On some of the Birds of Lauderdale, by Andrew Kelly. 147 



Weasel, as the Heron fell alone shortly after perfectly dead, with 

 a bloody gash in its neck. 



Anser Canadensis. — Canada Goose. One, in a very disabled 

 state, alighted at Lauderheugh, near the demesne of the Earl of 

 Lauderdale, when it was observed and beset by some of the 

 working men. It barely managed to escape, but was shot the 

 next day by Mr Scott, in St. Leonard's Cauld. The Bean Goose 

 is always plentiful here during the spring, and feeds on the 

 newly-sown fields. 



Tadorna Vulpanser. — A party of the Shielclrake was seen 

 here, but as none were shot, it was questionable. 



Anas clypeata. — The Shoveler. This is rare for Lauderdale. 

 A male and a female were shot in Legerwood Moss, by Mr 

 Wilkie, during the winter of 1870, and are both preserved. 



Mareca Penelope. — The Wigeon is a flying visitor here with 

 us, here to-day and away to-morrow ; although I have seen it 

 take a more prolonged stay. It generally associates with other 

 ducks — Mallards and Teals — but from these it is easily distin- 

 guished ; for when flushed, it is neith%- the biggest nor the least, 

 and the pure white on the underside is highly characteristic, and 

 it is much more rapid in its flight. Mr Scott shot one — a duck 

 — on the Leader, 8th Nov., 1876, not far from where he shot the 

 one last year. It measured 17^- inches in length, 30^ in breadth, 

 the wing lOf long ; the second primary is the longest. The tail 

 is small, short and tapering, consisting of 14 stiflish acuminate 

 feathers ; Macgillivray in his " Manual of British Birds," puts it 

 16 feathers ; Morris more correctly, 14. — This bird when shot, 

 was at some distance from the river, feeding on young grass. 



Mergus Merganser. — Goosander. Mr B. Scott shot a female 

 below Newmills. Its mouth was charged with roe. This duck 

 has appeared in several localities, but never plentifully. In 

 January, 1877, we were more fortunate, five having made their 

 appearance, and are still continuing. We may thank the storm 

 for this acquisition. 



Podiceps cornuttjs. — Mr Wilkie once shot one or two of the 

 Sclavonian Grebe during the winter, in Legerwood Loch, whose 

 gloom and seclusion seemed adapted to its habits. There its 

 ordinary society was only a few Mallards and Teals. As soon, 

 however, as the Black-headed Gulls arrived on their annual 

 mission of incubation, converting the entire loch into a regular 



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