500 Ornithological Notes, by Robert Gray. 



occasion ; also Sanderlings and Curlew Sandpipers. I examined 

 a very beautiful Knot in full breeding plumage, which was shot 

 on the coast near Girvan, Ayrshire, in the last week of July ; 

 and in connection with this subject, I may mention that I found 

 all the Dunlins, which were in flocks on the same part of the 

 coast, in complete summer plumage also. These, however, were 

 probably natives of the county, as the Dunlin is known to breed 

 in Ayrshire. 



Water Rail (Rattus aquaticus). — Has been very plentiful in 

 the Lothians during November, December, and January. Fifteen 

 specimens were sent in from various quarters to one of the City 

 taxidermists. 



Brent Goose (Anser torquatus). — Throughout' the months of 

 January and February of the present year, the Brent Goose has 

 been unusually plentiful in the Firths of Forth and Tay. The 

 specimens which I have examined both in Edinburgh and Dundee 

 shew but little variety, and they all appeared to be birds in excel- 

 lent condition. It would appear to have fared differently with the 



Pink-footed Goose (Anser Irachyrhynchus), several specimens 

 of which, from the same localities, came under my observation. 

 These were in a state of great emaciation, a circumstance pro- 

 bably due to the difference in their food and habits. 



White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons). — Several specimens 

 of this goose were shot along the Haddington coasts in Novem- 

 ber and December, and on the Forth near Kincardine. The 

 head-quarters of the bird in Scotland may be said to be the 

 Island of Islay. I have a beautiful specimen in my collection 

 from that quarter, which was presented to me by Mr R. Scott 

 Skirving, and I have been informed by that gentleman that in 

 the beginning of November last he killed eight of these birds at 

 one shot. Three of these I had an opportunity of examining. 



Egyptian Goose {Anser Egyptiacus). — One was shot in Selkirk- 

 shire on 10th December, and another on St. Mary's Loch, on 24th 

 December. A third was shot on the 7th February, on the shore 

 between GrantoD and Cramond. None of these birds shewed any 

 traces of having been kept in confinement. 



Gad wall (Anas strepera). — A male was shot on Loch Leven, 

 Fifeshire, in the last week of December, 1878. Another — a 

 young male — was shot on the Forth, near Kincardine, on the 

 L4th March, 1879. This duck is either very rare along the 



