On the Occurrence of Birds. By George Pow. 249 



(3.) White Varieties of the Blackbird. 



In July 1885, I preserved a white specimen of the above, which was shot 

 at Broxmotith. It was not pure white but had a yellowish tint. Not a 

 feather of the normal colour, however, was to be seen. The legs and feet 

 were also white ; bill, pale yellow ; eyes, dark blue. 



Another example of the above was shot at the same place on 22nd May, 

 1886, and preserved by Mr Brotherston, Kelso. Both in this and in the 

 foregoing case the birds were young. The former was seen and admired 

 foi several weeks, but soon met with the fate of nearly all conspicuous 

 varieties. 



(4.) The Spotted Crake (Crex porzana.) 

 A specimen of the above was found lying on the road near the Railway 

 station here on the 1st September, 1885. It bad probably been killed by 

 flying against the telegraph wires. On dissection I found the bird was a 

 male, and though this is only the third specimen I have seen here, it has 

 been frequently taken in East Lothian. 



(5.) The Shore-lark (Otocorys alpestris.) 



On 31st January of this year, a flock of six Shore-larks was observed to 

 rise from a stubble (barley) field near Thorntonloch to the eastward of 

 Dunbar. The field lies adjacent to the sea, and the birds had settled in a 

 slight hollow about one hundred yards from the sea-beach. They were in 

 company with about a score of Sky-larks, and on being disturbed by a 

 passer-bj T (Mr Sutter, East Barns,) the flock divided, the Shore-larks 

 settling by themselves a short way off. Mr Sutter distinguished them by 

 their heavier flight, and was afterwards successful in securing two speci- 

 mens, one of which was exhibited at the Glasgow Naturalists' Society, 

 and the other at the Edinburgh Royal Physical Society. They were both 

 males and very similar to each other in plumage. A week later Mr William 

 Evans, F.R.S., Edinburgh, and I went over the place where they were 

 secured, but in spite of a diligent search in the vicinity none of the birds 

 could be seen. An hour after, however, in returning over the same ground, 

 strange to say we came upon the remains of one newly killed (evidently 

 by a hawk.) Close by we found that a Sky-lark had met the same 

 fate. 



Of the Shore-lark only the wings, legs, and stomach were left. On com- 

 paring these specimens with that which the late Mr Evans, farmer,Tynefield, 

 secured in 1859, we find that in the latter, which I have lately examined 

 in the collection of the late Dr Nelson, the black spot, so conspicuous 

 in those shot by Mr Sutter is wanting, indicating probably that it is an 

 immature bird. In 1869 a Shore-lark was shot by a Dunbar fisherman on 

 Tyne Sands. In 1877 a flight was observed in company with Sky-larks by 

 Mr McLeod, Belhaven, at that place. 



Although it has not occurred in Berwickshire so far as I know, I think 

 if the fields near the sea, and the sea-beach were closely watched during 

 v, inter, specimens could be seen. 

 1 F 



