SSf^ THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



Lesser Shrew in Renfrewshire. — A Lesser Shrew (Sorex 

 mviufus) was found dead on the road near Craigends, Renfrewshire, 

 on 8th September 191 5, having since been identified by Mr W. 

 Eagle Clarke. As references to the species in the Clyde area 

 generally appear to be few, this recent occurrence may be worth 

 mentioning. Besides the above record, I have what I believe to be 

 incomplete skulls of the Common, Lesser, and Water Shrews, 

 discovered amongst the castings under a nesting-place of the Barn 

 Owl within the said county. — T. INLvlloch, Johnstone. 



Late occurrence of Fieldfare in S.W. Scotland. — In the 



August number of the Scottish Naturalist I recorded the late 

 occurrence of a Fieldfare on loth June. Since sending this note I 

 have heard that the bird, which I sent to a friend, had been 

 dissected. It was a female, and contained three eggs : one with the 

 shell forming and due to be laid in about four days ; the other two 

 eggs had no sign of shell. As the bird was shot in S.W. Scotland, 

 it would have had to make hurried preparations if the nest was to 

 be ready in time in Scandinavia. — M. Bedford, Woburn. 



Hen-harrier in Kirkcudbrightshire. — Mr Vincent R. 

 Balfour-Browne informs me that on 9th October 1915 he saw 

 what he is convinced was a male Hen-harrier, near the high road 

 between Southwick and Auchanskeoch. The bird was seen again 

 shortly afterwards by Mr Balfour-Browne's chauffeur, who saw it leave 

 the ground, and found that its "kill" had been a "sea-gull." — 

 Hugh S. Gladstone, War Office. 



Albino Black Grouse in Selkirkshire. — For many years 

 white Black Game have occasionally appeared on the Minchmoor 

 and Glengaber heights in Selkirkshire. On 5 th November 1904 a 

 fine hen was shot — pure white, but with the distinctive markings of 

 the plumage of the hen perceptible as a sort of sheen. This bird was 

 presented to the Royal Scottish Museum. On loth September 1908 

 what was thought to be a young cock was shot (one of two birds 

 seen), of a dusky white colour. It was a small, immature bird and 

 was not preserved. In 1912 a brood of four birds was reared on 

 the hill and frequently seen. One of these was shot on 15th 

 September 1913, a hen — not quite so white as the one shot in 

 1904, but a good specimen. It was presented to Penicuik 

 Institute. The other three moved to adjoining properties — one 

 was found dead and the others may have been shot there. All the 

 birds got had dark eyes. — Richard Brown, Selkirk. 



