28 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



presented by these fascinating insects. The psychology of 

 ants, their distribution in space and time, and the practical 

 methods of collecting and observing, are also discussed in 

 turn, and then follows the main portion of the book, which 

 treats of the various genera and species found in Britain, 

 systematically and exhaustively. In this section will be 

 found, as we should naturally expect, full details of distribu- 

 tion, and here (for example) the Scottish worker may learn 

 at once in what counties any particular species has been 

 observed. Of special interest are the lists of insects of other 

 groups (known as myrmecophiles) which are found associated 

 with the various species of ants in their nests, and in this 

 branch of the subject Mr Donisthorpe is specially qualified 

 to speak. We offer him our hearty congratulations on the 

 completion of this volume, which is indeed a work of the 

 first importance. 



Black-headed Gulls at Inver, Dunkeld, in winter. — In 



the Scottish Naturalist for January 1916, there is a Note by Mr 

 P'red. S. Beveridge on Birds attracted by Lighted Tents, in which 

 he speaks of the visits of Black-headed Gulls to the camp. I\Iy 

 friend, Mr Charles MTntosh of Inver, near Dunkeld, a well-known 

 local naturalist, writes to me regarding a similar occurrence at the 

 Scottish Horse Camp at Inver. He says, "They came early last 

 spring, and were then in their summer plumage. They continued 

 to frequent the camp till about the 15th December last, although 

 the Braan was often covered with ice. The latter end of December 

 was milder, with much rain, and heavy floods of the river. It was 

 then that the gulls left. So far as I can ascertain, the Black-headed 

 Gull was never before seen in this district in its winter plumage, 

 with the head white. No doubt it was the camp refuse that induced 

 them to remain in the district so long past their usual time." — 

 Henry Coates, Perthshire Natural History Museum. 



