140 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



Black Lark a correction. Since my record on the old- 

 time occurrence of this species in Britain, which recently 

 appeared in this magazine (pp. 49 and 50), I have discovered that 

 I overlooked a notice of a further visit of several of these birds to 

 Sussex in January 1915. Wm. Eagle Clarke. 



Red-breasted Merganser in East Renfrewshire. On 



27th January I observed a male Red-breasted Merganser [Mergus 

 serrator) on the flooded quarry at Williamwood. This quarry, 

 which is of considerable extent, lies within half a mile of the 

 southern boundary of Glasgow. Owing to its sheltered situation 

 and great depth it remains open when most of the water in the 

 neighbourhood is icebound, and consequently it has proved a 

 tempting halting-place for duck during the past severe winter. On 

 3rd December 19 16 a female Tufted Duck, on 4th February 191 7 a 

 pair of Goldeneye, and on nth March two male Wigeon were 

 noticed at the quarry. The Red-breasted Merganser is an addition 

 to Mr John Robertson's list of the birds of East Renfrew. Hugh 

 W. Wilson, Cathcart. 



Birds and Explosions. Sound-waves of great explosions 

 have been found to travel for long distances from the centre of 

 disturbance. Dr Charles Davidson records {Nature, 1st Feb. 191 7, 

 p. 439) that the recent munition factory explosion in London was 

 heard about 121 miles away, while other great explosions have been 

 distinguished at distances varying from 90 to 186 miles. A limited 

 number of observations tend to show that throughout a large part 

 of the area over which the sound-waves are audible, birds are 

 affected by the disturbance. Pheasants in particular have shown 

 signs of unrest and discomfort over wide areas both during the 

 Jutland Battle and after the recent munitions explosion. The 

 immediate cause of their disturbance is unknown, but it is supposed 

 to have been either actual perception of the sound of explosion or 

 shock caused by air-wave concussion. 



Note on a Kestrel carrying a Young Rabbit. On 



26th May 19 16 I came upon a Kestrel carrying a young rabbit 

 by the head in its talons ; it was a windy day, and the bird seemed 

 to have difficulty in carrying such a weight and flew very low. 

 Later, I disturbed the Kestrel feeding on the rabbit, the head, 

 including the skull all but the ears and some skin had been 

 consumed ; the rabbit measured some eight to eight and a half 

 inches. Annie C. Jackson, Swordale, Ross-shire. 



