162 



BIRDS. 



26th November, while the ground was covered with snow, and he 

 could find no evidence of any chips upon the surface of the snow " 

 (in lit., 16th Dec. 1904). Let us hope, however, that this does not 

 necessarily indicate their final departure, and let us look forward 

 hopefully yet. However, "hope deferred" is all I can record for 

 1905 since the above was written. I visited the place where they 

 had remained so long the previous season, Mr. Milne having pointed 

 it out to me. There had been no word as to their further visita- 

 tion. Even yet there is no cause to despair; but it is earnestly 

 desired that if they do put in a reappearance the Laird of Drum- 

 tochty will issue the most stringent orders for their preservation, as 

 I understand he did before while they were in evidence.^ 



Millais mentions that he has a specimen killed near Leuchars in 

 Fife, in October 1882, and I have records of its occurrence in north- 

 east Fife from Mr. Berwick. 



[Picus minor, L. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. 



Of doubtful occurrence. 



One is stated to have been seen at Sachob, near Methven, and to be now 

 in possession of Mr. John Pullar, bird-stuffer, there (v. Strathearn Journal, 

 24th October 1903). 



Another was recorded as having been got at Craigo, Kincardineshire, by 

 Dr. Howden {Annals Scot. Nat. Hist, 1899, p. 153), but the editors expressed 

 considerable doubt in brackets as to the identification, and to date I have 

 no further verification of it. 



In 1904 Dr. F. T. Dewar marked it in his careful list " Eare or doubtful 

 visitor." 



I have failed to obtain any further communication from Mr. Pullar, so 

 pending verifications I must exercise square brackets.] 



Gecinus viridis (L.). Green Woodpecker. 



Status remains a little uncertain, but the following accounts are given : — 

 Mr. Marshall, of Stanle}^, related to Col. Drummond Hay that he 

 saw and watched two Green Woodpeckers at quite close quarters for 

 some time (in lit. to Col. Drummond Hay). 

 Dr. Dewar simply enters it as "Eare." 



There is one in the Perth Museum which was obtained by Mr. D. 

 Dewar in May 1892. Mr. Dewar, in a letter to Mr. W. Evans regard- 

 ing this specimen, refers to a visit he had received shortly before from 



^ Just at date of first proof of this sheet, I hear that it is credited that the Great 

 Spotted Woodpecker nests in Central Perthshire, but my information is too fragmentary 

 to date (10th May 1906) to warrant my saying more in this place. 



