128 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



Clark, M.A.). A pair were seen on the Dee at Milltimber, in April 

 191 2 (Mr E. W. Fenton, MA., B.Sc). On the Dee near Durris one 

 was seen on 6th February 1912 also about a year before that, and 

 once previously in autumn (Mr A. Macdonald, M.A.). 



Honey Buzzard {Pernis apivorus). — A specimen shot near 

 Aberdeen in May 1912 is now in the University Museum. 



Goshawk {Accipiter gentilis). — While sitting in a garden at 

 Braemar on 27th August 191 2, my friend Mr W. P. Pycraft and 

 myself had the good fortune to observe a Goshawk, under 

 circumstances which leave no doubt as to the identification. When 

 first noticed the bird was at a considerable altitude, but we were 

 immediately struck by the fact that it was larger than any of the 

 commoner hawks. Very fortunately it descended in our direction, 

 and finally passed immediately above us not many yards from the 

 ground, and going quite slowly. The short, clubbed wings, seemingly 

 bent very far forward at the wrist, and the long tail, a combination 

 of characters peculiar to this form, were well observed. We both 

 made diagrams of the bird's " Flugbild," or flight silhouette, and 

 found ourselves in close agreement with each other and, at a later date, 

 with Naumann's figure. 



Cormorant {Phalacrocorax carbo). — Although this species is 

 common on the coasts of " Dee " all the year round, we have few 

 records of its nesting. Three eggs were taken on the Dunbuy rock, 

 near Longhaven, in May 1912. The boatman who was my informant 

 said it was the first time he had known the birds to nest on the 

 rock during twenty-five years, although they are always numerous 

 there. 



White-fronted Goose {A/iser albifrons). — A male shot at 

 Donmouth in March 191 1 is also in the Museum. 



Turtle Dove ( Streptopelia tiirtur). — One was closely seen at 

 Murtle on loth July 1914, by Miss D. Hamilton, who knows the 

 species well. 



Landrail {Crex crex). — In the course of collecting data for the 

 "British Birds" Landrail Liquiry, the following local statements 

 passed through my hands : — 



Skene : " Believed to breed regularly but sparingly ; nest 

 occasionally found. Numbers subject to some annual fluctuation." 

 (Miss D. Hamilton.) 



Durris : " Breeds regularly. Decreasing ; more abundant about 

 the beginning of the century." (Mr A. Macdonald.) 



Inverurie : " Breeds regularly. Decreasing : in the opinion of 



