2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



in 1892, by his more important work on the " Vertebrate 

 Fauna of Lakeland " one of the best books of its kind 

 ever written. Nor were these his only labours of love in 

 connection with science in the county of Cumberland, for 

 he was one of the moving spirits in the founding of the 

 Carlisle Museum, an institution in which he took a most 

 lively and practical interest down to the very last, and which 

 owes much to his enthusiasm, ability, technical knowledge, 

 and donations. In 1897 he became vicar of Allonby, near 

 Maryport, and contributed to this Journal a number of 

 interesting observations on the natural history of the southern 

 shores of the Solway Firth. 



In 1899 he came to live among us as Rector of Holy 

 Trinity Church, Pitlochry, and from time to time sent 

 us many valued records on the animals of interest that 

 came under his notice in that district of Perthshire. Mr. 

 Macpherson was the proprietor of an estate in Skye, and 

 it is well known to his friends and fellow-workers that he 

 had for many years been engaged on a book on the 

 Vertebrata of that island, a work that we trust will see 

 the light, for in it we should have a most valuable con- 

 tribution to the Natural History of Scotland. 



Mr. Macpherson was interred at Carlisle, in accordance 

 with his expressed wishes. He thus rests amidst the chief 

 scenes of his labours both as a clergyman and a naturalist, 

 and where he made many friends, and raised memorials to 

 his worth and usefulness that will long survive him. 



In Scotland we expected to reap much from his presence 

 as a worker in our midst, but, alas ! he has been taken 

 from among us in the prime of life, and we have to mourn 

 the loss of an enthusiastic, scholarly, and accomplished 

 naturalist. 



THE STARLING ROOST ON CRAMOND ISLAND. 



By CHARLES CAMPBELL. 



CRAMOND ISLAND is situated in the Firth of Forth about a 

 mile from the mouth of the river Almond. It extends to 

 nearly 19 acres, and is accessible on foot at low water. On 



