288 Zoological Notes, by Mr. Andrew Brotherston, Kelso. 



destruction of the rapacious birds. Besides the noxious 

 vermin they destroy, it is believed by most of those who 

 have paid attention to the subject, that a certain proportion 

 of birds of prey is absolutely necessary to keep game in a 

 healthy condition. No doubt some of them kill game at 

 times, but it is the weakly and unhealthy birds, the stronger 

 and more vigilant escaping ; hence their offspring has a 

 better chance to be strong and healthy, than if the weakly 

 birds were allowed to live. 



Richardson's Skua (Lestris Richardsonii), Jenyns. — A 

 mature male was shot by Mr. Cotesworth, November 12th, 

 1874, on the farm of Whitefield, near Cowdenknowes ; a 

 long way inland for this rapacious sea-bird to be found. 

 There was only one bird seen. 



Parasitic Worms in Leg of Grebe. — When skinning a 

 Little Grebe (Podiceps minor, Pen.,), on November 25th, 

 1874, I came upon a cluster of Nematoid Worms amongst 

 the muscles and tendons of both legs — exactly in the same 

 place in each — near the lower part of the tibia. From their 

 larger size they appeared to have been longer in the left leg 

 than in the right. They were rather hard and stiff — not 

 soft and flabby — of a regular spiral form, of about six turns, 

 tapering to each end, the largest about three-quarters of an 

 inch in length — not following the turns of the spiral ; if 

 straight they would be about an inch long. They seemed 

 unable to straighten themselves ; when found they were 

 twined together like the strands of a rope, and I observed 

 that one after being separated from the others bent slowly 

 round until it was twisted on itself. The bird was very 

 much emaciated, and no wonder, as in addition to the worms 

 in the legs, it had a large fibrous tumour in the back. 



Bittern (Botaurus stellaris), Selby. — On the 10th of 

 December, 1874, an adult male of this fine bird was shot on 

 the farm of Northfield, near Lowick, Northumberland, by 

 Mr. J. Waters. It was in extreme length (bill to feet), 3 

 feet 3 1 inches ; from bill to tail, 2 feet 5 inches ; expanse of 

 wings, 3 feet 10 inches. It had the remains of several Field 

 Voles (Arvicola agrestis, Flem.^ in the stomach. During 

 the winter of 1874-5, there have been numerous specimens 

 of this bird got in. England, but I have not heard of any 

 having been obtained north of the Border. " The back 

 claw," says Willoughby, " which is remarkably thick and 

 long above the rest, is wont to be set in silver for a pick- 



