Ardea purpurea [Purple Heron].
One of these birds is said to have been shot about thirteen miles from hence. My late friend, the Rev. Mr. Smith, saw fragments of the bird some time afterwards, and believed it to be of this species.
Ardea egretta [Great White Heron].
Two of these birds were observed to frequent various parts of our coast about twenty-six years ago; but a specimen has not since been procured.
Ardea stellaris [Bittern].
Three or four of these birds are known to have paid us a visit. One in the Banff Museum, a very pretty one, was killed near Banff about twenty-four years since; another in the Moss of Park, and one or two at Balveny.
Platalea leucorodia [Spoonbill].
One of these rarities was found in a ditch in a wood near here, by a young naturalist; he says it could easily have been shot, for he approached quite close to it, and it did not appear at all shy. It has since been found in this neighbourhood.
Ibis falcinellus [Glossy Ibis].
On one occasion I perceived three of these birds hovering about the coast for a whole day, but I could not get a shot at them; it was in winter and during a very severe storm.