PREFACE 



At the outset we desire it to be understood, that \\'hilst 

 undertaking this extensive area, and attempting to treat 

 of its Fauna as a whole, we must crave indulgence for our 

 many omissions and shortcomings, especially from those 

 whose local knowledge must be very greatly in excess of 

 our own. We wish also to take this early opportunity of 

 gratefully acknowledging the frank, kind, and encourag- 

 ing assistance we have received for many years back 

 from that veteran naturalist, Dr. George Gordon,^ as well 

 as of many others who have given us every facility and 

 aid, whose names appear for the most part in the text, 



* Alas ! deceased since the above was penned. Dr. George Gordon died upon 

 the 12th December 1893, his death resulting from an attack of influenza and 

 congestion of the lungs. No later than July of the same year he was active 

 and well when resident at DuflFtown, and accompanied Harvie-Bro^^n and a 

 friend on a visit to the old ruins of Auchindouu Castle in Glen Fiddich. On 

 that occasion he was delighted at the addition of a record to the ornithological 

 notes of the district, viz. :— an albino or yellowish Missel Thrush, seen in tlic 

 small glen close to the Castle (see under species). For a memorial of Dr. Gordon's 

 life and work in Moray we desire to refer our readers to that given by Professor 

 J. VV, H. Trail in The Annn/.^ of ScoUuh Natural History, 1894, No. x. 

 pp. 65-71. 



