1972 The Zoologist— January, 1870. 



impressed by the wide-spread tradition of its existence in former 

 days, as to be led to enumerate it among the animals of Scotland in 

 those times; and it may be mentioned in passing that both worthies 

 boast immoderately of the productions of their country. At the 

 beginning of this century (at least) the Highlanders of Scotland had a 

 peculiar name for the animal — Losleathan or Dobhran loslealhan, 

 "the Broad-tailed Otter." According to Dr. Stuart, of Luss, in a 

 letter to the late Dr. Neill, quoted by Prof. Fleming,* a tradition used 

 to exist that the beaver or " Broad-tailed Otter," once abounded in 

 Lochaber. That may be so or not ; but at all events it does not now 

 exist anywhere within the bounds of the British islands; and a con- 

 siderable doubt might be still thrown on the accounts of the old 

 writers, were not remains continually dug up in all parts of the 

 country. I would fain hope that in a few years it may again be an 

 inhabitant of our lakes and rivers. 



In these scattered notes I have not attempted anything like a 

 systematic history of the animal, leaving the separate accounts to tell 

 their own tales. No more pleasing work could, however, be written 

 than a Monograph of the beaver, anatomically and historically ; and 

 I trust that before long it may be undertaken by some one at once an 

 artist and a naturalist. t 



On the Immigration of the Gray Phalarope (Plialaropus fulicarius) 

 and the Recent Occurrence of this Species in Sussex. 



By J. E. Harting, Esq., F.L.S., F.Z.S. I 



Of late years ornithologists have noticed a marked increase in the 

 occurrence in Great Britain of certain northern birds which are usually 

 considered rare or accidental visitants to this country. It may be 

 said that the published reports of an increased and increasing number 

 of naturalists have led to this conclusion ; and to a certain extent 

 doubtless this is so. Nevertheless, individual observers who have 

 been carrying on investigations for years in the same locality have 



* Ellin. Phil. Journ. 1838. 



t (This wish has been in some respects anticipated in a volume, 'The American 

 Beaver and his Works,' by Lewis H. Morgan : Philadelphia, 1868. Ii had not fallen 

 into Mr. Brown's or my hands when this paper was read.— J. .Mcrie.) 



X Extracted from 'The Field' of November 13, 1869: communicaled by the 

 author. 



