155 



Ornithological Notes. By Robert Gray, F.R.S.E., F.S.A., 



Scot. 



Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). — Since my last commu- 

 nication, I Have had an opportunity of examining another pair 

 of East Lothian Peregrines, killed near North Berwick. The 

 male was shot on 14th April, 1876, and the female bird, which 

 was very large, and more like some of the West Country Pere- 

 grines I have seen, was obtained five days later, namely, on the 

 19th. Another was seen on the 27th of the same month on the 

 Island of Fidra, within a short distance of North Berwick. I had 

 also an opportunity of seeing a young male which had been shot 

 near Edinburgh, on 11th May last. These and previously re- 

 corded occurrences shew that the Peregrine is increasing in num- 

 bers in the Lothians. 



Goshawk (Astur palumbarius). — Through the obliging atten- 

 tion of Mr Small, of this city, I had an opportunity of examining 

 a newly killed Goshawk, which was obtained near Elie, in Fife- 

 shire, on 26th of January, 1877. The bird was a female, and in 

 splendid plumage. I mention the present capture on account of 

 the rarity of the species in Britain. The Goshawk occasionally 

 visits the Eastern Counties of Scotland from other countries. 

 One was shot at Hazelhead, near Aberdeen, on 22nd January, 

 1876. 



Eottgh-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus). — During the present 

 winter I have examined several specimens that were sent to 

 Edinburgh, for preservation ; one killed near Roslin, on 23rd 

 October ; a second from the Pentlands, on 25th November ; a 

 third — a female — which was trapped near Innerleithen, on 30th 

 November ; a fourth from Yester, on 28th December ; a fifth — a 

 male — shot near Lauder, on 15th February; a sixth — a female 

 — from the same locality, on 1st March; a seventh from near 

 Peebles, on 24th March ; and an eighth — a female— on the 4th 

 April, from Peeblesshire. The last mentioned specimen was un- 

 usually light in colour. While on this subject I may mention 

 the latest dates in the spring of last year (1876) on which speci- 

 mens were obtained ; one at Crieff, on 30th March ; one at Loch 

 Lomond side, on 31st March ; one — a male — trapped at Castle 

 Toward, Argyleshire, on 3rd April; and one — also a male — 

 from Peebleshire, a few days later. All these birds, which came 

 under my own observation, were in fine plumage, being evidently 

 migratory visitors from Scandinavian forests. t 



