290 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



ESQUIMAUX CURLEW. 

 NUMENIUS BOREALIS. 



ONLY one specimen of this rare bird has, as yet, been detected in 

 Scotland ; it was shot at Durris, near Aberdeen, on 6th September, 

 1855, by Mr R. Cusack Smith, Esq., and preserved by Mr 

 Mitchell, of Aberdeen, who has sent me word that it was in fine 

 plumage, and in excellent condition. Mr Angus informs me that 

 the species was identified by the late Mr J. Longmuir, who wrote 

 to Mr Yarrell informing him of its occurrence. No other example 

 of this species appears to have been since obtained in any part of 

 the British islands. 







THE SPOTTED REDSHANK. 

 TOTANUS FUSCUS. 



HAS not yet been traced to any of the western districts, but on 

 the east coast of Scotland it has frequently been obtained in 

 localities ranging from Haddingtonshire to Caithness. It has been 

 taken in Banffshire by Mr Edward, and in Aberdeenshire by Mr 

 Angus, who has obligingly supplied me with the following 

 notes: " An immature specimen was shot on the Old Town Links 

 on the 19th September, 1867, and presented to Mr Mitchell, to 

 whom I am indebted for the opportunity of making a description 

 of the bird, which I now give you in a condensed form. Basal 

 half of the lower mandible, light orange, dusky towards the point; 

 on each side of the mandible, a distinct groove, which is co-extensive 

 with the orange colour; legs and feet, orange; claws, black. Iris, 

 hazel; crown of the head, greyish brown, and slightly spotted. 

 Lores, dark brown, a white line extending from behind the eye to 

 the base of the upper mandible; chin, whitish. Belly, vent, and 

 under tail coverts, dirty white, barred with dusky the bars more 

 distinct on the vent and under tail coverts. The feathers on the 

 breast resembling those of the common gull in its first plumage. 

 The first quill the longest of the wing, having the shaft white; the 

 primaries, as also the scapulars and the space between the shoulders, 

 purplish; the smaller wing feathers, whitish, and lightest on the 

 edges. Space between the wings, white. Tail beautifully barred 



