25 2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



back within shot of me, settling down again not far off. I find that 

 a plant which is much eaten by wild-fowl in winter is the Water- 

 Lobelia (Lobelia dortmanna}, which grows in vast profusion near the 

 shores of most of the lochs. L. H. IRBY, London. 



The Starling- Roost on Cramond Island. The Starlings which 

 have frequented Cramond Island for some years back, and in re- 

 markable numbers since the autumn of 1899, seem to have deserted 

 the place. In the January number of the "Annals" an account 

 was given of the daily migrations of the birds up to November 1901. 

 From that date onwards there was nothing in their movements that 

 differed from what had been observed in the previous seasons. 

 Towards the middle of June this year the usual number of Starlings 

 frequenting the island was noted, and up to the end of the month 

 they continued to cross regularly. About the beginning of July 

 they ceased to come under observation, and only small flocks were 

 occasionally seen. On the i Sth of September I visited the wood 

 where the Starlings roosted, and was not at all surprised that the birds 

 had forsaken the place. Despite the rainy season, the branches 

 were still quite encrusted with the excreta of the Starlings, and a good 

 number of the trees had been killed as the result. The stench of 

 the place was very disagreeable. From inquiries made I find that 

 the period during which the Starlings have frequented this planta- 

 tion (five years) is about the average length of time these birds have 

 been noticed to occupy a particular roost. CHAS. CAMPBELL, 

 Dalmeny Park. 



Note on the Swift. One pair were seen on i oth May here by a 

 good observer. I did not note any personally until 25th May ; but 

 they stayed, for this district, unusually late in autumn. My average 

 date for their departure is gth August. This year Swifts (Cypselus 

 apus\ some days as many as five, were seen until iyth August about 

 Dumfries, and on 2ist August I saw a pair at Auchencairn. 

 R. SERVICE, Maxwelltown. 



Turtle Dove and Quail In Southern Shetland. During the 

 second and third weeks of June we had a good many Turtle Doves 

 about. They first appeared after a severe gale from the S.S.W. on 

 the 28th of May, and for some days after a few were seen, and 

 I heard of them here and there all over the parish. I feel sure we 

 must have a considerable number of Quails breeding here this year, 

 as I hear them calling all around. THOMAS HENDERSON, Jun., 

 Dunrossness. 



Scarcity of the Landrail. During this phenomenally sunless 

 season now drawing to an unregretted close, I have seen one Land- 

 rail (Crex pratensis] only, and have not heard the call of the bird 

 half a score of times in all. Were they really so scarce, or has the 

 season condemned them to silence ? R. SERVICE, Maxwelltown. 



