70 



Proceedings of the Boyal Physical Society. 



bearing on tlieir association with one another, on modes of 

 feeding and the like, with which one can become acquainted 

 only in such circumstances, are brought strongly out. All 

 of them are worth noting, while some are very interesting. 

 But it would delay us too long to refer to these more 

 fully. An unusual number of kingfishers have recently 

 appeared in our neighbourhood and elsewhere. Mr Hope, 

 birdstuffer, George Street, alone preserved nine between 

 December 7, 1878, and January 11, 1879. These may be 

 tabulated thus : 



The Dolphinton specimen was shot at a cottage door at 

 some distance from the water. Some of the birds were in 

 extremely low condition. 



Perthshire. — In answer to queries, Mr Hew Miller, Wester- 

 ton, Ochtertyre, near Crieff, says, 13th March : " The supply 

 of bird-feeding berries last autumn was far below the average. 

 Many birds have died, particularly the mavis, blackbird, 

 chaffinch, etc. Only five woodcocks have been shot here 

 this season. At the same time last year forty had been shot. 

 This year they all made off when the severe weather set in. 

 Grouse stood out pretty well. They appear to be quite 

 strong and healthy in the Grampians. Partridges are also 

 strong and healthy." 



Stirlingshire. — A fellow of the Society, Mr Eobert Kidston, 

 has shown me a communication, dated 11th March, from 

 David Bruce, Esq., Stirling, in which the following remarks 

 occur : " Few birds were visible long before the end of the 

 severe weather. It is, however, difficult to know whether 

 their absence is occasioned by death, or departure farther 

 south." Referring to the town of Stirling, he says ; " The few 



