I 4 4 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



ALCEDO ISPIDA, L. From Mr. Bodin I learn that a Kingfisher 

 was killed at Ardmaleish Point, near Port Bannatyne, in February. 

 The species, it seems, is very seldom seen in any of the islands which 

 make up the county of Bute. Mr. Wilson, the Marquis of Bute's 

 head gamekeeper, tells me he has seen it but very rarely. 1 



STRIX FLAMMEA, Z., Asio oxus (Z.), and SYRNIUM ALUCO (Z.). 

 These three Owls the Barn, the Long-eared, and the Tawny all 

 occur on the island, as I was able to satisfy myself by the examination 

 of recently stuffed specimens, 2 but none of them would seem to be 

 common. The last named is probably only an occasional visitor. 

 I did not myself hear its well-known hoot, and the gamekeepers and 

 others whom I questioned agreed in saying that it was to be heard 

 only at rare intervals. The specimen I saw was shot at a farm near 

 Ettrick Bay in the winter of 1892-93 ; its hooting drew attention to 

 it and led to its destruction. On two occasions in fir plantations 

 at dusk I was made aware of the presence of an Owl by the clamour 

 of Blackbirds, Chaffinches, and other small birds, but on neither 

 occasion was I able to identify the species, though I have little 

 doubt they were Long-eared, of which a specimen, shot at Ettrick 

 bay in November 1893, was shown to me in Port Bannatyne. A 

 Barn Owl seen in Mr. Bodin's shop had been killed in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of Port Bannatyne shortly before I 

 called. 



ACCIPITER NISUS (Z.). In spite of persistent persecution, the 

 Sparrow Hawk still manages to maintain a place, albeit in sadly 

 reduced numbers, among \htfer<z naturce of Bute. Twice only did 

 it come under my observation. Mr. Bodin showed me two recently 

 stuffed specimens, and the gamekeepers at Mount Stuart destroy two 

 or three nests every year. 



FALCO PEREGRINUS, Tunst. On 3rd January I was delighted to 

 see a pair of Peregrines at Woodend, Loch Fad : the female made 

 a determined stoop at a Jack Snipe I flushed, but failed to secure 

 it. I subsequently saw single birds at Kilmichael, Mount Stuart, 

 and Dunagoil. 



FALCO yESALON, Tu list. The only Merlins noted were : a female 

 at Loch Quien on the 5th of January, and a male at Lubas Point 

 on the 9th. 



FALCO TINNUNCULUS, Z. I was glad to see a fair number 

 of Kestrels about, but they might well be more plentiful with 

 substantial advantage to the farmers and without practical injury 

 to the game. 



1 Mr. Reside, keeper, Brodick Castle, Arran, informs me he saw one there 

 many years ago. 



2 There are also local specimens of these three species in the small museum 

 at Rothesay. 



