ZOOLOGICAL NOTES FROM BEN NEVIS OBSERVATORY 131 



[MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensis}. In the "Scot. Mountaineering 

 Journ." (t.c. p. 173) this species is said to be abundant, but it 

 is not stated whether it occurs at or near the summit of the 

 mountain.] 



CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus). Has been heard on several occasions 

 in May and June. On the 23rd May 1898 one was found 

 dead on the snow at over 4200 feet. 



" HAWKS." There are several entries of the visits of " hawks," and 

 a Sparrow-hawk (Accipiter nisus) is recorded for nth August 

 1899. In the majority of cases, perhaps all, these visitors 

 were most probably Merlins (Falco cesalon). Colonel Fielden, 

 who ascended the Ben on the 27th of August 1896, 

 found the remains of three male Snow Buntings recently 

 killed, most likely the work of a Merlin (" Trans. Norfolk and 

 Norwich Nat. Soc." vi. p. 245). 



GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquita chrysactus). Is alluded to occasionally in 

 the Log. Mr. Raeburn remarks (" Scot. Mountaineering 

 Journ." vii. p. 172) that a pair is usually to be seen on the 

 north-east precipices. 



PTARMIGAN (Lagopus mutus). Is occasionally seen on the summit, 

 and is abundant 1000 feet below. Grouse (L. scoticus) have 

 been seen at over 3500 feet, i.e. above Buchan's Well. 



INSECTS. 



There are a number of entries in the Log relating, in general 

 terms, to the occurrence of Insects. Mr. W. S. Bruce, when 

 stationed at the Observatory, made several collections, and these 

 were submitted to experts to report upon, and the results published 

 in our pages. These dealt with the Coleoptera (see "Annals," 

 1896, pp. 28-37 ; and 1898, pp. 30-31) and Hymenoptera and 

 Hemiptera (op. cit. 1896, pp. 165-168; and 1898, pp. 80-81). 



BOTANY. 



[Short accounts of the plant life appeared in the " Trans. Norfolk 

 and Norwich Nat. Soc." (vi. pp. 245-247) by Colonel W. H. 

 Fielden, C.B., and in the " Scot. Mountaineering Journ." (vii. pp. 

 171-2) by Mr. Terras. EDS.] 



The hours are according to Greenwich time, midnight being the 

 24th hour. 



1892. 



February 13. Two Snow Buntings seen at the cliff at 8 hours, 

 the first this winter. 



