636 BERNICLA RUFICOLLIS. 



tail 4^ ; bill along the ridge 1^ ; along the edge of lower 

 mandible 1£ ; tarsus 2*- ; hind toe -^, its claw -fa ; second 

 toe li, its claw -fa ; third toe 2^fa, its claw -fa ; fourth toe 

 3-Li, its claw -fa. 



Female. — Is said to be similar to the male. 



Habits. — The Red-necked Bernicle, according to M. 

 Temminck, inhabits the arctic regions of Asia, and occasion- 

 ally makes its appearance in various parts of Europe. In 

 Britain it is only known as a very rare and accidental visitant, 

 not more than about a dozen instances of its occurrence being 

 on record. Dr. Latham informs us that, in the severe frost of 

 1766, one was shot in the neighbourhood of London. Montagu 

 states that another was taken alive in Yorkshire about the 

 same time. Mr. Selby says a third, shot near Berwick-on- 

 Tweed, was sent to Mr. Bullock ; and, according to Mr. 

 Stephens, several were killed in Cambridgeshire in the severe 

 winter of 1813. A few other instances are mentioned of its 

 occurrence in Norfolk and Devonshire. The only instance of 

 its appearance in Scotland known to me is related in a notice 

 with which I have been favoured by the Rev. Mr. Smith of 

 Monquhitter : — " Many years ago, an individual of this rare 

 and beautiful species, was seen, for several days, in the imme- 

 diate vicinity of the Loch of Strathbeg. It was recognised by 

 more than one individual well conversant with ornithology. 

 There was, however, no opportunity obtained of securing it." 



