ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 117 



subject, it may be interesting to know that, some ten years ago, 

 the Duke of Richmond turned out two cocks and some hen 

 Capercaillies (Tttrao urogallus) at Gordon Castle. In 1898-9, at 

 least two cocks and three hens arrived here, a fe\v miles up the 

 Spey, and this present season I have had upwards of 12 nests 

 hatched out. This will easily account for these birds in the district 

 from Keith to Forres, and no doubt they will continue to extend 

 their range as long as they find woods suitable and quiet. 



I am now trying to acclimatise Norwegian Rype or Willow 

 Grouse (Lagopus lagopus), which, if successful, may possibly cross 

 with our red grouse, and in any case be an addition to the moor- 

 edge bird life. 



I have had two unusual visitors here this winter. A Great 

 Grey Shrike (Lanins excubitor) and a Little Auk (Mergulus alle) 

 blown in with the heavy storm, about twelve miles from the coast. 

 W. STEUART MENZIES, Craig Ellachie. 



Hen Capereaillie in full Male Plumage. A hen Capercaillie 

 (Tetrao itrogaHus) was shot at Torphins, North Aberdeenshire, in 

 January 1906, and was obtained from Messrs. Allan and Son, Sauchie- 

 hall Street, Glasgow. I sent the bird to the " Field " office for inspec- 

 tion, and a short article appeared in the columns of that paper by 

 J. E. Harting. I believe Mr. Harvie-Brown has quoted two in partly 

 assumed plumage, but the plumage in this case was complete, 

 looking like a miniature cock. E. T. CLARKE, Cheltenham. 



Quail in Fife. Mr. Skinner, taxidermist, Kirkcaldy, tells me 

 that two Quails (Coturnix coturnix) were taken in Fife last summer, 

 one near Freuchie, and one near Inverkeilor. LEONORA JEFFREY 

 RINTOUL, Largo. 



[One was shot at Whitburgh, East Lothian, on 6th October. 

 EDS.] 



Rush of Golden Plover in Tiree. It will perhaps interest you 

 to hear that from the igth to the 23rd of December, there were 

 thousands of Golden Plover (Charadrhis pluvialis] passing south 

 over the island. Such a big southerly migration of these birds at 

 that date is unprecedented so far as I know. The southerly move- 

 ments of this bird usually end towards the close of November, but 

 in open seasons a great many stay all the winter with us. On the 

 24th frost set in, and on the 26th, 2yth, and 28th we had a 

 tremendous snowstorm with a heavy gale from the north which 

 drove all the Golden Plover off the island. I am of opinion that 

 the Golden Plover knew that the storm was coming, and hence the 

 heavy migration southwards. PETER ANDERSON, Tiree. 



Grey Plover, Woodcock, and Great Crested Grebe in Shetland 

 in Winter. It may interest you to know that a few Grey Plover 

 (Squatarola helvetica) have been in this neighbourhood since October 



