i64 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



numerous than usual at Melrose, " possibly attracted by 

 the large crops of acorns and beech-mast." A few Lap- 

 wing wintered at the Butt of Lewis. Redshanks, which 

 are very rare in winter at Glenorchard, Stirlingshire, were 

 unusually numerous there on i6th December, and a large 

 number of Snipe were on Sule Skerry during the cold weather. 

 Glaucous Gulls are recorded as numerous at North Unst 

 and Lerwick. Redbreasts, probably E. r. rubecula, wintered 

 on Fair Isle, and one was on Pentland Skerries in December ; 

 while Great Tits {Parus major major), of which an unusual 

 influx is noted from Shetland, stayed there up to the end 

 of the year, an event which has never before been recorded 

 in these islands. 



Ringing. 



This very important branch of ornithological research 

 continues to attract the attention and interest which it 

 rightly deserves. It is, we feel, to be regretted that the 

 Aberdeen University ringing scheme has been so much 

 curtailed; on the other hand, the "British Birds" ringing 

 scheme has resulted in many excellent returns, and we 

 heartily congratulate Mr Witherby on the success which 

 has attended his efforts. During 19 14 there are many 

 important returns of marked birds ; this is quite what may 

 be expected, and we hope as the years go on the percentage 

 of returns will be larger, and that we may by this means 

 learn more about the journeys taken by our native birds. 

 We will give some of the more important Scottish records 

 made in 1914 in some detail ; those specially interested in 

 the returns of ringed birds will do well to refer to the 

 original papers from which these are quoted. A Starling, 

 marked at Gosforth, Northumberland, in October 191 3, was 

 reported from Canonbie, Dumfriesshire, in February 1914 

 (3- vii. 334); while of two marked at the Mull of Galloway 

 in February 19 14 one is reported from Lanarkshire early in 

 April (3. viii. 45), and the other at Andreas, Isle of Man, 

 on 24th May 1914 (3. viii. 45). A Missel-thrush ringed at 



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