APPENDIX. | Birds. 358 
under my own observation. A female specimen, shot in a garden 
here, was brought to me to be preserved. On dissecting it, I was 
agreeably surprised at finding in the oviduct an egg as perfect as 
if it had been obtained from a nest. 
Coracras GarRuLa [Roller]. 
Tam only aware of one specimen of this pretty and rare bird being 
obtained in our county: it was a splendid specimen, killed on the 
hills of Boyndie. 
Merops APrastER [Bee-eater]. 
I give this species a place here from having heard that a greenish 
bird, somewhat less than a thrush, with a longish bent bill, and 
with two feathers of the tail longer than the rest, was killed in 
a garden between Huntly and Dufftown, about seven years ago. 
It has since been found at the hills of Boyndie, about two miles 
from Banff. 
ALcgpo ispipa [Aingfisher]. 
Several of these sparkling gems have been taken here at different 
times. See p. 66. 
Hirunvo rustica [Swallow], and 
Hrrvnvo riparia [Jartin]. 
These birds are in about equal numbers. The latter generally nes- 
tle in the corners of windows, the former in barns, etc. ; they also 
breed along the sea-shore wherever there is a cave or projecting 
rock suitable. White and cream-colored varieties are sometimes 
met with. 
Hironpo ursica [Sand-martin]. 
Wherever there is a bank of any height, and not too hard, whether 
along the sea-shore or river-side, or a quarry or sand-hole, a col- 
ony of these active little creatures is almost sure to be met with 
during summer. It is surprising to see how they perforate these 
places, and the depth to which they will sometimes go, especially 
when we comgider the remarkably feeble instruments with which 
they do it—namely, a very small and slender bill, and feet equal- 
ly small and tender. 
CyrpseLus apus [Swift]. 
Of all our migratory species this is generally the last to arrive, and 
the first to depart. Next to the sky-lark, the swift appears to 
ascend highest in his aérial flights; and a very beautiful sight 
it is to see it, on a clear, still evening, gamboling about so far 
above the earth, and, it may be, screaming its farewell requiem to 
the departing sun. The swift is the first to depart, toward the 
