ii2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



I picked up, near Gylen Castle, in the Isle of Kerrera, two dead 

 specimens of the above species. They were both males, and in 

 very good condition, and were within a few yards of one another. — 

 Wm. Borrer, Horsham. 



Variations in the Field Vole (Arvicola agrestis). — It has been 

 somewhat surprising, considering the untold myriads of Voles that 

 have overrun the sheep pastures for a year or two past, that so few 

 variations in colour have been reported. It is true that one observer 

 stated in a communication to the Highland and Agricultural Society's 

 "Transactions" that they were "of all colours," but the statement 

 has been entirely uncorroborated, and I am afraid there was exceed- 

 ingly little foundation in fact for the remark. I have not seen any 

 noteworthy aberration amongst those I have seen in peregrinating 

 through their haunts, but the shepherds have reported an occasional 

 pied example. I have, however, a very strong impression that the 

 " hill voles " are decidedly of a more smoky tint than those to be 

 found in the lower lands amongst the hedges and plantations. The 

 latter seem to develop a much ruddier colour on the fur along the 

 back, and the general tone of gray seems much brighter than that 

 of the Voles that have ravaged the upland pastures. A short time 

 ago I received for examination a very fine variety of the Field Vole 

 from Blackaddie. It is not an albino, although the fur, on a cursory 

 examination, seems quite white from nose to tail. On blowing the 

 fur tips aside it is seen that only about one-fifth of the length of 

 each hair is white, the remainder being a very pale brown or fawn, 

 but the fur being so close set it really appears to be all white. The 

 eyes are not pink, as in every albino, but they are much paler than 

 the normal eyes. The whiskers and the hairs on the tail are entirely 

 white. This curious specimen is undoubtedly an example of the 

 variation usually termed "leucotism." It would be interesting if 

 we could hear of any specimen of the other striking variations 

 known as "albinism" and "melanism." — Robert Service, Max- 

 welltown. 



[Mr. Wm. Evans presented to the Museum of Science and Art, 

 Edinburgh, a beautiful pale isabelline variety of this species, which 

 was obtained near Hawick in December 1891. — W. E. C] 



The Wild Cat (Felts catus) in Caithness. — The local newspapers 

 record the capture of a Wild Cat in the month of January 1893 by 

 a gamekeeper (Andrew Steenson) at Rangay, Forse, in the parish of 

 Latheron. It measured 3 feet 2 inches in length, and is described 

 as being very fat and in good condition. — John Gunn, Edinburgh. 



Common Dolphin (De/fihi?ius delphis) dredged off Mull. — Mr. 

 Cecil H. Bisshopp of Oban forwarded to me for identification a 

 skull of this species, which had been obtained in Loch Scriden in the 

 middle of November last. This Cetacean is perhaps an addition 



