250 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Ringed Plover. — Aegialitis hiaticula (Lin.). Common along the 

 sea-shore, and breeds on the sandy hillocks covered with bent 

 grass. 



Oyster Catcher. — Haematojms ostralegus, Lin. The Oyster 

 Catcher, or Sea-pyet, as he is frequently called, is to be seen along 

 the coast all the year round, and breeds there. 



Obs. Little Bustard. — Otis tetrax, Lin. Mr. Sim informs me 

 that one was killed near Old Meldrum on 13th Nov., 1873, 

 and that he still has it in his possession. 



Water Rail. — Rallus aquations, Lin. An occasional visitor. 

 Has been obtained at Brucklay, Pitfour, Strathbeg, near Peter- 

 head, &c. 



Corn Crake. — Grex pratensis, Bechst. Common. 



Spotted Crake. — Porzana maruetta (Leach). Twice obtained at 

 Strathbeg,* while Mr. Sim tells me that one was shot at Newburgh, 

 at the mouth of the Ythan, in Sept., 1875. 



Moor-hen. — Gallinula cliloroims (Lin.). Very common. Breeds 

 plentifully all over the district. 



Coot. — -Fidica atra, Lin. Common. Breeds in same places as 

 the Moor-hen. 



NATATORES. 



Obs. Black Tern. — Uydrochelidon nigra (Lin.). Mr. Sim writes 

 me that a specimen of this species of Tern was killed at Newburgh 

 in October, 1866. 



Common Tern. — Sterna Jiumatilis, Naumann. Both the 

 Common and Little Tern (Sterna minuta, Lin.), breed on this coast. 

 They lay their eggs on the sand. Mr. Arbuthnot includes both 

 these species among the birds of Peterhead, and Mr. Edward 

 mentions them among the birds of Strathbeg. 



Arctic Tern. — Sterna 7nacrura, Naum. Occasionally seen on 

 the coast. Used to breed on the larger island on the Loch of 

 Strathbeg. t 



Roseate Tern. — Sterna dougalli, Montagu. One was shot at 

 Strathbeg in 1849 by Mr. Thomas Edward. t 



Sandwich Tern. — Sterna cantiaca, Cm. Rare. A pair were 

 seen bv Mr. Edward at Strathbecr in the summer of 1854, and 



* Nat., vol. iv., pp. 263-271. t Nat,, vol. iv., pp. 263-271. 



