448 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



several interesting points, and, in conclusion, direct attention 

 to the very narrow escape this bird has had from complete 

 oblivion. Utterly ignored by those of our forefathers who gave 

 their time to ornithology, it appears to have been known only 

 to those keen outdoor observers, the marsh-men and carr-men 

 of half a century back. Their observations fortunately fell 

 upon the discriminating ears of Strickland, but not until the 

 bird had vanished from its native haunts. 



How near these valuable observations of Strickland have 

 been to complete oblivion, I have shown in the preceding pages. 

 The appearance in Scotland of this solitary specimen of the long- 

 lost bird, and its passing into my hands, are incidents almost 

 sensational, if the full details were made known. 



