ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 55 



what the aspect of great natural caves. The tunnels, which are 

 quite dark at a short distance from their entrances, branch in various 

 directions, the longest being perhaps a quarter of a mile in extent. 

 Some nine years ago swallows were known to nest near the entrances 

 to and within the tunnels, but none have been noticed for a year or 

 two. This year (1894), in the disused tunnels, now flooded with 

 water at Williamwood, close to the Giffnock workings, they have 

 again been found breeding in some numbers. On a visit early in 

 the present month (November) with Mr. Robertson we found that 

 some of the nests had been destroyed, the places occupied by them 

 being plainly indicated by the fresh fractures from the stones which 

 some incorrigibles had used to dislodge them, as they were inacces- 

 sible either on account of their height on the tunnel walls or by 

 their position over water. The nests destroyed were, from their 

 situation, easily discerned when the tunnels were entered ; but one at 

 the side, and in a dark corner, with some straws depending from it, 

 still remains at a height of about twelve feet. These tunnels or 

 caves have also witnessed the upbringing of the young of some 

 domestic pigeons which have reverted to the traditions of their 

 ancestors, breeding in holes and caves of the rock. JOHN PATER- 

 SON, Glasgow. 



The Shoveller in Wigtownshire. In the April number I drew 

 attention to the attraction offered by the Canadian pond-weed to 

 wild-fowl, as evinced by large flocks of widgeon on Myreton Loch, 

 Wigtownshire, which bird I never saw on this loch till about four 

 years ago. This autumn I am glad to see another addition to the 

 species frequenting it, in the shape of two pairs of Shovellers (Anas 

 clypeata). Though this bird has been frequently shot in the 

 county, I have never seen it on Myreton Loch until last week. 

 The males are in fine plumage, and not nearly so shy as widgeon. 

 HERBERT MAXWELL. 



Ruddy Sheld-Duek, Albino Cormorant, etc., in the Tay 

 District. Some rare birds have lately come into my possession, 

 shot on the Tay a few miles below this, and within the county of 

 Perth, viz. three Ruddy Sheld-Ducks in winter plumage, an adult 

 male and two females (one of the latter being a young bird) shot on 

 the 26th of September last. There were four birds in all, but one 

 escaped, though severely wounded. Two of these birds I hope to 

 place in the Perthshire Museum. The. other I have presented to 

 the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art. I am not aware that 

 this species is kept in a semi-domesticated state on any waters in 

 Perthshire, or in the neighbouring counties of Forfar and Fife ; and 

 I believe these specimens to have been truly wild ones, especially 

 as there are three or four instances of this species having been 

 obtained at the mouth of the Tay on Barry Links, where they may 



