MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. 



157 



dead they putrefy in a remarkably short space of time, and while skinning them the fat is 

 80 oily and in such quantity, that the feathers frequently become saturated with it from the 

 heat of the fingers alone.— C. II. Brown, Fulham, March 9th., 1853. 



Note on the Swift.— On the morning of the 1st. of November, 1846, a Swift, {Hirimdo Apus, 

 Lin.) was observed flying round, and occasionally settling on the rigging of the Steam-Packet 

 while landing passengers at Brighton pier, having accompanied the packet from Dieppe in a 

 dense fog; it had probably retired to roost the evening before amid the rigging, near the funnel, 

 perhajw for the sake of the warmth it might afford. The vessel started on its voyage several 

 hours before daylight, our voyager was half way across the channel ere he was "awake," and then 

 poar fellow such was the extreme density of the fog that he became no doubt quite bewildered, 

 and not knowing which way to steer his course, continued to play round the packet till it reached 

 Brighton, as before stated.— Stephen Stone, Brighthampton, March 11th., 1853. 



Honey Buzzard, (Pernis apivorus.)— Dr. Macgillivray mentions that this species has been 

 found breeding in the woods of Abergeldie, which is perhaps the only instance of the kind in 

 Scotland. This 'rara avis, in the north of Scotland at least, has occurred once or twice la 

 various parts of our county; and when it docs appear, its colour and size render it a con- 

 spicuous object. The last one of which I have heard, was shot a year or two ago at Raeden, 

 in the immediate vicinity of this city.— J. Longmuir, Jan., Aberdeen, March 10th., 1853. 



Snowy Owl, (Surnia nyctea.)— This rare visitor has been met with in a few instances iu 

 Aberdeenshire. One specimen was obtained near the "Buck of the Cabrach," on Donside, in 

 the spring of 1850, by Mr. A. Stuart, Aberdeen; and some time after, another was shot near 

 the same locality, both of which were marked in the usual way; the colour of the one being, 

 however, considerably lighter than that of the other. Mr. A. Mitchell mentions having seen a 

 Snowy Owl a few years ago, when walking along the beach at Aberdeen. — Idem. 



Bohemian Waxwing, (Borabycilla garrula.) — This plainly-coloured winter visitant has again 

 appeared in this quarter, a small flock having been observed in the neighbourhood a few weeks 

 ago. Only one specimen was obtained, which proved to be a young individual, and the curious 

 red tips on the wing feathers were wanting. — Idem. 



The Hawfinch, (Coccothraustes vulgaris.) — Two specimens of this bird, which is of rare 



occurrence in the north of Scotland, were obtained a few years ago in the neighbourhood of 



the village of Upper Banchory, and sent to Mr. Mitchell's, Taxidermist, where they were 

 recognized by Dr. Macgillivray. — Idem. 



Additional Heronry. — There has been for many years a small Heronry at Edinlassie, parish 

 of Strathdon, Aberdeenshire. — Idem. 



Heronries. — Having noticed a list of the Heronries of England in a former number of "The 

 Naturalist," I was rather surprised to observe that the North-western Counties, Cumberland 

 and Westmorland, were omitted; but lately I saw noted that an island on "Windermere had 

 been selected by a couple of Herons to breed in. A Heronry on the domain of Lady le Fleming, 

 on llydal Lake, has been for years celebrated in the north as the spot most favoured by Herons, 

 and an island on the lake formed their nursery. These birds may be seen constant visitors of 

 the waters amidst the mountains of the north. I have noticed them at the remote lakes, par- 

 ticulaidy Buttei'mere; when the margin of the water is frozen during the frosts of winter, they 

 may be seen wading in searcli of food, before a flight of some miles to their favourite haunts, 

 for they do not appear to breed near Buttermere. The nearest Heronry to that lake is, I believe 

 Bassenthwaite, on the property of Sir Henry Vane. Some Herons, I was informed by a local 

 fisherman, breed here, but their numbers are few, and consequently the Heronry is little known. 

 W. C. Eolhcry, Weymouth, December 20th., 1852. 



Occurrence of the Merlin Hawk, (Falco aesalon,) in Devon. — A yonng bird of this species was 

 shot by my brother on October 27th., 1852, whilst in the act of devouring a Yellow Buntin"- 

 in the Laira Marshes near Plymouth. This is the only specimen I have heard of being obtained 

 in the locality of Plymouth, for many years. R. A. Julian, Emmanuel College, March 9th., 1853. 



Occurrence of Richard's Pipit, (Anthus Richardi,) in Devon. — A fine specimen of this rare British 

 species of birds, was shot by my brother in the Laira marshes near Plymouth, Januarv 28th. 



