Botany. 201 
upon dissection, contained a large herring sprat, recently swallowed, as appeared 
from the slight decomposition that had taken place. P. J. S. 
Woodcock breeding in Scotland Within late years it has been remarked that 
woodcocks remain and breed more frequently in Scotland, and in greater num- 
bers than they used to do. We are informed by a gentleman who rents a shoot- 
ing district in the north-west of Aberdeenshire, that this season there are seve- 
ral pairs breeding upon the property, though they were not known to do so a 
few years ago, and the same is the case in other districts, as in Strathmore, &c. 
What reason is to be assigned for this change in their habits ? is it to be attri- 
buted to a change in our seasons, or are we to look for it in the great increase 
of woods or plantations so general over all the island, affording these birds ad- 
ditional and secure retreats, as well as an abundant and constant supply of food. 
P. J. S. 
Ammoccetes branchialis and Gasterosteus semiarmatus. Dr R. Parnell has 
taken specimens of both these fish in the Tweed near Berwick : the most 
northern habitat for them in Britain, which has been ascertained. G. J. 
Raniceps trifurcatus. I picked up a specimen on the sands near Tynemouth, 
Northumberland, where it had been left by the tide. The fish was still alive, 
though, judging by the distance the sea had ebbed, it must have been out of its 
element for two hours Albany Hancock, May 26, 1836 G. J. 
Neritina fluviatilis, Paludina achatina, vivipara, and impura, have lately 
been found in considerable numbers on the shores of the Forth, at St Davids in 
Fifeshire. As far as I am aware they have not hitherto been found in Scot- 
land, and their occurrence in such a suspicious locality renders it probable that 
they were conveyed there in ballast, from which source the flora of the same 
neighbourhood has been enriched with several plants not indigenous to Britain. 
E. Forbes. 
Helix Scarburgensis This, the prettiest of all our native Helices, is found in 
one or two spots in the dean at Twizel-house, Northumberland. I have also 
found it, though very seldom, in Berwickshire. G. J. 
BOTANICAL INFORMATION. 
Algce Britannica. Sir W. J. Hooker is preparing a " Manual of the British 
Marine Alga," and will be thankful to receive specimens of new or rare spe- 
cies from any part of our coasts, as well as information respecting unpublished 
localities of the scarce kinds. The descriptions will be written entirely in En- 
glish, and all unnecessary technical terms will be avoided. Comp. to Bot. Mag. 
for June 1836. 
Erica Mackaiana, Babington Many-branched cross-leaved heath. " Leaves 
four in a whorl, ovate, ciliated, smooth ; flowers capitate, pedicelled ; sepals 
ovate, ciliated ; smooth ; pedicels villous and downy ; corolla oblongo-ovate ; 
anthers awned, included; style exserted." Bab. MSS. 
On the declivity of a hill by the road side within three miles of Roundstone, 
Cunnamara, Mr W. M'Calla. Fl. July, Aug. Specimens of this presumed new 
