162 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 



visitor to south-western Scotland, occurring only as far north 

 as Ayrshire. (4) It is a rare casual visitor to the west coast 

 north of the Clyde, probably only as a waif during the 

 migratory period.^ 



XIV. On the Occurrence of the Asiatic Hoiibara (Houbara 

 macqueenii, Gray and Hardiviche) in Scotland. By Wm. 

 Eagle Clarke, F.L.S., etc. 



(Read 15th February 1899.) 



The Asiatic Houbara, or Macqueen's Bustard, is a new and 

 interesting addition to the fauna of northern Britain. We 

 have to thank Mr J. Gr. Walker,, the owner and captor of 

 the bird, for allowing this first Scottish specimen to be 

 exhibited at the meeting of the Eoyal Physical Society 

 this evening. 



On the 24th of October last, when partridge shooting at 

 St Fergus — part of the Pitfour estate, in Aberdeenshire — 

 Mr Walker obtained this bird, which was at the time thought 

 to be a Little Bustard {Otis tetrax). When first seen it was 

 in a turnip field. It got up out of range, and flew slowly, as 

 if wounded. The bird was pursued and eventually secured. 

 On being skinned, a swan shot was found embedded in its 

 thigh. 



Some doubt having arisen as to the identity of this bird, 

 Mr Walker submitted the specimen to me for determination, 

 and I have pleasure in confirming that gentleman's surmise 

 that the bird is undoubtedly an example of Houbara 

 macqneenii. It is a young female, but whether about four 

 months or sixteen months old is, perhaps, questionable, 

 since, as in many other cases, nothing appears to be on 

 record concerning the stages through which this species 

 passes ere full plumage is assumed, or even the age at which 

 the plumes of adolescence give place to those of maturity. 

 The specimen under consideration, however, has a slight 



* As bearing upon this bird's status in Scotland, it may be well to state 

 that the species is scarce in the counties of Durham, Westmoreland, and 

 Cumberland. 



