316 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



while on the contrary, not only have no more come, but those 

 that were there have gone." The lowest temperature in Ardna- 

 murchan during the hard frost was on the night of the 3rd Dec, 

 when 12° F. were registered. 



Numbers of Woodcock have, on the other hand, been obtained 

 south of Edinburgh. 



An equal scarcity is recorded from S. Uist by Mr. J. Henderson 

 up to 8th Dec, only two having been shot by him up to that date. 

 In Islay, plentiful in beginning of winter, but rare afterwards. 

 Later — in Jan., 1880 — they are, however, Reported as "more 

 numerous than last year." 



WATER RAIL. 



Rallus aquaticus, Lin. 



Much scarcer this season, but has been added to the recorded 

 fauna of Ardnamurchan by Mr. J. J. Dalgleish [J. J. D., in lit., 

 19, xii., 79.] I have only heard of one obtained in E. Stirling- 

 shire this season. 



They appeared more numerously in Jan., and Mr. Small, Edin., 

 received a good many before the loth Jan. 



CORNCRAKE. 



Crex pratensis, Bechsteln. 



A Corncrake some years ago frequented the bare rock on which 

 Skerryvore Lighthouse is built, as reported to me by Mr. Mac- 

 quharie, of Tyree. 



WILD GEESE. 

 Anseridae. 



Wild Geese w r ere unusually plentiful in Tyree, and farmers there 

 were grumbling at the unusual damage. The first flight of Wild 

 Geese seen at N. Berwick arrived on 4th Nov., and they have 

 been coming in large numbers since [Dr. J. L. Crombie, in lit., 

 12, xii, 79]; but later he says, "There has been a great falling 

 off this season in the numbers of Geese" [in lit., 27, i., 80]. 



Mr. Maloch, Perth, says there are unusual numbers along the 

 Tay. He writes — " I am sure we saw over two thousand" [on 

 23, xii., 79]. These were in all probability nearly all Pink- 

 footed and Grey Lag Geese [see P. S., ^>ostea, page 326]. 



Wild Geese reported scarcer in Islay this winter. 



