Ornithological Notes, by Robert Gray. 157 



Hoopoe (Upupa Epops). — A specimen of this rare visitant (a 

 female) was shot near Burntisland, in Fifeshire, on 25th April, 

 1876. At the risk of repetition, I may recal to mind the occur- 

 rence of a Hoopoe, at East Linton, in August, 1871, and of 

 another at Kingston, near North Berwick, on 27th September, 

 1873 — both of which are recorded in the Proceedings of the 

 Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh. 



Nuthatch (Sitta Europcea). — A female Nuthatch, which 

 appears to be a rare species in Scotland, was shot near Jedburgh, 

 on 1 8th January of the present year. It was sent to Mr Hope, 

 in whose hands I saw it. 



Green Sandpiper (Totanus ochropus). — One was shot at Crailing 

 Hall, Oxnam water, on 6th November, 1876. It is now in the 

 possession of Mr Hope, who shewed it to me for identification. 



Corn-crake (Crex pratensis). — Unusual numbers of Corn- 

 crakes were sent from various quarters of East Lothian to Edin- 

 burgh for preservation, in October, 1876. One sjDecimen — a very 

 handsome bird — was unusually large and well marked. Several 

 were shot as late as the 18th of the month. This bird seems 

 very scarce in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh ; at least it has 

 been so for the last three years. I do not remember having 

 passed so long an interval in my country walks without either 

 seeing or hearing the familiar Corn-crake. I have observed the 

 same scarcity for some years in Ayrshire. 



Canada Goose (Anser Canadensis). — On 8th April, 1876, three 

 specimens of this Goose were shot on Linlithgow loch. Other 

 two were killed about the same time in East Lothian. None of 

 these birds shewed any trace of having been in confinement, 

 though they were, in all likelihood, escapes from private ponds. 



Shoveler (Anas clypeata). — A young male was shot on the 

 Forth, on 13th November, 1876. This cluck appears to occur in 

 limited numbers every year in the estuary from Inchkeith to 

 Kincardine. 



Long-tailed Duck (JETarelda glacialis). — In November last, I 

 examined a number of immature birds— males and females — 

 which had been shot about the close of the month near North 

 Berwick, and along the coast. The males had no long tail 

 feathers, but were otherwise characteristically marked. 



Smew (Mergus allellus). — A male Smew, in most beautiful and 

 perfect plumage was shot at Bowhill, Selkirkshire, on 25th 



