Reptiles and Batrachians of the Edinburgh District. 519 
creature. A few days of genial weather in March, or even 
earlier if the spring be a particularly early one, usually has 
the effect of recalling it to activity, and causing it to reappear 
in the water. On their first appearance the males are only 
partially in nuptial dress, but the crest and colours rapidly 
attain their full development. During the whole of April, 
May, and June, I have observed spawning females accom- 
panied by richly spotted and crested partners, and in some 
seasons they may no doubt be found up to a still later date. 
The following list of localities, mostly verified this year by 
the examination of specimens, while perhaps of little value 
at the present moment, is given in the hope that it may 
prove of interest at some future time. 
Ponds on different parts of the Braid Hills, common from 
March onwards; on 21st March the males seen had not 
acquired full breeding dress; on 9th April several captured 
had it fully developed, and most of the females seemed full 
of spawn; on same day a few of last year’s larve, which lost 
their external gills three weeks later, were obtained. Weedy 
pool at Blackford Quarry, several, April 1893; pond at The 
Bush, near Rosslyn, adult males and females abundant 28th 
March, males 29th June; horse-pond, Duntarvie Castle, near 
Winchburgh, adult female, 2nd April; curling-pond, King’s 
Park, Stirling, a few males and females, 2nd and 20th April 
(Messrs Kidston and M‘Lellan); near Dalhousie, female, 
June 1887; Luffness Curling-Pond, males and females, many 
occasions in spring and early summer during the last ten or 
twelve years—two fine females still spawning on 1st June 
1894; Gullane Quarry, and sandpit on the Links near Jova’s 
Neuk, a number of beautiful males and females in pairs, and 
some small ones under stones lying near the water, 12th 
June—in the same spot adult and half-grown examples were 
common under stones last September; near North Berwick, 
several specimens, some not full grown, beginning of April 
(Dr Crombie). I have also seen the species a number of 
years ago near East Linton, near Burntisland, and also 
near Penicuik; and Mr Hugh Miller, jun., tells me he 
obtained one in a pool at the side of Glencorse Reservoir on 
2nd May 1893. 
