236 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



Lapland Form of Bluethroat on the Isle of May. — In 



view of the fact that in the. Hand-list of British Birds published this 

 year the Bluethroats occurring in Britain are referred to the sub- 

 species which breeds in Norway (Luscinia suecica gaetkei), it is 

 interesting to note that the Bluethroat procured by us on the Isle 

 of May on 14th September 1909 (see Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1910, 

 p. 4) has proved to belong to the form breeding in Lapland, etc., 

 namely, Luscinia suecica suecica. When examining our Bluethroat 

 skins we were struck by its shorter and less pointed wing and 

 lighter upper parts, and believing it to belong to the more eastern 

 form, sent it to Dr Hartert for confirmation of our identification. He 

 writes that after careful comparison he quite believes it to be an 

 example of Luscinia suecica suecica. We are much indebted to him 

 for his kindness in helping us. — Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul and 

 Evelyn V. Baxter, Largo. 



The Tree-Sparrow Breeding in Midlothian. — Though 

 there are several winter records of the Tree-Sparrow {Passer tnontanus) 

 in Midlothian, there appears to be none hitherto of its breeding in 

 the county. It was, therefore, no little satisfaction to me to discover, 

 on 24th May this year, a colony nesting in holes in the walls of a 

 ruin at Craiglockhart, near Edinburgh. I made out no less than ten 

 pairs feeding young in the nests, from one of which I obtained an 

 addled egg. During the last few years I have noticed Tree-Sparrows 

 about Craiglockhart in winter on more than one occasion, so that it 

 is quite likely they have been established there for some time. — 

 William Evans. 



Variety of Heron in Wigtownshire. — On the 14th 

 September, on a moor in Wigtownshire, I had an opportunity of 

 observing at very close quarters a Heron (Ardea ciuerea) which when 

 at rest appeared almost wholly white. There were, however, some 

 very pale buff markings, which were probably centres to some of the 

 feathers. In flight the whole of the primaries, secondaries, and the 

 tail were seen to be a dull chocolate brown, quite evenly marked. 

 Legs and bill were yellow. — M. Bedford, Cairnsmore, Palmure. 



Marked Grouse — Identification wanted. — I have heard 

 from Lord Henry Scott that on Friday, 30th August, at the County 

 March, Roxburghshire and Dumfriesshire, by Tinnis Hill, a Grouse 

 was shot marked L H S — 191 1 — 91. I shall be much obliged if 

 you can arrange for the insertion of a paragraph to the above effect 



