ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 185 



Reeve (Machetes pugnax) in the flesh by Mr. J. Allan Milne of Edin- 

 burgh, who had shot them a few minutes previously. The birds 

 were first flushed on the shores of the Loch of Sabiston, but they 

 rose out of range. On his way back to the inn the pair flew past 

 Mr. Milne quite close, who then fired and dropped both birds. 

 The occurrence is noteworthy, as I believe it constitutes the first 

 satisfactory record of this bird being obtained in the Orkney Islands. 

 -T. R. CANCH, St. Andrews. 



[A Ruff was obtained at Netherbrough, Harray, on the 2ist of 

 September last, by Dr. C. Donald of Edinburgh. It has previously 

 been recorded for Orkney, and is probably a regular visitor in small 

 numbers during migration. EDS.] 



Little Auk at Bo'ness. On 3151 March a boy brought me a 

 Little Auk (Mergulus alle) which he picked up on the shore near 

 Bridgeness ; and later in the day I found a second specimen farther 

 east. In 1895 I found one at Abercorn on 25th January, and again 

 in 1897 I picked up three at the same place on 4th February. 

 ROBERT GODFREY, Edinburgh. 



Common or Ringed Snake in Renfrewshire. On the 2ist 

 April 1900 a fine specimen of the Common Snake, or Ringed Snake 

 (Tropidonotus natrix), was killed in Newton Woods, Abbey, Renfrew- 

 shire. This specimen was presented to the Paisley Free Museum 

 by Sergeant -Major M'Kimmond. The specimen measures 24] 

 inches in length, and has been placed in the Museum among 

 the British Reptiles. Can you or any of your readers say any- 

 thing about the occurrence of the Ringed Snake in Scotland ? 

 I have found no mention of it being got in Scotland in any natural 

 history literature referring to Scotland. The Adder is general in 

 Renfrewshire, and in the same wood the Blind -Worm has been 

 taken, but this is the first authentic capture of the Ringed Snake. 

 J. M. B. TAYLOR, Curator, Free Museum, Paisley. 



[The Ringed Snake is not indigenous in Scotland. It is quite 

 a common pet, however, and many examples escape and live at 

 large, and it is possible that the species may thus in time become 

 established in Northern Britain. We have examined many such 

 escapes obtained in or near Edinburgh. EDS.] 



Eleetrie Ray or " Torpedo " in the Moray Firth. In April last 

 an Electric Ray (Torpedo nobiliana) weighing 14 Ibs. was captured 

 in the Moray Firth. The man who first handled it received rather 

 a severe shock. This fish is decidedly rare in Scottish waters, and 

 we hope to obtain some further particulars of so interesting a capture. 

 The specimen is now in the Museum attached to the Scottish Fishery 

 Board's hatchery at Nigg. EDS. 



Eledone eirrosa in West Lothian. After a heavy gale at the 

 beginning of October last year, I found on the 4th of that month a 

 35 E 



