9720 Birds. 



*' Here, as throughout Scotlaud, the rook is popularly known as the 

 crow, * * * while the true hooded or gray crow is almost 

 unknown." That it is not unircqiiently met with in the north of 

 Scotland, I must refer the writer to my Morayshire notes (Zool. 

 9174). 



Herring Gull and Lesser Blackbacked Gull. — Having, as I pur- 

 posed, revisited the Culver Cliffs on the 25th of May, the mingled and 

 wild discordant notes of these gulls were heard in the distance, and on 

 reaching the summit a flock of a hundred or more was seen on the 

 water, massed together in circular order, a few hundred yards only from 

 the shore, but individuals being in constant motion, though not rising 

 above a hyr yards and then re-settling, it was difficult to distinguish 

 them ; but on their dispersing and spreading themselves on and over 

 the clifi's, I could make out but the two species, the herring gull being 

 in the proportion of ten to one ; and their nests were pointed out to 

 me by an old fowler, and in one, placed in an angle of a grassy ledge, 

 I could observe an egg, and was told it contained two more, though 

 concealed by the jutting rock, which I had no reason to doubt, having 

 found the gull on its nest. I hear that they arrived early in the month, 

 but comparatively few breed here now. The lesser blackbacked gulls 

 were all in immature plumage : whether they breed in that state must 

 be left for future observation or to others more conversant with their 

 habits to determine, but 1 saw nothing of the nests. 



Green Woodpecker.— In reply to the editorial query (Zool. 9608), 

 I beg to say that I have no doubt whatever of the green woodpecker 

 having been seen at Luccorabe in a friend's plantation, and that, too, 

 by more than one member of his family, who were questioned as to its 

 size, colour, &c. ; and, fearing mistake, I called again, taking Tem- 

 minck's coloured engravings with me, when the green woodpecker was 

 at once recognized and pointed out.* 



Redwing. — My remark, "Very kw have been observed," had 

 reference to the under-cliff and the neighbourhood ; that they have 

 been seen in greater abundance elsewhere, as recorded, I have no 

 reason to doubt. [See Zool. 9582 and 9602.] 



f* My query on lliis point is one perhaps of greater moment than my cor- 

 respondent supposes. Supposing a woodpecker to have been seen in the Isle of 

 Wio-lit bow did it get there? did it cross the sea? was it bred in the island, although 

 the previous existence of the species unnoticed ? was it taken over from the mainhind 

 and liberated? Tliese suggestions are certainly iniprobal)ie and far-fetched: the 

 subject is woithy of careful investigation. — Edward Newman] 



