HERONRIES IN DEE, ETC. 9 



in our heron population, that a census of Scottish heronries 

 might well be extended into a census of the birds them- 

 selves. A census made at an early date might, I believe, be 

 profitably taken and published for comparison with similar 

 censuses to be taken later at intervals of several years. An 

 annual census would probably prove neither practicable nor 

 repaying, but a census taken for two or three years in 

 succession, followed by a long gap, would give very reliable 

 average figures. The suggested work might be made 

 practicable by dividing it, according to faunal areas or other 

 divisions, among any who were interested in the scheme. 

 These might begin by making sure that their lists of 

 heronries were exhaustive, by collecting further details as to 

 the past histories of the colonies, and by arranging with 

 local observers who would be willing to report the desired 

 figures in the season or seasons fixed for the census. I beg 

 to leave this suggestion in the hands of those interested, but 

 expressing my readiness to assist in any such scheme. 



OLD ABERDEEN. 



[Mr. Thomson's recommendation regarding a census of 

 Heronries and Herons is of interest and may well be of 

 value. If gone into say by Mr. Boyd Watt, or other 

 gentlemen having intimate personal acquaintance with the 

 whole of Scotland such might prove most useful. We may 

 suggest a good starting-point for future comparison, e.g. the 

 "Vertebrate Fauna of Scotland," eleven vols. (Douglas and 

 Foulis), where the Heronries of such areas as have been treated 

 of, between 1888 and 1906, are pretty accurately and, we 

 believe, fully detailed. We have no desire to blow our own 

 whistle too shrilly, but as Mr. Thomson makes no allusion 

 to these volumes it appears that he must be unacquainted 

 w-ith them. There is also an older article upon " The 

 Heronries of Great Britain " by Mr. J. E. Harting, which 

 appeared in the " Zoologist " when Mr. Harting was editor 

 of that old and well-known journal, and which should be 

 consulted. 



With regard to heronries in Dee, that mentioned 

 under Blackhall, Banchory, originally " migrated " suddenly 

 from Scoltie Hill, Banchory, after the occasion of the cutting 



