THE BIRDS OP STRATHBEO. 243 



We now arrive at the Ardeadae or Waders, and shall commence with the 

 Common Heron, (Ardea cinerea.) A few of these birds may be seen at all 

 seasons of the year about the margins of the Loch, but ever watchful and 

 suspicious. It is the next thing to an impossibility to get within shot, owing 

 to the flat nature of the place. A White Heron, supposed to be an Egret, 

 was observed on the west side of the Loch in the spring of 181G, It was 

 seen for several days to frequent the same spot, but on being fired at once 

 or twice, it left and did not return. A very nice specimen of the Bittern, 

 or Mire-drum, (A. stellaris,) was shot in the autumn of 1824, by one of 

 Mr. Gordon's, of Cairness, gamekeepers. (3thers have I believe been seen. 

 The Spoonbill, (Platalea leucorodia,) has twice or thrice been observed; and 

 the Glossy Ibis, {Ihis falcinellus,) once. 



Of the Scolopacidce two species are numerous, namely, the Common Snipe, 

 {Scolopax gallinago,) and the Jack, {S. gallinula;) the former most abundant. 

 Early in the mornings, and in the dusk of the evenings, Woodcocks, [S. 

 rusticola,) are to be found. About fourteen or fifteen years ago, my honoured 

 friend, the late Rev. Mr. Smith, at the time residing in Banff, and Rector 

 of the Academy, had a very large Snipe along with some other birds sent 

 him from that quarter. Arriving in the morning he could do little more than 

 merely look at them, but he at once saw that the Snipe was a strange one, 

 and on leaving for his duties, he consigned it, along with the other birds 

 which were to be cooked, to the care of the servant, with particular orders 

 to lay it aside until the afternoon, when he should again require it. Unfor- 

 tunately, however, most unfortunately, his orders either had not been dis- 

 tinctly given, or else had been misunderstood, for on asking for the bird at 

 the time specified, he was informed by the girl that he had had it already 

 to his dinner. "What!" exclaimed ray friend in amazement, "did you serve 

 the one up that I gave you to lay aside for me?" "They were all served 

 up Sir," was the damsel's reply. "Well," added my friend, "I would have 

 given you any money — anything rather than you should have done what you 

 have. It was a very rare bird; besides I have sent for Mr. E. to come and 

 aid me in its identity, and what can I say to him when he comes? That I 

 have eaten the bird? Most ridiculous! What will, or what can he think?" 

 I entered at the moment, and just in time to hear the concluding part of 

 the last sentence. The servant appeared much cast down at her mistake; and 

 as for ray friend, he was really in a sad case at the loss of the bird. I 

 was extremely vexed rayself when I learnt the circumstance, but of course 

 there was no help. The servant girl left on my entry, no doubt glad to 

 get away. 



The bird thus so voraciously destroyed, was considered by Mr. Smith to be 

 the Great Snipe, (Scolopax major;) and from his description of it, I have 

 little or no doubt but that it was, which rendered its annihilation the greater 

 pity, and the more to be deplored, owing to the comparative scarcity of the 

 species in this country. 



