42 



3)lisrf(lniifnn5 liutitts. 



A large Ermine, (Mustcla Erminea.) — There was shot a few days ago by Alexander Kaimie, 

 Esq., Boyiidie, near Banff, an Ermine, which measured nineteen inches in length; it is a very 

 pretty animal, having nearly attained its full winter garb— that of a beautiful snowy white, 

 except a stripe of brown, the only remaining rag of its summer dress, which runs down its 

 back. The tail of course has the usual black and bushy tip. The length of the longest which 

 I ever remember having met with, was fifteen inches, and it was considered no trifle. I 

 am happy in being able to add that Mr. Kanuie has preserved his specinien. — T. Edavaku, 

 Banff, December 26th., 18-53. 



Occurrence of the European Crossbill, (Loxia curvirostra,) at Craigston, Aberdeenshire, the 

 scat of Tollok TIrquhart, Esq. — Six of these birds, three males and three females, were brought 

 me to-day, having been procured by Mr. Morison, gamekeeper at the above-named place, on 

 the day previous. They were entirely unknown to the people of the district, and were in 

 consequence denominated foreigners. — Idem. 



Ornithological iVofcs.— There was shot about a fortnight ago, by H. Eannie, Esq., Boyndie, 

 in a dam near his house, a very fine Widgeon, {Mareca Penelope.) It is somewhat strange to 

 hear sportsmen and gamekeepers, individuals who should know better, denominating, almost 

 without distinction, every specaes of Duck, the Mallard excepted, wliicli falls to their lot in this 

 quarter by the term of Widgeon or Teal. Now the fact is, that the Widgeon is one of our 

 rarest Ducks, being very seldom met with here. The specimen in question has been preserved 

 by Mr. Ilannie, and is in his possession. There was likewise killed by the same gentleman 

 in the beginning of last week, in one of his tuniip-fields at Boyndie, a rather strange variety 

 of the Red or Black-headed Bunting, ( Emberiza Schaniclns.) Its peculiar and piebald appearance 

 ■whilst hopping about, being beautifully mottled with white and reddish brown, was very remarka- 

 ble, and had the effect of drawing Mr. Eannie's attention towards it. It is a very fine, and, 

 I may add, an interesting specimen of its kind. There was also, and about the same time as 

 the above, a very beautiful specimen of the Barn Owl, {Strix Flammca,) killed on the estate 

 of Durn, by G, Donaldson, Esq., of Glasgow, but who is at present residing at Boyndie. It 

 is somewhat curious, but no more strange than true, that this, by far the most lovely in colouring 

 of all our nocturnals, is the commonest species in England, whilst with us it is the rarest — 

 their appearances in this quarter being indeed few and far between. It seems also to be rather 

 a scarce bird with our neiglibours on our west, at least I find it so mentioned in a list of the 

 birds of Moraysliire which is now lying before me. Mr. D. has preserved his specimen, and, 

 as a matter of course, it will be added to his collection. — Idem, October 7th., 1853. 



Occurrence of the Red-necJced Phalarope, (Phalaropus hyperboreus,) in Aberdeenshire. — A very 

 fine female specimen of the above species was shot at Fraserburgh, on the 27th. of last month, 

 by John Gatherer, Esq., of II. M. Customs there, and who, by-the-by, is one of my best 

 friends, not forgetting his fair partner in life, the amiable Mrs. Gatherer, that I meet with 

 when I go a naturalizing down that way. It was observed, just before, and where it was 

 shot, swinnning about in a stagnant pool near to the light-house. The bird is now in my 

 possession, having been very kindly forwarded to me by Mr. G., and in a note which accom- 

 panied it, my friend informs me that he observed it flying about his neighbourhood for several 

 days previous to the one on which he obtained it. It is a very small and slender specimen; 

 the bill also is slender, longish, and much pointed, and the scallops on the toes not verg broadlg 

 developed. — Idem, November 7th., 1853, 



Mare Birds near Scarbro'. — I was in company with a gentleman at Scarbro' last year, who 

 had been busily engaged in picking up mounted specimens of the various sea birds found about 

 Flamborough Head. His collection excelled in quantity, but not in quality; amongst the lot 

 there was a fine specimen of the Whimbrel, (Niimcnius pheeopus,) bought of an old woman 

 near Filey, whose husband had shot it under Speeton cliffs ; besides an indifferent specimen of 

 the Oyster-catcher, ( Ilcematopus ostralegus,) and two Purple Sandpipers, (Tringa maritima,) 

 procured near Filey.— John Dixon, Leeds. 



