38 The Scottish Naturalist. 



having seen no notice of its occurrence in northern Africa or any 

 part of western Europe. Professor Newton, however, in a letter 

 to me lately, has drawn my attention to its occasional occur- 

 rence in the south of Europe, one having been shot in Sicily 

 (Ibis 1870, p. 454) and six live examples taken in the south of 

 France, on the authority of Baron J. W. Von Miiller. 



On comparing the specimen in question with a pair of 

 Sicilian Purple Water Hens, P. hyacinthtcs, in my possession, I 

 find it to be smaller, and much brighter in plumage; un- 

 fortunately no note was taken of the sex, but I believe it to be 

 an adult male in full plumage. Very possibly it may have escaped 

 from confinement, though it had no appearance of having done 

 so, but this of course, after being at large for a certain time 

 would be lost. 



Dr. Wylie, of Errol, tells me that about thirty years ago 

 he shot (nearly in the same spot as the above) a bird of similar 

 appearance, with deep red legs and frontal plate, but he 

 could not be certain of the species as the bird was not 

 preserved. 



I may remark that from the great extent of the reed beds on 

 the tidal parts of the Tay, a bird of so shy and retired habits 

 as the PorJ)hyrio, which is most difficult to flush, might easily 

 escape detection, and may even have been of more frequent 

 occurrence. 



Seggieden, March, 1877. 



THE LEPIDOPTEKA OF MOITCEEIPPE HILL. 

 By Sir THOMAS MONCREIFFE, Bart. 



IT has been suggested to me by the editor of this Magazine 

 that, from its central position in Scotland, and from the 

 rather rich and varied nature of its productions, some account 

 of Moncreiffe Hill and its Lepidopterous inhabitants might not 

 be void of interest and instruction. 



The district of which I purpose giving an account comprises 

 in reality only part of the hill, the greater portion of the northern 

 slopes having been as yet only partially examined. Lying be- 

 tween 56° 21'— 56° 22' N. Lat, and 3° 22'— 3° 25" W. Long., it 

 is in area about one square mile, and varies in altitude from 30 



