76 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



as well if special attention were paid to the question in 

 America. Among insects we have many cases in which 

 species occur in two forms in one country, in one of the latter 

 alone in other countries. 



"The name glaucogastra has been erroneously applied to 

 the light-bellied form. Brehm under that name {Handb. 

 Naturg. Vog. Deutschl, p. 849) distinctly describes the 

 grey-bellied form (from the Baltic). Also Brehm's name 

 micropus applies to the grey-bellied variety, but his Bernicla 

 collaris, Isis, 1830, p. 996 (nomen nudem .') Handb. Naturg. 

 Vog. Deutsche p. 851 (1831, coasts of Pomerania) is the 

 light-bellied form. The supposed B. b. nigricans from 

 the eastern U.S. might possibly be dark-bellied bernicla. 

 B. b. nigricans is not known as far as I know to occur in 

 Great Britain." 



It will be seen from the foregoing that Dr Hartert's views 

 agree closely with those of Mr Chapman, and considering the 

 opinions expressed by these two leading ornithologists, we 

 think we cannot do better (at any rate till more evidence be 

 forthcoming) than treat the light and dark-bellied forms 

 merely as varieties. We should, however, still appreciate 

 direct evidence of the occurrence and numbers of either from 

 any part of Scotland. L. J. R. and E. V. B.] 



Brent Geese, both dark and light-breasted, in the 

 Forth, etc. With reference to the article by Misses Rintoul and 

 Baxter in the February number, I can vouch for the occurrence of 

 both dark-breasted (or bellied) and pale-breasted Brent Geese in 

 the Forth. It is my impression, however, that, while birds in the 

 light phase of plumage seem to predominate now, the dark or 

 typical phase was the usual one in my younger days. Unfortu- 

 nately I have not many definite records bearing on the point, but 

 such as I have support my general recollection. Thus, a specimen 

 "shot on the Firth of Forth " in the winter of 1875-76, and another 

 near Kincardine-on-Forth in February 1879, are both dark plumaged, 

 as was also a single bird watched for a considerable time feeding in 

 Aberlady Bay on 26th September 1889. An adult female in my 

 collection, shot from a flock of ten at Longniddry Bay, East 



