HISTORY OF FEATHERS, WITH REFERENCE TO MALLARD 49 



the tail than in the wing. Later differences are much more 

 marked, so that with the help of a prematurely developed 

 " nestling-tail," due to the rapid replacement of filmy down 

 feathers by strong-vaned true-quill feathers (see figs.), the 

 duckling begins to dive at the end of the second week ; 

 whereas, owing to the comparatively slow development of 

 quill-feathers in the wings, it is unable to fly till the end 

 of the eighth week. J. R. 



Common Bittern in Berwickshire. — On Thursday, 19th 

 January, one of our estate workmen informed me that he had 

 seen a strange bird on the previous afternoon by the side of a 

 small stream which feeds the Hirsel Lake. His description of 

 the bird to me was: "A brown bird, like a Heron, but a good 

 bit smaller, standing upright like a man, with its bill pointing 

 straight up." When it was disturbed it flew into some reeds at 

 the top of the lake. I don't think that there is any doubt about 

 its being a Bittern, and we will probably hear of its being seen in 

 some other part of the district. It is only two years since another 

 Bittern was shot at VVyliecleugh. — Robert Johnston, Coldstream. 



Greenland Falcon in Forfarshire. — While on the electric 

 tramcar between Dundee and Broughty Ferry on 23rd January 

 I had the pleasure of seeing a Greenland Falcon on the wing. 

 It was crossing a snow-covered, ploughed field, and the kestrel-like 

 flight at once attracted my attention. Then a rook pursued it, 

 and gave me an excellent idea of the relative sizes. The distance 

 must have been 150 yards or so, but the pure white head was 

 very distinct as also were black markings on the wings. The 

 upper part of the body looked white, but not so pure as the head. 

 As the bird turned when the rook swooped at it, its pure white 

 underparts showed splendidly. I have little doubt that it was 

 an adult. — G. G. Blackwood, Dundee. 



Hobby in Forfarshire. — On 21st June 192 1 one of Lord 

 Dalhousie's gamekeepers, while pigeon-shooting at West Balmirmer, 

 near Arbroath, brought down a male Hobby. In the middle of 

 August he shot a rather smaller specimen of the same species on 

 the same farm. The first bird was sent for preservation to Messrs 

 Malloch, Perth, who gave particulars as follows: — length ii| in.; 

 age (roughly) two years; and stated that they had had only one 

 other Hobby previously through their hands. The forwarding to 

 123 AND 124 G 



