100 THE BIRD-LIFE OF THE SPEY VALLEY. 
Protection Acts. It does seem to be the fact that a wider 
interest in birds is spreading among people generally. If this 
is so, it is a matter for congratulation, and that not only for 
the sake of the birds. For an intelligent interest in the 
bird-life around one, as in every other branch of Natural 
History, brings a keen sense of pleasure with it, even to the 
observer who cannot claim to be scientific; and adds 
incalculably to the delights of the country, whether to those 
who find their home in it all the year round, or those who 
are only able to go there for their spring and summer 
holidays. 
NATURE NOTES. 
OCCURRENCE OF THE OTTER (Lutra vulgaris) 1N 
LINLITHGOWSHIRE, 
In June 1896, I trapped a female otter on the River Avon, 
near Boness. This specimen, which measured 43 inches 
from tip to tip, and weighed 17 lbs., was exhibited by me 
before the Society. THos. ALLAN. 
FINGER-PRINTS OF MARSUPIALS. 
I HAVE lately been studying the feet of some preserved 
specimens of phalangers which I have in my possession— 
the Flying Phalanger (Petaurus breviceps), and a ringed- 
tailed species, both from Victoria, Australia. 
In spite of the well-developed pads in the palms of both 
these marsupials, the arrangement of the papillary ridges is 
remarkably like that of the human hand. The “ pattern 
areas” are unmistakable, the summits of the pads being 
covered by designs, which, no doubt, will be variable in each 
individual. A noticeable variation from the direction of the 
ridges in the human hand is, that those upon the digits 
