3o8 The Scottish Nat iwa list. 



is no notice that I am aware of as to any other instance of this 

 species having been found elsewhere in the district. 



107. LoBiPES HYPERBOREUS, Cuv. (Rcd-nccked Phalarope.) 



The Red-necked Phalarope I found breeding some years ago 

 in Athole, but not having visited the spot lately, I cannot say 

 whether it is still to be found there. It is not unlikely, I think, 

 that it frequents other parts of the district suitable to it, but 

 from its unobtrusive habits it may easily have been overlooked. 



108. FULICA ATRA, LiuU. (CoOt.) 



Common in many parts, abounding on all the back-waters 

 of the Earn, Methven Loch, and other places congenial to its 

 habits. 



109. Gallinula chloropus. Lath. (Moor-Hen). 



Previous to the severe winter of 1878-79, the Water-Hen, as it 

 is more generally called with us, was abundant, especially about 

 the great reed-brakes of the Tay, but that year they perished 

 everywhere, and were found dead in every direction, and it 

 will probably take some years before there is any great increase 

 in their numbers. Innocent as the Water-Hen is in appearance, 

 it is a bird certainly not to be encouraged about a poultry-yard, 

 which they will frequently enter, perhaps from the neighbouring 

 duck-pond, picking up any stray morsel along with the fowls, 

 and when not observed, will kill, on the sly, any young chick or 

 duckling that may cross their path. Often have these depreda- 

 tions been put down to the rats, the shy and retiring little Water- 

 Hen never having been suspected by the henwife to have been 

 all the time the culprit. 



no. Rallus aquaticus, Linn. (Water-Rail.) 



Some years the Water-Rails are more abundant than in others, 

 and may be considered only as an autumn and winter visitant 

 with us, arriving about the beginning of October, and in open 

 seasons remaining ; but should very severe weather set in, they 

 move further south. On the banks of the Tay they^ are not 

 uncommon, on their first arrival, among the reed-brakes, both 

 there and on the Earn. Though breeding in many parts of this 

 country, I have never met them, or had any notice of their 

 having been seen, during the summer montlis in any part of the 

 Tay district. 



