256 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



running about among the rushes in a marshy field close by. The 

 bird appeared strong on the wing, and was very wild. The 

 gamekeeper who shot it (a man of unusual intelligence), assured 

 me that he thought it had a nest about the sand-bank ; but 

 this statement must be taken with considerable reservation. 

 As no nest was found, and no other Hoopoe seen in the district, 

 it is very improbable. The sex of the bird was unfortunately not 

 noted. Specimens of the Hoopoe have at various times been 

 recorded from Scotland, but the usual time of their occurrence 

 has been autumn. In England it has been known to breed, but 

 very rarely. The species is common all over the south of Europe, 

 and specimens have been obtained as far north as Spitzbergen. 

 In Africa and India it is met with as a winter visitor, and in 

 China it is found all the year round. 



Records like the above may appear to some to be of but small 

 value, and, from the sameness of their character, of little interest, 

 but so much attention is now being paid to the migration of birds, 

 and so much light has of late been thrown on the directions taken 

 by them in their periodical migrations, that every scrap of 

 information about rare visitants is of the utmost importance, 

 and the fuller the notes on the occurrence of rare species 

 the better. The date of the first observation, the state of 

 the weather and direction of wind, the condition of the 

 bird — whether strong and in good condition, or weak and 

 thin — are all facts to which the greatest attention should 

 be paid. 



II. — Apiarian Notes for 1877. By Mr Egbert J. Bennett. 



In his paper, Mr Bennett gave a detailed statement of his 

 observations on, and treatment of, his apiary in Argyllshire during 

 the present year. In January and February, notwithstanding the 

 heavy rains which prevailed, the temperature was mild, and the 

 bees were stimulated to activity when they should have been in a 

 torpid state, which caused great destruction to the workers, and 

 depopulated many hives. March, which is always a trying month 

 to the beekeeper, was this year attended with considerable 

 difficulty, and during its continuance, as well as in April, liberal 

 and stimulating feeding liad to be adopted to keep the stocks in 

 existence. May opened well, and gave hopes that the season was 

 yet to be a good one, but the cold east winds, wliich set in early, 



