NOTES AND QUERIES. 229 



remains of Eeindeer being found at Bedford, associated with flint 

 implements, Eed Deer, and Hippopotamus. In the collection of Mr. 

 Worthington G. Smith there are at least parts of five antlers, all 

 from Kempston, and several in my own possession from the same 

 locality. 



Eoebuck (Capreolus caprea). — It is owing to the indefatigable 

 researches of Mr. Worthington G. Smith, F.L.S., that I am enabled 

 to include the Eoebuck as evidently at one time plentiful in the 

 county. Amongst the refuse accumulations of the Bronze Age 

 dwellings discovered by him at "Maiden Bower," and on the hut 

 floor bottoms some 3 ft. to 4 ft. deep at Blow's Down, Dunstable, 

 were found remains of this Deer. Two almost perfect and fully 

 developed antlers, one from each locality, being presented by him to 

 me. Further remains of this species were also found by the same 

 authority in the chalk cutting north of Dunstable. These latter 

 being in association with Eoman remains, it brings forward the 

 occurrence of this Deer in the county to a still more recent period. — 

 J. Steele Elliott. 



AVES. 



Observations on Bird Life in Aberdeenshire. — Some peculiar 

 conditions prevailing brought forward here a closer association in 

 various birds with winter and spring than I ever saw before. 

 Migrants in ordinary seemed to leave comparatively early, considering 

 the weather. The Sky-Lark made a continuous effort at singing 

 through the winter ; on January 15th I satisfied myself that it was 

 the abundance of worms available for food which made this bird 

 sing. Another phenomenon was the continuance of a male Pied 

 Wagtail all winter. Whether he had been here in summer or landed 

 in the fall I know not. He was a good specimen, and might have 

 chosen to stay on through superior physique or otherwise, or may 

 have landed from some summer resort further north or so. He 

 appeared at times near houses on turnip fields. He seemed alone at 

 the plough on March 11th ; by March 16th there were plenty along this 

 route; he was rather shy. The Lapwing was heard on December 29th. 

 None just here until February 16th, so far as I knew. A Eedshank 

 appeared on November 4th and 5th ; might have stayed, but Lap- 

 wings fought it. Appeared very tame on March 9th, evidently before 

 storm. Golden Plover whistling in Alford, N.B., on November 17th. 

 At work here on February 16th. The Curlew last noticed on 

 September 22nd ; flock at Breda, Alford, on March 9th. Here, six 

 miles further inland, on 11th. Flocks here later, and continue this 



