CONTRIBUTION TO ORNITHOLOGY OF KINCARDINESHIRE 149 



FIELDFARE. From October onwards this bird may be met in 

 flocks. During February of the present year some hundreds 

 lived for weeks about the trees at my house. 



BLACKBIRD. Very common, although much killed down bygardeners, 

 etc. Although it is evident many leave in winter, still during 

 the colder months of the year dozens may be seen about the 

 villages and hamlets in the hardest of weather. 



RING OUZEL. Breeds on the high grounds. In 1894 (25th October) 

 I came across an Ouzel feeding by the wayside on the low- 

 lying portion of the county. This is the latest record I know 

 of the bird's appearance. 



COMMON WHEATEAR. A summer visitor, and breeds regularly 

 throughout the county. I have heard it spoken of as the 

 " Stonechat " by those not acquainted with bird lore. The bird 

 usually reaches the coast about the middle of March, daily in- 

 creasing in numbers until well into April. It seems to prefer 

 the sea coast to inland parts, being more abundant at the former 

 place. 



WHINCHAT. Only sparingly distributed. Breeds about the hillsides 

 and waste lands. 



STONECHAT. Resident, but by no means a common bird anywhere. 

 A pair in a day's outing is a reward. 



REDSTART. H. mentions it as breeding, and it likely does so. I 

 have only noticed it during its spring and autumn journeys. 



REDBREAST. Plentiful in the country all the year round. During 

 early summer the young robins are in evidence everywhere. 



WHITETHROAT. A summer migrant, and breeds regularly over a 

 wide area. I found four nests last year within a radius of eight 

 yards. 



BLACKCAP. I picked up one of these birds one Sunday on the road- 

 way after a snow blizzard early in this year. This seemed a 

 singular occurrence. The bird breeds regularly in selected 

 localities all over the Mearns. 



GARDEN WARBLER. A nest in my garden was robbed, and the birds 

 built a fresh one and hatched out the eggs. Then one of the 

 parents got under the strawberry-net and was hung, and the 

 young died. This is the only pair I have seen nesting, but 

 doubtless the bird will be in other localities. 



GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN. Fairly abundant in the woods along the 

 hillsides. Often seen about gardens, and I remember one 

 getting inside a greenhouse and the owner brought it to me in 

 the belief it was an escape. 



CHIFF-CHAFF. According to M., this bird breeds in Fordoun 

 parish. 



