57 [Vol. xli. 



to prove tbeir identity. They wore taken in early July. 

 He also exhibited a clutch of three eggs of Heliopais 

 personata taken in the swamps of the Myitmaka E,iver in 

 southern Burma. These extraordinary eggs are like those 

 of the Bustard's in gloss, texture, and shape, but in coloration 

 typical Rails. The nests were Crow-like structures of sticks 

 and twigs built on trees and bushes. Six clutches were 

 found, and a long account of these is given by Mr. Cyril 

 Hopwood, Conservator of Forests, in the ' Bombay Natural 

 History Journal.' The eggs are the first ever taken, with 

 the exception of one abnormal egg shown by the same 

 exhibitor. 



Col. Meinertzhagen made the following remarks descrip- 

 tive of a recent gale in the Outer Hebrides, and its effect on 

 bird-life : — 



I was in South Uist on November 15th of this year when 

 we experienced a gale of over 90 miles an hour. Such a 

 wind prevents one standing upright to shoot and made 

 walking against it extremely difBcult. We were at times 

 literally carried off our feet, and for safety's sake carried our 

 guns unloaded. 



During the morning I visited the extensive grass area, 

 called "machar," and numerous small lochs near the sea. 

 Whooper and Bewick Swan were common and sitting about 

 on land in small parties. If they attempted to rise they 

 were blown away and capsized, only to be rolled along the 

 ground like a huge ball. Golden Plover were blown like 

 chaff before the wind. Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Purple 

 Sandpiper had all come inland, and when compelled to rise 

 were carried down wind like crumpled bits of paper, 

 capsizing whenever they attempted to land again. Mallard 

 could rise, but could not face the wind, and were compelled 

 to go with it. Wigeon and Golden-eye suffered the same 

 fate. Eider-Duck came in from the sea, where they could 

 not have lived for an instant, and were sitting about on the 

 land and on small puddles. The cock Eider was the only 

 bird I saw which could face the wind. I saw it on two 

 occasions, and it was a very fine example of strength and 



