2302 Birds. 



country. Now, however, that attention is beginning in some measure to be paid to 

 the works of creation, even in localities where, at no distant period, such an employ- 

 ment of leisure time would have been regarded as an unquestionable proof of insanity, 

 it is not improbable that we shall be found to have had, all along, both plants and 

 animals among us, of the presence of which we had previously neither knowledge nor 

 suspicion. As an example of this, I may mention that, in the beginning of July this 

 year, a nest of the quail (Colurnix dactylisonans) was found in a field of hay, in the 

 neighbouring parish of New Deer, about six miles from where I reside. It contained 

 twelve eggs, all of them resembling the first of the three varieties figured by Mr. Hew- 

 itson. The people on the farm say that they meet with a similar nest every year : 

 they consider the eggs as those of a curious kind of corn crake (landrail), and nothing 

 will convince them to the contrary. A specimen, in very fine condition, of the red- 

 necked grebe (Podiceps rubricollis) was shot, during the bygone spring, on an artificial 

 lake in this parish. On this lake, a good many years ago, a specimen was obtained 

 of the pochard or male dunbird (Fuligula ferina), which is very rarely to be seen in 

 this northern part of the country. I had lately brought me for examination a speci- 

 men of a Totanus or inland sandpiper, which to my surprise answered in every respect 

 to the description given by the most accurate writers on the male ruff (Machetes pug- 

 nax), in the autumnal plumage of the first year. It was shot in an extensive moss in 

 this parish ; and the character of the surface and of the vegetation, in the particular 

 spot where it was obtained, is exactly the same as that of the localities which the ruff 

 is said to frequent amid the Lincolnshire fens. I am not aware that the ruff has been 

 previously heard of in this part of the kingdom. — James Smith ; Manse of Monquhitter 

 by Turriff, Aberdeenshire, October 2, 1848. 



Occurrence of the Roller (Coracias garrula) near Banff. — On the 25th of Septem- 

 ber last there was shot in the woods of Boyndie, near Banff, a specimen of the roller. 

 This is a bird of very great rarity, and has only been met with seven or eight times in 

 the whole kingdom. With the exception of one, which was obtained many years ago 

 near to the loch of Strathbeg, — an extensive sheet of water on the sea-coast between 

 Peterhead and Fraserburgh, — I am not aware of any specimen having been previously 

 seen or heard of in this part of the country. The one to which I am alluding proved 

 on dissection to be a female. Although the plumage would seem in some parts not to 

 have reached its full maturity, it nevertheless exhibits colouring of exquisite beauty, 

 particularly on the under wing-coverts, the upper portion of which is of a delicate pale 

 sea-green, and the remainder of the richest purplish or mazarine blue, changing in 

 hue and intensity according to the light in which it is viewed. The line in which 

 these birds are to be found is farther to the east than our own island ; and as a strong 

 gale had blown from that quarter for some days previously to its being killed, it is 

 probable that it had, in this manner, been driven out of its usual course. It was, 

 however, in no danger from famine, for its stomach was completely crammed with the 

 remains of the insects on which it had been feeding : these consisted of dragon-flies 

 (Libellula), of the black and red burying-beetle (Necrophorus), of the small green or 

 grass beetle, but principally of the common dor or clock (Geotrupes stercorarius) : one 

 small brown beetle with a black head, which is to be met with on trees and bushes, 

 was found entire. When shot, the bird was in the act of flying from one tree to ano- 

 ther.— /</. 



Swallows (IJirundo rustica) dug out of Hedge-banks. — There is a farmer named 

 Waters, residing at Catsficld (adjoining parish), who informs me he has frequently 



