2iO BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. xiv. 



As previously stated, the egg plates are not nearly so 

 successful as those of the birds, and indeed in some cases 

 are barely recognizable. This appHes particularly to some 

 of the Anatidae {e.g. the eggs of Gadwall, Eider, Tufted Duck, 

 etc.), but also to some of the figures of the Waders' and 

 Gulls' eggs. 



From beginning to end the book shows on every page the 

 work of a man who knows his birds in life, and the high 

 standard set by the writer in the first series is well maintained 

 in this. The work was worth doing and has been thoroughly 

 well done. F. C. R. Jourdain. 



Report on Scottish Oynithology in 1919 including Migration. 

 By L. J. Rintoul and E. V. Baxter. Forming July- August 

 1920 issue of the Scottish Naturalist. 



This yearly Report is once again presented in its well arranged 

 form and is full of interest, especially to students of distri- 

 bution and migration. The following observations, not 

 having been [)reviously mentioned in British Birds, may here 



be quoted. 



Ortolan Bunting (Emberi-a hortu'ana). — A male and two females 

 on May 7th at Noss Head and one on May nth at Lerwick (Shetland). 



Blue-headed Wagtail {MotaciUa f. flava). — One on Fair Isle, 

 May loth to 12th. 



Black Redstart {Phcenicunis 0. gibraltariensis). — ^One on October 

 17th at Noss Head. 



Bee-Eater {Merops apiaster). — One on August 23rd at Lentran 

 (Inverness). 



Hobby (Falco s. siibbuteo). — One on October 27th on Fair Isle. 



Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo I. lagoptis). — One on May 8th 

 on Vallay {Outer Hebrides), where one was recorded on April 28th, 

 1918. 



Black-tailed Godwit [Limosa limosa). — One on September 20th 

 in Monifieth Bay (Forfar), and two on November 14th at Luce Sands 

 (Wigtown). 



LETTER. 



KESTREL TAKING A DUST-BATH. 



To the Editors of British Birds. 



Sirs, — I was much interested to hear on good authority that on 

 December i8th, 1920, during a short period of frost, and hence compara- 

 tive dryness, a Kestrel [Falco i. tinniinculiis) was observed to dust 

 itself, just as domestic fowl, game-birds, etc., do, on a stretch of raked 

 gravel within twentv yards of a house. 



I knew that the Faiconid;e indulged in water-baths, but had never 

 heard of them partaking of a dust-bath. W. Ruttledge. 



Hollymount, CO. M.\YO, Jan. 1921. 



