ZOOLOGICAL NOTES 121 



heretofore not been recognised, or has been classed in herb- 

 arium collections either as R, mollis or as R. tomentosa. But 

 how can we distinguish it? It is probable that we can do 

 so only on the living bush. For this, a fortunate conjunc- 

 tion of circumstances would be necessary a colony of R. 

 mollis growing along with a colony of R. tomentosa, amongst 

 which we should find a form intermediate between these two 

 types. Look out for this in localities where R. mollis and 

 R. tomentosa grow beside each other." 



(To be continued.} 



ZOOLOGICAL NOTES. 



The Tree Sparrow in Midlothian and in the Forth Area. 



On the zgth of December last, between Morningside and Comiston, 

 and about half a mile beyond the southern limits of the city of Edin- 

 burgh, I observed a small flock of Tree Sparrows (Passer montanus}. 

 The party consisted of about a dozen birds, which were feeding, in 

 company with about as many Greenfinches, in a stubble - field. 

 While thus engaged they allowed a close approach, and when dis- 

 turbed flew to a hedge near by, where again I had a most excellent 

 sight of them. On the 28th of December there had been heavy 

 snow for several hours from the east, and it may be that these birds 

 were driven before it ; for the Tree Sparrow has not hitherto, it would 

 appear, been recorded for the county. 



My friend, Mr. Wm. Evans, who has a master-knowledge of the 

 avifauna of the district, has kindly communicated to me some 

 interesting notes on this bird as a member of the avifauna of the 

 Forth Area, which are well worthy of publication. They are as 

 follows : 



" The Tree Sparrow has been known as an inhabitant of the 

 eastern, that is the seaward, portion of East Lothian (the neighbour- 

 hood of Dunbar and North Berwick), and of the east of Fife (near 

 Leuchars), for the last forty years ; and what appear to be migratory 

 flocks have been observed in the same counties on various occasions. 

 The late E. T. Booth states that he met with them on two or three 

 occasions late in autumn, flying along the links near Dirleton, and 

 between Canty Bay and Dunbar ; and they were repeatedly observed 

 at the Isle of May, both in autumn and spring, between 1882 and 

 1886. In February 1889 a large number made their appearance 

 near Kinghorn, Fife, two of which I obtained alive. Lastly, during 

 the fierce north-east gale of i8th November 1893, Mr. G. Pow 

 IS E 



