58 PHYSICAL FEATURES OF SUTHERLAND AND CAITHNESS. 
Personally, we are delighted if we can add our mite. We shall 
feel glad, and imbued with pleasurable excitement should it be 
acknowledged ; but if not, no matter. 
We mention this, principally to point out that, though this 
Fauna may neither be complete now, nor in many years hence, it 
is not because of an utter lack of observation, — the which is 
attributed, by the author now under criticism, to those who are 
interested in such matters north of the Moray Firth, — either at 
this present time — a.d. 1887 — or for many years previously. 
We take notice also of the changes in distribution, because we 
consider this part of our subject as one of the most interesting 
branches of Ornithology — we mean, the increase and extension of 
range of species, the particulars of their minute gradations of 
progression in some cases, and of gigantic strides in others, having 
distinct relations to their bi-annual migrations in spring and 
autumn. 
We conclude this part of the Fauna with an expressed hope 
that the phrase " of accidental occurrence " will be shortly ex- 
punged from all local Faunas ; and that the other word, " over- 
looked," be only used where personal experience has been at fault. 
In this way, authors who profess to record facts, not opinions, may 
avoid in future to a great extent such " a beggarly account of 
empty boxes " as appears in paragraphs which often refer to 
the distribution of species in districts north of the Thames ! 
