant on some other parts of the West
Coast, namely, the Sea Bream (Pagellus centrodontus).—R. SERVICE,
Maxwelltown.
Four-bearded Rockling in the Firth of Forth.—On 25th
October 1898 I picked up a perfectly fresh specimen of this fish
on the shore between Leith and Portobello ; it was full grown, being
13¢ inches in length—not much shorter than the longest British
specimen recorded. The Four-bearded Rockling (Motella cimbria)
was first recorded as British by Parnell (‘Fishes of the Firth of
Forth,” p. 449), from a specimen caught on a baited line, a little to
the east of Inchkeith, and has been obtained on several occasions in
the Forth and elsewhere since Parnell’s day.—RoBERT GODFREY,
Edinburgh.
Occurrence of the Black-mouthed Dogfish off Aberdeen.—A
Black-mouthed Dogfish (Présturus melanostomus) was caught by trawl
four miles off Aberdeen on 15th November, and was brought to
me by Mr. Herbert Howell. It is a female, two eggs being in
the oviduct ready for expulsion. These eggs or “purses” differ
very widely from that of the Lesser Spotted Dogfish, being destitute
of tendrils on the lower end, while at the other extremity they are
little more than } inch long. This is the first known instance, so
far as I am aware, of this fish having occurred on the north-east
coast of Scotland.—Gro. Sim, Aberdeen.
Rossia macrosoma (2. C4.) and Eledone eirrosa (Zamé.) on
the East Lothian Shore.—On 2oth October last, immediately after
the destructive storm from the east, I found a specimen of Lossia
macrosoma among rejectamenta on the beach at Morrison’s Haven
a little to the west of Prestonpans. In Leslie and Herdman’s
“Invertebrate Fauna of the Firth of Forth” there is only one positive
occurrence (at Aberdour) of this Cephalopod recorded.
On 28th October I examined, on the North Berwick and Dirleton
beaches, no less than nine examples of the much larger LZedone cirrosa,
54 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
another Cephalopod of which there is only a single record in the
above-mentioned “ Fauna,” namely the old one of Dr. M‘Bain from
Kirkcaldy Bay. Mr. T. Scott, however, mentions in the ‘ Annals”
for 1893 (p. 50) six occasions on which the species has been obtained
by him at trawling stations in the Firth of Forth, so that it is probably
not uncommon. ‘The specimens I saw did not differ greatly in size.
One measured fully 9 inches, excluding the arms (144, including
them), and weighed nearly 24 lbs.—WiL.iam Evans, Edinburgh.
Amara alpina, /, and other Inseets in “ East Perth.”—
While staying at Fenderbridge, near the foot of Glen Tilt, Perthshire,
last September, I collected a number of Coleoptera and other insects,
among them being three specimens—two ¢’s, from one of which
the species has been kindly determined for me by the Rev. A.
Thornley, and a 9 —of the rare Amara alpina, F., a beetle which, I
believe, has been recorded in this country only from Rannoch and
Braemar. They were found on 8th and 17th September under
stones embedded in a peaty soil, at a height of fully 1700 feet, on a
hill a few miles up Glen Tilt. ‘The same spot yielded a good many
Cymindts vaporariorum,: Pterostichus ethiops,| Harpalus latus,' etc.,
and on a moor near the foot of Ben-a-ghlo I took Cavabus arvensis,+
Miscodera arctica, and Harpalus quadripunctatus, De}. (one speci-
men). On the summit of Carn Liath, within a few feet of the
cairn (3193 feet), two specimens of Otzorrhynchus maurus occurred
under a stone, and along with them an example of the commoner
O. blandus, a beetle I had found in some abundance a year before
in a very different locality, namely, on the Isle of May, at the
mouth of the Firth of Forth. Near the foot of Carn Liath and
Ben-a-ghlo, Aphodius fetidus was abundant in sheep’s dung. Among
shingle on the north bank of the Garry, below Blair Atholl, a few
Coccinella 5-punctata were secured on gth September. I have not
yet examined the Hemiptera very carefully, but among them are
Zicrona cerulea (one specimen from moor beyond Kirkton of Lude),
and a number of Cyrtorrhinus caricis, Fall. (from margin of a loch
a few miles east of Fenderbridge), a species I do not see in Mr.
M‘Gregor’s list of Perthshire Hemiptera as published in the
“Transactions of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science,” vol. ii.
p. ro. At the same loch a good Caddis-fly (Zzmnophilus borealis)
was abundant on 7th September (see separate note by Mr. K. J.
Morton, who identified this for me). ‘The Plume-moth, <A/ucita
hexadactyla (= polydactyla) was common in cottages and out-
houses at Fenderbridge, and I noticed one in the station at Blair
Atholl. As late as 6th September a few Zrebia ethiops and a single
Lycena artaxerxes, all more or less worn of course, were still on the
1 These are not noted as having occurred in ‘* Tay” in Sharp’s ‘‘ Coleoptera
of Scotland.”
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 55
wing in the vicinity of the Falls of Fender.—WiLi1am Evans,
Edinburgh.
Sirex gigas in East Lothian.—Mr. William Fairbairn, Leaston,
East Lothian, informed me orally last autumn of the occurrence of
this insect in his neighbourhood, and on 1oth October forwarded two
specimens in proof of his statement; he had frequently observed
these insects about the sawmill during the summer. Another corre-
spondent in East Lothian sends me word of the occurrence of 5S.
gigas near Gladsmuir, but has not favoured me with a specimen.
The insect has already been recorded for East Lothian from Dunbar
and Thurston (“ Annals,” 1892, p. 79).—ROBERT GODFREY, Edin-
burgh.
Sirex gigas in Peebleshire.—Last August, I captured a large
female of this handsome insect at Stobo, where they have been
established for a number of years. Mr. William Evans has also
received two specimens this year from the same locality.—JAMES
Baxter, Edinburgh.
Sirex gigas in Solway District.—Only a few years ago this
insect was prized as a great rarity. Now it has become compara-
tively common, and this year fully a dozen individuals have been in
my hands. I also hear of it from many different localities, not only
in these counties but throughout Scotland. It would not be surpris-
ing in a few years more to find the species a serious danger to timber.
The larvee are long-lived and make numerous galleries in living trees,
utterly spoiling the timber for commercial purposes.—R. SERVICE,
Maxwelltown.
Sphinx convolvuli, Z., in East Lothian.—A specimen of this
handsome Hawk-moth was captured while hovering over flowers in
a garden at Haddington on 5th September 1898, and sent to me to
name. Through the generosity of the captor, it now occupies a place
in my cabinet.—WiLu1aM Evans, Edinburgh.
The Convolvulus Hawk-moth in Dumfriesshire. — Sphinx
convolvuli has turned up as usual this autumn, though only as yet a
single individual. This was sent me by Mr. Wm. Wright of Annan.
—R. SERVICE, Maxwelltown.
Distribution of Pachnobia hyperborea in Seotland.—From
what Mr. Barrett says in his book on British Lepidoptera, vol. v. p.
235, I gather that this beautiful species has not yet been recorded
from any intervening localities between Perthshire and the Orkneys.
It may be well, therefore, to mention that it occurs in the county of
Inverness on the great range of the Cairngorms.—KENNETH J.
Morton, Edinburgh.
Pachnobia hyperborea, Ze/¢., in Inverness-shire, ete.—In
his “ Lepidoptera of the British Isles,” now in course of publication,
56 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Mr. Barrett, I see, writes as if this moth were not known to occur
in any county of the mainland of Scotland but Perth. I can
myself vouch for its occurrence in Inverness-shire, having found the
larva near Dalwhinnie in 1892; and there is a record of its
occurrence near Braemar in Aberdeenshire in 1873 in the “‘ Scottish
Naturalist,” vol. 11. p. 162. In Buchanan-White’s “ Lepidoptera of
Scotland” it is noted as occurring in both ‘‘Tay” and “ Dee.”
My chief object, however, in sending this note is to give what I do
not find mentioned in any account of the moth I have seen, namely,
the name of the “moss” in which the larvee and pupe are found.
The plant is the ARhacomitrium lanuginosum of Bridel (= Grimmia
hypnotdes, Lindb.), a true moss, which grows in great profusion on
the higher ridges and slopes of the Grampians and Cairngorms.
Its broad, hoary cushions are favourite nesting sites with that most
interesting bird the Dotterel—W3 LL1am Evans, Edinburgh.
Limnophilus borealis, 7/4, and L. nigriceps, Ze/¢., from Glen
Tilt.—I am indebted to Mr. William Evans for a fine specimen of
Limnophilus borealis taken by him near Fenderbridge, Glen Tilt
(East Perth). This species is exclusively northern in Scotland, and it
seems to be decidedly local. Mr. M‘Lachlan has kindly given me
the following localities: Strathglass (Buchanan-White, 1869) and
Strathnaver (Trail, r2th August 1873). Mr. King has also taken it
somewhere between the Tummel and Glen Lyon. Abroad, its
distribution is mainly boreal, and it is common in Northern Scandi-
navia. This year (1898) it was taken for the first time in the Vallée
de Joux, Switzerland. From the same locality as Z. dovealis, Mr.
Evans has given me an example of LZ. nig7iceps, Zett., a species which
is also somewhat local both in this country and on the Continent.—
KENNETH J. Morton, Edinburgh.
On the oceurrenee of Boreophausia inermis (Avoyer) and
Thysanoessa longicaudata (Avoyer) in the Firth of Forth. Some
time ago I examined several unnamed Crustaceans belonging to the
Euphausiidee that had been collected in the Firth of Forth at various
times between 1891 and 1894. ‘They were found to comprise
representatives of four different species, the names of which are as
follows: Boreophausia raschi (M. Sars), Thysanoessa neglecta (Kroyer),
Boreophausia tnermis (Kroyer), and TZhysanoessa longicaudata
(Kroyer). Though the first and second have already been recorded,
the other two appear to be additions to the Crustacean fauna of the
Forth. The specimens of Loreophausia tnermis were collected in
1892 and 1894, and those of Zhysanoessa longicaudata in 1891.
Boreophausia inermis differs from £L. raschi in having the rostrum
narrow instead of triangular, and in having a spine over the base of
the telson ; B. raschi having no such spine. Zhysanoessa longicaudata
may also be distinguished from its near ally Z: neglecta by not
BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS 57
having a spine over the base of the telson, while 7. megZecta possesses
one. It may also be remarked that the genus Zkysanoessa need not
be confounded with oreophausia if the slightest attention is paid to
difference in the form of the eyes and the length of the first pair of
legs. Boreophausia inermis has been recorded from the Clyde and
the Moray Firth, and also from Shetland; while Zhysanoessa longt-
caudata has been recorded from St. Andrews Bay.—T. Scort, Leith.
On the occurrence of Rhynehomyzon purpurocinetum (Zz.
Scott) in the Moray Firth. — This well-marked Copepod was
dredged by Mr. F. G. Pearcey in the Moray Firth in November
1897 at two widely different localities, viz. off Nairn and in the
vicinity of Smith Bank. The thorax in this species is narrowly ovate,
and the abdomen is elongate and slender; the last three thoracic
segments are of a dark purple colour. ‘The species was described
in 1893, in Part III. of the “ Eleventh Annual Report for Scotland,”
from specimens obtained in the Firth of Forth. It was described
under the name of Cyclopicera purpurocincta, but Dr. Giesbrecht, in
his revision of the Ascomyzontidz, to which it belongs, removed it to
a new genus as above. Though Rhynchomyzon purpurocinctum has
been found in only a few places in the British seas, it appears to
have a wide distribution, seeing that Dr. Giesbrecht has recorded it
from Naples. It does not appear to be a littoral species, but seems
to live at a moderate depth in the open sea.—T. Scort, Leith.
Thalestris hibernieca, G. S. Lrady, in the Cromarty Firth.—
This was one of a number of interesting Copepoda that were dredged
near Invergordon in October 1896. It is one of the rarer species
of British Zzalestvis. In the ‘‘ Monograph of British Copepoda” by
Professor G. S. Brady, Zhalesiris hibernica is recorded from West-
port Bay, Ireland, and from the Clyde and Oban, Scotland ;
Cromarty Firth appears to be a new station for it. The form of
the “hand ” of the posterior foot-jaws is quite characteristic of this
species when taken along with the fifth pair of feet in the male and
female ; it may also be distinguished by the student of this group of
Crustacea by its peculiar “ habitus” appearance.—T. Scort, Leith.
BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS.
Earliest Seottish Record of Dryas octopetala, Z.—Martin, in
his “‘ Description of the Western Islands of Scotland ” (1703), p. 180,
mentions this plant in his account of Skye. His reference is :—
“ Cartophylata Alpina Chamedreos fol. It grows on Marble in divers
Parts, about Christ-Church in Strath: Never observed before in
58 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Britain, and but once in Ireland, by Mr. Hiaton. Morison’s Hist.
Ray Synopsis, 137.” Lightfoot, in ‘‘ Flora Scotica,” also gives it
for the same locality, “plentifully upon the limestone rocks of
Ben-huardal, etc., in the parish of Christ-Church, in Strath-Swardles,
in the isle of Skye.” It still grows in some quantity on this lime-
stone hill, which is given in the Ordnance Map as Ben Suardal.
The Irish record mentioned by Martin is, I suppose, from the same
locality as given in Mr. W. A. Clarke’s “ First Records of British
Flowering Plants,” “in the mountains betwixt Gort and Galloway
[Galway]. Mr. Heaton,” the date being 1650 and the reference
How, ‘ Phyt.,” 120.—Symers M. Macvicar.
Carex rostrata x vesicaria in Glen Callater.—Pfarrar G.
Kukenthal has named a sedge as above which I gathered in 1882
at the head of Glen Callater, South Aberdeenshire. That it is a
hybrid of vostrata I have little doubt.—G. C. DRuce.
Deyeuxia stricta, 7. 4. K., var. borealis, in Perthshire.—I
notice in “he, Elora) ‘of; Perthshire; recently issued) what mo
reference is made to the real discoverer of this interesting grass in
Strath Tay in 1888, nor is its extinction in its original and, I am
afraid, only station, as reported by me in the “ Journ. Bot.” for 1897,
mentioned.—G. C. DRUCE.
Saxifraga groenlandiea, 7.—Although the name is included in
the Perthshire Flora, no locality is given. Professor Engler named
the specimen on which the report is based, which I collected on
Ben Lawers and reported to Dr. Buchanan-White.—G. C. DRUCE.
Characez from Scotland.—In ‘Notes on British Characee,
1895-1898,’ in the “Journal of Botany” (Nov. 1898), by H. & J.
Groves, there are numerous records from Scotland. ‘These are from
various localities, a considerable proportion having been collected by
Mr. S. M. Macvicar, in 1896, in Coll and Tiree (Mid Ebudes, 103).
Subjoined are the various records, the name of the collector and the
date being added after each district, except these islands :—
Chara fragilis, Desy., Ayrshire, A. Somerville, 1896; Cantire,
C. E£. Salmon, 1897.
var. Hedwigit, Aberdeen N., 7. W. H. Trail, 1883.
var. delicatula, Westerness, S. JZ, Macvicar, 1895 ; Cantire,
C. £. Salmon, 1897; Islay, S. Ebudes, Z. & Gilmour,
1898; Mid Ebudes.
C. aspera, Willd., Mid Ebudes, Coll and Tiree.
var. subinermis, Coll.
C. contraria, Kuetz., Tiree.
C. hispida, L., Isle of Gigha, Cantire, 4. Somerville, 1898 ; Coll
and Tiree; Orkney, A. Somerville, 1898.
CURRENT LITERATURE 59
C. vulgaris, L., Lismore, Argyle, S. AZ Macvicar, 1898 ; Coll
and Tiree.
var. Jongibracteata, Lismore, S. JZ. Macvicar, 1898.
var. papillata, ‘Tiree.
Nitella translucens, Ag., Tiree.
LV. opaca, Ag., Tiree.
In two plates are excellent figures of additions to British lists,
viz. on pl. 391 Chara aspera, Willd., subsp. nova desmacantha
(characterised by spine-cells 72 groups of three to five, instead of
solitary or in pairs, and by more numerous cortical nodes, there
being usually from fourteen to eighteen instead of from ten to twelve
to each internode), and on pl. 392 itella hyalina, Agardh. (dis-
tinguished from all other species found in Britain by bearing secondary
branchlets, usually one above and one below each primary branchlet).
The Chara has been found in several localities in England, and is
the prevalent form of C. asfera in Ireland, and it occurs also in
Sweden and Bavaria. The Vize//a is as yet known as British with
certainty only from The Loe, near Helston, in West Cornwall ; but
it occurs almost throughout Europe, and in Africa, Asia, Australasia,
and North America. Both plants should be looked for in Scotland.
CURRENT LITERATURE.
The Titles and Purport of Papers and Notes relating to Scottish Natural His-
tory which have appeared during the Quarter—October-December 1898.
[The Editors desire assistance to enable them to make this Section as complete as
possible. Contributions on the lines indicated will be most acceptable and
will bear the initials of the Contributor. The Editors will have access to the
sources of information undermentioned. ]
ZOOLOGY.
BirpDS OF THE Mountain Tops. By Lieut.-Col. W. H. M.
Duthie, R.A. Zrans. Perthshire Soc. Nat. Science, vol. ii. part vi.
(1897-98), pp. 191-196.—Principally devoted to an account of the
nesting haunts and habits of the Snow Bunting, the Dotterel, and
the Ptarmigan.
Nores By A NATURALIST ROUND DUNKELD. By C. M‘Intosh.
Trans. Perthshire Soc. Nat. Science, vol. ii. part vi. (1897-98), pp.
223-227.—This paper includes notes on some of the birds of the
district.
List OF BIRDS OBSERVED IN THE District OF MOFfrFat,
DUMFRIESSHIRE, FROM OCTOBER 1896 TO FEBRUARY 1897. By
Bruce Campbell. Zoologist (4), vol. i pp. 507-508 (December
60 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
1898).—The list includes fifty-five species seen within four or five
miles of the town during the period named.
A Wuite Hepce-Sparrow. By Charles Kirk. Zhe Field,
15th October 1898, p. 648.—An albino example shot at Uddingston,
Glasgow, on 21st September.
MarsH TITMOUSE IN THE Tay VALLEY. Correspondence by
Messrs. Wm. Evans and J. A. Harvie-Brown on this subject is printed
in Trans. Perthshire Soc. Nat. Science, vol. ii. part vi. (1897-98), pp.
250-251.
Late Stay oF Swirt. By E. J. Ross. Zhe Meld, 8th October
1898, p. 608.—An example observed at Edinburgh on 2oth
September.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER IN Ross-SHIRE. By Donald
Cameron. Zhe Feld, 26th November 1898, p. 858.—Specimen
shot at Westfield, Nigg, in October.
fotoy)
ICELAND FALCON IN SHETLAND. By “Thule.” Zhe Field, 15th
October 1898, p. 648.—An example shot during the last week of
September.
RouGH-LEGGED Buzzarp IN East LoTHIAN. By W. Hay
Newton. Zhe Field, 19th November 1898, p. 837.—Specimen
trapped on a grouse moor in November.
LONG-TAILED DucK IN THE FIRTH OF FortTH. By H. W.
Robinson. Zhe Field, 3rd December 1898, p. 897.—Specimen
seen on 26th November.
CAPTURES DURING 1898 IN THE GALASHIELS District. By
James C. Haggart. Lntomologist, vol. xxxi. pp. 296-298 (December
1898).—This note refers entirely to Lepidoptera.
COLIAS EDUSA IN WIGTOWNSHIRE. By A. A. Dalglish. vz.
Record, vol. x. p. 279 (November 1898).—A male specimen
captured at Stranraer on 29th August.
ABUNDANCE OF AGLAIS URTICH LARVA IN SCOTLAND. By
J. A. Clark, F.E.S. nt. Record, vol. x. p. 255 (October 1898).—
Large numbers found on 23rd June at the Kyle of Lochalsh, and
on 27th June between Pitlochry and Kirkmichael.
PHIBALAPTERYX LAPIDATA. By W. M. Christy. xfomologist,
vol. xxxi. p. 243 (October 1898).—A specimen taken on 4th
September at Badenloch, in Sutherlandshire.
ORTHOTENIA ERICETANA IN SCOTLAND. By C. T. Cruttwell.
Ent. Mo. Mag. (2), vol. ix. p. 232 (October 1898).—Found
abundantly on Ben Lawers ; six specimens captured.
CURRENT LITERATURE 61
A NEW BritTIsH FLEA: TYPHLOPSYLLA SPECTABILIS, SP. NOV.
By the Hon. N. C. Rothschild, B.A., F.Z.S., F.E.S. £7. Record,
vol. x. p. 250 (October 1898).—Five specimens taken from the Bank
Vole at North Berwick in September.
THE EURYPTERID-BEARING ROCKS OF THE PENTLAND HILLS.
Final report of the Committee. 4774 Assoc. Reports, 1898
Section C (Bristol).
BOTANY.
THE FLOWERING PLANTS oF Novaya ZEMLYA, ETC. By Col. H.
W. Feilden. /ourn. Bot., 1898, pp. 388-396, 418-436.—Is of
interest to Scotch botanists in relation to our alpine flora.
REPORT OF THE MEETINGS OF THE BERWICKSHIRE NATURALISTS’
CLUB FOR THE YEAR 1896. History of the Berwickshire Naturalists’
Club, vol. xvi. pt. 1, 1896, published in Nov. 1898, pp. 28-78.—
Notices the rarer plants observed in Redpath Dean, Newham Bog,
and Twizell, and the finer trees, especially Conifers, observed at
Dryburgh and at Twizell.
CritTIcAL NOTES ON SOME SPECIES OF CERASTIUM—continued.
By Fred. N. Williams, F.LS. /fourn. Bot., 1898, pp. 382-387.—
Expresses the view (p. 386) that C. avcticum, Lange, is a “hybrid
between two forms of C. alpinum,” and says, ‘‘ var. Ldmonstonet is
another obscure form.”
CERASTIUM ARCTICUM, Lange. By Edw. S. Marshall. /ourn.
Bot., p. 440.—Supports the specific rank of C. arcticum, to which
“var. Hdmonstoni clearly belongs.”
HABENARIA VIRIDIS, VAR. BRACTEATA. By James Britten,
F.L.S. Journ. Bot., pp. 437-438.—Discusses a note in Bot, Lx-
change Club Report for 1896 (issued 31st August 1898) by Mr.
Druce on a form named by him Jéracteata as a new variety, and
said by him to be “the more frequent form in mountainous districts
of Scotland.” Mr. Britten calls attention to 4 bracteata (Willd.)
R. Br., treated as var. bracteata of HZ. viridis in Morong’s “ American
Check List,” issued in 1894. It seems to be marked only by the
bracts being longer than the flowers.
CaREX SADLERI, LINTON, IN NortTH Uist. By W. A. Shoolbred.
Journ. Bot., p. 442.—Records discovery of a clump in July 1808,
on North Lee Hill, of this sedge, first recorded from Corrie Kander
as C. frigida, All., but in 1898 shown by Mr. E. F. Linton to be
closely allied to C. dénervis, and referred to this species by him as
a variety.
Notes oN BRITISH CHARACE#, 1895-98. By H. and J.
Groves. Journ. ot., pp. 409-413, plates 391, 392.—An important
paper, noticed more fully on p. 58.
62 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
LOPHOCOLEA SPICATA, TAYLOR, IN SCOTLAND. By W. H.
Pearson. fourn. Bot., p. 401.
ScaLtta HooKERI IN West INVERNESS. By W. H. Pearson.
Journ. Bot., p. 441.—Both these new county records for rare livers
worts rest on specimens sent by Mr. S. Macvicar from Moidart.
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF BRITISH AND IRISH BOTANISTS—FIRST
SUPPLEMENT (1893-97) — continued. By James Britten, F.L.S.,
and G. S. Boulger, F.L.S. Journ. Bot., pp. 443-446.—Includes
Robert Lymburn (d. 1843), Paul Howard Macgillivray (1834-95),
and Christina Ramsay (7ée Broun), Countess of Dalhousie (1805-33),
all natives of, or connected with, Scotland.
REVIEWS.
THE STRUCTURE AND CLASSIFICATION OF Birps. By Frank
E. Beddard, M.A., F.R.S., Prosector and Vice-Secretary of the Zoo-
logical Society of London. (London: Longmans, Green, and Co.,
1898.)
It is not a little remarkable that, among the almost countless
works published in this country devoted to the study of birds, not
one has been given to us on the important subject of their structure
in relation to their classification.
Mr. Beddard’s book is thus an especially welcome and a much-
needed one, and supplies a real want.
The book may be said to be the work of three well-known
specialists ; for, as Mr. Beddard informs us in his Preface, his pre-
decessors in the office of Prosector—Professor Garrod and Mr. W. A.
Forbes—had contemplated writing such a work, and he has
had the use and benefit of the various manuscripts and notes left
by his late friends. These, added to his own numerous investiga-
tions, form the base upon which he has founded this meritorious
work.
The book is written upon the lines that will prove most accept-
able to ornithologists,—namely, systematically,—the main portion of
its pages being devoted to an account of the structure of the various
Orders.
The book opens with a sketch of the General Structure of
Birds, and of the Renal and Reproductive Organs, the Ccelom,
Circulatory System, Respiratory System, Muscular Anatomy,
Osteology, Brain and Nervous System, and the Affinities of Birds.
Then follows the systematic portion on the Classification of Birds,
with an account of the anatomical structure of the Orders, and the
REVIEWS 63
various characters by which they are defined. To this section no
less than 375 pages are devoted.
The book is rendered more acceptable and instructive by the
liberal use of illustrations,—there are no less than 252,—which
are of extreme use as an aid to the technicalities described in the
text.
“The Structure and Classification of Birds” is a most valuable
contribution to zoological knowledge, and its usefulness to naturalists
is extreme; for the work is replete with original information, and
with extracts from contributions which were hitherto scattered far
and wide over serial and other literature, British and Foreign. We
have pleasure in highly commending the book.
A CLASSIFICATION OF VERTEBRATA RECENT AND ExtTINcT. By
Hans Gadow, M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S. Cambridge. (London: Adam
and Charles Black, 1898.)
Dr. Gadow’s “ Classification of Vertebrates ” is a useful handbook
for zoologists. It contains diagnoses of the characters upon which
the various Phyla, Sub-Phyla, Super Classes, Classes, Sub-Classes,
Divisions, Orders, Sub-Orders, and Families of the Vertebrata are
founded. It is needless to remark that the book is necessarily
highly technical, but it is at the same time a mine of condensed
information for the student and working naturalist. The work is
printed on one side of the paper only, so that additional characters,
the result of further investigations, and other notes, may be made
on the opposite page. The reputation of the author is a sufficient
guarantee for the excellence of the work, and for the accuracy of
the data afforded.
Witp LirE aT Home: How To Stupy aNnD PHOTOGRAPH IT.
By R. Kearton, F.Z.S. Freely illustrated by Photographs taken
direct from nature by C. Kearton. (London, etc.: Cassell and
Company, Limited, 1898.)
Those who know Mr. Kearton’s previous books, wherein are
given some delightful pictures of animal life, and more especially of
birds and their nests and eggs, will welcome yet another work of
a similarly attractive nature.
In the little book under consideration, we have chapters
devoted to the apparatus required for photographing zoological
subjects, and general advice thereon. Other chapters treat the
methods of obtaining pictures of mammals, birds, insects, etc.
Probably no one has had greater and more varied experience
than the Brothers Kearton, and hence anything these most success-
ful performers have to say on the subjects on which they treat bears
the impress of authority.
The illustrations are about one hundred in number, and are
some of the best of the kind we have seen.
64 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
A Dicrionary oF Birp Notes. To which is appended a
Glossary of Popular, Local, and Old-fashioned Synonyms of British
Birds. By Charles Louis Hett. (Jackson’s Brigg, 1898.)
This ‘Dictionary of Bird Notes” is a useful compilation. It is
arranged under both the Notes and the Birds, and appears to have
been prepared with some care. Unfortunately, however, a burlesque-
ness pervades the book, owing to an attempt having been made to
render the notes and songs of a number of species by English words.
Thus the ‘‘strange and weird note” of the Black-throated Diver is
rendered by ‘ Drink—drink—drink, the lake is nearly dried up.”
Fancy any one looking for a bird’s note under “drink”! Such
renderings as these are sheer nonsense, and they mar an otherwise
useful and neatly got-up little book.
W. Wesley and Son, London, have just issued a “Catalogue of
Natural History and Scientific Books” which gives a description and
classified list of 1500 works and pamphlets on the Natural History
of Great Britain and Ireland. The arrangement under the names of
the English Counties, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland will be found
of interest to collectors of local faunal works.
The Annals
of
Scottish Natural History
INO. 30] 1899 | [APRIL
A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF BERWICK-ON-TWEED,
WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO “THE BIRDS
OF BERWICKSHIRE,” AND NOTICES OF THE
OCCURRENCE OF SOME OF THE RARER
SPECIES IN THE ADJOINING DISTRICES
By GeorGE Botay, F.Z.S., etc.
(Continued from “ Annals,” 1897, p. 88.)
Waite WacraiL, Motacilla alba, Linneeus.—A difficult species
to determine from descriptions merely, and is frequently confounded
with its near relative JZ Zwgubris, which renders some of the records
of its having been seen very doubtful.
It has not been observed within our Bounds, though I met
with a single example, on the turnpike side, near Lowlynn, on 12th
April 1882. Dr. Charles Stuart thinks he has seen it by the
side of the Tweed, near the Union Bridge ; and the late Dr. Hardy
believed he had once identified it near Old Cambus. About Dunbar,
and on the East Lothian coast, it has been frequently observed as
a spring migrant, and specimens have been obtained there.
Prep WacraiL, Zotacilla lugubris, Temminck.—A common,
and well-known species, the “Water Wagtail” of the district. To
a limited extent resident throughout the year, breeding in our old
walls, and on the sea banks, but the greater number move south-
wards in autumn, The beach, and rubbish-heaps, at the back of
30 B
66 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
the Pier, are favourite winter resorts, and a pair or two may generally
be met with there, in company with the Rock Pipits, but the greater
number move southwards in autumn, to return the following March.
A nest in the wall, by the side of the pathway, below Castle Hills,
contained three fresh eggs, on Sth August 1881.
Grey WactalL, JVZotacilla melanope, Pallas —Another partially
resident species. A pair or two always nest on the Whitadder,
within the Bounds, and in winter single birds, or a pair together,
are not unfrequently to} be met with along the river banks from the
boathouse to Castle Hills, especially in very severe weather when
their haunts, by the side of the inland streams, are frozen up. I
have also occasionally observed them, about the rocks, on the sea
coast, during hard weather.
BLUE-HEADED WactalL, JZotactlla flava, Linneus.—I have
seen this species in spring at no greater distance from our boundaries
than Holy Island, and to the north it has occurred at Dunbar, but
we have no records for the Borough itself.
YELLow WactalL, MZotacilla raii (Bonaparte).—Not common
upon the east coast, but occurs on both sides of the Border, on
migration, in spring, and may possibly remain to nest in some
places. I have only once observed it actually within our limits,
and this was near ‘‘ Dodds’ Well” on 15th April 1888. On 5th
May 1882, I saw one by the side of the Whitadder, below Clarabad
Mill, which, though strictly speaking in Berwickshire, is within half
a mile of the “ Boundary Road.” ‘The Rev Charles B. Carr informs
me that he shot a specimen, on a field, near Horncliffe Mill, a few
years ago.
TreEE Pipit, Anthus trivialis (Linnzus).—A common summer
visitor throughout both the adjoining counties, wherever hardwood
trees are found. It delights especially in rather thinly wooded
banks, and “the Plantation,” on the side of the Tweed, below New-
water Haugh, is never without two or three nests every summer,
and this notwithstanding the fact that a brood can seldom be safely
brought off there, owing to the bird-nesting proclivities of the boys
of our good old town,
Locally the Tree Pipit is known as the Wood Lark, and Burns
evidently had this bird in his mind, when he wrote the beautiful
lines—
O stay, sweet warbling wood lark, stay,
Nor quit for me the trembling spray,
Meapow Pipit, Anthus pratensis (Linnzus).—A resident, and
always common, though possibly most numerous about Berwick, in
late autumn, when the migratory bands are passing. At that season,
small flocks of this, and the next species, may be met with frequenting
the heaps of decaying seaweed, and debris, behind the Pier, and
A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF BERWICK-ON-TWEED 67
to the young ornithologist, on the look-out for rare Pipits, the various
shades of browns and greys, or even olive-greens, presented by the
different specimens is very confusing, while the zw/z¢e or smoky brown
of the light pattern on the outer tail feathers is only one of degree,
and often only to be settled by comparison. It is then that a
watch must be kept for 4. cervinus, A. spipoletta, and kindred
species, but so far the search has been in vain.
Rock Prpit, Anthus obscurus (Latham).—A common resident,
breeding on the sea banks, all along the coast, and seldom wandering
inland farther than an easy flight from the rocks, except indeed by
the sides of the Tweed, whose banks they follow up for a mile or
two from the sea; their favourite feeding-place is always in the
immediate vicinity of water.
RICHARD’s Pipit, Avxthus richardi, Vieillot.—Has occurred at
Howick on the Northumberland coast (Hancock, “ Birds of North-
umberland and Durham,” p. 58), but not nearer to Berwick, so far
as I am aware.
SKYLARK, Alauda arvensis, Linneus.—A _ well-known and
abundant resident. In autumn and winter, Larks often collect
in very large flocks upon the “ Meadows” north of the town, and
between the railway and the sea. Here they become associated
in hard weather with Snow Buntings, Linnets, etc., with whom they
have to share the dangers of the ‘‘gilderts,” and snares, set by the
boys, and birdcatchers, of the town. Cock Grey Linnets are the
birds most sought after on these occasions, and hen Linnets and
Larks are often allowed to escape, sometimes with the loss or
disfigurement of their tails, but frequently alas! the poor Lark is
carried home to end his days in a very small cage where, hung from
some window in Walkergate Lane, or the Greens, the songster who
erst “at heaven’s gate sang,” is fain to pour forth a stave or two
of melancholy cadence to the passer-by. Our pity for the poor
birds under these circumstances must, however, be tempered by the
thought of how greatly their song must be appreciated by the children
in those narrow rooms; and as a rule their owners in our back
streets are most kind and attentive to the wants of their feathered
friends. We never see caged birds more tame and contented than
they are in the kitchens of the poorer classes, and after all have
the dwellers in a town not more excuse for keeping such birds as
the Lark in confinement than their more well-to-do neighbours, who
can enjoy the wild bird’s song every day round their country
residences ?
Woop Lark, Alauda arborea, Linnzus.—An extremely rare
casual visitant to Northumberland, and one scarcely likely to occur
near Berwick. Selby records one, killed near Twizell, on 24th
November 1827, which is probably the only satisfactory record for
68 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
the district. As has already been pointed out, the Tree Pipit
commonly goes by the name of Wood Lark in the country.
SHORE Lark, Ofocorys alpestris, Linneeus.—A casual winter
visitant, which seems to have been more frequently noticed, within
recent years, than formerly upon our coasts. It has occurred four
or five times in the northern part of Northumberland, and in January
and February 1895, I had the pleasure of seeing many individuals,
on the shore, in the neighbourhood of Holy Island. On the 2oth
May 1880, the late Dr. Colville Brown told me he had seen a
specimen, on the sea banks a little to the south of Scremerston Sea
House, a day or two previously, a very late date to find this bird still
lingering here.
As regards the Borough itself, the late Robert Gray (“ Birds of
West of Scotland,” p. 118) refers to a specimen in the Millerstain
collection, shot on Spittal sands, in 1840; and on 12th December
1885, my brother observed a single Shore Lark, in company with
some of the common species, on the ‘‘ meadows” about a mile north
of Berwick. During the snowstorm of January 1897, I noticed two or
three individuals about the beach, behind the Pier, and shot one of
them, as a local specimen, on the 21st of that month. On the East
Lothian coast, particularly about Dunbar, Shore Larks have been
frequently seen and obtained, but up to the present time none seem
to have been recorded for Berwickshire. It seems unlikely, however,
that the intervening coast should be so entirely passed over, and were
a stricter watch kept for them, it would no doubt sooner or later be
rewarded.
In my experience these birds keep very closely to the shore,
especially dry benty parts of it, and show a strong predilection to
visit old bits of seaweed left dry above high-water mark. They also
stray to the adjacent stubble fields, where they become associated
with other kindred species, without, however, mixing indiscriminately
with the flocks. The dark markings about the head are much more
inconspicuous at this season than would be imagined, and it is rather
the dark tail and the different note, as the bird takes wing, that is
likely first to betray their presence.
PICARIZAL,
Swirt, Cypsedus apus (Linneus).—A well-known summer visitor,
nesting in considerable numbers under the tiled roofs of Berwick.
In leaving their nests, it is some time before they can get thoroughly
under weigh, and they often descend almost to the ground before
they are able to recover themselves. I once knew a cat, which made
a regular practice of lying in wait for, and springing at them, as they
passed her, and upon one occasion at any rate, she captured a poor
Swift ; probably it was not her only successful attempt, for she seemed
always to be upon the lookout.
A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF BERWICK-ON-TWEED 69
A large number of Swifts breed in the loft, in the roof of Cold-
ingham Abbey, gaining access through the latticed window at the
west end. I have watched as many as twenty of the birds entering
here at one time, and have been puzzled to think how they could
gain their nests, probably on the wall-heads, or in crevices in the
walls, in the very dim light which must prevail inside.
Another interesting problem regarding these birds, which has
often struck me, is how and when do the young ones learn to fly?
Numerous as they are with us, and often as I have watched their
nesting-places, I never saw an individual which appeared to be at
all weak upon the wing, nor ever knew one to alight anywhere
except at its nest.
The earliest Swifts usually arrive in Berwick during the first week
in May. In my records for over twenty years I find I have only
three times observed them in April—viz. in 1878 on 26th; in 1885
on 27th; and in 1896 on 27th. In autumn most of them depart
before the end of August, but a few commonly linger for a week or
ten days later; while on three or four occasions I have seen single
birds flying over the town in October, the latest date being the 14th
of that month, in 1882.
ALPINE Swirt, Cypselus melba (Linnzeus).—Except the specimen
shot on the Northumbrian coast, near Boulmer, on 18th July 1882,
there is no record for the district, and I should, perhaps, scarcely have
referred to this here, except for the fact that I was once told by a
young friend that he had seen a large Swift off the sea banks, near
Berwick, which he thought had a white breast. Of course it may,
or may not, have been this species.
NIGHTJAR, Capfrimulgus europeus, Linneeus.—A few pairs nest,
in suitable localities, on both sides of the Tweed, and I have more
than once seen individuals, in Berwick, on migration, in autumn.
RED-NECKED NIGHTJAR, Cafrimulgus ruficollis, Temminck.—
For the benefit of younger ornithologists, a passing reference may
perhaps be permissible to Hancock’s well-known record of this bird,
at Killingworth, near Newcastle, on 5th October 1856, which is still,
I believe, the only instance of the occurrence of this southern species
in northern Europe.
GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER, Dendrocopus major (Linneus).—
Has, within recent years, quite re-established itself in many parts of
the country, from which it had long since disappeared, and it now
breeds, in several localities, in the Border counties. In 1868 there
was a great influx to the neighbouring district, and in that year, the
late Dr. Maclagan recorded having seen one near to Berwick. Since
then it has several times been killed, or noticed, about the town,
generally during the autumnal migration. I have two or three times
had specimens from Holy Island, though the whole island does not
boast a tree worthy of the name.
70 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Wrvneck, Lyux torguilla, Linneeus.—Has several times occurred
in East Lothian, and once or twice upon the Northumberland coast,
within fifteen or twenty miles of Berwick, but I know of no nearer
record.
KINGFISHER, Aledo tsfida, Linnzeus.—In spite of the risks he
runs at the hands of nearly every person carrying a gun, the beautiful
Kingfisher still manages to maintain a footing in the neighbouring
district, and breeds intermittently by the side of many of the Border
streams. We have his presence at the mouth of the Whitadder, and
on the Tweed, almost every autumn, and in winter I have occasionally
met with single birds frequenting the rocks along the sea shore. A
Kingfisher may sometimes be seen, exposed for sale, in the windows
of the game shops in the town.
ROLLER, Coracias garrula, Linneus.—Has frequently occurred
in Northumberland, where I have examined several recently killed
examples, generally young birds, obtained rather late in September.
An adult male frequented the road, where it crosses the Carter Fell,
for about a week previous to 4th July 1889, on which date it was
shot by Job Simpson, gamekeeper to Mr. Pawson, at White Lee. It
was in beautiful plumage, but on dissection the generative organs
were found to be in a diseased state. A female was shot by Mr.
Peter Cowe, at Scremerston Town farm, only a mile or two beyond
the limits of the Borough, on 22nd September 1875, and is still in
his possession. It was shot from a ‘‘stook,” in a stubble field, and
when opened, the stomach was found to be filled with beetles.
(‘‘ Hist. Berw. Nat. Club,” vii. p. 500.)
BEE-EATER, JZerops apiaster, Linnzeus.—In The /ield newspaper
of May 1897, Mr. C. J. Leyland writes that he saw a specimen at
Haggerston Castle, about eight miles south of Berwick, on 29th
April in that year, “‘and was able to observe it for some time.”
Hoopor, Upupa efops, Linnzeus.—A casual visitant, on migration,
and has frequently occurred upon both sides of the Border, both in
spring and autumn, most of the occurrences being not far from the
coast. The records nearest to Berwick, of which I have any note,
are: Holy Island (more than once); Beal (8th November 1887—
a rather unusually late date, but one, perhaps the same bird, was
killed at Bamburgh about a week later); Scremerston ; Grindon
(September 1880) ; Eyemouth (May 1879, etc.) ; and Mr. Muirhead
mentions others at Lamb’s Mill, on the Whitadder (in July, about
1844); and on Lamberton Moor (September 1883). Some of
these localities are only very slightly outside our Parliamentary
boundary.
Cucxoo, Cuculus canorus, Linneeus.—Immature examples of this
well-known summer visitor may be seen, with some regularity, about
gardens in the town, or flying over the houses, in August and
A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF BERWICK-ON-TWEED 71
September. Adults are much less frequent, and it is but rarely that
we have the pleasure of hearing the ever welcome notes of the
Cuckoo in Berwick. The late Dr. Philip Maclagan has recorded in
The Naturalist for 1888, p. 222, that he heard one calling in a tree
behind his house, about 5 A.M. on 1st May 1888, and that he had
a similar experience three or four years before. I have also occasion-
ally heard it in our garden, in Ravensdowne, in the early mornings ;
and in 1884, heard one calling there, in rather a subdued voice, on
6th July. Captain Norman, R.N., informs me that he both saw and
heard a Cuckoo, near his garden at Cheviot House, on 30th May
1898.
I have on two or three occasions met with the interesting red
phase of plumage in the adult Cuckoo, in which state the bird has
sometimes been given the name of Cuculus hepaticus. Two instances
of this occurred in 1895——one on 7th June, when I picked up the
remains of a recently killed individual in Fenwick wood, in
Northumberland ; the other on Coldingham Moor, in Berwickshire,
on 7th July.
GREAT SPOTTED Cuckoo, Coaccystes glandarius (Linnzus).—The
specimen in the museum at Newcastle, and which was shot at
Clintburn, near Bellingham, on 5th August 1870, is well known, and
is the only record for the Borders, as indeed it still is for Great
Britain.
STRIGES.
Barn Ow, Strix flammea, Linnzeus.—A species once a common
resident in the surrounding district, but which has for many years
past been little better than a rare casual visitant. Like the Jay, and
some other birds, however, it has apparently, within the last few
years, been making attempts at re-establishing itself in some of its
old quarters by immigration, for several have occurred in some years,
in autumn, and those which were not destroyed, have been known
to remain through the summer, and probably therefore bred with us.
Selby (“Illustrations of British Ornithology,” published in 1825)
describes it as “the most common of the British species” ; while in
“A Report on the Ornithology of the District,” read to the Berwick-
shire Naturalists’ Club in December 1840, he alludes to it as a
permanent resident, ‘‘ well known and abundant.” Hancock (“Birds
of Northumberland and Durham”) was still able to write of it, in
1874, as “‘a common resident species, but gradually diminishing in
numbers like other birds of prey, and from the same cause.”
I do not recollect of any occurrence within the Borough itself,
but one of the old breeding stations of this owl, on the banks of the
Whitadder, below Paxton, is only a short distance beyond our
boundary: the late Mr. Evan G, Sanderson told me that he had
seen a nest there in 1880.
72 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
LONG-EARED OwL, Aso ofus (Linnzus).—This owl loves the
shelter of fir woods, especially spruce, and is fairly common in the
district, though I scarcely think it is so plentiful as it used to be
about twenty years ago, some of its old breeding stations being now
occupied by Brown Owls, apparently to the exclusion of this species.
In my opinion the Long-eared Owl is one of our best natural checks
upon the excessive increase of the Wood Pigeon, sharing this
distinction perhaps with the Magpie. I have elsewhere remarked
upon the persistent manner in which it steals the young pigeons
from their nests, as food for its own offspring.
This species used frequently to be noticed in our garden, in
Ravensdowne, generally in autumn, but amongst other records from
my note books are the 11th December 1881, 31st July 1883, and
14th July 1887. On two occasions, in August 1888, I heard a
Long-eared Owl hooting in the garden.
SHORT-EARED OWL, Aso accipitrinus (Pallas).—This species is
also occasionally seen in the town on migration. As a rather
interesting combination of species, it may be mentioned that on the
afternoon of 13th October 1883, my brother disturbed a Short-
eared Owl on the sea banks near the Greens Harbour, and within
a short distance, also observed a Kestrel, a Merlin, a Richardson’s
Skua, and several Redwings. The Short-eared Owl commonly
hunts for prey during daylight, and is much more like a hawk, upon
the wing, than any of its kindred. A tame one in my possession
was observed one afternoon to make a most determined attack upon
a Grey Crow, which shared its enclosure.
Tawny OwL, Syrnium aluco (Linnzus).—The most abundant
of the owls in the neighbourhood, and the only one which actually
nests within the Borough. I have seen it flying to its nest with a
mouse carried transversly zz ¢he di/. It may frequently be heard
hooting as loudly during the daytime as after dark, but I have
never seen it persistently hunting during daylight like the last
species.
TENGMALM’s Owl, JVyctala tengmalmi (J. F. Gmelin).—An
immature female, preserved in the Berwick Museum, was captured
by a fisherman, at the Greens Haven, on 4th February 1873; it was
kept alive until the 8th, when it died. Length 1o inches, expanse
of wings 214 inches, (Brotherston, “ Hist. Berw. Nat. Club,” vil. p.
132.) This is the same specimen which is referred to by Mr. Muir-
head as obtained in February 1874. It has occurred four or five
times in Northumberland.
(Zo be continued.)
OCCURRENCE OF THE ASIATIC HOUBARA IN SCOTLAND 73
ONGIHE y-OCCURRENCE, OF Miche ASIATIC
HOUBARA (HOUBARA MACQUEENII) IN
SCOTLAND.
By Wm. EaGLe Crarkg, F.L.S.
SOME doubt as to the identity of the bird recorded as a
Little Bustard in the last number of this magazine (“ Ann.
Scot. Nat. Hist.’ 1899, p. 51) having arisen, Mr. Walker,
the owner of the specimen, kindly submitted it to me for
determination.
I found, as Mr. Walker suspected, that the bird was un-
doubtedly an example of the Asiatic Houbara, or Macqueen’s
Bustard. It is a young female, but whether about four
months old or sixteen months is, perhaps, questionable,
since, as in many other cases, nothing appears to be on
record concerning the stages through which this species
passes ere full plumage is assumed, or even the age at
which it casts the plumes of adolescence to assume those
of maturity. The specimen under consideration, however,
has an incipient crest, a moderately developed ruff on the
sides of the neck, and some show of bluish-gray on the sides
of the chest.
This fine Bustard has not hitherto been recorded for
Scotland. It will be remembered that the bird under
notice was shot by Mr. Walker at St. Fergus, on the Pitfour
estate in Aberdeenshire, on the 24th of October last.
It is the fourth British example of an Eastern species,
which, as its name implies, is not even a native of Europe—
its nearest haunts being in Persia, whence it spreads east-
wards through the Aralo-Caspian region, Beluchistan, to
Northern and Western India. It is thus a remarkable ex-
ample of those erratic wanderers, not a few of which, from
time to time, appear in Britain, chiefly in the autumn
months.
It is worthy of note that all the specimens of this
Houbara which have been known to visit our shores have
been obtained in the vicinity of the East Coast, and all of
74 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
them in the month of October. The first, presumably a
female from the dimensions given, was obtained in Lincoln-
shire in October 1847; the second, a male, in Yorkshire in
October 1892; the third, a young male, also in Yorkshire,
in October 1896, I had the pleasure of observing in life.
Lastly, we have the Scottish female bird, which, like the one
first obtained in Britain, has had the misfortune to be re-
corded as a Little Bustard.
In connection with the unfortunate circumstance to
which allusion has just been made, it is only right to say
that Mr. Sim of Aberdeen, whose name has been mentioned
in connection with the identification of the specimen, writes
to us to say that he never saw the bird, but that it was re-
ported to him by the keeper, who showed him one of the
feathers, and gave a general description as to size, etc. ; and
from this evidence, and from details Mr. Walker afforded him,
Mr. Sim came to the conclusion that it would be a Little
Bustard. Mr. Sim had intended to examine the specimen,
but had not an opportunity of so doing.
The Asiatic Houbara has occurred in several European
countries, but only as a rare and accidental visitor. There
is no evidence that it is a migratory species, unless, indeed,
its visits to Northern India, in the winter, from adjoining
regions can be regarded as affording evidence of the migra-
tory habit.
It is somewhat remarkable that the only other
member of the genus, the African Houbara (4. undulata),
which inhabits Northern Africa and the Canary Islands,
thus occurring as near to us as Algeria, has not yet been
known to visit our islands, though it occasionally crosses the
Mediterranean, to appear as a wanderer in the countries of
Southern Europe.
By the permission of Mr. Walker, I exhibited this inter-
esting bird at the meeting of the Royal Physical Society of
Edinburgh, on the 15th of February last.
NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH SALMONID 75
NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH SALMONIDA.
By J. A. Harvie-Brown, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S.
DURING the lifetime of my late lamented friend Sir James
R. G. Maitland, and when Dr. Francis Day was a frequent
visitor and worker at Howietoun, I used to urge a more
thorough study of variations among British Salmonide and
the publication of a lovely monographic treatise on Trout.
Some plates were, I believe, even prepared with this end in
view, but the real preliminary work required was never
systematically undertaken. In order to carry out such a
plan of study fully and efficiently, it would be necessary to
form a syndicate or small Angling Company, who would
contain amongst their active workers at least one capable
artist and colourist to draw and paint in colours on the spot ;
a naturalist to note particulars of locality and circumstances,
and preserve the choicest specimens; and the remainder,
anglers who possess youth and vigour and enthusiasm, to
climb to the less accessible lochs and streams for specially
interesting varieties. Needless to say, each of the party ought
to be both angler and naturalist.
In the well-known angling county of Sutherland, with its
innumerable lochs and streams, there are many interesting
varieties of Salmonidz. All of these, however, rank, I believe
with Dr. Day, only as varieties of the principal species or
types recognised in that author's “ History of British Fishes,”
and still more recently accentuated in his “ British and Irish
Salmonide.’ These species are:—The Salmon, Salmo
salar, L. (“ Brit. and Irish Salmonide,” p. 51); the Sea-trout,
Salmo trutta, L. (op. cit. p. 149); the Fresh-water Trout,
Salmo fario, L. (op. ctt. p. 182); the Char, Salmo alpinus,
L. (&. cet. p. 112); and all other so-called species must, I
consider, have their names sunk to the value of mere
varieties—such as the Great Lake Trout, Salmo ferox, and
many others. I am not speaking, of course, of aberrant forms
of the Salmonidz, such as the Sperling (Osmerus eperlanus).
I have in the following notes mainly to do with certain
varieties of the Salmonidz belonging to the above species
which are found in different lakes and rivers in Scotland
76 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
which I have myself angled in, or am otherwise acquainted
with.
LocH MAIDAIDH AND SMOO BURN-TROUT.
Beginning in the north of Scotland, I would first speak
of certain lochs around Durness which I visited in 1882.
Six years previous to that date, one Mr. Neil Campbell caught
at Smoo five or six trout in the short reach of burn which
flows from the Smoo cave to the sea, and put them into the
Alt Smoo above the cave. Until this time there were no
trout above the fall, which plunges through the opening in
the roof of the cave and falls some forty feet into the dark
pool below. The whole stretch of water occupied by trout
before this introduction was effected were the waters of the
inner and outer cave, and a distance of about 30 yards
between the cave and the sea, and even less at the time of
spring tides. I endeavoured to obtain specimens of the trout
where Mr. Neil Campbell had obtained them, but did not
succeed in getting one, though I was most anxious to do so.
Since the introduction, the crofters of the neighbourhood
—when cutting or carting peats, or driving their cattle on
the Commonty which surrounds Loch Maidaidh, and which
communicates with Alt Smoo by a deep ditch-like and
winding stream through boggy land, with, however, firm
banks, and runs with the clearer water of Alt Smoo until the
whole plunges down the hole in the roof of the cave—have
occasionally seen a few trout rising, but no one at the time
of my visit had ever thrown a fly upon the loch or burn. On
the 16th June 1882 I crossed over the stony, barren-looking
moor, where the crofters’ cattle pick up a scanty summer’s
grass between the hummocks of peat resting on stony sub-
soil. I crossed, also, the now dry bed of another loch which
had been drained some time ago. Arriving at Loch Maid-
aidh, I fished from the crofters’ sheep-washing piers ; but the
result was only one beautifully formed 4 lb. trout, with a mar-
vellous line of scarlet, or rather crimson, spots on the sides,
and somewhat silvery scales. Loch Maidaidh is peaty and
dark. I then moved on to the burn, which runs dark and deep
between deeply caved and undermined banks, and here and
there spreading out over the marshy meadows or peaty flats.
NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH SALMONID A: 77
Here the fun became fast and furious, with scarcely even a
ripple on the surface. I soon had one # Ib. and several
close on } lb. In all, twenty-nine trout, weighing 7? Ibs.
Of this dead water there are only about 100 yards. I
lost two or three fine trout quite as large as the biggest I
got. These, I am assured on all hands, are the first trout
killed here by rod and line—or by any method—since the
introduction by Mr. Neil Campbell about 1876.
Now, as I have said, below the cave there is not more
than 30 yards of shallow stream, and one pool outside the
entrance of the cave, and the deep pools inside in which
boys catch small trout with worms. Pocan Smoo is a
narrow gde which may at one time have been roofed over
with limestone.
The remarkable facts about these trout are as follows :—
The bright, large, irregularly shaped blotches of crimson,
shining like sealing-wax, ran in a straight line along the
lateral line on either side of the fish, and in many places
became confluent, making an almost continuous crimson
streak with irregular edges almost entirely covering up the
dark lateral line. I was told that the small trout in the
cave pools were dark and “very ordinary looking fish.”
That no trout existed above the fall before the introduc-
tion is not very extraordinary or unusual. I know many
other places where such is the case; as, for instance, in the
Alt Maldie near Kylesku, and the great Loch Lead Vuan
(where the late Mr. Gould the ornithologist introduced
trout), and others I shall still have to speak of. Now
natives usually account for the absence of trout above a fall
by simply saying, “Yes sir, they can’t get above the fall.”
But in the case of this Alt Smoo below the fall, the question
arises, How did the trout get there wzless they had their first
origin in the sea, or has the land sunk, and a larger portion
of the river been submerged by the sea? But see again
under Parr-marked Trout, zz/ra, p. 81,
One other point is raised by the extraordinary bright-
ness, size, and confluence of the spots along the lateral line.
Has this extraordinarily bright superabundance of colour
been produced by a sudden release from the dark imprison-
ment of the cave pools and translation to the sparkling
78 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
limestone bed of the Alt Smoo above, and free access to
nearly 3 more miles of water? I think so, and in further
notes I have to offer I think I can prove that this coloration
in fishes is dependent upon light to a very large extent ;
dependent also upon the colour of the water and bottom, in
and on which they feed ; though we believe there are other
causes besides, which appear to be more obscure to our senses
at present.
When I come to consider some of the other lakes and
streams, the object of dwelling upon these peculiarities of the
Alt Smoo trout may become more apparent.
CRASSPUIL TROUT.
I will now speak of another loch in the Durness district
—viz. Loch Crasspuil. This loch contains most lovely
trout, perhaps more closely allied to Loch Leven trout both
as regards appearance and in the number of the cecal
appendages, as well as in the flavour of their flesh. The
natives look upon them, indeed, as a cross between sea-trout
and burn-trout, having silvery scales and growing to a large
size. This loch is united to the sea by a shallow stream,
and there is every reason to believe that these trout were
at one time migratory, but are now confined ; the most of
the burn water being diverted, and a sluice put on to supply
and regulate water to a mill-wheel at Balnakeil.
On the 13th June 1882, having obtained the minister’s
coble, my man and I endeavoured to obtain samples of
these fish. At first they rose very freely, but I was dis-
appointed with the size, none which were caught being up to
the $ Ib, and the lot perhaps averaging + lb. They were
wonderfully silvery : belly shiny white, covered with minute
silvery scales; back very clear green; and sides spotted
with small dark spots, all being covered with the lovely clear
scales. The silvery colour is easily accounted for. The water
of the loch is clear and bright green, or dark green, according
to the depth, over a bottom of pure white or light yellow sand.
The green of the trout’s back follows the green of the water,
the silvery white the colour of the bottom. The spawning-
ground is good, not wide, but nearly a mile long, and runs
NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH SALMONIDZ 79
through marshy meadows like a ditch. I sent half a dozen
of these little fishes to Dr. Day, and he reported upon them
some little time afterwards.) He named them Variety
Crasspuil Trout (v. Day’s “ British Fishes,” vol. ii. p. 100),
and he endeavoured to figure one in his “ British Salmonide,”
but not, I think, doing justice to the beauty and mother-of-
pearl-like brilliancy of the under part, nor the vivid green
of the back. Of course, the ones we sent must have “gone
off colour” very appreciably when travelling between
Durness and Cheltenham.
Close to Loch Crasspuil is Loch Borralaidh, which is
likewise a sandy loch with bright green weeds. Like the
Alt Smoo, the waters of this loch dive under ground in the
limestone and gush up again on the margin at the head of
Loch Crasspuil. In this loch there are no trout, but many
char, which, we were assured, grow to about 1 and 14 lbs.
in weight.
Of many varieties of what are known as tidal trout
which I have met with in many localities in Sutherland
and in the Hebrides and elsewhere, I found those at the
mouth of the Dionard river near Durness were recognised
by the natives and called “Brown Sea Trout.” These are,
however, simply river trout which have, as in all other places,
I believe, become acclimatised to the sea pools or brackish
water, and have taken on to some extent the silvery appear-
ance of sea-trout. But the silveriness of those I obtained
was nothing compared to that of the Crasspuil trout, which
have long since failed to reach the sea. The vomer of these
was toothed, having a double row of about 12 to 14 teeth.
These tidal trout of the Dionard reach weights varying
from $ lb. to 1 lb. I got nothing over # Ib. I shall
have more to say about tidal trout again.
LocH SEAN TROUT.
Near the entrance of Loch Erribol, on the north coast of
Sutherland, is a loch called Loch Sean, which I visited on
the 18th of June 1882. It is separated from the sea only
by a ridge of gravel and loose stones, through which the
tides work, and the loch is therefore brackish. At high
80 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
spring tides the sea pours in over the top of the said ridge.
Loch Sean contains a modified form of sea-tangle, dwarfed
and dark coloured. The loch is very shallow on its west
side, very deep on the east side, and is not reckoned a good
fishing loch. It is fed by several small spawning streams.
It holds sea-trout of good size, but many small ones: also
brown trout, of which I was credibly informed by Mr. Donald
Mackay. It is believed also by Mr. Mackay to hold
specimens of S. fervor (so called), but I had no chance of
verifying this statement. I caught only a few brown trout
—dark coloured, with a slight golden lustre and distinct
spots.
TIDAL TROUT.
The tidal trout of the rivers Inver and Kirkaig are
known to the natives as “fossacks.” They ascend the Inver
only as far as the first tidal pool, or Bridge Pool, but go up
the Kirkaig as far as the Bridge Pool of that river, or about
two pools above the tide—a distance of 150 yards above
the highest spring tide. This they do in the summer
months, but entirely disappear from these tidal pools in
winter, and after August ; and it is believed by the natives
that they fall back and spawn in deeper tidal waters. How-
ever, my own idea, from the appearance of these fish, which
grow up to 2 lbs. and 5 lbs. weight, and are very lusty and
powerful, is that it is more likely that they are barren fish,
spawning neither in fresh nor tidal water. They never are
known to rise to an artificial fly, and can only be caught
with a worm or a small “angel” or other bright spinning
bait. They are most abundant in these pools in May.
They are never caught in the brackish water, but only in the
perfectly fresh water when the tide is out of the pools; but
many move up and down with each tide. Dr. Day, who
examined specimens I sent him, said they were simply river
trout living in brackish water. Their flesh is white and
tasteless, the colour slimy dark green and few or no spots,
and coarse scales. Head small, body very short and thick,
and they are very powerful and when hooked give good sport.’
1 From the whiteness of the flesh, and insipid flavour and softness, it
might almost seem, though strong and fighting vigorously for life if hooked,
that they are out of season and condition in May, June, and July.
NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH SALMONIDAi 81
The next trout I desire to speak about are the Parr-
marked Trout of the Goberneasgach Deer Forest and the
Hump-backed Trout of the same district.
PARR-MARKED TROUT.
On a fine warm night in July I camped out by the side
of Loch na Sgeirach, or “ The Loch of the Parr-marked Trout.”
I was accompanied by two ghillies—John M‘Innes and James
Mackay. We had left the Shooting Lodge of Goberneasgach
and followed the bridle-path up Glen Golly (Ghollie ?)—
a distance of 4 miles and 80 yards. My object was simply
to obtain specimens of these Parr-marked Trout, which
I had heard of, but never seen. That same evening we
fished in the long summer “gloaming,” and got 23 trout
(9 Ibs.). Next morning we tried again, but added nothing
to our creel. We then “bundled up our plaidie” and ground-
sheet, and the party walked across the moor—Mheal an
Lochan Sgeirach—to Loch na Shallag (“The Loch of the
Hunting”), about 15 mile, which loch is reputed to hold
trout running up to 2 and 3 lbs. It lies at the base of
Sabhal Mor, at an elevation of 1598 feet, and is of consider-
able extent ; and it, along with Loch na Sgeirach and Loch
an Fheoir nam Sabhal (of which more anon), drain into the
Hope River vza Glen Ghollie. The high waterfall in Glen
Ghollie—Coin-ras—must have prevented any «p-stream
migration of fish to any of these lochs. There appears to
be nothing peculiar in the trout of Loch na Shallag, except
their fine growth and quality. Those, however, which we
caught were either not yet in perfect condition, or had gone
off a little. They gave great sport, rising and behaving like
grilse when hooked. The loch does not appear to be
very deep, but goes down precipitously, and then seems to
maintain about 12 feet in depth for a considerable distance
from the shore; the bottom apparently being of mud and
sand with many star-shaped green plants and other vegetation.
We caught 14 trout (10 lbs.) during perhaps two hours we
remained at this loch. Curiously, they rose very tardily
until the mist came down, and then they rose much better
in the bays, and in the narrows near an island (which is zo
marked in the Ordnance one-inch map).
30 €
$2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
About 9 A.M. we stopped, and went on to Lochan Fheoir
am Sabhal,—or “The Loch of the Hog-backed Trout,’—
about one mile to the south-east of Loch na Shallag. Here
we could do almost nothing. One hooked by Mackay fought
desperately and got off, but Mackay killed a small one with
a young frog. We could not find any more young frogs.
It became cold, with mist and rain, and the whole landscape
was blotted out. We “gave in,” and walked over the ridge
and down the steep hillside to the Lodge, which we reached
about 1.30 P.M.
After a cup of tea and a pipe, I turned in and had five
hours’ good sleep.
The Parr-marked Trout are handsome, high- but not
hump-backed. When taken out of the water, all the parr-
markings are very distinct, even vivid; but these gradually
fade and almost or quite disappear after death, z.e. if exposed
to light and air, as the ones we caught were, none having
been, unfortunately, promptly preserved, as should have been
done. These parr-marks fade up to a certain stage and then
seem to remain, and can be found by careful examination in
favourable lights. These trout are red-spotted—two rows,
one along the median line, the other below the same—and
slightly irregular or zig-zagged. Between Loch na Sgeirach
and the Hope River, where salmon ascend as far as Gober-
neasgach Lodge, there is a fall of 60 feet, barring all farther
progress upward from the sea.
HUMP-BACKED TROUT.
The hump-backed trout of Fheoir Lochan are, I was told
abundant in the small, deep, clear spring pool, and grow toa
good size. The hump on the one specimen we obtained is
very pronounced ; the fish is of vigorous build and very
handsome.
Fheoir Lochan—or Lochan Fheoir nam Sabhal—is situ-
ated at the base of Sabhal-bheag, and is surrounded on three
sides by the shoulders and scarps of that mountain. Lochan
Fheoir is an oval or nearly circular tarn or pool—perhaps
half an acre in extent, or about 80 yards by 60(?). It is said
to be very deep. The waters are marvellously clear and
NOTES ON SOME SCOTTISH SALMONIDA® 83
limpid, and the water deepens steeply and abruptly from the
shore, like the arms of a letter Y. It is fed from the hill by
a small, trickling, steep-flowing burn, which then glides slow
for 160 yards; and an equally, or nearly as, steep, rugged
stream flows from it directly, losing itself amongst large rough
stones and boulders. The lochan lies in the aforesaid hollow,
amongst rather flat land on the one side, through which the
feeding streamlet runs. A fringe of water-sedges encircle
two parts of the edges, and the rest of the shore is stony and
rocky. After about ro feet of lip or shallow margin, the
deep water comes rapidly. Though the water is very clear,
the bottom was invisible; but the trout, when they came to
the small frog, could be seen many feet below the surface.
I glacialined the one specimen we obtained and sent it to
the late Dr. Francis Day, whilst he was engaged in writing
his valuable treatise upon our British Salmonide.
I am not going to theorise upon the causes or origin of
these peculiar varieties, being content to state the facts, and
the local circumstances and surroundings. But I think I
have said enough to point out that there is still much to
learn about our British Salmonidz which has never yet been
systematically undertaken. Of the hundreds of anglers
who penetrate into the farthest recesses of our Highland
glens and wilder forests, how many are there who devote
a single pencil-mark in their diaries to, or dream of ac-
counting for the natural phenomena which—one would
fancy—even the least observant could scarcely avoid seeing ?
How many are there who even zmagine causes for the
phenomena which meet them at almost every turn? No
doubt, the difficulties which appear in the course of the
study of the Salmonidz in an old country like ours are great,
if not insurmountable. But if such a study be considered in
conjunction with parallel studies, or chances of observation,
offered to the naturalists of a new country like New Zealand
or Australia, or to those who are conducting the introduction
of Salmonide in South African colonies,—if our anglers, that
is to say, would keep notes, and not consider the main
object in fishing merely to kill fish,—then surely some useful
and valuable scientific results might ensue in course of time.
Many hints have been thrown out by such men as Willis
84 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Bund, Major Traherne, Dr. Francis Day, and some of our
Fisheries Commissioners ; but it seems to me few later writers
have built upon these bases, except in so far as trout and
hybrid Salmonoids have been observed under more or less
artificial conditions.
I must leave over for the present an account of stocking
certain previously fishless streams and lochs, and_ their
subsequent history.
DIPTERA SCOTICA 1 PERGHMSHIRE.
By Percy H. Grimsuaw, F.E.S.
WITH a view to furthering our knowledge of the distribution
of Diptera in Scotland, I propose to publish from time to
time, according to the opportunities which present them-
selves, county lists extracted from the notes which have for
some years been accumulating in my register of specimens.
I shall also supplement these lists by references to records
published elsewhere, and by adopting this method I hope in
time to be able to furnish a complete account of our know-
ledge of the subject. For my purpose I have considered it
better to adopt political divisions rather than the more
natural areas founded upon river drainage, though I shall
probably by this plan lay myself open to the criticism of
many lovers of “faunal areas.” With animals possessing
such perfect locomotive powers as we find in insects it seems
to me to matter little what basis of division is adopted, as
the natural boundaries in a small area like Britain can only
offer the very slightest impediment to the spread of species,
At any rate, a more precise idea of distribution can be
gained by the adoption of county boundaries than by taking
the much larger areas defined by nature.
In publishing these records, considering the very deficient
nature of our knowledge of the distribution and times of
appearance of Diptera, I have thought it better to give full
details of localities and dates of all species, even the
commonest, as it is only by this means that we can gain a
really accurate idea of such subjects. I shall number the
species consecutively and separately for each county, and in
DIPTERA S CORICAG L——P BE RaDEISIEL by Ee 85
the supplementary lists which I hope to furnish later on, all
additions to the county will receive numbers consecutive
with those already published, so that at any time the number
of recorded species for any particular county can be ascer-
tained at a glance. New localities for the rarer or more
interesting species will be given, but the o/d number, for
convenience of reference, will in each case be affixed to the
specific name.
The following contribution, forming the first of the
series, is the result of the collecting zeal of three of my
valued correspondents, namely, Mr. W. Wylie of Perth,
Mr. T. M. M‘Gregor of the same city, and my esteemed
friend Mr. William Evans. To Mr. Alex. M. Rodger, of the
Perth Museum, I am indebted for allowing me to work
through Mr. Wylie’s specimens. While tendering my thanks
to these gentlemen for their valuable assistance, may I
express the hope that their kindly example may be followed
by others in different parts of Scotland, so that I may be
able to proceed in like manner to the preparation of lists for
other counties ?
Mr. M‘Gregor’s records have been previously published
byamenines thes’ Annals (1805, pp: 159-162); but in’ order
to render the present paper more complete, and to save
troublesome back reference, I have incorporated them in the
following list.
Family MYCETOPHILID®.
. MYCETOPHILA sIGNATA, JZg.—Kinfauns and Kinnoull, June
1897 (Wylie).
2. GLAPHYROPTERA FASCIPENNIS, JZ¢.—Woody Island, June 1894
(M‘Gregor).
3. BOLITOPHILA CINEREA, JZg.
La
Kinnoull, June 1897 (Wylie).
Family BIBIONID/.
4. SCATOPSE NOTATA, zu.
(M‘Gregor).
5. DILOPHUS FEBRILIS, Z7zv.—Kinfauns Woods, 1896 (Wylie) ;
Fenderbridge, near Blair-Atholl, September 1898 (Evans).
6. Bis1o pomMON», /ab.—Methven Moss, August 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Kinfauns Woods, 1896 (Wylie); Falls of Bruar, roth Sep-
tember 1898 (Evans); Fenderbridge, near Blair- Atholl,
September 1898 (Evans).
Almond Valley, April 1894
86
Il.
LAC
ise
16.
ite
26.
a
. BIBIO CLAVIPES, JAZg.
ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Breto MARCI, Zzz2.—Almond Valley, May 1894 (M‘Gregor).
BIBIO LEUCOPTERUS, JZg.
(M‘Gregor).
Brsio vENosuS, JZg.—Almond Valley, May 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Almond Valley, May 1894
BIBIO NIGRIVENTRIS, /ZaZ—Almond Valley and Woody Island,
May 1894 (M‘Gregor).
BiBIo LANIGER, J7¢.—Methven Moss and Minkie Moss, April
1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Aberfoyle, April 1896 (Evans).
. Brsio JoHANNIS, Z277.—Almond Valley, May 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Kinfauns Woods, 22nd August 1896
(Wylie); Fenderbridge, September 1898 (Evans).
Family SIMULID/.
SIMULIUM REPTANS, Ziz7.—Almond Valley, Woody Island,
and Dalguise, May 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Family CULICID.
CULEX NEMOROSUS, JZg.—Minkie Moss, April 1894 (M‘Gregor).
CULEX ANNULATUS, Schrk.—Fenderbridge, September 1898
(Evans).
Family PTYCHOPTERID.
PTYCHOPTERA ALBIMANA, /aé.—Perthshire, 1897 (Wylie).
Family LIMNOBID:.
LIMNOBIA NUBECULOSA, J/g.—Fenderbridge, September 1898
(Evans).
LIMNOBIA FLAVIPES, /ad.—Perthshire, 1897 (Wylie).
DICRANOMYIA CHOREA, JZg.—Perthshire, 1897 (Wylie).
. TRICHOCERA HIEMALIS, Deg.—Perthshire, 1897 (Wylie).
. AMALOPIS IMMACULATA, JZg.—Almond Valley, May 1894
(M‘Gregor).
Family TIPULID.
. PACHYRRHINA HISTRIO, /aé.—Perthshire, 1897 (Wylie).
TIPULA VARIPENNIS, JZg.—Perthshire, 1897 (Wylie).
. TIPULA OCHRACEA, J7g.—Perthshire, 1897 (Wylie).
Family RHYPHIDZ.
RHYPHUS FENESTRALIS, Scof.—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie) ;
Fenderbridge, September 1898 (Evans).
RuypHus punctatus, /ad.—Kinfauns Woods, 1896 (Wylie) ;
Kinnoull, June 1897 (Wylie).
28.
29.
33-
34.
35:
36.
37:
38.
39-
40.
Ail.
42.
43.
44.
45.
. MICROCHRYSA FLAVICORNIS, JZ.
DIPTERA SCOTICA : I.—PERTHSHIRE 87
Family STRATIOMYID.
SARGUS FLAVIPES, JZg.—Kinnoull, June 1897 (Wylie).
SARGUS NUBECULOsUS, Z¢¢,—Perth Nurseries, 25th July 1896
(Wylie).
SARGUS INFUSCATUS, JZg.—Perth Nurseries, 1896 (Wylie).
. MicrocuRrysa pouita, Zizz.—Perth Nurseries, 25th July 1896
(Wylie) ; Kinnoull, July 1897 (Wylie).
Perth Nurseries, 1896
(Wylie).
BERIS CHALYBEATA, /orst.—Kinnoull, July 1897 (Wylie).
Family TABANID.
HAMATOPOTA PLUVIALIS, Zzuv.—Kinfauns Woods, 1896
(Wylie).
CHRYSOPS CACUTIENS, Zimu.—Scone, 5th July 1898 (Wylie).
CHRYSOPS RELICTUS, J/g.—Perthshire, 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Family LEPTIDA.
LEPTIS SCOLOPACEA, Zzzz.—Methven Moss and Kinnoull Hill,
1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Kinfauns, July 1897 (Wylie).
LEPTIS TRINGARIA, Zzzm.—Methven Moss, August 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Kinfauns Woods, August 1896 (Wylie).
LEPTIS LINEOLA, /a6.—Kinnoull, July 1896 (Wylie).
LEpTIs conspicua, JZg.—A male taken by Mr. Evans at
Fenderbridge in September 1898 agrees well with Schiner’s
description of this species (“Fauna Austriaca,” i. p. 175).
In Verrall’s ‘ List” (1888) it was placed among the reputed
British species.
ATHERIX IBIS, /ab.—Woody Island, June 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Family BOMBYLIDA.
BOMBYLIUS CANESCENS, J@7k.—Near Perth, June 1894
(M‘Gregor).
Family THEREVID/..
THEREVA NOBILITATA, /aé.—Stanley, June 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Kinfauns, July 1897 (Wylie).
Family EMPID/.
CyRTOMA sPuRIA, //n.—Fenderbridge, September 1898
(Evans).
RHAMPHOMYIA suLcATA, //.—Dalguise, May1894 (M‘Gregor);
Kinfauns, June 1897 (Wylie).
88
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
Sits
Boe
53:
54.
55:
56.
57:
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
62:
64.
65.
ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
RHAMPHOMYIA SPINIPES, /7z,—Kinfauns Woods, 27th August
1896 (Wylie); Aberfoyle, r1th September 1897 (Evans) ;
Falls of Bruar, roth September 1898 (Evans); Fenderbridge,
September 1898 (Evans).
EmpPiIs TESSELLATA, /ab.—Almond Valley, May 1894 (M‘Gregor);
near Perth, June 1894 (M‘Gregor); Bankfoot, July 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Kinnoull Hill, July 1897 (Wylie).
Empis Livipa, Zzzz.—Almond Valley, August 1894 (M‘Gregor);
Kinnoull Hill, 9th July 1898 (Wylie).
EmMPIS BOREALIS, Zzzuz.—Dalguise, May 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Aberfoyle, April 1896 (Evans).
EmPIs STERCOREA, Zizv.—Kinnoull Hill, June and July 1897
(Wylie).
EMPIS CHIOPTERA, /Zz.—Almond Valley, May 1894(M ‘Gregor).
HILARA PINETORUM, Z/¢.—Almond Valley, May 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; near Perth, June 1894 (M‘Gregor).
HILARA NIGRINA, /7z.—Woody Island, May 1894 (M‘Gregor).
HEMERODROMIA PRECATORIA, /7z.—Kinfauns and Kinnoull,
June 1897 (Wylie).
TACHYDROMIA LUTEA, /7z.—Kinfauns and Kinnoull, June
1897 (Wylie).
Family DOLICHOPODID.
PsILOPUS PLATYPTERUS, /ab.—Scone, July 1897 (Wylie);
Kinnoull Hill, July 1898 (Wylie).
DoLICHOPUS ATRIPES, J/g.
(Evans).
DoLICHOPUS PLUMIPES, .Scof.—Scone, July 1897 (Wylie).
Do.icHopus £NEUS, Deg.—Kinnoull, June 1897 (Wylie).
PORPHYROPS CRASSIPES, AZg.—Almond Valley, May 1894
(M‘Gregor).
Fenderbridge, September 1898
Family LONCHOPTERID.
LONCHOPTERA LACUSTRIS, JZg¢.—Minkie Moss, April 1894
(M‘Gregor).
Family PLATYPEZID.
OPETIA NIGRA, JZ¢.—Almond Valley, May 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Family SYRPHID.
PIPIZELLA VIRENS, Fab.—Woody Island, June 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Prpiza NoctiLuca, Zinn.—Perthshire, 1894 (M‘Gregor).
PIPIZA QUADRIMACULATA, Panz.—Kinnoull, June 1897 (Wylie).
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
fate
2,
73:
74.
75:
76.
77:
78.
79:
80.
SI.
82.
$3.
84.
85.
86.
87.
DIPTERA SCOTICA: I.—PERTHSHIRE 89
ORTHONEURA NOBILIS, /7z.—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie).
Kinnoull, 25th July 1896 (Wylie).
CHILOSIA PR&COX, Z//.—Kinnoull, rst August 1896 (Wylie).
CHILOSIA ANTIQUA, JZg.
CHILOSIA &STRACEA, Ziv2.—Kinnoull, 11th July 1896 (Wylie).
LEUCOzONA LUcoRUM, Zinn.—Glenfarg, May 1894 (M‘Gregor);
Kinnoull Hill, July 1897 (Wylie).
MELANOSTOMA QUADRIMACULATUM, Verrad/.—Kinnoull Hill,
1897 and oth July 1898 (Wylie).
MELANOSTOMA MELLINUM, Zizz.—Almond Valley and Woody
Island, May 1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Methven Moss, June 1894
(M‘Gregor); Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie); Fenderbridge, Sep-
tember 1898 (Evans).
PYROPHENA ocyMI, /a/.—Kinfauns Woods, 1st August 1896
(Wylie).
PLATYCHIRUS MANICATUS, JZg.—Woody Island, May and June
1894 (M‘Gregor); Kinnoull Hill and near Perth, June
1894 (M‘Gregor); Kinnoull, 8th August 1896 (Wylie) ;
Fenderbridge, September 1898 (Evans).
PLATYCHIRUS ALBIMANUS, /ab,—Almond Valley, April, May,
and August 1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Woody Island, May and June
1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Fenderbridge, September 1898 (Evans).
PLATYCHIRUS ANGUSTATUS, Z/4—Perth Nurseries, 25th July
1896 (Wylie).
Diwea ALNeETI, /Zz.—Almondbank, September 1897 (Wylie).
SYRPHUS BARBIFRONS, //z.—Kinfauns, June 1897 (Wylie).
SYRPHUS LASIOPHTHALMUS, Z¢4A—Almond Valley, Methven
Moss, and Minkie Moss, April 1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Dalguise,
May 1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Kinfauns, June 1897 (Wylie).
SyYRPHUS UMBELLATARUM, /aé.—Fenderbridge, September
1898 (Evans).
SYRPHUS CINCTELLUS, Z/4.—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie) ; Fender-
bridge, September 1898 (Evans).
SyrpPHus ciINncTus, //7z.—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie).
SYRPHUS BALTEATUS, Deg.—Kinfauns Woods, rst August
1896 (Wylie).
SYRPHUS LUNIGER, J/g.—Kinfauns Woods, 1896 (Wylie) ;
Kinnoull Hill, August 1898 (Wylie).
SYRPHUS COROLLA, /ab.—Perthshire, 1894 (M‘Gregor).
SYRPHUS RIBESH, Zzz2.—Kinnoull Hill, June 1894 (M‘Gregor);
Kinfauns Woods, 8th August 1896 (Wylie) ; Fenderbridge,
September 1898 (Evans).
SyRPHUS TRICINCTUS, /7z.—Kinnoull, 18th July 1896 (Wylie).
90
88.
89.
go.
1Oo.
IOl.
102.
Low:
104.
ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
SYRPHUS ANNULIPES, Z/4,—Kinfauns woods, July 1896 (Wylie).
This record was published by me in the “ Annals” for
1897 (p. 21), where I erroneously stated that the species
was new to Britain. As Mr. Verrall has since kindly pointed
out to me, I had overlooked some records published in the
“Entomologist” for 1894, the localities where it had been
previously obtained being Selsley (in the Cotswolds), Lynton
(North Devon), and Nevin (North Wales).
Half a dozen females were obtained in Perthshire by
Mr. Wylie in 1897.
SyRPHUS LUNULATUS, JZe.—Kinfauns, June 1897 (Wylie).
SYRPHUS ALBOSTRIATUS, //n.
(M‘Gregor).
Bankfoot, July 1894
. SYRPHUS GLAUCIUs, Zizz.—Kinfauns, 1oth July 1898 (Wylie).
. CATABOMBA PYRASTRI, Lzunv.—Stanley, August 1894
(M‘Gregor); Kinfauns Woods, 5th September 1896
(Wylie) ; Kinnoull Hill, 6th August 1898 (Wylie).
. SPH#ROPHORIA PicTa, JZe.—Kinnoull, June 1897 (Wylie).
SPHAROPHORIA NITIDICOLLIS, Z/4—Kuinnoull, June 1897
(Wylie).
. SPHEGINA CLUNIPES, /7z.—Fenderbridge, September 1898
(Evans).
. Ascia popacrica, /ab,—Perthshire, 1894 (M‘Gregor).
. Rurncia rostrata, Linz.—Glenfarg, May 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Springfield Hill, May 1897 (Wylie).
. VOLUCELLA BOMBYLANS, Zizz.—Methven Moss, August 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Methven Moss, 3rd July 1898 (Wylie).
. VOLUCELLA PELLUCENS, ZLinvz.—Bankfoot, July 1894
(M‘Gregor); Almond Valley, August 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Methven Moss, 11th July 1896 (Wylie); Fenderbridge,
September 1898 (Evans).
SERICOMYIA BOREALIS, /77.—Methven Moss, 11th July 1896
(Wylie); Kinnoull, July 1897 (Wylie); Fenderbridge,
September 1898 (Evans).
SERICOMYIA LAPPONA, Zzv72.—Glenfarg, May 1894 (M‘Gregor);
Kinfauns, rgth April 1898 (Wylie).
ARCTOPHILA MuSSITANS, /aé.—Kinnoull Hill, roth September
1898 (Wylie).
ERISTALIS TENAX, Zixz.—Almond Valley, April, July, and
August 1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Bankfoot, July 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Stanley, August 1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Kinfauns Woods, 29th
August 1896 (Wylie); Fenderbridge, September 1898 (Evans).
ERISTALIS INTRICARIUS, Z7zm.—Almond Valley and Methven
Moss, April 1894 (M‘Gregor).
105.
106.
107.
TF W(Op
LD,
118.
119.
120.
I21I.
122.
123.
DIPTERA SCOTICA: I.—PERTHSHIRE OI
ERISTALIS ARBUSTORUM, Zinz.—Almond Valley, April and
August 1894 (M‘Gregor); near Perth, June 1894
(M‘Gregor); Stanley, August 1894 (M‘Gregor); Fender-
bridge, September 1898 (Evans).
ERISTALIS RUPIUM, /aé.—Stanley, August 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Kinfauns Woods, 1896 (Wylie); Fenderbridge, September
1898 (Evans).
ERISTALIS PERTINAX, .Scof.—Minkie Moss, April 1894
(M‘Gregor); Methven Moss and Stanley, August 1894
(M‘Gregor).
. ERISTALIS NEMORUM, Zinz.—Stanley, August 1894 (M‘Gregor).
. ERISTALIS HORTICOLA, Deg.—Kinfauns Woods, 25th July
1896 (Wylie) ; Kinnoull, June 1897 (Wylie).
. Myratrropa FLoreEa, Zénnv.—Stanley, August 1894 (M‘Gregor).
. HELOPHILUS HyBRIDUS, Zzw.—Almond Valley, August 1894
(M‘Gregor).
. HELOPHILUS PENDULUS, Zxz.—Almond Valley, July 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Methven Moss, 29th August 1896 (Wylie).
HELOPHILUS LINEATUS, /aé.—Almond Valley, July and
August 1894 (M‘Gregor).
MERODON EQUESTRIS, /a’.—A female taken on Juniper in
Kinnoull Nursery, July 1897 (Wylie). This is, I believe,
only the second Scottish record of this rare species.
Presumably it was introduced (as is usually the case) into
the nursery as a larva within a Narcissus bulb.
. XYLOTA sSEGNIS, Zzzz.—Almond Valley, August 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Perthshire, 1898 (Wylie).
XYLOTA SYLVARUM, Ziz2.—Kinnoull, July 1897 (Wylie).
SYRITTA PIPIENS, Zému.—Woody Island, June 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Stanley, August 1894 (M‘Gregor); Kinnoull,
18th July 1896 (Wylie).
CHRYSOTOXUM ARCUATUM, Z7nz.—Kinfauns Woods, 18th
July 1896 (Wylie).
CHRYSOTOXUM BicINcTUM, Ziz7.—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie).
Family CONOPID/:.
Conops QUADRIFASCIATUS, Deg.—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie) ;
Falls of Bruar, roth September 1898 (Evans).
SICUS FERRUGINEUS, Zzz7.—Methven Moss, August 1894
(M‘Gregor).
Myopa spuccata, Zimn.—Springfield Hill, May 1897 (Wylie).
Mvopa FasciATA, 4Zg.—Stanley, June 1894 (M‘Gregor).
(Zo be continued.)
92 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
RECORDS OF SCOTTISH PLANTS FOR 1808,
ADDITIONAL TO WATSON’S “TOPO-
GRAPHICAL BOTANY,” 2nd Ed. (1883).
By ARTHUR BENNETT, F.L.S.
THESE Records are made thus early, because many of those
of Cos. 107 and 108 were unfortunately omitted last year ;
and I take the earliest opportunity to set this right.
In the last year’s “ Records” I mentioned that in this
year’s an opportunity would be taken to correct some errors
that had crept in; but it now seems better to leave them
until Dr. Trail’s “Scottish Topographical Botany” is
completed, when the whole can be collated, and any necessary
corrections or excisions can be made.
The abbreviations, etc., are the same as in former records,
viz “SAnin. “S_,N, EH. = “Annals of Scottishy Natural
History; “JiB.-=“ Journal-of Botany > spedenotes staat
a specimen was sent me, and ! denotes that I have seen a
specimen labelled as from the county.
74. WIGTOWN.
Ranunculus auricomus Sa)
L Gorrie (ex M‘Andrew).
Cichorium Intybus j
Mentha sylvestris, 7, A/‘Andrew, sp.
84. LINLITHGOW.
(Messrs. Somerville and Renwick.)
Hypericum dubium, s/. Atriplex erecta, sf.
Leontodon autumnalis, sf. Polygonum Bistorta, sf.
Veronica agrestis, sf.
95. ELGIN.
Epilobium obscurum l
Hieracium angustatum, Lindeb. { Pe ad
96. EASTERNESS.
Potamogeton obtusifolius, Z. S. Marshal.
97. WESTERNESS.
Rubus Borzeanus, Genev., S. M. Macvicar. Determined by Rev.
Moyle Rogers ‘‘ new to Scotland.”
7Sambucus Ebulus ) ae
+Galium Mollugo y Mega
RECORDS OF SCOTTISH PLANTS FOR 1898 93
98. Main ARGYLE.
Helianthemum vulgare, 5f., S. JZ Macvicar. Recorded for 97,
“Tsle of Lismore,” in error.
Polygala eu-vulgaris, MWacvicar /
Rubus rhamnifolius, f., C. £. Salmon.
Sparganium neglectum, s/. Potamogeton coloratus, sf.
3 minimum, fers. auth. Carex vulpina, sf.
Potamogeton przlongus, sf. Avena pubescens, s/.
- perfoliatus, sf.
Too. CLYDE ISLEs.
Bartsia viscosa, Ballantyne (ex Somerville), sf.
or. CANTIRE.
Bartsia viscosa | ieee (CO
Carex levigata Jj
(J. MRae, ex Somerville.)
Ranunculus bulbosus. Adoxa Moschatellina.
Papaver Rheeas. Cichorium Intybus.
Erophila vulgaris. Euphorbia Peplus.
Trifolium arvense. Orchis mascula.
Prunus Avium. Habenaria bifolia.
Cherophyllum temulum. Botrychium Lunaria.
(C. £. Salmon.)
Rubus rhamnifolius, f.
a Suleatus
5, pulcherrimus All determined by Rez.
» | dumnoniensis Moyle Rogers.
» Radula, var. anglicanus
corylifolius, var. cyclophyllus
Agrimonia Eupatoria. Utnicularia minor.
Pyrus Aria. Potamogeton alpinus.
Eupatorium cannabinum. 3 heterophyllus.
Gnaphalium sylvaticum. Rhynchospora alba.
Lobelia Dortmanna. Isoetes lacustris.
Gentiana baltica.
(Messrs. Somerville and Piayfair.)
Hypericum elodes, s/. Veronica Buxbaumii.
Myriophyllum alternifolium, sf. Scutellaria minor, sf.
i spicatum, sf. Betula verrucosa.
Scandix Pecten-Veneris, sf. Juniperus communis.
Taraxacum palustre, sf. Sparganium minimum.
Erythreea littoralis. Scirpus fluitans.
94 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
103. Mip EBUDES.
+Inula Helenium ) SM B
: : -S. MW. Macvicar. Potamogeton prelongus, sf.
Arctium minus = 3 ; 8 12 gus, Sp
104. NortTH EBUDES,
Epilobium obscurum (Eigg), S. JZ, Macvicar.
106. East Ross.
Festuca arundinacea, Marshall and Shoolbred, 1897.
107. EAST SUTHERLAND.
(Marshall and Shoolbred, 1897.)
Cardamine flexuosa. Circeea alpina.
Cochlearia groenlandica. Conium maculatum.
7Sisymbrium Sophia. Pimpinella Saxifraga.
ms Thalianum. Arctium nemorosum.,
Cakile maritima. Hieracium buglossoides, Arv.
Viola canina. Touvet.
ee untIsiL Erythreea littoralis.
Lychnis alba. Myosotis collina.
Sagina maritima. 7 Verbascum Thapsus.
4) SHodesa. Atriplex Babingtonii.
Spergularia rubra. »» laciniata.
* marina. Salicornia herbacea.
ss neglecta (media). Sueeda maritima.
;Malva sylvestris. Juniperus communis.
Rosa hibernica, var. glabra. Carex extensa.
Sedum anglicum. Holcus mollis.
108. WEST SUTHERLAND.
(Marshall and Shoolbred.)
Thalictrum collinum. Solanum Dulcamara.
Caltha ‘‘ radicans.” Anagallis tenella.
Rubus Balfourianus. Salicornia herbacea.
Hieracium stenolepis, Lindeb., Goodyera repens.
var. anguinum, W. R. Linton.
110. OuTER HEBRIDES.
(W. A. Shoolbred, sps.)
Hieracium Boswelli, Linton. Potamogeton crispus.
re Oreades, var. sub- Sparganium microcarpum.
glabrum, F. J. Hanb. Carex teretiuscula.
Hieracium rivale, F. J. Hanb. 5 wadlen, Linton:
112. SHETLAND ISLEs.
Petasites officinalis l Beeby, s
Phragmites communis (confirmed) § ae
TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 95
TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF *S€OLLAND:
By James W. H. Trait, A.M., M.D., F.R.S.
(Continued from p. 235, October 1898.)
[Names of plants in z¢a/écs, except as synonyms within curved brackets, denote
that the plants were certaznly introduced into Scotland by man. + after a
district-number denotes introduction by man into the district; ‘‘ cas.”
denotes casual occurrence, and ‘‘ esc.” evident escape or outcast from culti-
vation, both being due to man’s agency. Square brackets enclosing the
name of a plant or a district-number denote that the record was made in
error. ? after a district-number denotes, at least, need of confirmation ;
after + it denotes doubt as to whether the plant owes its presence in the
district to man. ]
SOLANACE.
1Solanum Dulcamara, Z., except 75, 79, S4, 97, 98, 101, 103, 104,
HOS REO eh LO LT,
2S) nigrum, 2, 745 751) OO}, OTT, 83> O41, S5 ts SOn, bextismmre:y,
got, 92 Ccas., 987, 100f.
S. tuberosum, L., a frequent casual; sometimes in unexpected
places, e.g. near top of Corryhabbie Hill, in Banffshire.
Lycopersicum esculentum, L., casual, e.g. in 92.
Lyctum barbarum, V., 857.
Atropa Belladonna, L., +, or casual, in 72, 75-77, 81-83, 85-88,
89 (?), 90, 95, 103.
Datura Stramonium, L., casual in 73, 74.
’ Hyoscyamus niger, Z., 72, 747, 75, 76 (?), 80-83, 85, 86, 887, 897,
90, 91, 927, 107 Cas.
(NoLANACEEZ.—LWVolana prostrata, \., casual, e.g. in 92.)
SCROPHULARIACE.
4Verbascum Thapsus, Z., 72-78, 81-84, 85+, 86-90, 917, 927, 95T;
967,299, LOO, LO7 Cas., LOO}, ILI 7.
[V. pulverulentum, /7//, reported, but in error, from 94. |
V. Lychnitis, L., escape, 85+, 867, Perthshirey, 99f.
V. nigrum, L., 817, 827, 837, 857, 867 88 cas., 89 Ccas., QQF.
Linaria Cymbalaria, Mill., + or casual, in 72-75, 77, 82-86, 88,
89, 95, 99.
L. Elatina, Mill., 867, 997.
Li; purpurea, \., 74. CaS., 927.
1 Solanum Dulcamara, L.—In north-east Scotland this grows only in habitats
suggestive of man’s agency.
2S. nigrum, L.—Probably introduced by man into every habitat in Scotland.
3 Hyoscyamus niger, L. \ Both species should probably have t+ after most
* Verbascum Thapsus, L. (perhaps all) of the vice-comital numbers.
96 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH. NATURAL HISTORY
terepens, Mill, 757,837 S015 Ooty OOtnnD OTRO 2
17. vulgaris, Mill., except tn 96, 97, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107,
HOS. LOD, 110, o loleleligs
21, yiscida, Moench (2. minor, Dest)! 7257 iS aii O°, S1,005 1
867, 887, 8907, 917, 99T-.
Antirrhinum majus, L., 74 esc., 83 esc., 85 esc., 86 esc., 89 esc.,
g2 esc.
Scrophularia aquatica, Z., 72, 73, 74, 75, [76, 77], 81, 83 (°), [84,
35, 87), cua):
b. cinerea, Dum., 88 cas.
S. umbrosa, Dum. (S. Khrhartt), 75, 76 (2), 77, 80, 81, 83, 84, 85.
S! nodosayeZin cxcepe li, ale
9: Uernalis, W.. F2its 1S isk OF Osh RO Ip NO Ola lOO ECO Tato eie
Mimutlus luteus, L., ¢ in 72-75, 83, 85-94, 99, 100, 102.
M. guttatus, 91}, 927-
MM. moschatus, casual, “on river-shingles,” in Perthshire, 92 cas.
Limosella aquatica, Z., 74 (?), 75, 82, 90, QI.
Digitalis purpurea, Z., except 112.
D. ambigua, Murr., casual, in 88.
3 Veronica hedereefolia, Z., except 78, 98, 100, 103, 104, 105,
110.
V. polita, P75 except 73, 70, (6,99, G4, 90, 96,97, Gort O2 Oa
LOL NOG, LOT, LOS, LL0;
V, agrestis, 2; all:
4 V. Tournefortii, C. Gmel. (V. Buxbaumit, Ten.), except 76, 79, 97,
GD NOL NOD, HO tne hOS:
V. peregrina, \.., weed in nurseries at Perth.
V. arvensis, Z., all.
V. serpyllifolia, Z., all.
6. humifusa (Dicks.), 72, 87-90, 92, 94, 96-98, 105, 108.
5V. alpina, Z., 72, 86-90, 92, 94, 96, 07.
V. fruticans, Jacg. (V. saxatilis, L.), 88-90, 94, 97, 98 (?), 108 (?).
V. officinalis, Z., all.
V. Chamedrys, Z., except 110.
1 Linaria vulgaris, Mill., of frequent occurrence by waysides, indicates
human agency in its introduction by its habitat in many localities.
2 L. vtscida, Moench, should probably be ranked as an introduction into
Scotland by man. It tends especially to spread along railway lines in the
“* ballast.”
3 Veronica, L.—Several of the species are so much weeds of cultivation as
to probably owe their wide diffusion, if not their introduction into Scotland,
to man.
4 Veronica Tournefortit, C. Gmel.—This has become much more abundant,
at least in north-east Scotland, in recent years. It now appears quite as much
at home in many fields as does V. agrestis.
5 V. alpina, L.—In ‘Top. Bot.” this is given from ‘‘86, Stirling, Ben
Lomond”; but I do not find it in the list in ‘‘ Notes on the Flora of Stirling-
shire,” by Colonel Stirling and R. Kidston.
TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 97
V. montana, Z., except 74, 78, 84, 85, 91, 92, 93, 97, 100, 101, 105,
WOT AOS, LOD, 170, 111, 712
V. scutellata, Z., except S4.
V. Anagallis-aquatica, Z., except S4, 94, 99, 104.
6. anagalliformis, Bor., 109.
V. Beccabunga, Z., all.
Eupurasia, L. ‘The records for this genus chiefly follow Mr. F.
Townsend's paper in the “Journal of Botany” (1897), with
additional records since its publication, ‘Notes of a Tour in
North Scotland,’ by Rev. E. S. Marshall and W. A. Shoolbred,
and ‘Notes from Cantire,’ by Mr, C. E. Salmon, both in the
same journal (1898, pp. 173-174).
. borealis, W¢tst., 92, 96, 98, 106-109, 111, 112.
. brevipila, Burn. and Gremlt, 87, 88, 92, 95, 98, 101, 105, 108,
109.
. nemorosa, Mart., 92, 112.
mCliltaw77. berth) 92, 97,108, Too,
var. glabrescens, IV¢ts¢., 106, 107.
. occidentalis, W7tst., 97, 108.
. latifolia, Pursh, 108.
var. grandiflora, IWV7¢tst, 108.
. foulaensis, Zowmns., 88, 92, 107-109, III, 112.
METACIIS 7727 O05 G2, 00-98, TOI, 105, 108, 109, 112:
var. Friesil, Sanio, 92.
var. primaria, 27., 92, 105.
E. scotica, Wetst., 92, 96-98, 101, 105, 108, 109, 112.
E. Rostkoviana, A77e., 98, 105, 109.
Bartsia Odontites, Huds., except 112.
a. verna, Reichb., 88, 110.
b. serotina (Reichd.), Perthshire, 110.
c. litoralis, Reschb., 97, 107, 108.
B. viscosa, Z., 73, 74, 76+ (reported by Sonntag for, 85, 86), 98-1or.
B. alpina, Z., 88, 97 (?), 98, 105 (?).
Pedicularis palustris, Z., all.
P. sylvatica, Z., all.
Rhinanthus Crista-galli, Z., all.
6. Drummond-Hayi, / 4. Waite, Perthshire, 108.
Re Major, Leh, 81,85, 90, O11, 921, 93%).95, 00; LOO; FRI, 12
Melampyrum pratense, Z., except 78, 112.
ad. montanum, Johzst., 72 (?), 74, 86-89, 95, 96, 103.
é. hians, Druce, 74, 95, 108.
M. sylvaticum, Z., 73, 75, 80, 81, 83 (?), 87-92, 94, 95 (?), 96, 99,
105,100, 109, 111 (?).
He Fe Se
1 Rhinanthus major, Ehrh., has been observed only within quite recent years
in 91 and 92 in a stackyard and among cereals and artificial pastures. These
habitats clearly indicate human agency.
30 D
98 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
OROBANCHACEE.
Orobanche major, Z., 72, 73, [85, 88].
@-cubra, S7., 73, 745 055 975190) 2O2-1Os, ane.
[O. elatior, Sw¢ton, recorded from 98, probably in error. |
O. cruenta, Zerfol., 98.
O. minor, Sm., 857.
Lathreea squamaria, Z., 72, 73, 75-77, 79-81, 83, 86-89, 97.
LENTIBULARIACE&.
Utricularia vulgaris, Z., except 76, 77 (?), 78, S4, 86, 87, 101, 102,
LOS OA OF OVE moon OD:
U. neglecta, Zehm., 72, 73, 75, 79 (), 80, 90, 97, 98, 99 (?),
100 (?), 105, 106 (?), 110 (?).
U, minor, 2%, except 76, 73: 79,80) S284, 90, 103, LOG, LOT, HOg.
U. intermedia, Hayne, 72-74, 81, 87-92, 95-108, 110, I12.
(PU Beem, /7eer07 40.)
Pinguicula vulgaris, Z., except 7S.
Po alpimay 7, 104, 106, 108 (7), mn 1(?).
P. lusitanica, Z., 73-75, 88, 96-98, 100-111.
VERBENACEA,
Verbena officinalis, L., 85+, 88 cas., 92 cas.
LABIATZ.
Mentha rotundifolia, L., 837, 85+, (got (?) extinct), 947.
1M. alopecuroides, [/w//, 74, 867, 88, 100.
M. longifolia, Huds. (MZ. sylvestris, L.), 72-73, 81-83, 867, 88-90,
951, 96, 99, [100], 1077.
6. nemorosa, 89.
c. mollissima (Borkh.), 88, 89.
M. viridis, L., 724, 731; 747. 751%, 837, 851, 881; 89T, 92 ESC., 100.
2M. piperita, 25 72%, 7311 741 75t1979-O% 63,005, 180;50o-09;
9IT, 927, 99, 106.
M. hirsuta, Z., all.
b. subglabra (Baker), 74.
M. sativa, Z., 72-77, 80-89, 91, 92, 95, 97, 99-102, 105, 108.
b. paludosa (.So/e), 74, 88, 89.
c. subglabra, Baker, 88, 89.
M. rubra, Sv. (?), 88, 89.
M. arvensis, 2, except 104. 107, LO, 112:
! Mentha alopecuroides, Hull. \ The species of AZentha have so long been
2 MW. piperita, L. J favourites in cottage-gardens, and have such
powers of establishing and spreading themselves along streams, that some, or
many, of the habitats of the favourite kinds must certainly be relics of man’s
agency.
TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 99
M. Bulegium, Z,, 727, 75; S82, 93%, S519 LOOt
Lycopus europeus, Z., 72-78, 80 (reported by Sonntag from, 82,
83), 84-89, 91, 92, 95-98, 100-102, 105, 106.
Origanum vulgare, Z., 72+, 731, 74-77) 79-81, 83-91, 92t (?), 94,
Qs iloO2, Log.
Thymus Serpyllum, 77, all.
6. prostratum, Hornem., 105, 108, 112.
T. Chameedrys, #7, 74 (82, Sonntag), 96, 103, 104, 109, 110.
Calamintha Clinopodium, Sfexz., 72 (?), 74, 75 (?) 76, 77, 79-81,
83-92, 94-96, 99.
C. arvensis, Lam. (C. Acinos, Clairv.), 73+, 74, 75, 77, 80-83, 85,
88-92, 95> 96, 107.
C. officinalis, Moench, 877, a doubtful record.
Salvia Verbenaca, Z., 75, 81, 83, 85, 86, go, 106.
Nepeta Cataria, L., 77+, 81+, 867, 87 cas., 107+, 1124.
N. Glechoma, Benth., except 78, 104, 107, 108, 110, 111+ (?), 112.
Scutellaria galericulata, Z., except 78, 85, 924, 109, 111, 112.
S. minor, Huds., 73-75, 77 (?), 86, 97-104, I10.
Prunella vulgaris, Z., all.
Marrubium vulgare, Z., 72+, 731, 751 (?), 807 (?), 81+-83T, 85 (°),
87 cas., 95+ (?).
Stachys Betonica, Benth., 72-75, 76(?), 77+, 80, 81, 83, 84(?), 85,
88, 89, 104 (?).
S. palustris, Z., all.
var. canescens, Lange, 105.
palustris x sylvatica (ambigua, Sm.), 72 (?), 73, 74, 76 (2),
17 (2); 80, 8x(?), 82, 83(P), 87, 88, 92 (2), 96), 07,
OGn LO0(T) ToT (2), 102, 104, 105, 107, 1a8;(r), cog:
cor, Fiz,
S. sylvatica, Z., all.
wD alwvensis, 2, carepe 75,79, 56, 98, LO9, 112,
S. ttalica, Mill., 92 cas.
Galeopsis Ladanum, Z.) The name G. Zadanum, L., is recorded
G. angustifolia, Zirh. § from the following—7s5, 807, $2, 83,
85, 86, 927, 957, 99, 104 (?), 111 (??); while G. angustifolia,
Ehrh., is recorded from 8g: but since these plants were not
s9i9.c clearly distinguished in the earlier lists, reliance can be placed
on the records only as regards G. Ladanum in the aggregate.
G_ versicolor, Curt, except 74, S2, 84, 107, 10S, 109, 110), L712.
1G. Tetrahit, Z., all.
Lamium amplexicaule, Z., except 97, 99, 102, 104, 112.
L. intermedium, /7., except 79, 81, 84, 86, 88, 94, 97, 99, 104,
106, 107;
1 G. Tetrahit, L.—Varies greatly in the flowers. The variety d7#da (Boenn. )
probably grows in many districts. It has been recorded from 72, 74, 87-89,
91-93, III.
100 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
L. hybridum, Vi//., except 72, 73, 74, 75 (2), 79, 82, 91, 98, 96, 97,
101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109.
L. purpureum, Z., all.
6. decipiens, Sozder, 86.
L. maculatum, L., an escape in many counties, ¢.g. 73, 75, 86, 88,
89, 91, 92,93.
AL. album, Z., excepr 93, 97, 98, 100, LOURVOZ TAOS. 10, Oo:
106, 107, LOS, ALO! T12.
L. Galeobdolon, Crantz, escape in 72, 75, 82, 83, 84, 97, 98 (?).
Ballota nigra, Z., 75, 76(?), 777, 80, 81, 82(?), 83, 85(?), 864,
87 cas., 927, 957.
a. foetida, Koch, 87 cas.
6. ruderalis, Koch, 86.
Teucrium Chamedrys, L., 75+, 89+ (extinct), 927 (extinct).
T. Scorodonia, Z., except 112.
Ajuga reptans, Z., except 78.
A. pyramidalis, Z., 72, 96 (?), 97, 98, 104, 106-111.
PLANTAGINEA.
Plantago major, Z., all.
ee media, L., 72, 73) 75> Vile 80-83, 85; 86, 877; 887, 897, 99;
91, 927, 931, 971, 99T, 111 (?), 1127.
P. Nanceolata, 7. alle
var. eriophylla, Dene. 112.
var. Capitata, Pres/., 112.
Pimaritima, 7.5 excep 7/70, (a, OO O4, SO.
var. minor, ffook. and Arn., 108, 109.
var. hirsuta, Syme, 111.
var. pygmea, Lange, 110, 112.
P.\Coronopus, 777, Cx0cpt (7, 615,00 os (OOOO, 70!
var. pygmea, Lange, 108, 109g, 112.
var. ceratophylla, Ragin, 108.
P. arenaria, Waldst. and Kit., introduced here and there, e.g. near
Aberdeen. It does not seem to keep its footing.
Littorella juncea, Berg, except 78.
ILLECEBRACE.
(Herniaria glabra, Z., has been recorded from 81, and from 88 or
89, but is not sufficiently vouched. 4. swbctliata, Bab., has
been found as a casual at Perth.)
Scleranthus annuus, Z., except 98, 103, 104, 110, 111, 112.
(S. perennis, Z., has been recorded from Forfarshire, in error.)
1 ZL. album, L.—This seems in many localities in Scotland, if not in most,
to be an introduced plant.
* P. media, L., may not be native anywhere in Scotland. Wherever I have
seen it, there seemed little doubt of its introduction among agricultural seeds.
TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND IOI
AMARANTHACEE.
Amaranthus retroflexus, 1, an occasional casual, e.g. near Aberdeen.
CHENOPODIACE.
1 Chenopodium polyspermum, Z., 81, go (?).
C. Vulvaria, Z., 73 cas., 82 (?), 83, 85 (?).
album: £all:
The varieties zzcanum, Mogq., viride, Syme, and viridescens,
St. Am., have been recorded from various counties in
Scotland.
C. opulifolium, Schrad., casual, in 92.
(C. murale, Z., has been recorded from 80 and go, but the records
have not been confirmed.)
C. hybridum, L., reported as rare introduction in, 82, 83, 84, 85.
C. urbicum, L., 72 cas.
b. intermedium, Moq., 817, 837. (Recorded for 92, but not
confirmed. Probably an error.)
C. rubrum, Z., 74-76, 777, 81, 83, 85, 87+ (92, an error), 997, 108.
C. glaucum, L., 85+.
2C. Bonus-Henricus, Z., except 97-99, 101-104, 108, 110-112.
Beta maritima, Z., 73, 74, 82+, 83-85, 877 (?), 102.
Atriplex littoralis, Z., 74, 81, 82, 83(?), 84, 85, 87, 92 cas., 97,
[106, 108], 111.
b. serrata, Mog., 73, 74.
Ae patula, 72, except 78, 79, 34, 97, 101, 103, 105, 107.
b. erecta, Huds., 72-74, 76-78, 81-86, 90, 96, 100-104, I10-
Di.
¢. angustifolia (.Sw.), 72-78, 81-87, 90, 91, 95-97, 99-102,
104, 107-112,
A. calotheca, /7zes, 74 (shingle at Stranraer, in August 1898, G. C.
Druce, named by Herr Freyn), 106, 107 (?), (see Ann. S. V. Hf,
1899, p. 119).
A. hastata, Z., 72-74, 87, 105, 110.
A. deltoidea, Bad., 72 (“ Top. Bot.,” but not in “ Fl. of Dumfries ”),
73, 74, 80}, 81, 83, 86, 104 (?), 107, {112 ?].
A. Babingtonii, Woods, except, 72, 77, 78, 79, SO, 86, 88.
b. virescens, Lange, 74.
A. laciniata, Z., 74-76, 83 (?), 85 (?), 87, 90(?), [92, error], 95 (°),
96-98, 99 (?), 100-104, 106 (?), 107, 108, 110, 111 (?).
1 Chenopodium, L.—The records for this genus are unreliable, the species
being so frequently mistaken. Some records are certainly erroneous, and others
marked as requiring confirmation are probably so. The habitats of all the species
(rubbish-heaps, near houses, and waysides) indicate the probability of introduc-
tion and diffusion by man. Even C. a/éwm shows this dependence markedly,
2 Probably an introduction in all parts of Scotland, though now well estab-
lished in many counties, and recorded without comment from a good many. Its
habitats, as I have seen them, are always suggestive of man’s agency,
102 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
A. portulacoides, Z., 74, 75, 83 (?), 89 (?).
Salicornia herbacea, Z., except 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 84, 86, 88, 89,
93 (2), 94-109.
(S. radicans, .S7., has been recorded from go, probably in error.)
Sueeda maritima, Dam., except 72 (2), 77, 78, 79, SO, $1, 83, 89, 94,
96, 108, 109.
6. procumbens, Syme, 75,-L00, 106, 107,010, 111.
Salsola Kali, Z., except 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 86, 88, 89, 99, 105,
10S, Ler
S: Lragus, I, casual, ani92.
POLYGONACE.
Polygonum Convolvulus, Z., except 111}, 1172.
PR) aviculares 2 all:
Too little attention has been given to the occurrence of the
varieties of this species in Scotland to permit of indicat-
ing their distribution.
P. equisetiforme, Sibth., casual, in 92.
P, Ran, Bab: 72-76, 82,33, 85, 37; 03, 100-103, 120) £12 (0)
(P. maritimum, Z., has been recorded from 74 and 75, perhaps in
error for P. Razz.)
PE Slydropiper, 72, except 73, 99, 106, £07, 103, HOD iT Ie)
112 (?).
P. minus, Auds., 72, 73, 76, 77, 85 (Sonntag), 87-89, 90 (?), 91, 92.
P. Persicaria, Z., all.
6. elatum, Gr. and Godr., 89, 110.
P. lapathifolium, Z., except 79, 84, 93, 94, 103, 104, 107.
P. maculatum, Dyer and 77imen, 85, 87, 97.
P. amphibium, Z., all.
P; Bistorta, Z., 72-74, 70-75, So, S1, 94-95; 98, 100, 102, LOAF
106, tog-112. Certainly an introduction in most of the
counties north of the Forth, perhaps throughout Scotland,
though now so well established as to appear in many localities
to be indigenous.
P. viviparum, Z., except 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, S82, 83, 84,
100, LOL, LOZ, LOZ, 105, 3107, 109.
6, alpinum, Wadir., 112.
Fagopyrum esculentum, Moench, casual, in cultivated fields usually,
é.8; In OI, O2:
Oxyria digyna, A7//, 72 (“ Pentland Hills, Lomond Hill,” Sozntag),
86-100, 103-112.
Rumex conglomeratus, Alurr., except 72, 79, 95, 96, 98, 101,
LPI?) 112 (a):
R. sanguineus, Z., except 79, 90+ (2), 96, 97, 98, 103, 104, 108,
£06, LOT, 108, 109, ALO 1d te lhe
d. viridis (Szb¢h.), 72-75, 83, 85-87, 89, 92-94, 103, 106, 108.
ON MOSSES OF THE GENUS CAMPYLOPUS 103
R. maritimus, Z., 72 (?), 817, 85 (?) 86 cas., 87, [92, 94, probably
errors], 1047, 111 (?).
(R. limosus, Zzwz//., recorded from 75, 82, 90, requires further proof.)
(R. pulcher, Z., recorded from 75, 77, requires further proof; 80,
casual on ballast.)
R. obtusifolius, Z., except 102.
R. crispus, Z., all.
crispus x domesticus (propinquus, Avesch.), 112.
crispus x obtusifolius (R. acutus, Z.), 78, 80, 81, 83, 85,
87-80, 92,97, LOO, LO5ssEUt, tie.
R. domesticus, Hartm., except 82, 99 (2), 100, 101, 102, 103, 106.
domesticus x obtusifolius (R. conspersus, /Zartm.), 78, 80,
81, 85, 87, 88, OI, 92, 96, 97, 105, III, 112.
R. Hydrolapathum, Huds., 73+, 75,771, 80, 81, 85, 88, 89, go (?),
93 (?), 96, 99 (?), To2.
6. latifolius, Borr., 88.
Rapinws, Wa 725 731s 741, 754s S3ls O51, Sots COT
R. Acetosa, Z., all.
R. scutatus, L., rare escape in, 83, 85.
R. Acetosella, Z., all.
(Zo be continued.)
ONS MOSSES, OF THE GENUS CAVPYTORYS
By James Stirton, M.D., F.L.S.
THE western portions of Scotland, and more especially the
outer Hebridean Islands, are singularly prolific of species of
the genus Campylopus— a genus only meagrely represented in
Europe, although largely so in America. There is, however,
a strong probability that the species are not yet sufficiently
investigated. The diversity in form and appearance of the
species, especially from the Outer Islands, forms a barrier to
their study, inasmuch as this diversity renders them some-
what puzzling and even perplexing to the bryologist. Ben-
becula, one of this group of islands, is perhaps the richest in
species and varieties. In places such species seem to consti-
tute the usual undergrowth instead of grass, and one may
tread over patches of Campylopus brevipilus many yards in
extent.
I have again gone over my large collections of species
gathered in these islands, and have picked out two which
104 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
cannot be identified with any hitherto known to me. The
first described has peculiarities such as to warrant its being
included in a new subgenus.
In the following measurements of cells, etc., the micro-
millimetre, or the millionth part of a metre, is taken as the
unit. This unit is now generally indicated by the Greek
letter p. This letter will, however, not be appended in any
case, so that 8, for instance, means 8 micro-millimetres.
A review of species of Campylopus sent to me from
various parts of the world has enabled me to associate the
moss in question with one from New Zealand, placed by
Mr. Mitten in the genus 77zchostomum, under the name
Tr. leptodum. This is Campylopus leptodus of Montagne.
The habit of the moss is entirely that of a Campylopus, but
Mr. Mitten, finding the teeth of the peristome slender and
split nearly to base, decided, on this peculiarity alone, to
classify it with the Z77ichostoma. I prefer to refer it to a
subgenus which Mitten has named Pi/ofogon. ‘There is,
however considerable dubiety as to whether the specimens
in my possession from New Zealand are identical with the
moss described by Mitten in Hooker’s “ Flora of New
Zealand,” inasmuch as my specimens have the broad nerve
of Campylopus, whereas the nerve is there spoken of as
“ slender.” As I have not hitherto been able to obtain
authentic specimens of Mitten’s moss, it might be as well, in
the absence of fruit in the Scottish specimens, to constitute a
new subgenus under the name 7vachypogon.
The following is the diagnosis of the Scottish species :—
CampyLopus (TRACHYPOGON) AURESCENS.—Tufts densely caespi-
tose, yellow or golden yellow above, pale brown beneath; stems 1
to 2 inches in height, stoutish, sparingly dichotomous, often
fastigiately branched above, sparingly radiculose below, fasciculate-
leaved ; leaves lanceolate or lanceolate-subulate above, tipped with
a longish denticulate hyaline hair, margin incurved throughout ;
nerve } to 4 the width of leaf a little up from base—a cross-section
shows it thickened in middle and often bulging behind, with two
rows of opaque cells, the anterior row showing cells 5 to 9 in
diameter, the posterior 4 to 6 diameter. In the middle of nerve in
front are occasionally seen traces of very minute cells, 3 to 4 in
diameter, and 3 to 6 in number, as in Dicranum or Campylopus
alpinus, but these cells are often entirely suppressed. The cells of
ON MOSSES OF THE GENUS CAMPYLOPUS 105
pagina near apex are long, thin, and undulating, 30 to 45 by 3 to 5.
The lower cells next nerve are large, irregularly rhomboid, 35 to 50
by 10 to 14, and have numerous osculating mammilleform prom-
inences, which are occasionally seen connected by slender tubes,
lateral as well as apical, 1.5 to 2 in diameter. External to these
cells are long undulating cells, with numerous oil globules in single
series as in Dicranum scoparium, 50 to 80 by 5 to 8: the marginal
cells are long and very narrow. ‘The alar spaces are as a rule well
developed, composed of large hexagonal cells with thick walls,
colourless at first, then coloured red next the nerve, ultimately
coloured red throughout. On the ground, Benbecula, 1886.
The main points of distinction are, the constitution of the nerve,
the presence of connecting pores, the peculiar character of the rest
of the areolation, and the absence of any projecting posterior cells
on the nerve.
An examination of my specimens of the New Zealand C.
leptodus revealed a structure of the leaf similar to that of the
present moss, viz. large irregular cells near the central base, having
mammilleform prominences connected occasionally by slender tubes.
The rest of the areolation is, however, quite different, having cells
much shorter and thicker, and therefore of a different shape; but
the apices have longish denticulate hyaline points. Projecting
posterior cells are also present in upper third of nerve.
CAMPYLOPUS SUBCINEREUS, 7. 5f.—Tufts densely czespitose, from
one to two inches in height, fuscescent below, greenish or glaucous
green near apex, sparingly rufo-radiculose; leaves, dense, erecto-
patent, straight, narrowly lanceolate-subulate from a slightly ovate
base, denticulate at the apex ; nerve $ breadth of leaf near the base,
not sulcate on back, in section shows 3 strata of cells, the anterior
row consisting of large pellucid cells, 12 to 22 diameter, the middle
row of small, mostly opaque, but here and there pellucid, cells, 4 to
7 diameter, the posterior row of smaller opaque cells, 3 to 5 diameter ;
cells of pagina near central base oblongo-hexagonal, 25 to 40 by 8
to 10, marginal cells numerous, very narrow and elongate ; auricles
either absent or only slightly developed. On the ground, Benbecula,
1886.
This moss differs in several important particulars from C. pyr?-
Jormis. The tufts are much denser, nerve broader, different in
constitution, smooth on back, with no projecting posterior cells.
In C. pyriformis the cells of the anterior row of the nerve are
pellucid and from g to 12 diameter, the cells of the middle row
only slightly smaller, 7 to 11 diameter, and areolation near base
much Jaxer.
I cannot close this record without referring to another Cammpylopus
from the summit of Snowdon gathered in 1865 by the late Mr. G.
k. Hunt, who sent me specimens of it. In a note appended, he says:
106 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
“Has laxer structure of nerve than usual.” I have now had an
opportunity of re-examining the nerve in cross-section, and I am of
opinion that this moss deserves a varietal (if not a specific) place
amongst the Campylopi.
CampyLopus Hunti.—Stems loosely aggregated, from one to
two inches in height, stoutish, sparingly pallido-tomentose ; leaves
erect, slightly secund, loosely set, elongating upwards until at apex
they form a somewhat cuspidate cluster, lanceolate acuminate, den-
ticulate at apex; nerve } breadth of leaf near base, of 4 strata of
cells, those of the anterior row large and pellucid, 12 to 20 diameter,
behind this another pellucid row, 7 to 12 diameter, next a row of
cells very often pellucid, 5 to 9 diameter, on the back projecting
detached pellucid cells, 6 to 9 in height. The cells of the first three
rows are enlarged downwards, until near the base the nerve is of a
spongy texture, composed of large pellucid cells with very little con-
nective or intercellular tissue. The cells of the posterior projecting
row become shallower downwards, and nearly disappear just above
the base. ‘There are auricular spaces at base composed of large
colourless cells, about 60 by 30; but these spaces do not bulge
beyond the margin, but resemble the corresponding spaces in some
Dicrana. ‘The lower cells of the pagina are quadrate, 30 to 40 by
12 to 17, and diminish in size upwards, until near the apex of
pagina (which extends only one-third up the leaf) they are still
sharply quadrate or at times somewhat rhomboid, and 8 to 11 by
4 to 6. ‘The marginal basal cells are narrow, but not so narrow as
usual.
Mr. Hunt remarks: “On the ground with Bryum gracile. Between
C. fragilis and C. Schwarsziz.” I agree with him. ‘The auricles,
which are distinct and composed of cells differing in size and
appearance from the rest of the areolation, remain, at times, on the
stem, unless care is taken to detach the leaves from the stems slowly
backwards.
Lastly, I may be allowed to remark generally that the pellucid
bulging posterior cells on the nerve seen in many Campy/opi are apt
to be flattened or even squashed if sections of the nerve are made
after the leaves have been tightly bound in cork for some time, or
they collapse in a few instances after the specimens have been re-
tained for years in the herbarium.
I may take an early opportunity of reviewing the Euro-
pean species of the genus Campylopus, more especially as I
am beginning to perceive that I must modify my views of
one or two of the species.
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 107
THE: WILD BIRDS, PROTECTION ACTS.
[WE desire to call special attention to the important and
praiseworthy action taken by the Perthshire Society of
Natural Science towards furthering the cause of the Pro-
tection of Wild Birds and their Eggs in County of Perth.
This is set forth in the circular reproduced below.
We are convinced that it is mainly to the landed pro-
prietor to whom we must appeal for co-operation if much
good is to accrue from the efforts now being made by the
County Councils to protect the rarer and persecuted species
which inhabit or visit the areas under their administration.
We heartily congratulate our Perth friends on their
admirable and initiative action, and we cordially commend
their excellent example to kindred Scottish Societies and
Associations.—EDsS. |
PERTHSHIRE NATURAL Hisrory MUSEUM,
TAY STREET, PERTH, /az. 23, 1899.
Sir—At a Meeting of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science,
held on Thursday, 12th inst., the subject of the Protection of Wild
Birds in Perthshire was brought forward by Col. Campbell, H.M.
General Prison, Perth. After full consideration, it was resolved to
communicate with the principal Proprietors in the County, drawing
their attention to the scheme for the Protection of Wild Birds,
formulated by the Secretary of State for Scotland, and adopted by
the County Council of Perthshire, and to ask their earnest co-
operation in this matter.
The Council of the Society are convinced that if the Land
Owners in Perthshire will use their influence with the Farmers,
Foresters, Gamekeepers, Gardeners, Shepherds, and others on their
estates, to prevent the catching or killing of the Birds which are
scheduled, and the taking of the eggs referred to, the present
destruction of bird life will be greatly diminished.
The Council beg to enclose a copy of the Order, and trust you
will use your best endeavours to have its provisions carried into
effect.—We are, etc.
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.
Badger in Dumbartonshire.—The Glasgow evening papers
of the 17th of February last announced that yesterday morning,
while the head keeper to Mr. Alexander Crum Ewing of Strathleven,
108 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Dumbartonshire, was going his round in the Murroch Glen, he
found, caught by the leg in one of his vermin traps, a very fine
female Badger. ‘The specimen captured yesterday weighs 21 Ibs.,
and its length is 35 inches. Mr. Wright, it may be stated, had
some days previously noticed in the glen footmarks which he
thought to be those of a fox, and for which the trap was set.
When captured, the Badger was living, but had to be destroyed.—
J. PATERSON and HuGu Boyp Watt, Glasgow.
Stoats in the Winter Pelage.—Has any one ever formulated
a reasonable theory or rule that would cover the various apparently
erratic changes that the fur of the Stoat (A/uwstela erminea) under-
goes? It is very evident these changes do not depend on season.
It may be that the age of different individuals is the ruling factor.
At the very middle of the coldest winters, brown-furred individuals
prevail alongside those clothed in white raiment. To-day (7th March)
I have received a couple of Stoats clad in fur of a colour I was
certainly not prepared to see at this late season, and more especially
after such a winter—rather, I should say, after such a period of
warm, muggy weather, distinguished by the almost entire absence
of winter. ‘These Stoats were from an inland locality, at an elevation
of well under 200 feet above sea-level. One was as white as the
Ermine ever is in this country, beautifully suffused with that fine
tint of lemon colour which fades so soon. The other was not
quite so white, as the brown was starting into view, but still
sufficiently white to be notable at this time of year. Both were
females.—ROBERT SERVICE, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
Common Dolphins in the Tay Estuary.—On the rrth February
of this year, some Broughty Ferry fishermen observed two Dolphins
stranded in shallow water on the north side of the Tay, near its
mouth—between Monifieth and Buddonness. Both were captured,
and proved to be a female with its young one. The mother was
easily caught, as it was quite stranded ; but the babe, being able to
swim in shallower water, was, unfortunately, so much injured in
catching it as to be useless as a specimen. ‘The Dolphin proved to
be Delphinus delphis, was 6 feet 6 inches long, and was in milk.
I understand that this species is rather a rare visitor to our coasts.
I at once got a plaster cast made of the specimen, and we are also
stuffing the skin and mounting the skeleton. The cast, skilfully
painted, will be a better representation of the Dolphin than the
stuffed skin.—JoHN MacLaucHLaN, Free Museum, Dundee.
[The authentic occurrences of this species in Scottish seas are
few.in number, though it is not uncommon on the southern shores
of England. It has, however, occurred on our coasts as follows :—
Firth of Forth (twice), Moray Firth (several), Shetland (once), off
Mull (once), and is possibly not so rare in its visits as it is supposed
to be.-—Ebs. |
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 109
Bird Notes from Carmichael, ‘‘Clyde” Area.— KINGFISHER
(Alkcedo tspida).—\Last season this species nested on the banks of
Carmichael Burn, beside the Manse. Four young ones were observed
(4th June 1898). During the winter this bird has been by no means
rare, and it is to be hoped that the pleasant experience of last season
may be repeated.
BRAMBLINGS (/7ringilla montifringilla) appeared on the 12th
October, and have continued throughout the winter to be abnormally
abundant. During frosty weather they simply swarmed wherever
there were beech trees. At this date (16th March) they are still
here. There is no more interesting sight than to watch the move-
ments of an enormous flock of this species foraging, so active and
graceful are they.
PocHarD (fuligula ferina)—On 24th November 1898, Robert
Barbour, Esq., younger, of Bolesworth, Cheshire, when duck shooting
by the Clyde, killed a Pochard ¢, the first noted for this district.
In addition to the Pochard, the following varieties were shot: Teal,
Mallard, Golden-eye, Scaup, Tufted Duck, and Widgeon. On the
21st July, on coming from Glasgow, I saw a small flock of Pochard
sitting quietly within stone-cast of the passing train on the sheet of
water to the south of Wishaw Station. At this date, for a few days,
the species was common in the district, as I also observed several
small parties on the Clyde, near Prett’s Mill Bridge.
TREE SPARROW (Lasser montanus).—On toth December a few
individuals of this species were seen in the hedgerow beyond Cross-
ridge Smithy, the place where they were observed in January 1897.—
J. D. W. Grsson.
Bramblings in Argyllshire.—During the past winter a large
flock of Bramblings (/7izgi//a montifringilla) frequented the island
of Innis Chonain in Loch Awe. They were first reported to me, as
Snow Buntings, on the 12th of December, and it is possible that
there may have been some birds of that species with them, though I
was unable to find any. The people here seem to know the Snow
Bunting, but not the Brambling. ‘The winter had been exceptionally
mild, but very stormy. The bird is said (“ Fauna of Argyll,” etc.)
to occur apparently only in excessively severe seasons, and very few
instances are known of its visits to the faunal region of Argyll.—
CuHarRLEsS H. Aston, Allt-Garbh, Loch Awe.
Lesser Whitethroat in the Outer Hebrides.—A Scottish speci-
men of the Lesser Whitethroat (Sylvia curruca) is a vara avis, and
the occurrence of an example in the remote island of Barra worthy
of record. A specimen shot on the 24th of October last was
submitted to me for determination by my friend Mr. W. L. Macgil-
livray, of Eoligary, Barra, who obtained the bird on the west side of
the island. This species has not hitherto, I believe, been obtained
in the Outer Hebrides. Mr. Macgillivray shot another Hebridean
110 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
rarity, a Garden Warbler (.Sy/véa hortensis), at the same time, so that,
in all probability, a number of migrants, blown out of their course,
visited the western islands about that time.
While writing on this subject, I should like to remark that the
statements made regarding the Lesser Whitethroat as a Scottish
summer bird are, in my opinion, highly unsatisfactory. It is un-
doubtediy a summer visitor to South-Western Scotland, but in
extremely limited numbers. On the other hand, we have no satis-
factory evidence whatever concerning it as a breeding bird in South-
Eastern Scotland ; though it probably occurs annually on the eastern
seaboard as a bird of passage. Reliable data regarding this species
as a Scottish bird would be welcomed for publication in the ‘‘ Annals.”
—Wm. EacLe Criarke, Edinburgh.
Great Gray Shrike in Solway.—For some years past Zavzzus
excubitor seems to have been entirely absent in these counties.
During the 80’s more especially, it was an annual visitor in small
numbers. In October last one was shot in the woods at St. Mary’s
Isle by one of the keepers there. It has been added to the many
good local birds contained in the Kirkcudbright Museum.—RoBeEeRtT
SERVICE, Maxwelltown.
Occurrence of the Black-bellied Dipper in Shetland.—On the
27th of November last, a Black-bellied, or Scandinavian race of
Dipper, the C7xclus melanogaster of C. L. Brehm, was observed on
the shores of Loch Spiggie, in the south of the main island of the
Shetland group, and was shot the next day. There was a moderate
gale from the north at the time, with frost and snow. Mr. T. E.
Buckley informs me that this is the first known occurrence of the
Dipper in the Shetland Islands. We had some Mealy Redpolls
about the same time.—THomas HENDERSON, Junr., Dunrossness,
Shetland.
Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Lochbroom, West Ross-shire.—
The Greater Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major) was seen
during December in the woods of Braemore, and has been observed
daily to the gth March, the day of writing. One was shot on
Inverlael. ‘They had never been seen before in this parish. I can-
not say how many were seen, but probably not less than three or
four.—J. A. FowLer, Inverbroom.
Great Spotted Woodpecker in Kirkeudbright.—A fine specimen
of the Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus major) was procured
last October on St. Mary’s Isle, near Kirkcudbright, and is now
added to the collection of birds in the Museum of that town.—
ROBERT SERVICE, Maxwelltown.
Note on the Nesting Habits of the Cormorant.—Apropos of
a discussion now going on in the pages of the “ Zoologist,” on the
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES Ill
subject of Moorhens covering their eggs when leaving their nests,
I am reminded of a visit I paid, a few years ago, to a nesting colony
of Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo), on a small island off the coast
of Sutherland. On landing on the island, our party at once climbed
to the rocky terrace above, and inspected the nests with a view to
photographing them ; they contained clutches of two, three, and in
one instance five eggs. Having chosen the points of view for our
pictures, we withdrew a short distance off. On returning to the
nests with our cameras, in a quarter of an hour’s time, great was our
astonishment to find that the eggs were not to be seen, and on
closer inspection, we discovered that they were concealed under
pieces of seaweed, which the Cormorants had placed over them
during our absence.—W. H. M. Duruir, Doune.
Occurrence of the King Eider in the Shetland Islands.—A
beautiful specimen of the King Duck (Somaterta spectabilis) was
obtained by Mr. Eustace Bankart, of Melby House, Sandness, on
Friday last week [24th February]. The last time a bird of this
species occurred in Shetland was in 1846, and the following reference
is made to it in Saxby’s ‘Birds of Shetland,” p. 252 :—‘‘The
occurrence of this species in Orkney has doubtless led to the
conclusion that it 1s also an occasional visitor to Shetland, and
accordingly erroneous statements to that effect have been frequently
repeated. Although constantly upon the watch for many years, I
have never obtained a glimpse of it, nor can I meet with any person
who has shot it, or even seen it. Thomas Edmondston, without
giving either date or authority, says (‘ Zoologist,’ 1844, p. 463), that it
is ‘sometimes seen.’ Also in the ‘ Zoologist ’ for 1848, p. 2188, one
is recorded by Mr. Dunn as occurring at Wensdale Voe, near Hoy,
Shetland, on 20th May 1846, but this statement is scarcely sufficient.
There is the well-known island called Hoy, in Orkney, and possibly
a voe near it bears the above name, but though there is a [Versdale
Voe in Shetland, there is neither a Wensdale Voe nor is there a
Hoy. I am very doubtful, therefore, whether the King Duck has
any right to a place in this work, but I allow it to remain for the
present, being unwilling to remove it from the list simply upon my
own responsibility, observing Shetland so often referred to by our
best ornithologists as a locality.” There can be no doubt that
Dr. Saxby has been in error over this paragraph, as there is an
island named Hoy situated in Weisdale Voe, as any one may see by
consulting an Ordnance Survey map. ‘The misspelling of Weisdale
Voe probably led to this doubt on Dr. Saxby’s part, but the most
material reason that weighed with him was doubtless the extreme
rareness of the bird in Shetland. Be that as it may, Mr. Bankart
has for all time coming put the matter beyond question as to the
King Duck deserving a place among “The Birds of Shetland.” . . .
The female bird was also caught at the same time along with the
Tae ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
male, and Mr. Bankart has had both specimens forwarded to London
for preservation.— V7de “‘ SHETLAND TIMES,” 4th March 1899.
[We are informed that there is some doubt as to the identity of
the female bird.—Ebs. |
Water Rail and Frog.—lIn the stomach of a Water Rail caught
on the Pentlands on 7th January, and brought to me, I was surprised
to find a medium-sized Frog. This seems to indicate that the Frog
had been on the move on that date, and not lying dormant at the
bottom of a pool, as is usually the case in winter.—R. GODFREY,
Edinburgh.
Lead-poisoning in Pheasants.—I had recently handed to me
by a gamekeeper sixteen pellets which he had taken from the gizzard
of a hen Pheasant. These had evidently been picked up by the
bird while scraping among soil in search of food. The Pheasant
was unable to fly any distance, and when it was put up it went
off noiselessly, moving its wings after the manner of an owl. The
pellets had evidently remained in the bird’s gizzard for some time,
for they were very much worn by the action of that organ. The
keeper, who has large experience, tells me that he has on several
occasions, in different parts of Scotland, picked up Pheasants that
had died from the result of lead-poisoning through having picked
up pellets in the manner here described.—BrucE CAMPBELL,
Edinburgh.
The Spotted Redshank on the Solway.—So far back as October
of 1876 a friend of mine, Mr. Robert Douglas, who at that time
resided near Gatehouse of Fleet, shot at the head of Fleet Bay what
he always insisted was a Spotted Redshank (Zotanus fuscus). I
never saw the specimen, but as Mr. Douglas had a very good
knowledge of birds there need be little difficulty in accepting the
record. ‘The bird in question was preserved as a mounted specimen,
and was sent to England, and I lost trace of it. So far that was
the only Spotted Redshank that has occurred on the Scottish side
of the Solway that I] am aware of, although every now and again
a lively imagination would seem to hear, from amongst the hosts
of waders that frequent the banks in the neighbourhood of Souther-
ness, the echoes of its peculiar call. But an individual about
which there is no doubt has now turned up. About the New Year
Mr. Robert M‘Call of Carsethorn noticed a peculiar Redshank
amongst the others. It nearly always forgathered with the Common
Redshanks, but was markedly different in flight and voice. Shy and
wild, it could not be approached within gunshot, and long shots
were tried without success. At last, at the mouth of the Kirkbean
Row, on 13th February, Mr. M‘Call stalked it by crawling up a
“runner,” and was successful in bringing it down. Next day I
saw it, and confirmed its identification. Mr. M‘Call has preserved
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 113
it, and it makes a most interesting addition to his little collection
of birds of his own shooting and mounting. ‘The body was sent
to me for dissection, when the bird proved to be a female. The
plumage still shows a few traces of immaturity, so that the bird is
probably a young female of last year.—RoBrerT SERVICE, Maxwell-
town.
Whimbrel in the Firth of Forth in Winter.—The Whimbrel
(Mumenius pheopus) is so seldom met with in this district, except
on passage in spring and autumn, that I send you the dates of two
occurrences I have noted recently. The bird first observed was
at Longniddry Bay on 11th February; the other was seen at the
mouth of the Tyne on the 16th of the same month. I am unaware
of any previous records of this bird’s presence in the Firth of Forth
and its vicinity in the winter months.—T. G. LarpLaw, Edinburgh.
The Food of the Brown-headed Gull.—The question as to
whether the Brown-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) consumes the
fry of Salmonidz in large numbers has lately agitated the County
Council of Cumberland. Perhaps some readers of the “ Annals”
may be in a position to speak positively as to the truth of the
suggestion that this Gull zs ichthyophagous. In my own experience,
the evidence points to this bird being largely insectivorous. In the
spring of the year, the Brown-headed Gulls swarm upon freshly
ploughed land in this neighbourhood. ‘They are then feeding
chiefly on grubs and earthworms, but corn is sometimes swallowed,
particularly barley. As the season advances, beetles of different
kinds are eagerly sought for, and are supplied to the young along
with earthworms. When the young are fledged, many of them join
the adults upon the sandy flats of our estuaries, where they feed on
small mussel shell and other bivalves, as well as any stray animal
substances, of small bulk, that may be washed up on the beach. I
have never seen this Gull feeding on carrion, though it will devour
most kinds of refuse. The Herring Gull will occasionally tear at
the carcase of a dead dog as eagerly as a Great Black-backed Gull.
But the Brown-headed Gull is more fastidious. Perhaps winged
insects are most to its taste, particularly certain moths, species of
Noctue, for which it hawks over the hay-fields with grace and
beauty. But on the sands this Gull follows flocks of Waders,
particularly of Bar-tailed Godwits (Zimosa Jlapponica). When a
Godwit catches a marine worm, the attendant Gull darts at its
neighbour, and endeavours to compel the long-billed bird to drop
its prey. If this manceuvre proves successful, the Gull bolts the
wriggling worm before it has time to burrow in the wet sand. Iam
told that the Brown-headed Gull often feeds upon sand-eels, but
though I have watched individual Gulls for hours at a stretch, I
cannot say that I have ever seen them capture any little fishes. I
30 E
114 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
do not, in the least, question the accuracy of those who maintain
that this Gull diets itself on young fry—zw/en it can get them;
Larus fuscus 1s far from guiltless in that respect, but I believe that
even this rapacious bird prefers a small crab or the entrails of any
animal to small fish. The habits of most birds vary in different
districts. In some parts of the country the Rook (Corvus frugilegus)
is asserted to do more good than injury to the farmers. In my
present neighbourhood, it frequently taxes a farmer to the extent of
420 in a season, by the havoc which it wreaks upon his turnip
crop. Another misdeed of the Rook is that it attacks stacks of
grain, and not only draws out quantities of corn for its own
consumption, but also allows rain to enter the stack through the
holes which it has driven in the top of the stack. It is easy to
understand that the Brown-headed Gull may damage the interests
of anglers in certain districts ; especially in situations in which insect
life is scantily represented.—H. A. Macpuerson, Allonby.
Iceland Gull near the Solway Firth.—On the roth of February
1899, a stormy day with strong westerly winds, my friend Mr. R.
Mann was driving along the coast near Maryport, when he observed
a single Iceland Gull flying over a meadow near the sea. He
stopped his horse and watched the bird very closely. It was in
creamy immature dress, and conspicuous among the Herring Gulls
to which it had joined company. Another specimen of this Arctic
Gull was shot in a field about two miles from Carlisle, on the 28th
of February 1898. I did not see the bird in question until a day
or two later, when it was already mounted; it was a white bird,
mottled with pale brown, but much lighter in coloration than a
bird of the first year. I had not the good fortune to secure this
bird for the Carlisle Museum, as it belonged to a keen local
collector. The Carlisle Museum contains only a single Lakeland
specimen of this Zarus, and that is immature. I cannot say that
either the present species or Larus g/aucus occur with any frequency
on the coast of the Solway Firth. I live with a telescope in my
window and a field-glass in my hand; but some years have elapsed
since I last had the privilege of identifying any of our rarer Gulls in
life—H. A. Macpuerson, Allonby, Cumberland.
Note on the Moulting of the Flight Feathers in the Divers.—
I believe it has been hitherto unrecorded that any of the Divers
(Colymbus) moult the flight feathers ez masse, thus losing all power
of flight for the time. It is, of course, well known as regards the
Ducks, and has been recorded of sundry other birds—Moorhen
and Land Rail, for instance. At the end of September and
beginning of October 1898 I had, at intervals, several Red-throated
Divers (C. septentrionalis) sent in. The adults were in all stages
of the ‘‘moult”; the majority being entirely devoid of flight
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 115
feathers, both primaries and secondaries having been shed. This
shedding of the flight feathers would appear to take place at a fairly
advanced stage of the general moult, as in most specimens without
these feathers the red and gray plumage of the neck had nearly all
disappeared, and the new feathers were appearing on the back.—
WILLIAM FARREN, Cambridge.
-Oceurrence of the Loggerhead Turtle in North Uist.—On
26th November last a young example of the Loggerhead Turtle
( Zhalassochelys caretta) was washed up on a sandy beach on the
island of Vallay, North Uist. It was apparently only just dead, and
the carapace was 64 inches long and 5 inches broad, both measure-
ments being taken along the curve. I have been told that large
specimens have frequently been washed up in the vicinity, but no
one has recorded the fact, and I much doubt the accuracy of the
statement.—C. V. A. PEEL, Oxford.
[In Scotland this sub-tropical species has only, to our knowledge,
been recorded for Pennan, on the coast of North Aberdeenshire, in
August 1861.—Ebs. |
Chrysomela hzemoptera, Z., in Ayrshire.—In going over a
small collection of Coleoptera belonging to Mr. William Gilmour of
Greensland Farm, Stewarton, I came across a specimen of this
species. Mr. Gilmour informs me that he found it crawling on
grass near his farm last summer. Chrysomela hemoptera is an
addition to the Clyde list. It has only been recorded for “ Forth”
by Dr. Sharp in his catalogue of the Coleoptera of Scotland.—
ANDERSON FERGUSSON, Glasgow.
Enallagma ecyathigerum in Shetland.—This common British
dragon-fly I found in 1896 and 1897 in some abundance about the
moorland lochs of North Delting and the peat-holes of Gluss Isle, in
Shetland. Iam indebted to Mr. W. J. Lucas for the identification,
and send this note with a view to help in working out the distribu-
tion of the species. —R. Goprrey, Edinburgh.
Notes on some Crustacea from Granton, Firth of Forth,
obtained from a Ship’s Hull.—About a year ago, Captain Campbell
(of the Fishery Board for Scotland) brought to me some scrapings
from a ship which had been brought into the harbour at Granton
to be cleaned of the barnacles and weed adhering to it. The ship,
which was called the “ Echo,” had arrived some time previously from
the Cape of Good Hope. The species of Crustacea obtained
amongst the scrapings brought to me comprised two Cirripeds, two
Copepods, one Isopod, and three Amphipods, all of which appeared
to have been recently alive.
The Cirripeds belong to the two well-known forms Leas
anatifera (Linn.) and Badlanus tintinnabulum (Linn.), both of which
116 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
have already been mentioned in published catalogues of the marine
fauna of the Firth of Forth. These two species of Cirripeds, though
widely distributed, and from time to time brought to our shores
adhering to ships’ sides, as well as by floating wreckage, etc., are
scarcely entitled to rank as members of our fauna.
The Copepods are Harfacticus, sp., and /dya minor, T. and A.
Scott. The /arpacticus resembles a form described by me from
the Firth of Forth under the name of Harpacticus obscurus. TIdya
minor has been obtained in the Clyde, but I do not know of any
previous record of it from the Forth estuary.
The single species of the Isopoda observed belongs to (Vesa,
and agrees generally with (Vesa didentata (Adams). The only
specimen observed was a male, the sixth segment of the pereon
being produced backwards into a bidentate process. This species
has been recorded from the Clyde by the late Dr. Robertson of
Millport, but it does not appear to have been obtained in the
Forth. Vesa is sometimes found inside the shells of dead Badani,
and in such circumstances may easily escape notice. This Isopod
appears to vary considerably in form, either from age or sexually.
‘The Rev. T. R. R. Stebbing, in his “‘ History of Recent Crustacea,”
says it “seems not improbable that the species named Dynamene
rubra and Dynamene viridis by Leach, and Campecopea versicolor
by Rathke, may represent the female, and Dyzamene Montagui the
young male, of esa bidentata.”
The Amphipoda comprise Stenothoe(?) monoculodes (Mont.),
Podocerus falcatus (Mont.), and Cafrella equilibra, Say. The
Stenothoe appears to agree perfectly with the species named,
except that the telson has two or three small spines on each side
near the margin, as in Stenothoe marina; usually the telson of
Stenothoe monoculodes is unarmed. Podocerus falcatus was repre-
sented by both males and females; a few of the males had the
gnathopods fully developed, but the greater part of them were more
or less immature. Both this species and Stenothoe monoculodes have
already been recorded from the Firth of Forth. The Cafrella
equilibra, though a member of the British fauna, has not hitherto
been recorded from either the Firth of Forth or the Firth of Clyde.
Most of the specimens obtained were immature, and differed con-
siderably from the typical mature form ; this difference was specially
noticeable in the immature males, which had the cephalosome and
first free body segment much shorter than in a full-grown specimen.
The difference was so great in this respect, that had one or two
mature males not turned up, I should have hesitated to ascribe the
specimens to C. eguilibra.
The occurrence of these Crustaceans under the circumstances
described is of interest from its bearing on the dispersion of species,
and as an example of one of the various means by which forms
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 117
hitherto unrepresented in our faunas, local and otherwise, may be
introduced; and may, if the habitat happens to be favourable,
become permanently resident where they were before quite un-
known.—TuHomas Scott, Leith.
Vertigo pygmzea and other Molluses in ‘ Perth E.’’—Seeing
Vertigo pygme@a is not recorded for the “ vice-county ” of ‘‘ Perth E.”
in Mr. Roebuck’s “Census” of Scottish Land and Fresh Water
Mollusca, I may mention that in September 1898, while staying at
Fenderbridge near the foot of Glen Tilt, I obtained a specimen
off grass by the side of Loch Moraig. It has been submitted to
Mr. J. W. Taylor, F.L.S., for authentication. The following shells,
all of which, except the Prsidiaum, have, however, already been
authenticated from the vice-county, were also collected in the
neighbourhood of Fenderbridge, namely :—V¢rina pellucida, Hyalina
alharia, Hf. nitidula, H. radiatula, H. pura, Hl. crystallina, H. fulva,
Flelix rotundata, H. pygmea, 1. hortensts, H. arbustorum, LH, hispida,
Vertigo edentula, Clausilia bidentata, Cochlicopa lubrica, Succinea
elegans, S. putris, Carychium minimum, Limnea peregra, L. truncatula,
and /isidium pusillum. The small brown slug Agrtolimax levis was
frequently seen, as were also A. agrestis, Limax marginatus, Arion
ater, A. subfuscus, A. minimus, A. circumscriptus, and A. hortensis.
By mistake, Glen Tilt, as a locality for the last-named slug, is entered
in the “Census” under “Perth Mid” instead of “Perth E.,” or
“Perth N.” as it is there called. Ina paper on the ‘Fauna and
Flora of Glen Tilt’ contributed a number of years ago to the
‘Scottish Naturalist” (vol. iv. p. 247), the late Dr. Buchanan
White drew attention to the great abundance in which /e/7x arbus-
forum occurs on the hill side opposite Forest Lodge.—WILLIAM
Evans, Edinburgh.
Monomorium pharaonis and Blatta germanica as pests in an
Edinburgh Hotel.—About two years ago I was informed that a
small insect had appeared in great numbers in a hotel in Edinburgh.
A request for specimens resulted in the production of some dozens
of the small ant JZonomorium pharaonis, a species which Mr. E.
Saunders, F.L.S., who has kindly confirmed my identification, tells
me is ‘very common in many of the London eating-houses, etc.”
It is not indigenous to this country.
Along with the ants there were also sent a number of specimens
of the small cockroach Alatta germanica, from the same hotel.
The occurrence of this insect in a newspaper office in Glasgow in
1880 was recorded by Professor Trail in the ‘Scottish Naturalist ”
(vol. vi. p. 14).—WILLIAM Evans, Edinburgh.
118 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS.
Rosa involuta, S7., in Forfarshire.—In July last, whilst staying
at Carnoustie, I fell in with rather a remarkable colony of A. zzvoluta.
It consists of eleven distinct clumps scattered at intervals over a
distance of more than half a mile. Three of them occur at a short
distance from Muirdrum, by the side of a cross road which branches
off from the road to Carnoustie. The others grow here and there on
the bank of a small stream which crosses the main road a little
farther on, and which winds through the bottom of a den with high
and often steep banks. Some of these clumps are rather extensive.
One stretches along the top of a bank for a distance of about 25
yards, interrupted, however, by a couple of young trees, and with some
other bushes intermixed. Others stretch over a length of 15 to 30
feet. I shall reserve for another occasion a detailed description of
their resemblances and differences, as well as the discussion of that
question which Professor Crépin has recommended to British
botanists, viz. whether the second parent be A. fomentosa or R. mollis.
This is generally a difficult problem, at least in Scotland, where, in
most districts, 7. 7zol/rs is at least as plentifulas #. fomentosa. In this
case, it is peculiarly difficult owing to circumstances which I need
not now detail. In fact, I have as yet been unable to come to any
definite opinion, except in the case of one clump which I believe to
be R. pimpinellifolia x tomentosa. The others, which are different
in several respects, require further study.
Can any of your Forfarshire readers give any information as to
the distribution of 2. zvo/uta in their county. Don found it, accord-
ing to Baker, on a rock on one of the mountains of Clova, near the
limits of perpetual snow! In Gardiner’s Flora it is said to be
common in the Highland valleys of the county, but I do not know
what ground he had for this statement. In those districts where
R. pimpinellifolia occurs, it should be looked for.—W. Barctay.
R. hiberniea in Midlothian.—In Professor Crépin’s “ Rosz
Hybrid,” page 146, he refers to specimens of #. Azbernica gathered
by Gorrie in 1866, between Melville Hall and Bellyford Burn, and
which are now in the Herbarium at the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens.
Gorrie’s plant, like 2. /Azbernica of the North of Ireland, has the
leaves pubescent below, and, so far as I know, it is the only bush of
this variety of A. Azbernica which has yet been found in Scotland.
Wishing to study the plant if it was still to be found, I visited the
locality in the end of August 1895. I failed to find it, but was not
surprised at that, as all the bushes on one side of the road had, a short
time before, been cut close to the ground. As the roots were left,
however, I felt certain that the plant, if still there, would come up
BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS 119
again. In September of last year, on again visiting the locality, I had
no difficulty in finding what I sought. Many and vigorous shoots of
what was plainly Gorrie’s plant were growing to a height of three or
four feet. The bush had not flowered since the cutting down, but
it will probably do so next year. The Edinburgh botanists might look
after it and try to prevent its being destroyed. As I have already
said, I believe it to be as yet unique in Scotland. I may add that
at a distance of about 100 yards I found a bush of &. zxzvoluta which
had also been cropped, and was recovering. It had flowered, as I
found on it the remains of several abortive fruits ——W. BARCLAY.
Atriplex calotheea, /7ies (“Nov. Fl. Suec. Mant.,” 3, p. 164,
1842).
A. hastata, var. calotheca, Rafn., ‘‘ Danm. FI.,” p. 240, Zes¢e Fries,
Zc.—I was very pleased to see Mr. Druce’s report of A. ca/otheca,
Fr., in Wigtown, in the last number of the ‘‘ Annals.” For some
time I have expected this would occur as a Scottish plant, and I
have several Scottish specimens that are probably it; but they are
all too immature to be sure of. If found in good fruit, there is no
difficulty in separating this from the other British forms; but it is
not so easy to separate the Scandinavian ones placed under it. In
Hartman’s “ Handbook” (p. 350, 1879) it is separated into four
forms : viz. a, genuina (“ Fl. Danica,” t. 1608) ; B, stpztata (Westerl.) ;
y, longipes (Drejer), “ Fl. Danica,” t. 2714, and 6, parviflora, Lange.
Lange (‘‘ Danske Flora”) makes ca/otheca into three varieties and one
subspecies with a variety. Westerlund, in 1861, published a critical
account of the Swedish species, entitled ‘‘ Bidrag till kinnedomen af
Sveriges Atriplices.” The possible stations for ca/otheca in Scotland
are: E. Sutherland, Rev. E. S. Marshall!; E. Ross, Rev. E. S.
Marshall!; Wigtown, J. M‘Andrew. A remarkable variety of A.
littoralis, 1.., simulating the var. Jongipes of calotheca, I have from
Abercorn, Linlithgow, Dr. Playfair—ARTHUR BENNETT.
Scottish Forms of Juneus.—Among several Junci that I lately
submitted to Dr. Buchenau were several from Scotland of interest, if
only from the queries they may suggest. To small specimens of
J. lamprocarpus from Islay (V.C. 102), gathered by Dr. Gilmour, he
adds: “ Ad var. /ttoralem accedens”; to another from the same
island: “7. alpinus x lamprocarpus? differt a_/. lamprocarpo sepalis
obtusioribus.” Specimens from Orkney (coll. J. Boswell Syme,
com. F, J. Hanbury) are marked by him: “7. anceps x lamprocarpus,
vel J. alpinus x lamprocarpus? is perhaps a hybrid plant which has
become gradually fruitful. This would have to be proved on the
spot.” So far /. a/éinus has not been recorded for the Orkneys ;
but it is very likely to occur—more so, one would think, than /. anceps
(although Dr. Buchenau writes: “/. anceps x lamprocarpus is now
known to me from Borkum also”). Out of the 23 North Sea
120 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
islands (of which Borkum is one), /. a/pznus, Vill., is recorded from
15 (L. Vuyck, ‘‘ De Plantengroei der Dunen,” 1898). _/. anceps, De
la Harpe (‘ Ess. mon. vraies Joncées’ in “ Mem. Soc. Nat.,” Paris, iv.
126, 1825), has a restricted distribution, and would seem more likely
to occur on the coasts of Eastern England than Scotland. / alpinus,
Vill; : -anceps, De la arpes: J.) atvicapiiis, Drejer; and v/;
Requienit, Parl., are closely allied, and often difficult to separate.
Dr. Buchenau makes /. atricapillus, Drejer (‘‘ Bid. t. d. Flora,” Kroyers
Tidss., 2, p. 182, 1838), a variety of anceps (in “ Krit. Zus. der
europaeischen Juncaceen,” 1885). This occurs in Norway, Sweden, |
Denmark, and Saxony. Specimens from ‘‘ Ardneil Bay, W. Kilbride,
Ayrshire, 7.7.96, A. Somerville, growing in damp sea-shore sand,”
are doubtfully named by Dr. Buchenau /. anceps x lamprocarpus,
vel alpinus x lamprocarpus??; forma vara radicans.” Similar speci-
mens to those from Orkney, from the Outer Hebrides, are named in
the same way by Dr. Buchenau, and he remarks on them: “In the
Hebrides there probably occurs a form of anceps as well as lampro-
carpus.” It would seem that, looking at the forms and distribution
of anceps, the var. atricapillus (of Drejer) would be the most likely to
occur in Scotland, one of its stations being ‘in dunetis maritimis a
Hallandia (Suec.),” Buchenau, 7c.—ARTHUR BENNETT.
Orchis cruenta, J/i///er, in Britain.—Mr. Herbert Goss records
in the “Journal of Botany” (January 1899, p. 37) that he found
this plant last summer, moderately common, in two or three bogs
on the fells of Cumberland, at about tooo feet above the sea-level.
Regarding it at the time as a very stunted form of O. datifolia, he
took only about a dozen examples. The plant has a pretty wide
distribution in Scandinavia, especially in bogs at from 1000 to 1600
feet above the sea-level in the north. It should be looked for in
Scotland. In Blytt’s “Norges Flora” (pp. 341,342), it is said to
closely resemble O. zzcarnata, and especially O. latifolia, var. brevi-
Jolia, Rchb., from which it differs chiefly in the very dark purple
spots of the leaf, the rather smaller and darker red flowers, the
square undivided lip, and the very short slightly curved spur.
New Varieties of Scotch Carices.—I again visited Ben Lawers
in last July and August in order to see Carex helvola, and found
that owing to the protracted drought it had somewhat suffered ; but
specimens which I collected were submitted to the Ffarrer Ktikenthal,
and he again corroborated the name of C. /e/vola, and he still con-
siders the plant to be a hybrid of C. apfroximata (lagopina) and
canescens (curta). With it I gathered a somewhat interesting form
of Carex flava which I also found on Ben Heasgarnich and Ben
Laoigh, which the Ffarrer Kiikenthal identifies with C. //ava, var.
pygme@a, Andersson. This is described by Andersson in the
“Cyperaceee Scandinavie” of 1849, p. 25, as “culmo_ unciali-
BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS 121
digitali foliis multo breviori, spicis parvis subrotundatis confertis.”
On Ben Heasgarnich, on a shoulder of the mountain near the
summit, my companion for the day, Mr. H. N. Dixon, the well-
known bryologist, found a form of Carex canescens which had much
of the appearance of C. Ae/vo/a, but on dissection proved to be dis-
tinct. This the Ffarrer Kiikenthal names C. canescens, var. dudia,
Bailey. I may mention that the interesting Carex atrofusca (ustulata)
was rather frequent over a limited area of Ben Heasgarnich, choosing
for its habitat the edge of some sloping rock-shelf which is kept
moist with dripping water. I think the two varieties mentioned
above are new to the Scottish flora-—G. CLARIDGE DRUCE.
Botanical Exchange Club of the British Islands—Report for
1897, by G. Claridge Druce M.A., F.L.S. (issued 20th Sept. 1898).—
As usual, there are numerous notes on plants from Scotland in this
Report. With regard to a good many of these, diverse opinions are
expressed by the senders and the referees, but the subjoined extracts
embody the more important conclusions arrived at :—
R. acris, L., var. tomophyllus (Jord.), Melvich, N. coast of Suther-
land (108); /umaria Borei, Jord. near Dunblane (97); Dyraba
incana, L.., var. degitima, Lindblom (fruits glabrous), at Ardnane Point,
Islay (102); Stsymbrium officinale, L., var. letocarpum (Jord.), DC.,
Ullapool, W. Ross (105); Polygala oxyptera, Reichb., var. co/ldina,
Reichb., near Tain, E. Ross (106); A/ypericum pulchrum, 1, var.
procumbens, Rostrup, Holburn Head, Caithness (109); Audus villt-
caulis, W. and N., var. Se/mert (Lindeb.), Claddach (99); &.
echinatus, Lindb., Shandon (99); Aéripflex calotheca, Fries? is the
name assigned by Herr Freyn to a plant gathered by Rev. E. S.
Marshall at Golspie (107), the specimens not warranting certainty ;
A. Babingtonit, Woods, var. virescens, Lange, Golspie (107), E. S.
Marshall; Betula pubescens, var. parviflora, Wimm., near Tongue
(108), W. A. Shoolbred ; Carex approximata, Hoppe (= C. dagopina,
Wahl.), Corrie Sneachda (96), G. C. Druce; C. aguatilis, Wahl.,
var. e/atior, Bab., Altnaharra (108), W. A. Shoolbred ; “gutsetum
sylvaticum, 1., var. capillare (Hoffm.), Dunphail (95), E. S.
Marshall.
Andromeda polifolia, Z., in Midlothian.—On 8th May 1895
I found the Wild Rosemary, Avdromeda polifolia, in flower on
Auchencorth Moss, Midlothian. I noticed only a single plant,
which I gathered. I cannot find any previous record for the species
in Midlothian, and am indebted to Mr. Wm. Evans for the following
note on the plant’s occurrence in ‘ Forth’:—‘‘ Thanks for the
specimen of Andromeda folifolia, the occurrence of which on
Auchencorth Moss is most interesting. So far as I know, this
plant has not previously been found nearer Edinburgh than the
neighbourhood of Stirling in the upper section of ‘Forth.’ Light-
foot recorded it fully a century ago from Blair-Drummond Moss on
122 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
the authority of Mr. Yalden (‘Flora Scotica,’ vol. ii. p. 1123), and
Graham, in his ‘Sketches of Perthshire’ (2nd ed., 1812, p. 211),
mentioned it as then plentiful on Flanders Moss. I have a note
of its presence in the former of these localities down to 1882, and
Mr. R. Kidston tells me it still grows in Flanders Moss, and also on
a moss near Old Polmaise, a few miles on this side of Stirling.”—
Ropert GoprRey, Edinburgh.
CURRENT LITERATURE.
The Titles and Purport of Papers and Notes relating to Scottish Natural His-
tory which have appeared during the Quarter—January-March 1899.
[The Editors desire assistance to enable them to make this Section as complete as
possible. Contributions on the lines indicated will be most acceptable and
will bear the initials of the Contributor. The Editors will have access to the
sources of information undermentioned. ]
ZOOLOGY.
REPORT ON A VISIT TO SANDA AND GLUNIMORE. By John
Paterson and John Renwick. Zyans. Glasg. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. v.
pt. il. (1897-98), pp. 197-204.—Notes on the Fauna, Flora, and
Geology.
THE SUMMER BIRDS OF THE SUMMER IsLANDs. By J. B.
Dobbie, F.R.S.E., F.Z.S.; M.B.0.U. Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin.,
vol. xiv. pt. i. pp. 46-57 (1897-98).—A list of thirty-five species.
NOTES ON SHETLAND Birps. By F. S. Graves and P. Ralf.
Zoologist (1899), pp. 72-77.
RARER BIRDS OF THE SHETLANDS. R. Kearton. Zhe Field,
7th January 1899, p. 2.
THE RED-NECKED PHALAROPE IN SHETLAND. Thomas
Edmonston. Zhe Field, 28th January 1899, p. 134.
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER IN ARGYLLSHIRE. F. W. Frohawk.
The Field, 28th January 1899, p. 134.—The supposed breeding of
this species in Argyll disproved.
Tay LAND-LOCKED Satmon. D. T. Steil. Zhe Field, 2nd
February 1899, p. 146.—Several thousand “ American land-locked
Salmon” were introduced ‘‘some years ago” into Loch Tay by the
Marquess of Breadalbane.
On THELODUS PAGEI, PoWRIE, SP., FROM THE OLD RED SAND-
STONE OF FORFARSHIRE. By Ramsay H. Traquair, M.D., LL.D.,
F.RS. Zrans. Roy. Soc. Edin. vol. xxxix. pt. iii, No. 21, pp. 595-
602, plate.—The object of this paper is to show that the ‘‘ Cephadop-
terus” Paget of Powrie belongs to the genus 7elodus of Agassiz, a
genus hitherto known only by scattered scales in the Upper Silurian
CURRENT LITERATURE 123
of England and Russia, and also in the Upper Devonian of the
latter country. This recognition of its affinities throws a new light
on the family Ccelolepide, to which Thelodus belongs, and shows
that, though related to the Elasmobranchii, they were not Cestracion-
like sharks, and that the spines from Silurian and Lower Devonian
rocks known as Ozchus did not belong to them.
On a New SPECIES OF CEPHALASPIS DISCOVERED BY THE
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF SCOTLAND IN THE OLD RED SANDSTONE
oF Osan. By Ramsay H. Traquair, M.D., LL.D., F.R.S. Z7ans.
Roy. Soc. Edin., vol. xxxix. pt. iii. No. 20, pp. 591-593, plate.—The
species is named C. Lornensis ; and the specimens were collected
in the Lower Old Red in the neighbourhood of Oban. It has also
been found in the island of Kerrera.
NoTES ON THE MICRO-FAUNA OF AILSA CRAIG, FIRTH OF
CiypE. By Thomas Scott, F.L.S. Zvrans. Glasg. Nat. Hist. Soc.,
vol. v. pt. ii. (1897-98), pp. 153-158.—Treats of the Mollusca,
Crustacea, and Insecta.
OccURRENCE OF SIREX GIGAS, LINN., IN ARRAN AND BUTE.
By J. Ballantine. Zvans. Glasg. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. v. pt. 1.
(1897-98), pp. 187-189.
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES FROM GLEN LocHay AND LocuH Tay,
INCLUDING RECORD OF AN OXYETHIRA NEW TO Brirain. By
Kenneth J. Morton, F.E.S.—£xt. Mo. Mag. (2), vol. x. pp. 53-55
(March 1899).—Twenty species of Lepidoptera, Neuroptera, and
Trichoptera are noted as observed or captured during July 1898.
The new species is Oxyethira simplex, Ris.
THE LEPIDOPTERA OF OBAN AND District. By W. G. Sheldon.
Ent. Record, vol. xi. pp. 13-14 (January 1899).—Notes on thirty-one
species captured in July 1898.
CIDARIA RUSSATA SINGLE-BROODED IN SCOTLAND. W.G. Sheldon.
Ent. Record, vol. xi. pp. 55, 56 (February 1899).—From observations
made upon specimens captured near Oban, it seems doubtful if either
this species or C. immanata have more than one brood in Scotland.
Two SPECIES OF EPHEMERIDZ NEW TO Britain. By C. A.
Briggs, F.E.S. Zyxt. Mo. Mag. (2), vol. x. pp. 68, 69 (March 1899).—
Leptophlebia meyeri, Etn., taken in June 1898 above the Black
Wood near the lochan called Rusg-a-Bhiora, near Loch Rannoch ;
Ameletus inopinatus, Etn., taken on 8th June 1898 from a bush on
the shore of Loch Rannoch.
ON THE BRITISH SPECIES OF THE DIPTEROUS GENUS LOXOCERA,
Mc. (Fam. PsILiDa:) WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW VARIETY.
By Ernest E. Austen. Zt Mo. Mag. (2), vol. x. pp. 65-68 (March
1899).—The new variety is named Loxocera aristata, var. Yerburyi.
It was obtained at Kingussie (three examples) and Nethy Bridge
(two examples), Inverness-shire, by Colonel Yerbury, in July and
124 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
August 1898. A table is given for the determination of the British
species of this genus, and the following Scottish specimens in the
British Museum collections are referred to:—L. aristata, Pz., from
Loch Rannoch, Perthshire, and Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire.
Nores ON THE TIPULIDZ OF THE GLascow DistrRicT. By
George W. Ord. Trans. Glasg. Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. v. pt. i. (1897-
98), pp. 190-196.—Includes about 50 species.
ON THE BririsH PanpALIDA. By W. T. Calman, B.Sc. Azz.
and Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), vol. iii. pp. 27-39, plates i.-iv.—Reference
made to Scottish species.
BritisH Lanp Isopopa. By Canon A. M. Norman, M.A.,
F.R.S., etc. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), vol. iil. pp. 70-78,
plate vii—Reference is made to Scottish species.
ON SOME NEW MyRIAPODS FROM THE PAL#OZOIC ROCKS OF
ScoTLanD. By B. N. Peach, A.R.S.M., F.R.S. Proc. Koy. Phys.
Soc. Edin., vol. xiv. pt. i. pp. 113-126, plate iv. (1897-98).—A
description of new genera and species from the Lower Carboniferous
rocks of East Kilbride, and of Lennel Braes, Coldstream, Berwick-
shire; from the Lower Old Red of Kerrera, near Oban ; and the
Ludlow Beds of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire.
BOTANY.
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX OF BRITISH AND IRISH Boranists—FIRrst
SUPPLEMENT (1893-97). By James Britten, F.L.S., and G. S. Boulger,
F.L.S. Journ. Bot. 1899, pp. 77-84.—From Rev. Andrew
Robertson (1780-1845) to William Young. Scotch botanists
included in this instalment are:—Rev. Andrew Robertson, David
Robertson of Cumbrae, John Rotherham (died in 1804 at St.
Andrews, where he had been a professor), John Roy, LL.D.,
John Sim, William Alex. Stables of Cawdor, George William Traill,
Francis Buchanan White, M.D., Rev. Alexander Williamson,
Alexander Stephen Wilson.
CERASTIUM ARCTICUM, LANGE. By E. S. Marshall. Journ.
Bot., 1899, p. 38.—Upholds that in Britain there is a species
distinct from C. alpinum.
Rusus Baker, F. A. Lees. By C. E. Salmon. Journ, Bot.,
1899, p. 39.—Records this, identified by Rev. W. Moyle Rogers,
from Cantire and Argyll. It had not been recorded from Scotland.
CHENOPODIUM CaAPITATUM, ASCHERS. (= BLITUM VIRGATUM, L.).
By J. C. Melvill. Journ. Bot., 1899, p. 85.—Mentions this plant
as gathered by Dr. Boswell Syme at Fisherrow, near Edinburgh.
CLASMATOCOLEA CUNEIFOLIA (HOOK.), SPRUCE, IN SCOTLAND.
By W. H. Pearson. Journ. Bot. 1899, p- 38.—Records this
Hepatic new to Scotland from Moidart, collected by Mr. S. M.
Macvicar,
REVIEWS 125
PLANTS OF Novaya ZEMLYA—continued. Journ. Bot, pp.
468-474.
CERASTIUM ARCTICUM, Lance. By F. N. Williams. /ourn.
Bot., p. 493.—Is a reply to Mr. Marshall’s note on p. 38, adhering
to the view that C. arcticum is not a distinct species.
JUNGERMANIA oOBTUSA, LINDB., IN Britain. By W. H.
Pearson. /ourn. Lot., p. 493.—Records another addition to
British Liverworts, by Mr. S. Macvicar, from West Inverness.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE P.S.N.S. Vol, a part. 6 contains: —
Preliminary List of Perthshire Mosses, by R. H. Meldrum. lant
Associations of the Tay Basin, by R. Smith. Zhe Geological Factors
in the Distribution of the Alpine Plants of Perthshire, by P. M‘Nair.
EXCURSION OF THE SCOTTISH ALPINE BoTaNicaL CLUB. TO
KILLIN IN 1897. By William Craig, M.D., F.R.S.E. Zvans. Edin.
Bot. Soc., December 1897, xxi. pp. 104-109.—Many of the alpine
plants of the Breadalbane hills were gathered, but no novelties are
recorded.
ASTRAGALUS ALPINUS, ALBUS. By Robert Lindsay. TZyvazs.
Edin, Bot. Soc., December 1897, xxi. p. 117.—Records occurrence of
white flowers on plants brought in June 1896 from Ben Vrackie.
MEASUREMENT OF THE GIRTH OF CONIFEROUS TREES AT
BRAEMAR IN 1894. By R. Turnbull, B.Sc., and Percival C. Waite.
Trans. Edin. Bot. Soc, December 1897, xxi. pp. 87-94, with plate
of curves.—This paper gives measurements of radii, diameters, and
girths of trees blown down in November 1893.
THE DIAMETER-INCREMENT OF THE WooD oF CONIFEROUS.
TREES AT BRAEMAR IN RELATION TO CLIMATIC CONDITIONS.
By R. Turnbull, B.Sc. Zvans. Edin. Bot. Soc., December 1897, xxi.
Pp. 94-104, with plate.
APODYA LACTEA, CORNU (LEPTOMITUS LACTEUS, AGARDH.).
Described by R. Turnbull, B.Sc. Zvans. Edin. Bot. Soc., December
1897, xxl. pp. 109-113, with plate—From streams flowing into the
Spey. The relation of the fungus to organic impurities in water is
discussed.
REVIEWS.
THE CAMBRIDGE NaTurRAL History. Birps. By A. H.
Evans, M.A. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1899.)
Mr. Evans’s welcome volume forms the ninth of “‘ The Cambridge
Natural History,” and is the fourth issued of that admirable series.
The author has evidently realised the fact that other recently
published works—more especially Professor Newton’s masterly
126 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
“ Dictionary ”—have contributed largely to our knowledge of ornith-
ology generally, and this has led him to treat “ Birds” from the
standpoint of the Systematist, devoting only a few pages—perhaps
some may consider too few—to structure and general introductory
matter.
There can be no doubt that such a book was a desideratum.
Here we have, compressed into a single handy volume, a really honest
attempt to give, so far as is possible, an adequate account of each
family of birds, treating all alike. The scrupulous and painstaking
care bestowed upon this volume has resulted in its affording a
marvellous amount of information of a varied nature, and in the
highest standard of accuracy being maintained. Thus has the
attempt alluded to been converted into a success.
The secret of the excellence attained by Mr. Evans lies in the
fact that his book took years to prepare, and was not dashed off in
a few weeks, as, alas! too many books are nowadays.
We have only one regret to express in connection with the book,
namely, that our author has not thought well to recognise the very
generally accepted view that the Corvide are the most specialised
family of the Passeriformes, and should be placed at the head of that
order, and hence of the class Birds. ‘The Crows are here deposed
in favour of the Finches. The great objection to this departure
from the views of the majority is that it leads to a state of unrest,
which it is most desirable should be avoided; unless, indeed, there
are important and valid reasons for such departure, which, in this
case, have certainly not been demonstrated.*
The book abounds in excellent original illustrations from the
pencil of Mr. Lodge, and a few others which are old friends, while
a useful map forms a frontispiece.
We have no doubt that Mr. Evans’s book will meet with the high
appreciation it so thoroughly deserves.
Tue PEeNycuIK EXPERIMENTS. By J. C. Ewart, M.D., F.R.S.
(London: Adam and Charles Black, 1899.)
This attractively got-up volume is mainly a reissue in book
form of three papers already published in the “ Veterinarian” and the
“ Zoologist” ; but in addition we find an introduction of nearly a
hundred pages, in which the author sets forth, in a lucid and
interesting fashion, the general principles of breeding, and the
problems which constantly present themselves for both theoretical
and practical solution. After a short sketch of the characters of
interest possessed by the nine zebra hybrids bred by the Professor
(described more fully in a later portion of the book), a discussion
is entered upon as to the meaning of the various principles known
to the student of heredity as reversion, prepotency, telegony,
saturation, and other subjects. Here we find reference to numer-
ous experiments with pigeons, dogs, and rabbits, conducted by
REVIEWS 127
the author with a view to proving the fact of reversion, and also to
throw light upon the subjects of inbreeding and _prepotency.
Reversion is regarded more as a negative than a positive influence,
and “mainly due to the development being abruptly arrested so as
to reproduce a lost ancestor.” Instances of reversion in horses are
given, including remarks on the teeth, digits, and forearm. One
conclusion arrived at from the experiments with regard to pre-
potency in the male is that the possession of such a quality may not
necessarily make up for any deficiencies in the female.
In summing up the results of his “telegony” experiments,
the Professor states that the evidence in support of undoubted
“infection” having ever occurred is most unsatisfactory, and he
regards the “reversion” hypothesis as sufficient to account for all
the supposed cases of infection.
Part I. consists of two papers, the first on the Birth of a Hybrid
between a Burchell’s Zebra and a Mare, the second on Zebra-Horse
Hybrids; Part II. is a discussion on Telegony, with observations
on the striping of Zebras and Horses, followed by a section
on Reversion in the “guide. All the papers are beautifully
illustrated.
Science is much indebted to Prof. Ewart for the interesting,
elaborate, and costly experiments that he has so successfully con-
ducted at Penycuik. It is these original investigations, mainly,
that render the book under consideration so eminently worthy of
careful study by the practical breeder, the theoretical evolutionist,
and the naturalist alike.
CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS A “‘ CYBELE HIBERNICA” ; BEING OUT-
LINES OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS IN IRELAND.
Second Edition. Founded on the papers of the late Alexander
Goodman More, F.R.S.E., etc. By Nathaniel Colgan, M.R.I.A.,
and Reginald W. Scully, F.L.S. (Dublin: Edward Ponsonby, 1898.)
The flora of Ireland is of very considerable interest to the
botanists of Scotland alike in its likenesses and in its unlikenesses to
the flora of Scotland. The “Cybele Hibernica” issued in 1866 by
the well-known Irish botanists Moore and More has passed out of
date (in no small degree owing to the stimulus given by it to a
fuller knowledge and research), and a very great deal has been done
since its issue to extend what was known as to the geographical
distribution of Irish plants. Many systematic investigations have
been undertaken, largely under the auspices of the Royal Irish
Academy ; and reports on these, and papers in the Z77sh Naturalist
and elsewhere, added much to the records of earlier date. Mr. More
hoped to be himself able to prepare and issue a second edition of
the ‘‘Cybele”; but this his health did not permit him to accomplish.
He left, however, numerous notes prepared for this end, set apart
funds to pay the necessary expenses, and named Messrs. Colgan and
128 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Scully as the editors. These gentlemen have discharged as a duty
the trust committed to them, and to their labours we owe the hand-
some volume just issued. A comparison of the two editions shows
how much has been done during the past thirty-two years in filling
gaps in the earlier records; while the small number of actual
additions to the flora as a whole (18 species and subspecies, of
which one-third are more or less open to suspicion of having been
introduced recently by man) warrants the belief that few plants not
introduced by man remain to be discovered in Ireland. The total
number of plants accepted as Irish is actually less than in the first
edition, owing to the exclusion of several that had been included on
evidence since proved insufficient. The “ Editors” have not merely
edited the book. While endeavouring to give full effect to the views
of Mr. More, they have made several innovations, which are clearly
indicated in the preface. ‘The orders, genera, and species are
rearranged in accordance with the sequence in. the ninth edition
of the ‘“ London Catalogue,” though the names of species have not
been followed. Among the new features are ‘reference to the soil-
relations of plants where well marked ; vertical ranges of all species
not distinctly lowland ; and introduction of the more widely current
Irish plant names.” ‘The ‘‘Introduction” also has been recast and
expanded. It treats of the origin and relations of the varied consti-
tuents of the flora, and is worthy of careful perusal. An “ Alpha-
betical List of the principal Books, Papers, MSS., and Herbaria
relating to the Flora of Ireland,” coming down to 1897, forms a
valuable aid to students of topographical botany.
“Excluded species,” z.e., “errors, casuals, and aliens not fully
naturalised,” are grouped together in an appendix. There is room
for difference of opinion on the best mode of treating such plants ;
but, in view of the fact that the line of division is often very difficult
to draw (and, indeed, is often dependent on the personal view of
the recorder), while many of the weeds of cultivated ground, though
admitted without question into “floras,” are only introductions of
very early date, there are strong reasons in favour of the more
convenient method of including all in one series, with clear
indications of their actual rank in the flora, as native or otherwise.
The book can be warmly commended to all interested in
topographical botany, especially of the British Islands.
The Annals
of
Scottish Natural History
No. 31] 1899 [Juy
ON TWO RECENTLY DESCRIBED MICE
FROM ST. KIEDA:
By G. E. H. BarretTT-HamILTON, F.Z.S., etc.
AT a meeting of the Zoological Society of London, I recently
described as new two species of Mice from St. Kilda, and, at the
request of the Editors of this journal, I practically reproduce my
original contribution for the benefit of Scottish naturalists.
The existence of any wild species of Mouse on the isolated rock
of St. Kilda is an occurrence so apparently unlikely, that when in
1895 a specimen resembling the Long-tailed Field Mouse (JZus
sylvaticus) was found amongst some examples of the House Mouse
(Mus musculus) sent to the British Museum in spirit, it was received
with an amount of surprise certainly equal to the importance of the
discovery. The specimen, a young male, had been collected and
was presented to the Museum by Mr. J. Steele Elliott.1 It was a
very remarkable one, and bore unmistakable evidence of having
come from an out-of-the-way part of the world. Its characteristics
were, a larger foot and a smaller ear than the corresponding organs
of typical AZus sylvaticus ; while, what was no less noticeable, the
very characteristic snow-white belly of our common Field Mouse
was in this individual replaced by a uniform rufous colour shading
1 Mr. Steele Elliott appears to have been the first person to collect specimens
of the Mice of St. Kilda. Their occurrence on the island was, however, known
previously to the outer world, and Seton states that ‘‘a cat is to be seen in
almost every cottage, the mouse being the only wild animal on the island, and
rats are still unknown” (‘*St. Kilda, Past and Present,” 1878, p. 132).
31 B
130 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
imperceptibly through the flanks to the peppery reddish-brown of
the upper surface.
All these peculiarities seemed to clearly point to a new species
or subspecies of Mouse; but, the animal having been in spirit, its
colour was regarded as unsatisfactory, and the unusual proportions
of its ears and tail were ascribed to individual variation. And so
the specimen was put on one side in the hope that in due time
further examples might be procured.
Early in the spring of the present year I happened to come
across the specimen, and, being greatly struck by its remarkable
appearance, I at once endeavoured to procure some more of these
St. Kilda Mice, with the result that my friend Mr. Henry Evans,
during the course of a yachting cruise, put in at St. Kilda and landed
some traps for me. ‘Thanks to Mr. Evans, I have now before me,
in addition to Mr. Steele Elliott’s specimen, a fine adult pair, male
and female, as well as a young female, of the St. Kilda Mouse.
The dimensions, in millimetres, of these St. Kilda Mice are as
follows :—
Head Tail Hind war
and body. 2 foot. :
& (skin: J. Steele Elliott, 1894) : 8I 85 25 ~-
&6(;, H. Evans, 1898) ‘ : 107 gI 24.5 17
2 (spirit : e aes : : 110 94 24 15
ON sese INE ss sae is : : 82 ola) 24.5 15.5
They are thus remarkably large Mice for typical Jus sylvaticus,
and the adults equal in size the largest measurements of the form
known as Mus flavicollis, Melchior. The skull of the adult male is
as large an example as I have ever seen, reaching a total length of
29 mm.
The following list of total lengths of the skulls of various
sylvaticus-like forms will illustrate this point :—
mm
M. flavicollis' g j : ‘ 29 Suffolk.
5 3 : ; : : 28 Hereford.
Bs ee : E : ‘ 27 33
” 2 . : . . 28 a5
5 : ; ‘ ‘ 28
M. hebridensis, (type). : : 27
MM. sylvaticus (old) : : é ; 26
33 (in general) . 5 : 26 to 27.
In form and proportions these Mice resemble A/us hebridensis, the
form of sZyvaticus described by my friend Mr. W. E. de Winton from
the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides (“ Zoologist,” Oct. 1895, p. 369).
The adult female from St. Kilda (which is in spirit) may possibly
1 The majority of these specimens have been placed at my disposal by my
friend Mr, De Winton,
ON TWO RECENTLY DESCRIBED MICE FROM ST. KILDA 131
not be so stout in foot nor so small in ear as the Hebridean Mice,
but the two forms are very close to each other, and there can be no
doubt that the St. Kilda Mice belong to the Hebridean type, although
their rufous belly has carried them a little further along the same
line of development in which JA/us hebridensis deviates from
typical sy/vaticus. In this respect I find that the most rufous skin
of all is the first one collected by Mr. J. Steele Elliott. In it there
is no perceptible line of demarcation between the colours of the
upper and under surfaces, the transition from the one to the other
being, as stated above, quite a gradual one. As regards the
specimens obtained by Mr. Evans, the colour of the belly of the
adult female, which is in spirit, agrees with that of Mr. Steele
Elliott’s specimen ; but in the male, which has been made into a
skin, the belly is slightly lighter, the median broad buff belly-line of
Mus hebridensts is more evident, and there is a just perceptible line
of demarcation between the colours of the two surfaces. ‘The
colour of the upper surface of the body of all the specimens is also,
as in Mus hebridensts, more evenly distributed than in typical
sylvaticus, there being less tendency to the development of a dark
dorsal line.
It is exceedingly interesting to find this graduating series, and
to have the gap between AZus sylvaticus and the St. Kilda Mouse
partially bridged over by the occurrence of JJws hebridensis on the
intervening islands.
This slight variation of the St. Kilda specimens in regard to the
colour of the belly, the white colour of which is so extremely
constant in and characteristic of J/Zus sylvaticus, is worthy of note,
being exactly what we should expect to find in a comparatively new
species which has not yet finally settled down into its new groove
of development. We find thus that while in the colour of the belly
some of the St. Kilda Mice may vary in the direction of J/us
hebridensts, it is in this very respect that the latter form may vary
in the direction of Mus sylvaticus. Indeed, in this point JAZus
hebridensts is very variable, and I have examined some Isle of Lewis
specimens, especially those from the eastern coast, which come very
close to Mus sylvaticus in the colour of the under side.
In addition to the above Mice, Mr. Evans also procured for me
five specimens of the House Mouse of St. Kilda, of which the
Museum already possessed five specimens collected on previous
occasions, and preserved in spirit. These Mice are, if possible, of
even greater interest than the JZus sylvaticus-like species, since they
are characterised by the possession of a buff-coloured under side
clearly marked off from the colour of the upper side by a distinct
line of demarcation, and are thus very different from the ordinary
almost uniformly smoky-brown coloured House Mice with which
every one is familiar. The upper surface is also not of the typical
132 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
smoky musculus tint, but of a sepia-brown with a grizzled appearance
due to many of the hairs being tipped with rufous. The lower parts
of the hairs are exactly of the same shade as in Mus sylvaticus, for
a dark specimen of which, at a casual glance from above, the animal
might almost be mistaken. All these Mice—even the very young
one: in presenting similar characters, and altogether are
quite the most distinct local form of Mus musculus which I have
ever examined.
In form and proportions these Mice are well-developed large
House Mice, only differing in this respect from ordinary Mice in
being above the average size. The dimensions of the series which
I have been able to examine are as follows (in millimetres) :—
Head -, Hind
and Loa. aul foot. Har.
9 skin (suckli Coll. )
Gu siieen ye SB
OB (Spinit) ene SOMERO Las 12 1898.
e) 9 » 3? ° 78 79 15 12.5
je) es x % : 87 84 16.5 13
¢ (spirit), suckling. 33) 78) 1S 13) Buty Mus Colle presented
OF Es. be 85 85 17.5 13 J by Mr. J. Steele Elliott.
(Bat Mus. Coll., presented
3S (juv.) (spirit) . : fs 08 HO © by the Kelvingrove Mu-
{ seum,
© (spirit), very young CoS 2a LO 1898.
mote ate Eas 65 67 15 xo Brit. Mus, Coll.; presented
za 5B) OO) 16) 1025 f) Sby Mr. js Steele Elliotts
39 be) >
The arrangement of the mamme is as in JZws musculus, there
being ten pairs in all, of which three are pectoral and two inguinal.
The skulls and dentition of these Mice are in general appear-
ance and size very mzsculus-like in character, but the triangular
narrowing of the internal opening for the nostrils is even more
strongly marked than in ordinary specimens of JZus musculus.
_ All the St. Kilda skulls possess this peculiar narrowed palate, a
character which I can only find in one out of over fifty specimens
of AZus musculus-like Mice in the British Museum Collection, and
that one is a specimen of the subspecies A/Zus jalape (Allen and
Chapman) from Mexico. ‘The greatest lengths of four skulls from
st. Kilda are 22, 22:5, 22, and 923 millimetres:
It is obvious that, according to the custom of modern naturalists,
these two forms of Mice need new names.
I therefore proposed the following names, leaving the question
as to the exact status of the two new forms to be decided when we
are in possession of a fuller knowledge of the other species or
subspecies of Mice of the respective groups. As to the desirability
of bestowing names on the two Mice from St. Kilda, I can have no
doubt whatever, but as to whether they are fit subjects for a
$
¢
‘
ON TWO RECENTLY DESCRIBED MICE FROM ST. KILDA 133
binomial or for a trinomial treatment I am less certain, until I have
had time to study the mzsculus- or sylvaticus-like Mice of the whole
Palzarctic Region. For many reasons it would seem convenient to
apply the trinomial system to all forms which can be clearly shown
to be local developments of any other form. By such a method a
clue is given to the relationships of the various local forms—a
matter of no small importance to the student of a large and difficult
genus like that of JZzs. On the other hand, we have, in the present
instance, two forms which, although obviously coming within the
above definition, are perfectly isolated and do not intergrade with
the parent form. Regarded from this point of view, they have as
much claim to be accorded full specific rank as any other island
species, and the latter is, perhaps, the most satisfactory method
whereby to deal with them.
The following are the names which I propose :—
Mus HIRTENSIS, Larrett-Hamilton.
Closely allied to Mus hebridensis, from which, however, it differs
in its slightly larger size, as stated above, and also in the greater
amount of buff or yellowish-brown coloration on the under side.
Like AZus hebridensts, it differs from typical sy/vatecus in the more
uniform coloration of the upper surface of the body, in the absence
of the clearly defined white under side, and in the longer feet and
smaller ears. The skull is similar to that of M/us hebridensis, but
appears to be larger, equalling in size that of the largest specimen of
Mus flavicoltis.
Mus MmuRALIS, Larrett-Hamilton.
In shape and proportions allied to J/ws musculus, but more
robust and larger in size. In general colour of the upper surface
resembles a dark specimen of Mus sylvaticus typicus, the base of
the hairs being of the same colour as in that species, but having
the extremities of the majority of a sepia-brown colour; mixed
among these are a certain proportion of rufous-tipped hairs, which
give the animal a grizzled appearance. ‘The colour of the under
surface is very remarkable, being buff, clearly separated by a well-
marked line of demarcation from the colour of the upper surface of
the body. The skull, as compared with that of typical JZus
musculus, is remarkable for the greatly exaggerated narrowness of the
posterior opening of the nostrils.
The interest possessed by these two Mice, which undoubtedly
represent local developments of AZus sylvaticus and Mus musculus,
will be better appreciated if I briefly discuss the variations to which
Mus musculus and sylvaticus are subject in other localities.
I assume, however, from the outset that in neither case am I
dealing with an animal which may have been recently introduced
134 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
to the island. The great amount of variation from the type of a
species which varies so little as AZus sy/vaticus, as shown in the one
case, and the evolution of a perfectly uniform and distinct type of
coloration in one so variable as J/us muscudus in the other, are both
characters which would seem to have taken no inconsiderable time
for their development. So that even if, as is possible, the presence
of a Mus musculus-like species of Mouse on St. Kilda be due in the
beginning to a case of introduction, such an introduction could not
have taken place at a very recent period in the history of the
island, which is known to have been inhabited for at least several
centuries.
The distribution of Aus sylvaticus is almost coterminous with
the limits of the Palearctic Region, the species only just reaching
the confines of the Oriental Region “in Gilgit, where it is common
from 5000 to 10,000 feet elevation” (Blanford’s ‘‘ Mammals of
India,” p. 416). In the former region it is probably as widely
spread as any other mammal, as it seems to be almost regardless of
the influence of temperature, and is found far up the slopes of the
mountains. It is equally at home in all the countries, except
probably the great sandy deserts, from the Eastern coast-line of
China to the Atlantic. It has reached Morocco, Algeria, and
Palestine, and has found its way to most of the islands, such as those
of the Mediterranean, the Channel Islands, Great Britain, Ireland, the
Scotch Islands, the Shetlands,! and even Iceland, where the local
form (AZus islandicus, Thien.) is said to be the only indigenous species
of mammal.
Its presence in such isolated, yet widely separated islands, as
Iceland and Corsica, seem to mark it as a species which has for
long maintained a wide area of distribution, and which had already
occupied the greater part of its present range before these and the
other islands, where it is now found, were finally separated from the
Continent as such, but still formed a part of the continuous Palzearctic
land area. And of its antiquity we have sufficient proof, for its bones
have been found in numerous caves on the Continent and in the
English Forest-bed ; and we have no trace of its ancestry, the Pleis-
tocene species Jus orthodon, Hensel, and adbdotti, E. T. Newton, being
at least as specialised as itself.
Not only is AZus sylvaticus of exceedingly wide distribution, but
throughout the immense area where it is found it remains remarkably
constant to a single well-marked type. Throughout the Palzearctic
Region it is distinguishable at a glance from every other Mouse with
which it might possibly be confounded by the pattern of its teeth, its
1 A set of four from Dunrossness, for which I am indebted to Mr. Henderson,
has recently reached me; I am unable to separate them from J/us sylvaticus
of Western Europe and Great Britain, and the same remark applies to some
specimens collected for me by Mr. W. Eagle Clarke on Alderney.
ON TWO RECENTLY DESCRIBED MICE FROM ST. KILDA 135
long foot, large ears, and pure white belly, separated from the rufous
colour of the upper side by a strong and clearly marked line of
demarcation. It is true that these peculiarities show a slight
tendency to local variation, so that two or three local forms of
Mus sylvaticus may be recognised ; but the variation is so slight that
it takes a specialist to distinguish JZws chevrieri, M.-Edw., of Tibet
and China from J/us artanus, Blanf., of Persia and Afghanistan, or
Mus sylvaticus, Linn., of Europe.
Within the confines of Europe the animal seems to hold quite
firmly to one particular type, so that I am unable to distinguish
specimens from Corsica from those of Ireland or France.
Mus sylvaticus is then obviously a species which, in its long-
standing and successful struggle for existence, has attained to a
height of specialisation from which it has either very little power of
variation, or else which is such as to fulfil all the needs of the species
in almost any conditions with which it may be brought into contact.
It is a species which further and even minute study may find un-
profitable, or even impossible, to split into local subspecies. Not
that I wish to imply that local variations are absent or even rare in
Mus sylvaticus. They are by no means so, but their presence is
infinitely less abundant or conspicuous than is the case with other
and perhaps equally widely spread mammals.
It is then extremely interesting to find that the representatives
of Aus sylvaticus in the Hebrides and St. Kilda show as much
divergence from the type as examples from any other locality with
which we are acquainted, and it is an evident sign of the antiquity
of the animal at St. Kilda, and a seemingly irrefutable argument
against any theory of its introduction into the island—apart from
the fact that its presence in the Channel Islands, in Iceland, Norway
and Sweden, the Shetlands, Ireland, and the Inner and Outer
Hebrides marks it out as the species par excellence of all others in
the Palearctic Region which we should most expect to find in an
out-of-the-way island. And, to judge by its large size and robust
form, it has had no difficulty in maintaining its existence at St. Kilda.
I think, then, that we have a good deal of evidence to support
us in supposing that AZus hirtensis is indigenous to St. Kilda; and,
indeed the very position of this rock, facing as it does the Western
Hebrides and with a channel of no very great depth between it and
them, throws no difficulty in the way of the hypothesis that the
continuous land-area which enabled JZus sylvaticus to reach the
Shetlands, Scotland, the Hebrides, and Ireland, should have included
also St. Kilda in its surface—an event which might be brought about
by an elevation of about 60 fathoms only.
That such a land connection must have been of geologically
quite recent existence is a matter of no difficulty for a zoologist,
since the whole of the Mammalian fauna in Ireland and Britain is so
136 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
similar to that of the Continent, that it is inconceivable (unless a//
the species are introductions) that it can have existed in our islands
for any, geologically speaking, long period of time. Even the most
plastic of British Mammals, such as the Squirrel, have only advanced
a comparatively short distance on the road of differentiation ; and
as regards Birds there is a precisely similar story to be told, there
being only one really well-differentiated peculiar British species, the
Red Grouse (Lagopus scoticus). In fact, one of the strongest
arguments against my friend! Dr. R. F. Scharff’s brilliant theories as
to the age of the Irish fauna is, that were it so old as he would make
it, we should expect to find not only peculiar species but even
peculiar genera among the mammals of Ireland, whereas a most
careful study has hitherto only sufficed to distinguish one certainly
peculiar species, the Irish Stoat (Putorius hibernicus), and that bears
in itself very clear evidence of its recent origin. Another species or
subspecies, the Irish Hare (Lepus hibernicus), seems also to be
distinguishable, but it is not nearly so distinct as the Stoat. Among
Birds, Reptiles, and Amphibians naturalists have hitherto failed to
find any peculiar local forms, although it is evident that the Grouse
of Western Great Britain and of Ireland is following on the same
route as the Irish Stoat and Hare.
Can there, then, be any great difficulty in supposing that AZus
hirtensts is indigenous to St. Kilda, and that it reached the island at
a (geologically speaking) comparatively recent period, when there
was in existence a land-surface connecting the Shetlands, Orkneys,
Scotland, the Hebrides, St. Kilda, and Ireland; and that that
connection must have been so (geologically speaking) recent that
few of our native mammals have had time to develop into species or
even subspecies distinct from those of the continent of Europe?
That the Mouse of St. Kilda should be the one in which variation
has proceeded further than in other localities is quite in accordance
with the isolated situation of and confined space on the rock, together
with its full exposure to the Atlantic winds.
To assert that the Mouse of Iceland has reached that island
along a formerly continuous land-area would be a very different
matter, since not only is there a deep channel between the Faroes
and Iceland, and even between the former islands and the Shetlands,
but, if we consider that AZws zs/andicus is native to Iceland, then we
should expect to find a similar or representative species in the
Faroes, and of that we have as yet no record.
Yet that there has ever been such a land connection will not, I
suppose, be contended by anybody, so that the question in reality
resolves itself into one dealing with the time at which such a con-
nection existed, and whether it has been sufficently recent to allow
of a passage along it of such a presumably recent mammal as a
ISee “°Proc. R. I. Acad.” July 1807,9p. 427,
ON TWO RECENTLY DESCRIBED MICE FROM ST. KILDA 137
Mouse. Although we cannot expect to decide such questions from
a mammalian point of view alone, it is profitable to remember that
such “an old land extension connecting Greenland, Spitzbergen, and
Scandinavia with Scotland and Ireland ” is relied upon by the editors
of the recently published second edition of the ‘‘ Cybele Hibernica ”
(Introduction, pp. li., lii.) as the only reasonable explanation of the
presence in Ireland, and undoubtedly native there, of three plants of
North American habitat, two of which are unknown in continental
Europe ; nor would there seem to be any better explanation forth-
coming to account for our share in Ireland of Invertebrates ! indis-
tinguishable from certain North American forms.
Similarly Mr. A. H. Keane,? although writing on a widely
different subject, regards the “submarine bank, which stretches
from Scotland through the Faroes and Iceland to Greenland,” as
representing a ‘‘ vanished continent of great age, which would appear
to have still formed dry land in late Tertiary times.”
But the present paper deals not with the question of a submerged
Euro-American continent, but with the Mice of St. Kilda, and I
must content myself with pointing out in conclusion that the recent
expedition of exploration to Rockall,? the most westerly rock-islet
off the European continent, found that when trawling at a distance
of about 15 miles south of that rock, ‘‘the water shoaled to 80
fathoms, and there was brought up in the net a most unexpected
assortment of shallow-water shells, evidently long since dead.
Amongst these were several kinds of Pecten, Venus casina, V. fasci-
ata, Mytilus modiolus, etc.” In the words of the Rev. W. S. Green :
‘““How, under present conditions, such shells could be found living
anywhere on the bank was difficult to understand. It would seem
to afford the strongest confirmation to the theory that the time is
not so very long distant when there was more land, with a shallow
coast-line, and possibly extensive sandbanks, where now the pinnacle
of Rockall is the only speck acting as a memorial stone to what
tradition has called the ‘Sunken Land of Buss.’ After the shallow
sandbanks had vanished, these molluscs may have accommodated
themselves to a deeper sea than is usual for such organisms to live
in, and it may be that it is only now that the conditions are becoming
too severe for their further existence. There is, of course, the
possibility that these shells may have come from the bottom of
icebergs which had grounded in Greenland or Spitzbergen bays, but
I doubt if in times sufficiently recent such bergs have visited the
position occupied by Rockall, and therefore the former theory seems
the more probable.
“The possibility of the shells having been brought as bait for
1 See ‘Irish Naturalist,” vol. iv. pp. 25, 122; vol, vi. pp. 225, 257.
2 « Ethnology,” 1896, p. 231.
3 See ** Trans. R. I. Acad.,” vol. xxxi. pt. 3, pp. 45-46 (1897).
138 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
the lines of the fishing-boats visiting the bank is, I think, disposed
of by the mixed character of the deposit, some of the shells being
unsuitable for such a purpose. It would be interesting to trace out
the area occupied by these dead shells, and, possibly, to search in a
similar manner for the lost land of Hy. Brassil on the Porcupine
Bank, but the time at our disposal only gave us the chance for one
dip into this deposit.”
Turning to AZus musculus, we have to deal with a very different
species, and I do not in this case attempt to prove that this animal
has reached St. Kilda without the help of man. ‘That it must have
existed there for a considerable time, perhaps for hundreds of years,
is, however, as I hope to show, very probable. Well known and
widely spread in almost all regions where the habitations of man
afford it a refuge, it is impossible to state what is the native home
of the species. Not only is the domestic form of J/us musculus
widely spread and readily susceptible of introduction into the houses
of its unwilling protector, man, but its variability is as remarkable
as is the constancy to type of AZus sylvaticus. Still it has never, I
believe, been asserted that the species is anything but an introduction
into Western Europe, including the British Islands.
Light or yellowish varieties of AZus musculus have from time to
time received names such as JZ. hortulanus, Nordmann, JZ. nord-
mannt, Keys. and Blasius, AZ. flavescens, Fisher, and JZ. flaviventris,
Lataste ; the last two preoccupied by names applied to other species
of the genus. In addition, however, to these almost domestic
members of the JAZws musculus group of Mice, we have in many parts
of the world wild forms of Mice which, though differing to a more
or less extent in their size, length of tail, and colour, cannot be
distinguished from JZus musculus in their skull and teeth. Such
Mice are WZ. éactrianus, Blyth, and AZ. gentilis, Brants, which are
widely distributed in the deserts respectively of Asia and N. Africa,
and JZ, wagnert, Eversm. (= JZ. pachycercus, Blanford), of Central
Asia; the latter a true House Mouse, often found inhabiting houses,
and differing in no cranial characters from JZus musculus proper.
Lastly, we have a set of Mice, also of varied colours, size of body,
and proportion of tail, but mostly characterised by the possession of
a white belly, which are found in many of the regions where typical
Mus musculus occurs. Such are AZ. spretus, Lataste, of the Barbary
States, and JZ. spicilegus, Petenyi, of Hungary, France, Portugal, and
Western Europe. ‘These Mice may occur in close propinquity to
the typical JZus musculus, as was found by Mr. Oldfield Thomas in
Portugal and by myself in Morocco.
Among all these perplexing forms it is indeed difficult to assign
a proper place to JZ. murads, and more so to hazard even a guess
as to the possible origin of the domestic races of M/us musculus.
We know, however, that almost everywhere where there are deserts
ON TWO RECENTLY DESCRIBED MICE FROM ST. KILDA 139
there a dactrianus-like Mouse is found, so that JZ. dactrianus is
perhaps as widely distributed in deserts as is Aus musculus typicus
in houses. It seems to me, therefore, probable that both JZws
bactrianus and Mus musculus are developments of some original
parent form to suit particular conditions, and we may perhaps look
for the latter to some Central Asian species like JZ. waguert.
Some of the white-bellied forms which are found in a wild state
in Western Europe, and in other countries where J/us musculus
typicus occurs in houses, may be cases of reversion from the latter,
which is no doubt almost certainly the origin of such races as are
found on islands, such as the Salvage Islands, where AZus musculus
must have been accidentally introduced. But it by no means
follows that this is the case with Jus spicilegus, the size and pro-
portions of which are so much finer than in true JZus musculus and
the tail shorter. AZus sficilegus, indeed, might even be regarded as
a wild parent form of Jus musculus, and it is not with it, but the
forms which are certainly reversions from true Jus musculus, that
we must associate A/us mural?s of St. Kilda; and it is interesting to
note that the similarly derived Mice of the Salvage Islands resemble
those of St. Kilda very closely in their robust form.
That a wild race of A/us musculus can be rapidly evolved from
Common House Mice when living in a wild state has been recently
shown by my friend! Mr. H. Lyster Jameson. ‘This gentleman has
clearly made out his case for the formation of an incipient species
of Mouse on the North Bull, Dublin Bay, Ireland, a tract of sand-
hills about three miles in length and almost completely isolated from
the mainland.
This sandbank is known not to have been in existence longer
than about roo years, so that the coloration described by Mr.
Jameson must have been evolved in at most a period of that length.
Mr. Jameson lays great stress on the value of the change to
these Mice as a protective feature, and so he has not, I think,
given sufficient emphasis to the fact that we have here a clear
instance of the rapid development of an incipient subspecies of
Mouse with an exact period laid down in which the change occurred ;
and we may fairly, I think, use Mr. Jameson’s results in dealing with
other species or subspecies of Mice.
If we are to judge from the analogy of Mr. Jameson’s Mice, we
must conclude that the Mice of St. Kilda have been in that island
for a considerable time. Not only are they more distinct in colour
than any other local form of MZus musculus with which I am acquainted
(and I have been through the whole of the specimens in the British
Museum Collection), but their line of development seems to have
become fixed, and is, as in the case of Mr. Jameson’s Mice, no
1 «Journ, Linn. Soc. Zool.,’’ vol. xxvi., ‘On a Probable Case of Protective
Coloration in the House Mouse (Jus musculus, Linn.),’ pp. 465-473.
140 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
longer in a state of uncertain evolution. On the North Bull sand-
hills, indeed, Mr. Jameson found not only Mice which had _pro-
gressed for a considerable distance along the path of their new
development, but also Mice which showed every kind of gradation
from those which had white bellies to those which exhibited the
characters of perfectly typical AZus musculus.
I think, then, that we may safely conclude that AZus musculus is
of at least several hundred years’ standing at St. Kilda.
There is one extremely interesting point which should not be
forgotten in connection with these two St. Kilda Mice, namely the
fact that we have here a clear opportunity of studying the effect on
two distinct species of the same genus of isolation side by side on the
same island. Here we have, on a circumscribed space, two species in
the course of evolution, the progress of which may be easily studied
from time to time. The species having now been described,
we can in twenty or thirty years’ time, by comparing specimens
taken then and now, estimate the amount of change which they will
in that time have undergone. It is interesting to note, however,
that so far the effect of isolation on the island is not similar in the
case of the two species, since apparently the Mouse which must be
supposed to have been the longer time at St. Kilda is the very one
which has varied in a lesser degree than that one which we must
regard as an introduction. For Jus hirtensis, which appears to
have been on St. Kilda since that island was in connection with the
mainland, is certainly not much more different from JZus sy/vaticus
than is AZus muralis from AZus musculus, yet Mus muralis can only
be an introduced species of at most a few hundred years’ standing.
Nothing can give stronger emphasis to the fact that different species
possess different powers of variability and follow a different course of
evolution, so that it seems that we cannot predict what will happen
under certain circumstances to one species from our experience of
what has happened to another. Every species, it would appear, has
its own rules for evolution and development, which must be applied
to it and to it alone.
REPORT ON THE MOVEMENTS AND (OCCUR
RENCE, ;OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING
1898.
By T. G. Larpiaw,
Member of the British Ornithologists’ Union.
THE Schedules returned for 1898 number fifty-three, an
increase of seven over those received for the preceding year.
The Lighthouses and Coast Stations furnish twenty-three
MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1808 141
schedules; the remaining thirty coming from inland ob-
servers.
It is a matter for satisfaction that the number of
observers who send in records continues to increase; but
there are still many districts inadequately represented.
The important faunal areas of Moray, West Ross, and
Solway may be specially mentioned in this respect.
Any one desirous to assist by transmitting their obser-
vations may obtain schedules from Mr. Eagle Clarke,
Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh.
We have to record our hearty thanks to all those who
have assisted in these inquiries by forwarding schedules or
notes.
The following list gives the names of the observers from
whom reports have been received. The localities are
arranged under the different faunal areas, proceeding from
north to south, along the East and West Coasts.
SHETLAND.
Locality. Name of Observer.
North Unst L.H. The Lightkeepers.
Foula Francis Traill.
Dunrossness Thomas Henderson, jun.
Various Localities Robert Godfrey, M.A.
ORKNEY.
North Ronaldshay L.H. John A. Mackay, Lightkeeper.
Pentland Skerries L.H. Robert A. M‘Harrie, Lightkeeper.
SUTHERLAND AND CAITHNESS.
Cape Wrath L.H. Neil M‘Donald and William Crowe,
Lightkeepers.
Thurso Lewis Dunbar.
Various Localities Robert Godfrey, M.A.
Moray.
Forres William Brown.
DEE.
Rattray Head L.H. Robert Clyne, Lightkeeper.
Peterhead Rev. William Serle, M.A.
Aberdeen L. G. Esson.
142 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Locality.
Auchinblae, Fordoun
Blair Atholl
Ballinluig
Tayfield
Isle of May L.H.
Row, Doune
Lothians and Aberfoyle
Edinburgh District
Dalmeny Park
Various Localities
Broughton
Halmyre
Chirnside
Island Ghlais L.H.
North Bay, Barra
BAY:
Name of Observer.
John Milne.
William Evans.
Bruce Campbell.
William Berry, B.A., LL.B.
FORTH.
T. E. Arthur, Lightkeeper.
Lt.-Col. Duthie.
William Evans.
Bruce Campbell.
Charles Campbell,
Robert Godfrey, M.A.
TWEED.
A. C. Gairns.
D. G. Laidlaw.
Charles Stuart, M.D.
OUTER HEBRIDES.
James M‘Guffie, Lightkeeper.
John MacRurie, M.B.
ARGYLL AND INNER HEBRIDES.
Skerryvore L.H.
Dhuheartach L.H.
Skervuile L.H.
Scarnish, Tiree
Ben Nevis
Lamlash L.H.
Turnberry Point L.H.
Carmichael, Thankerton
Various Localities
Mull of Kintyre L.H.
J. Nicol and William Ross, Light-
keepers.
William Begg, Lightkeeper.
Robert M‘Intosh, Lightkeeper.
Peter Anderson.
The Observatory Staff.
CLYDE,
James Edgar, Lightkeeper.
Thomas J. Wallace, Lightkeeper.
Rev. J: DW.) Gibson:
John Paterson, John Robertson, H. B.
Watt, and Robert Wilson.
SoLway.
William Quine, Lightkeeper.
MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1898 143
GENERAL REMARKS,
The series of mild winters was not broken by that of
1897-98, and the spring was also of the same character as
the preceding year ; namely, wet and cold for the most part,
and therefore retarding migration. To some extent the
summer visitants were late in arriving, and conspicuously
fewer in number than usual in most districts.
The pronounced spring movements were few in number.
At North Ronaldshay, on April 21st, Wheatears and other
small birds were in swarms all night; and at Dunrossness
there was a remarkable rush, culminating on April 30th,
details of which are given in “ Annals,” 1898, pp. 178-179.
At Tiree, on April 19th and 26th, White Wagtails in
numbers were passing north, and on April 29th and May
6th the usual passage of Whimbrels was observed. At
Skerryvore, on April 22nd, a rush of Pipits, Whinchats,
Wheatears, and Warblers took place.
The principal autumn migratory movements on the
East Coast occurred on Oct. 8th, 20th, and 21st, when
Song Thrushes, Redwings, Fieldfares, Starlings, etc., were in
swarms at Dunrossness, N. Ronaldshay, and Rattray Head.
On the West Coast, from Sept. 7th to gth, rushes of
Wheatears, Wagtails, Pipits, and other small birds are
recorded from Dhuheartach, Skerryvore, and Lamlash. Other
rushes are noted from these stations, and from Skervuile and
Mull of Kintyre, on Oct. oth to 22nd, Nov. 8th and
oth, and 19th and 2oth, the birds mainly being Thrushes,
Blackbirds, Redwings, Fieldfares, Goldcrests, and Woodcocks.
The appearance of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, in
unusual numbers, in many widely separated districts, and
the flocks of Jays that in the autumn invaded the south-
western counties, may be alluded to as special features of
the fall movements.
The interesting occurrence of Macqueen’s Bustard at
Pitfour, Aberdeen, on Oct. 22nd, the first Scottish
example, is the chief ornithological rarity of the year.
Among other casual visitants to Scotland may be mentioned
the Black-bellied Dipper, at Dunrossness, on Nov. 27th;
Golden Oriole, Arbroath, June 8th; Red-backed Shrike,
144 ANNALS -.OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
from Dee, Tay, and Forth; Waxwing, from Moray and
Clyde ; Ortolan Bunting, Dunrossness, April 30th ; Hoopoe,
Isle of May, April 30th, and Dunbar, Oct. 17th; European
Hawk Owl, Aberdeen, Nov. 21st; Marsh Harrier, Kirk-
michael, Solway, in May; Garganey, Pitfour, Oct. 22nd;
Spotted Crake, Dunbar, Oct. 18th; and Baillon’s Crake,
Caithness, Sept. 13th.
The following species, obtained in Scotland in 1897, were
not included in the Report for that year :—Rose-coloured
Pastor, Inverbroom, West Ross, Aug. 16th; Lesser Kestrel,
Bognalie, Aberdeen, Oct. 25th; and Great Shearwater, St.
Kilda, Aug. 7th.
The nesting of the Pintail at Loch Leven, as described
by Mr. William Evans in “ Annals” (1898, pp. 162-164),
and the extension of the breeding range of the Fulmar in
Shetland, as reported by Mr. Robert Godfrey, are points
worthy of note.
TurRbus musicus (Song Thrush).
Orkney—North Ronaldshay, Oct. 21, all night, swarms, 110
killed at lantern; Pentland Skerries, Oct. 21, with Fieldfares and
Starlings. Swtherland—Cape Wrath, March 7, several with Black-
birds. Dee—Rattray Head, Oct. 20, at lantern, with Starlings and
Redwings ; Peterhead, Oct. 29, strong rush. /orth—lIsle of May,
Oct. 7, flocks at lantern. Argyll and Lsles—Skerryvore, Oct. 19, a
rush of Turdidze, Larks, etc., many killed; Nov. 8-9, rush; Nov. ro,
great rush with Larks, Goldcrests, etc. Dhuheartach, Oct. 19-20,
great rush of birds; Nov. 17, midnight, at lantern; Nov. 19-20, rush
of Turdidz, etc. Skervuile, Oct. 19-20, a great many with Starlings
and Blackbirds. ‘Tiree, March 14, left; Oct. 15, arrived. Clyde—
Lamlash, Oct. 25-26, a rush. So/way—Mull of Kintyre, Nov. 9, very
numerous at light.
Principal movements, Oct. 20-21, E.; Oct. 17-20, Nov. 19-20,
West Coast.
TuRDUSs ILiacus (Redwing).
Shetland—Dunrossness, April 30, many ; Oct. 8, very numerous ;
Oct. 20, numerous with Blackbirds. Dee—Rattray Head, Oct. 20,
many killed. For¢h—Boghall, Oct. 6, a few; Isle of May, Oct. 29,
several at lantern. Zaeed—Channelkirk, Oct. 1, seven; Chirnside,
Oct. 24, with Fieldfares. Outer Hebrides—Barra, Oct. 19. Argyll
and Isles—Skerryvore, April 22, with other birds ; Oct. 13-14, many
striking ; Oct. 22, striking hard all night; Nov. 8-9, with Fieldfares,
etc.; Nov. 19, great rush of birds. Dhuheartach, Oct. 19-20, rush,
MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1808 145
numbers all night; Nov. 20, in flocks round lantern. Skervuile,
Nov. 8, 1 A.M., with Starlings. Tiree, March ro, several; Nov. 4.
Clyde—Mearns, Oct. 9, 15-20. Carmichael, Oct. 21, many.
Earliest observed, Oct. 1, Channelkirk. Principal movements,
Oct. 19-20, Nov. 19-20.
TURDUs PILARIS (Fieldfare).
Shetland—Dunrossness, April 30, many; Oct. 21, large flock.
Orkney—Pentland Skerries, Oct. 21, rush; Oct. 31, killed at light ;
Nov. 2, flock. Dee—Peterhead, April 24; Oct. 29, rush with
Thrushes, etc. Zay—Fordoun, Nov. 13, very large flock. Forth—
Midcalder, May 24, small flock; Heriot, Oct. 14; Isle of May,
Oct. 29, large flock. Zweed—Halmyre, May 12, large flock passing
N.W.; Chirnside, Oct. 24, many. Outer Hebrides—Barra, Nov. 9.
Argyll and Isles—Skerryvore, Oct. 22, striking all night ; Nov. 8-9,
rush with other birds; Noy. 19, great rush of birds. Dhuheartach,
Oct. 19-20, flying round all night ; Nov. 9, at light with other birds.
Clyde — Gartcosh, April 30, one; Carmichael, Oct. 12, flock;
Lamlash, Oct. 25-26, a rush.
Earliest observed, Oct. 12, Carmichael. Principal movements,
Oct. 20-22, Nov. 9-19.
TURDUS MERULA (Blackbird).
Shetland—Dunrossness, Oct. 20, numerous. Swtherland—Cape
Wrath, March 7 ; Dec. 3, 8, several with Thrushes. ee—Peterhead,
Oct. 29, strong rush. /orth—Isle of May, Nov. 16, few at lantern.
Argyll and Isles—Skerryvore, Oct. 7-8, caught at light; Oct. 19, in
rush of Turdidz, many killed; Nov. 8, 19, in rush of birds. Dhu-
heartach, Oct. 19-20, many all night; Nov. 9, many round light ;
Nov. 20, at lantern. Skervuile, Oct. 19-20, many killed. Tiree,
March 21, have left. | CZyde—lamlash, Oct. 2, 5, at light with
Thrushes, etc. ; Oct. 25-26,a rush. So/zwway—Mull of Kintyre, Nov.
9, in rush with Thrushes, etc.
TURDUS TORQUATUS (Ring Ousel).
Shetland—Dunrossness, April 30, many in rush of birds. Forth
—Aberfoyle, April 16. Zweed—Halmyre, April 28,a ¢. Argyll
and Isles—Skerryvore, Sept. 15, killed at light, numbers flying about.
Clyde—Lamlash, April 7. So/way—Mull of Kintyre, March 3, one
seen; April 1, one.
Earliest observed, March 3, Mull of Kintyre.
PRATINCOLA RUBETRA (Whinchat).
Shetland—Dunrossness, April 30, adult 3, ‘‘new to Shetland ”
(“ Annals,” 1898, p. 178). Zay—Ballinluig, May 2. /orth—Braid
Hills, May 4. Zzeed—Broughton, April 11; Chirnside, Aug. 12.
2 Cc
146 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Outer Hebrides—Barra, May 1. Argyll and Isles—Skerryvore, April
22, a rush with Wheatears, etc. Dhuheartach, Aug 17-18, at lantern
with other birds; Sept. 8-9, many passing. CZyde—Lamlash, April 19.
Earliest, April 11, Broughton.
SAXICOLA CENANTHE (Wheatear).
Orkney—North Ronaldshay, April 17, a few; April 21, swarms all
night. Pentland Skerries, May 8; Sept. 13, three. ee—Peterhead,
Sept. 5-12, migrating; Sept. 27, last seen. /or/i—Harlaw Mur,
April 13. Isle of May, April 26, first arrival; Oct. 10. Tweed
Broughton, April 11; Halmyre, April 14, three seen ; Chirnside, Sept.
30, last seen. Argyll and Lsles—Skerryvore, Feb. 5, one flying about
rock; April 18, three; April 22, a rush with other birds; Sept.
8-12, many striking light; Sept. 15-18, at lantern till daylight.
Dhuheartach, Aug. 17-18, great numbers round light, mostly young ;
Sept. 8-9, many with other birds ; Oct. 19-20, great rush with other
birds, many killed. Skervuile, Aug, 18, many, several killed. Tiree,
April 11,.arrived. C/yde—Lendalfoot, March 19. Lamlash, April
5, a pair; May 3, arush with Wagtails and Willow Wrens; Sept.
7-8, a rush with other birds. Turnberry, April 18, two at lantern.
Balgray Dam, Oct. 1. So/zvay—Mull of Kintyre, April 11, one.
Earliest, Feb. 5, Skerryvore; latest, Oct. 19, Dhuheartach.
Principal movements, April 21, Aug. 17-18, Sept. 8-12.
RUTICILLA PHGNICURUS (Redstart).
! Shetland—Dunrossness, April 30, many with other birds.
Orkney—North Ronaldshay, May 1, a few. ce—Rattray Head,
May 22,a ¢. Zay—Fordoun, Sept. 15, left; Ballinluig, May 1.
Forth—Aberfoyle, April 17. Zzeed—Chirnside, Aug. 4; Broughton,
April 21. Clyde—Turnberry, April 18, one at lantern ; Thornlie-
bank, April 22.
Earliest, Aberfoyle, April 17 ; latest, Fordoun, Sept. 15.
ERITHACUS RUBECULA (Robin).
Shetland —Dunrossness, April, end of, astonishing numbers.
(“Annals,” 1898, pp. 178-179). Orkney—North Ronaldshay, May 6,
one at lantern. Suther/and—Cape Wrath, March 7, several. Dee
—Peterhead, Sept. 5, a few arriving; Sept. 11, numerous. <Azgyl/
and Isles—Tiree, Oct. 3.
SYLVIA CINEREA (Whitethroat).
Dee—Rattray Head, May 22, great numbers; Peterhead, May
14, first. Zay—Lindores, May 5. /orth—Braid Hills, May 4,
several. Zzweed—Halmyre, May 4, several; Chirnside, May 4-
MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1898 147
Sept. 12. Outer Hebrides—Barra, May 20, two. Argyll and Isles
—Dhuheartach, Sept. 9, killed at lantern. CZyde—Crookston and
Thornliebank, May 1; Dalbeth, Aug. 31.
Earliest, Crookston, May 1 ; latest, Chirnside, Sept. 12.
SYLVIA CURRUCA (Lesser Whitethroat).
Outer Hebrides—Barra, Oct. 24, not hitherto been obtained in
the Outer Hebrides (“ Annals,” 1899, p. 109).
SYLVIA ATRICAPILLA (Blackcap).
Tweed—Chirnside, May to, Sept. 5. Clyde
Carluke, May 2.
SYLVIA HORTENSIS (Garden Warbler).
forth—Duchray, May 9; Arniston, May 12. Zzeed—Chirnside,
Sept. 10. Outer Hebrides—Barra, Oct. 24 (“ Annals,” 1899, p.
109). Clyde—Carluke, May 5; Beith, May 6.
REGULUS CRISTATUS (Gold-crested Wren).
Shetland—Dunrossness, April 15, one; April 30, many; Oct.
11, one. Orvkney—Pentland Skerries, Sept. 30, one; Oct. 8-10,
passing. North Ronaldshay, Oct. 31, four at lantern. Dee—Peter-
head, Oct. 13, on migration. /or¢i—Isle of May, Oct. 13, two
dozen. Outer Hebrides—Barra, April 9, pair seen; Sept. 16, a few.
Argyll and [sles—Skerryvore, March 22, killed at lantern, other birds
striking ; April 22, with rush of small birds; Nov. 19, great rush,
many striking. Dhuheartach, Oct. 19-20, numerous; Nov. 19-20,
at light. Skervuile, Oct. 9, at lantern. C/yde—Lamlash, April 6,
several ; July 30, midnight, at lantern; Oct. 11, at light. So/way—
Mull of Kintyre, Nov. 9, in rush with other birds, at light.
PHYLLOSCOPUS RUFUS (Chiffchaff).
forth—Aberfoyle, April 6, first. | Zzveed—Chirnside, March 30,
Oct. 1. Clyde—Barr, Ayrshire, April g, several.
Earliest, March 30, Chirnside.
PHYLLOSCOPUS TROCHILUS (Willow Wren).
Dee—Rattray Head, May 22, many; Peterhead, May 2, first ;
Aug. 25, last. Zay—Fordoun, May 1, arrived; Aug. 28, last.
Tayfield, May 3, first; Ballinluig, April 30; Blair Atholl, Sept. 9.
forth—Aberfoyle, April 18 ; Dalmeny, April 16, Sept. 4. Zzeed—
Halmyre, April 25, several; Chirnside, April 26, Sept. 1. Outer
ffebrides—Barra, April 19, two; Sept. 5, two. Argyll and Isles—
Skerryvore, April 22,a rush; May 13, on rock; Sept. 8, a rush with
Wheatears, etc. CZyde—Dailly, Ayrshire, April 9, a few.
Earliest, April 9, Dailly ; latest, Sept. 9, Blair Atholl.
148 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
PHYLLOSCOPUS SIBILATRIX (Wood Wren).
Tay—Pitlochry, May 2; Tayfield, May 3. orth—Rosslyn
Glen, April 30, several; Dalmeny, May 2. Zzveed—Halmyre, May
14; Chirnside, Sept. 1. ClZyde—Giffnock, May 1.
Earliest, April 30, Rosslyn.
ACROCEPHALUS PHRAGMITIS (Sedge Warbler).
Tay—Fordoun, April 18, arrived; Tayfield, May 3, first seen.
forth—Morningside, May 8; Roslin, Aug. 7. Zzeed—Halmyre,
April 25. Argyll and /sles—Skerryvore, May 13, on rock. Clyde
—Thornliebank, May 1.
Earliest, April 18, Fordoun.
LOCUSTELLA N&VIA (Grasshopper Warbler).
Forth—Aberfoyle, May 8. Clyde—Carluke, May 3.
CINCLUS MELANOGASTER (Black-bellied Dipper).
Shetland —Dunrossness, Nov. 27, shot on shore of Loch Spiggie ;
new to Shetland.
C. aguaticus (Dipper).
Outer Hebrides—Barra, Nov. 27, one.
MoraciLLin& (Wagtails).
Shetland—Dunrossness, Aug. 27, JZ. melanope (Gray Wagtail),
two on shore; JZ. lugubris (Pied Wagtail), April 30, along with
other birds ; Sept. 14, numerous. North Ronaldshay, Aug. 28, JZ.
melanope, seven. Dee—Peterhead, March (second and third weeks),
M. lugubris, numerous on migration; Sept. 5, very numerous ;
Sept. 19, passing S. Zay—Tayfield, March 6, AZ. melanofe, first
seen. Zweed—Chirnside, May 20, JZ. alba (White Wagtail). Outer
Hebrides—Barra, April 30, JZ. alba; Sept. 15, young bird. Argyll
and Isles—Skerryvore, May 15, JZ. melanope, on rock; Aug. 19,
M. lugubris, flying about rock ; Sept. 9, JZ. melanofe, killed at light.
Dhuheartach, Aug. 18, JZ. dugubris, many passing ; Sept. 8-9, many
with other small birds. ‘Tiree, April 19, JZ alba, several ; April
16, many passing N.; Aug. 24 and Sept. 7, returning S. Clyde—
Kenmuir, April 2, JZ. aléa. Cambuslang, April 24-25, JZ flava
(Blue-headed Wagtail), a single bird seen on both dates—JZ. razz,
alba, lugubris, and melanope also noted. April 17, JZ rai, Sept.
10, a few. Lamlash, March 24, JZ /ugubris, first arrival.
ANTHUS TRIVIALIS (Tree Pipit).
Tay—Ballinluig, May 1; Blair Atholl, Sept. 15, one. orth—
Morton Hall, April 21, one. Zzweed, Halmyre, April 28. Clyde—
Beith, April 17.
Earliest, April 17, Beith.
en
MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1898 149
ANTHUS PRATENSIS (Meadow Pipit).
Dee—Peterhead, Sept. 5, migrating numerously. <Azgyll and
Isdes—Skerryvore, April 13 and 15, several on rock; April 22, a
rush of small birds; Aug. 18, many at midnight at lantern, ‘rare
occurrence so early”; Aug. 24, at lantern with Larks, etc. ; Sept.
18, at lantern till daylight. Dhuheartach, Sept. 8 and 9, a rush of
small birds; Sept. 12 and 13, many at lantern.
ORIOLUS GALBULA (Golden Oriole).
Tay—Arbroath, June 8, adult ¢ obtained (‘‘ Annals,” 1898,
p. 179).
LANIUS EXCUBITOR (Great Gray Shrike).
Clyde—Harleyholm, Dec. 14, 1897, one seen (“ Annals,” 1898,
p. 48). So/way—St. Mary’s Isle, Oct., one obtained (‘“ Annals,”
P1899; Pp. LTO):
LANIUS COLLURIO (Red-backed Shrike).
Dee—Rattray Head, May 22, at shore station. Zay—Arbroath,
May 21, a pair seen. /orti—Innerwick, May 25, adult ¢.
AMPELIS GARRULUS (Waxwing).
Moray—Findhorn Links, Nov. 4, 1897, 2; Tomintoul, Nov.
13, 6 and ¢; Cairngorm, Nov. 24, a pair, g and ? (“ Annals,”
1898, p. 50). Clyde—Riccarton Moss, Jan. 22, two; a flock of
seven seen near Loch Lomond (“ Annals,” 1898, pp. 115-116).
MUSCICAPA GRISOLA (Spotted Flycatcher).
Shetland—Dunrossness, May 20, a good many. Dee—Rattray
ead May 22, a ¢. Peterhead, May 23, first seen; Aug. 1m:
last. Zay—Fordoun, Sept. 3, left. Aorth—Duchray, May 9;
Dalmeny Park, May 13, Sept. 4. Zweed—Chirnside, May 23,
Sept. 4; Halmyre, May 7. C/yde—Beith, May 5; Queen’s Park,
Glasgow, Sept. 21.
Earliest, May 5, Beith; latest, Sept. 21, Queen’s Park, Glasgow.
MUSCICAPA ATRICAPILLA (Pied Flycatcher).
Shetland—Dunrossness, April 30, adult ¢ picked up, “new to
Shetland” (“ Annals,” 1898, p. 178). Zay—Fordoun, May 11,
one seen, exhausted; May 20, one; May 22, one. orth—Inner-
wick, May 18,a 6; May 24,a 9.
HIRUNDO RUSTICA (Swallow).
Orkney—Pentland Skerries, May 15, first; North Ronaldshay,
May 20, two. Mee—Rattray Head, May 3, several, first of season.
150 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Peterhead, April 24, a few; Sept. 27, last seen. Zay—Fordoun,
April 18, arrived; Aug. 29, majority left; Sept. 11, resident birds
left, but migrants passing on to Oct. 8. Tayfield, April 6, first seen.
Forth—Colinton, April 8; Dalmeny, April 10, Nov. 7, 13, and
19. Zzweed—Broughton, April 17, arrived; Nov. 7, one passing.
Chirnside, April 16; Oct. 19, last seen. Outer Hebrides—tIsland
Ghlais, March 19, one; Barra, May 3. <Azgyll and TIsles—Skerry-
vore, May 18, two; Tiree, May 16, seen. C/Zyde—Lamlash, April
30, first; durbemy, Apnul 255) threess Wendaltoot.. Ayprile2:
Carmichael, Oct. 12, a flock. So/zvay—Mull of Kintyre, April 28,
four.
Earliest, March ro, Island Ghlais ; latest, Nov. 19, Dalmeny.
CHELIDON URBICA (House Martin).
Orkney—Pentland Skerries, Sept. 13, one. Zay—Fordoun,
May 3, arrived; Sept. 29, remnant left. Ballinluig, April 30.
Lorth—Duchray, May 3. Zzweed—WHalmyre, April 28, several ;
Chirnside, Oct. 10. CZyde—Lamlash, April 30, several ; Thornlie-
bank, April 28.
Earliest, April 28, Halmyre and Thornliebank ; latest, Oct. 10,
Chirnside.
COTILE RIPARIA (Sand Martin).
Forth—Dalmeny, April 9. Zzveed—Chirnside, April 16, first
seen; Oct. 10. Clyde—Carmyle, April 16, numerous.
Earliest, April 9, Dalmeny ; latest, Oct. 10, Chirnside.
FRINGILLINA@ (Finches and Linnets).
Shetland—Mealy Redpoll, Dunrossness, Oct. 20, one captured
alive, first time observed; Nov. 11, one shot; Nov. 25, three seen.
Redpolls, North Unst, Oct. 10, five killed at lantern ; other birds
observed till end of month. Siskin, Dunrossness, Feb., a few; June 4,
a ¢. Chaffinch, April 30, many in rush; Oct. 21, first of season.
Sutherland—Goldfinch, Berridale, Caithness, March 4, one bird,
rare. MJee—Greenfinch, Peterhead, Oct. 29, rush with Chaffinches
and Bramblings. Zay—Brambling, Fordoun, Feb. 26, a flock.
Siskin, Oct. 25, over 100, Tayfield; March 14, Comerton Wood,
Tentsmuir. Mealy Redpoll and Lesser Redpoll, March 14, Tents-
muir. /orth—Goldfinch, Dalmeny, Jan. 1, three; Dec. ro, three.
Lesser Redpoll, Row, Doune, Jan. 2, a flock of 25; Edgelaw, Oct.
8, a few. Brambling, Isle of May, Oct. 6, large flock at lantern ;
Swanston, Oct. 13, one. Zzveed—Brambling, Broughton, Oct. 23,
one ; Halmyre, Nov. 6, small flocks ; Chirnside, April 10; last seen,
Oct. 15, large flock. Outer Hebrides—Brambling, Barra, Oct. 11,
eleven remained for a week or two. Chaffinch, Oct. 18. Mealy
Redpoll, Nov. to, one. Argyll and Isles—Chaffinch, Skerryvore,
MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1808 151
Nov. 27, two on rock; Dhuheartach, Oct. 19-20, in rush, several
killed ; Nov. 9, flocks all night at light. Greenfinch, Tiree, Jan. 27.
Brambling, Dec. 12, a large flock on the island from this date
onwards. ‘ Not recorded in ‘ Fauna of Argyll.’” CZyde—Brambling,
Carmichael, Jan. 31; Oct. first week, very plentiful. So/zway—
several flocks seen in district during March.
Principal movements, Oct. 19-20, Nov. 9.
COCCOTHRAUSTES VULGARIS (Hawfinch).
Forth—Arniston, March 9g, adult 2 picked up. A young bird
captured at same place on Aug. 3, 1894 (‘“Annals,” 1898,
pp. 114-115).
LOXIA CURVIROSTRA (Crossbill).
Shetland—Dunrossness, Sept. 30, one. Zay—Fordoun, July 23,
family parties. Zzeed—Halmyre, Nov. 6, small flock.
EMBERIZA HORTULANA (Ortolan Bunting).
Shetland—Dunrossness, April 30, adult ¢ obtained, another
bird seen, “first record” (“ Annals,” 1898, p. 178).
PLECTROPHENAX NIVALIS (Snow Bunting).
Shetland—Dunrossness, Oct. 31, large flocks; North Unst,
Nov. 3, large flock, a few killed at lantern. Orkney—Pentland
Skerries, March 16, none seen after this date ; Oct. 7, flock. North
Ronaldshay, Oct. 23, about 100. Swtherland—Cape Wrath,
March 7, small flock; Oct. 27, first of season; Nov. 17, several at
lantern. /or¢h—Gullane, Oct. 26, one; Isle of May, Noy. 28, a
few. Outer Hebrides—Island Ghlais, Nov. 30, a flock, ‘“‘ few
birds seen this year.” Avgyl/ and Isles—Skerryvore, Aug. 18, mid-
night, at lantern with Pipits, “rare occurrence so early”; Dhu-
heartach, Nov. 20, at light; Ben Nevis Observatory, July 20, a
young bird brought in by cat. ClZyde—Queen’s Park, Glasgow,
March 3, about twelve, last for season. Carmichael, March 28, a
bird seen in summer plumage ; September 16, one captured.
Principal movements, Oct. 31, Nov. 1-8.
STURNUS VULGARIS (Starling).
Orkney—Pentland Skerries, Oct. 21, with Fieldfares and
Thrushes. Dee—Rattray Head, Oct. 20, striking lantern, also
Thrushes and Redwings. Argyll and Lsles—Skerryvore, March 20,
at lantern, other birds striking; Oct. 7 and 8, many flying round
light and resting in the windows, S.E. gale. Skervuile, Oct. 19,
great many killed, with Thrushes and Blackbirds; Nov. 8, with
Redwings. CZyde—Turnberry, Feb. 13, rush. So/zvay—Mull of
Kintyre, Nov. 9, rush of birds.
152 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
GARRULUS GLANDARIUS (Jay).
Solway—Lockerbie, Nov. 5, one shot, a drove frequenting the
woods at Closeburn. Large flocks in Annandale and Nithsdale
(“ Annals,” 1898, pp. 49, 181-182).
Corvip& (Crows and Rooks).
Shetland—Dunrossness, Rooks, Oct. 25, flock passing S.
Sutherlanéd—Cape Wrath, Crows, Nov. 3 and 4, all day. Zay—
Tayfield, Hooded Crow, May 3, large numbers, very unusual at
this season. Dee—Peterhead, Oct. 24, in large numbers, first of
season. Argyll and Isles—Dhuheartach, Jackdaw, Oct. 22; Nov.
9, rested on tower. ‘Tiree, Rook, Nov. 26, flock.
ALAUDA ARVENSIS (Skylark).
Orkney—Pentland Skerries, Oct. 7, killed at light. orth—
Isle of May, Oct. 12, a few at lantern. Azgyll and [sles—Skerry-
vore, March 22, killed at lantern; Aug. 24, many at lantern;
Sept. 12, flying about light with other small birds ; Oct. 19, a rush,
many striking ; Nov. 19, great rush with other birds. Dhuheartach,
Oct. 19, a rush all night with other birds; Nov. 9, great numbers
at light. Sodeay—Mull of Kintyre, Nov. 9, in rush with other
birds.
Principal movements, Oct. 19, Nov. 9 and 19.
CyPpsELUS APUS (Swift).
Sutherland—Scormelate, June 1. Dee—Peterhead, May 17,
first; Sept. 20, last. Zay—Fordoun, May 16, arrived; Aug. 20,
left. Tayfield, May 6, first. or¢h—Murrayfield, May 14 ; Edin-
burgh, Sept. 29. Zweed—Halmyre, May 10, 20 or so; Chirnside,
May 14-Aug. 15. Clyde—Crookston, Hangingshaw, Beith, May 3.
Earliest, May 3, Clyde; latest, Sept. 29, Edinburgh.
CAPRIMULGUS EUROP£US (Nightjar).
Forth—Dalkeith Park, May 5; Dryden Glen, Aug. 18. Cdyde
Lamlash, April 23.
IyNX TORQUILLA (Wryneck).
Shetland—Foula, April 30, one captured (‘‘ Annals,” 1898,
p. 182).
DENDROCOPUS MAJOR (Great Spotted Woodpecker).
Sutherland—Scotscalder, Sept. 30 ; Auchingill, Oct. 19 ; Tongue,
Oct. 22 ; Wick, Nov. 4. :d/oray—Pluscarden, Nov. 10, one, a few
others seen in district. West Ross—Nigg, Oct., one; Braemore,
seen daily, Dec. to March ; Invertael, one. ee—Aberdeen, Oct. 8,
one; Nov. 12, one. Peterhead, Oct. 29, two young birds; Glen-
MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1898 153
bervie, Oct. 27, three. Zay—Newport, Oct. 21, young bird ;
Acbroath,. Oct; 22; Forfar, Oct. 265 Wayfields Dec. 30, seen.
Forth—Row, Doune, Oct. 18, one; Thurston, Oct. 27, immature
3d ; Broxmouth Park, Oct. (last week), one; Newington, Nov. 7;
Inch, Nov. 9; Aberlady, Nov. 15; Dalmeny, Nov. 15 and 16,
Dec. 16. Zweed—Halmyre, May 15; Chirnside, Oct. 14, one.
Nested at Duns Castle; Hawick, Oct. 18, immature ¢. Melrose,
Oct. 21, seen; Burnfoot, Oct. 14. So/zway—Procured at St. Mary’s
Isle in Oct.
CucuLus caNorus (Cuckoo).
Tay—Fordoun, May 1, first; Ballinluig, May 1. /orth-—Aber-
foyle, April 25; Dalmeny, May 1. Zzeed—Halmyre, April 23;
Broughton, April 30. Outer Hebrides, Barra, April 28. Argyll and
Lsles—Tiree, May 17 ; Ben Nevis Observatory, May 23, found dead
in snow about 4300 feet. CZyde—Turnberry, May 6, first heard ;
Lamlash, April 28, first heard; Beith, April 20.
Earliest, April 20, Beith.
ALCEDO IsPIpA (Kingfisher).
West Ross—Sept. 10, on river Broom for about three weeks,
“very rare.”
Upupa Epors (Hoopoe).
Forth—Isle of May, April 30, one; Dunbar, Oct. 17 or 18,
one.
STRIGID (Owls).
Shetland—F¥oula, Long-eared Owl, Oct. 29, during heavy gale ;
Dunrossness, Short-eared Owl, April 30, two. Ovrknuey—Pentland
Skerries, Short-eared Owl, Oct. 20, one; North Ronaldshay, Snowy
Owl, June 7, one. Suther/and—Scotscalder, Nov. 19, two. Dee
Aberdeen, European Hawk Owl, Nov. 21, a @ (“ Annals,” 1899, p.
49). Argyll and Isles—Dhuheartach, Nov. g, in rush of birds ;
Tiree, Short-eared Owl, Jan. 22, several.
FALCONID& (Falcons and Hawks).
Shetland—Iceland Falcon, April 6, immature d , Sept. (last week),
one shot (“ Field,” Oct. 15). Dunrossness, Osprey, May 2, one
fishing in Loch Spiggie. ee—Honey Buzzard, Sept. 15, a young
bird shot at Kinmundy. Zay—Tayfield, Buzzard, Jan. 22, one.
Merlin, Oct. 12, three seen on migration, “ not resident here.” orth
—Rough-legged Buzzard, Oct. 22, one shot, Broxmouth Woods; Novy.
12, 14, 19, three from Lammermoors. Zzveed—Broughton, Buzzard,
Sept. 25, one seen; Halmyre, Peregrine, Sept. 15,a ¢ seen. Outzer
Hebrides — Barra, Greenland Falcon, March §8, single bird seen.
Solway—Dumfries, Marsh Harrier, shot early in May at Kirkmichael
(“ Annals,” 1898, p. 182).
154 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
ANSERIN (Geese).
Shetland—Dunrossness, A. cinereus (Graylag Goose), Oct. 20,
one. /orth—Aberlady, Oct. 4, flock of 23. Zay—Tayfield, A.
brachyrhynchus (Pink-footed Goose), May 1, large flock, last seen ;
Oct. 7, six, first seen. Outer Hebrides—Barra, Lernicla leucopsis
(Bernacle Goose), Oct. 17, seven, first; 4. drenta (Brent Goose),
Nov. 9, two; A. albifrons (White-fronted Goose), Nov. 9, four.
Argyll and Isles—Dhuheartach, 4. /eucopsis, Nov. 15, three ; Tiree,
A. albifrons, May 4, travelling N.
CYGNIN& (Swans).
Orkney—Pentland Skerries, C. dewzcki (Bewick’s Swan), Feb. 23,
flying N.W. Outer Hebrides—Barra, C. musicus (Whooper), Jan. 2,
eight flying S.; Dec. 3, St. Clair’s Loch. Argyll and Isles—Tiree,
C. bewickt, March 3, have left, numerous all winter; Nov. 12,
returned, over 40 seen. C. musicus, March 3, left; Nov. 8, returned.
ANATID (Ducks).
Shetland—Noss, Harelda glacialis (Long-tailed Duck), June 30, ? ,
Dunrossness ; AZareca penelope (Wigeon), Sept. 10, four, Loch Spiggie,
first. Orkney—North Ronaldshay, JZ penelope, March 17, one;
Fuligula marila (Scaup Duck), Sept. 10, four. Moray—A. strepera
(Gadwall), Feb. 4, Loch Spynie. Dee—Peterhead, JZ penelope,
Sept. 26, arrived in numbers; Rattray Head, . g/aczalis, Oct. 17,
large flock, first; Aberdeen, A. strefera, Oct. 22, four shot at
Pitfour; Q. circia (Garganey), Oct. 22, seven shot at Pitfour
(‘‘Annals,” 1899, p. 50); Rattray Head, Mergus serrator (Mer-
ganser), Oct. 3, several, first; & jferima (Pochard), Oct. 17, first
flock; Oct. 20, one struck lantern. Zay—Fordoun, C. g/aucion
(Golden-eye) Oct. 21, one. Forth—C. glaucion, May 14, eight, Loch
Leven; / ferina (Pochard), June 16, a 3, Lochend. Dajila acuta
(Pintail), several pairs (6 or 7) nesting on Loch Leven (‘“ Annals,”
1808, p. 162-164). Isle of May, Zadorna cornuta (Sheld Duck), Sept.
22, two killed at lantern. Outer Hlebrides—Barra, HZ. glacialis, Oct.
17, about 200; C. glaucion, Nov. 14, two. Argyll and Lsles—
Dhuheartach, JZ. penelope, Nov. 9, killed at light. Tiree, D. acuta,
Jan. 13; Spatula clypeata (Shoveller), April 9, a pair; JZ. penelope,
April 18, have left; A. strefera, April 30, “still here”; Oct. 23,
have returned ; JZ. albellus (Smew), July 30, one at sea; Nov. 14,
Gort Bay. Clyde—Gartcosh, S. cypeata, April 11, three pairs ;
May 21, one pair, Little Loch; JZ penelope, June 2, one pair,
Lochend Loch; May 2, one pair, Mearns; C. g/aucion, April 9,
five, Glen Dam; Oct. 9, four, Balgray Dam; & cristata, April 30,
about 70, Gartcosh Lochs; / marvi/a, Aug 13, three, Balgray Dam.
Carmichael, /: ferina, Nov. 24, one shot, first noted for district.
MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1898 155
CoLUMBA PALUMBUS (Ring Dove).
Shetland—Duntrossness, April 30, one; Oct. 31, one. Outer
Hlebrides—Barra, April 24, one.
TurtuR communis (Turtle Dove).
Argyll and Isles—Dhuheartach, Sept. 28, one rested on rock.
CREX PRATENSIS (Land Rail).
Sutherland —Banniskirk, June 1. Dee—Peterhead, April 30.
Tay—F¥ordoun, May 26; Oct. 22, one shot. Tayfield, May 6,
first. Forth—Cramond, April 24; Falkland, May 4; Oct. 25,
one, Pathhead. Zzeed—Broughton, April 23 ; Halmyre, April 23 ;
Chirnside, Sept. 4. Outer Hebrides—Barra, May 4. Argyll and
Isles —Skerryvore, May 21, on rock, first seen; Tiree, May 5.
Clyde—Giffnock and Beith, April 23. So/zay—Mull of Kintyre,
May 10, one.
Earliest, April 23, Broughton, Halmyre, Giffnock, and Beith.
Rattus aguaticus (Water Rail).
Shetland—Dunrossness, Nov. 30, one. Swtherland—Nov. 15,
killed at Dorrery. or¢h—Dec. 8, one shot, Dalmeny Park.
PoRZANA MARUETTA (Spotted Crake).
Forth—Oct. 18, at Dunbar Station (“ Annals,” 1899, p. 50).
PORZANA BAILLONI (Baillon’s Crake).
Sutherland—Sept. 13, killed at Westfield (“ Annals,” 1899,
p. 5°).
HouBaRA MACQUEENI (Macqueen’s Bustard).
Dee—Aberdeen, Oct. 24, ?, immature, St. Fergus, Pitfour, first
Scottish record (“‘ Annals,” 1899, pp. 51, 73):
EUDROMIAS MORINELLUS (Dotterel).
Tay—Sept. 7, small flock on hills north of Glen Tilt.
CHARADRIUS PLUVIALIS (Golden Plover).
Orkney—North Ronaldshay, June 29, three seen. Sutherland
—Forsinard, June 2, flocking. Dee—Peterhead, Oct. 11-12, flights
coming in. Argyll and Isles—Skerryvore, April 18, one killed at
lantern ; April 22, several flying round light. Tiree, March 24, very
large flocks travelling N.; Sept. 17, enormous flocks:: Oct. 7, 18,
other rushes.
156 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
PHALAROPUS FULICARIUS (Gray Phalarope).
Argyll and Lsles—Dhuheartach, Sept. 12, one. Zay—Tayfield,
Dec. 1, one at mouth of Tay.
PHALAROPUS HYPERBOREUS (Red-necked Phalarope).
Shetland—Foula, Aug. 28, leg and wing sent.
SCOLOPAX RUSTICULA (Woodcock).
Shetland—Dunrossness, Oct. 10, one. Orkney—North Ronald-
shay, Nov. 11, one killed at lantern; Pentland Skerries, Nov. 28,
one. forth—Isle of May, Nov. 24, numerous at lantern. Outer
flebrides—Island Ghlais, Nov. 19, one killed at light. <Axgyl and
Zsles—Skerryvore, Nov. 20, many wounded birds on the rock from
rush last night. Dhuheartach, Oct. 20, killed at light, rush of birds ;
Oct. 30, one killed, “Tiree? Oct. 17, several; Nov. 26, a few.
GALLINAGO MAJOR (Great Snipe).
Moray—Oct. 15, shot at Pitgaveny (“‘ Annals,” 1899, p. 51).
GALLINAGO GALLINULA (Jack Snipe).
Tay—Tayfield, Sept. 30, one. Argyll and Isles—Skerryvore,
Octazersime: irce 1Oct. ro.
TRINGA SUBARQUATA (Curlew Sandpiper).
Argyll and Isles—Tiree, Sept. 23, one, first appearance in Tiree
(“ Annals,” 1899, p. 46). Clyde—Balgray Dam, Sept. 25, Oct. 23.
TRINGA CANUTUS (Knot).
Forth—Aberlady Bay, May 26, one in red plumage; July 21,
one; Aug. 30, flock of 70, mostly young. Outer Hebrides—Barra,
Sept. 16, several.
CALIDRIS ARENARIA (Sanderling).
Forth—VDalmeny, Aug. 16. Aberlady Bay, Aug. 30, a score,
mostly young; Oct. 11. Argyl and Isles—Tiree, Jan. 24, very
numerous on ebb at Gott Bay. Cv/de—Turnberry, Sept. 25, two.
MACHETES PUGNAX (Ruff ).
Shetland—Dunrossness, Sept. 17, Reeve shot. C/yde—Balgray
Dam, Sept. 25, Oct. 23.
TOTANUS HYPOLEUCUS (Common Sandpiper).
Dee—Peterhead, Sept. 21, only one of season seen. Zay—
Tayfield, May 1, first seen. /orth—Bavelaw, April 17, first of
MOVEMENTS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND DURING 1898 157
season. Zzveed—Broughton, April 11, arrived. Outer Hebrides—
Barra, April 27, one. Argyll and Lsles—Dhuheartach, Sept. 28,
two. C/yde—Lamlash, April 21, a pair; Uddingston, April 16,
numerous ; Dalbeth, Sept. ro.
Earliest, April 11, Broughton.
TOTANUS FuUSCUs (Spotted Redshank).
Clyde—Balgray Dam, Oct. 16 and 30 (“ Annals,” 1899, pp.
51-52).
TOTANUS CANESCENS (Greenshank).
Orkney—North Ronaldshay, Sept. 13, three. or¢h—Aberlady,
July 19, one. Zzveed—Roxburgh, Sept. 23, one. Argyll and [sles
—Tiree, Aug. 13, several.
LimosA LAPPONICA (Bar-tailed Godwit).
Forth—Aberlady, July 16,a few. Argyll and Isles—Tiree, Jan.
28, two small flocks. CZyde—Bute, June 3, nineteen (three in breed-
ing plumage); St. Ninian’s Bay, Turnberry, Sept. 25, one.
NUMENIUS PHA&OPUS (Whimbrel).
Orkney—North Ronaldshay, Aug. 4, six. 4orth—Aberlady,
July 13, two; Morningside, Aug. 8, one, midnight, passing W. ;
Dalmeny, Aug. 5; Longniddry, Oct. 11,a 9. Argyll and Lsles—
Tiree, April 29, plentiful; May 6, in hundreds. C7/yde—Lendalfoot,
May 1; Lamlash, Aug. 2, one.
STERNIN& (Terns).
Orkney—Pentland Skerries, “Terns,” May 13, first. Dee—
Rattray Head, “Terns,” May 1, first; Peterhead, S. fluviatzles,
(Common Tern), May 9, numerous; Rattray Head, “Terns,” Aug.
20, left. Horth—sS. cantiaca (Sandwich Tern), May 7, two, Canty
Bay. S. minuta (Lesser Tern), Aug. 14, Dalmeny. Outer Hebrides
—Barra, S. macrura (Arctic Tern), May 18. Argyll and Isles—
Skerryvore, ‘‘ Terns,” Sept. 16, two at lantern. Tiree, S. fluviatilis,
May 3, arrived; S. macrura, May 13, arrived; S. minuta, May 14,
arrived ; ‘‘ Terns,” Sept. 25, have left. CZyde—Lamlash, ‘‘ Terns,”
Sept. 4, last seen.
LarIn& (Gulls).
Shetland—Dunrossness, LZ. g/aucus (Glaucous Gull), Nov. 4, one.
Outer Hebrides—Barra, L. glaucus, March 21, one. Argyll and
Lsles—Dhuheartach, Z. /eucopterus (Iceland Gull), Nov. 6, one.
Solway—Pagophila eburnea (Ivory Gull), seen Aug. 3, and again on
following morning (‘‘ Zoologist ” (4), vol. ii. p. 414).
158 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
STERCORARIUS POMATORHINUS (Pomatorhine Skua).
Forth—Portobello, Oct. 19, one; Oct. 28, one picked up after
gale. So/way—Oct. 26, one shot between Annan and Gretna ;
Nov, 1, another ditto (“‘ Annals,” 1899, p. 52).
PopiciPEDID#& (Grebes).
Shetland—Dunrossness, P. fluviatilis (Little Grebe), Nov. 24,
one. Zay—Tayfield, P. auritis (Sclavonian Grebe), Dec. 1, at
mouth of Tay. Outer Hebrides—Barra, P. auritis, April, adult ¢.
Argyll and Isles—Tiree, P. auritis, Oct. 29, several.
FULMARUS GLACIALIS (Fulmar).
Shetland—Noss, June 30, nesting for first time ; Saxaford, July 4,
in three localities, “‘ have never seen this breeding haunt recorded” ;
Hermaness, July 5, in three localities, have bred here for four or
five years—‘ ascertained that they were on Papa Stour also”
(R. Godfrey).
ON THE “OCCURRENCE IN SCOTEAND SOE
ANDRENA .RUPFICROS, NY. (GQ BEE ANEW
TO THE BRITISH LIST), AND ‘OTHER RARE
ACULEATE HYMENOPTERA.
By WituiaM Evans, F.R.S.E.
ANDRENA RUFICRUS, WVylander, “Mon. Apum Bor.,”
p. 217 (1847).
At Aberfoyle, S.W. Perthshire, towards the end of
April 1896, I noticed a small bee, belonging to the genus
Andrena, in some numbers on dandelion flowers, and took
three specimens (all males unfortunately) for identification.
On submitting these to Mr. Edward Saunders, F.L.S., a few
months ago, I received from him the weicome intelligence
that they were referable to Nylander’s Andrena ruficrus, a
species new to the British list, though well known in Sweden
and some other parts of the Continent. It appears to be
one of the earliest of spring bees, and should be looked for
OCCURRENCE IN SCOTLAND OF ANDRENA RUFICRUS 159
during the first fine weather in April. | Schmiedeknecht
(“Apide Europee”) says: “In Europa septentrionali et
centrali primo vere volat sed haud frequenter.” Mr. Saunders
has kindly sent me, for incorporation in this note, copy of a
diagnosis of the species which he has drawn up for publication
in the July number of the “Entomologists’ Monthly Magazine.”
The description of the male is taken mainly from one of the
Aberfoyle specimens, and that of the female from a Con-
tinental example.
¢ black ; apex of and sometimes the entire posterior
tibiz and the posterior metatarsi ferruginous ; head densely
clothed with long white hairs, intermixed on the sides of the
face and on the vertex with black ones; antenne with the
3rd joint slightly longer than the 4th, 4th and 5th subequal ;
mandibles simple at the base; head and thorax dull, with
the surface rugulose and shallowly punctured, the latter and
legs clothed with grayish-white hairs; propodeum finely
rugose ; wings almost clear, nervures testaceous ; abdomen
with a fine alutaceous surface, with very vague shallow
scattered punctures, apices of the segments with a few white
hairs more abundant laterally ; apex of abdomen and seg-
ments beneath clothed with whitish hairs.
2 black; posterior tibiz and metatarsi bright ferruginous;
face clothed with pale fulvous hairs, margined with black
at the sides; 3rd joint of the antenne rather longer than
the 4th and 5th together ; thorax clothed with fulvous hairs,
those of the under side much paler, surface dull, finely
rugulose and punctured ; posterior tibiae and tarsi clothed
with bright fulvous hairs; abdomen rather shining, finely
alutaceous, the bases of the segments with a fine, shallow,
rather remote puncturation, the apical margins narrowly
piceous, clothed with a few pale hairs at the sides ; apical
fimbria brownish, apices of the segments beneath fringed
with pale hairs.
Length, 8-10 mm.
Mr. Saunders adds: “The ¢ looks like a small Clarke//a,
as Nylander remarks, or a pre@cor. The former may be
known at a glance by the longer 3rd antennal joint, the
latter by the large mandibular tooth. Rwzficrus should
follow angustior in our list.”
160 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
OSMIA PARIETINA, Curt.
In September 1898, when searching for Coleoptera on
a hillside near Blair Atholl, Perthshire, I discovered, at an
elevation of 1000 to 1300 feet, several clusters of bee-cells
or cocoons attached to the under sides of stones. One
stone had about 50 on it. About half of the cocoons were
open and empty, the occupants having emerged ; but many
were still closed, and on opening a couple I found in each,
in a torpid state, a small reddish bee, which Mr. Edward
Saunders has since identified for me as the rare Osmza
partetina of Curtis, a species which has not been recorded
from any part of Britain for many years. From some
cocoons which I brought home with me a dozen bees of both
sexes, but all dead, and two living Chrysids—apparently
Chrysis hirsuta, Gerst—were extracted this spring. 0.
parietina was first taken by Curtis about seventy years ago
at Ambleside, on the banks of Windermere, in Westmore-
land. In November 1849, a flat stone, having on its under
side 230 cocoons, was next discovered at Glen Almond,
Perthshire, and sent to the British Museum. When found,
about one-third of the cocoons were empty, and from the
others perfect insects appeared at intervals during the spring
and summer of the following year, while a few remained
over till June 1852 (Smith’s “Cat. Brit. Hymenoptera in
Brit. Mus.,” 2nd ed., 1876, p. 150). The species has also
been captured at Rannoch (prior to 1855) and in Wales.
NOMADA BOREALIS, Zet?z.
On 26th April 1897 I found this species common on
a bank beside a footpath near Dollar, Clackmannanshire,
where there was a colony of Axdrena clarkella, upon which
it is parasitic. In England it seems to be widely distributed,
though usually rare, but I am not aware of any previous
record for Scotland. Mr. Saunders, who has seen one of
my specimens, predicted its occurrence, however, in his
recent work on the Hymenoptera Aculeata of the British
Islands.
124.
[25.
126.
27k
1258.
1209.
130.
Tat:
42),
133.
134.
. CALLIPHORA ERYTHROCEPHALA, JZg.
DIETERA SCODICA PERTH SEINE 161
DIPTERA. SCOTICA:: T= Peels Hin,
By Percy H. GrimsHaw, F.E.S.
(Continued from p. 91.)
Family TACHINIDA.
EcCHINOMYIA GRossaA, Zzzz.—Methven Moss, August 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Methven Moss, 5th September 1896 (Wylie).
THRYPTOCERA BICOLOR, JZg.
1898 (Evans).
NEMOR#A RUDIS, //77.—Glenfarg, May 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Falls of Bruar, roth September
OLIVIERIA LATERALIS, /ad.—Stanley, August 1896 (M‘Gregor) :
Kinfauns Woods, 18th July 1896 (Wylie).
Family DEXID.
Dexia cAaNnINA, 4ab.—Methven Wood, 18th July 1898 (Wylie).
Family SARCOPHAGID.
SARCOPHAGA CARNARIA, Zizm.—Kinfauns Woods, 27th August
1896 (Wylie).
SARCOPHAGA MELANURA, J7g.—Kinfauns Woods, 1896 (Wylie).
CYNOMYIA MORTUORUM, ZLizz.—Methven Moss, April 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Glenfarg, May 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Family MUSCIDZ.
Lucitia cornicina, /ab.—Methven Moss, April 1894
(M‘Gregor); Almond Valley, August 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Fenderbridge, September 1898 (Evans).
LuciLia C#SAR, Zinn.—Methven Moss and Woody Island,
June 1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Kinnoull, 8th August 1896 (Wylie).
CALLIPHORA GRCNLANDICA, Z¢¢.—Dalguise, May 1894
(M‘Gregor); Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie); Fenderbridge,
September 1898 (Evans).
Kinnoull, 29th August
1896 (Wylie).
. CALLIPHORA vomiToriA, Zz77.—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie).
. CALLIPHORA (ONESIA) SEPULCHRALIS, d/Zg.—Fenderbridge,
September 1898 (Evans).
31 D
Tih Se
1506.
sae
. MESEMBRINA MERIDIANA, L277.
. HYDROT#HA IRRITANS, /7Zz.
ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
. POLLENIA VESPILLO, 4aé.—Dalguise, May 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Fenderbridge, September 1898 (Evans).
. PoLLeniA RuDIS, 4ad.—Almond Valley and Methven Moss,
April 1894 (M/‘Gregor); Kinfauns, April 1897 (Wylie) ;
Fenderbridge, September 1898 (Evans).
. PYRELLIA LASIOPHTHALMA, J/cg.—Kinfauns, April 1897
(Wylie).
Dalguise and Glenfarg, May
1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Almond Valley, August 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Kinnoull, r5th August 1896 (Wylie).
. MoRELLIA HORTORUM, /77z.—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie).
. CYRTONEURA PABULORUM, //z.— Kinfauns Woods, 1896
(Wylie).
Family ANTHOMYID&.
. POLIETES LARDARIA, /aé.—Fenderbridge, September 1898
(Evans).
. HYETODESIA LUCORUM, /¢7.—Kinfauns, April 1897 (Wylie).
. HYETODESIA MARMORATA, Z¢t.—Scone, July 1897 (Wylie).
. HYETODESIA DISPAR, //z.—Almond Valley, May 1894
(M‘Gregor).
. HYETODESIA BASALIS, Z/¢,—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie) ; Fender-
bridge, September 1898 (Evans).
Falls of Bruar, roth September
1898 (Evans).
. OpHYRA LEUCOSTOMA, /Vzed.—Kinnoull Hill, 9th July 1898
(Wylie).
. DryMEIA HAMATA, /7z.—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie).
. Hypropuoria conica, /Vied.—Fenderbridge, September 1898
(Evans).
. HyLemyia stricosa, /ab.—Falls of Bruar, roth September
1898 (Evans).
. C@NOSIA GENUALIS, Rond.—A small Cenosia, which I take to
be this rare species, was captured by Mr. Evans at Fender-
bridge, September 1898.
Family CORDYLURID&.
NORELLIA SPINIMANA, /7z.—Scone, July 1897 (Wylie).
SCATOPHAGA LUTARIA, /ab.—Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie).
SCATOPHAGA STERCORARIA, Zzzz.—Almond Valley, April and
August 1894 (M‘Gregor); Methven Moss, April 1894
158.
160.
168.
DIRDERATSCOTRICAS | L——PBREH SEH TRE 163
(M‘Gregor); Dalguise, May 1894 (M‘Gregor); Woody
Island and Kinnoull Hill, June 1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Kinnoull,
18th July 1896 (Wylie); Kinfauns, June 1897 (Wylie) ;
Scone, July 1897 (Wylie).
Family HELOMYZID.
TTEPHROCHLAMYS RUFIVENTRIS, JZg.—Fenderbridge, September
1898 (Evans).
Family SCIOMYZIDA.
. DRYOMYZA ANILIS, Fln.—Kinnoull, 1st August 1896 (Wylie) ;
Kinfauns, June 1897 (Wylie).
DRYOMYZA FLAVEOLA, /ab.—Glenfarg, May 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Kinfauns, June 1897 (Wylie).
. SCIOMYZA ALBOcosTATA, /7z.—Kinnoull Hill, June and July
1897 (Wylie).
. TETANOCERA ELATA, /ab.—Kinnoull Hill, June 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Kinnoull, 1896 (Wylie).
. TETANOCERA FERRUGINEA, /77.—Kinfauns, June 1897 (Wylie).
. TETANOCERA PUNCTULATA, Scof.—Kinnoull Hill, June 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Scone, July 1897 (Wylie).
. LIMNIA UNGUICORNIS, Scof.—Scone, July 1897 (Wylie);
Fenderbridge, September 1898 (Evans).
Family PSILIDZ.
. PSILA FIMETARIA, Z772.—Perthshire, 1894 (M‘Gregor) ; Kin-
noull Hill, June and July 1897 (Wylie).
. PSILOSOMA LEFEBVRII, Z/4.—A male and female of this rare
species were taken by Mr. Wylie at Methven Moss on
28th August 1896 (see “ Annals,” 1897, p. 24).
Family MICROPEZID&.
CALOBATA PETRONELLA, Lz72.—Scone, July 1897 (Wylie).
Family ORTALID A.
. PTEROPACTRIA FRONDESCENTIAZ, Linu.—Scone, July 1897
(Wylie).
Family TRYPETIDA.
. Acip1a coGNaTA, Wved.—Scone, July 1897 (Wylie).
. TRYPETA ONOTROPHES, Lzw.—Scone, July 1897 (Wylie).
. TEPHRITIS MILIARIA, Scirk.—Kinnoull, 8th July 1896 (Wylie).
1G fis
710:
L477
I8t.
182.
183.
184.
185.
186.
. TEPHRITIS LEONTODONTIS, Deg.
ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Methven Moss, June 1894
(M‘Gregor).
. EUARESTA coNnJuNCTA, LZw.— Almond Valley, May 1894
(M‘Gregor); Woody Island, May and June 18094
(M‘Gregor); Perth Nurseries, 1896 (Wylie); Scone, July
1897 (Wylie); Falls of Bruar, roth September 1898
(Evans).
Family LONCH AID.
PALLOPTERA UMBELLATARUM, 4ab.—Scone, July 1897 (Wylie).
PALLOPTERA SALTUUM, Zzz2.—Kinfauns and Kinnoull, June
1897 (Wylie).
PALLOPTERA ARCUATA, //n.—Glenfarg, May 1894 (M‘Gregor) ;
Woody Island, May and June 1894 (M‘Gregor); Kinfauns
and Kinnoull, June 1897 (Wylie) ; Kinnoull Hill, July 1898
(Wylie).
Family SAPROMYZID.
. SAPROMYZA DECEMPUNCTATA, //n.—Fenderbridge, September
1898 (Evans).
. SAPROMYZA RORIDA, //z.— Kinnoull Hill, June 1894
(M‘Gregor) ; Methven Moss, 28th August 1896 (Wylie).
. LAUXANIA £NEA, /7n.—Woody Island, June 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Family OPOMYZIDZ.
BALIOPTERA COMBINATA, Z7z7.—Kinfauns and Kinnoull, June
1897 (Wylie).
OPOMYZA GERMINATIONIS, Zzz2.— Kinfauns and Kuinnoull,
June 1897 (Wylie).
Family BORBORID.
BoRBoRus NitTIDus, J7g.—Kinfauns, June 1897 (Wylie).
BORBORUS EQUINUS, //z.—Perthshire, 1894 (M‘Gregor).
BoORBORUS GENICULATUS, A/cg.—Perthshire, 1894 (M‘Gregor).
Family HIPPOBOSCID.
LIPOPTENA CERVI, Zzum.—A single male of this interesting
species was taken by Mr. Evans at Aberfoyle on the rith
September 1897.
TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 165
TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND.
By James W. H. Trait, A.M., M.D., F.R.S.
(Continued from p. 103.)
[Names of plants in z¢a/ics, except as synonyms within curved brackets, denote
that the plants were certazz/y introduced into Scotland by man. + after a
district-number denotes introduction by man into the district; “cas.”
denotes casual occurrence, and “‘ esc.” evident escape or outcast from culti-
vation, both being due to man’s agency. Square brackets enclosing the
name of a plant or a district-number denote that the record was made in
error. ? after a district-number denotes, at least, need of confirmation ;
after + it denotes doubt as to whether the plant owes its presence in the
district to man. ]
ARISTOLOCHIACE&.
Asarum europeum, L., 75+, 837, 844, 857.
THYMELEACEZ.
Daphne Mezereum, L., 744, 75+, 837.
D. Laureola, L., 744, 751, 77%; 817, 837, 857, 864, 874, 894, OIF.
ELZAGNACEA.
Liippophae rhamnoides, L., 72+, 73%, 741, 75%, 821, 831, 847,
854, 904, 914, 924, 971, 98t, TOIT, 1027, 106F, 1084.
LORANTHACE&.
Viscum album, L., 8974, 907.
EUPHORBIACES.
Euphorbia Helioscopia, Z., all; usually a weed of cultivated fields.
£. amygdaloides, L., 727.
if. Paralias, \2., 74, 857:
E. portlandica, Z., 74, 847, 857.
E. Peplus, Z., except 7S, 101, 106, 108 ; usually as a garden weed,
suggestive of introduction.
E. exigua, L., (|g) Rope 80, 81, 83, 85, 87-90, 94, 100.
£. Lathyris, L., casual, in Perthshire.
Buxus sempervirens, L., a casual outcast or escape.
Mercurialis perennis, Z., except 107, 110, 112.
M. annua, L., 757, 831, 851, 867, 877, 90T-
URTICACE.
Ulmus montana, Stokes, except SO, 93, 94, 111, 112. No doubt
this occurs in a// the counties, but in at least the northern ones
it has probably been planted. Its natural distribution in
Scotland cannot now be determined.
166 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
U. suberosa, Szokes, reported from 72-77, 80, 81, 83, 86, 87, go,
g1; doubtless in most counties, but doubtfully indigenous in
Scotland.
Humulus Lupulus, L., 72-77, 80, 81, 83, 85-92, 95-97. There is
no sufficient reason to regard the hop as indigenous anywhere
in Scotland, though recorded from some districts without
comment. In most habitats its introduction is evident.
Urtica dioica, Z., all. This certainly owes its wide diffusion, if not
its introduction into Scotland, to man’s indirect aid.
6, angustifolia, A. Blytt ; occasional.
U. urens, Z., except 9S. Even more suggestive than U. Dioica of
man’s assistance.
1 Parietaria officinalis, Z., 73-79, 81-83, 85-87, 90, 917, 927, 931
947, 951, 967, 99, 1007, 1067.
MYRICACE&.
Myrica Gale, Z., except 78, 80, S1, 82, 112.
CUPULIFER.
2 Betula alba, age., except 110, 112.
B. verrucosa, Lhrh., 72-74, 76, 77, 85, 87-89, 91, 92, 95, 96, 100,
DOl, 105,100), 1S, 100:
B. pubescens, #/7%., 72-74, 90, 77; 80, 87-80; 9%, 02,)90-100,
LOZ, TOs, LOS, 107, Tr T,
B. intermedia, Zzomas, 92, 108.
B. nana, Z, 77 (?), 78, 81 (2), 88-90, 92, 94, 95 (?), 96-98, 105,
106, 108.
Alnus glutinosa, Z., except 1107, 111+, 112.
Carpinus Betulus, L., recorded from 72, 73, 75-78, 81, 83, 85-88,
90-92, 95, 100, 101, 103, but probably nowhere indigenous.
3 Corylus Avellana, Z., except 112.
4 Quercus Robur, 2, except 75, 79, 109, 1107 Tid, a,
a. pedunculata (Z4%rh.), 72-74, 76-78, 80, 82, 837, 84,
857; 86-89, 91, 92, 95-99.
1 Parietaria officinalis, L., is restricted, at least in the north of Scotland, to
old masonry. Probably the sign + should be more freely used than it has been ;
but only a knowledge of the habitats can determine this for each district.
* Betula alba, L.—The forms included under the aggregate are not sufficiently
distinguished in local lists to permit of indicating their distribution satisfactorily.
3 Corylus Avellana, L.—The abundance of nuts in peat-bogs of the northern
counties shows that the Hazel was formerly plentiful where it is now extinct or
much restricted, e.g. in the Hebrides and Orkney.
4 Quercus Robur, L.—That this is native in the Highlands is shown alike by
the remains in peat-bogs, and by the frequency of the Gaelic name in the names
of places. Probably it has been introduced into every district in which it was
not already native. In Aberdeenshire, and elsewhere in the north, the fruits
seldom grow large or ripen. The varieties have not been distinguished in a good
many districts in which they doubtless occur.
TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 167
6. intermedia (YD. Don), noted in “Flora of Perthshire” as
“widely distributed.”
ce. sessiliflora (Sa/isb.), 73, 74, 76-78, 81, 857, 86-89, 91,
92, 95-97, 99, 105, 108.
Castanea sativa, Mill., not uncommon, but only where introduced,
é.g. IN 72-74, 86, 88-92.
Fagus sylvatica, Z. Probably in almost every district, though not
actually recorded from 79, 99, 105, 108, 109, I10, III, I12.
Though wide spread and abundant, and often occurring in
habitats where not planted by man, H. C. Watson regards it
as not indigenous anywhere in Scotland. It is, however,
thoroughly established in many localities.
MONOCOTYLEDONES.
Elodea canadensis, Michx. (= Anacharis Alsinastrum, Bab.), in
ponds and backwaters, often abundant, 74-77, 83, 84, 86-93,
99, 100, IIT.
Stratiotes aloides, \.., introduced into ponds in 83, 84, “ Perthshire,”
go.
Malaxis paludosa, Sw., 72-75, 85-88, 90-92, 95-100, 104-108, IIo.
Corallorhiza innata, R. Br., 75(?), 81, 83, 85, 87-92, 96, 105,
1006.
Neottia Nidus-avis, Rich., 72, 73, 75-77, 79-92, 94, 96, 98, 99.
Listera cordata, R. Br., except 78, 84, 102.
L. ovata, Rk. Br., except 78, 112.
Goodyera repens, A. 47., 75, 80, 81, 84, 88-97, 105-108.°:
Cephalanthera ensifolia, 7zch., 75, 83, 85, 88, 89, 97, 98, 100,
103, 105.
[C. pallens, Rich.=C. grandiflora, S. F. Gray, has been recorded
for 88, 98, 100, in error? |
Epipactis latifolia, 4/7, 72, 73, 75-77, 80-84, 86-90, 92, 94, 95 (?),
95, LOO, 102, 108:
E. violacea, Lor. (= £. purpurata, Sm.), 84 (?)
E. atrorubens, Schuz/tz, 89, 108.
E. palustris, Crantz, 81-83, 85, 87-89, 104 (?).
Orchis pyramidalis, Z., 72-74, 81, 85, 102, 103.
[O. Morio, L., has been recorded from 83 and 111, in error. ]
O. mascula, Z., except 78, 107.
O. latifolia, Z., aggregate, all; probably this may be taken as
matalts, which form has been recorded by name only from
72-74, 79, 82-86, 88-90, 96, 97, 106-109.
O. incarnata, Z., 72, 74, 79, 80, 82, 84, 86-93, 96-98, 102-106,
108-111.
Orchis maculata, Z., except SO, where it doubtless occurs.
Habenaria conopsea, Benth. (= Gymnadenia conopsea, R. Br.),
except 78, 82, 110.
68 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
i]
. albida, 7. B7:,.excent 7 Ss 79° S0" SL, So nO5, Ot lO a UL.
. viridis, A. Br., except 7S, SO.
. bifolia, R. Br., aggregate, except 78, 7O1, 111, 112.
. bifolia, 2. B7., segregate, Cxceor 75, duos Ol witli 2.
. chloroleuca, Ridley (=H. chlorantha, Bab.), except 78, 93, 94,
95, 96, 107, LOD. ALT Ae
Tris fetidissima, L., as an introduction in 73-75, 87.
I. pseudacorus, Z., all.
Crocus vernus, All., “alien,” in 75.
C. nudiflorus, Sm., escape, in 72.
Narcissus pseudo-narcissus, L., not native in Scotland, but recorded
as more or less fully naturalised, or as an escape, in 72, 74-77,
81, 83, 85, 86, Perthshire, 90-93, 95, 98, 99.
(WV. poeticus, L., an occasional escape or casual.)
Galanthus nivalis, L., like N. pseudo-narcissus, occurring in 73, 75,
76, 86, Perthshire, 92, 99, 102.
Ruscus aculeatus, L., not indigenous in Scotland apparently, 72, 73,
75-77, 83, 85, 95, 99, 102.
Asparagus officinalis, L., naturalised or escape on sea-shore, 73,
82.
Polygonatum verticillatum, 4//., doubtful if anywhere indigenous in
Scotland, very local, 72, 88, 89, go.
P. multiflorum, 4/7, doubtfully indigenous anywhere in Scotland,
often an evident escape, 72, 75-77, 82, 83, 85-88, 90-92, 95.
P. officinale, 4//., very doubtful as indigenous in Scotland, 8g (?),
102.
Convallaria maialis, Z., often an escape or introduction, and usually
recorded as such, but believed by Dr. White to be indigenous
in 87-89, and by Dr. Gordon to be so in 96; also recorded
for go from “one native locality.” Other records are 737,
75, 76, 77, 827, 837, 857, 867, 941, 957; 99, 109T.
Allium Scorodoprasum, Z., 73, 74, 777, 81, 85, 887, 897, [90], 96+.
A. vineale, Z.).72-795, 97, 79; 61, 63-60, 58-93. 99, Doo, 1doz
A. oleraceum, Z., 72, Si, 85, o0-01,.95, 105 (r)
A. carinatum, L., an escape or introduction in 73, 88, 89.
A. Schenoprasum, L., casual or introduced in 77, 81, 83, 85, [98].
A. ursinum, Z.,excepr 78, 95, 11, 172.
Scilla verna, Huds., 73-75, 81, 93-95, IOI-104, 108-112.
S. festalis, Sadisb. (= S. nutans, Sm.), all; but introduced into 110,
Lig, 102:
Ornithogalum umbellatum, L., more or less naturalised in 72, 74,
75, 83, 85, 86, 92, 102.
Lilium pyrenaicum, Gouan )
L. Martagon, L.
Fritillaria Meleagris, L., in 75+, fide “Top. Bot.,” ed. 2.
Tulipa sylvestris, L., rare introductions in 83, 84, 85, fide Sonntag.
aagangengengar
‘Caliens:? in 75.
TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 169
Gagea fascicularis, Salish. (= G. lutea, Ker), 73, 77 (?), 80, 83, 84,
85 (? extinct), 88, 89, 90(?), 92, 95, 96.
Colchicum autumnale, .., casual, or error; reported from 83, 87.
Narthecium ossifragum, Z., except 7S, S82.
Tofieldia palustris, Hds., 72 (?), 86-90, 92, 94, 95 (?), 96-99, 104,
105, 108, 109.
Paris quadrifolia, Z., 72, 73 (escape in both, fide Scott-Elliott, but
in 8 localities), 75-77, 83, 85-92, 94, 96, 109.
Veratrum nigrum, L., “alien” in 75.
Juncus bufonius, Z., all.
var. B fasciculatus, Koch, common in Perthshire, also in
98, 105.
J. trifidus, Z., 72, 86-90, 92, 94, 96-100, 104-108, 111 (?), T12.
J. squarrosus, Z., all.
J. compressus, Jacq., 75 (probably needs confirmation), 80 (?), 89 (?),
99, 105 (?)
J. Gerardi, Lovsel., except 78, 79, SO.
J. tenuis, Wlld., 73, 76, 86, 92 cas., 97, 99: Phere is some
doubt as to whether this rush has not been introduced from
America.
J. balticus, Wit/d., 73 (2), 85, 90-96, 106, 108-1T0.
J. filiformis, Z., 91, 99.
J. glaucus, Leers, except 84, 92, 94, 95, 96, 98, 99, 101, 102, 103,
LOD Oa, LOG, 107) 109, 110, TID (2) Ne.
Seuss: 2s, all:
. effusus x glaucus, 77, [85], 87, [91], 101, 105.
. conglomeratus, Z., all.
. maritimus, Zam., 72-77, 84, 85 (?), 86, 91, 95-97, 99-102.
J. acutus, Z., has been recorded from 73, probably in error. |
. supinus, AZench, except 79, SO.
var. Kochii, Bad., has been recorded from Perthshire, 97,
103-105, 107.
var. fluitans, 7., recorded from 72 (?), 74(?), Perthshire,
TOG
. obtusiflorus, Zhrh., 73-76, 77 (?), 82, 83 (?), 84(?), 90 (?).
. lampocarpus, Zhrh., except SU.
var. nigritellus, Dox, has been recorded from 105.
. alpinus, V77/., 88, 89, 96, 98, 102, 108.
. acutiflorus, Zhrh., except SO.
. castaneus, S., 72 (?), 87, 88, 90, 92, 97-99.
. biglumis, Z., 87, 88, 98, 104, [recorded, in error, also from 86,
89, 90, 92, 94, 97, 100].
. triglumis, Z., 72 (?), 86-90, 92, 94, 96-101, 104, 105, 108, 111,
nae
Luzula Forsteri, DC., 75, 90 (?), [109].
L. vernalis, DC., except 78, 79, 104.
QT ey Cy Cy Cy
a | —)
170 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
L. maxima, DC., except 78.
var. gracilis, Rostrup., 112.
L. albida, DC., recorded as an escape or introduction in 72, 88, 89.
L. arcuata, Sw., 89 (2? in “Top. Bot.,” not known to Dr. White),
90 (?), 92, 94, 96, 108.
L. spicata, DC., 86-90, 92, 94, 96-98, 104-110, 112.
L.. campestris, DC., except 79.
L. erecta, Desv. (=L. multiflora, Lej.), except 98, 106, 108; no
doubt occurs in these also.
var. congesta, Koch, 72-77, 86-92, 97-101, 103-105, 108,
LOO, Lan.
var. sudetica, feichd., reported from Perthshire (but not
known as native by Dr. White), 98, 111.
Typha latifolia, Z., may be indigenous in some localities, but noted
as introduced in other districts ; 72-77, 79} (?), 80-84, 85+ (?),
86-89, 907 (?), 027, 93%, Loo}, (?), 166, Loo, T1717 (7). | Prob:
ably should oftener be queried as native.
var. media, Syme, recorded from 75 (Kilmaurs) in Smith’s
‘Botany of Ayrshire.”
T. angustifolia, Z., 72, 73, 75, 77, 83, 85, 86, 106.
Sparganium ramosum, H/uds., except 101.
var. microcarpum, /Veuman, 88, 103, 110.
. neglectum, Beeby, 98.
. simplex, Huds., except 78, 82, 84, 97, 104, 107, 110.
. affina, Schnizl., except 76, 77, 78, 90, 103, 107.
. minimum, /7., except 78, 80, 81, 82, 84, 85, 93, 94, 95, 106,
LTO LTT:
Arum maculatum, Z., 72-77, 79-81, 83, 84, 851, 86, 871, 881, 9of,
927, 947, 951, 99, I00, 102, togt. Probably a good many
more vice-counties should have +.
Acorus Calamus, L., an introduction in 72, 73, 75, 76, 77, 86.
Lemna trisulca, Z., 75, 77+, 80, 81, 82 (?), 83, 85, 86, 88+ (?), 90,
9I, 94.
L, minor, 2. excepr 76, 107, 108, 112.
L. gibba, Z., 75, 777; 83-86, 100.
L. polyrrhiza, Z., 77, 83, 84.
Alisma Plantago-aquatica, Z., except 78, 97, 104, 105, 107, 108, 109,
DLO, AA De
A. ranunculoides, Z., except 78, 79, 82, 84, 86, 91, 94, 97, 98, 101,
105, 107, 108, 109, 111, 112.
Elisma natans, Buchenau, 74 (in “Top. Bot.”), 75.
Sagittaria sagittifolia, L., introduced into 76, 77, 86.
Butomus umbellatus, Z., 73, 83, 84, 88, 89. Regarded by Dr. White
as native in Perthshire.
Triglochin palustre, Z., all.
T. maritimum, Z., except 78, 79, 80.
NNMNMN
TOPOGRAPHICAL BOTANY OF SCOTLAND 171
Scheuchzeria palustris, Z., 88 (apparently now extinct).
Potamogeton natans, Z., all.
var. lanceolatus, /ieber, 109, 111.
P. polygonifolius, Powr., all.
var. angustifolius, 77, 109, 112 (approaching this var.)
P. coloratus, Hornem. (= P. plantagineus, Du Croz), 72, 79-82, 100,
112(?), [98 and 10g have been also recorded for this, but
probably erroneously ].
P, alpinus, Bald. (=P. rufescens, Schrad.), except 79, 80, 91, 95, 96,
Go tO P1059, 107, 108, L105 Thee:
[P. lanceolatus, .Sv., has been recorded from 72 and 73, but in
error, the plant being P. nzZens.]
P. heterophyllus, Schreb., except SO, 82, 84, 97, 99, 107.
var. ¢c. graminifolius, #7, 109.
Fd Fg Fo kd
P. nitens, Web., 72, 73, 80, 85, 86, 88-90, 92, 93, 95, 96, 98, 100,
HO2eTOZ- TOG (F), LOO, LOS, 109, Therm
Po licens 2, 72, 75,79-81; 83; 85-945.05, 104, LOG (P), BEOWe),
iis pene ,er error].
P. decipiens, /Vo/te, 80, 81, 86, 88, 90, 102.
P. angustifolius, Pres?. (=P. Ziziz, Roth.), 72-74, 77, 79-81, 86-90,
99, 106.
P. prelongus, Wulf, 73, 74, 75 (?), 80, 81, 83(?), 85, 86, 88-90,
92, 95 (?), 96-98, 102-104, 106, 108, 109, 112.
P. perfoliatus, Z., except 78, 82, 101, 105.
var. 6. lanceolatus, 4/y¢4, 86, Sutherland, 112.
Pectspus, Z., except 37 (°), 96, 97, 98, 103, 104, 105, 10K, 106,
112 (?).
var. 5. serratus, Yuds., is reported in “ Fl. Perth,” p. 311, as
“in several places in Perthshire.”
SACUSIISn 40775 OO, O2, O23.
. zostereefolius, Schum, 85 (?), 86, 89 (?), go.
. Bennettii, vyer, 86.
. obtusifolius, Mert. and Koch, 72, 73, 75, 77, 79-81, [83], 85-92,
OG: [rn
var. 6. fluvialis, Zange and Mort, is the “common form in
Perthshire.”
Pe Friesil, eupr..(=P. compressus, Sm.), 73; 75; 775 79 (2), 85; o0,
90,200, ALLO, Tx I,
P. pusillus, Z., except 78, 104, 105, 107, 108.
var. 4. tenuissimus, Koch, 88, 109.
var. ¢. rigidus, Ar. Benn., 113, 112.
P. Sturrockii, 47. Benn., 86, 89.
P. pectinatus, Z., except 76, 77, 78, 79, 82, 88, 89, 91, 94, 97, 9S,
99, 100, 101, 104, 105, 107.
P. interruptus, A7¢. (=P. flabellatus, Bab.), 75, 80, 81, 83, 95, 99,
Palele.
172 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
P. filiformis, /Vo/te, 75, 81, 83, 85, 88, go, 96, 162; LOS) TOG.) TOG=
Tez
Ruppia maritima, Z. (including the forms of Rzfpza in Britain), has
been recorded without precise indication of the form as below:
73-75, 82, 90, 91, 94-97, 101, 102, 109-112. In most it
probably is vostellata.
R. spiralis, Hartm., 73, 74(?), 111, 112.
R, rostellata, Koch, 73, 75, 82, 91, 94-97, 99, LOE-103, ECs... too
I1O-112.
var. 6. nana, Boswell, 105, 106, 111.
Zannichellia palustris, Z., 75-77, 79-83, 85-88, 106, 111.
Z. pedunculata, Retchd., 87 (?), 90, 110.
Z. polycarpa, Volte, 111, 112.
var. &, tenuissima, /7., 111.
Zostera marina, Z., 73-76, 82, 83, 85, 90, 91, 95-107, IOg-ITT,
I12 (not type).
var. 6. angustifolia, #y., 111, 112 (only form seen by W. H.
Beeby).
Z. nana, Roth., 73, 75, 9°, 96, 98-100, 106, 107, ane
Naias flexilis, Rosk. and Schmidt, 88, 89.
Eriocaulon septangulare, With., 103, 104.
(Zo be continued.)
BURGER NOTES ON SCOTTISHEROSHS:
By WILLIAM Barctay.
IN the “Notes on Scottish Roses” which appeared in the
“Annals” for April and July 1896 there will be found in
the July part, pages 174-176, some remarks regarding a
rose which M. Crépin calls “a very curious regional variety,
which does not seem to be represented on the Continent,”
and which he hesitated to class under any known species.
This rose, acting on a suggestion of M. Crépin, I shall in
the sequel speak of by the name of Rosa sub-cortifolia.
In the season of 1896 I gathered specimens in flower,
in most cases from bushes of which I had previously sent
specimens in fruit. M. Crépin’s report on these was as
follows :—“ The rose of which you have this year sent me
numerous specimens in flowers or in fruits, and which you
have already sent in 1894 and 1895, I have as yet been
unable to determine, but it is extremely interesting.
FURTHER NOTES ON SCOTTISH ROSES 173
“What is it in reality? After having examined it
thoroughly, my opinion is that it is very near to KR. corz-
Jfolia, Fr. If its sepals erected themselves on the fruits, I
think I should not hesitate to identify it with 2. corzzfolza.
Its general facies, its leaves, its wood are similar. Moreover,
and this is a very important point, it appears to ripen quite
as early as a. XK. corizfolia. or Ki giadeas Wi Te were a
Déséglise, I should not hesitate to make a new species of it ;
but, according to the principles which guide me, it is not
possible for me to see in this form—certainly a remarkable
one—a veritable species. But, you will say, what do you
make of it? Must one join it to &. covizfolia as a variety ?
That is perhaps the wisest thing to do until further light be
cast upon it.
“The reflexion of the sepals certainly makes it difficult
for us to identify it with 2. corzzfolza, to which we must add
also the less important fact of the different colour of the
petals.
“Tf you describe it as a new secondary species, do so’
with reserves, and make reserves also if you describe it as a
variety of R. corizzfolia. What appears to me certain is that
it is not a variety of RX. canna, L., or of R. tomentella, Lem.
On the other hand, it is not any of the forms which
Mr. Baker has described under the name of 2. arvatica.
_ “As I have already said, I do not find on the Continent
anything similar to it.
“Tt varies a little, whilst preserving its chief characters.
Sometimes the sub-foliar glands are abundant, with the
sepals profusely glandular on the edges, or scarcely at all
glandular. Sometimes the sub-foliar glands are wanting or
nearly so, or with only a few glands on the midrib. In two
cases, the sepals are not only glandular on the edges, but
also on the back, whilst one specimen has the pedicels also
thinly glandular.
“In R. coriifolia, Fr., the fruits are usually rounded ; but
in FR. swb-coritfolia they are long and pyriform.
“In all your specimens the teeth are composite-
glandular, both edges of the teeth having glandular toothlets.
“Tn fine, I repeat, this is an extremely interesting form,
and one which deserves to be made the subject of a special
174 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
notice. In doing so, be careful to impress the fact that this
is not the case of a single bush, but that the form occurs in
different localities more or less distant from each other.
When you write, tell me if it grows mixed with R. corizfolia.
Do its bushes resemble those of this last species, or can one
distinguish the one from the other at a distance ?
“One might ask if A. sezb-corifolia may not be a hybrid ;
but I do not see what crossing could have produced it.”
It will be seen from the above that M. Crépin does
not know very well what to make of AR. sub-coriifolta.
There is nothing about it which would lead me to consider
it as a hybrid, apart from the difficulty of conceiving what the
two species could be that produced it. In general appear-
ance its bushes resemble those of R. corzzfolia, except that,
as a rule, its flowering branches are more elongate and droop-
ing, and with much fewer prickles. It sometimes grows
beside R. corzzfolia, but sometimes also in company with
other species. In 1897 M. Crépin sent me some further
remarks on this form, but the substance of them is the
same as that of the report given above. I may quote one
or two sentences: “I have re-examined the fine collection
which you sent me in 1895 and 1896 of this singular form,
which has already so greatly embarrassed us. The new
examination which I have made leaves me still perplexed
as to the real nature of this rose.” “This strange form is
known to me only by your gatherings. Had it already
been observed before you? ‘That is what I cannot tell.”
With regard to this last question, there are in the
Herbarium of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science
about a dozen specimens which have been named _ var.
arvatica, Baker. About half of these are R. sub-coritfolia.
The others, so far as I can make out from the specimens,
some of which are very poor, belong to R. cordifolia, Fr. I
believe that I have seen specimens with Mr. Kidston,
gathered in Stirlingshire, and also named A. arvatica, Baker,
which likewise belong to A. szb-corizfolia. I believe that
all the specimens from Perthshire which have been named
var. arvatica, Baker, belong either to R. corzzfolia or to
R. sub-corifolia. Anxious, if possible, to obtain more light
as to R. sub-coritfolia, | sent to Mr. Baker at Kew a series
FURTHER NOTES ON SCOTTISH ROSES 175
of specimens with flowers and fruit, and asked him to give
his opinion regarding them. He very kindly examined
them and wrote me saying that in his opinion they belonged
to a little-known form, his variety zzcanxa, which is the same
as R. tomentosa, Sm., var. zxcana, Woods, and R. cesza, Sm.,
var. zzcana, Borrer. In confirmation of his opinion, he referred
me to Borrer’s description in the “ British Flora,” ed. iii. p. 242,
and also to the type specimen in Woods’ numbered collec-
tion, deposited in the Herbarium of the Linnean Society in
authentication of his monograph.
Borrer’s description of the var. zzcana does not agree
in several points with the characters of A. sub-corzzfolia. As
regards the reflexion of the sepals, he says of var. zzcana :
“The sepals spread widely, or even become recurved after
flowering.” In R&R. sub-corizfolia, the sepals become closely
reflexed (appressed to the fruit) after flowering. Some of
them spread a little just as the fruit is ripening, and rarely
one or two may become erect ; but on the whole they continue
closely reflexed till they drop off. Then as regards the fruit,
he describes that of var. zzcana as almost equally large at
both ends. The fruit of A. sab-corizfolca is almost always
thickest above the middle, and narrowed below. Knowing,
however, the difficulty of judging critical forms from even
the most accurate description, I was desirous to see the type
specimen in Woods’ collection. A few months ago, a short
visit to London enabled me, through the kindness of the
officials of the Linnean Society, to gratify this desire.
The specimen No. 59 of Woods’ collection, named by
him var. zzcana of R. tomentosa, Sm., is rather a poor one on
which to found even a variety. It contains only one very
immature fruit. In the manuscript notes which are deposited
along with the collection Woods says: “Sent from Mr. G.
Don to Mr. Sabine. I have not only seen no other plant,
but this is the only specimen of the fruit which has come
under my notice.”
After a careful examination of the specimen, such as it
is, 1 am unable to coincide with Mr. Baker’s opinion that var.
zncana and XR. sub-coriifolia are the same. Woods’ plant ap-
pears to me to be certainly a form of 2. corzzfolza, Fr., belong-
ing to the same group as var. IVa¢sonz, Baker. Borrer was, |
176 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
think, perfectly right in making it a variety of R. cesza, Sm.,
in regard to which I shall have something to say further on.
Without attempting in the meantime to define the exact
position of 2. swb-coriifolia further than to say that there
can be no doubt that it is more nearly allied to 2. corzzfolia,
Fr., than to any other species or sub-species, I submit the
following description of it, drawn from the study of a con-
siderable series of specimens from different and pretty widely
separated localities in Perthshire.
R. sub-coritfolia— Bush varying from four or five to
seven or eight feet in height, usually having the flowering
branches more elongated and less erect than in X. corzzfolia.
Prickles rather thinly scattered, uncinate with lengthened
base, often nearly wanting on the flowering branches.
Leaves usually very glaucous in hue. Leaflets five or
seven, the lower smaller, and all set close together; the
terminal varying in shape and breadth, usually ovate or oval,
acute or somewhat obtuse at the point, at the other end
rounded or wedge-shaped, upper surface glabrous or glab-
rescent, lower hairy, chiefly on the ribs. Serratures copiously
compound and beset with glands. Petioles downy and more
or less glandular.
Stipules broad, with lengthened acute divaricate points,
more or less downy on the back, the edges fringed with
glands, which sometimes are spread more or less thickly over
the dorsal surface.
Bracts large, twice the length of the peduncle, similar in
clothing to the stipules but more rarely glandular.
Peduncles short, about 53, of an inch long, less than half
the length of the fruit, glabrous.
Flowers solitary, or up to four in a cluster, very pale pink.
Fruit fully 3 of an inch long, less than half an inch at
its broadest part, which is above the middle, narrowed below,
obovate or pyriform. Styles hairy, forming a rounded mass.
Sepals rather longer than the fruit, the main ones pinnate
with usually rather slender pinnz, downy on the back, the
edges more or less fringed with glands, which sometimes
extend to the dorsal surface, closely reflexed after flowering,
disarticulating as the fruit reddens, which occurs about the das¢
week of August or the first week of September.
FURTHER NOTES ON SCOTTISH ROSES 177
Differs from R. corizfolia by the flowering branches more
elongate and with fewer prickles, by the shape of the fruit,
and especially by the sepals not becoming erect.
It is to be noted that there is a certain amount of varia-
tion amongst the different specimens. The leaflets may be
more or less glandular on the under surface, or eglandular ;
the petioles, backs of the stipules, and backs of the sepals
may also be with or without glands, and in one case the
peduncles also are glandular. Though the flowers are
wonderfully uniform in colour,—a very pale pink,—in one
case they are as deeply coloured as they commonly are in X.
corifolza. The amount of villosity also varies, both as regards
the under surface of the leaflets and the backs of the stipules.
In the “Revision des Rosa de Vlherbier Babington,”
which appeared in the Journal of Botany for 1896, M. Crépin
says that though he had not seen authentic specimens, he
had reason to believe that R. cesta, Sm., is a variety of
R. coritfolia, Fr. The specimen in Woods’ collection, No.
78, which bears on the label “ R. cesta, Sm., Taynuilt, Mr.
Borrer,” is undoubtedly a form of R. corizfolza, Fr., with slightly
compound glandular toothing, and with the pedicels and
backs of the sepals eglandular. In the Herbarium of the
Natural History Department at South Kensington I found
a specimen similar in all respects, also labelled “ R. c@sza, Sm.,
Taynuilt, W. Borrer, June 1810?”
In the same collection may be seen another specimen
named &#. cesza, Sm., and with the following interesting
note pasted on the sheet: “ Rosa (cesza, if new).—Highland
valleys of Perthshire and Argyllshire. Bush compact, not so
tall as R. cantina, covered in July with a profusion of flowers,
which are usually solitary, sometimes in pairs, generally of
an uniform but very beautiful carnation hue (like that of
Rk. collina in English Botany) occasionally white. Calyx
sometimes sprinkled with glands, sometimes not. Young
twigs and germen remarkably czsious.”
This note is not signed, but underneath is written in
pencil “W. Borrer.”
Below are the words: “From Sowerby’s Herbarium.
ecd. 1850.”
This specimen, which is in flower, is also incontestably
31 E
178 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
a form of R. corzzfolia, Fr., but differs from the two previously
mentioned in having the pedicels and backs of the sepals
thinly glandular. In the Kew Herbarium is a similar speci-
men labelled “ Taynuilt—H. C. D. Turner.”
Besides these type specimens, there were both at Kew
and at South Kensington other specimens gathered in various
parts of England by various collectors, and named &. c@sza,
Sm. In most cases these were, I think, forms of 2. corzzfolia,
Fr., but several of them were, in my judgment, forms of
R. tomentosa, Sm.
In the “Revision des Rosa de Vherbier Babington,”
M. Crépin says that R. pruznosa, Baker, is also probably a
variety of R. corzifolia, Fr. Mr. Baker, in his paper, identifies
with his var. praznosa those forms of A. cesca, Sm., which
have the pedicels eglandular, for he quotes A. cesza, Borrer,
“Brit. Flora,’ edit. 3, page 242 (er Zaric). lf so; then the
two type specimens of A. cesza, Sm., which I have mentioned
first, would be classed as var. pruznosa ; and, as I have said,
these are, in my opinion, forms of 2. corzzfolia. At Kew I
did not see any specimens named var. pruznosa. At South
Kensington there were two bearing that name, both gathered
in 1884 by E. F. Linton: one in Braemar, the other in Glen
Shee. The first is R. coriifolia, with composite-glandular
toothing and leaflets glandular below ; the other is similar,
but without glands on the under surface of the leaflets.
It would appear then that M. Crépin is right in saying
that var. pracinosa, Baker, is a variety of 2. corizfolia, Fr. |
may add that No. 77 of Woods’ collection, gathered near
Edinburgh by Mr. Borrer and described in the “ British Flora”
as R. Borreri, Woods, var. 8, appears to me to be likewise a
form of R. corizfolia, Fr., with composite-glandular toothing
and leaflets glandular below.
The uncertainty which has so long prevailed regarding
R. cesta, Sm., and its variety zzcana, Woods, has undoubtedly
resulted from the fact that the specimens on which they were
founded exist only in flowers or in immature fruit. Had
authentic specimens existed showing the mature fruit, the
identity of these with 2. corzzfolia, Fr., must have been long
ago perceived. A. corizfolia is very abundant in Scotland,
and its variations are manifold. These have been grouped
OBSTACLES TO THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS’ EGGS 179
by M. Crépin under six heads in the “ Revision des Rosa de
Yherbier Babington,” and also in the “Notes on Scottish
Roses” which appeared in this journal in 1896. Many of
these variations, gathered in Scotland, generally in immature
condition, have been wrongly named. The following, for
example, which I saw in the Herbarium at South Kensington,
are all forms of R. coritfolia: R. arvatica, Baker, near
Kincraig, Inverness, A. Somerville; 2. tomentella, Lem., near
Kincraig, and another from West Kincraig, A. Somerville ;
R. obtustfolia, Desv., Braemar by Clunie side, E. F. Linton.
OBSTACLES TO THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS’ EGGS
IN SCOTLAND.
FOR several years past letters similar to the ones reproduced
below,and emanating from the same source, have been received
by ornithologists resident in Scotland, and also by Scottish
lighthouse-keepers. It will be observed that the desiderata
include several clutches of all the species which it is most
important should be (and in most counties are) protected,
as well as eggs which are covered by the game laws.
[Copy] : ;
SUFFOLK, 15¢/ June 1898.
DEAR SiR—Are you collecting birds’ eggs or Lepidoptera? If so,
do you care to consider an exchange of duplicates with me? I can
offer, taken in Great Britain and Ireland, Kestrel, Sparrow Hawk,
Dipper, Nightingale, Redstart, Whinchat, Chiffchaff, Great Tit,
Ray’s Wagtail, Titlark, Tree Pipit (7 great variety), Skylark, Tree
Sparrow, Redpole, Linnet, Bullfinch, Chough (sany), Carrion Crow,
Rook, Cuckoo (with Pied Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Redbreast), King-
fisher, Stock Dove, Turtle Dove, Pheasant, Red Grouse, Partridge,
Lapwing, Sandpiper, Snipe, Heron, Landrail, Razorbill, Guillemot,
Gannet (many), Terns (Common and Lesser), Gulls (Black-headed,
Herring, and Great Black-backed), Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel,
and wearly all our commoner species. Also (but not British taken)
Bee-eater, Glossy Ibis, various Herons, Dwarf Shag, Crab Plover, etc.
etc. Of local Macro-Lepidoptera I have many to spare, besides large
numbers of zeardy all the common species. Also Colonella (now
emerging in numbers from my humble-bees’ nests) and Sticticalis.
Also (Coleoptera) one hundred or more Chrysomela distinguenda zo
pinned. On the next page I give what I want, full separate clutches
taken only in Great Britain, Ireland, or Faroe, with satisfactory data,
180 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
every egg absolutely perfect, even as to edges of drilled hole.
Eagles (both), Osprey, Hobby, Merlin, Kite, Honey Buzzard,
Harriers (all three), Owls (except Tawny), Pied Flycatcher, Redwing,
Fieldfare, Ring Ousel, Stonechat, Warblers (Marsh, Grasshopper,
Dartford, Wood), Tits (Marsh and Crested), Rock Pipit, Woodlark,
Buntings (Snow and Cirl), Brambling, Goldfinch, Siskin, Twite,
Crossbill, Raven, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Swift, Rock Dove,
Capercailzie, Black Grouse, Ptarmigan, Quail, Golden Plover,
Dotterel, Kentish Plover, Greenshank, Ruff, Dunlin, Woodcock,
Whimbrel, Spotted Crake, Gadwall, Shoveller, Wigeon, Teal,
Garganey, Scoter, Divers (all three), Black Guillemot, Roseate Tern,
Great Skua, Leach’s Petrel. Two or more clutches of any of these,
and one good clutch of each of Cormorant and Great Crested Grebe.
No small clutches wanted (e.g., of three Woodcock, three Dunlin),
I fear I have named some that are hardly obtainable even if you
have them to spare, unless you want several clutches of Chough.—
Yours truly, [ Signed | F, NORGATE.
[ Copy] : . : ‘
SUFFOLK, 237d March 1899.
Dear Str,—Do you collect birds’ eggs? If so, do you care to
consider an exchange of duplicate c/wtches with British, Irish, or
Faroe data with me? I can spare many good clutches of Chough
(Irish), Sparrow Hawk, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Nightingale, Redstart,
Linnet, Corncrake, Heron, Red-legged Partridge, Snipe; Great Black-
backed, Herring, and Black-headed Gulls; Tern, Gannet, Manx
Shearwater, Storm Petrel, and nearly a/7 our commoner species with
British data. Also most of the rarer (foreign taken) species in the
British list, and several exotic species. If you collect you may be
able to supply me with several species of local North British birds
that I still want, and I would send you a full list of all I can spare
and of all I want, if you desire it.—Yours truly,
[ Signed | F. NoRGATE.
P.S.—If you think there is a chance of an exchange, I may say
at once that I want a clutch or two, of not less than four eggs each,
of Crossbill, fresh taken, zo¢ blown. I do not object to three or
four days’ incubation, but they must not be near hatching, and must
be offered ¢#zs month (not later). I would send a specially padded
box filled with felt, with one hole for each egg. I mention this
want only because March is nearly over and I do not want them to
be taken later. [ Stgned | PON.
PROSECUTION UNDER THE WILD Brrps PRrotecrion Actrs.—In
May last, a woman named Brown was fined, in Aberdeen Sheriff
Court, £1, or seven days’ imprisonment, for inciting boys to collect
Lapwings’ eggs (for which she paid them a penny apiece) after 15th
April. It came out at the trial that her husband was a regular
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 181
dealer in eggs, and had this year alone dispatched upwards of two
tons of Lapwings eggs to London.
DESTRUCTION OF OsPREYS.—We regret to learn that Ospreys have
been destroyed during the present season in the counties of Argyll and
Aberdeen. It is satisfactory to know, however, that both cases are
being investigated with a view to the prosecution of the offenders.
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.
Pied Flyeatecher in S.E. Seotland.—We are informed that the
Pied Flycatcher (AZuscicapa atricapilla) has been unusually abundant
as a bird of passage this season. Unfortunately, the details are not
forthcoming in some instances. It was first reported from Ravel-
ston, near Edinburgh, on roth May, where a male was seen by
Mr. A. O. Curle. A male was observed at Tyninghame on the
12th, where, on the 14th, no less than eleven were noticed in
different places by Mr. Christopher C. Tunnard. In the “Scotsman ”
for 23rd May, it is stated that three of these birds were observed
“the other day” between Ayton and St. Abb’s. Lastly, an adult
male was picked up dead towards the middle of June in the remote
island of Foula, Shetland, and sent for identification by Mrs. Traill
of Edinburgh and Foula. —Eps.
The Pied Flyeateher in East Lothian, ete.—Pied Flycatchers
(Muscicapa atricapilla) seem to have been unusually plentiful on
our east coast this year during the period of the spring migration.
From Dunbar I heard of them from several sources. According to
my information, they were first observed on roth May, and for a few
days were, comparatively speaking, quite common in the neighbour-
hood. Mr. D. Bruce wrote me on the 13th saying, that in the
course of that and the two previous days he had seen no less than
fifteen or sixteen pairs. On the 11th, two were seen by Mr. R. R.
Sutter at East Barns; and in a stable there, a fine male, which Mr.
Sutter kindly forwarded to me, was found dead on the 16th. About
the same time, three were seen near St. Abb’s; and when on the Isle
of May recently I learned that they had also been common there.
Almost every year a few Pied Flycatchers are observed on the east
coast of Scotland, but, according to my notes, we must go back to
May 1885 for a visitation at all approaching the present one. Con-
tinuous cold, easterly winds characterised both occasions. — WILLIAM
Evans, Edinburgh.
Golden Oriole in Clackmannanshire.—On the roth of May, a
Golden Oriole (Oviolus galbula) was picked up dead on the lawn of
Montague Cottage, Menstrie, and brought to me for identification.
On the previous day, I had a hasty glimpse of what appeared to be
182 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
a large yellow bird flitting about with a number of Thrushes. This
may have been the bird found dead on the following day, or its
mate. The bird has been presented to the Museum of the Smith
Institute, Stirling —JAMES CowPeER, Minister of Menstrie.
Golden Oriole in the ‘‘Solway” Area.—The Golden Oriole
(Oriolus galbula) is a very rare visitant to Scotland generally, and
it is equally rare in our area of “Solway.” Leaving one very
doubtful record out of account, only one authentic instance of its
occurrence here has hitherto been known to me. This was an
individual shot in the spring of 1872 betwixt Kirkconnel and
Sanquhar. It is now in Dr. Grierson’s museum at Thornhill, but
the last time I saw it there the specimen was in a very dilapidated
condition. A Golden Oriole was shot near to Newton-Stewart at
the end of April this year, and is now being preserved. This makes
only the second bird of the species procured here, and it is rather
singular that this should be so, because farther south the bird is a
well-known spring migrant.—R. SERVICE, Maxwelltown.
White-fronted Geese in Fife.—During the last fifteen years or
so, the only gray geese that I have met with in the north-east of
Fife have been Pink-footed Geese and occasionally a few Graylags ;
while the sixty or so that I have secured from time to time have
been Pinkfoots without exception. In April of this year, however,
I secured one of three White-fronted Geese (A. albifrons) which
were feeding on new-sown barley in a field within my district. <A
large number of geese were on the field, all the others apparently of
the ordinary species; but the three White-fronted Geese kept by
themselves, some little distance apart from the main body. After a
long and tedious stalk, I was able to get to within twenty yards of
them, and from that distance observed them closely for a few
minutes. The three were identical in appearance and plumage
(that of a bird of last year), the white frontal band being narrow,
and the black patches on the breast only represented by a few
scattered dark feathers ; but the darker colour of the back, and the
orange bill and white nail, were very noticeable. ‘The birds were
also distinctly less wary than Pink-footed Geese always are.
I have, on one occasion, killed a Pink-footed Goose (6), with a
white “nail,” and the same bird not infrequently has white round
the base of its bill ; and it was only on closer inspection that I could
determine this—to me—new species. The specimen is now in the
Edinburgh Museum.—WIL11AM Berry, Tayfield, Newport, Fife.
[We are informed of the bare fact that two other specimens of
this species were obtained in the lower Tay district during the past
winter.—EDs. |
Pochard in the “Clyde” Area. A Correction.—The small
flock of Pochards (fudigula ferina) were observed near Wishaw Station
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 183
on the 21st of February, zo¢ on the 21st of July as stated in the
“ Annals” for April (p. 109).—EDs.
King Eider in the Shetlands.—Referring to the editorial note
on this subject (p. 112), I may state that I examined both the birds
sent to London by Mr. Bankart on the day they arrived, and while
they were yet unskinned. The male, as already announced, was a
King Eider (Somateria spectabilis) ; the female was undoubtedly a
Common Eider (Somateria mollissima). The measurements and
weights were as follows :—Ainmg Lider, wing from carpus, I1 ins. ;
tarsus, 2 ins.; middle toe, 24 ins.; weight, 3 lbs. 14 oz. Common
Ejider, wing 104 ins.; tarsus, 2 ins.; middle toe, 3 ins.; weight,
3 lbs. 15 oz. The colours of the soft parts have been already
described in my communication to “The Field” of 4th March
last.—J. E. HartTING.
Little Auk in Barra in April.—On the 8th of April last, a cat
brought in a Little Auk which it had evidently just captured and
killed. The bird was in excellent condition, and had partially
assumed its summer plumage. I sent it to the Edinburgh Museum
of Science and Art.—Wwm. L. Macciuivray, Eoligary, Barra.
Carabus glabratus, Pays, in Clyde.— Mr. A. Adie Dalglish
has shown me a specimen of Carabus glabratus taken by him at
Glenmallon, Argyllshire, in 1897, at an elevation of about 600 feet.
Mr. G. W. Ord has kindly given me another specimen of this
species, collected at Craigmaddie, Dumbartonshire, at an elevation
of 500 feet. Carabus glabratus has not, so far as I am aware, been
recorded for “Clyde.” Both specimens were sent to Mr. G. C.
Champion, F.Z.S., for verification ANDERSON FERGuSON, Glasgow.
Huntemannia jadensis, S. 4. Pofpe—Extension of Distribu-
tion.—This Copepod was added to the British fauna in 1895, from
specimens taken at the head of West Loch Tarbert, Cantyre. More
recently it was obtained in the Cromarty Firth, and is recorded
from there in the ‘‘Seventeenth Annual Report of the Fishery
Board for Scotland,” part ili. A further extension of the distribu-
tion of this species is indicated in the following remarks. I
happened, during May last, to make a few hours’ visit to two places
on the Clyde, viz. Millport and Inverkip, and embraced the oppor-
tunity to examine some brackish-water pools at both the places
named. AHuntemannia was captured at each of these localities, and
I am enabled now to give this interesting species a place amongst
the Copepod fauna of the Clyde. The known distribution of
Huntemannia in Britain seems to be restricted to the four places
mentioned above; but the species will probably be found in other
localities where the conditions are suitable. One of the Inverkip
specimens—a female—carried two ovisacs like a Cyclops. This is
the first time I have seen Huntemannia catrying eggs.—T. ScorTt,
Aberdeen.
184 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Leptopsyllus minor, 7: axd A. Scott, in the Clyde Distriet.—
This slender and minute Copepod was obtained in the same
localities as the HZuntemannia. The species was first taken between
tide-marks at Musselburgh, Firth of Forth, and described and
figured in the “Annals of Scottish Natural History” for January
1895. It has not been observed anywhere else since that time,
except the two places on the Clyde now referred to. The genus is
distinguished by the peculiar form of the fifth thoracic feet of the
female. Three species have been recognised, viz. Leptopsyllus
vobertsont, L. intermedius, and the one now added to the Clyde
fauna—JL. minor. Leptopsyllus minor measures scarcely the 5th
of an inch in length, and is so slender as to appear, at first sight, like
a minute fragment of fibre. The female carries several (at least 3
or 4) large eggs arranged in a line, end to end.—T. Scorr, Aberdeen.
The Humming-bird Hawk-moth in the Edinburgh Distriet.—
The Humming-bird Hawk-moth (dZacroglossa stellatarum) has been
more abundant in this neighbourhood this summer than I have ever
seen it before. The first I heard of was taken in Peeblesshire on
1st June, and on the 3rd my friend Mr. P. H. Grimshaw captured
one at wild garlic (Alum ursinum) in Roslin Glen. On the roth
I observed quite a number—certainly not less than fifteen to twenty
—on the Fife coast between Burntisland and Kinghorn. Two which
I netted were hovering over flowering patches of Zotus corniculatus
on a sunny bank, but most of them were flying about the cliffs and
rocky places where they could not readily be reached. Several times
three, and once four, were in view at the same moment. After 4 P.M.
they gradually disappeared, the last being seen shortly after 6 o’clock.
The only flowers besides the Zo¢us that I saw them visit were
Astragalus hypoglottis and Salvia verbenaca. The next example
I saw was on the Isle of May on the r5th. On the 16th I again
met with the insect, this time between Longniddry and Aberlady.
They were flying about the high roadside wall at intervals for a
distance of two miles ; and at one place I caught six without moving
more than roo yards. Altogether, I must have seen quite thirty on
this occasion. The same day one was seen at Craiglockhart. In the
forenoon of the rgth I noticed three, if not four, on Blackford Hill,
and in the afternoon I found numbers careering about the rocks on
Arthur’s Seat. A similar outburst of this species occurred here
thirty years ago (1868-1870).—Wi..1AM Evans, Edinburgh.
Humming-bird Hawk-moth in the Upper Clyde.—This season,
since the beginning of June, the Humming-bird Hawk-moth (Macro-
glossa stellatarum) fies been much in evidence. Individuals of this
species were attracted in large numbers to a Rhododendron when in
full bloom, in front of the Manse, where their characteristic move-
ments were, for over a week, an interesting and attractive sight—
J. D. W. Greson, Carmichael Manse, Thankerton,
BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS 185
BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS.
Hierochloe borealis, Roem. and Schult., in Kirkeudbrightshire.
—This grass has been found this season on the Solway coast, thus
extending its known range of occurrence very greatly. We hope to
include an article upon its distribution from Mr. Bennett in our
next issue.
Wigtownshire Plants.—It may be worth while mentioning that
Raphanus maritimus, Sm. (“ E. B.,” t. 1643), is represented by a type
specimen in Sir James Smith’s Herbarium, in the Linnean Society’s
possession. It was sent to Smith in 1800 by Mr. J. Mackay from
the Mull of Galloway, and is referred to in ‘‘ English Botany,” under
t. 1643 (1806), and the “English Flora,” vol. iii, p. 227 (1825).
The earliest record cited in the “ Flora of Dumfriesshire” is that of
Dr. Balfour in 1835. In the same collection there is a specimen
of Scirpus Tabernemontani, Gmel., labelled .S. g¢aucus, from the
side of a salt marsh on the west of Arbigland in Galloway, by Mr.
J. Mackay, 1800. This is also referred to in “E. B.,” t. 2321 (1811),
and in the “English Flora,” i. p. 57 (1824). The only record in
the ‘Flora of Dumfriesshire” is Kirkcudbright, reported by J.
M‘Andrew, 1882; and Arbigland is given as a locality, but it does
not appear to be quite clear whether this locality yields S. dacustris
or S. Zabernemontani. In any case, Mackay’s record is the earliest
for the county. Vicia hirsuta, Koch, var. angustifolia (Ervum
lirsutum), var. angustifolium, Fries, ‘‘ Novit Fl. Suec.,” p. 231 (1828),
occurs on the shingle at Stranraer with a reddish-purple-flowered
form of Vicia Cracca, which, although probably an introduced plant,
is worth further study. Among the Zuphrasie which I gathered
in the county are £. brevipila, E. Rostkoviana, and £. gractlis.—
G, CLARIDGE DRUCE.
Crategus Oxyaeantha, Z7zn.—It is much to be desired that
Scottish botanists would examine the forms of this variable species.
The prevailing form in Scotland is that known as Crategus
monogyna, Jacquin (“ Fl. Austr.,” ili. 50, t. 292); but this in itself
is subject to considerable variation. In the midland counties C.
oxyacanthoides, Thuill. (“ Fl. Par.,” ed. ii. p. 245), is also frequent.
This latter plant is usually differentiated by having two or three
styles, two- or three-stoned fruit, and glabrous calyx tube; the
leaves are also more glossy, and Syme says that it flowers earlier
than monogyna, which has one style (as the name suggests), one-
stoned fruit, and downy calyx tube. I have collected a consider-
able number of specimens, many of which, however, do not answer
to the characters assigned to either form; and, having recently
had the opportunity of submitting them to Herr Freyn, of Prague,
who for the past twenty years has been studying the forms of this
186 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
species, I thought his views would be interesting to British
botanists. He writes: “The English Cvateg? which you have sent
me show how inconstant is the number of the styles in the White-
thorn. We cannot, in my opinion, make use, with any result, either
of the number of the styles or of the stones for distinguishing
C. Oxyacantha and C. monogyna. ‘The only tolerably certain
character is given in the nervation of the leaves, as was pointed out
by Boreau in ‘Flore des Centre de la France,’ vol. ii. p. 234 (1857),
and specially clearly by Willkomm in ‘Forstliche Flora,’ pp. 611,
612. C. Oxyacantha (oxyacanthoides, Thuill.) has the lower leaf-
nerves curved inwards. C. monogyna has them curved outwards.
C. monogyna, besides, has generally, but not always, and especially
in the south of Europe, strongly divided leaves.” Some of my
specimens from Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Hampshire, and
Northamptonshire, which had the incurved veins characteristic of
true (Boreau’s) C. Oxyacantha, had hairy calyx tubes. ‘These Herr
Freyn has named “ C. Oxyacantha, L., var. eriocalyx, Freyn, inedit.,
a typo calyce dense villoso, pedicellis plus minus villosulis differt.”
According to our British definitions, these plants, from their hairy
calyx tube, would have probably been grouped under C. monogyna,
but in some specimens collected by me the flowers on the same
branch varied with one or two styles. I think the definition given
by Herr Freyn will assist us in grouping the forms of the White-
thorn in a more satisfactory manner than has hitherto been the
case. In some examples from the Midlands, I find that the
vegetative shoots on a branch bearing leaves with convergent
nerves have also leaves with somewhat divergent nerves. ‘This may
be a hybrid plant, or it may show that the character based upon the
nerves is not so precise as one is led to suppose. On this point
further information is required ; but, without knowing the character
given above, I had marked this identical specimen “ C. Oxyacantha
approaching monogyna.” A specimen collected by my friend Miss
C. E. Palmer, and distributed, through the Bot. Exch. Club, from
Warwickshire, Herr Freyn also names var. eviocalyx. All my
Scottish specimens belong to C. monogyna. ‘There appears to be
good ground for believing that this is a distinct species from C.
Oxyacantha, and I should not be surprised if it may eventually be
shown that the C. Oxyacantha in the Linnean Herbarium is also
monogyna, as this appears to be the more frequent form in the north
of Europe.—G,. CLARIDGE DRUCE.
An Early Seottish Locality for Sparganium affine, Schzz/. (S.
natans, Zinz.).—Mr. Clarke, in his interesting “ First Records of
British Flowering Plants,” mentions as the earliest printed reference
for the above species the third edition of Babington’s ‘‘ Manual”
of 1851. The following letter to Sir James Smith will show that
it had attracted attention in Scotland some time previously, and,
BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS 187
like many other Scottish plants, was recognised as distinct by
George Don the elder. It may, however, be urged, with some
reason, that the letter does not conclusively prove that .S. afize was
differentiated from .S. minimum, Fries, but I think it extremely
probable that Don knew both plants. The date of the communica-
tion is 1814, and is as follows: ‘“‘I am satisfied that it is of frequent
occurrence in the lakes of Scotland. It is probably referred to by
Mr. Neill in his ‘Tour to Orkney and Shetland’ (1806), see p. 46.7
When I exhibited the plant to George Don, who paid me a visit a
short time since, he instantly recognised the foliage, but stated he
had never seen it in flower. He had observed it in the Isle of
Skye, on Ben Lawers, and at the head of Mar Forest. Should no
better name occur, the trivial name /ongifo/ium will not be improper.
—J. Fleming, F.R.S.E.” Curiously enough, Smith does not refer to
the plant mentioned in the above letter in either edition of the
“English Flora.” In “Topographical Botany” Mr. Watson gives,
under 4S. affine, “ Shetland, Dr. Fleming possibly.” On the evidence
afforded by this letter, S. affine is not recorded for Ben Lawers in the
“Flora of Perthshire ” although it is found in the county, and I have
seen it from Skye and South Aberdeenshire.-—G. CLARIDGE DRUCE.
Carex eurta, Good, var. dubia, Barley (sub. eaneseens).—The
determination by Pfarrer Kiikenthal of this as a British plant is of
interest, as it is rare in America. As it is difficult sometimes for
others to consult the descriptions of these new forms, I give Pro-
fessor Bailey’s notes, etc., on the var. :—
“ Carex canescens, L., var. dubia, n. var.—Culm stiff, 1 foot high,
longer than the long pointed leaves; spikes 3-6, all approximate,
oblong, ro-20 flowered, light tawny ; perigynium gradually narrowed
into a beak half or more as long as the body, minutely rough on
the angles alone, nerved, about the length of or a little longer than
the scale. C. helvola, Blytt? ‘Carex Cat,’ Bear River Canon,
Utah (No. 1231a, King’s ‘Survey’); perhaps also the No. 1018 of
Wheeler’s ‘Survey,’ from Tuin Lakes, Colorado.
“The variety differs from C. canescens in its stiffer culm, mostly
shorter leaves, oblong and approximate spikes, and in the characters
of the perigynium, much resembling the European C. “elvola (itself
a doubtful species), but differing in its narrower scales, and its
nerved and rough-angled perigynium.”—L. H. Bailey in “ Botanical
Gazette,” No. 8, p. 119 (1884).
“*| 1 The following is Neill’s account of the occurrence of the Sparganium : ‘«In
the Loch of Knitching, which occupies a hollow near the top of the high hill of
Knitching in the vicinity of the Manse, I observed an aquatic plant, apparently
a Sparganium ; but although the plant is abundant, I could not find it in flower.
Its leaves float on the surface of the water, in the manner of Poa fluztans. It
differs from Spargantum natans in having narrower, coarser, and longer leaves.
Any naturalist who may happen to visit Rousay at a different season of the year
may find it worth while to examine the plant.”
188 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
“C. canescens, var. dubia, Bailey.
“ C. elongata, Olney, Bot. King’s Report, p. 365, U.S., not Linn. ;
Bailey’s ‘Coulter’s Manual,’ p. 394, excluding description. Uintah
Mts., Utah, Watson; and Alta, Wahsatch Mts., Jones.”——Bailey in
‘Syn. North Amer. Carices” ; “ Proc. Am. Acad. Arts and Sciences,”
LOSO, Pp. L432:
Kihlman, in ‘ Meddel. Soc. Fauna et Flora Fenn.,” xvi. 1888-91,
pp. 69-75, discusses Carex helvola, Blytt, and considers it C. canescens
x dagopina ; while Blytt’s C. pseudohelvola he referred to C. canescens
x norvegica. The British specimens I have seen of C. Aelvola are
poor compared with the beautiful specimens for Norway (Blytt) and
Finland (Kihlman). From one locality in Finland C. helvola was
named “ C. /agopfina” by the finder.—ARTHUR BENNETT.
Seed-production in Dianthus deltoides, Z.—As a contribution
to the records of the rate of reproduction in a plant that can
scarcely be regarded as among the most prolific, I give the results
ascertained on two plants in my garden in Old Aberdeen, where
they grew on soil not naturally rich, and scarcely manured. ‘The
first plant was brought by me, in 1892, in its first year, from sandy
links at St. Cyrus in S.E. Kincardineshire. Next year it produced
1811 flowers. A descendant of this plant, in 1898, bore 2675
flowers of full size and 10g small buds of flowers. Of seven capsules
taken from it at random, I counted the seeds, which varied in
number from 63 to 104 in the capsules, the average being 78.
Of these, some were shrivelled ; but not fewer than 50 per capsule
appeared fully formed. Thus, even without the mere flower-buds,
one plant, had it not been gathered, might have produced upwards
of 130,000 seeds capable of germination.—James W. H. TRaIL.
CURRENT LITERATURE.
The Titles and Purport of Papers and Notes relating to Scottish Natural His-
tory which have appeared during the Quarter—April-June 1899.
[The Editors desire assistance to enable them to make this Section as complete as
possible. Contributions on the lines indicated will be most acceptable and
will bear the initials of the Contributor. The Editors will have access to the
sources of information undermentioned. ]
ZOOLOGY.
ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM ABERDEEN. W. Wilson. Zoolo-
gist (4), vol. iii. pp. 271-272 (June 1899).
ABNORMAL OCCURRENCE OF THE Prep WactTaiL (MOTACILLA
LUGUBRIS) THROUGH THE WINTER IN ABERDEENSHIRE. W. Wilson.
Zoologist (4), vol. ill. p. 268 (June 1899).
CURRENT LITERATURE 189
A FoRTNIGHT IN THE HicHianps. By G. T. Porritt, F.LS.,
F.E.S. L£xtomologist, vol. xxxii. pp. 86-91 (April 1899).—An
interesting account of a fortnight’s insect-collecting in the neighbour-
hood of Rannoch in the month of June 1898.
EUPLEXIA LUCIPARA IN FEBRUARY. R. S. Gordon, F.E. S, Lint.
Record, vol. xi. p. 111 (April 1899).—A specimen captured on
16th February at Corsemalzie, Whauphill, Wigtownshire.
NoTES ON THE ADDITIONS TO THE BritisH List OF COLEOPTERA
SINCE CANON FowLer’s “ COLEOPTERA OF THE BRITISH ISLES”
(continued). Ent. Record, vol. xi. pp. 159-161 (June 1899).—In
this instalment mention is made of the capture of Bembidium virens,
Gyll., on the shores of Loch Maree, Ross-shire.
PsEUDO-NEUROPTERA, PLANIPENNIA, AND TRICHOPTERA, COL-
LECTED AT RANNOCH IN JUNE 1898. By James J. F. X. King,
F.E.S. Znt. Mo. Mag. (2), vol. x. pp. 80-83 (April 1899).—Twenty-
seven species of Pseudo-Neuroptera, eleven of Planipennia, and
twenty of Trichoptera are recorded.
NOTES ON CERTAIN PAL#ARCTIC SPECIES OF THE GENUS
Hemerosius. No. 1. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND THE GROUP
or H. nervosus. By Robert M‘Lachlan, F.R.S. “ut. Mo. Mag.
(2), vol. x. pp. 77-80 (April 1899).—A new species (H. mortoni) is
described, the types of which were taken by Mr. Morton at Rannoch
in June 1808.
NOTES ON CERTAIN PAL#ARCTIC SPECIES OF THE GENUS
Hemeropius. No. 2. H. MARGINATUS, H. LUTESCENS, H. HUMULI,
AND H. orotypus. By Robert M‘Lachlan, F.R.S. Zt. Alo. Mag.
(2), vol. x. pp. 127-133 (June 1899).—H. orotypus recorded from
Aberdeenshire, Strathglass, Fortingal, Insch, Killin, the Clyde District,
and Rothiemurchus.
BRITISH DIPTERA UNRECORDED OR UNDESCRIBED BY ENGLISH
Autuors. By R. H. Meade, F.R.C.S. xt. Mo. Mag. (2), vol. x.
pp. 100-103 (April and May 1899).—Tephrochlamys magnicornis,
Lw., recorded from Pitlochry ; Thelida oculata, Fln., from Inveran ;
and Phytomyza zetterstedtii, Schiner, from Dalkeith.
British IsopopA CHELIFERA. By the Rev. Canon A. M. Norman,
M.A., D.C.L., LL.D., F.R.S. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. (7), vol. iii.
pp. 317-341 (April 1899).—The synonymy and geographical dis-
tribution of twenty-three species are given in this paper, with Scottish
localities for most of them.
BOTANY.
REPORTS ON Excursions (of Glasgow Natural History Society,
from 11th September 1897 till 27th August 1898, in Zrans. (Vat.
Hist. Soc. Glasg., 1897-98, v. pp. 274-286) contain the following :—
190 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
List of Fungi observed, 11th September, in Lennox Castle grounds,
by Mr. Wm. Stewart ; plants observed, r1th April, in Glen Spean ;
23rd April, at Bothwell Castle; 7th May, at Cadzow Castle and
Chatelherault ; 28th May, at Kelburne Castle, Fairlie; 6th August,
at Auchincruive; 13th August, at Stonebyres; and 27th August,
at Rossdhu.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATURAL History SOCIETY OF GLASGOW,
Session 1897-98, v. pp. 287-303.—Numerous botanical notes:
Fungi observed near Kilmarnock during Meeting of Scottish Crypto-
gamic Society in 1897; Flowering Plants from Renfrewshire, Ayr-
shire, and Stirlingshire ; Hepatics from Moidart.
METEOROLOGICAL NOTES, AND REMARKS UPON THE WEATHER
DURING THE YEAR 1897, WITH ITS GENERAL EFFECTS UPON VEGETA-
TION. By James Whitton. Zvrans. Wat. Hist. Soc. Glasg., 1897-98,
Vv. pp. 163-178.—Based on observations made about Glasgow,
chiefly in the city parks.
ScoTTisH Rupi. By C. H. Waddell. Journ. Bot., 1899, p. 225.
—Enumerates several brambles collected near Coatbridge, and
determined by Rev. W. M. Rogers. They include &. fissws, Lindl.,
R. hirtifolius, Muell. and Writz., var. danicus, Focke, and &. coryl-
folius, Sm., var. sublustris, Lees, all from Lanarkshire (v.c. 77), and
R. Rogersti, Linton, from the King’s Park, Stirling (v.c. 86).
Norte ON RaspBerryY Roots (spirals and curved conditions), By
G. F. Scott Elliott, M.A., etc., and Mrs. Fingland. TZyvans. Vat.
Fiist. Soc. Glasg., 1897-98, V. pp. 205-207.
LIMITS TO THE RANGE OF PLANT-SPECIES. By G. F. Scott
Elliott. Zzans. Mat. Hist. Soc. Glasg., 1897-98, v. pp. 208-216.
TuHeE MosseEs oF CAMPSIE GLEN. By James Murray and R. D.
Wilkie. Zyvans. Wat. Hist. Soc. Glasg., 1897-98, v. pp. 217-219.
—Enumerates 115 species and two varieties.
NEW AND RARE SCOTTISH HeEpaTic#. By W. H. Pearson.
Journ. Bot., 1899, pp. 274-275.—Among species sent by Mr. S. M.
Macvicar from West Inverness, enumerates three (Leyeunea calcarea,
Lib., Kantia arguta (Mart.), and Scapanta aspera, Mull. and Bern.)
as new to Scotland, and twelve others as new to West Inverness.
MICROFUNGI OBSERVED NEAR KILMARNOCK, AYRSHIRE. By
D. A. Boyd. Zvans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasg., 1897-98, v. pp. 159-160.
ADDITIONAL NOTES ON THE PERONOSPORE& AND USTILAGINE®
oF NorTH AYRSHIRE. By D. A. Boyd. TZyvans. Nat. Hist. Soc.
Glasg., v. pp. 161-162.—Contains new records for Ayrshire of two
fungi and several food-plants.
Notes oN Mycetrozoa. By Arthur Lister, F.R.S. Journ. Bot.,
1899, pp. 145-152, pl. 398.—The following are named as sent from
REVIEWS 1gI
West Aberdeenshire by Mr. Cran :—Physarum citrinum, Schum.,
from Den of Craig; Lamproderma physaroides, Rost., var. P sessile,
from Rhynie; Cvidraria violacea, Rex, from Rhynie; Dzanema
corticatum, Lister, from Rhynie.
REPORT OF A VISIT TO SANDA AND GLUNIMORE. By John
Paterson and John Renwick. Zrans. Wat. Hist. Soc. Glasg., 1897-
98, v. pp. 197-204.—On pp. 203-204 is a list of plants gathered
on these unfrequented islands (near the south end of Cantyre).
REVIEWS.
A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE BRITISH LEPIDOPTERA. By J. W.
Tutt, F.E.S. (London: Swan Sonnenschein and Co., 1899.)
This is a closely printed octavo book of 560 pages, in which the
author shows himself to be, at least, a master in the arts of compila-
tion and condensation. It is divided into two parts, the first of
which, devoted to introductory matter, occupies 112 pages, and
contains nine chapters. These deal with the origin of the Lepi-
doptera, the ovum, embryology, parthenogenesis or agamogenesis,
external and internal structure of the larva, variation in the imagines,
protective coloration and defensive structures of lepidopterous larve,
and, lastly, the classification of Lepidoptera. Upon all these subjects,
we find a great mass of information, collected from every conceivable
source, and presented in such a concise manner as to save the
student a vast amount of time and trouble in searching for any
particular fact. Chapter IX., dealing with classification, contains
much debatable matter, and whether the author’s ideas will be
accepted generally only time can show. ‘The system adopted in the
book appears to us somewhat revolutionary, and the characters
presented by the imago kept too much in the background.
The second part of the volume, containing (exclusive of index)
434 pages, deals with 80 species belonging to the ‘‘super-families ”
Micropterygides, Nepticulides, Cochlidides, and Anthrocerides, so
that, on the average, nearly 54 pages are devoted to each. On
this basis, we estimate that the complete work will occupy twenty-
four or twenty-five volumes the size of the first. Truly the prepara-
tion of these will be a herculean task! Each species is treated ©
of under the following plan: first, a full list of synonyms and
bibliographical references, then an exact copy of the original descrip-
tion, this last a good idea, and an extremely useful feature of the
book. Following this comes a description of the imago, then
particulars as to variation, egg-laying, description of egg, habits of
larva, descriptions of larva, pupa and cocoon, method of dehiscence,
food-plants, parasites, etc. Extremely full details are given as to
192 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
localities, time of appearance, and distribution outside the British
Isles, and the trouble expended in the preparation of this portion of
the work must have been enormous. It strikes us, indeed, that
there cannot surely be much omitted from this important work for
the future investigator to turn his attention to, so fully does the
author enter into the subject. We cordially congratulate Mr. Tutt
upon the successful issue of this first volume, and trust that he will
be encouraged to proceed rapidly with the succeeding parts. If to
the mere collector it may appear at first sight the dvzest work on
British Lepidoptera that has yet appeared, it must on the other hand
prove to the serious worker an invaluable companion.
A List oF EUROPEAN BIRDS, INCLUDING ALL THOSE FOUND IN
THE WESTERN PALAARCTIC AREA, WITH A SUPPLEMENT. By Heatley
Noble, F.Z.S. (London: R. H. Porter, 1898.)
This is an old and valued friend in a new guise, namely Dresser’s
List altered in form, and brought down to date. To this Mr. Noble
has added a supplement containing the species which are sazd to
have occurred in the region covered, but which, for various reasons,
are considered inadmissible. Mr. Noble has bestowed considerable
care on the revision, and in its new small-octavo form and neat
cloth binding it is both a handy book of reference and useful in a
variety of ways.
Tue Natura.ist’s Directory, 1899. (London: L. Upcott
Gill.) Price One Shilling.
We note a great advance, in the shape of general improvement,
in the current issue of this useful little book. Its weakest point
now is to be found in the Foreign Section. We quite fail to realise
why this important part of the work should be confined to those
persons who desire to exchange specimens, which means the exclusion
from its pages of the majority of the leading foreign naturalists !
Why should there be a section devoted to Microscopy? Surely the
students classed under such a heading must be either Zoologists,
Botanists, or Geologists. We trust to see further improvements in
next year’s volume.
The Annals
of
Scottish Natural History
No. 32] 1899 [OCTOBER
IN MEMORIAM—GEORGE WALKER ORD.
GEORGE WALKER ORD, whose untimely end Scottish
naturalists must deplore, was the son of a farm-servant, and
was born in the parish of King Edward in Aberdeenshire.
His early life was spent in Macduff. His school-days over,
he went to Glasgow, entering the service of the Corporation
as a boy in Kelvingrove Museum. In this service he re-
mained till the end. He died from an attack of peritonitis
after three days’ illness, at his residence, 6 Craignestock
Place, Glasgow, on the gth of August, aged 28 years, and
was interred in Sighthill Cemetery.
Ord received an elementary education at Murray’s
School and the Public School, Macduff, and early dis-
tinguished himself. From the Science and Art Depart-
ment he obtained an /onours certificate with a high place
in the order of merit in Principles of Agriculture, when he
was fourteen years of age. He supplemented his schooling
when he came to Glasgow, and between 1892 and the year
of his death he attended classes in the Glasgow and West
of Scotland Technical College, the Atheneum, and the
University of Glasgow. At the Atheneum examinations
_ in French and Spanish, in two years, he gained £8 in money
prizes. He took the first prize in Chemistry (Second
32 B
194 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Inorganic Course) at the Technical College, and fifth place
at the Zoology class in the University. He also held first
class advanced stage certificates from the Science and Art
Department in Botany, Geology, and Chemistry.
As a servant of the Corporation of Glasgow, he began
his duties in November, 1886. He was chiefly employed in
the ordinary routine work of Kelvingrove Museum, where he
was associated, as an assistant, with Mr. J. M‘Naught
Campbell, F.Z.S., who tells me that his heart was chiefly in
the Zoological work which fell to him. He was appointed
Curator of the People’s Palace, in Glasgow Green, which
was formally opened by Lord Rosebery in January, 1898.
This institution is simply a Museum, Art Gallery, and
Winter Garden. Mr. James Paton, F.LS., his chief in this
Department, formed the highest opinion of Ord’s character
and abilities. According to Mr. Paton, his energy was such
as to cause some solicitude as to his work. He had a
remarkable faculty for rapidly acquiring an intelligent and
comprehensive view of a new department of work, which
made him invaluable as an assistant. He was entirely
responsible for the arrangement of the “Glen” collection,
acquired from the Trustees of the late D. Corse Glen, F.G.S.,
which consisted of 12,350 objects, chiefly geological. His
loss, Mr. Paton declares, is one not only to the Corporation,
but to the community also.
As a naturalist, he was widely and favourably known in
Glasgow. He was the last Secretary of the Clydesdale
Naturalists’ Society. He joined the Andersonian Naturalists’
Society in 1890, and, throughout the period of his connec-
tion with it, was one of its most active members. He acted
as Convener of the Entomological Section of this Society
continuously from 1893 till his death. He joined the
Natural History Society of Glasgow in 1896, and was
elected a Member of Council in the following year.
He began his natural history studies in the Glasgow
district as a botanist and lepidopterist, and the relations
of plants and insects were from first to last matters of
great interest and careful investigation to him. Geology
claimed his attention in the field for a time, but for several
years he had been occupied chiefly with the Tipulidae, and
IN MEMORIAM—GEORGE WALKER ORD 195
had only recently begun to investigate the Aphide of
Clyde,”
To this journal he contributed an article on “ Entomolo-
gising in Ayrshire” (1892, pp. 238-240) ; botanical notes to
“The Scottish Journal of Natural History” (1890) ; a paper
on “ Chemistry in Museums,” read to the Museums Associa-
tion, Glasgow meeting, 1896, and published in the Report of
Proceedings of that body (1896), pp. 113-124; a series of
eight articles in the “Glasgow Weekly Echo” (gth June to
4th August 1894), on the collections in Kelvingrove Museum ;
to the “Transactions of the Natural History Society of
Glasgow,” vol. v. (N.S.), pp. 85-88, a paper on ‘The Con-
stancy of the Bee’; and to the same volume of these
“ Transactions,” pp. 190-196, ‘ Notes on the Tipulidz of the
Glasgow District. To this Society he also read a paper,
in March 1899, on “Lepidoptera in relation to Flowers.”
To the Andersonian Naturalists’ Society, his annual report
as Convener of the Entomological Section was a valuable
local contribution ; but his chief work submitted to this
Society was his “List of the Lepidoptera of the Glasgow
District” (1896), which brought to a point his investigations
and those of his colleagues in the Entomological Section
of the Society. This last is unpublished, and will be super-
seded by the projected list to be published in 1901. At his
death, he was engaged (in connection with the “Fauna of
the Clyde Area,” to be published on the occasion of the
meeting of the British Association in Glasgow in 1901) on
a list of the Macro-Lepidoptera of “ Clyde” in collaboration
with Mr. A. Adie Dalgleish, and on lists of the Tipulide
and Aphide with Mr. Robert Henderson. It is a matter
for congratulation that, owing to his association with the
gentlemen named, his work in these lists will not be lost.
He threw himself into this work with characteristic energy.
In the last letter (10th July) the writer received from him,
he tells of his success in a short holiday in the neighbour-
hood of the city, in which he had added about “ fifteen
species to our list of Tipulidez, bringing the total number of
satisfactorily determined species up to more than 80—half
the British List.” The last time I saw him, in the end of
July, I placed in his hands Saunders’s “ Hemiptera-
196 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Heteroptera of the British Isles,” which he had been anxious
to secure. He was eagerly helping those who were preparing
lists of other groups.
Of Ord, the man, it is not possible for one who knew
him well to write without enthusiasm. He had been sickly
in his youth, but he grew stronger with his years after
coming to Glasgow, and developed into a robust-looking
man. His face was striking, expressing when at rest great
concentration, with a dash of scorn in the region of the
mouth. He had a good voice, spoke readily and well, was
a trenchant debater, and when he became animated his
Aberdonian accent was pronounced, adding a touch of
piquancy to his speech in our Western ears. His informa-
tion covered a wide field ; he was well read in literature and
history, and for a time mixed in local politics, his sympathies
being advanced. His natural ability was above the common
order. In the field he was the most cheerful of companions.
Under such circumstances “joyousness” seemed to be the
dominant note of his life. His nature was singularly
noble and self-sacrificing. Prone to debate, he was, by
those who had not the privilege of his acquaintance, mis-
judged on this account, as he also was from his some-
times oracular manner; but no one, however well he knew
him, could ever discover in his lofty nature any of the
dross of passion. His love for nature rested on an
esthetic, as well as a scientific basis. He was opposed to
“collecting” on general grounds, set a good example to
others in this respect, and favoured all reasonable measures
for protection. A thorough democrat, he was no respecter
of persons ; but he had in large measure that “reverence for
life,” the absence of which in naturalists Mr. Ruskin has
deplored. His end came with a suddenness almost tragic,
and those great hopes which we had built on the foundation
of his character and capacity are irretrievably wrecked. He
was our “marvellous boy,” and all who knew him well will
cherish the memory of a bright and disinterested spirit.—
JOHN PATERSON.
ON THE OCCURRENCE OF RISSO’S GRAMPUS 197
ON THE OCCURRENCE “OF Kiss0s “GRAMPUS
(GRAMPUS. GRISECS CUNe SONS tite EAST
COAST OF SCOTLAND:
By R. H. Traguarr, M.D., LID. PRs.
ON the 22nd August last Mr. C. Muirhead presented to the
Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh, the skull of a small
whale which had been taken up by the trawl some miles to
the east of the Isle of May. On examining it and compar-
ing it with other Cetacean crania in the Museum collection,
I found that it belonged to the rare British species Grampus
griseus, commonly known as Risso’s Grampus or Dolphin.
So far as Scotland is concerned, the record of its occur-
rence is small. Six examples were captured at Hillswick,
Shetland, in 1889, of which the crania of four and the
entire skeletons of two individuals were secured by Sir
William Turner for the Anatomical Museum of the
University... Again, in 1893, two specimens were recorded
by Mr. Service from the Solway Firth,? and the skeleton of
one of these was procured by that gentleman for the
Museum of Science and Art, in which it is now exhibited.?
I have heard of no other instances of its having been found
on or off the Scottish coasts, and this seems also to be the
first record of its occurrence along the eastern shores of
Great Britain.
The entire length of the skull is eighteen inches, its
greatest breadth being twelve and three-quarters ; the lower
jaw and ear bones are, of course, wanting. The cervical
vertebre, anchylosed as usual into one piece, were immovably
fixed to the occiput, and on forcibly separating them an
abnormal condition of the condylar region was disclosed,
which must have quite prevented the animal, when alive,
from moving its head on the vertebral column. More
than that, the cervical vertebrae, when readjusted, are seen
to have got a twist to the right side, so that the left
1 “ Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin.,” 1891 (1892), vol. xi. pp. 192-197.
2c Ann. Scot, Nat. list). uOgasap-al.
3 R. H. Traquair, 2d, 1894, p. 1.
198 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
pedicle of the arch of the last cervical vertebra is opposite
the centre of the foramen magnum, the spinal canal con-
sequently passing into the skull in an oblique direction.
INCREASE AND: DECREASE SOP (CER aiaAumy
SPECIES @OF BIRDS SINE TA Vera
By Col. JouN CAMPBELL, M.B.O.U.
THE distribution of birds, and the influences which affect
their increase or decrease in different parts of the country,
have always had a special interest for ornithologists.
Although climatic conditions, and consequent scarcity
or abundance of food, play an important part in those
changes, more especially when we inquire into the decrease
of certain species, it is difficult to account for the appearance
of birds in districts where they had been previously unknown,
and for their settling down in those districts and making
them their permanent home.
The question is whence they came, and what induced
them to come? Numerous theories have been propounded
to account for this phenomenon, which I myself shall not
attempt to elucidate further than by suggesting that over-
population may have driven these birds from the districts
where they were bred, and caused them to seek new ground
where food was more abundant and the conditions of climate
and surroundings as favourable as the districts from which
they came. Any how, it is a case of /’y suzs, Py reste—at
least, let us hope so. Apart from the question of natural
conditions, however, comes that of protection as a means of
increasing our bird population, and persecution as a means
of diminishing it.
With regard to the zzcrease of birds, in the following
paper I propose to give five typical examples of certain
birds breeding in the Perthshire district—birds which
twenty years ago had either not been recorded, or, if
recorded, only as occasionally breeding or as winter visitors.
1 We would be glad to see such subjects taken up and amplified for every
Natural Area in Scotland.—EpITorRs.
INCREASE AND DECREASE OF BIRDS IN TAY AREA 199
The birds I shall enumerate are the Tufted Duck, the
Pochard, the Shoveller, the Wigeon, and the Stock Dove.
THE TUFTED Duck (fuligula cristata)—Mr. Harvie-
Brown has already furnished the readers of the “ Annals”
with most interesting information on the expansion of the
breeding area of this species, and given an exhaustive account
of its gradually spreading from Europe, which appears to
have been its original home, through Finland and North
Norway, to Scotland. What I wish to show in this paper
is the marvellous rapidity with which it has become
acclimatised and spread throughout the comparatively
small district of Perthshire. Writing in the “ Transactions
of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science” (vol. i. p. 97,
1888-89), Colonel Drummond-Hay, than whom there was
never a more observant naturalist, reports the presentation
of a nest and eggs of a Tufted Duck to the Museum, and
speaks of it as “the first authentic instance that I have got
of the nest having been got in Perthshire.” This nest came
from Methven, and was presented by Colonel D. M. Smythe.
Mr. Marshall, Stanley, in the same year, reports it as “a rare
duck with us.”
The above, however, was not the first record of its
breeding in Perthshire. In the month of May 1884 I
was fishing on Dupplin Loch, when I saw some birds which
I at once recognised as Tufted Ducks. At that time,
though this species was a well-known winter visitor to the
Tay and Earn, I had never heard of its breeding in the
county; but on asking Irvine, the head keeper, he told
me that for the last few years one or two pairs had nested
there. On my mentioning the circumstance to Colonel
Irby, he scouted the idea; but when I sent him a nest
and eggs—which I got through the kindness of the late
Lord Kinnoull—he was convinced. Since then it has
multiplied to a wonderful extent, and may now be found
on almost all the lochs which are contained in the basins
of the Tay and Earn.
THE POCHARD (Wyroca ferina) has followed suit. In
the “Transactions of the Perthshire Society of Natural
Science” (vol. i. p. 97, 1888-89), Colonel Drummond-Hay
reports the nest of the Pochard as having been found at
200 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Methven, and presented to the Museum by Colonel D. M.
Smythe. He describes it as “another nest which was only
very lately known to be found in Perthshire.” The same
year I found it breeding on Dupplin Loch, and though it
is not yet quite so common as the Tufted Duck, its numbers
are, I am glad to say, increasing, and it may now be con-
sidered one of our regular breeding ducks.
THE WIGEON (Mareca penelope) —Writing in 1878-79,
Colonel Drummond-Hay mentions the Wigeon as_ being
“pretty frequent every winter and autumn,” and in _ his
synopsis of the Perthshire Birds he includes it among the
“ Birds of Passage (Winter).” The first record of its nesting’
in Perthshire is in the Perthshire Society of Natural Science
report for 1888-89 (vol. i. p. 97). Colonel Drummond-
Hay states: “The nest of another rare Perthshire-breeding
duck, that of the Wigeon (with eggs), was presented by Sir
Robert Menzies. -.. . Its nesting (places) previous sta; that:
had, in Scotland, only been noticed in the Western Islands,
Orkney, parts of Aberdeenshire, and the extreme Northern
Counties.” I visited the Black Mount in May 1895,
and on one small loch I counted eight males, the ducks
being at that time on their nests, which I did not attempt
to disturb." M‘Intyre, the head keeper, told me it was equally
abundant on other lochs in that district, where it regularly
breeds now.”
1 Wigeons were quite common on Loch Eagh and along the reedier margins
of the River Gower in the autumn of 1874, and were known to breed there even
prior to that season, as well as on other lochs in the district. This may be
taken as the earliest vecorded date, so far as I know; but notice of earlier dates
for this and other localities of the same district would be acceptable.—J. A.
HARVIE-BROWN.
2 Localities of nesting distribution of the Wigeon in Scotland did not include,
as far as our records teach us, the Outer Hebrides or Aberdeenshire prior to
the date of 1888-89. Rather should the earlier general distribution of the species,
as a breeding bird, be described as follows—z.e. prior to 1888. In Orkney,
only amongst the southern islands for some years prior to 1888. On the main-
land, in the Northern and North-Eastern districts—z.e. Caithness and Northern
and Central Sutherlandshire, always east of the watershed. Later they came
southward, through North and North-East Ross-shire, rarely, if ever, being found
breeding west of the great dividing chain of mountains, and thence through
North Inverness-shire, and reaching North-West Perthshire some time previous
to 1874, where they bred commonly—if not abundantly—on the Moor of
Rannoch and along the Gower River and Loch Eagh. There were no records,
to our knowledge, of nesting birds in Aberdeenshire prior to that of Geo. Sim ;
nor are we aware of any records of sufficient authenticity anywhere in the
eG
INCREASE AND DECREASE OF BIRDS IN TAY AREA 201
THE SHOVELLER! (Spatula clypeata).—In 1879-80
Colonel Drummond-Hay states: “There are a few instances
of the Shoveller being shot in the spring at long intervals.”
(“ Scottish Naturalist,” vol. v. p. 339). Mr. Marshall, Stanley
(p. 261 of the same vol.), reports that a specimen was shot
at Ballathie, and says it is ‘‘a very rare duck with us.” The
first nest and eggs recorded were presented to the Museum
of the Perthshire Society of Natural Science by Sir John
Millais in 1890. They came from Murthly, where this
species is comparatively common now. I was not aware
till this year that its range had extended to the Black
Mount, from which place I had specimens sent me; and as
it has evidently got a foothold, it will doubtless spread, as
the other species have done, over the whole district, that is
to say, if allowed to.
The last species which I shall mention, the STOCK DOVE
(Columba nas), made its first recorded appearance, I
believe, at Blairhoyle, near Callander, in 1878;° then at
Cardean, near Dunkeld, in 1879; in the neighbourhood of
Alyth, 1885 ; Blackpark, Moneydie, 1889. In 1892 a nest
and eggs were presented to the Museum of the Perthshire
Society of Natural Science by Lord Stormont.? They came
from Lynedoch. It also breeds at Craighall-Rattray, near
Blairgowrie.
In ‘Notes on the Birds of the Tay and its Tributaries,’
by Colonel Drummond-Hay (“Scottish Naturalist,” vol. v.
Outer Hebrides, nor of any on the west side of the main watershed of Scotland,
though they approach the latter closely on the east side. We do not here
speak of the extension szce these earlier dates.—]. A. HARVIE-BROWN.
1 [ have considerable material relating to the increase of this species in
Scotland, but as yet not arranged, nor easily available. I fancy it would, at this
time, be rather difficult to say decidedly that its principal nesting area lies between
Forth and Tay, or farther north, or in the Moray basin—so rapid has the
increase been of late years. It is desirable to record the earliest appearances at
as many localities as possible now, although it can scarcely be classed among our
rarer Scottish birds.—J, A. HaRvVIE-BRown,
2 This locality is within the watershed of ‘‘ Forth.”—J. A. HARVIE-BROWN.
3 Further data as regards the spread of this species will be found in an article
‘On the Stock Dove’ in the ‘‘Roy. Phys. Soc. Trans.,” read 21st February
1883; and later accounts as regards their appearance and increase in the east
and north-east counties may be gathered from the account of the species in the
Faunal Series by Buckley and Harvie-Brown, and in the ‘‘ Annals of Scottish
Natural History” ; and Mr. Evans of Edinburgh, and other naturalists, can give
details and earlier records for the south-east and south of Scotland.—J. A.
HARVIE-BROWN.
202 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
p. 295, 1880), writing of the Stock Dove, he says: “ Though
exceedingly rare, may perhaps be justly included among the
birds of the district, it having been found breeding in the
vicinity of Dunkeld.” Although it has been claimed as a
Perthshire bird for the last twenty years, its distribution
seems to be somewhat erratic. Having heard that it had
been found breeding in the Crieff district, and knowing also
that it nested at Lynedoch, I thought its range might extend
through the woods of Methven, Balgowan, and Abercairney
to Crieff; but though I have made numerous inquiries, such
is not the case. What appears to me to be extraordinary,
is that this species should have, during the last twenty years,
established itself in the above-named somewhat circumscribed
localities, but that—though, like all the pigeons, a prolific
breeder—the breeding area beyond these places has apparently
not extended—at least to any appreciable extent. We
know, however, that since it was first recorded, several small
colonies have been established where they were unknown
before.
Since writing the above notes, I have heard from Sir James
Clerk-Rattray, of Craighall-Rattray, who gives me some most
interesting information on the subject, and “has known the
Stock Dove there as long as he can remember.” “This
year there is a nest (at least I conclude so, from seeing the old
birds flying out and in) in the precipice under the drawing-
room balcony; and my keeper, who has been here about
ten years, says he is confident they are increasing in numbers,
as he knows of several nests this year in the banks above the
river.” It is most extraordinary that this small colony should
have existed so long without extending their borders, which,
apparently, do not go beyond the cliffs and banks of the
Ericht, at Craighall-Rattray. (See article on Stock Dove,
Roy, Phys. Soc) E-dini, read 21st’ February 1883, by | )-ea:
Harvie-Brown.)
Having given the above instances of the appearance and
increase of certain birds, I propose to devote the second part
of this paper to the decrease of certain species, and what I
believe to be the causes which lead to it.
Whilst I am glad to say that several birds, thanks to
protection, show signs of increasing, there are three species
Oe
INCREASE AND DECREASE OF BIRDS IN TAY AREA — 203
which we should specially endeavour to protect. These are
the Goldfinch, the Dotterel, and the Great Spotted Wood-
pecker. None of these birds do any damage, and conse-
quently there can be no object in destroying them or their
eggs, except the selfish one of acquisition.
THE GOLDFINCH (Carduclis elegans) is almost extinct.
I have myself only once seen it in Scotland, but there can
be no doubt, if the few pairs which are annually known to
breed were not trapped or killed and their nests taken, this
beautiful bird would again become established.
THE DOTTEREL (ELudromias morinellus) is one of our
rarest birds now, and I only know of two places in the
Perthshire district where it breeds. It is, I suppose, almost
extinct on the Cumberland hills, and unless the taking of its
eggs is put a stop to, it will, before many years, become
extinct also in Perthshire."
THE GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Pzcus major).—
Though I have only once seen it myself, I have been credibly
informed that this bird breeds regularly on an estate in
Perthshire, where it is carefully preserved, so I suppose the
notices which we occasionally see in the newspapers of its
occurrence in neighbouring counties may possibly refer to
individuals which have been bred in, and strayed from this
district.”
It is useless, I suppose, to attempt to say a good word
for any of the RAPTORES.
Thanks to Lord Breadalbane, the Golden Eagle (Aguzla
chrysetos) is still to be found in the Black Mount, but the
Hen Harrier (Czrcus cyaneus), the Common Buzzard (Luteo
vulgaris), the Kite (Wlvus ictinus), the Honey Buzzard
(Pernis apivorus), and the Osprey (Pandion halietus), though
still included in the lists of Perthshire birds, are—with the
exception of one species—practically extinct, although one
hears at rare intervals of an occasional specimen being
1 But consult ‘*A Vertebrate Fauna of Lakeland, including Cumberland,
etc.,” by Rev. H. A. Macpherson, 1892, p. 348; and on our latest authority
we find that ‘“‘its numbers have undoubtedly decreased of late years” (Howard
Saunders’s *‘ Manual,” 1899, p. 535); but we have still to learn of its actual
extinction having taken place.—J. A. HARVIE-BROWN.
2 Further evidence of their having bred at this locality, which dates previous
to the year 1897, has been placed in our hands, but not for publication.—J. A.
HARVIE-BROWN.
204 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
trapped or shot. The popular idea is that all hawks are
mischievous, and that, therefore, they should be extirpated.
The Peregrine and the Sparrow Hawk certainly do mischief ;
but most, if not all, of those enumerated above are com-
paratively harmless, so far as game is concerned. The
Osprey is exclusively a fish eater, and the others feed princi-
pally on insects, voles, small birds, mice, and other vermin.
A story is told of a venerable Highland laird who, when
spoken to about the protection of “hawks,” said “the name
‘hen harrier, was quite enough for him”! Truly, if one
gives a dog a bad name, you may as well hang him!
Verb. sap.
The causes which lead to the decrease and final extinction
of certain species of birds are, in my opinion, climatic con-
ditions, with the scarcity or abundance of food resulting
therefrom, and persecution. The exceptionally cold winter
of 1894-95 is an example of the effects of climate on bird life.
As is well known, those birds which could not escape from its
severity were decimated, and thousands of Song Thrushes,
Blackbirds, Redwings, and Starlings, besides innumerable
small birds, were found frozen during that long-continued
storm. Fora time it looked as if several species would be
completely wiped out. Since then, a succession of com-
paratively mild winters and favourable summers has had
a wonderfully recuperative effect, and this year the numbers
of our song birds, generally, are as great as they were previous
to the winter above referred to.
With regard to the other cause of decrease—persecution
—there is only one remedy, and that is strict and effective
protection. When it has become the misfortune for a bird
—it matters not what species—to arrive at a certain degree
of rarity, it also attains considerable notoriety, and one would
imagine there was the greater necessity for protecting it.
Instead of this being the case, however, it is hunted down
and shot as soon as it makes its appearance. If it has the
temerity to breed with us, and manages to do so before being
discovered and killed, there is a grand competition for the
honour of taking the nest and eggs, the old birds are shot for
the purpose of identification (!), and, with the exception of
the obituary flourish in the “ Scotsman,” there is the end of it!
a
INCREASE AND DECREASE OF BIRDS IN TAY AREA = 205
The Order for the Protection of Wild Birds in Scotland
issued last year by Lord Balfour of Burleigh as Secretary for
Scotland will, I hope, do good; but having got the power,
it is the duty of all who are interested in birds to do their
utmost to see that the orders for the preservation of our birds
are carried out.
Last year the Perthshire Society of Natural Science issued
a letter to most of the proprietors and others in the county,
asking them to use their best endeavours to carry out the
Order, and to see that the birds named in it were protected.
I trust this letter may have a good effect.
I believe, indeed I know, there are instances where
scheduled birds have been shot through pure ignorance. I
have been told of a Great Spotted Woodpecker having been
mistaken for a Jay (which, by the way, in the county in which
it was killed, is also a scheduled bird! ). I am confident this
was a mistake; but farmers, gamekeepers, gardeners, and
others may thus kill an unknown bird and unconsciously be
the means of preventing a rare species from remaining and
breeding in the country. Ihave no doubt, however, that had
they recognised it, and known that it was amongst those
scheduled, they would have spared it—at least, let us hope so.
Whilst harm may thus be unwittingly done, the most
serious damage is caused by amateur collectors and pro-
fessional egg-stealers. These folk are animated with the
mania of acquisition—they boast of the number of “ clutches ”
of eggs of such or such a species they possess, or they
simply, as the poacher does, earn their living by taking what
does not belong to them. They have no scruples as to
corrupting a gamekeeper or gillie and inducing him to shoot
a scheduled bird or collect a nest of forbidden eggs. This
underhand trafficking in rare birds and their eggs is what will,
in the long run, exterminate some of our most interesting
species if a stop is not put to it.
We saw last spring that an Osprey had been shot, and
the delinquent fined 41. It would be interesting to know
how much he made out of the transaction.1 All who are
1 The specimen, we understand, was returned by the police to the proprietor
of the estate where it was shot, and a purely fictitious value has most unfortu-
nately been placed upon it by evidence given before the House of Commons.—
J. A. HARVIE-BROWN.
206 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
interested, and more especially proprietors, should do their
utmost to put a stop to these nefarious practices, which, since
the issuing of the Orders, constitute a breach of the law, and
consequently can and ought to be adequately punished.
There is another, and I think a most important way of
putting a stop to this illegal destruction, and that is by pre-
venting bird-stuffers from preserving scheduled birds or
selling their eggs. As an instance :—The Kingfisher is now
one of the birds scheduled throughout Scotland. Any King-
fisher killed in Scotland must have been illegally killed. Why
should a bird-stuffer be allowed to condone the offence by
preserving the bird? Nothing would sooner put a stop to
the killing of scheduled birds than by forbidding them to be
stuffed. But I suppose this would require another Act of
Parliament, and by the time such an Act could be passed,
some at least of the birds which would be benefited by it
would probably also have “ passed.”
OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIRDS OF Giue
ISVANDS (OF TIRER AND COREE
By Lieut-Coli. Hiirey, FES. 2Z-s:.rete:
THE “Annals of Scottish Natural History,” July 1898, pp.
15 3-163, contains a list of birds observed in Tiree by Peter
Anderson, gamekeeper on that island.
This list I would supplement by giving a notice of the
birds observed on the adjacent island of Coll, where I passed
some time during two springs, and in early and late autumn.
In Tiree, as a joint shooting tenant, I had good opportunities
for observation, and noticed the arrival of Sand Grouse in
June 1888.
To Anderson’s Tiree list may be added Common Linnet
(Linota cannabina), seen by both Capt. Savile Reid and
1 Another plan would be to prevent the sale or purchase of such birds in the
flesh as are scheduled, or the skins or eggs of such as bear a British locality ;
but, of course, great difficulties would promptly arise at the mere suggestion of
such a drastic act, as also would many others in carrying it out if passed.—]. A.
HARVIE-BROWN.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIRDS OF TIREE AND COLL 207
myself among the only furze bushes on the island. Of course
the avifauna of the two islands is so nearly identical that it
is only necessary to mention the slight differences, and need-
less to repeat a full list. Probably, as regards Coll, except
with the Passerine birds, the differences are the result of
want of continuous observation.
The islands are only two and a half miles apart, with
the islet of Gunna intervening, Coll being favoured with
much broken and undulating ground; in many situations
bracken, furze, heather, etc., grow luxuriantly, especially the
ling in the peaty districts.
The flora is, therefore, richer. A most conspicuous plant
is Geranium sanguineum, which grows in splendid masses
near Breachacha. An introduced plant, Spzvea salzczfolza, is
found also near Breachacha. In bare, wind-swept Tiree
there is little or no covert: all plants are so stunted by
the wind that even the ling is rarely more than two inches
long, and seldom flowers. As regards bird-life, the island is
further handicapped by the greatly congested population :
the too numerous crofters and cotters mostly keep semi-
wild dogs and a cat or two, while their half-starved cattle
eat all the scanty vegetation quite bare, even the flags of
the yellow iris.
The people are also systematic egg-hunters: scarcely an
egg of any size can escape them, unless on an inaccessible
island or rock ; and “the men of the wild Tiree” also harry
eggs on the coasts of Coll and other islands, much to the
detriment of the Eider Ducks, whose nests are usually close
to the sea.
In addition to the differences given below, are one or
two others easily accounted for, eg. the Bernicle Goose
(Bernicla leucopsis) is so abundant at-times in Coll as to
cause serious damage to the rich pastures ; whilst in Tiree,
from comparative absence of food, this goose is seldom seen.
On the other hand, the White-fronted Goose (Axser albtfrons)
is much more numerous in Tiree than in Coll, because of
the greater quantity of shoreweed (L2ttorella lacustris), water-
cress, and other aquatic plants, on which they chiefly feed.
The Cuckoo is not often seen in Tiree, but in Coll this bird
is apparently more numerous than in any country I have
208 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
visited. The obvious cause of this is the extreme abundance
of hairy caterpillars, particularly those of some of the Bom-
bycide, which in Tiree are scarce or absent, owing to want
of food-plants. I may add that I have noticed young
Cuckoos in Coll during the last week in August.
There is apparently a regular passage across both islands
of the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) both in spring and
autumn ; and I think further observation will prove the same,
but not in any numbers, with the Black-tailed Godwit
(Limosa belgica), as this bird passes by the east coast of
Ireland and Solway Firth in spring, probably ex route to
Iceland.
I.—Birps BREEDING BOTH IN COLL AND TIREE.
. WHEATEAR, Saxicola enanthe.
STARLING, Sturnus vulgaris.
. RAVEN, Corvus corax.
HoopeED Crow, C. corntx.
TwiteE, Linota flavirosiris.
TREE SPARROW, Passer montanus.
House Sparrow, PP. domesticus.
Corn Buntine, Lmberiza miliaria.
9. Meavow Pirit, Anthus pratensis.
10. Rock Pipi, A. obscurus.
II. SKYLARK, Alauda arvensis.
12. PEREGRINE FALCON, /. feregrinus,
13. MERLIN, Falco esalon.
14. KESTREL, & “innunculus.
15. SHELDRAKE, Zadorna cornuta.
16. WiLp Duck, Azas boscas.
17. TEAL, Querquedula crecca.
18, RED-BREASTED MERGANSER, JZergus serrator.
19. Rock Dove, Columba hivia.
20. CORN CRAKE, Crex pratensis.
21. WATER HEN, Gadlinula chloropus.
22. Coor, /ulica atra. |
23. RINGED PLOVER, “gzalitis hiaticula,
24. PEEwiIt, Vanellus vulgaris.
25. OYSTER-CATCHER, Hematopus ostralegus.
26. SNIPE, Gallinula celestis.
27. DUNLIN, 77inga alpina.—Hundreds in Tiree; very few in Coll.
28. COMMON SANDPIPER, Zofanus hypoleucus.—More in Coll.
29. ARCTIC TERN, Sterna macrura.
30. ComMon TERN, S. fluviatilis.
OI ARKH SH
OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIRDS OF TIREE AND COLL 209
BROWN-HEADED GULL, Larus ridibundus.—Occasionally.
Common GULL, Z. canus.
HERRING GULL, LZ. argentatus.
LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL, Z. fuscus.
RICHARDSON’s Skua, Stercorarius crepidatus.
Biack GuILLEMoT, Uria grylle.
II.—BIRDs BREEDING IN COLL NOT YET NOTICED AS NESTING
e
.
sai
1:2),
13’:
14.
15:
16.
07
18.
IN TIREE.
SonG THrusH, Zurdus musicus.—Many.
BLACKBIRD, Z. meruda.
WHITETHROAT, Sylvia cinerea.—One pair in 1891; not seen
following spring.
WHINcHAT, Pratincola rubetra.—Many.
STONECHAT, /. rubicola.—Many.
WREN, Zyoglodytes parvilus.—Doubtless also in Tiree.
Common LINNET, Linota cannabina.—Many.
REED BuntinG, Lmberiza scheniclus—Commonly.
House Martin, Chelidon urbica.—Some nests at Arinagour,
1898.
Common HERON, Ardea cinerea.—Used to nest on low bushes
on island in loch near Arinagour.
WiGEON, JZareca penelope.—One nest noticed 1892.
Rep Grouse, Lagopus scoticus.
PARTRIDGE, Perdix cinerea.
GOLDEN PLOVER, Charadrius pluvialis.—A few pair.
REDSHANK, Zofanus calidrts—Has nested near Arinagour.
CurRLEW, WVumentus arqguata.—Occasionally.
BLACK-THROATED DIVER, Colymdbus arcticus.
RED-THROATED DIVER, C. sepitentrionalis.
III.—BIRDS RECORDED AS BREEDING IN TIREE, BUT NOT IN COLL.
pg es OE aa ia
i
2.
GREENSHANK, Zofanus canescens.
SHOVELLER, Spatula clypeata.
PocHARD, Fiuligula ferina.
TurreD Duck, / cristata.
ScoTER, @idemia nigra.
LITTLE TERN, Sterna minuta.
KITTIWAKE, Lessa tridactyla.
RAzorRBILL, Alca torda. At Kenvara.
CoMMON GUILLEMOT, Ura froitle.
IV.—BIRDS RECORDED FROM TIREE, NOT FROM COLL.
GOLD-CRESTED WREN, Legulus cristatus.
Swift, Cypselus apus.
22 €
ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
iS)
i
(e)
Mute Swan, Cygnus olor.—Probably an escape.
Quail, Coturnix communts.
Gray PHALAROPE, Phalaropus fulicarius.
LITTLE Stint, Zringa minuta,
CURLEW SANDPIPER, Z7inga subarquata.
Rurr, 7. pugnax.
BLACK-TAILED GopwitT, Limosa belgica.
SANDWICH TERN, S/erna cantiaca.
LITTLE TERN, SS. mznufa.
GREAT SHEARWATER, Puffinus gravis.
FORK-TAILED PETREL, Procellaria leucorrhoa.
Ln oe oe oe
se Dn a Cee aac pa ane LS)
V.—BIRDS OBSERVED IN COLL, BUT NOT IN TIREE.
WHITETHROAT, Sylvia cinerea.
REED BuntTING, Lmberiza scheniclus.
BuLuFincH, Pyrrhula europea.—Once seen.
House Martin, Chelidon urbica.
NIGHT-JAR, Caprimulgus europeus.—A straggler.
Snowy Ow1, WVyctea scandiaca.—Winter of 1891-92.
HEN Harrier, Circus cyaneus.—A straggler.
Common Buzzarp, Buteo vulgaris.—A straggler.
RED GROUSE, Lagopus scoticus.
CI AAR Y Nn
An “ Eagle” was seen in Coll in 1897.
Dr. Smith, when waiting for ducks, 14th October 1898,
observed “the largest Owl he ever saw.” Peter Gray,
shepherd, about that date “saw an Owl as big as an Eagle.”
“ Said Owl dropped a Land Rail it was carrying.” Could this
have been an Eagle Owl? or more probably a Snowy Owl?
NOTES ON THE “LESSER, WHITETHROAG
(SYLVIA CURRKRUCA, LINN) AS Ay CLYOs
SPECQIES:
By JoHN PATERSON.
THE question of the Lesser Whitethroat as a Scottish species
in the past and at present, is a curious and puzzling one.
These notes relate to the records which refer to the “ Clyde”
area.
One of the earliest references to this species in Clyde
is that of the Rey. William Patrick, in the “ New Statistical
THE LESSER WHITETHROAT AS A CLYDE SPECIES 211
Account” of the Parish of Hamilton, in 1838. He says:
“This bird, supposed to be confined to England, is common
here. The nest is sometimes in a hedge, but more frequently
among long dry grass, by the side of a wood, four or five
inches from the ground, and generally overshadowed by a
tiny bramble or some other shrub. The nest is more
compact than that of the larger Whitethroat, which, in
addition to its numerous names, is here called ‘ Beardy’ and
‘Blethering Tam. The song of the Sylviella is sweeter and
more perfect than that of the common sort, and its eggs are
also very different.” Patrick was a good naturalist, best
known nowadays through his “ Popular Description of the
Indigenous Plants of Lanarkshire” (1831), and much of the
natural history in the accounts of Lanarkshire and, in a less
degree, of Renfrewshire parishes in the “New Statistical
Account” is from his pen.
About the same time a statement of its occurrence
appears in the “ New Statistical Account” of Paisley Parish
(p. 163), which contains a long account of the natural
history, supplied, as a footnote informs us, by Dr. A. R.
Young, “formerly of this town [Paisley], but now resident at
Dunoon.” Dr. Young’s statement is: “ The following summer
birds are occasionally seen: Cwurruca sylvia, sylviella,
locustella, hortensis, sibilatrix, atricapilla, and Regulus
trochilus.” There is another old statement by James Rennie,
author of “Bird Architecture,” “ Bird Miscellanies,” etc., but
I have been unable at date to get at the original. [It
appeared in Rennie’s edition of “ Montagu’s Orn. Dict.,”
p. 177 (1831), Eps.] So far, I only know from Macgillivray
that Rennie mentions it as occurring in Ayrshire.
Mr. A. G. More’s ‘Distribution of Birds in Great
Britain during the Nesting Season, which appeared in the
“Ibis,” 1865, gives no new light on “Clyde,” except the
following :—“ Mr. R. Gray believes it breeds near Loch
Lomond, and he has also obtained the bird from Argyleshire.”
In the year before this statement appeared, Mr. Gray had
contributed an article on the ‘ Quadrupeds, Birds, and Fishes
of Loch Lomond, etc., to a “ Tourist’s Guide Book to the
Trossachs, Loch Lomond,” etc., and he says there that this
1 <‘T am confident I have seen it in Ayrshire,” Joc. cé¢.
212 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
species is “ not common, but less obtrusive than the preceding,
frequenting places not so much exposed.” We may dispose
of the Loch Lomond records appearing in Mr. James
Lumsden’s sketch paper of the birds of that region in the
“Proc, Nat. Hist. Soc. Glas.” (4ii. p. 63), and in his “ Guide
to the Natural History of Loch Lomond,” by quoting
a letter which I received from him recently. He says (29th
May 1899): “I included it in my list of Loch Lomond birds
as the late Mr. Gray, author of “The Birds of the West of
Scotland,” told me he had seen it here. I cannot be certazn
of having seen it myself.” With regard to Gray’s statement,
above quoted, to More, that he had obtained the bird from
Argyleshire, it may be said that the catalogue of Gray’s
birds, which are now in the Museum of Science and Art,
Edinburgh, contains no reference to the Lesser Whitethroat ;
but Mr. William Evans has a skin and eggs of this species
which he got from Mrs. Gray, and these he believes Gray
got in the west. Unfortunately, there are no data with
either, so that we cannot identify the skin (which I have
seen) with that obtained by Gray in Argyleshire. It is,
however, Mr. Evans says, done up exactly as the skins pre-
pared by Gray usually were. In Gray and Anderson’s
‘Birds of Ayrshire and Wigtownshire’ (“ Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc.
Glas., i. p. 283) it is stated to be “sparingly met with,” and
to have been “well known as an Ayrshire bird thirty years
ago.” I am unable to say where Gray gets this informa-
tion’ aS to /Ayrshire “thirty years ago” unless) if be
from Rennie. “The Birds of the West of Scotland,” etc.
(1871), does not help us much, as there are no particulars
of occurrences, but only a generalisation that “it is sparingly
met with in some parts of Ayrshire, Renfrewshire, and
Dumbarton, and extends to the middle of Argyleshire.”
In Bryce’s “ Geology of Arran,” etc. (1872), Mr. Gray states
in his article on Birds that he had not succeeded in getting
this species there, but does not doubt that it is there for the
finding. According to the same writer, in his article ‘On
the Birds of Glasgow and its Vicinity’ in the “ Notes on the
Fauna and Flora of the West of Scotland” (1876), it is “a
regular summer visitant,” but it is not included in Mr. H. C.
Young’s ‘List of Birds which Breed in the Vicinity of
THE LESSER WHITETHROAT AS A CLYDE SPECIES) 213
Glasgow’ in the same publication, although he acknowledges
“very valuable assistance” from Messrs. Gray and Dixon
for “making corrections and additions to the list... The
article on the ‘Birds of the Clyde Valley’ in Pollock’s
“Dictionary of the Clyde” is purely a compilation, so that
no notice need be taken of it here. The Rev. J. D. W.
Gibson believes he has observed it at Glenapp, South
Ayrshire, and what he took to be a pair of this species
frequented the hedgerows of the glebe of his manse at
Carmichael, Lanarkshire, during the early summer of 1896
(Anmy Scot. Nat. Hist.” 1897; ps 204). 4 inhavesseen
eggs, stated to have been taken by Mr. James Hood from
a nest near South Dean Farm, Kilmarnock, twenty years
ago. The eggs had remained unidentified until about two
years since, when they were submitted to Messrs. J. Craig
and M. Barr of Beith, by whom they were sent on to me.
There can be little doubt, I think, about these being Lesser
Whitethroat’s eggs. Unfortunately, however, their story is
a very old one.
As Mr. Robert H. Read knows the Lesser Whitethroat
very well, and as he spent three years in the Glasgow district,
I thought it would be interesting to know if he had met it
here, as he spent much time birds’-nesting in this district.
He writes in reply to my inquiries (30th May 1899):
“During my three years’ residence near Glasgow, I have
never met with the Lesser Whitethroat in the flesh. There
is a mounted specimen in the Paisley Museum, which the
Curator [the late Morris Young] told me was the only one
he had met with. He obtained it near Paisley, I believe
(I have locality, and, I believe, date, in my note-book), and
he was rather proud of the specimen.” “It is true,” writes
Mr. J. M. B. Taylor, the present Curator of the Paisley Free
Museum, “that there is a mounted specimen of the Lesser
Whitethroat [in the Museum], and that it was presented by
the late Mr. Young. As usual with Mr. Young, he neither
sives date nor locality. I know, however, that it was killed
in the decade 70.”
The list of Renfrewshire birds in the possession of the
Paisley Naturalists’ Society states that the Lesser White-
throat is “not common, has bred near Port-Glasgow.”
214 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Mr. J. M. B. Taylor tells me that he took a Lesser
Whitethroat to Mr. Kirk, taxidermist, Glasgow, but it was
too far gone to set up as a specimen. “ This one was shot
among willows on the east side of Glasgow. It was shot
by Mr. James Waterston, Edinburgh.”
Two years ago, in May (1897), Messrs. Barr and Craig,
of Beith, visited Ailsa Craig. At that time, according to
Mr. Tulloch, one of the lightkeepers, there were several
Lesser Whitethroats on the Craig. Two of them were seen
at a few yards distance, and the gentlemen named thought
they were Lesser Whitethroats. About the same time Mr.
W. Eagle Clarke visited Ailsa Craig, and he told me shortly
thereafter that birds pointed out to him by the lightkeeper
as Lesser Whitethroats were Common Whitethroats. _
Mr. Charles Kirk, taxidermist, Glasgow, tells me that
he is guzte sure that he once met with the Lesser White-
throat inthe“ Clyde” area. This was in) July 1698, ana
small glen behind Shandon on the Gareloch. The bird seen
was carrying food, and he had it under observation for a
considerable time, as he spent half an hour in a fruitless
search for its nest.
It is a remarkable fact that though in the case of some
of the warblers, regarding the distribution of which the
details are very meagre in Gray’s “Birds of the West of
Scotland,” etc. (for instance, the Garden and Grasshopper
Warblers, and the Chiffchaff and Wood Wren), our knowledge
has been greatly extended in the last ten years, to our
knowledge of the Lesser Whitethroat there has been in the
same period no substantial addition. In all the above
detailed information there is very little indeed that is
thoroughly satisfactory and unimpeachable. Nothing would
give me greater pleasure than to see this interesting warbler
occupying a more uncertain place in the avifauna of “ Clyde.”
At present, most of the evidence I have been able to bring
together is very inconclusive, and some of it is open to
suspicion. The status of the Lesser Whitethroat, indeed,
remains with us more a matter of opinion than of actual
knowledge.
SCAUP-DUCK NESTING IN SCOTLAND 215
SCAUP-DUCK NESTING IN SCOTLAND.
By J. A. HAaRvIE-BROWN.
I HAVE received apparently a very authentic account of the
Scaup breeding in the north of Scotland, which I reproduce
as follows. Mr. H. Noble, writing to me under date of
22nd June 1899, says: “It may interest you to know that
I found an undoubted nest of Scaup (fulegula marila) in
Sutherlandshire this month. I was staying on Speyside
and received a wire from my friend, Captain S eas
follows: ‘Do Scaup breed in Scotland?’ I answered that
there was no authentic case. He then wrote me that he had
been watching a pair on a loch for ten days, and thought
they must be nesting. I thought there must be some
mistake, and went to see for myself. Great was my joy on
seeing a grand old male Scaup and a female. They were
not very wild, and, after a short stalk, I got within 20
yards of them, and sat watching them with a glass for some
time. The male was certainly the finest bird I ever saw,
and the female had a beautiful white face. We hunted the
edge of the loch most carefully, but saw no sign of any nest
except a Merganser’s. I then waded across to a small
island, and found a duck’s nest with three eggs well covered
up and in rushes about 5 feet from the water’s edge. I saw
at once that the eggs were not Merganser’s, Mallard’s, or
Wigeon’s, and that they were very like Scaup’s eggs I had
received from Iceland. We left the loch for a week, and on
our return I visited the nest again. I got within 10 feet of
the duck, and lay in the rushes watching her for some time
close to the nest. I was now nearly certain we were on the
right track, but still I had not actually seen her leave the
nest, so we retired for another day. She had now com-
menced to sit, and I had the pleasure of seeing her szwzm off
the nest, quite close to me. She swam fully 20 yards
very low in the water before she took wing. There was
now no possibility of a doubt that we had found the right
nest. There were nine eggs. The nest was deep, cup-
shaped, and better made than most ducks’ nests that I have
216 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
found (and I have seen nests of all the ducks that breed in
these islands, with the exception of the doubtful Golden-eye).”
It may be within the memory of those who have read
an early record of my own of Scaups seen frequenting a cer-
tain loch in Sutherland—dating as far back as 1868—that
on that occasion the male was shot, and from the habits of
the bird, as observed at the time, there seemed to be scarcely
any doubt that the female was not far distant ; and I wrote:
“T shall not be surprised to hear of the young and eggs of
the Scaup being found in either one or other of four different
localities.” In the same article’ I referred to a previous
tentative record by Mr. Selby, who tells us: “A single
female was shot by Sir William Jardine on a small loch
between Lochs Hope and Eriboll. She was attended by a
young one, which unfortunately escaped among the reeds” ;
and Sir William Jardine kindly informed me that “ the old
bird certainly had a young one with it, but whether a young
Scaup or not it would be difficult to say.”
I think there is no reason whatever to doubt Mr. H. Noble’s
record, and we may accept it as completely trustworthy and
accurate. The letters and correspondence of Jardine—Selby
and Selby—Jardine are now carefully preserved, and perhaps
the possessor of the former may be able to throw some
additional light upon Jardine and Selby’s tour in Suther-
landshire, which, at this stage, would prove of interest to
Scottish and British naturalists.
SOME NOTES ON THE FRESH -WATER ENLG@-
MOSTRACA OF ABERDEENSHIRE.
By THOMAS Scorr, F.L-S.,
Naturalist to the Fishery Board for Scotland.
THE fresh-water lochs of Aberdeenshire, though comparatively
few in number, appear to contain as rich an entomostracan
fauna as those of any other county in Scotland. Ina gather-
1 ¢Qn the Birds found breeding in Sutherlandshire,’ ‘‘ Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc.
Glasgow,” 1875, p. 69.
THE FRESH-WATER ENTOMOSTRACA OF ABERDEENSHIRE 217
ing from one loch recently visited (Loch of Park), as many
as forty-four species were obtained, while thirty-nine, thirty,
and twenty-seven species respectively have been obtained in
gatherings from other lochs.
I propose, in the following notes, to mention a few of
the rarer or more interesting species that have been ob-
served ; and those that belong to the Cladocera will be
referred to first, and afterwards those belonging to the
Ostracoda and the Copepoda.
THE CLADOCERA
The Cladocera obtained in gatherings recently collected, though
perhaps not more numerous individually than the Ostracoda or
the Copepoda, are represented by a greater number of species. All
the families of the Cladocera, except the /olopedide and Lepéo-
dorid@, are represented, and both /olofedium and Leptodora may
yet be found in some of the hill lochs, but as these are pelagic
forms, a boat and tow-net may be required to capture them; the
gatherings referred to in these notes are all shore gatherings.
The Smpap# are represented in recent gatherings by Sida
crystallina (O. F. Miiller) and Daphnella brachyura (Lievin), (or
Diaphanosoma brachyurum as it is now called); the first is common
in the Loch of Skene, and the other is equally common in Loch of
Park. ZLatona setifera, another member of the same family, and
much rarer than either of the two species just referred to, was also
obtained in Loch of Park, as well as in a gathering from Corby
Loch, but only one or two specimens of Za¢ona were obtained in
each of these gatherings.
The DapuHnip#& observed in recent gatherings include several
interesting species, but I can only at present record three of them,
viz. Certodaphnia laticaudata, P. E. Miiller, Ceriodaphnia megalops,
G. O. Sars, and Scapholeberis mucronata (O. F. Muller). The first,
which has a comparatively broad and angulated post-abdomen, was
obtained in Corby Loch. The second, which is the largest of the
British species of Certodaphnia, and which occurred in a gathering
from Loch of Park, has not previously been observed in Scotland ;
in this species the shell is distinctly but somewhat irregularly striate,
after the manner of a S7mocephalus—only females have been observed
so far. The third (Scapholeberis) has been obtained in Loch of
Skene, Loch of Park, and Corby Loch, and also in one of the
ponds in Duthie Park. Amongst the specimens collected, some
have the head rounded and without a tooth, others possess a vertex
tooth which varies in length in different individuals, and the length
of the posterior spines also varies more or less.
218 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
The Bosminip#. This family contains only one genus—Zos-
mina ; specimens of the common &. longirostris (O. F. Miiller) have
been collected in ponds in the Duthie Park and in Loch Callater.
The LyNcoDAPHNID# are represented in the gatherings recently
collected by, at least, three species, viz. Drepanothrix dentata (Euren),
Acantholeberis curvirostris (O. F. Miiller), and LZyocryptus sordidus
(Lievin). Dyvepanothrix was obtained in Bishop Loch and in Loch
of Park: it is readily distinguished from its near allies by the hook-
like process on the dorsal margin of the shell. The distribution of
this species appears to be co-extensive with the British Islands.
Acantholeberis was obtained for the first time in Aberdeenshire in
a gathering of Entomostraca from Loch Callater, which Mrs. T.
Wemyss Fulton kindly presented to me. Loch Callater, which is
situated a few miles to the south of Braemar and near the road
leading over the hills to Glen Dole and Glen Clova, has an
elevation of considerably over a thousand feet above sea-level,
and |this adds very much to the interest of the gathering. The
Acantholeberis was one of the most common of the species observed
in the Loch Callater gathering, and many of the specimens were
of large size and carried pseudova ; the species has, more recently,
been observed also in Bishop Loch near Parkhill. Llyocryptus,—
the third Lyncodaphnid referred to,—though not previously recorded
from Aberdeenshire, probably occurs in most of the lochs of
Scotland ; its shell is usually more or less coated with mud, which
prevents it from being readily noticed ; it has been observed in Loch
of Skene, in Corby Loch, and Bishop Loch.
The LyNncEe1D& obtained in the Aberdeenshire lochs recently
examined comprise several comparatively rare forms, and a few of
these will now be referred to. Alona tenuicaudis, G. O. Sars, which
is considered to be a rare species in Scotland, was obtained in a
gathering from Loch of Park; in this species the post-abdomen is
narrow and moderately elongate, the upper and lower margins are
nearly parallel, and the marginal sete are comparatively small except
at the posterior angle at the base of the claw, where there are a few
moderately long sete. Alona rustica, T. Scott, was obtained in
Bishop Loch. Alona intermedia, G. O. Sars, was also observed in
this loch as well as in Corby Loch (this species is described in some
of my previous papers as Alona neglecta, T. Scott)! The very
small, but pretty, A/onel/a nana (Baird) and Alonella exigua (Lillje-
borg)* were both obtained in Corby Loch and Bishop Loch, while
the second was observed also in Loch of Skene. Pleuroxus
uncinatus, Baird, Pleuroxus levis, G. O. Sars, and Pleuroxus
trigonellus (Miiller) were obtained in a gathering from Loch of
? See remarks on this species in the ‘‘Seventeenth Annual Report of the
Fishery Board for Scotland,” part iii. p. 200 (1899).
* See also remarks on this species, of. cét. p. 201.
THE FRESH-WATER ENTOMOSTRACA OF ABERDEENSHIRE 219
Park ; P. wncinatus was also observed in Corby Loch. Chydorus
barbatus (Brady) occurred in Loch of Skene, Bishop Loch, and
Loch of Park.
The POLYPHEMID# are represented by only one species—/o/y-
phemus pediculus (Lin.), which occurred in all the lochs examined
except Corby Loch. Sythotrephis longimanus, Leydig, another of
the Polyphemidze so common in some of the Lochs of Scotland, has
not been observed in any of the Aberdeenshire lochs hitherto
examined.
THE OSTRACODA.
Only eight species of Ostracoda have been observed in the
gatherings of fresh-water Entomostraca recently collected, all of
which are moderately common. Cypris exculpta, Fischer, occurred
in Loch of Skene, Loch of Park, and Corby Loch; Herfetocypris
veptans (Baird) and Cypridopsis villosa (Jurine) were frequent in Loch
of Park, while Limmnicythere inopinata (Baird) was obtained in Corby
Loch. In September 1890 I examined the north end of Loch
Strathbeg,! and obtained ten species of Ostracoda there ; but, with
the exception of Cypridopsis aculeata (Lillj.) and Zlyocypris biplicata
(Koch), they are all similar to those recently observed. Only one
species of Candona (Candona candida) has been observed in the lochs
of Aberdeenshire hitherto examined.
THE ‘COPEPODA:
The Copepoda obtained in the Aberdeenshire lochs recently
examined comprise even a greater number of rare forms than those
that have been found amongst the Cladocera, but these rare forms
belong partly to the Cyc/opide and partly to the Harpacticide ; the
only Diaptomus observed hitherto is the common Diaptomus gracilis,
G. O. Sars, which was moderately abundant in Loch of Skene, and
was also obtained in Corby Loch and Bishop Loch. Amongst the
Cyclopide, Cyclops dybowskii, Lande, was moderately frequent in a
gathering from Loch of Park; this species requires careful examina-
tion to distinguish it from Cyclops otthonoides, G. O. Sars. Loch
Lomond is the only other loch in Scotland where I have obtained
this species ; it occurred there in a shore gathering collected to the
south of Balmaha. Cyclops languidus, G. O. Sars, another rare
species, was obtained in a gathering from Corby Loch; this Cyclops,
which has the antennules sixteen-jointed, has only hitherto been
observed in Scotland in Loch Doon in Ayrshire. Cyclops fuscus
(Jurine) was obtained in a gathering from Loch of Park, so also
were Cyclops macrurus, G. O. Sars, and Cyclops affinis, G. O. Sars ;
1 See ‘Ninth Annual Report of the Fishery Board for Scotland,” part iii.
p- 282 (1891).
220 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
these three species of Cyclops, and especially the last two, are rare in
the lochs of Scotland, and have not previously been recorded from
Aberdeenshire. Cyclops varicans, G. O. Sars, which also appears to
be a rare species in Scotland, has been observed in two of the
gatherings collected recently, viz. in one from Loch of Skene and
in another from Loch of Park. Cyclops phaleratus (Koch) was
obtained in Loch of Skene and in Loch of Park; this species was
also obtained many years ago, in a canal at Peterhead, by the late
Dr. Robertson of Millport.
The following species belonging to the Harfacticide may now
be mentioned. Canthocamptus minutus, Claus, occurred in gather-
ings from Loch of Skene, Corby Loch, and Bishop Loch. It is
readily distinguished by the peculiar form of the caudal furca,
and by the bifid spines that fringe the anal operculum ; the species,
though added to the British fauna only within recent years,! seems
to be widely distributed. Canthocamptus tnornatus, T. Scott, was
obtained in a gathering from Bishop Loch, in which it did not
appear to be very rare; the species was described a few years ago
from specimens gathered in Rescobie Loch, Forfarshire. Moravia
anderson-smitht, YT. and A. Scott, was also obtained in Bishop
Loch ; this species, though not previously recorded from Aberdeen-
shire, is widely distributed in Scotland and England. Jareno-
biotus vesdovskit, Mrazek, which occurred in the gathering from
Loch of Park, a locality that has also yielded not a few rare species
of Cyclops, is, like most of the other Harpactids, a shore dweller.
It was first observed in Scotland in a gathering collected on the
north shore of Loch Vennachar,? and afterwards in a shore gather-
ing from Loch Doon, Ayrshire. This is now the third Scottish
Loch in which the species has been observed. Mrazek obtained
the species in Bohemia, and Mr. Bruce (of the Jackson-Harmsworth
Expedition) collected it in fresh-water ponds in Franz Josef Land ;*
this seems to indicate that the species may have even a wider dis-
tribution than that now known to us.
The total number of entomostracan species obtained
in the Aberdeenshire lochs recently examined reaches to
over sixty; and, from the favourable appearance of the
lochs already visited, there can be little doubt that this
number will be largely increased. What at present appears
somewhat noteworthy is the small number of the Ostracoda
that have yet been observed. No species of Cypris (I use
1 ‘Ann, Seot. Nat. Hist,” July 1895, p. 173, and Oct. 1895, p. 236;
Pl. IV. Figs. 14-20.
2 “Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist.” (6), vol. xvii pg, Pl. I Figs... 13-20,
Pl ll. Wigs 23) (1896)!
3 «Journ. Lin. Soc.” (Zoology), vol. xxvii. p. 99, Pl. VI. Figs. 12-17 (1899).
FLORULA OF A PIECE OF WASTE GROUND AT ABERDEEN 221
this name in its recent restricted application) has been
noticed, while Herfetocypris and Candona are represented
by only one species each. As is well known, the distri-
bution of the Ostracoda is even more erratic than that of
the Copepoda or Cladocera ; and therefore, though apparently
scarce at one time, at another they may be more or less
common. This uncertainty in the distribution of these
organisms, though at times somewhat disappointing, has
one advantage: it tends to keep alive the interest in their
study, as there is always the possibility that the results
of the next gathering may be better than the last one.
BEORULA OF A. PIECE OF WASTE GROUND
AT ABERDEEN.
By yams W. H.. TRam, AJM Mo ERS:
REPORT FOR 1898.
IN continuation of former reports’ on the species detected
and the changes observed in the vegetation on a portion of
the filled-up bed of the river Dee, inclosed near the chief
railway station in Aberdeen, I submit a statement on the
observations made during the summer of 1898. The chief
census was made on 15th July; but it was supplemented by
notes made during visits both earlier and subsequently.
There are now five sidings laid out on the ground, con-
nected at the west end with the lines for ordinary traffic.
At the east end the sidings spread out to allow room for
the approach of carts for loading the trucks; and the
surrounding ground has been a good deal encroached upon
with heaps of pipes, tiles, and other materials ready for
transport.
The area covered with cinders has been somewhat in-
creased during the past year. There is still a considerable
part of the original surface free from this encumbrance,
chiefly along the northern side near the station. To the
1 <¢ Annals of Scottish Natural History,” v., 1896, pp. 231-2453 vi., 1897,
pp. 24-31, 237-245.
222 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
south of the cinder area, near the mills, the original surface
is encroached on, as stated above, at its east end. On this
follows a patch of the original surface, the vegetation on which
usually shows a coating of dust from the meal and flour of
the mills. Only a very narrow border remains uncovered
by cinders along a good part of this edge in its western
half; but this border widens near the extreme western
end, and becomes a strip of several yards in width. On
this strip occur several of the more local plants noted
below. Conspicuous amongst these are Volvulus sepium,
Scutellaria galericulata, and Mentha viridis, the former ex-
tending long shoots over the other vegetation, and the latter
each forming a vigorous and healthy patch bearing flowers,
As in 1897, the coarse vegetation was so dense that in
many places it seemed likely to extirpate all less sturdy
growth ; the seedlings of thistles, hemlock, and other coarse
plants covering the opener spots not yet tenanted by the parent
plants or by large grasses. Indeed, during June, it appeared
as if there could be no passage amidst the thickets of plants,
some of which exceeded five feet in height. At that time
there appeared but little trace of the less common plants,
these being concealed among the dense vegetation. About
the middle of July the thistles and other coarse plants were
cut down, preventing further diffusion by seed, and the lower
plants became more conspicuous. The surface of the cinders
was also cleared largely of the vegetation that had grown
up irregularly on it, the denser patches (docks, thistles, etc.)
being cut, while the sparser growth remained stunted through
lack of moisture, and was largely destroyed by traffic on the
loose soil near the sidings.
Thus, while the general tendency has been, as in former
years, towards the extirpation of the smaller by the ranker
species, and to the impoverishment of the flora in this way,
this tendency has been checked to a certain extent, and such
plants as Medicago falcata have become more vigorous and
prominent than before. It is curious that other species (¢,z.
Flesperts matronalts), of which only a few plants have
appeared on this ground, have held their place without
evident gain or loss from year to year.
In the subjoined list all species observed this season have
ee ee ee ee a ee ee
ar ee
FLORULA OF A PIECE OF WASTE GROUND AT ABERDEEN 223
been enumerated. Where the remarks of last year still apply,
the plants are merely named. Where the difference is only
in the frequency of occurrence the name is followed by + to
denote increase, or by — to denote decrease. Species
admitted as indigenous in British floras but not so in the
district around Aberdeen are indicated by an asterisk. The
names of those not regarded as indigenous anywhere in
Britain are printed in italics.
Ranunculus acris, Z.—<A few plants in a limited area.
RR. repens, Z.
*Papaver Rhceas, Z.—Two plants on the cinders. The absence
from this ground of P. dubium, the common cornfield weed
near Aberdeen, seems noteworthy.
ame two plants as were noted last
year are still growing, but have not flowered. Last autumn the
leaves were a good deal eaten by the larvee of the moth Pronea
Jorficalis.
LFlesperis matronalis, L.
Sisymbrium pannontcum, Jacq.—Two or three young plants seen
in August near where the only one was observed last year.
Brassica Napus, V.. -
B. Sinapistrum, Bozss. —
Capsella Bursa-pastoris, [Ved.
Lepidium Draba, L.—Several flowering stems reappeared on the
spot where I found it 1895, probably from buds on roots of
the plant removed by me in1895. ‘The flowers on these stems
showed fewer irregularities of floral structure than on the original
flowering stems. ‘The plant continues to thrive in my garden.
Viola tricolor, Z., and V. arvensis, JZurr.—Of each a few weakly
plants occurred on the cinders.
Silene Cucubalus, W/ide7—One pretty large plant in flower and
fruit.
Lychnis alba, d/277.
Cerastium triviale, Zz7&.
Stellaria media, Cy7.—As before, though less abundant near the
mills.
Spergula arvensis, Z., 0. it Benn.
Ulex europzus, Z.
Cytisus scoparius, Zin, \
Medicago sativa, L.—Slightly increased.
Mostly killed out by traffic near sidings.
224 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
*M. falcata, Z.—Considerably increased, and flowering very freely.
*Melilotus officinalis, Zam.—One small plant on cinders.
Trifolium pratense, Z.
T. hybridum, UL.
T. repens, Z.—Slightly increased.
Lotus corniculatus, Z.—One plant, near west end of ground.
L. uliginosus, Schkuhr.—One fair-sized plant.
Vicia Cracca, Z.
V. sepium, 2,
Rubus idzeus, Z.—The larger plants have been cut down with the
coarse herbage.
Potentilla anserina, Z. + locally.
*Pyrus Malus, Z.
Ribes Grossularia, L. —
*R, nigrum, Z.
*Lythrum Salicaria, Z.
Conium maculatum, Z. +
*Apium graveolens, Z. —
AZgopodium Podagraria, Z.—Increasing, but slowly, around the
single patch.
Anthriscus sylvestris, Hoffm.
Peucedanum sativum, Benth. and Hooker.—One large plant, in fruit.
Galium Aparine, Z.—Considerably increased locally.
Bellis perennis, Z.
Achillea Millefolium, Z. +
A. Ptarmica, Z.—Less common, owing to changes on south side
of ground.
* Anthemis arvensis, Z.—Only one or two plants observed.
y p
Chrysanthemum segetum, Z.—Two weak plants.
C. Leucanthemum, Z.
Matricaria inodora, Z.
Artemisia vulgaris, Z.
Tussilago Farfara, Z. +
Senecio vulgaris, Z.
Arctium minus, Berih.
*A. intermedium, Zange-—One pretty large plant showed the
characteristic features in July, but it shared the fate of all the
larger vegetation. It had not been found here before.
FLORULA OF A PIECE OF WASTE GROUND AT ABERDEEN 225
Cnicus lanceolatus, Wzd/d. +
C. arvensis, Hoffm. +
Centaurea nigra, Z.
*Cichorium Intybus, Z.—One plant observed.
Lapsana communis, Z.—Not increasing.
Crepis virens, Z.—Has remained much as last year.
Taraxacum officinale, /V’eber.—Has gained ground in some places.
Sonchus oleraceus, Z. —
Myosotis arvensis, Lav.
*Volvulus sepium, /zger +
Convolvulus arvensis, Z.—Spreading considerably, and flowering
freely.
Solanum tuberosum, L.
Mentha viridis, L.—Spreading slightly.
Scutellaria galericulata, Z.—Both patches are spreading a little.
Galeopsis Tetrahit, Z.—Diminished, by changes along south side
of ground.
Plantago major, Z.
P. lanceolata, Z.
Chenopodium album, Z. —
Atriplex patula, Z. —
Polygonum Convolvulus, Z. -
P. aviculare, Z.
P. Persicaria, Z. =
P. lapathifolium, Z.-—Rather more frequent.
P. cuspidatum.—Three stems observed near the west end of the
ground.
Rumex obtusifolius, Z., is the commonest dock, occurring in
quantities on the cinders.
Urtica dioica, Z. +
Populus (nigra, L.?)—A single plant has sprung up at the west end
of the ground, and has now reached a height of three or four
feet. It has, of course, been growing for some time, though
not referred to in previous reports.
Alopecurus geniculatus, Z.
Phleum pratense, Z. +
Agrostis palustris, Auds., >. stolonifera, Linn. +
A. vulgaris, With. +
22 D
226 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Deschampsia czespitosa, Beauv.
Holcus lanatus, Z.
Avena.—As in 1897.
Arrhenatherum avenaceum, Seauv.
Dactylis glomerata, Z.
Poa annua, Z. —
P. nemoralis, 2.—More common.
P. pratensis, Z. +
Py trivialis. 2.
Glyceria distans, Wahdend. +
Festuca elatior, Z., and c. pratensis, Huds.
Bromus sterilis, Z.—One plant.
Bamollisted.
Lolium perenne, Z.—Rather more abundant.
e. ztalicum (Braun).—Several examples.
Agropyron repens, Beauv.—Still increasing, the varieties in pro-
portions as before.
Triticum vulgare, Vill. —
Secale cereale, ..—; Hordeum distichum, L.; H. hexastichum, L.
Equisetum arvense, Z.—A fair-sized patch of barren stems was
observed in July—for the first time on this ground.
A comparison of the above list with those for previous
years confirms the general conclusions stated in them as to
the inability of most of the introduced plants to hold their
ground against the encroachments of the native weeds,
especially of the larger forms, and of those that grow socially,
such as Conium and the grasses.
The absence of a very large number of the commonest
weeds of waste places is still very noteworthy, as is also
the continued scarcity of some that have occurred on the
ground year after year, and that one might have anticipated
would soon become abundant after they had gained a footing.
As a whole, the vegetation is year by year becoming more
stable in its character, the changes constantly diminishing ;
though a few tend to drop out and casuals may not reappear,
while others appear for the first time or recur after an
interval of a year or more.
Comparing the list of this year with that of 1897 we
FLORULA OF A PIECE OF WASTE GROUND AT ABERDEEN 227
find that Geranium molle, G. dissectum, Lotus tenuts, Potentilla
recta, Epilobium montanum, Carum Petroselinum, Scandix
Pecten-Veneris, Caucalis latifolia, Chrysanthemum Parthen-
zunt, Helianthus tuberosus, Lycopsis arvensis, Mimulus luteus,
Lamium purpureum, and Carex ovalis have not been observed
in 1898. Of these, several were mere casuals, represented
only by one or two examples, while none were at all com-
mon. Several species were noted as diminishing in
frequency.
On the other hand, some were evidently more abundant.
A few observed in the earlier years, but not in 1897, were
again found in 1898. These may have been due to casual
reintroduction by seed from the mills or brought in the
cinders, or some may have been undetected last year. The
species that recurred were: Lepidium Draba, Viola arvensis,
Silene Cucubalus, Lotus uliginosus, Peucedanum sativum,
Chrysanthemum segetum, Cichorium Intybus, Glyceria distans
(almost certainly present in 1897).
The following were observed for the first time: Lotus
corniculatus, Arctium intermedium, Polygonum cuspidatum
(all single plants), and Lguzsetum arvense. The single
example of Populus, though not mentioned previously, has
been some years on the ground.
REPORT FOR 1899.
THE foregoing report, written in September 1898, has
remained unpublished owing to want of room in this journal
during the past year; but it appears better to allow it to
stand unchanged, and to confine the report for 1899 to
those features only of the locality and flora that show
conditions changed as compared with those of the previous
year.
The railway lines have been increased in number; and
both they and the cart tracks to (and in some parts
between) them now occupy much of the surface covered
with cinders. The latter area has also been extended in
some places; and some of the plants previously observed
and recorded have been destroyed during the year. In two
or three places small rubbish-heaps have been deposited, on
228 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
which some plants not previously obtained have been found,
while others believed to have disappeared have been again
found, probably the result of seeds casually introduced with
the rubbish.
The most careful examination made this year was on
22nd June; but several visits were made to the ground
both before and afterwards. On that day the coarser grasses
and other large weeds, such as thistles and hemlock, were
found newly cut down rather closely. They did not regain
their former size, or flower and seed as in former years.
Thus the lower plants were enabled to grow more vigorously
than for some time previously.
The report for 1898 is taken as the basis of the following
notes. All species named in that report but not referred to
here were observed in 1899 in practically the same quantities
as in 1898. All changes of any kind are noted below.
The same abbreviations and signs are used as before.
Ranunculus acris, Z. +
*Papaver Rhceas, Z.—Not seen.
Barbarea vulgaris, &. 47.—One plant, in flower.
Cochlearia Armoracia, L.—One plant much injured by larve, the
other flowering.
Sisymbrium pannonicum, Jacq.—Two or three seedlings were noticed
y . . 4 . . 5
a little distance from its former habitat, but none flowered.
Viola arvensis, JZurray.—None seen.
Saponaria Vaccaria, L.—Several, in flower, on rubbish ; last noticed
in 1896.
Cytisus scoparius, Zzz#.—Seems destroyed.
Malva parvifiora, L..—Several on rubbish, flowering ; last noticed
in 1895.
Geranium molle, Z.—Two flowering plants ; last noticed in 1896.
*Medicago falcata, Z.—Flowering and fruiting very freely.
*Melilotus officinalis, Zam.—Not seen.
Lotus corniculatus, Z.—Spreading a little.
L. uliginosus, Schkuwhr.—Not observed, probably covered up.
Vicia sepium, Z. +
Potentilla anserina, Z. +
*Pyrus Malus, Z. +
FLORULA OF A PIECE OF WASTE GROUND AT ABERDEEN 229
*Lythrum Salicaria, Z.—Quite covered with cinders and destroyed.
Conium maculatum, Z.—Checked by being cut down in June.
Scandix Pecten-Veneris, Z.—Several plants on rubbish; last seen
in 1897.
Peucedanum sativum, B. and H.—Not observed, perhaps destroyed.
Caucalis latifolia, L., one ; found previously in 1897.
*Sambucus nigra, Z.—One young plant on the levelled-up ground
near lines.
*Galium tricorne, Stokes. —Several plants in fruit on a rubbish-
heap.
Bellis perennis, Z.—Increasing slightly in opener places.
Anthemis Cotula, \..—A good many small plants on a rubbish-heap.
Chrysanthemum segetum, Z.—Not observed.
Artemisia vulgaris, Z.—Not observed.
Arctium.—A few plants of this genus were seen, but as they were
cut down with the other coarse herbage it was impossible to
determine the form with certainty, except one 4. mznus.
Cnicus.—The species were a good deal checked in their luxuriance
by being cut down in June.
Centaurea nigra, Z. +
C. Cyanus, Z.—A few plants near the mills; last seen in 1896.
Cichorium Intybus, L.—Not observed, perhaps covered with
cinders.
Sonchus oleraceus, Z.—Not observed.
S. asper, Z.—One young plant; last seen in 1895.
Echinospermum Lappula, Lehm.—A few small plants in flower and
fruit on rubbish. It had not been previously observed on this
ground, though several times found as a casual near Aberdeen.
*Scutellaria galericulata, Z.— Both patches covered up and
destroyed.
Phalaris arundinacea, Z.—One patch in flower ; last seen in 1896.
Festuca rubra, Z., Zhui//.—A few plants in flower; not previously
seen since 1896.
Bromus sterilis, Z.—Not observed.
An examination of the above notes will show consider-
able changes when contrasted with those for 1898. Several
species have dropped out, viz. Papaver Rheas, Cytisus
scoparius, Melilotus officinalts, Lotus uliginosus, Lythrum
Salicaria, Peucedanum sativum, Chrysanthemum segetum,
230 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
Artemisia vulgaris, Cichortum Intybus, Sonchus oleraceus,
Scutellaria galericulata, Bromus sterilis, Almost all of
these were present in 1898 in only small numbers, except
where they grew in clumps that were destroyed by the
extension of the area covered with cinders.
The following species observed in former years, but not
in 1898, recurred in 1899, chiefly on rubbish-heaps :—
Saponaria Vaccaria, Malva parviflora, Geranium molle,
Scandix Pecten-Veneris, Caucalis latifolia, Centaurea Cyanus,
Sonchus asper, Phalaris arundinacea, Festuca rubra.
The following, also chiefly on rubbish-heaps, had not
been previously observed on this ground :—Sarbarea vulgaris,
Sambucus nigra, Galium tricorne, Anthemis Cotula, Echino-
spermum Lappula.
ON FAVEROGHLOA BOREALIS, Ris S., owe
SCOTMSEH SENCHES.
By ARTHUR BENNETT, F.L.S.
THE discovery of this species by Miss Mittelbach on the
shore of Kirkcudbrightshire makes it perhaps possible that
it may be found in other localities; but it must be searched
for early, since from the first week in May to the first week
in June seems the time in Scotland when this grass is in its
best condition. In cultivation of the plant, however, from
the Thurso station, I found it begins to flower as early as
13th April, but is at its maximum about the middle of May.
It flowers profusely when grown in a pot, but very sparsely
in the ground, among Carex tomentosa, Sisyrinchium, etc.
In this note I propose to give an outline of its history as
a Scottish species (with extracts from various sources, letters,
etc.), its distribution in Europe, etc.
The first notice of it as a British plant seems to be in
Hooker’s “Flora Scotica,” p. 28, 1821, where it is recorded
as “in a narrow mountain valley called Kella, Angus. G.
Don. A valuable discovery of the late acute Mr. G. Don ;
called Hvierochloé by Gmelin, because in some parts of the
1 Gmelin, ‘‘ Fl. Sib.,” i. p. 101 (1747), wrote ‘* Hierochloé.”
ON AIEROCHLOA BOREALIS AS A SCOTTISH SPECIES 231
Prussian dominions it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and
strewed before the doors of the churches on festival days.
It has, like others of the genus, an agreeable scent, resembling
that of Anthoxranthum odoratum.’ Linneus tells us “it is a
soporific, and sold in the towns in Sweden to be suspended
over the beds, and induce sleep” (Hooker, Zc, toth April
1821). Inthe same year, in the ‘Additions and Corrections’
to Gray’s “ Nat. Arr. of British Plants,” p. 731, the plant is
described under the same name, except that the genus is
spelt //zerochloa, instead of Hzerochloé as in Hooker.
Ingr3e23, sir J. E.. Smith (British Plora,” vols inp mu)
uses the same name as Hooker, and remarks that he has not
examined British specimens. In “English Botany Supple-
ment,” t. 2641 (1830), it was figured, and the note added that
it was discovered by Mr. G. Don in 1812. In 1847, in the
second edition of his “ Manual,” Professor Babington (p. 378)
amplifes the station to “in a narrow mountain valley
called Glen Kella (or Cally, near the Spital of Glen Shee).”
In 1848 Gardiner’s “ Flora of Forfarshire” appeared, and
he remarks that the head of the glen had been carefully
searched in 1843; and Arnott (“British Flora”) says
““minute search’ had been made”; but Mr. Druce notes
that “one of the searchers afterwards stated that although
he had made a careful search, from what he had since
learned from Mr. Dick about the flowering of the plant, ze.
that it flowers in Caithness early in May, after which it
withers, and becomes impossible to find, and considering
that his search was made much later in the year, he with-
draws his previous statement.” Gardiner says: “The upper
part of Glen Cally has been searched; but it is more likely
to occur in the lower portion of the glen, by the stream, than
among the rocks at the head” (“Scottish Naturalist,” 1884,
pp. 268-269).
In the “Annals of Natural History,’ October 1854, the
Thurso station is recorded. The account quoted below was
contained in a communication made by Mr. R. Dick to the
Botanical Society of Edinburgh in July of the same year.
“ About ten minutes walk from the town of Thurso there is,
by the river side, a farmhouse known by the name of the
Bleachfield, opposite to which, on the eastern bank of the
232 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
river, there is a precipitous section of boulder clay. Opposite
to the clay cliff, and fringing the edge of the stream, any
botanist can, in the last week of the month of May, or in the
first or second weeks in June, gather fifty or a hundred
specimens of //rerochloé borealis. Passing upwards along the
river bank, and at no great distance, there is another clay
cliff, where a few hundreds of Azerochloé may be got. It
also fringes the edge of the river. But the plant must be
looked for at the time indicated ; for by the third week of
June the beauty of Hzerochlot has passed away, and by the
first of July the herbage has become so rank that the Holy
Grass, now ripe, and turned of a silky brown, is completely
hidden from view. Further up, between Giese and a section
of boulder clay a little below Todholes, the plant may like-
wise be picked in hundreds. Azerochloé has never failed to
appear in these localities during the last twenty years.”
In the “ Phytologist,” 1855, p. 117, Mr. J. T. Syme, in
some notes on specimens distributed by the Exchange Club,
remarks : “But the plant which will be most prized is the
long lost Hzerochloe borealis: for which the Society is
indebted to Mr. Notcutt, who received the species from Mr.
Dick, its discoverer, near Thurso. Mr. Dick has known the
plant in this station for twenty years, but was not aware it
had been lost in the original station found by Mr. G. Don.
Flowering early in the year, it was no wonder it was passed
unnoticed by botanists, who make excursions in autumn,
when nothing but the leaves of the plant are visible. It
may be expected to occur in other places, if looked for in
the end of May or beginning of June.”
In the same year (1855) Mr. Gourlie of Edinburgh sent
specimens (gathered by Mr. R. Dick) to the Linnean Society.
In 1859 Mr. H. C. Watson, in his “ Cybele Britannica,”
vol. iv. (April 1859), strange to say, does not notice the
discovery, either in the Summary of Distribution, p. 221,
or in the Census of Species, p. 27089 Wt) was not unt
1860, in his “Supplement to Cybele Britannica,” p. 106, that
the Caithness record appears in his books; yet Babington
in his fourth edition, p. 390 (1856), and Bentham in his
first edition (1858), both duly record it.
In 1861, in Sowerby’s “British Grasses,” p. 57, Mr.
ON AIEROCHLOA BOREALIS AS A SCOTTISH SPECIES 233
Johnson states: “It has since been met with in two or three
other places in Scotland.” I have failed to find on what
authority this is based; and Miss Charlotte Gower, who
probably could have given some explanation, I do not know
where to address, if living ?
The plant had now become a recognised Scottish species,
and was gathered by Mr. Backhouse, among many others.
For some time before 1880 it had disappeared, or was
not found, and on 16th December 1880 Mr. J. Grant wrote :
“ No one has found the Holy Grass since Dick’s time. Thurso
river has been searched for [it] again and again, but without
success.”
In some ‘Caithness Botanical Notes’ in the “ Northern
Ensign,” 31st January, 1884, Mr. J. Grant remarks: “Of the
causes here mentioned (of the disappearance of plants), none
will probably account for the disappearance of the Holy
Grass from the banks of the Thurso River; and as the
reasons for its removal may perchance never be known, we
can but designate that mysterious cause the 1oth.”
In 1885, in ‘Botanical Notes of a Tour in Caithness
and Sutherland, July 1885,’ in the “Journal of Botany,”
p- 333, Messrs. Fox and Hanbury write: “ An evening stroll
along the banks of the Thurso River did not yield us the
Fiterochloe, which grows almost opposite the spot where the
Caithness Naturalist lies buried. The plant is at all times
difficult to be found, and has probably suffered at the hands
of collectors ; its season, too, was long passed. A single head,
however, was gathered about three weeks before our arrival
by Mr. A. H. Bremner of Thurso, which he kindly gave us.”
On the 11th of June 1888 Mr. J. Grant wrote: “ You
will be interested to hear that I came on the Holy Grass at
last. It was growing below the Cemetery where Dick is
buried, and not above it, as Smiles makes out. There were
only a few heads, so I did not take any. There is just one
left at the place mentioned by Smiles; but Mr. Lindsay
informs me there are at least 500 heads of Hverochloe on a
moist bank several miles up the river.”
On the 7th of July this year Mr. Lindsay writes: “The
Northern Holy Grass is spreading on the banks of the
Thurso River. I have pulled specimens within a hundred
234 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
yards of Thurso Bridge, and up four or five miles, this year,
and for a number of years back.”
This brings the history of the grass to the present
summer. I now give the principal references to it, and
figures of it in British works :—
SINCLAIR, ‘‘ Hort. Gram. Wob.,” p. 167 (plate 14), 1825.
“ENG. Bot. SUPPL.” tab. 2641, May 1, 1830.
BAXTER; “Brits Phan. PLZ volwigpa46) taba sito a5.
Murray, A., ‘The Northern Flora,” p. 57, 1836.
PARNELL, “ Grasses of Scotland,” tab. 31, p. 72, 1842.
““PHYTOLOGIST,, 1842,-pp: 420, 462 59 1643,°p.. 40a ; 1855,,.p) 017 =
1857, p. 36.
GARDINER, “ Flora of Forfarshire,” p. 199, 1848.
Watsons HG. "CybysBrit. tip. 1535 Los 2.
LINNEAN Society's “‘ Proc.,” 1855, ll. p. 374.
LowgE, ‘‘ Nat. Hist. Brit. Grasses,” p. 91, tab. 29a, 1858.
Irving, Ay; “dik andb:.Bnt: Pl, pr 1975, 1858.
SoweErRsy, “Grasses of Great Britain,” p. 57, tab. 48, 1861.
BENTHAM, ‘‘ Handb.,” illust. ed., p. 9409, f. 1148, 1865.
SYME, “Eng. Bot,” ed. 3. vol: x1. p: 116, tab: 1605, 7057/2:
“SCIENCE GOSSIP,” 1873, p. 1395 1875,-p: 177,.with figs. 232, 2625
LO ODD aA. BOOZ. 2765 O77, p- AAs
SMILES, “ Life of Robert Dick,” pp 73, 255, 344, 1878.
DrRucE, “Seot, Nat. 1834, p: 268:
BENNETT, A., in “Scot. Nat.,” 1888, p. 89.
‘ANN. SCOT. NAT. isn, july 2So0,; p) 135.
‘OURN.< BOD,? 11899, 0.1325:
Among others, the following names are given under the
species by Richter in “Pl. Europ,” p. 31, 1390 :—
Holeusodoratdas, Ne, “Spe Ply edt ag -ps 1043.07.53
Poa nitens, Weber, ‘ F).. Holst.” supp., n. 6, 1787.
Avena odorata, Persoon, “ Syn.,” i. p. 100, 1805.
Flol.us borealis, Schrad., ‘‘ Fl. Germ.,” i. p. 252, 1806.
ffierochloa repens, Pal. Beauv., “ Agrost.,” p. 62, 1812.
LMierochloe borealis, R. et S., “Syst.,” i. p. 513, 1817.
fTierochloa odorata, Wahlb., “ Fl. Ups.,” p. 32, 1820.
Hartmann, “Hand. Sk. FI.,” ed. 11, p. 529, 1879, gives one
subspecies and two varieties :—
B microstachya, le. ed. 5, p. 308, 1849.
y firma, E. Ny, ‘Sp. Fl Kenn, di, (p10, 844 aad
HT. fragrans, Raet Ss. “ Syst, lp 15 Use hole
See eee
MEMORIAL TO THE LATE REV. DR. GORDON 235
Anderson, “Gram. Scand.,” p. 110, 1852, gives as a subspecies
*setifolia, Hartm., “ Bot. Not.,” 1846, and “Sk. Fl.,” ed: 5, p. 308,
1849, gathered by A. Luhr in 1846; while he places /ragrans as a
variety. Of these, firma is stated by Hjelt, “Fl. Fennica,” p. 343,
1895 (on the authority of Hackel), to be merely a form of the
species.
Bluff and Fingerhuth, ‘“Consp. Fl. Germ.,” ed. 2, ee pa Lr2,
1846, have a
“B pedicellis infra spiculum hispidis, ‘¥\. Sil., p. 53.”
Our plant seems to be fairly typical.
The name comes from the Greek “zeros, “sacred,” and
chloe, “ grass” ; hence it signifies “holy grass.”
In Iceland it was used for “scenting apartments and
clothes ” (Hooker).
According to Mrs. Lankester, in English Botany it is
also called “ Vanilla Grass.”
Distribution, principally in Europe :—
Iceland, North and South Norway. Sweden, in 12 provinces.
Finland, generally distributed to 68°30’ (Blom, ex Wainio). On the
coast it occurs, in South Finland—Aland Isles, Borgio, Lovisa ;
West Finland—Raumo, Vasa, Neplot, Remi; North Finland—
Ponjoj, Svjatoj-noss.
Coast of Pomerania, Prussia.
Coast of Schleswig-Holstein.
East Friesian Islands.
In four of the North Sea Islands,
Holland, Bavaria, Moravia, Bohemia, Hungary, Transylvania, Russia,
France (rare), Tyrol (formerly), Switzerland, North America to
62° N. Lat. (Dawson), New Zealand.
Its place is taken in the extreme north, in Nova Zembla,
Spitsbergen, etc., by H a/pina, R. et S., and H. pauciflora, R. Br.
Memorial to the late Rev. Dr. Gordon, Birnie.—We have
received the following circular, and desire to bring it before our
readers :—BIRNIE, August 1899.—At a recent meeting of the Kirk
Session of Birnie it was resolved to take steps to raise a Fund to
defray the Expenses of Erecting a suitable Memorial in the Church to
the memory of the late Rev. Doctor Gordon, who for upwards of fifty
years was Minister of the Parish. The Session being aware that
Dr. Gordon had many friends and admirers outside the Congregation
of Birnie Parish Church, agreed to open the Subscription List to all
236 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
such who may wish to contribute towards the object in view. Any
contribution you may kindly send will be gratefully acknowledged
by—Your obedient servants,
WILLIAM Morrison, Zveasurer.
ALEX. Murray, Session Clerk.
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES.
Lesser Rorqual (alenoptera rostrata (Fabricius)) in the Firth
of Clyde.—On 7th August 1897 the small steam whaler “‘ Thrasher,”
belonging to the Cape Fisheries Company, Ltd., while on her trials
on the Firth of Clyde, harpooned and killed a whale off Largs. The
carcase was towed to Messrs. Caird and Co.’s shipbuilding yard,
Greenock, and in an advertisement offering it for sale at #5 it was
said to be thirty (30) ft. long. The lips found their way to Paisley
Museum, where I recently saw them, and Mr. J. M. B. Taylor, the
curator, kindly gave me a photograph of them. From the illustrations
accompanying Professor Sir Wm. Turner’s article ‘On the Lesser
Rorqual (Lalenoptera rostrata) in the Scottish Seas’ (“ Proc. Roy.
Soc. Edin.,” 1893, vol. xix. pp. 36-75), I formed the opinion that this
was the species of the Largs whale, and on submitting the photograph
to Mr. Oldfield Thomas of the British Museum (Natural History),
he has favoured me with the following reply: ‘‘ The whale appears
to be the Lesser Pike Whale (Lalenoptera acuto-rostrata), commonly
known simply as B. rostrata, though the above is its correct name.”
(As regards} the name, see Mr. Thomas’s article in the “ Zoologist,”
March 1898; and also Mr. F. W. True, ‘On the Nomenclature of
the Whalebone Whales of the roth edition of Linneeus’s Systema
Vature,’ in the ‘‘ Proceedings of the U.S. National Museum, 1898,
vol. xxl. pp. 617-635, where a conclusion independently arrived at,
but similar to that of Mr. Thomas, is expressed.) So faras I am aware,
this is an addition to the known fauna of the Clyde waters, although it
is not improbable that whales which we occasionally hear of in the Firth
as ‘“ finners” may belong to this species.
I would take this opportunity of saying that I shall be glad to
receive definite information, with details, regarding Clyde cetaceans
and seals, and particularly news of any recent occurrences, as I am
endeavouring to ascertain the present status of the marine mammalia
of our waters. — HucH Boyp Watt, tor St. Vincent Street,
Glasgow.
The Bottle-nosed Whale in the Clyde.—Judging from the
extreme paucity of records of the occurrence of the Common
Bottle-nosed Whale (//yperoodon rostratus, Miill.), one might be led
to consider it as a rare species in Clyde; but, while little known
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 237
to naturalists in this area, it is so frequently seen by yachtsmen
as to receive little attention from them. I recorded one in the
“ Annals,” which I saw on exhibition in Greenock in July 1896.
One was stranded at a later date on the Argyll side of the Firth,
and I have reason to believe that it was correctly assigned to the
species above named. On the 8th of June, when steaming up Loch
Fyne in Mr. Andrew Bain’s ss. “ Romany,” one was several times
seen by our party; and on the following day, in the evening, I
watched one, about 20 feet long, for fully half an hour, in Kilchattan
Bay, Bute.—JOHN PaTeERsON, Glasgow.
Bottle-nose Whale (//yperoddon rostratus (Miull.)) at Ayr.—
Reports of ‘“ Bottle-noses” in the Firth of Clyde are far from infre-
quent ; thus this summer I have heard of them from Loch Fyne,
Kilchattan Bay, Fairlie Roads, and Corrie (Arran). Definite records,
however, are scarce, so it may be worth stating that on the morning
of the 7th September, Mr. Henry Cowan of Ayr found on the North
Beach there, and apparently very recently dead, an almost uninjured
example of Ayperoddon rostratus, which he disposed of to a show-
man at Ayr, in whose booth I saw it, and took the following
measurements :—
Ft. Ins.
Length, along dorsal ridge, from tip of beak to notchof tail . 16 2
x5 to dorsal fin Q 2
Asstustione curve of cereal fin . Lig 33
Spread of tail from tip to tip in straight line a across. 33 11)
Anterior curve of left lobe of tail 2A
5 “5 left flipper . u {0)
Tip of beak to angle of mouth nl
Upper curve of blow-hole oO &
Girth was said to be 6 feet, weight 3 tons, and sex 2. Forehead
sloped upwards from base of beak at a moderate angle only ;
colour was a uniform solid black, extending, as far as I could see
or was informed, to the underparts also.—HucH Boyp Watt,
Glasgow.
The White-sided Dolphin off the East Coast of Scotland.—
A damaged skull of Lagenorhynchus acutus was dredged and brought
to Aberdeen by eae and as the hyoid bones and cartilages
and the ear bones were still in position, I conclude that the speci-
men was not an old one. ‘This species is seldom found on the
Scottish coasts, so I thought it worth recording in the ‘ Annals.”
The skull measured :—
Inches.
Length, including lower jaw : : . 5 ue
Breadth, behind orbits 6 . : ‘ a °9
Height : : : 2 : oe ik
Length of lower j jaw é . LS
This species of Dolphin is easily dunes from the White-
beaked Dolphin, Zagenorhynchus albirostris, by its narrower and
238 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
less massive skull, narrower anterior and posterior nares, arched
orbits, much smaller tympanic bones, and by its much smaller
and more numerous teeth—the lower jaw has 32 teeth on each side,
the upper jaw is broken.—Wm. Taytor, Lhanbryde.
Blue Shark (Carcharius glaucus) at Ayr.—At the same place as
the Bottle-nose Whale recorded above I also saw a specimen of the
Blue Shark which had been captured in Ayr Bay by Wm. Morrison,
fisherman, in his nets on the 6th September. It measured :—
Ft. Ins,
Length, from nose to tip of upper lobe of tail-fin : @ 6
Anterior curve of upper lobe of tail-fin : ¢ i atts!
i 43 pectoral fin (right side) : F I 4
Hucu Boyp Watt, Glasgow.
Pied Flyeateher at Peterhead.—In the early summer, two
specimens of the Pied Flycatcher were taken at Grange Gardens ;
several other birds answering to the description of the Pied Fly-
catcher were seen along by the Convict Prison at the same time.—
WILLIAM SERLE, Musselburgh.
Albino Magpie near Peterhead.—A nearly pure white specimen
of the Magpie has been seen for some time on the farm of Clubs-
cross, July. Nearly twenty years ago one frequented this district
for a considerable time: the older people are always ready to talk
about it yet—WILLIAM SERLE, Musselburgh.
Peculiar Variety of Jackdaw near Edinburgh.—To- day,
29th August, when between Craigleith and the Dean House, I
noticed a peculiarly marked Jackdaw in a little flock of Daws.
Fortunately I had my binoculars in my pocket, so with them I
watched it for some time. It was cream-coloured on the body,
shading into light chocolate on the wing-coverts ; its forehead and
cheeks were dark ashy blue.—WILLIAM SERLE, Musselburgh.
Rose-coloured Starling at North Berwick.—On the morning of
the 26th of July, a Rose-coloured Starling (Pastor roseus), well
known to Anglo-Indians as the Cholum or Jowarree bird, was seen
on the lawn of my house here. It remained feeding for a few
minutes, when something frightened it, and it flew away. I had,
however, a good view of it through a field-glass, and am satisfied as
to the identity of the bird, with which I was familiar in India. It
was in adult plumage.—WILLIAM Loupon, North Berwick.
The White Wagtail (J/ofaci//a alba) in Ayrshire.—The White
Wagtail was not included in Gray and Anderson’s paper ‘On the
Birds of Ayrshire and Wigtownshire’ (“ Proc. Nat. Hist. Soc. Glasgow,”
vol. 1.). Of its regular occurrence in Ayrshire at the present time,
however, there cannot be any doubt. I first met with it on 8th May
ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 239
1897, on the shore, near Portincross, West Kilbride, a single bird
only coming under observation on that occasion. In the present
year, on 13th May, when walking from Ardrossan by the shore to
Seamill with my friend Mr. John Robertson, we saw not less than
twenty, but on going over this same part of the shore on the 5th of
June, on which occasion I extended the walk twice the distance by
continuing it to Fairlie, no White Wagtail came under notice.
Between the dates last named (on 21st May) I had had a walk over
the sands between Irvine and Troon, and saw one White Wagtail
there. Mention of Irvine Sands brings to my recollection that the
late Morris Young told me he had found the White Wagtail nesting
there. Young’s statement was quite categorical. It was not included
in Messrs. Barr and Craig’s ‘ List of the Birds of Beith,’ published in
the ‘‘Western Supplement” in May 1894, but it was shortly after-
wards included, having been identified by them on 2oth April 1895
or 1896. I cannot be sure of the year at the moment of writing.
A “large flock” was seen by them on 6th May 1898 at Kilbirnie
Loch, and it was first seen by the same observers this year on
3rd May, also at the locality just named. —JoHNn PaTERson,
Glasgow.
King Eider in St. Andrews Bay.—Mr. R. Canch writes me as
follows :—‘‘ John Lonie, my brother’s man, first saw the bird in the
Eden in company with some breeding Eiders ; the smallness of the
bird and the beak-tubercle drawing his attention. On the 6th
June he shot the bird, and it proved to be a King Eider drake in
full adult dress. Lonie stuffed the bird, and tried to sell it. I
purchased the specimen from him ; but, not caring for the manner of
stuffing, I had it re-stuffed.,—J. A. Harviz-Brown.
Great Shearwaters at St. Kilda.—It may be remembered that
a specimen of Puffinus major, now in the Edinburgh Museum, was
taken within a mile of St. Kilda on 7th August 1897. When at
St. Kilda on 11th August 1899, two skins of P. mayor were awaiting
me. These birds were both killed during the last week of July
1899, on different days and on different sides of the island, and
about a mile from it: one was close to Levenish Rock. No others
were seen.—HENrRyY Evans, Jura Forest.
[To the above notes Mr. Evans adds: ‘“‘I saw two of them
flying between Barra Head and St. Kilda, about four miles from
Barra Head, on the 11th June 1899.”—J. A. Harvis-Brown. |
Nyssia zonaria, Sc/zf, in the Inner Hebrides.—Among a
number of insects and other objects of natural history recently
brought to me by Mr. R. Godfrey for identification, I was delighted
to find an unset example of the male of this local moth, which had
been captured by Mr. James Baxter on the island of Tiree, Inner
Hebrides, in April of the present year. The larve of this species
240 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
are said to have been common in 1847 on a hill in Skye, and
on ‘‘Bernarah”; but apparently only one of those taken reached
maturity—it was a female, which is wingless (“Zoologist,” 1847
and 1849). I know of no other record of the occurrence of /Vyssza
zonarta in Scotland.—WILLIAM Evans, Edinburgh.
Acherontia atropos in Solway.—We have had a very remark-
able and altogether unprecedented series of occurrences of the larve
of the Death’s-head Moth in Kirkcudbrightshire. The first was
picked up at Kirkbean village on 12th August. The following
week no fewer than fourteen fine larve were found feeding upon
the leaves of a ti tree (Lyciwm barbarea) growing against the front
of a house at Rockcliffe on the coast of Colvend parish. On 26th
August another larva was captured at Kirkandrews in Borgue, which
is also, be it observed, a seaside parish. ‘Two individuals were
picked off bushes of lilac in the vicinity of Maxwelltown on 30th
August and 3rd September respectively. They were fully half a
mile apart. The last occurrence that has come to my notice is a
larva, also from Colvend, but found miles away from the Rockcliffe
examples. Thus nineteen larve have been got to my certain know-
ledge. I have previously recorded the taking of the larve of
A. atropos in Solway (‘‘ Annals,” 1897, p. 257) as a most uncommon
event ; and although Mr. Taylor, with reference thereto, has made
(‘“‘ Annals,” 1898, p. 118) some singular statements as to the unique
habit a¢ropos larve have in Renfrewshire of harbouring in potato-
pits (!), it seems to me that the authenticated finding of caterpillars
of this species in Scotland is a contribution of value in the geo-
graphical distribution of this insect. I am strongly of opinion that
it is only at wide and infrequent intervals that a combination of
favourable meteorological conditions together with an immigration
of these great moths may take place, so as to account for the
simultaneous appearance of larvee over such a wide extent of
country as I have detailed above. From the latter half of May
till past mid-June we had extremely fine hot weather. During the
earliest days of that hot wave very numerous individuals of the
Humming-bird Moth put in an appearance throughout Solway. It
was quite a sight to observe scores of them at the flower trusses of
the rhododendrons. In early August only a few were seen, but
since May these pretty and interesting moths have flown con-
tinuously, and on some hot days lately they were quite numerous
again. I cannot help correlating the appearance this season of
A. atropos and M. stellatarum. J should have the utmost difficulty
in believing that the imagos of M. stellatarum that have been so
abundant most of the summer were Scottish bred. Did any one
observe their larve? Similarly the larvae of A. atvopos that are
now recorded can hardly be other than the produce of immigrant
females. —ROBERT SERVICE, Maxwelltown, Dumfries.
BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS 241
Hawk-moths in Moray.—A larva of the Death’s-head Moth,
Manduca (Acherontia) atropos, L., almost full grown, was found on
4th September last by a woman working in the garden at Earnside,
near Forres. Not knowing what to do with it, she put it into boil-
ing water! Another larva of the same moth was found at Alves,
which is not far from Earnside, on 8th September, by Mr. Scott,
carpenter. A fine specimen of the Convolvulus Hawk - moth,
Philegethontius (Sphinx) convolvuli, L., was taken by Mr. Gill on 8th
September at Bishopmill, near Elgin——HerEnry H. Brown, Rosefield,
Elgin,
Humming-bird Hawk-moth in Moray.—In addition to the
Scottish records noted in the July number, it should be mentioned
that Mr. Gordon Taylor captured a specimen of this moth (AZacro-
glossa stellatarum) at Bishopmill, near Elgin, about zoth June.—
Henry H. Brown, Rosefield, Elgin.
Stenhelia blanchardi in the Firth of Forth.—I was examining
recently a small sample of dredged material from the ‘Fluke Hole”
(off St. Monan’s), Firth of Forth, collected in 1896. Several
interesting, though familiar, Crustaceans were observed, and amongst
them was this Copepod. Stenhelia blanchardi (T. and A. Scott)
was obtained amongst some material dredged off Arisaig, Argyll-
shire, in 1892, and was described and figured in the “ Annals and
Magazine of Natural History” for November 1895. So far as I
know, the present is the only other occasion on which this species
has been observed. It is quite a distinct species: the secondary
branches of the fifth pair of thoracic feet in the female possess at
the apex a lateral process exteriorly that assumes a hook-like form,
-and it is the only Stenhelia I am acquainted with in which the
secondary branches of the fifth feet are so modified.—T. Scort,
Aberdeen.
BOTANICAL NOTES AND NEWS.
Notes on the Flora of Wigtownshire.—As supplementary to
Mr. G. C. Druce’s paper on the ‘ Flora of Wigtownshire’ in ‘‘ Annals
of Scottish Natural History ” for January 1899, and to Professor Trail’s
notes thereon, I would desire to add the following :—Audus nessensis,
Anders., Rubus Scheutzit, Lind., and Rubus Selmeri, Lind., are
additional new records for Wigtownshire, z.e. additional to my list.
Daucus maritima = gummifer, Lam., likely is from Hooker and
Arnott’s “British Flora,’ but probably a mistake. Saxifraga
oppositifolia is in 72 (Gray Mare’s Tail) but not in 74. Jnula
flelentum is an outcast or escape. Pulmonaria officinalis has no
record for 74. Without doubt both Sedum rupestre and Carex
a2 E
242 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
pendula, and also Osmunda regalis, are all planted at Lochnaw,
though I have gathered Carex pendula in 74 im at least two stations,
and Osmunda regalts, once frequent and plentiful, can yet be
gathered in certain localities. The following are not yet recorded
for 74 :—Leontodon hispidus, Senecio viscosus, Ulex nanus (but
Galli is in abundance), (Hypericum hirsutum, Reseda luteola, Viola
odorata, Prunus domestica, Callitriche verna (but almost certain to
occur), and Lpzlobium tetragonum. Dianthus deltoides, Saponaria
officinalis (Saponaria Vaccaria in 72), and Tanacetum vulgare were
recorded by the late Rev. George Wilson, Glenluce, but are out-
casts or escapes. Leontodon hirtus, Ranunculus auricomus, Aquilegia
vulgaris, “Trans. Phil. Soc. Glasgow,” 1841-44, vol. i.), and
Stellaria palustris (almost certain). The following plants have
yet to be recorded or re-discovered for 74, though the majority of
them occur in the neighbouring counties :—Lepidium campestre,
Viola lutea, Galium Cruciata, Stachys Betonica, Ranunculus Lingua,
Ranunculus arvensis, Erysimum alliaria, Cardamine amara, Gentsta
anglica, Silene inflata, var. puberula, Geranium sylvaticum,
Chrysosplentum alternifolium, Myosotis collina, Carex riparia, Cicuta
virosa, Cinanthe fistulosa, Sambucus Ebulus, Valeriana dioica,
Lathyrus sylvestris, Carduus heterophyllus, Anthemis nobilis,
Vaccinium Vitis-Idea, Galeopsis versicolor, Rumex Hydrolapathum,
Scirpus sylvaticus, Blysmus compressus, Phleum arenaria, Lepturus
Jjiltformis, Limosella aquatica (almost certain), Rumex sanguineus,
Brassica monensts, Partetaria officinalis, Malaxis paludosa, Melica
nutans, etc.—JAMES M‘ANDREw, New Galloway.
Mistletoe in Scotland.—I am informed, although I have not
seen it, that Mr. H. D. Geldart has an interesting paper on
‘Mistletoe, its Hosts and Distribution in Great Britain,’ in vol. vi.
part 5, of the ‘‘ Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’
Society,” and that he alludes to its presence in Scotland not as a native,
but introduced. Now it is quite possible that mistletoe was once
indigenous in Scotland, and disappeared with other woodland flora
and fauna in the process of excessive denudation. One thing is
certain, that there is nothing inimical to the plant in the climate of
Scotland, because when sown properly it grows luxuriantly. I have
sown it abundantly here on apple, hawthorn, poplar, and lime, and
there are many large plants on the two kinds of trees first named.
Of the two last I cannot speak as yet. I have forgotten where the
seeds were placed on the limes ; the poplars were only treated three
years ago,—several scores of them,—and it requires a ladder to
examine them, which cannot be done till the leaves are fallen.
The mistletoe has been established on apple trees for many
years at Loch Ryan House in this county (Wigtownshire), and at
Comlongan Castle, Dumfriesshire.
The mode of propagation is very simple. Do not cut any
CURRENT LITERATURE 243
notch ; simply squeeze the berry on the smooth bark of first or
second year twigs; the seed adheres by the viscous matter in the
berry. The following summer a green shoot like a small caterpillar
may be seen: this bends downwards, and seems to enter the bark,
disappearing altogether the following winter. Then the twig of the
host begins to swell; it may be one year, or two or even three
years before the mistletoe reappears with a brace of small leaves,
after which growth is rapid. One small apple tree in my garden
carries two huge bunches, which threaten ultimately to destroy
their host— HERBERT MAXWELL.
Wilson’s Filmy Fern on Foula.—On the 25th May last, while
climbing the steep hillside on Foula towards the Kaim in company
with Mr. P. G. Ralfe, we found, under large boulders, and growing
among the moss, many plants of Hymenophyllum Walsont.—FRANK
S. GRAvES, Ballamsar, Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
CURRENT LITERATURE.
The Titles and Purport of Papers and Notes relating to Scottish Natural His-
tory which have appeared during the Quarter—July-September 1899.
[The Editors desire assistance to enable them to make this Section as complete as
possible. Contributions on the lines indicated will be most acceptable and
will bear the initials of the Contributor. The Editors will have access to the
sources of information undermentioned. ]
ZOOLOGY.
Witp Cat IN ArGYLLSHIRE. D. A. Maccoll. Zhe Field, 5th
August 1899, p. 234.—A specimen captured on, or in the vicinity of,
Craig Deer Forest, Glen Orchy, a few miles to the north of Loch Awe.
LARGE SEAL IN ORKNEY. Geoffrey Ellis. Zhe /ie/d, 2nd Septem-
ber 1899, p. 401.—Specimen of gray seal (Halichcerus grypus) shot
during the second week of August, weighing 370 lbs. and measuring
about 7 ft.inlength. An editorial note refers to other large specimens.
Pirp FLYCATCHER IN SHETLAND. Wm. Eagle Clarke. Zhe /ield,
8th July 1899, p. 84.—Corrects a statement in Z%e Field for 24th June
(p. 907) to the effect that the species had not been met with until
this year in these islands, and draws attention to the record in the
Annals, 1898, p. 178, of its occurrence at Dunrossness on 3oth April
1898. The note refers also to the Ortolan Bunting.
PROTECTION OF PLovers’ Eccs. “B.G.J.” Zhe Held, 15th July
1899, p. 100.—Refers to the scarcity of the Plover in Forfarshire,
and expresses regret that the eggs of the species are not protected
by law in this county.
244 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
NESTLING SNIPE IN JULY. Dalziel MacKenzie. Zhe Field, 29th
July 1899, p. 227.—Two birds just hatched found on a nest near
Farr, Inverness, on 23rd July.
BEWICK’s SWAN IN SouTH Uist. Donald Guthrie. Zhe Field,
12th August 1899, p. 315.—Six birds reported as remaining during
the summer.
LaTE Grouse Nest. “W.F.L.” Zhe Field, 26th August 1899,
p. 394.—A hen found sitting on three eggs on the Strontian
shooting, Argyllshire, on 17th August.
HEBRIDAL SMELT OFF ARRAN. W. B. Tegetmeier. Zhe Field,
26th August 1899, p. 394.—Specimen caught by Mr. H. Knox Dicks
in Brodick Bay on 18th August 1899.
THE INVERTEBRATE FAUNA OF THE INLAND WATERS OF
ScoTLAND — REPORT ON SPECIAL INVESTIGATION. By Thomas
Scott, F.L.S. 17th Ann. Rep. Fishery Board for Scotland, pt. iii.
pp. 132-204, pl. vii. (July 1899).—This valuable paper is a
description of the results of a special investigation of eleven Scottish
lochs. Each of the lochs is described, and temperature observations,
lists of pelagic entomostraca and shore invertebrates given. A
general list is appended (pp. 182-185) of all the Crustacea and
Mollusca recorded in the previous pages, showing in which lochs
they were observed. The paper concludes with notes on some of
the species mentioned in the general list.
REVISION OF BriTISH Mo.Luiusca. By the Rey. Canon A. M.
Norman, M.A., DG...) L-D., FR:S.,.ete.. -Annvand Mas. War.
Fiist. (7), vol. iv. pp. 126-153 (August 1899).—The present instal-
ment, which is the last, ‘‘ brings the list of British Mollusca on the
descending arrangement as far as the Cerethiopside.” A large
number of Scottish records are given.
NoTES ON RECENT GATHERINGS OF Micro-CRUSTACEA FROM
THE CLYDE AND THE Moray Firtu. By Thomas Scott, F.L.S.
17th Ann. Rep. Fishery Board for Scotland, pt. iii. pp. 248-273,
pls. x.-xili. (July 1899).—Notes are given on forty-four species
of Copepoda, five of which are described as new, and two of which
form the types of new genera. Brief notes are also given on several
species of Amphipoda, Isopoda, Cumacea, and Schizopoda.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO FossiIL Crustacea. By Professor T. Rupert
Jones, F.R.S., F.G.S., and Henry Woodward, LL.D., F.R.S., F.G.S.
Geol. Mag., Dec. IV. vol. vi. pp. 388-395, pl. xv. (September 1899).
—The following Scottish species are described and figured as new :—
Hibbertia orbicularis, Burdiehouse, and Anthrapalemon _ glaber,
Kilmaurs, Ayrshire. Both are from the Coal Measures.
EREBIA A.THIOPS (BLANDINA) IN THE ISLE oF SkyE. G. W.
Kirkaldy. £xtomologist, vol. xxxii. p. 236 (September 1899).—
CURRENT LITERATURE 245
Reports the species as not uncommon, on the first day of August,
near a stream running into the sea between Staffin and Portrigh
(Portree). Five other species of Butterflies are mentioned, one
from the Pass of Brander, near Loch Awe.
EXTRAORDINARY ABUNDANCE OF MACROGLOSSA STELLATARUM
(at Galashiels). James C. Haggart. Lxtomologist, vol. xxxii. p. 187
(July 1899).
NOTES ON THE ADDITIONS TO THE BritTisH List OF COLEOPTERA
SINCE CANON FOWLER’S ‘‘COLEOPTERA OF THE BritTisH IsLEs”
(continued). By Horace Donisthorpe, F.Z.S., F.E.S. xt. Record,
vol. xi. pp. 184-186 and 216, 217 (July and August 1899).—The
following species and localities are given:—Helophorus obscurus,
ab. Shetlandicus, Kuwert, Shetland Isles; H. griseus ab. bulbipalpis,
Kuwert, Shetlands; Quedius riparius, Kelln., Beauly, Inverness ; and
Telephorus figuratus, ab. cruachanus, Chitty, near Ben Cruachan.
ABERDEENSHIRE FORM OF TRICHIURACRATAGI. Arthur Horne,
F.E.S. £nt. Record, vol. xi. p. 191 (July 1899). A note describing
the northern variety of this insect.
COLEOPTERA IN SCOTLAND. ‘Theodore Wood. £x+¢. Mo. Mag.
(2), vol. x. p. 214 (September 1899).—Nine species are referred to.
QUEDIUS TRISTIS, GRAV., IN SCOTLAND. T. Hudson Beare.
Lnt. Record, vol. xi. p. 242 (September 1899). Found in numbers
under stones on Arthur’s Seat and at North Queensferry in July
1899.
Two ADDITIONAL BRITISH SPECIES OF ANDRENA. By Edward
Saunders, F.L.S. zt. Mo. Mag. (2), vol. x. pp. 154, 155 (July
1899).—One of the species referred to is A. ruficrus, Nyl., and the
specimens are those recorded in the Anmals by Mr. Evans (see p.
158).
PHILOPOTAMUS MONTANUS, VAR. CHRYSOPTERUS, ON THE PENT-
LAND Hits. Kenneth J. Morton. xz. Mo. Mag. (2), vol. x.
p. 157 (July 1899).—Two examples taken at a streamlet near the
source of the Logan Burn on 17th April.
NoTES ON ASSCHNA CRULEA, AND SOMATOCHLORA ARCTICA
AND METALLICA, IN INVERNESS-SHIRE. By James J. F. X. King,
F.ES. £xt. Mo. Mag. (2), vol. x. p. 206 (September 1899).
BOTANY. '
CriTICAL NOTES ON SOME SPECIES OF CERASTIUM. By Frederic
N. Williams, F.L.S. Journ. Bot., 1899, pp. 310-315.—The only
Scotch Cerastium referred to is C. Edmonstoni (H. C. Watson, as
variety, Murbeck and Ostfeld, as species), which is regarded as
identical with C. arcticum.
ALSINE IN THE BriTisH FLora. By W. P. Hiern, M.A., F.L.S.
Journ. Bot., 1899, pp. 317-322.—Deals with nomenclature, but the
246 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
reader must be referred to the original article to understand the
value of the changes advocated in it.
SAGINA APETALA IN WESTERNESS? By W. F. Miller. Journ.
Lot., 1899, p. 36.—Advises that the record in Journ. Bot., 1895,
Pp. 345, should be regarded as in need of confirmation.
HIEROCHLOE BOREALIS IN KIRKCUDBRIGHTSHIRE. By Arthur
Bennett, F.L.S. Journ. Bot., 1899, p. 328.—Refers to the discovery
reported in our last issue.
BRYOLOGICAL NOTES FROM THE WEST HIGHLANDs. By H. N.
Dixon, M.A., F.L.S. /ourn. Bot., 1899, pp. 300-310. —Is an
important paper, with records new to various districts, and even to
Scotland.
NEW AND RARE SCOTTISH HeEpatic&. By W. H. Pearson.
Journ, Bot., 1899, pp. 274-275.—Enumerates three new to Scotland,
and twelve others new to West Inverness, collected by Mr. S. M.
Macvicar.
HeEpaATICA OF MOIDART, WEST INVERNESS. By Symers M.
Macvicar. Journ. Bot. 1899, pp. 348-356.—Is an exhaustive list,
with localities of all species found by the author. It includes
numerous new records.
REVIEWS.
THE CAMBRIDGE NaTuRAL History. Insects. Part II.
By David Sharp, M.A., M.B., F.R.S. (London: Macmillan and
Co., Ltd., 1899.)
Dr. Sharp is to be congratulated on the completion of his
treatise on Insects, which occupies the greater part of the fifth and
the whole of the sixth volumes of this estimable a¢ural History.
We were very favourably impressed with JZvsects, Part I., which
appeared some four years ago, and our estimation of the author’s
ability as a clear and careful expounder of his subject has certainly
not diminished on perusal of the volume now before us. The whole
treatise is quite a masterpiece in its way. While giving a vast
amount of detailed information on the various groups, yet the
style is sufficiently lucid to render the book an eminently readable
one. Add to this the excellence and profusion of the illustrations
and the elegance of the printing, and we are led at once to
remark that it is certainly the most acceptable introduction to the
science of Entomology in the English language, or at any rate to
the subject treated from the systematic standpoint. The volume
just published treats of the Hymenoptera, Tubulifera, and Aculeata,
the Coleoptera, Strepsiptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Aphaniptera,
Thysanoptera, Hemiptera, and Anoplura. The various groups of
REVIEWS 247
Bees are elucidated in a particularly interesting manner, including
a detailed account of the anatomy of the proboscis of Bomdus.
The sections devoted to Wasps’ Nests, Features of Ant-life, Structure
of the Imago in Lepidoptera, Blood-sucking Diptera, Vocal Struc-
tures of the Cicadide, and Parthenogenesis in the Aphidze and
Coccidze, are also worthy of special notice. It is difficult, however,
to particularise, as the numerous groups of Insects are looked upon
with varied degrees of interest by different readers. We can only
say that all are we// treated of, and both volumes can be thoroughly
recommended as containing an invaluable summary of our present
state of entomological knowledge. Poa.
FLORA OF CUMBERLAND, containing a full list of the flowering
plants and ferns to be found in the county, according to the latest
and reliable authorities. By William Hodgson. Witha Map ofthe
County. (Carlisle: W. Meals and Co., 1898.) Pp. xxxvi. and 398.
The appearance of this Flora was looked forward to with con-
siderable interest, since it treats of a very charming district which
is well known to all English pedestrians, and it was known that it
comprised many local plants, and that the highest English moun-
tains were to be found in the area it embraced.
In this volume Mr. Hodgson has given the results of his arduous
labours ; and he must be congratulated on filling up another gap
in the list of counties of England of which there were no published
Floras.
Each compiler of a county Flora has his own idea as to the
manner in which a Flora shall be written, and therefore consider-
able latitude must be given to the authors of such works; but there
appears to be a consensus of opinion on certain points. Among
these are, that a Flora, to be complete, should contain, as far as
possible, all the references which have appeared in botanical
literature to the plants of a county. In this respect the authors of
the “Flora of Middlesex” set a noteworthy example of general
excellence. Then, a local Flora should give the general reader
some idea of the frequency or otherwise of the plants which occur
in the area treated of, the kinds of soil or geological formations on
which they occur, and the times of flowering in the county; and in
these respects the excellent Floras of North-West Yorkshire and
Herefordshire are good instances.
The altitudes of the chief lakes and tarns would also have been
useful and interesting. Some of the misprints are curious. The
use of capitals in the specific names follows no rule, and the absence
of them in the text for the genera is not a pleasing innovation.
The “ Flora” proves that there is an immense amount of work
still to be done in the Cumberland hills, and we must thank Mr.
Hodgson for having given us this important contribution towards the
history of their floraa—G. CLar1pGE DRUCE.
DN DEX
Acherontia atropos in Solway, 240
Aiscthna cerulea, Strom, a_ boreal
Dragon-fly, 26; in Inverness-shire
(Curr. Lit.); 24'5
Aglazs urtice, abundance of larvee of,
in Scotland (Curr. Lit.), 60
Ailsa Craig, notes on the micro-fauna
of (Curr. Lit.), 123
Alsine in the British Flora (Curr. Lit.),
246
ALSTON, CHARLES H., Bramblings in
Argyllshire, 109
Altitude, effects of, on the time of
appearance of Insects, 22
Amara alpina and other Insects in
Sash Perth an54:
Anabolia nervosa, note on the occur-
rence in June, 22
ANDERSON, PETER, bird notes from
Tiree, 46
Andrena, two additional British species
of (Curr. Lit.), 245; xzficrus, Nyl.,
occurrence in Scotland, 158
Andromeda poltfolia, L., in Midlothian,
121
Apodya lactea, Cornu (Curr. Lit.), 125
ARKWRIGHT, WILLIAM, Baillon’s
Crake in Caithness, 50
Astragalus alpinus, albus (Curr. Lit.),
12
fee calotheca, Fries, 119
Auk, Little, in Barra in April, 183
Badger in Dumbartonshire, 107
BARCLAY, WILLIAM, Rosa znvoluta,
Sm., in Forfarshire, 118; Rosa
hibernica in Midlothian, 118;
further notes on Scottish roses, 172
BARRETT-HAMILTON, G. E. H., F.Z.S.,
on two recently described Mice
from St. Kilda, 129
BAXTER, JAMES, Szvex gigas in Peebles-
shire, 55
BENNETT, ARTHUR, F.L.S., records
of Scottish plants for 1898, addi-
tional to Watson’s ‘‘ Topographi-
cal Botany,” 2nd ed. (1883), 92;
Atriplex calotheca, Fries, 119;
Scottish forms of /zscus, 119;
Carex curta, Good, var. dubia,
Bailey (sub. cazescens), 1873 on
Hierochloa borealis, R. and S., as
a Scottish species, 230
BERRY, WILLIAM, White-fronted Geese
in Fife, 182
Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, report
for the year 1896 (Curr. Lit.), 61
Bird notes from Carmichael, ‘‘ Clyde”
area, 109; from Tiree, 46
Birds’ eggs in Scotland, obstacles to.the
protection of, 179
Birds in Scotland during 1898, report
on the movements and occurrence
of, 140; increase and decrease of
certain species in the Tay area,
198 ; list of, observed in the district
of Moffat, Dumfriesshire, from
October 1896 to February 1897
(Curr. Lit.), 59; notes on Shetland
(Curr. Lit.), 122; of Ballinluig
district, Perthshire, 11; of Berwick-
on-Tweed, list of, 65 ; of the moun-
tain tops (Curr. Lit.), 59; of the
islands of Tiree and Coll, 206;
rarer, of the Shetlands (Curr. Lit.),
122; summer, of the Summer
Islands (Curr. Lit.), 122
Blatta germanica in an Edinburgh
hotel, 117
BOLAM, GEORGE, F.Z.S., the late
James Hardy, LL.D., 1; a list of
the birds of Berwick-on-Tweed,
with special reference to ‘‘The
Birds of Berwickshire,” and notices
of the occurrence of some of the
rarer species in the adjoining
districts, 65
Boreophausta tnermis in the Firth of
Forth, 56
Botanical Exchange Club of the British
Isles, report for 1897, 121
Botanists, biographical index of British
and Irish, first supplement (1893-
97) (Curr. Lit.), 62, 124
Botany, topographical, of Scotland, 95,
16
Bramblings in Argyllshire, 109
Brown, Henry H., Hawk-moths in
Moray, 241; Humming-bird Hawk-
moth in Moray, 241
INDEX
249
Bruce, D.,*Hoopoejnear Dunbar, 47; | Clasmatocolea *§ cunetfolia’> (Hook.),
Spotted Crake at Dunbar, 50
Bryological notes from the West High-
lands (Curr. Lit.), 246
BUCKLEY, T. E., B.A., F.Z.S., solitary
Snipe near Elgin, 51
Bustard, Little, in Aberdeenshire [error],
51; Macqueen’s, in Scotland [Aber-
deenshire], 73
Buzzard, Honey, in Aberdeenshire, 49 ;
at Peterhead, 49; Rough-legged,
in East Lothian (Curr. Lit:);
60
Buzzards, Rough-legged, in East
Lothian, 50
CAMPBELL, BRUCE, notes on*the birds
of Ballinluig district, Perthshire,
11; Goldfinch in West Lothian,
47; a habit of the Black-headed
Gull, 52; lead-poisoning in
Pheasants, 112
CAMPBELL, Col. JOHN, M.B.O.U.,
increase and decrease of certain
species of birds in the Tay area
198
Campylopus, on mosses of the genus,
10
Carabus glabratus, Payk., in ‘* Clyde,”
183
Carex curta, Good, var. dubia, Bailey
(sub. canescens), 1873 vostrata x
vesicaria in Glen Callater, 58;
Sadlerz, Linton, in North Uist
(Curr. Lit.), 61
Carices, new varieties of Scotch, 120
Carmichael, ‘‘ Clyde” area, bird notes
from, 109
Cat, Wild, in Argyllshire (Curr. Lit.),
243
Cephalaspis, on a new species discovered
by the Geological Survey of Scot-
land in the Old Red Sandstone of
Oban (Curr. Lit.), 123
Cerastium arcticum, Lange (Curr. Lit.),
61, 124, 125
Cerastium, critical notes on some species
of (Curr. Lit.), 61, 245
Characee from Scotland, 58 ; notes on
British, 1895-98 (Curr. Lit.), 61
Chenopodium capitatum, Aschers (Curr.
Lit.), 124
Chrysomela hemoptera, L., in Ayrshire,
115
Cidaria russata, single -brooded, in
Scotland (Curr. Lit.), 123
CLARKE, WM. EAGLE, F.L.S., remark-
able variety of the Black Grouse,
50; onthe occurrence of the Asiatic
Houbara (Houbara Macqueenzz) in
Scotland, 73; Lesser Whitethroat
in the Outer Hebrides, 109
Spruce, in Scotland (Curr. Lit.),
124
Coleoptera in Scotland (Curr. Lit.),
245; notes on additions to British
list, etc. (Curr. Lit.), 189, 245
Colias edusa in Wigtownshire (Curr.
Lit.), 60
Cormorant, note on the nesting habits
of, I10
CowPer, Rev. JAMES, Golden Oriole
in Clackmannanshire, 181
Crake, Baillon’s, in Caithness,
Spotted, at Dunbar, 50
Crategus Oxyacantha, Linn., 185
Crustacea, fossil, contributions to (Curr.
Lit.) 244; notes on recent gather-
ings of Micro-, from the Clyde and
the Moray Firth (Curr. Lit.) 244 ;
notes on some, from Granton,
Firth of Forth, obtained from a
ship’s hull, 115
50;
DEWAR, T. F., M.D., B.Sc., Great
Spotted Woodpecker in Forfarshire,
49
Deyeuxia stricta, var. borealis, in
Perthshire, 58
Dianthus deltoides, L., 188
Dipper, Black-bellied, in Shetland,
IIo
Diptera, British, unrecorded or un-
described by English authors (Curr.
Lit.), 189
Diptera Scotica: I.—Perthshire, 84,
161
Diver, Great Northern, in Argyllshire
(Gunseleits) san22
Divers, note on the moulting of the
flight-feathers in the, 114
Dogfish, Black-mouthed, off Aberdeen,
53
Dolphin, White-sided, off the East
Coast of Scotland, 237
Dolphins, Common, in the Tay estuary,
108
Druce, G. CLARIDGE, M.A., F.L.S.,
notes on the flora of Wigtownshire,
29; Carex rostrata x vesicaria in
Glen Callater, 58; Deyeuxza stricta,
H. B. K., var. dorvealzs, in Perth-
shire, 58; Saxifraga grenlandica,
L., 58; new varieties of Scotch
Carices, 120 ; Wigtownshire plants,
185; Crategus Oxyacantha, Linn.,
185; an early Scottish locality for
Sparganium affine, Schizl. (S.
natans, Linn.), 186
Dryas octopetala, earliest Scottish record
of, 57
Duck, Long-tailed, in the Firth of
Forth (Curr. Lit.), 60
250 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
DunBAR, LEWIs, Great Spotted Wood-
pecker in Caithness, 49
DuTHIE, Lieut-Col. W. H. M., note
on the nesting habits of the
Cormorant, I10
Eider, King, in St. Andrews Bay, 239 ;
in the Shetland Islands, 111, 183
Eledone ctrrosa on the East Lothian
shore, 53
Enallagma cyathigerum in Shetland,
115
Entomostraca, fresh-water, of Aber-
deenshire, 216
Ephemeride, two species new to Britain
(Curr. Lit.), 123
Lrebia ethiops (blandina) in the Isle of
Skye (Curr. Lit.), 244
Esson, L. G., Great Spotted Wood-
pecker in Aberdeenshire, 49
Luplexta luctpara in February (Curr.
Lit.), 189
Eurypterid-bearing rocks of the Pent-
land Hills (Curr. Lit.), 61
Evans, Henry, Great Shearwaters at
St. Kilda, 239
EVANS, WILLIAM, F.R.S.E., M.B.O.U.,
notes on the effects of the recent
October gale upon marine life on
the coasts of the Lothians, 6; note
on the eggs of the Wood Sandpiper
(Zotanus glareola) taken in Elgin-
shire, 14; the Greater Spotted
Woodpecker (Dendrocopus niajor)
in the south-east of Scotland, 47 ;
Rough-legged Buzzards in East
Lothian, 50; ossta macrosoma
and #iledone cirrosa on the East
Lothian shore, 53; Amara alpina,
F., and other insects in ‘‘ East
Perth,” 54; Sphinx convolvult, L..,
in East Lothian, 55; Pachnobia
hyperborea, Zett., in Inverness-
shire, etc., 55; Vertigo pygmea
and other molluscs in ‘‘ Perth E.,”
117; Jonomorium pharaonis and
Lilatta germanica as pests in an
Edinburgh hotel, 117; on the
occurrence in Scotland of Azdrena
ruficrus, Nyl. (a bee new to the
British list), and other rare
aculeate Hymenoptera, 158; the
Pied Flycatcher in East Lothian,
etc., 181; the Humming-bird
Hawk-moth in the Edinburgh
district, 184; Myssta szonaria,
Schiff., in the Inner Hebrides,
239
Falcon, Iceland, in Shetland (Curr.
Lit.), 60
FARREN, WILLIAM, note on _ the
moulting of the flight feathers in
the Divers, 114
FERGUSSON, ANDERSON, Chrysomela
hemoptera, L., in Ayrshire, 115 ;
Carabus glabratus, Payk., in Clyde,
183
Fern, Wilson’s Filmy, on Foula, 243
Fishes, some scarce, in the Solway, 53
Flora of Wigtownshire, 29; notes on,
241
Florula of a piece of waste ground at
Aberdeen, 221
Flycatcher, Pied, at Peterhead, 238;
in S.E. Scotland, 181; in East
Lothian, etc., 181; in Shetland
(Curr. Lit.), 243
FOWLER, Sir J. A., Bart., Kingfisher
in West Ross-shire, 473; Greater
Spotted Woodpecker, Lochbroom,
West Ross-shire, 110
Frog and Water Rail, 112
Gadwall, Garganey and, in Aberdeen-
shire, 50
Gale, effects of the recent October, on
marine life on the coasts of the
Lothians, 6
Garganey and Gadwall in Aberdeen-
shire, 50
Geese, White-fronted, in Fife, 182
Gisson, Rev. J. D> W., BoD.) Bird
notes from Carmichael, ‘‘ Clyde”
area,w109; Humming-bird Hawk-
moth in the Upper Clyde, 184
Glasgow Natural History Society,
Reports on Excursions (Curr. Lit. ),
189; Proceedings of (Curr. Lit.),
190
GODFREY, ROBERT, M.A., Pomatorhine
Skua in West Lothian, 52 ; Fulmar
Petrel breeding on Noss, Shetland,
53; Four-bearded Rockling in the
Firth of Forth, 53; Szvex gtgas
in East Lothian, 55; Water Rail
and Frog, 112; Axallagma cyatht-
gerumin Shetland, 115 ; Andromeda
polifolia, L., in Midlothian, 121
Goldfinch in West Lothian, 47
Gordon, the late Rev. Dr., Birnie,
memorial to, 235
Grampus, Risso’s, occurrence on the
East coast of Scotland, 197
GRAVES, FRANK S., Wilson’s Filmy
Fern on Foula, 243
GRIMSHAW, Percy H., F.E.S.,
Diptera Scotica : I.—Perthshire,
84, 161
Grouse, Black, remarkable variety of,
o)
rae late nest (Curr. Lit.), 244
Gull, Black-headed, a habit of the, 52;
Brown-headed, food of, 113; Ice-
INDEX 251
land, near the Solway Firth, 1143
Little, note upon the changes of
plumage, 16
Habenaria viridis, var. bracteata (Curr.
Lit.), 61
Hardy, the late James, LL.D., 1
HARTING, J. E., F.L.S., F.Z.S., King
Eider in the Shetlands, 183
HARVIE- Brown, J. A., F.R.S.E.,
F.Z.S., notes on some Scottish
Salmonide, 75; King Eider in St.
Andrews Bay, 239; on the breeding
of the Scaup in Scotland, 215
Hawk-moth, Humming-bird, in the
Edinburgh district, 184; in the
Upper Clyde, 184; in Norway,
241; extraordinary abundance at
Galashiels (Curr. Lit.), 245
Hedge-sparrow, a white (Curr. Lit.),
60
Hlemerobtus, notes on certain Palzearc-
tic species of the genus (Curr.
Lit.), 189
HENDERSON, THOS., jun., occurrence
of the Black-bellied Dipper in
Shetland, 110
Hepatice, new and rare Scottish (Curr.
Lit.), 190, 246; of Moidart, West
Inverness (Curr. Lit.), 246
Hterochloa borealis as a
species, 230
Hierochloé borealis, in Kirkcudbright-
shire, 185, 246 (Curr. Lit.)
Hoopoe near Dunbar, 47
Houbara, Asiatic, occurrence in Scot-
land, 73
Huntemannia jadensis, S. A. Poppe,
extension of distribution, 183
Hymenoptera, rare aculeate, in Scot-
land, 158
Scottish
Invertebrate fauna of the inland waters
of Scotland (Curr. Lit.), 244
ireversieuts-Coleloott. phe Wesel Los
observations on the birds of the
islands of Tiree and Coll, 206
Isopoda, British land (Curr. Lit.), 124
ase Chelzfera, British (Curr. Lit.),
159
Jackdaw, peculiar variety, near Edin-
burgh, 238
Juncus, Scottish forms of, 119
Jungermania obtusa, Lindb., in Britain
(Gitte Ite) HAG
Kingfisher in West Ross-shire, 47
LaIpLaw, T. G., M.B.O.U., Whim-
brel in the Firth of Forth in
winter, I13; report on the move-
ments and occurrence of birds in
Scotland during 1898, 140
Lepidoptera of Oban and district (Curr.
Lit.), 123
Leptopsyllus minor, T. and A. Scott,
in the Clyde district, 184
Lichens and Mosses from
Argyle, 41
Limnophilus borealis and L. nigriceps
from Glen Tilt, 56
Lochay, Glen, entomological notes from
(Cure pet) se123
Lophocolea spicata, Taylor, in Scotland
(Curr. Lit.), 62
Loupon, WILLIAM, Rose-coloured
Starling at North Berwick, 238
Loxocera, on the British species of the
Dipterous genus, with the descrip-
tion of a new variety (Curr. Lit.),
123
Carsaig,
M‘ANDREW, JAMES, notes on the Flora
of Wigtownshire, 241
Macgillivray, William, M.D., LL.D.,
proposed memorial to, 45
MACGILLIVRAY, WM. L., Little Auk
in Barra in April, 183
MACLAUCHLAN, JOHN, Common Dol-
phins in the Tay Estuary, 108
MacpHERSON, Rev. H. A. M.A.,
M.B.O.U., a note upon the
changes of plumage of the Little
Gull (Larus minutus), 16; Gray
Phalarope on the Solway Firth,
51; Pomatorhine Skua on_ the
Solway Firth, 52; the food of the
Brown-headed Gull, 113 ; Iceland
Gull near the Solway Firth, 114
Macvicar, SyMErs M., plants of Lis-
more, 36; earliest Scottish record
of Dryas octopetala, L., 57
Magpie, albino, near Peterhead, 238
Marine life on the coasts of the Lothians,
effects of the recent October gale
on, 6
MAXWELL, Sir HERBERT,
Mistletoe in Scotland, 242
Meteorological notes, and remarks upon
the weather during the year 1897,
with its general effects upon vege-
tation (Curr. Lit.), 190
Mice, on two recently described, from
St. Kilda, 129
Microfungi observed near Kilmarnock,
Ayrshire (Curr. Lit.), 190
Mistletoe in Scotland, 242
Mollusca, revision of British (Curr.
Lit.), 244
Molluscs in ‘‘ Perth E.,” 117
Monomorium pharaonis in an Edin-
burgh hotel, 117
Bart.,
252
MorTon, KENNETH J., F.E.S., note
on the occurrence of Anabolia
nervosa in June, with remarks on
the effect of altitude on the time of
appearance of insects, 22 ; 4schna
cerulea, Strom, a boreal Dragon-
fly, 26; distribution of Pachnobia
hyperborea, im Scotland, 55;
Limnophilus borealis, Zett., and
L. nigriceps, Zett., from Glen Tilt,
56
Mosses, lichens and, from Carsaig,
Argyle, 41
Mosses of Campsie Glen (Curr. Lit.),
190; of the genus Campylopus 103
Moths, Hawk-, in Moray, 241
Moulting of the flight-feathers in the
Divers, note on, 114
Mycetozoa, notes on (Curr. Lit.), 190
Myriapods, on some new, from the
Paleozoic rocks of Scotland (Curr.
Lit.), 124
Novaya Zemlya, etc., the flowering
plants of (Curr. Lit.), 61, 125
Wyssia zonaria in the Inner Hebrides,
239
Orchis ‘cruenta,
120
Ord, George Walker, In Memoriam,
193
Oriole, Golden, in Clackmannanshire,
181; in the ‘‘ Solway ” area, 182
Orthotenia ericetana in Scotland (Curr,
Lit.), 60
Ospreys, destruction of, 181
Owl, European Hawk-, in Aberdeen-
shire, 49
Miller, in Britain,
Pachnobia hyperborea, distribution in
Scotland, 55 ; occurrence in Inver-
ness-shire, etc., 55
Pandalide, on the British (Curr. Lit.),
124
PATERSON, JOHN, Spotted Redshank,
Ruff, and Curlew Sandpiper in
East Renfrewshire, 51; notes on
the Lesser Whitethroat (Sy/uza
curruca, Linn.) as a Clyde species,
210; In Memoriam, George Walker
Ord, 194; the White Wagtail
(Motactlla alba) in Ayrshire, 238 ;
the Bottle-nosed Whale in the
Clyde, 236
PATERSON, JOHN, and JOHN Ros-
ERTSON, Spotted Redshank, Ruff,
and Curlew Sandpiper in East
Renfrewshire, 51
PATERSON, J.,and HuGH Boyp WaTT,
Badger in Dumbartonshire, 107
ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
PEEL, C. V. A., F.Z.S., occurrence of
the Loggerhead Turtle in North
Uist, 115
Peronosporee of North Ayrshire, addi-
tional notes on (Curr. Lit.), 190
Perthshire Society of Natural Science,
transactions of the (Curr. Lit.),
12
Petrel, Fulmar,
Shetland, 53
Phalarope, Gray, on the Solway Firth,
51; Red-necked, in Shetland (Curr.
Lit.) 122
Pheasants, lead-poisoning in, 112
Phibalapteryx lapidata (Curr. Lit.), 60
Philopotamus montanus, var. chrysop-
zerus on the Pentland Hills (Curr.
Lit.), 245
Phoca grenlandica on the Aberdeen-
shire coast, 46
Plants of Lismore, 36; records of
Scottish, for 1898, additional to
Watson’s ‘Topographical Botany,”
92; Wigtownshire, 185
Plovers’ eggs, protection of (Curr.
Lit.), 2
Pochard in the ‘‘ Clyde ” area, a correc-
tion, 182
Protection of birds’ eggs in Scotland,
obstacles to the, 179
breeding on Noss,
Quedius tristis, Grav., in Scotland
(Curr. Lit.), 245
Rail, Water-, and Frog, 112
Range of plant-species, limits to the
(Curr. Lit.), 190
Rannoch, Pseudo-Neuroptera, Planz-
pennia, and Trichoptera collected
at, in June 1898 (Curr. Lit.), 189
Raspberry roots, note on (Curr. Lit.),
190
Redshank, Spotted, in East Renfrew-
shire, 51; on the Solway, 112
Reviews—
The Structure and Classification of
Birds, by Frank E. Beddard, M.A.,
Ta IRoShon (2
A Classification of Vertebrata, Recent
and Extinct, by Hans Gadow,
INNS 1esIOS, IIb, (0%)
Wild Life at Home: How to Study
and Photograph it, by R. Kearton,
HiZeSe5 03
A Dictionary of Bird Notes, by
Charles Louis Hett, 64
The Cambridge Natural History.
Birds. By A. H. Evans, M.A.,
125
The Penycuik Experiments, by J. C.
Ewart, M.D., F.R.S., 126
INDEX 253
Reviews—
Contributions towards a ‘‘ Cybele
Hibernica”; being Outlines of
the Geographical Distribution of
Plants in Ireland. Second Edition.
Founded on the papers of the
late Alexander Goodman More,
F.R.S.E., etc., by Nathaniel
Colgan, M.R.I.A., and Reginald
W. Scully, F.L.S:, 127
A Natural History of the British
Lepidoptera, by J. W. Tutt, F.E.S.,
I9I
A List of European Birds, including
all those found in the Western
Palearctic Area, with a Supple-
ment, by Heatley Noble, F.Z.S.,
192
The Naturalist’s Directory, 1899,
192
The Cambridge Natural History.
Insects. Part II. By David
Sharp, M.A., M.B., F.R.S., 246
Flora of Cumberland, by William
Hodgson, 247
Rhynchomyzon purpurocinctum in the
Moray Firth, 57
ROBERTSON, JOHN, and JOHN PATER-
SON, Spotted Redshank, Ruff,
and Curlew Sandpiper in East
Renfrewshire, 51
Rockling, Four-bearded, in the Firth
of Forth, 53
Rorqual, Lesser, in the Firth of Clyde,
236
Rosa hibernica in Midlothian, 118;
znvoluta, Sm., in Forfarshire, 118
Roses, further notes on Scottish, 172
Rossta macrosoma on the East Lothian
shore, 53
Rubi, Scottish (Curr. Lit.), 190
Rubus Bakert, F. A. Lees (Curr. Lit.),
124
Ruff in East Renfrewshire, 51
Sagina apetala in Westerness (Curr.
Lit.), 246
Salmon, Tay land-locked (Curr. Lit.),
122
Salmonide, notes on Scottish, 75
Sanda and Glunimore, report on a visit
to (Curr. Lit.); 122, 19x
Sandpiper, Curlew, in East Renfrew-
shire, 51 ; Wood, note on the eggs
taken in Elginshire, 14
Saxtfraga grenlandica, L., 58
Scalia Hookert in West Inverness (Curr.
Lit.), 62
Scaup, breeding of, in Scotland, 215
Scott, THomas, F.L.S., on the oc-
currence of oreophausia tnermzs
(Kroyer) and Zhysanoessa longi-
caudata (Kroyer) in the Firth of
Forth, 56; on the occurrence of
Rhynchomyzon purpurocinctum
(Thomas Scott) in the Moray
Firth, 57; TZhalestris hibernica,
G. S. Brady, in the Cromarty
Firth, 57; notes on some Crust-
acea from Granton, Firth of Forth,
obtained from a ship’s hull, 115;
Huntemannia jadensis,5. A. Poppe
—extension of distribution, 183;
Leptopsyllus minor, T. and A.
Scott, in the Clyde district, 184 ;
some notes on the fresh - water
Entomostraca of Aberdeenshire,
216; Stenxhelia blanchardz in the
Firth of Forth, 241
Scottish Alpine Botanical Club, excur-
sion to Killin in 1897 (Curr. Lit.),
125
Seal, large, in Orkney (Curr. Lit.), 243
Seed-production in Dianthus deltotdes,
L., 188
SERLE, WILLIAM, M.A., Great Spotted
Woodpecker in Aberdeenshire, 49 ;
Honey Buzzard at Peterhead, 49;
Pied Flycatcher at Peterhead, 238 ;
albino Magpie near Peterhead.
238; peculiar variety of Jackdaw
near Edinburgh, 238
SERVICE, ROBERT, some scarce fishes
in the Solway, 53; S¢vex gigas in
Solway district, 55; the Convol-
vulus Hawk-moth in Dumfries-
shire, 55; Stoats in the winter
pelage, 108; Great Gray Shrike
in Solway, 110; Great Spotted
Woodpecker in Kirkcudbright,
110; the Spotted Redshank on
the Solway, 112; Golden Oriole
in the ‘‘Solway” area, 182;
Acherontia atropos in Solway, 240
Shark, Blue, at Ayr, 238
Shearwaters, Great, at St. Kilda, 239
Shrike, Great Gray, in Solway, 110
SIM, GEORGE, A.L.S., Great Spotted
Woodpecker in Aberdeenshire, 49 ;
European Hawk -Owl in Aber-
deenshire, 49; Honey Buzzard in
Aberdeenshire, 49 ; Garganey and
Gadwall in Aberdeenshire, 50;
occurrence of the Black-mouthed
Dogfish off Aberdeen, 53
Strex gigas in East Lothian, 55; in
Peeblesshire, 55; in Solway dis-
trict, 55
Strex gigas, Linn., occurrence in Arran
and Bute (Curr. Lit.), 123
Skua, Pomatorhine, on the Solway
Firth, 52; in West Lothian, 52
Smelt, Hebridal, off Arran (Curr. Lit.),
244
254
Snipe, nestling, in July (Curr. Lit.),
244; solitary, near Elgin, 51
Somatochlora arctica, and metallica in
Inverness-shire (Curr. Lit.), 245
Sparganium affine, Schizl., an early
Scottish locality for, 186
Sphinx convolvuli, L., in Kast Lothian,
55; in Dumfriesshire, 55
Starling, Rose-coloured, at North Ber-
wick, 238
Stenhelia blanchardi in the Firth of
Forth, 241
STIRTON, JAMES, |) MODE RIES:
Lichens and Mosses from Carsaig,
Argyle, 41; on Mosses of the
genus Campy lopus, 103
Stoats in the winter pelage, 108
STUART, CHARLES, M.D., Great
Spotted Woodpecker in Berwick-
shire, 49
SUTHERLAND, J., Great Spotted Wood-
pecker in Caithness, 49
Swan, Bewick’s, in South Uist (Curr.
Lit.), 244
Swift, late stay of (Curr. Lit.), 60
TayLor, WM., Phoca srenlandica on
the Aberdeenshire coast, 46; the
White-sided Dolphin off the East
coast of Scotland, 238
Thalestris hibernica in the Cromarty
Firth, 57
Thelodus Paget, Powrie, sp., from the
Old Red Sandstone of Forfarshire
(Conaaeits) 22
Thysanoessa longicaudata in the Firth
of Forth, 56
Tipulide of the Glasgow district, notes
on the (Curr. Lit.), 124
Titmouse, Marsh, in the Tay valley
(Curr. Lit.), 60
TRAIL, JAMES W. H., A.M., M.D.,
F.R.S., topographical botany of
Scotland, 95, 165 ; seed-production
in Dianthus deltoides, L., 1883
florula of a piece of waste ground
at Aberdeen, 221
DRAQUATRS Ra El i.e ez. 1D
F.R.S., on the occurrence of
Risso’s Grampus on the East coast
of Scotland, 197
Trees, measurement of the girth of
coniferous, at Braemar in 1894
ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY
(Curr. Lit.), 125; the diameter-
increment of the wood of coni-
ferous, at Braemar, in relation to
climatic conditions (Curr. Lit.),
125
Trichtura crategt, Aberdeenshire
form of (Curr. Lit.), 245
Turtle, Loggerhead, in North Uist, 115
Typhilopsylla spectabilis, a new British
Flea (Curr. Lit.), 61
Osttlaginee of North Ayrshire, addi-
tional notes on (Curr. Lit.), 190
Vertigo pygmea and other Molluscs in
(oP erthebascatiie7
Wagtail, Pied, abnormal occurrence
through the winter in Aberdeen-
shire (Curr. Lit.), 188; White, in
Ayrshire, 238
WALKER, J. G., Little Bustard in
Aberdeenshire, 51
Watt, Hucu Boyp, Lesser Rorqual
(Galenoptera rostrata, Fab.) in
the Firth of Clyde, 236; Bottle-
nose Whale (Ayferoddon rvostratus,
Mill.) at Ayr, 237; Blue Shark
(Carchartas glaucus) at Ayr, 238
Watt, HucuH Boyb, and JOHN PATER-
sON, Badger in Dumbartonshire,
107
Whale, Bottle-nosed, in the Clyde,
236; at Ayr, 237; White, sup-
posed capture of, in the Tay estuary,
4
Whimbrel in the Firth of Forth in
winter, 113
Whitethroat, Lesser, as a Clyde species,
210; in the Outer Hebrides, 109
Wigtownshire, flora of, 29; notes on
the flora of, 241; plants, 185
Wild Birds Protection Acts,
prosecution under the, 180
Woodpecker, Great Spotted, in the
south-east of Scotland, 47; in
Berwickshire, 49; in Forfarshire,
49; in Aberdeenshire, 49; in
Caithness, 49 ; in Ross-shire (Curr.
Lit.), 60; at Lochbroom, West
Ross-shire, 110; in Kirkcudbright,
110
107 ;
END OF VOL. VIII.
Printed by R. & R. Crark, LimitTeD, Edinburgh
MBL/WHOI LIBRA
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