2760 The Zoologist — September, 1871. 



instance of this phenomenon in the common smooth newt came 

 under my notice, and I suspect that it may be more developed in 

 the breeding season than at any other time." 



Palniaied Smooth Newt. — Mr. F. Norgate has found this species 



at Spavham. 



Thomas Southwell. 



History of the Wolf in Scotlavd. A Supplement. 

 By James Hardy.* 



In my ' History of the Wolf in Scotland,' I gave such local 

 traditions of the existence of that animal, as a native, as I could 

 find on record. Some others, which I now bring under notice, 

 supply further details. The first is nearly in the simple language 

 of the old Highlander from whom I took it down. 



A boy travelling througli the wild country between Inveruess- 

 shire and Argyle, at the head of Glencoe, lost himself in the 

 moors in a misty day. At the last he came to a shed or hut, and 

 ventured into it, and there was a bit loft or nest in it where straw 

 was laid, and a bit ladder to go up. He goes up the ladder and 

 rolls himself up amongst the straw, and keeps his eye on what was 

 below. In tioie there came a great big fellow, who, be understood, 

 was a robber, who struck a light to kindle a fire, and was seen to 

 have plenty of venison, of which he made ready his supper. He 

 then stretched himself "on the breid o' his back" and fell asleep. 

 In time an animal that the boy took for a big dog pushed into the 

 hut, and though the fire was still "open," he saw the beast's eyes 

 glancing in the light. It stood awhile, and then came stealing up 

 to the big man's feet, and slipped along till it reached his neck, 

 when, in a moment, it laid hold of and rove at his throat, throwing 

 itself at the same time on to his breast. The man gripped it also, 

 and fought with it, but he could not rise, and it was all over with 

 him, and the great dog " sookit his bliiid." It then looked up to 

 the loft, and the boy was terrified lest it should come up and worry 

 him also. But it got out at the door, and set up "two or three 

 great gowls," and he "saw it no more that night." In the 

 morning the mist had scattered, and the boy, afraid to be beside 

 a dead man, took to his heels. In escaping he met " the herd," to 



• Communicated by the author, and reprinted from the Berwickshire Naturalists' 

 Club's ' Proceedings' for 1870. 



