196 Proceedings of the Royal Fhysical Society. 



The Myriapoda are a group which, from genetic consider- 

 ations, are particularly well worth studying, and which in 

 this country have been particularly neglected. There are 

 many points in their anatomy which require clearing up. It 

 is much to be hoped that some Scotch naturalists may take 

 up this branch, and that before this year is finished we may 

 be able to furnish a more complete list of Scottish INIyriapoda. 



Note. — Information is particularly needed as to altitude 

 attained by species, and breeding habits. 



XIII. Note on the Occurrence of the Tree Simrroio in Argyll- 

 shire, and its Distribution in Scotla7id. By John James 

 Dalgleish, Esq., M.B.O.U. 



(Read 15th February 1882.) 



The tree sparrow (Passer montanus) is a species of very 

 wide distribution, being found throughout Europe, Northern 

 Africa, and the greater part of Asia, as far east even as China 

 and Japan,* and towards the south as far as Afghanistan and 

 the Himalayas, and down through Burmah to the island of 

 Java. It also occurs in the Philippine Islands. It seems, 

 however, to be more partial to northern regions, being more 

 numerous throughout Northern Eussia, where Mr Harvie- 

 Brown found it plentiful in the smaller villages, and Siberia, 

 than in more southern countries. In the Faroe Islands, where, 

 according to Captain Fielden, a few pairs arrived for the first 

 time only a few years ago, the species has increased to such 

 an extent as to have become quite a pest. It is said to have 

 been accidentally introduced into St Louis in the United 

 States, 



Having lately discovered a colony of this bird in Argyll- 

 shire, the occurrence of which it seemed desirable to bring 

 before the notice of the society, the opportunity seemed a 

 favourable one for reviewing and bringing up to date the 

 record of its distribution throughout Scotland. From its 

 great similarity, in general appearance, to its ally the common 

 house sparrow, it has been, doubtless, frequently overlooked, 



* Proc. Roy, Pliys. Soc, iv., p. 148. 



