BIRDS. 



229 



Simpson at Arbroath, and was in all probability an escape from 

 Restalrig Park, where the late Mr. D. A. Paterson had several 

 crosses in confinement, and may have imported some to his estate 

 at Dalnaglar in Glen Shee. 



The Rev. Mr. M'Connochie mentions, but without difterentiation, 

 that " sometimes a few Wild Swans frequent the lochs to the west " 

 of his area. 



Cygnus bewicki, Yarr. Bewick's Swan. 



Occasional. Not really very rare. 



A flock of sixteen has been counted flying over, and other records 

 reach me from the estuary of the Tay, but no others from any 

 other localities, though I would have expected to hear of some on 

 the Montrose basin. 



The significant fact remains patent to students of old-world 

 migration that the greatest bulk of Bewick's Swans which visit this 

 country in winter select as their quarters our western isles and sea- 

 board in preference to our eastern districts. The student of migra- 

 tion will also note how very generally the rule seems to cqjphj that 

 even land birds of easternmost European and even Asiatic breeding 

 distribution, bulk larger upon our western than upon our eastern sea- 

 board, i,e. between the North of Scotland and the Firth of Forth. 

 We have often directly, or indirectly, stated this to be our opinion. 

 Of course I do not refer here to all the teachings of Gatke's 

 experiences, as these bring in totally different issues, though of 

 similar significance in relationship to the Continent of Europe. 

 Neither do I refer here to the migration which "sets upon" our 

 shores more to the southward, and along the far-stretching low 

 East-Anglian shore. 



Tadorna cornuta (Gmel). Common Sheldrake. 



Fairly abundant. Resident. Breeds. 



It is found along the shores in suitable localities. It has been 

 on the increase since protection was more fully accorded, and more 

 rigidly enforced at Tents Muir ; and since the adoption of the Acts 

 for the preservation of birds was taken in hand by the Count}^ 

 Council of Fife, under the then Secretary for Scotland, the Hon. G. O. 

 Trevelyan (1892-.5), thanks are due to Mr. W. Berry for assistance in 

 drafting the portion of the adaptation of the Acts which related to 



