Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/297

Rh Ornithological Notes from Aberdeen.——The Lapwings (Vanellus vulgaris) appeared here in flocks on Feb. 9th; the Curlew (Numenius arquata) on Feb. 26th, but only solitary birds. It was a week later before they were generally seen about this part, and they continued to arrive even considerably later. A green-billed Gull (Larus canus) appeared inland here on March 3rd: a pair of Pied Wagtails (Motacila lugubris) on March 8th. On March 23rd two Grey and Yellow Wagtails (M. melanope) reached us during the severest snowstorm of the season. A Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus) I observed on April 20th. A Dunlin Sandpiper (Tringa alpina) was noticed on April 30th. The Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) was first heard on May 1st. A flock of Wild Geese crossed over on May 11th, and on the 12th a few House Swallows (Hirundo rustica) were flying about; and a few Sand Martins (Cotile riparia) on the 15th. About the last two dates some of the migratory small birds, as Warblers, were noticed. But at the date of writing (May 20th) neither Wheatears nor Whinchats, both fairly common here under ordinary circumstances, have been noticed by me. The unparalleled cold spring evidently kept them away at the dates when they usually appear.

—With such very mild weather in mid-winter, and severe when we usually expect genial weather, it is only reasonable to suppose that something unusual could be observed in ornithological circles. I noticed pairing going on among Red Grouse (Lagopus scoticus), and energetic pairing among Partridges (Perdix cinerea). I found an egg of the latter in an occasionally utilized watercourse on March 17th; it had been recently laid, and the upper part of the shell was quite complete, though brittle with the severe frost prevailing at the time, the part immersed having been much affected by the action of the water, leaving nothing but the skin to cover the contents. I have referred to the Lapwings in a previous communication; they, of course, appeared in flocks early, being beguiled by the warm weather to suffer severely by late snowstorms, and a stray bird or two appeared through the season. We heard the Sky-Lark (Alauda arvensis) singing on Feb. 9th, and remaining mute at the usual date at which it sings most. It was noticeable that the wary Curlew did not fall under the spell which misled the Lapwings. It was well into March before they had generally arrived, instead of appearing about the same time as the Lapwings do in normal seasons. Probably also the increase in numbers of the latter, owing to recent legislation, may induce them to extend their haunts with the mild weather. The Curlews are little affected by the Protection Acts, as they are adepts in their breeding grounds at keeping out of harm's way. The Robins (Erithacus rubecula) were the tamest on record here about March 22nd. Pied Wagtails have been about in their usual numbers, while the