Transactions

OF THE

BANFFSHIRE FIELD CLUB.

THE STRATHMARTINE BanffshireTRUST Field Club

The support of The Strathmartine Trust toward this publication is gratefully acknowledged.

www.banffshirefieldclub.org.uk 58 operations during the War, and may con- gratulate itself on having produced an amount of work that will compare favourably with the average of former years. The report was adopted. Dr Mahood then delivered his retiring ad- dress— BIRDS OF BANFFSHIRE AND SPEYSIDE WITH NOTES ON THE NORTH-EAST FLY-LINE. Most of the places mentioned may he found on Bartholomew's Quarter Inch Map of Scot- land, Sheet 3 ( arid the Grampians), or on the Half Inch Maps, Sheets 21 and 22. I made my first acquaintance with Banff- shire birds, while a school boy in Ireland, by reading the "Life of a Scottish Naturalist." I did not then anticipate that I should have the honour of presiding over the Banffshire Field Club, or have an opportunity of study- ing the local bird life. It is well known that men, closely tied to routine and wholly absorbed in work, lose the power of adapting themselves to the changed conditions of life which are entailed by ill- ness or retirement. The early cultivation of a hobby would do much to prevent this loss. The more strenuous a man's work, the greater the need of the relaxation afforded by a hobby: and the more useful does it become when leisure is attained. The study of bird-life is fascinating and never-ending. We can indulge in it at the fireside by reading books on birds, or observe their form, colour and many of their habits from our windows; or we can tramp miles along the shore, explore woods or climb moun- tains in pursuit of further knowledge and pleasure. It is only the beginning which deters many from enjoying this realm of Nature. Some start with large ideas, buy more books than they have time to read, and proceed but a short way. Others hesitate to try, because they cannot get books; forgetful of the Book of Nature which is within reach of most people. An eager student will rapidly gain a good working knowledge of birds if he cultivates his powers of observation, and forms the habit of writing notes directlv lie finds anything useful for his object. If the place and date are entered at the head of every record a carefully "kept notebook will Banffshirecontain information not obtainabl Fielde in printe dClub 59

books. A pair of good field glasses are more useful than a gun for studying bird-life as distinguished from collecting specimens. Birds! birds! ye are beautiful things, With your earth-treading feet and your cloud- clearing wings! Ye have nests on the mountains all rugged and stark, Te have nests in the forest all tangled and dark; Ye build and ye brood 'neath the cottager's eaves, And ye sleep on the sod 'mid the bonnie green leaves. Ye hide in the heather, ye lurk in the brake, Ye dive in the sweet flags that shadow the lake; Ye skim where the stream parts the orchard- decked land, Ye dance where the foam sweeps the desolate strand. Beautiful birds! ye come thickly around When the bud's on the branch and the snow's on the ground: Ye come when the richest of roses flush out, .And ye come when the yellow leaf eddies about! Birds. Cook. WORKERS OF THE PAST. In our Transactions for the 6th Nov. 1902 an interesting paper by Mr Harvie-Brown, on "The Vertibrate Fauna of Moray in the Future." described how the local study of birds should be conducted, and suggests a con- tinuation by the Society of similar work on the lines of his Deveron-Valley and its Bird- Life. 1897. I found quite a number of enthusiastic bird-lovers who kindly placed their stores of knowledge at my disposal; and working on the lines suggested by Mr Harvie-Browne. I have incorporated their notes with the results of my own observations on the birds of the district. Abstracts from some of the earlier Banffshirewritings on the subject havFielde been included toClub make the historical portion more complete. Among the workers, of the past mention should be made of the Rev. James Smith,* * Sometimes printed as the Rev. A[lexander] Smith in "Vertebrate Fauna of the Moray Basin." and in "The Deveron Valley and its Bird Life." 60

M.A., Sector of Banff Academy, who wrote a description of the local Zoology in 1836 for the New Statistical Account of Banff. Various articles by him were published in the Zoologist, 1847 to 1851, for which some material seems to have been obtained by Thomas Edward, who had settled in Banff in 1834. The latter began his natural history collection in 1838, and published a "List of the Birds of Banffshire " in the Zoologist in 1856, 1859 and 1860, also notices in the same Journal up to 1884, the Ibis, the Naturalist, and the Banffshire Journal. Many members of this Club remember their former Vice-President, and his ardent devotion to birds and beasties. The earlier edi- tions of Smiles' Life of a Scottish Naturalist contain a useful appendix with Edward's list of birds in abstract. The Rev. Dr Gordon, of Birnie, was one of the pioneers in the Natural History of Moray- shire. The best edition of his book was pub- lished in 1844. Interesting books on the Sport and Natural History of Morayshire and the Highlands were written by Hy. St John prior to 1854. The most important book, for those interested in the local fauna, is The Verte- brate Fauna of the Moray Basin, by J. A. Harvie-Brown and T. E. Buckley, 2 Vols., 1895. The Bill Birds of , by Seton Gordon (1915), contains an interesting description of the haunts and habits of the chief birds found amid the Cairngorm mountains. It is a valuable contribution to the study of the local birds. In many respects the best one volume book for the study of British birds is H. Saunders' Illustrated Manual of British Birds. Hudson's British Birds is the most useful of the smaller descriptive books; and Kirkman's British Birds (Jack's "People's Books") is a reliable pocket guide to the common birds of this country. Other books containing special fea- tures of interest are given in the Biblio- graphy. Limits and Features of the District. The distance which can be comfortably Banffshirecovered by motor trips froFieldm Banff include Clubs most of the watershed of the Deveron and Dart of that of the Spey; and extends from and on the east to Elgin and Loch Spynie on the west. Hence the records for this paper have been obtained from portions of two faunal areas: the Northern part of the "Dee" area and the Eastern part of the Moray Basin area. 61 The physical features of the district vary greatly: from tidal rocks and sandy shores, grassy braes and rocky cliffs, through highly cultivated lowlands to extensive heath- covered moors and great mountain masses which culminate in Ben Macdhui (4296 feet). Many points of interest have arisen during the revision of the List of Local Birds, but the following remarks chiefly refer to some aspects of Bird Migration as seen in the North-Bast of Scotland* I am indebted, for several particulars, to a most interesting book by Dr W. Eagle Clarke: Studies in Bird Migration. MIGRATION. Various views on migration have been held in succeeding ages; yet the oldest writers had a clearer insight than those of later centuries. In Job the question is asked "Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?" The Greek poet Anacreon (560-478 B.C.), who, gives Egypt as one of the Swallow's winter retreats, thus describes its return: Once in each revolving year, Gentle bird! we find thee here; When nature wears her summer vest, Thou com'st to weave thy simple nest; But when the chilling winter lowers, Again thou seek'st the genial bowers Of Memphis, or the shores of Nile, Where sunny hours for ever smile. Carmen 33. Trans, by Moore. The author of the Iliad knew of the migrat- ing habit in birds, as he compares the mass movement of the Trojans to the migration- flight of Cranes: So when the inclement winters vex the plain With piercing frosts, or thick descending rain, To warmer seas the Cranes embodied fly. With noise and order through the midway sky. Iliad Bk. iii. Pope's Trans. There is a great contrast between the above Banffshirebeautiful pieces of natur e Fieldstudy and wha t Club was written in 1555 by Olaus Magnus, Arch- "bishop of Ùpsala— "Although memorable writers on many sub- jects of natural history have related that

* The complete List will be issued as a Supplement to this year' Transactions. 62

Swallows change their abode, that is, seek warmer countries on being greatly pressed by winter, yet in Northern waters, by the chance of a fisherman, Swallows are often drawn out in a kind of rolled-up lump, which, when about to descend into the reeds after the beginning of autumn, have bound themselves together—mouth to mouth, wing to wing, foot to foot. . . ." The celebrated naturalists Linnaeus (1707- 1778) and Cuvier (1769-1832) were led astray by this fable; but John Hunter (1728-1793), the great surgeon and anatomist, disproved it by actual experiment. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), who so well re- flects the spirit of his time, is reported to have said that "Swallows certainly sleep all the winter. A number of them conglobulate together, by flying round and round, and then all in a heap throw themselves under water, and lie in the bed of a river." This idea pre- vailed among residents on the banks of the Thames until the middle of the nineteenth century or even later. Edward Jesse, Sur- veyor of Her Majesty's Parks and Palaces, stated, as a possible explanation of its origin, that "They see swallows settling and roosting by thousands on the willows growing on the aytes [islets] of the river, which are bent down to the edge of the water by their weight, and the next day not one is to be seen." (Gleanings in Natural History. 5th Ed., 1843, pn. 191-2.) The Greek naturalist Aristotle (384-322 H.C.) started the theory of "hibernation," or hiding in holes, although he also gave a. true account of migration. Willoughby in 1678 thought it "more probable that they [Swallows] fly away into hot coun- tries." Gilbert White (1720-1793) fell under the spell of the hibernation theory through the influence of his corresnondence with the Hon. Daines Barrington. who wrote an essay on the subject to the Royal Society in 1772. Reason for Migration. BanffshireThe poet Crabbe describe Fieldd the reason foClubr migration thus: Birds that migrate from a freezing shore, In search of milder climes come skimming o'er; Instinctive tribes! their failing food they dread. And beg. with timely change, their future bread. 63 This applies aptly to the southward flight of birds in autumn, but their spring journey is undertaken in response to the desire to reach breeding grounds, where climate and food are suitable. Dr Eagle Clarke suggests that "the southern and tropical regions are not suited for a nursery for the young of the hardy northern species, and if they attempted to nest there the result would be disastrous— their race would become extinct." The attachment of birds to their native land, and even to a particular field or wood, is a most striking characteristic, and was noticed by Montgomery- Why homeward turned thy joyful wing? In a far-off land I heard the voice of Spring; I found myself that moment on the way, My wings, my wings, they had not power to stay. Gàtke and others have confirmed Tem- minck's statement that the young and the old journey apart and most generally by different routes. The young usually precede their parents by some days, and the sense of sight is insufficient to guide them when they travel by night, or in a single flight traverse oceans or continents. Inherited but unconscious experience may be a factor in originating the migratory im- pulse: "but every aspect of the question is fraught with difficulty, and we must leave to time the discovery of this mystery of mysteries." (Newton). Browning's lines supply one explanation— I see my way as birds their trackless way He guides me and the bird. In his good time. Paracelsus. Pt. 1. ROUTES. Definite routes are followed by migratory birds, and some of the trunk-routes are well known. Marked with red ink on a blank map these routes are found to be full of interest, and mention may here be made of a few. The first is followed by migrants returning Banffshirefrom the west coast of AfricaField; they pass bCluby Cadiz, Lisbon, and Oporto, turn round the N.W. corner of Spain, and then along the west coast of France to Ushant. There the 6tream of migrants divides. One branch crosses to Land's End in Cornwall and sub- divides into three parts, one for the west coast, of Ireland, one for the east coast, and one for the Welsh coast and west of Scot- 64 land. The Atlantic coast of Ireland may be taken direct from France. The western routes coalesce more or less about the N.W. of Scot- land, and certain of the birds proceed, via the Faroe Islands, to Iceland and Greenland, others pass by the Islands to Nor- way and beyond. From near Ushant important contingents cross to Cornwall and to the Eddystone light- house, and then eastward along the south of England to Kent, where they are joined by others from the Rhine-valley. There is a well- known cross-channel route into Hampshire be- tween Poole and Southampton, and one from Calais to Dover. Some of the channel birds continue eastwards along the coast of Bel- gium and Holland to the shore of the Baltic Sea, and thence to the White Sea and Nova Zembla or Siberia. The Rhine-valley migrants are derived from three streams which cross from Northern Africa to Marseilles, by the east coast of Spain, by Sardinia and Corsica, or by Sicily and the west coast of Italy. From Marseilles the birds ascend the Rhone to Lyons and thence pass to the Rhine. Some cross to England, others pass to Scandinavia or Siberia. , Vast numbers of migrants traverse Kent and the eastern counties into Yorkshire; and about 40 miles north of the mouth of the Humber the first branch-line for Norway diverges. The main stream continues across the Tweel to follow the east coast of Scotland: branches being given off at various points, including an important one at Kinnaird's Head. Some of the birds which follow the East Coast pass to Iceland, but the majority travel to the North-East for Norway, Spitz- bergen, and Siberia. Migrants from Egypt and the Red Sea reach Siberia via Constantinople and the great rivers of Russia. An important route lies along the Caspian Sea and the Ural and Obi Rivers. Many of the migrants which winter in India have an arduous journey on their return to their breeding grounds in Siberia. BanffshireEven such small birds as somFielde of the Warb -Club lers cross the Himalayas, and a desert over a hundred miles wide and more than 15.000 feet above sea level, some of the passes being still higher. There are also fly-lines by China and Japan to Eastern Siberia. Most of the birds which breed in the south temperate and Antarctic regions migrate southwards to avoid the southern winter. On 65

the other hand, Wilson's Petrel and the Great Shearwater sometimes approach almost to the Arctic Circle. In the New World migration is also a marked feature of bird life. CLASSIFICATION OF MIGRATORY BIRDS. Migratory birds found in the British Isles are divided into groups: Summer Visitors, which arrive in spring, breed and remain for the summer or part of it; Winter Visitors, which arrive in autumn and remain for the winter; and Birds of Passage. Some of the last rest in this district for a few days in spring and autumn, while passing to or from their breeding grounds in Scandinavia, Siberia, or elsewhere; and are usually the latest to arrive in spring and the last to leave in autumn. They include the White Wagtail, Little Stint, Temminck's Stint, Ruff, and Curlew-Sandpiper. Partial migrants, including Missel Thrushes, Song Thrushes, Red Breasts, Gold Crests, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Corn Buntings, Yellow Buntings. Skylarks, Pied Wagtails, Starlings, Lapwings, and others, are the earliest to leave in autumn and the first to return in spring. Many of the native-bred birds of these and of some other so-called resident species, on the approach of winter, leave their homeland for a more southern clime. Others only move to more genial quarters in the vicinity during severe frosts. Their place may be taken by immigrants in winter. Only resident observers can obtain the information required by ornithologists to map out the routes and formulate the laws which govern the movements of the partial migrants. Many helpers are required. Local migrations, after nesting time, have been observed in various parts of the dis- trict, and are connected with the food supply. Most of the Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Chaffinches leave the vicinity of Duff House about July, some return later. Mr Stuart has noticed that this occurs also at Forglen. Seton Gordon says that Woodcock go to the hills when the blackberries are ripe. Harvie- Brown observed that Missel Thrushes had Banffshiregone from the birch grove Fields to feed on the Club abnormally early mountain berries in 1893; and Mr Hinxman found the Song Thrush as high as 3700 feet above the sea in the end ot June that year. , ., Exceptional Migration differs much from the periodical forms mentioned above; and some of its features are indicated by the following 66

examples: "No one can say in what part of the country or at what season of the year he may fall in with a company of the common Crossbill." (Newton.) A great band of Nut- crackers . pervaded Western and Central Europe in the autumn of 1844. Inroads of Waxwings have been noticed for more than 300 years, and were regarded as forerunners of calamity. Years have passed without any being seen in Central. Western or Southern Europe, and then, perhaps for two or three seasons in succession, vast flocks have ap- peared. They are also inconstant in their summer quarters. Edward recorded that large flocks of Waxwings appeared in Banff- shire in some seasons, and then for years few or none were seen. Large flocks arrived in Moray in January 1869. "An invasion" of Scotland occurred in 1893, when one .was found dead on Pennan beach, and another in a birch wood close to Ardwell in Upper Cab- rach. One was shot at the "Orchard," Duff House, about 1896; and one in the possession of Mr John Yeats was shot in Rothiemay parish. 1906. Mr Muirhead observed a small flock for some days by Fochabers Burn in November-December 1913. Other local records are included in my list. One of the most extraordinary events in local ornithology was the irruption into Europe in 1863 and 1888 of Pallas's Sand Grouse from Central Asia. Some then came to this district and bred, but none have been seen here since. A White's Thrush, killed in in 1913. is the second record for Scotland. RINGING RECORDS. A valuable enquiry concerning migration of birds has been started at Aberdeen University by Mr A. L. Thomson: and interim reports have been published in The Scottish Naturalist of 1912. 1913, and 1916. Amongst other results which have been obtained, the following are of interest here—Of Song Thrushes bred and ringed in Aberdeenshire, one was shot, in the following November, in Portugal; one was killed at Eddystone ; one at St BanffshireCatherine's Lighthouse. IslFielde of Wight; anClubd one was taken in Sussex. A Blackbird arrived in Co. Durham. A Starling found its way above the Arctic Circle in Norway. A hand- reared Wild Duck was later found nesting in Denmark. Herring Gulls, ringed in Aberdeen- shire. were later retaken, as follows—2 each in Fifeshire, Co. Durham, Yorkshire, Lincoln- 67 shire and Norfolk; 1 each near Manchester, in Monmouthshire, Heligoland, Thuringia, and on the east coast of Jutland. A Black- headed Gull wandered to Co. Down, and an- other to France, 18 miles from Bordeaux. Lap- wings have been recovered in Tipperary, Roscommon, Queen's County, and Portugal (two). An Oyster Catcher went to Co. Mayo and another to Co. Cork. A young Woodcock migrated from Kincardineshire to Spain. A brood of 5 Widgeon were marked in June 1909 in Sutherlandshire; one was caught in Holland, 3rd September 1909, and one in Not- tinghamshire about 2nd January 1911. HELIGOLAND AND BANFFSHIRE. Gatke, the great authority on the bird- migration of Heligoland, states that, from 10 p.m. of 28th October 1882, to the next morn- ing, Goldcrests, eddied thick as flakes in a heavy snowfall round the lighthouse, and on the morrow swarmed on every square foot of the island. A year later Larks in myriads thronged the beams of the lantern for four nights, with Starlings in hardly less numbers. Usually hosts of Larks, Lapwings, Starlings, Sandpipers, Fieldfares, Curlews, Goldcrests, and Golden Plovers. Oyster Catchers, and Owls are found during the migrating season. (Newton's Dict, of Birds.) Banffshire is not so favourably situated for observing mass movements, but much interest- ing information will be obtained here, if at- tention be paid to the migration of birds; as the county is well within the limits of the great North-East- fly-line of migratory birds. Harvie-Brown states that there is a highway for migrants past Dalwhinnie. The northern parts of Aberdeenshire are specially suited for such observations. BREEDERS OF THE NORTH. Five-sixths of the birds known to breed north of latitude 70 degs. are on the British list, and amongst others the following species occur hero during part of the year, some Banffshirebreeding locally: Redwing , FieldFieldfare, Bramb -Club ling, Reed-Bunting, Yellow Bunting, Snow- Bunting. Tree-Pipit, Meadow-Pipit, Wheatear, Willow-Warbler, Sedge-Warbler, Meally Red- poll, Shore-Lark, White Wagtail. Snowy Owl, Short-eared Owl, Hobby, Merlin, Goshawk, Sparrow-Hawk, Peregrine, Hen-Harrier, Rough- legged Buzzard, Pintail Duck, Long-tailed Duck, Tufted Duck, Golden Eye, Velvet Scoter, Black Scoter, Teal, Ruff, Golden 68 Plover, Grev Plover, Ringed Plover, Curlew- Sandpiper. Wood-Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin. Dotterel, Great Snipe, Bar-tailed Godwit. Greenshank, Little Stint, Temminck's Stint, Red-necked Phalarope, Grey Phalarope, Sanderling, Whimbrel, Arctic Tern, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Glaucous Gull, Ivory Gull, Oyster-catcher, Buffon's Skua, Richardson's Skua, Great Northern Diver. SOME MIGRATORY BIRDS OF THE NORTH-EAST. . . . . while Fieldfare flocks From distant lands alight, and. chirping, fly From hedge to hedge, 'fearful of man's approach. Birds of Scotland, GRAHAME. Two species of the Thrush family are winter visitors here: the Redwing and the Field- fare. I saw a small flock of Redwings in the Duff House grounds on the 22nd November 1915 and also in 1916, but not until the 9th February 1918 [first seen there on the 7th February 1919]. They leave about the third week in March. Usually flocks of a dozen to a hundred or more occur in most parts of the area, but none near Tomintoul. The Rev. Mr Calder reports that only once in the past 30 years had they visited Glenlivet. and then for a few days there was a multitude. Very few Redwings were seen in Banffshire during the winters of 1917-18 and 1918-19. Many were killed bv late frosts in March 1917. I heard a flock of Redwings twittering in some trees near Duff House, but they sing lustilv in their northern breeding haunts. Jefferies in "Wild Life in a Southern County" describes how in Surrey he heard a Redwing "singing sweet and very loud, far louder than the old familiar thrush. The note rang out clear and high, and somehow sounded strangely unfamiliar among English meadows and English oaks." On looking around he found three or four pairs of Red- wings evidently bent on breeding. He after- wards found a nest, and saw the young Banffshiremature and fly. "It is Fieldinstances like this, Club" he says, "that make one hesitate to dogmatize too much as to the why and wherefore of bird-ways. Yet it is just the speculation as to that why and wherefore which increases the pleasure of observing birds." Saunders states that "though individuals are said to have lingered occasionally through the summer, there is no proof that 69

the Redwing has ever bred in any part of our islands." Fieldfares, when plentiful, inay be seen dur- ing winter in flocks of many hundreds in the fields near Banff, and in larger or smaller numbers throughout the district. They are generally plentiful in winter about Tomintoul, where they are called "Rodden-birds" (Rowan- birds), Mr D. Cameron sent me the following interesting note concerning this species:— "A small colony of Fieldfares nested in a wood in Tomintoul district about 12 to 14 years ago [c. 1904], I was making a collection of eggs at the time—which I had the mis- fortune to' get destroyed about 6 years ago— and took 4 eggs from one of the nests. There were 15 nests altogether, from 4 to 6 feet above the ground, quite close to each other, and all built on small birch trees. Mr M'Andrew, since dead, who spent a large part of his time each season in Norway at the salmon fishing, named the four eggs at once- as Fieldfare's when he saw them; and ac- companied me to the place where the nests were the young birds were flown by then as it was about the middle of September), and was quite elated at the sight of them. I recollect his expression on that occasion per- fectly: 'I have often heard people say that they had seen these birds [breeding] in Bri- tain, but this is really the first authentic proof I have ever had òf their laying in these parts.' " The fact that the birds were breeding in a colony agrees with the nesting habits of the Fieldfare; but further information is required ere a- record of the breeding of this species in the British Isles will bo accepted by ornithologists. Saunders says that there is no proof that it has ever nested in this country. It is unfortunate that the eggs in this case were lost. On 10th June 1915 a female [Fieldfare] was shot at Cairnsmore (Kirkcudbrightshire), which contained three eggs, one with the shell forming and due to be laid in about four days. (Scot. Nat., 1916, Banffshirep. 185,) Field Club The Ring-Ouzel, another species of the Thrush family, is also migratory; but, unlike the last two, it is a summer visitor, and breeds abundantly in the lower hills. A note of caution is required concerning the Wheatear as its local names "Fallow- chat," "Stone-cht," and "Chackert" may cause confusion. Stone-chat is the recognised 70 English name of quite a different bird, Pratincolai rubicola. The Wheatear is one of the earliest spring migrants, and occurs in considerable numbers in suitable places. It nests from the coast to well above 3000 feet. The Whinchat is a summer visitor, and the Stonechat is a partial migrant, i.e., some leave in autumn. A decrease has been noted for both these species in parts of the dis- trict. Redstarts (Ruticilla phoenicurus) are more common than is generally thought, being very shy; they vary greatly in numbers in suc- cessive years, and their distribution should be recorded. The Black Redstart is so rare that Harvie- Brown obtained no positive record, and bracketed this species as uncertain for the district. Mr Muirhead has a specimen which was shot by his son near Fochabers, 30th October 1903. Ingram, of Dufftown, reports that one was observed near Newton Bridge about 1893. These records confirm Tom Ed- ward, who was "only aware of two seen in the county." I have obtained additional records for the Whitethroat, but none for the Lesser White- throat. The latter was once obtained at Fyvie, thus showing the possibility of Edward's record of a Lesser Whitethroat being correct It has been seen on passage at all the Scot- tish Island stations, but has very seldom been detected on passage on the mainland of Scot- land (Eagle Clarke, Studies in Bird Migration, ii. p. 291). The local history of the Blackcap is one of ups and downs. James Smith never saw or heard any around Banff till about 1835, but by 1850 Blackcaps were by no means uncommon. This record is confirmed by the author of "A Summer Excursion," in 1813. Edward in 1880 wrote of them as formerly in numbers, but then only seen at rare intervals. The recent records which I have obtained show that they are rare or very rare; and most of my correspondents have not seen any in the area. Their nests have been recently obtained at Macduff and Dufftown. BanffshireGoldcrests are much mor Fielde common than Clubis generally thought, hut patience is required to find them, as they keep to the tops of tall fir trees. They can be seen in some of the woods close to Banff. Sim says that along the coast of Dee," Goldcrests are in some seasons seen flying in almost continuous flight tor many hours together. On such occasions, when the wind blows strongly from the north- 71

east, many are driven from their course and are often found in the streets and by-lanes of Aberdeen in numbers. At other times, when the wind is adverse, they are compelled to rest on passing vessels and open boats . . Mr Cattanach has seen small flocks after ar- rival along the line to Ladysbridge; one was killed by a cat in a garden in Cullen; flocks arrive near Peterhead In autumn. Further information regarding the move- ments of the Chiffchaff are required. So rare is this migratory bird in the "North- East" that Sim said corroboration of its re- ported presence in -the "Dee area" was neces- sary. Ingram has obtained its nest in the Duff- town district, where it is a summer visitor in small numbers. Hinxman heard its song in Strathavon in 1891, and Edward got one in the Duff House policies. The Wood-wren or Wood-warbler is still very rare, as it was in Edward's time. Mr Menzies has sent me an interesting record that "a few breed every year since 1895" in Lower Strath- spey. This follows up Harvie-Brown's record of a sudden and great increase at Aviemore in 1895. Miss Gowan, who was familiar with this bird in the South, saw and heard one sing at Cullen on 17th May 1918. Grasshopper Warbler. I have been fortunate in obtaining two Banffshire records of the Grasshopper Warbler. Mr Muirhead, one season, about 1904, often heard the peculiar note of this bird at the side of the Spey not far from Fochabers. Miss Gowan heard one in the Bin Wood, Cullen, on 27th June 1896. Both these observers were familiar with the birds elsewhere. Mr Mackessack recorded it as nesting near Elgin in 1896 and 1897. It has been twico found in the "Dee" area. Saunders says it is tolerably, generally distributed in suitable localities throughout England and Wales. In Scotland it occurs in gradually diminishing numbers as far as Arisaig and the Isle of Skye. Attention may be drawn to the fact that the Marsh Tit is now said to be absent from Scotland, and that the Scottish records of Banffshirethis bird have been transferreFieldd to a neClubw sub-species, the Willow Tit. . Kirkman says that the latter is distinguished from the Marsh-tit by the lack of gloss on the black of the head and neck, and by the rounded end of the tail, when partly closed, that of the Marsh-tit being straight or nearly so. Local records should be accompanied by a descrip- tion of the bird seen, 72 Investigation of the local habits of the- Great Tit may help to define the limits of the winter migration of the Continental form, which in 1914-15 wintered for the first time on record in Shetland (Scof. Nat. 1916, p. 158 and p. 180). A Bearded Titmouse was killed at Rothie- norman in 1865, some distance to the east of our area. The following note refers to local extension rather than to migration. The Crested Tit may truly be said to belong to this part of the British Isles, as the Speyside pine forests, where it is resident, were for long its only home in these islands, although it occasion- ally visits England. The authors of the Fauna of the Moray Basin obtained notes of the Crested Tit spreading. It is now recorded as "fairly numerous" to "resident in small numbers" lower down the Spey than formerly, very rare about Rothes, and as a straggler at Keith, Cullen, and Banff.

Wagtails. The Wagtail group will repay attention, as there is still much to be learned concerning the habits of the different species. Pied Wag- tails are fairly common about Banff in sum- mer, and a few are seen during the winter. They should be carefully distinguished from the White Wagtails, which occur in various parts of the district, as shown in an article which I wrote for The Scottish Naturalist (1918). The following extract gives some par- ticulars of my investigations concerning the species:—

Mr Wm. Brodie noticed, during the summers 1912-15. a pair of Wagtails, near Blackpots, which were lighter coloured than Pied Wagtails and had grey backs. They ar- rived about the end of March to mid-April, and he believed nested. I saw one of the birds in July 1916. Major Bagshaw observed light-coloured Wagtails from the 2nd to 9th September 1916, which he decided were not Pied; a pair on Boyndie Links near the burn, Banffshirea pair a.t Tarlair, an d Fieldseveral betwee Clubn Cullen and Findlater. Dr J. O. Wilson, of Huntly, in 1916 added to his notes on local birds. 'I have also seen .If. alba from time to time. Miss J. Gowan, of Cullen, recorded in her, notes, one on 17th April 1906, and one on 11th April 1911. My own observations of White Wagtails are:— 73 1916—1st October, a pair on tennis lawn, Duff House. 1917—18th March, one White and three Pied at Duff House on ploughed land. 22nd June, some at Banff Bridge. 22nd July, four above Banff Bridge. 26th August, three or four on Macduff road, near the bridge. 22nd September, a dozen on the Banff end of the bar. 23rd September, some on the bar. 25th September, one at Banff Harbour. 9th October, two on the bar. 1st November, one behind the bar, Mac- duff side. In 1918 I have notes of ten White Wagtails on Duff House tennis lawn between 13th and 29th September, and of four in Boyndie Street West, Banff. My opportunity for observing birds this year was limited, hence the few records. The Rev. W. Serle writes that he satisfac- torily identified White Wagtails among the abundant Pied Wagtails at Peterhead on 27th August 1903. Although the White Wagtail has nested in various parts of Great Britain it chiefly oc- curs as a bird of passage, and is one of the few species which mainly follow the western fiy-line along the Atlantic side of the British Isles. On the south coast it arrives in the latter half of March [3rd March 1872], and has been traced from the Scilly Isles and Cornwall to Wales, the Isle of Man, the Sol- way and Clyde, thence by the coast to Cape Wrath. It also flies by the , and as far out as St Kilda. There are few records for the east of Ireland, but more for the west coast. "On the south-eastern and eastern sections of our coast-line the White Wagtail is," Dr Eagle Clarke believes, "overlooked, and we have yet much to learn concerning the details of its distribution there during migration. • • ." Its movements have been traced from the east coast of Ross-shire to the southern shores of the Firth of Forth. White Wagtails occur in spring in the Orkneys, and great numbers pass via the BanffshireShetlands to Faroe, Iceland ,Field and Scandinavia .Club The earliest date for is 5th April, but they are most abundant during the last week of April and the first week of May. The latest date is 9th June. They return to Fair Isle from the 9th August to the 9th November, but mid-September is the most important time. They travel at night and during the 74 small hours of the morning, and thus usually escape notice. . ., The White Wagtail in summer visits Green- land, Iceland, Jan Mayen, the whole of Europe and Northern Asia. It occurs in summer and winter in Asia Minor, Palestine, and Northern Africa, and in winter visits Madeira, the Canaries, Senegambia, and Zan- zibar. (Saunders.) James Smith's list in the New Statistical Account for Banff says—"The following also are found: The white wagtail (Motacilla alba. here called the water wagtail). The yellow wagtail (Motacilla flava) not common." This was written prior to July 1836, but it cannot be taken as a record of the White Wagtail. Yarrell's History of British Birds shows that Gould published in the "Magazine of Natural History," 1837, p. 159, the proof that the British species, then called Motacilla alba, was dis- tinct from the species of the same name, abundant in France. The latter, he said, had not been found in any part of Britain. He proposed a new name for the British species, Motacilla Yarrellii, and reserved the old name, Motacilla alba, for the ' Continental species. Temminck had already (in 1820) de- scribed the British form under the name of Motacilla lugubris, and this was adopted by English ornithologists. In 1841 two pairs of true White Wagtails were found in England, and many others subsequently. The name conveys to some people the mis- leading impression of a white or albino form of the Pied Wagtail. The points of difference are not easily described; but the breeding- plumage of the male White Wagtail is more markedly grey and white, while that of the Pied is definitely black and white. It is more difficult to distinguish the species after the autumn moult. Confusion has occurred in some local re- cords of the Grey Wagtail and the Yellow Wagtail. Both have much yellow, and the grey one is locally called yellow. The chief points of difference are easy to remember. The Grey Wagtail, which appears to be a resident as well as a migrant, is inches Banffshirelong. It has slate-blu e Fieldor dark grey uppeClubr parts, and a very long tail. The male in summer has a large black patch on the throat, white stripes above and below the eyes, and light yellow under parts. The female has less black on the throat. In winter both sexes have the throat white and no black patch; the eye-stripes are then buff, and the yellow of the under parts appears 75 very intense. I have seen nothing more beautiful than a nair of these birds flitting from stone to stone along the east bank of the Deveron one frosty day, when their bril- liant plumage was reflected on the calm sur- face of the river. , . The Yellow Wagtail on the other hand is only a summer visitor from the 10th March (15th April usual date for Scotland) to the end of September, and is much rarer here. The length is 61/3 inches, the upper parts dull olive-green, the tail comparatively short, the eye-stripe bright yellow, the crown of the head greenish, the under parts bright yellow, the wings and tail dusky brown. The female is less brightly coloured. Further records of all the Wagtails are much desired in order to determine their numbers, distribu- tion, and times of arrival and departure. Saunders states that the Tree-Pipit is often mis-named "Wood-Lark" in Scotland. This occurs here, as Harvie-Brown says that the Banffshire records for the Wood-Lark are in a muddle, and suggests that Tree-Pipit should be read for Wood-Lark. I have also had a somewhat similar experience. Careful obser- vation may show that the Tree-Pipit is a more common summer visitor in this district than has yet been admitted. New records of this bird should contain a detailed de- scription of everything noted; its appearance, habits, song, nature of the surroundings, numbers, and date. The records which I have collected will form a starting point in this enquiry. There seems to be no reliable record of the Wood-Lark in the area. The Great Grey Shrike or Butcher Bird is only a straggler in this area. Harvie- Brown observes thai there would almost seem to be a regular (or irregular) fly-line of the species into the Moray Firth, touching land about the Laigh of Moray. Thus in 1889-90 Butcher-birds were common—plentiful —about Forres. One was shot at Cullen, 1889. One was shot in the Glenferness woods, not far from Forres, in April 1892. Older records are Gordon Castle 30th December 1793, ditto 19th March 1825, and Calcots, Elgin, 1836; Statistical Account for Banff—rare 1836, and BanffshireRathven—rare 1842. The morFielde recent record s Club bear out the above view. There is an old specimen in Banff Museum without a history. Captain Davidson has placed one on loan in the Museum, which was shot near Cullen in February 1908. One was shot at Gordon Castle, 7th November 1903, one was seen near Fochabers in December 1914. Two were seen 76 on Speyside, at Aikenway, about 1895 in No- vember. Then in the "Dee" Area it is a fre- quent, though irregular visitor. (Sim.) A male, of the year, captured on a ship from the Baltic to Fraserburgh, Oct. 1, 1860, was sent to Edward. The records for the interesting little mig- rant known as the Spotted Flycatcher are fairly complete for different parts of the area, but so far I have not heard of it in Kirkmichael parish. I have only found one published record of the Pied Flycatcher for Banffshire, that Edward was told a pair bred near Banff. I also saw a specimen which was shot at Duff House about 1880. and which is now in Mr D. Ainslie's collection. This apparent scarcity may be owing to imperfect record work, as several have been shot in Aberdeenshire. It would probably breed in some parts of the district if not molested or killed. I have obtained some records of the dates of arrival and departure of Swallows and Martins, but many more are still required, together with their numbers and distribution from year to year. The local movements of the Sand Martins are not so well known, and records would be welcome. In passing I may add that it is, indeed, sad to read Edward's statement that Gold- finches bred yearly in many gardens in the town of Banff, but that the bird catcher cleaned the whole country. Of the birds in Mortlach in 1842 "none were more common" than Goldies. They were common in Rathven at the same time. It is difficult to say if there are any in Banffshire to-day. The Siskin has also suffered much, but its partial migrant habit helps to replenish the numbers. Greenfinches are common and resident, but as large flocks arrive on the east coast of Aberdeen in October it is difficult to decide how many home-bred birds remain here dur- ing winter. I have found another record of the Haw- finch, which Edward said was "a rare bird with us." Sim knew of none in Aberdeen- shire, and Harvie-Brown of none in Moray. BanffshireThere are two specimen Fields in Banff Museu Clubm without history, beyond the fact that they were in the Duff House Collection. For par- ticulars of the spreading of this species in Scotland see under Hawfinch in my List of Birds. There are certainly more Tree Sparrows than appear from the few records which I 77 have obtained. They are migrant and some may be resident. The sexes are alike in plumage, and further differ from House Sparrows in being smaller. They have the crown and nape reddish-brown, a triangular black patch on the white cheeks, and two bars of white in the wings. The great flocks of Chaffinches which are seen in the fields during the autumn and winter, and the large number which breed in the district are a source of considerable in- terest to many. I saw a thousand or more on the stubble field behind Duff House on the 6tli Dec. 1918. They seem to be the most abundant species here. Mr Cameron has sent me an appropriate name from Tomintoul, Breacan-beith Birkie, or parti-coloured birch- bird. It is called Chelfie on Speyside, and in many parts of the district is spoken of as a "Jay." Large flocks arrive from over- seas in the autumn, and some of the natives may go south for the winter. The winter vists of Bramlings vary much, and regular observations would be useful. Sometimes a few are seen in flocks of Chaffinches, and occasionally large flocks are met. Harvie-Brown had one record of Meally Red- poll, that by Edward—"a rare species," which he considered of little scientific value. Hence the following new records are of interest. Mr Cattenach caught a few Meally Redpolls, three years running, about 1907, near Focha- bers; he says they were larger than Lesser Kedpolls caught at the same time. Another bird fancier who saw these birds was satis- fled with the difference in the species. Mr Hy. Thomson informs me that Central Banff- shire was flooded with Meally Redpolls in the winter of 1912-13, but he saw none in the following six years. About a dozen, out of ever 100 caught, were extraordinarily big. On the other hand, Lesser Redpolls are re- sident in Mortlach and Keith, and often have bred near Fochabers. They are seen in other localities in winter and spring. Further notes oil both these species are much desired. The Lesser Redpoll is apparently limited to Western Europe, and cannot be confidently said to breed except in the Bri- Banffshiretish Isles (Newton's Diet.) Field. Club Three Siberian or Northern Bullfinches were seen in Bachlaw Wood, near Banff, about 1905. Mr F. Watt exhibited one of these alive at Edinburgh. The Common Crossbill is one of the more interesting birds of this area. About 1864

I 78 it bred occasionally, but by 1895 it "swarmed" in many miles of forest in Moray and over- flowed into the Findhorn valley, and through the Laigh of Moray . . . to Cullen, Rothie- may, Huntly . . . and into the Dee Area by the Ythan and Bogie valleys. Since Harvie- Brown wrote there seems to have been a de- crease in some of the districts mentioned. Mr Menzies has seen very few since 1912, and others report it as only occasionally met. I think that the Yellow Bunting, which is a partial migrant, has decreased consider- ably in the immediate vicinity of Banff. Mr W. Gerrard told me that up to about 1878 there were fifty on the Hill of Doune for every one seen there in 1917. This bird has numerous local names throughout the British Isles, and Banffshire is not behind-hand in this respect, "Yeldrin," "Yalla Yorlin," and "Yitie," amongst others, are familiar. A strange and uncanny superstition is attached to this beautiful bird in Scotland: that it drinks one to three drops of Satan's blood, on May-day, or in some districts weekly. Pair plumaged bird! cursed by the causeless hate Of every schoolboy, still by me thy lot Was pitied! never did I tear thy nest: I loved thee, pretty bird! . . . Birds of Scotland. GRAHAME. The Cairngorms arc a favourite nesting re- sort of Snow-Buntings. Hinxman and Eagle- Clarke, in the Annals of Scottish Natural History for July 1893, described the discovery of their eggs, at 3700 feet above sea-level, on these mountains. Flocks occur at times in most parts of the area, and they visit the sea-shore in severe weather. An interesting account of their habits and haunts is given in The Hill Birds of Scotland (Seton Gordon). Starling. Dr Eagle Clarke states that the data con- cerning the history of the Starling in Scot- land are voluminous and the problems com- plex. The Starling was only an occasional visitor in the parishes of Peterhead, , Banffshireand Methlick about 1840, whe nField the New Sta- Club tistical Account of Aberdeenshire was being compiled. The earliest record of breeding in that county seems to be 1850, but by 1903 Starlings were abundant and resident throughout the "Dee" Area. In Morayshire they were breeding at Gordonstown and Elgin about 1847. For Banff James Smith's 79 record in 1836 was "sometimes appears in flocks on the coast." Edward's List states that [by 1856] starlings bred in many places throughout the county. Mr John Gordon, book- seller, saw the first nest, which he knew of at Gellymill, near Banff, in 1867. Mr L. L. Shearer got one of the first nests close to Banff, about 1869, in a tree at the Barnyards, Duff House. Mr W. Gerrard saw a- nestling about 1869, but says that Starlings did not remain over winter till about 1882. Of late years they have increased to enormous flocks in most parts of the area. A few generally winter at Tomintoul, but great numbers do so in the lower districts. Starlings are mig- ratory, and it is still an open question how many of the locally breediug birds remain, over the winter. . It is doubtful if any wild Jays exist in Banffshire or the adjoining counties, and the few which have been seen were probably escapes. The Chaffinch is often spoken of as a Jay in these parts. Shore-Lark. Through the kindness of Mr D. Ainslie, I was able to publish the first record for this district of a Shore-Lark. One was shot on Boyndie beach, near Banff, about 1880; the specimen, now at, Delgaty, was identified by Prof. A. Thompson. A small flock of strange birds were seen in 1915, on Boyndie beach, by W. Brodie. He shot one of them, and says that it resembled a coloured picture of the Shore-Lark, but did not keep the speci- men, Sim knew of no precise record for Aberdeenshire, and it is not mentioned in The Fauna of the Moray Basin. A male is re- corded for Hoy High, 25th March 1915, and two females for , 16th October 1915. It has occurred in other parts of Scotland, as East Lothian and St Andrews. The Wryneck was recorded once by Mac- Gillivray and once by Edward for Banffshire. The only additions which I have obtained are one at Rattray Head Lighthouse in the nineties and a male in Fraserburgh district. May 1916. There is a specimen in Banff Museum, Duff House Collection, without a Banffshirehistory. Field Club Woodpeckers. Booth, whose well-known collection of birds is now at Brighton, considered that tile Great Spotted Woodpecker began to decrease about 1845 to 1850. Harvie-Brown was doubt- ful regarding records of its breeding in the 80 Moray Basin Area between 1880 and 1890; al- though stray birds were seen about the breed- ing season, and droves occurred on autumnal migration. A naval officer told me that he saw one fly on board a T.B. destroyer, when far out at sea, between and Fraser- burgh about 1910. I have obtained notes of a few seen in the district, 1900 to 1915, but not breeding. Edward's two records of the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker were bracketed by Harvie-Brown, being uncorroborated. Mr D. Ainslie showed me a specimen, which was shot at Delgaty, in the Deveron Area, about 1910. Only a very few stray specimens of the Roller and Bee-eater have been obtained in the district. The Hoopoe, while on passage, has occurred irregularly as a straggler here and there along the east side of Scotland and in the Orkney Islands during July, August, and September. Two were seen near Duff House, and two in other parts of this county. Sim gives one at Muiresk, Turriff, and two near Rhynie; both places being in the Deveron Valley although in Aberdeenshire, where 17 other instances occurred. One was obtained at Lossiemouth about 1905, and another near Lhanbryde, Morayshire. Visiting Owls. It is dou/btful if the Short-eared Owl .breeds here, hut it is common in autumn and some- times in winter (being called the "Woodcock Owl ) in some parts. Single specimens of Tengmalm's Owl and of the Hawk Owl have been obtained 'in Aberdeenshire. A Snowy Owl was shot near Covesea Lighthouse in June 1918, and another was trapped near the same place about 1907. There is a specimen of Scop's-Owl in Banff Museum without a history. The Common Buzzard, the Bough-Legged Buzzard and the Honey Buzzard are occa- sional visitors, chiefly in autumn. The latter may breed in the district. A Greenland Falcon was obtained near Elgin, and one near Kingussie. An Iceland Falcon was shot near Fraserburgh in March 1871. A BanffshireHobby [Falcon] was sho tField at Fraserburg h Clubin May 1870 and another in July. Two others were shot elsewhere in Aberdeenshire. Two have been killed in Banffshire; and one at Innes, near Elgin (1910). Two Red-footed Fal- cons hare been shot in east Aberdeenshire. A Lesser Kestrel was taken at Boyndlie, Cri- mond, in 1897. 81 Bitterns, on passage, have occurred from time to time in the three North-eastern Coun- ties. A very fine specimen in the Museum was shot in the Duff House policies. There is another specimen without a history in the Museum. An American Bittern was shot near Pitgaveny, Morayshire, about December 1888. One was shot, at Bridge of Don in 1854 (Gray). A Glossy Ibis, which was obtained near the mouth of the Spey in September 1907, and is now in Elgin Museum, helps to confirm Ed- ward's statement that he saw three one day. Three have 'been shot in Aberdeenshire. One was shot near Forres. 2nd Oct. 1902. The counties south of the Moray Firth are in the direct fiy-line of wild geese of various kinds. Numerous flocks are seen passing over Banff in spring and autumn, but few alight in the district. Great flocks used to pass overhead in Cabrach about 1860, when one or more fields would be white with them as they rested to feed. (John Yeats.) Serle remarks that he had not heard Geese overhead at Peterhead, and that was not on their route. The Whooper or Wild Swan occurs on passage at Loch Spynie, and other lochs, also at Loch Strathbeg in winter. It has been seen flying over Delgaty, near Turriff, and frequently on the sea, off Tarlair, in winter. A Bewick's Swan, in Edinburgh Museum, was obtained from the Moray Basin, 11th Dec- 1878. Migratory Ducks. The Gadwall is very rare here. The Shov- eller and Teal are more common than they were in Edward's time. Three Pintails were seen at Kirkside, on the Lower Deveron. 9th October 1917, and two near Banff Bridge the following day. They seem to be somewhat more common in Aberdeenshire and Moray than in this county; and have been recorded as breeding in Moray during 1913. A few Garganey Ducks are reported for the Isla in 1916-17. Wigeon, "one of our rarest duck visitors, according to Edward, had 'become "a rapidly increasing and extending species by 1890-5 (H.B.). It is now fairly common on the BanffshireDeveron and in other Fieldsuitable places durin Clubg winter. The Scaup is an occasional winter visitor. Half-a-dozen were seen on the Lower Deveron, January-February 1916, by the late Mr A. Rankine. It has been shot off the mouth of the Deverou; and was seen on Loch Spynie in the summer of 1880 (H.B.). Harvie-Brown had no positive record of the 82 Pochard in the Deveron Valley, although he found it breeding on Loch Spynie in 1891 and 1892, and hundreds existed on Loch Strathbeg. I have obtained 4 records for Deveron-Valley: one shot about 1890 on Delgaty lake, one on the Deveron below Bridge of Alvah in 1914, and another in October 1916; it also occurs on Loch Park, between Keith and Dufftown. [Six in all were seen below Bridge of Alvah during the winter 1918-19.] The Tufted Duck (was "very rare" (Edward), but by about 1890 it was "not rare in winter" H B ). I saw a pair near Blackpots close in- shore, 25th March 1916, and four on 1st April 1916; four in the pool below Banff Bridge, 17th January 1918, and two there next day. Several have been seen on Delgaty Lake, a.nd some on Gordon Castle Lake. Observations should be recorded of the local habits of this duck, which formerly was only an autumn and winter visitor to this country, tout 'by 1899 it was known to 'breed in more than forty lochs in Scotland (Saunders). Golden-eye Ducks are very common in winter, on both fresh and salt water, in this district. The cry of the Long-tailed Duck is said to resemble the words coal and candle licht. This duck cannot be so common at Banff as when Edward wrote. I saw some off the Bar from 23rd April to 3rd .May 1917, and a flock in Boyndie Bay, April 1918. They are common off Cullen in winter. Other records may be seen in my list. The Common Scoter does not appear to have been recorded for Banffshire until I saw a pair off the Harbour Station on 23rd Novem- ber 1916. It is a regular visitor to the coast of Morav and Aberdeenshire, and doubtless more will be found here if looked for. The Velvet-Scoter occurs along the coasts of the adjoining counties, but I have had no record for Banffshire. The Smew is a very rare winter visitor to the Moray Firth area. A male and female were killed near Mountblairy in 1853. One was shot on Loc-h-an-dorb. Elginshire on 7th Feb- ruary 1912, and an immature one was seen on Loch Spynie on 14th December 1912. (Scot. Nat., 1912 and 1913) BanffshireCapercaille Field Club The restoration of a temporarily extinct species is well shown in the case of the Caper- caillie which now seems re-established in this and other parts of Scotland. The local his- tory is given in some detail in my list. The Ptarmigan is one of our more interesting- birds. Its habits and dwelling-place are well 83 described by Mr Seton Gordon. Quail have bred in the three counties of the North-East. The latest record which I have obtained was from Mr Hugh Rose-Innes, who, 'in the autumn of 1913, saw a covey of 10 to 12 at Luncarty, Craigston, in the Deveron Valley area. Quail were unusually numerous in Elgin- shire during September-October 1895. There are good local specimens of the adults and young in Banff Museum. Land-Hails or Corn-Crakes are not very common close to Banff, but are fairly com- mon inland. One was washed up dead on Cullen Sands on the 19th May 1906, after a storm, probably indicating that it perished on passage over the Firth. The Spotted Crake is a very rare visitor. Col. T. Simpson killed two at Cobairdy in the Deveron Valley area, the first in Sept. 1875 and the other some years later. It is said to have bred about Loch Spynie, and has been obtained in the "Dee" area. The only record of the Little Crake in the Fauna of the Moray Basin refers to p. bird which was found dead, on the 12th March 1852, in the parish of Grange, at Thornton on the Isla. The specimen was bought by Professor Newton for Mr J. H. Gurney, and Saunders refers to it as the only one known for Scot- land up to 1899. The sternum is in Cambridge Museum. Mr A. Rankine told me that lie had seen two on the tidal part of the Deveron, and we discussed the question of identification. of which he seemed confident. There are two specimens in Banff Museum without history. The history of the Dotterel, which I have been able to collect for this district, tends to show that- Moray, Banff, and Aierdeen- shires are on its line of passage to and from the far north. , Fyvie, Peter- head, Loch of Strathbeg, Troup, Ben Aigen, Glenlivet, Tomintoul, and Forres are among the places where it has been known to rest on passage. Its breeding haunts on the Cairngorms are well described by Harvie- Brown and by Seton Gordon. Plover. BanffshireThe Ringed Plover is Fieldcommon about thClube coast in winter and spring; some breed there but most go inland to breed. It is also a migratory species in this district. The Golden Plover is another example which seems to oe both migratory and resident here. It is also apparently a bird of passage, and in addition local movements take place, depending upon weather conditions. There is room for much 84 investigation concerning the habits of this bird. I hare had only one record of the Grey Plover, which was shot near Langman Tap, 4 miles from Macduff, about 1901. Attention directed to this point may stimulate investi- gation of the contents of game tiags. The Lapwing or "Teuchet" is one of the far- mer s best friends, and should be rigidly protected throughout the breeding season. Unfortunately there has been a great decrease in the numbers of this species, partly owing to weather conditions, but chiefly due to the merciless harrying of the eggs. The migra- tion movements deserve close attention, and an endeavour should be made to record) the time of departure of home-bred birds, and of arrival of -winter visitors. Turnstones are now very conspicuous along the beach, at Macduff, Banff, Boyndie Cullen and other parts, from autumn to late in spring; whereas Edward found them only as occasional visitors. Mr Serle states that early in August considerable numbers arnive at Craigewan, near Peterhead; th:at large flocks occur in October; and that they remain in greater or less abundance until early April. A few laggards may Ibe seen in July, but these are probably barren or ,not fully mature birds. Mr W. Brodie has seen Turnstones throughout the year on Boyndie beach. This species is almost world-wide in distribution, but breeds only in the colder parts of the northern hemisphere. Woodcock. The Woodcock is 'both a summer and a winter visitor here, but the 'birds which breed locally and their young migrate south in the early autumn. There is a 'definite interval between their departure and the appearance of the winter ibirds. The latter have been seen to arrive at Troup, October to January. I have already mentioned that a Woodcock ringed in Kincardineshire was found in Spain. A visitor from Oporto told me that one was shot in the vicinity of that city, in Ncovember or December 1917, -which had a ring with the Aberdeen University mark. Mr Hinxman saw Woodcock in Strathspey, on mi- gration, 27th September 1893. BanffshireThe following condensed extractFields from "Re -Club ports on Scottish Ornithology," in The Scot- tish Naturalist are of special interest in con- nection with the movements of Woodcock in this district In 1915 hardly any Woodcock were recorded on spring passage. A consider- able overseas arrival began on 8th October and lasted for a month. In 1916 small move- 85

merits were reported in the Islands from 5th March to 2nd April, at Fair Isle a few. 19th to 2lst April. Considerable movement, 23rd September to 17th November in north Islands due to immigration. Distinct movement 22nd to 28th Dec. owing to weather conditions. There were small movements in 1917 up to 3rd Feb. at coast and island stations, doubtless caused by severe weather. The autumn arrival was of very small dimensions. This was prob- ably due to the absence of east winds; a wes- terly type prevailed throughout Sept., Oct., Nov. and Dec., and movements of all immi- grant birds were extraordinarily small; winter visitors were never recorded in such small numbers. This confirms and explains the report made by Conacher that Woodcock were unusually scarce around Banff during the winter of 1917-18. Saunders states that about a dozen Great Snipe had been recorded for Scotland. In addition to three published records for Aber- deenshire my list contains one shot at Spynie, Elgin, in 1915; one seen 'by Mr Menzies in Bo- harm, Banffshire, Nov. 1905; and a third seen, but not positively identified, by Mr Thomson near Edintore, Keith. Buckley recorded one shot by Mr J. Brander-Dunbar at Pitgaveny, Elgin, 15th Oct, 1918. Curlew-Sandpiper. I was much pleased by finding some Curlew- Sandpipers or Pigmy Curlews on Boyndie Beach, near the Red Well. Edward recorded four, and I have seen no other Banffshire record; although they occur along the east coast of Scotland on passage from August on- ward and from March to June. St John states that flocks visited the Moray coast in September, and that a few remained over winter. Sim says that they occur sparingly about Don-mouth; and Serle saw specimens which were shot in autumn at Peterhead. One was shot at Cairness, near Loch of Strathbeg, 13th Dec. 1912. Dr Eagle Clark points out that, this species is, perhaps, the greatest of feathered travellers, certain individuals each year performing journeys equal to a voyage round the world. The first nest was dis- covered by Mr Popham in 1897, near the Banffshiremouth of the Yenesei, an d Fieldit is not known toClub breed further west. Miss Haviland has well described its breeding haunts in A Summer on the Yenesei." The nest was a little depres. sion in the moss; two tarns near at hand were covered with ice; drifts of snow lay in sheltered hollows, and sleet showers came slapping over the tundra. The young were 86 "hatched about the third -week in July, and were gone about the 15th August. The winter quarters extend to Patagonia, Cape Colony, and Tasmania. The Knot occurs as an autumn 'visitor, and some may remain over winter. They have been reported in large, and at times immense, flocks on the west side of the Moray Firth: and occur on ipassage, near Peterhead. I have had only a lew recent records of Sander- lings on passage. The Ruff was formerly an abundant summer visitor in parts of the British Isles. There seem to be only three records of. this species for Banffshire; but large flocks, mostly imma- ture birds, occur in autumn near the mouth of the Don. Some have been recorded for Moray. Col. T. -Simpson, about 1902, when shooting in the autumn near Ladysbridge, 3 miles from Banff, obtained a strange bird which I lately identified as an immature Ruff. Further local records may be obtained if strange birds of the wader type are compared with this specimen, which Col. Simpson has presented to the Museum. A mature Ruff, in breeding costume, and his spouse, the Reeve, may also he seen there. Sandpipers. The Green Sandpiper had not been recorded for Banffshire when I saw a specimen which was shot about 1905 near Cullen, and which has since been placed on loan in the Museum by Capt. Davidson. I afterwards saw one, with Mr D. Ainslie, which was shot near Banff about 1880. Mr Gordon Duff has written that one was shot in the Den of Pitlurg, near Keith, 2nd September 1917. A specimen in Elgin Museum was shot at Loch Spynie in Aug. 1912; and six have been recorded for Aberdeenshire by Sim. The above were most likely birds on passage. The Wood-Sandpiper is not known to have occurred in Banffshire,. but a specimen is recorded for each of the two adjoining counties east and west, and eggs were obtained near Elgin. It is probable that Greenshanks will be found more frequently in Banffshire than Edward's record of "two shot in the Moss of BanffshireBanff" would indicate. FieldThere are mor eClub of them in the Moray area than elsewhere in Scotland, and they have been extending since 1865 (H.B.). Serle writes that he has seen Greenshank at Craigewan, near Peterhead, in autumn. The Bar-tailed Godwit is an occasional visitor to this coast, but considerable numbers have been reported on the Aberdeen coast. I 87 an immature one on Boyndie Links. 30th Nov. .1916. Miss Haviland saw two pairs at Golchika, Siberia. The natives say that tt arrives there very early in spring, and runs round the frozen pools, tapping- the ice with its long- (bill and crying impatiently for the thaw. It -breeds on the highest parts of the tundra, which are the first places to be free from snow. She saw young birds on the 12th July (Yenesei p. 145). The Black-tailed Godwit is rare on autumn passage here. Mr Menzies saw a pair at Loch Spynie in 1915, which he thought were nesting there. Whimbrels are seldom found in the district although they fly alone the valley of the Deveron and the Spey while on passage to and from their breeding grounds in the far north. Smith, over 80 years ago, recorded that their singular notes had been' heard as they flew over Banff; and on 16th -March 1916 their cry was heard over Duff House. Harvie- Brown saw some close to the Spey watershed. I hear the cry Of their voices high, Falling dreamily through the sky. But their forms I cannot see. LONGFELLOW. An Eskimo Curlew shot near King-Edward on 29th September 1879 is an example of a straggler far from its usual fly-Line. Terns I have found a few Common Terns and Arctic Terns breeding close to Banff, but they are much more numerous both to the east and the west. They also breed far up the Spey and in Glenlivet. The Little Tern breeds at Strathbeg Loch; on Linke, Peterhead; and near Lossiemouth. The Rose- ate Tern is said to have bred on the shores of the Moray Firth, as also the Sandwich Tern. Of the latter species Serle saw three adults at Craigewan, Peterhead, 7-9-00; and on 27-7-06 he saw quite a large flock at Rat- tray Head, south end of the Loch. It has been recorded for Rattray Head, 9th April 1915. BanffshireSea Gulls Field. Club Not down the breeze more blithely flew. Skimming the wave, the light sea-mew. Lord of the Isles, SCOTT. Sea Gulls, in this district, are a striking feature of bird-life, both on the coast and in- land for 30 miles or more. The Common Gull seems to have almost abandoned the shore. 88 and taken up its residence on the lower in- land hills, where it 'breeds and remains most of the year. The Kittiwake breeds abund- antly on the cliffs of Gamrie and Troup; and lately it has visited the Bogie Valley in large numbers about July. The Black-headed Gull, with its marked seasonal change of plumage, is a source of much interest along the coast from August to March, and after- wards at its breeding places about inland waters. The Herring Gull is very common in the district, and breeds at Troup. The Lesser Black-backed Gull is more commonly seen on Cullen beach than at Banff, where it is rare. The Greater Black-backed Gull is generally said to occur in couples, or at most in small groups of under a dozen, scattered along the coast. I saw quite two hundred, mature and immature, in a dense flock on a gravel bank near the mouth of the Spey on the 20th October 1916. Soon afterwards many hundreds were seen about Whitehills and Blackpots by Mr W. Brodie. I have no recent record of the Little Gull for Banffshire. It is recorded for Rattray Head 'in 1913. The Ivory Gull, Little Gull, Glaucous Gull and Iceland Gull have occurred occasionally as stragglers in the district. Many interesting facts con- cerning the habits of the Sea Gulls remain to be investigated, and some residents should take up this branch of local bird-life. In 1917 Mr Wm. Chapman told me that of late years sea birds, as Gulls, &c„ had com- menced breeding on the cliffs at the east side of Aberdour Bay, where none did so when he was young; but that they had been breeding for many years on the red cliffs between Pennan and Aberdour Bay. It was believed that a pair of Richardson's Skuas nested near Rattray Head in 1916. This is a marked extension from their pre- viously known breeding haunts in the Suther- land-Caithness area and Shetland. The Pom- atorhine Skua and Buffon's Skua have been Obtained as rare stragglers in the North-East. Various Divers and Grebes occur as visitors in the district, and details are given in my list. BanffshireThe other local birds whic Fieldh I have .not, men Club- tioned will be found included in the Supple- ment to this year's Transactions. However, the points which I have now discussed are sufficient to prove the importance of the North-East of Scotland as a migration centre for birds, and to indicate some of the 1ines along which further research may be con- ducted. 89 Collaboration encourages scattered observers to keep notes of passing events in local bird- life, and kindles enthusiasm. In this work almost all can take a share as even single items are of real value. The following sug- gestions indicate how records may be made :— 1. Include every bird known in the district, common as well as rare species; 2. Adopt a uniform method; 3. Make rough notes at the time of observation; 4. Date of month and year; 5. place; 6. nature of locality; 7. weather conditions before and at the time; 8. hour of day, and state of tide if on the shore or near the coast; 9. ordinary English name of the bird, the local name or names and the scien- tific name if definitely known; 10. when in doubt say so; 11. description of rarer birds and their habits; 12. a sketch of unidentified birds; 13. a comparison with some well- known bird as to size, general shape and colour; 14. number seen, how often, how long, increase or decrease; 15. resident or migratory, as summer visitor, winter visitor, bird of passage; 16. date of arrival, singing and nesting. Special attention should be given to the effects on local bird-life caused by the exten- sive felling of timber during the past four years. Changes in the physical features of the country are worth noting, such as drain- ing mosses or bogs, making lakes or ponds reclaiming waste land, burning heather and whins, planting and felling timber, as well as alterations in cropping. The supply of food influences the distribution of birds, hence annual notes on the quantities of wild fruits, berries and seeds are useful. Investigation of the insects in the district is a promising field as so little has yet been done; and in this work entomologists and bird lovers may well work in conjunction. BanffshireI hope that with the retur Fieldn of normal time sClub more workers may help to carry on the tra- ditions and customs of this Club, and hand down to our successors contributions worthy of the men who have preceded us and who did so much for our advantage. Dr Mahood received the warm thanks of the meeting for his contribution. Office-Bearers. Office-bearers for 1918-19 were elected as follows—President, Mr William Alexander, Banff; Vice-Presidents, Rev. George Suther- land, Aberdeen ; Rev. William Anderson Bridge of Allan: Sheriff Grant. Inverness, and Messrs James Grant, LL.B., Banff; George D. Thomson, M.A.. Kindrought; James T. Gordon,