2] 4 The Zoologist— May, 1866. 



diminish rapidly. They have not visited the bays and voes in their 

 usual number this winter, in consequence of the great scarcity of 

 sillocks, but their absence has resulted in almost an abundance of 

 longtailed ducks (Zool. 9127, 9519). 



Snow BunliiKj. — The number of snow buntings is nearly always 

 far less in mid- winter than in spring and autumn. This season, 

 however, the almost entire absence of frost and snow, and the conse- 

 quent openne.ss of the ground, have caused many very large flocks to 

 remain. 



Golden Plover. — The same cause has also, in a great measure, 

 induced the golden plovers to remain longer than usual upon the hills, 

 instead of following their habit of visiting the shore at this season. 

 They are now in fine condition for the table, and are quite free from 

 the rank fishy taste which they invariably acquire after feeding, even 

 for a i'iiyi days, upon the beach. 



Herring Gull. — Not the least among the evil results of a scarcity 

 offish, is the damage done to the turnips by the herring gulls. In a 

 large field in this neighbourhood the crop is most seriously injured, 

 for although, at first sight, the rows look well enough, nearly one half 

 of the roots have been scooped quite hollow. The birds seem to 

 dislike the outer portion, interfering with it as little as possible, and 

 onlytlemoving enough to enable theiu to reach the softer parts within. 

 Sometimes a gull may be seen with its head completely hidden, but, as 

 if conscious of its danger, constantly withdrawing it and looking around 

 to prevent a surprise. 



Goldeneye. — On the 1st of February I»visited the fresh-water loch 

 at Belmont, where one seldom fails to meet with goldeneyes at the 

 proper season. There were numerous small flocks, be.sides many 

 scattered individuals, upon various parts of the loch, and as 1 watched 

 them from my concealment behind a ruined wall, I had abundant 

 evidence that some were already pairing. Their movements were 

 precisely similar to those of the common wild duck. The males occa- 

 sionally uttered a peculiar, gentle, rather shrill cry. I shot a splendid 

 adult male. 



Shag. — Shags are already assuming their breeding plumage. I first 

 observed the change on the 1st of February. 



Hen Harrier. — A fine hen harrier visited Baltasound about the 

 beginning of February. Several times when I was without a gun it 

 flew close past me. 



Woodcock. — On the 4th of February, after a succession of gales from 



