BIRDS. 



293 



Order LIMICOLiE. 

 Family GLAREOLID-ffi. 



Glareola pratincola, L. Common Pratincole. 



One occurrence. 



I received for identification a young bird of the year, which had 

 been shot on the Mill Burn, Rocklands, near Montrose, by Mr. 

 Stormond, Ferry Street, Montrose, on the 4th November 1899. It 

 was stuffed by Mr. D. Towers, identified by Mr. Milne, and sent to 

 me; and I recorded it in Annals Scot. Nat. Hist., January 1900, 

 p. 51. It was first announced to me by Mr. Milne (in. lit., 19th 

 December 1899).i 



Family CHARADRIID-ffi. 



Charadrius pluvialis, L. Golden Plover. 



Common. Resident. Breeds. 



In the old Statistical Account the name " Grey Plover " is often 

 used ; but I do not place much reliance in such notices, and either 

 omit them, or use them where I think desirable with a (?). In the 

 following parishes the entries may be considered reliable and referring 

 to this p-esent species, viz. Moulin, Muthil, Weem, Monzie, and Long- 

 forgan." 



In 1873 it is stated in the Agricultural Survey of Kincardineshire 

 that the Golden Plover was a permanent resident on the moors in vast 

 flocks. If this was correct, there has taken place a vast change in 

 their haunts and habits since, as well as a great genei al decrease in 

 their numbers at all seasons. 



The populations of this species seem to be dependent upon 

 certain conditions, which it is extremely difficult to assign in 

 different localities. Their breeding strength varies even from year 

 to year, or at very short intervals of time. I have often noticed 

 this, and as often wondered what the direct cause could be, but have 

 never satisfied myself about it. Sometimes I thought it was entirely 

 due to changes in the summer seasons ; at others, that it was due to 

 development of certain conditions of the state of the soil and 



1 The only other example recorded from Scotland dates as far back as August 1812, 

 audwas obtained in Unst, Shetland { vide Saxby, and A Vertebrate Fauna of Shetland). 

 The original record by BuUough was given in his Comjmnion to the London Mumim. 

 But there appears to be some indefiniteness about this early record. 



