Birds. 513 



remains until autumn. Does it then migrate to the sea, or further 

 south, for the winter ? 



Common heron, Ardea cinerea. The heronry on the banks of the 

 Findhom adds not a little interest to one of the richest scenes in 

 Scotland. 



" A bird resembling the Egret (Ardea Garzetta) was killed a few 

 years ago at Inch-broom," J. Barclay, Esq. And during a severe 

 winter " a white wader was seen on the Lossie," which, from the de- 

 scription given, might also have been an egret. These, and numerous 

 other such instances that might be quoted, show that much has yet 

 to be observed and collected ere a complete Fauna of the country can 

 be made out, even as regards the better-known tribes or classes. 



Common bittern, A. stellaris. Occasionally met with as stragglers 

 about the Loch of Spynie and other marshes. 



The bones of a bird, allied to but not those of, the common heron, 

 have been found in the cave at Hopeman quarry. 



Curlew, " Whaap," Numenius arquata. Scattered sparingly over 

 the country, both inland and at the sea-shore. 



Redshank, Totanus Calidris. Observed both by Mr. Foljambe and 

 Mr. Martin. 



Common sandpiper, T. Hypoleucos. Mr. Foljambe and Mr. Mar- 

 tin. The latter gentleman has met with it in the breeding-season at 

 the Scaat-craig. 



Greenshank, T. Glottis. Mr. Foljambe. 



Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola. A regular winter visitor. Some 

 pairs breed in the larger woods, as at Darnaway, and at Cawdor. At 

 the latter place a nest was found " on the ground at the foot of a fir- 

 tree, formed of the leaves of the Scots fir, and with four eggs." 



Common snipe, S. Gallinago. 



Jack snipe, S. Gallinula. 



Dunlin, Tringa variabilis. Observed by Mr. Foljambe. 



Water-rail, Rallns aquaticus. Not unfrequent along the sides of 

 lochs and rivers : but from its shy habit seldom seen. 



Corn-crake or " skracke," Crex pratensis. Very common. 



Water-hen, Gallinula chloropus. Very frequent. At the lake at 

 Gordon-castle they are abundant, and nearly as tame as some of the 

 domesticated water-fowl. 



Common coot, Fidica atra. Abundant and resident at the Loch of 

 Spynie. 



Wild goose, Anser ? As this genus contains several species 



that are said to migrate annually to the northern regions, it would be 



