NOTES 171 



(^Fulinarus glacialis glacialis) on the cliffs, but failed to see eggs, we 

 fully intended to return in 191 5 to obtain, if possible, direct 

 evidence of their breeding there. The War, however, made this 

 impossible and it was not until 21st June 1920 that we were able 

 to return to this wonderful bird colony. We found the numbers of 

 Fulmars had increased since our first visit, whereas on that occasion 

 we only made out about ten birds, this time we saw from ten to 

 twelve pairs. We saw several Fulmars apparently sitting, and after 

 long and patient watching saw one move off her nest leaving her 

 egg visible; thus the breeding of the Fulmar at Fowlsheugh is 

 established beyond doubt, though in all probability this is not the 

 first year it has nested there. Evelyn V. Baxter and .Leonora 

 Jeffrey Rintoul, Largo, Fife. 



Fulmars at Troup Head, Banffshire. On 26th July several 

 pairs of Fulmars were seen at Troup Head, at a point where the 

 cliffs average about 300 feet in height and are practically inaccessible. 

 I think there is no doubt that they breed there, as the birds were 

 constantly flying backwards and forwards under the cliffs. No eggs 

 were observed, but what appeared to be a brooding female was seen 

 on a ledge near the top of the cliffs. This bird was apparently visited 

 by its mate, although the actual meeting was not seen. J. Gowan, 

 The Wakes, Cullen. 



CURRENT LITERATURE. 



Otter captured at Musselburgh. The following note is from 

 The Scotsman of 13th April 1920: Early yesterday morning two 

 police ofificers on duty in Musselburgh heard an unusual noise on 

 the right bank of the River Esk, behind the Town-Clerk's office, 

 and on investigating found three otters, one of which they captured. 

 The animal was quite young, and disported itself in the police 

 yard till two officials of the Scottish Zoological Park, who had 

 been telephoned for, came and removed it to that institution. This 

 is the third otter captured in Musselburgh within three years. 



The Status of Scottish Wild Cats. The purity of descent 

 of the examples of Wild Cats now found in the Highlands of 

 Scotland has often been doubted, and the allegation has been made 

 that cross-breeding with domesticated cats (descendants of an 

 Egyptian species) is so universal that pure-bred Scottish Wild 

 Cats are scarcely to be found. We are specially interested, 



