514 Birds. 



impossible to say, without an examination of fresh specimens, which 

 of them in their passage visit this part of the country. In the spring 

 of every year (in April and May) flocks of from twenty to fifty are seen 

 at short intervals for weeks, flying almost invariably (over the neigh- 

 bourhood of Elgin) in a north-westerly direction, probably to their 

 breeding-places in the northern shores of America. Instinct will tell 

 them of a coming storm in the Northern Ocean, and make them halt 

 for a little until it pass over. Hence an observation long ago made 

 in this part of Scotland, that if the geese fly to the hill, the weather 

 " it will spill," that is, get foul; but if they take to the sea, "fine wea- 

 ther it will be." It is to be hoped, that through the pages of ' The 

 Zoologist,' will be communicated such observations as are made in 

 different parts of the island relative to the appearance, numbers, &e. 

 of these birds in their migrations northwards : for, at least in Moray, 

 they are but rarely seen on their way south in autumn. These obser- 

 vations would show if, as is suspected, they have a beaten track which 

 they regularly pursue, bounded by narrow limits. Or, on the other 

 hand, these observations would tell their vast numbers, if they are 

 seen spread over the breadth of Britain in their migration in the same 

 proportion as in this district. 



Swan, Cy gnus ferns. A few are occasionally seen to visit the Loch 

 of Spynie in severe winters. 



Sheildrake, Tadorna Belloni. " Met with on the river Findhorn, 

 where it breeds," Mr. Gordon, gun-smith, Elgin, who has some spe- 

 cimens from this locality. 



Pintail, Anas acuta. Occasionally seen in the winter months about 

 the Loch of Spynie. 



Wild duck, A. Boschas, 



Teal, A. Crecca. Both of these are common and resident. 



Widgeon, Mareca Penelope. Occasionally met with on the rivers 

 and lochs. 



Velvet scoter, Oidemia fusca. 



Black scoter, O. nigra. After a severe northern storm a specimen 

 of each of these birds was found on the sea- shore near lnnes-house, 

 by Mr. Martin. 



Scaup, Fuligula Marila. Killed at a loch near Cawdor, in Octo- 

 ber, 1834. 



Golden eye, " Garrot," Clangula chrysophthalmos. Mr. Foljambe. 



Red-breasted merganser, Mergus Serrator. Two were killed a few 

 years ago in the loch of Spynie. 



Smew, M. albellus. " A specimen of this rare species was shot at 





