74 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



the strict sanitary laws. Poisoning was the only way by which we 

 could diminish the Hooded Crow as a breeding species. 



CORVUS CORAX, Raven, p. 71. The Raven is not nearly so 

 common as a nesting species ; but a few years ago two large whales 

 were cast ashore, and hundreds of these birds gathered, some of 

 them staying to nest. But they are not so destructive to eggs and 

 birds as on the mainland. In the islands the shore is the 

 principal hunting-ground of the Raven, Hooded Crow, and Great 

 Black-backed Gull, the two former only going to the hills to roost. 

 They go to the hills at certain hours every evening, and return to 

 the shore in the morning. Were these vermin as destructive in the 

 islands as on some parts of the mainland, not a single nest of any 

 description could survive in some parts. 



CIRCUS CYAN^EUS, Hen Harrier. Is becoming very rare as a 

 nesting bird in South Uist and Benbecula. 



AQUILA CHRYSAETOS, Golden Eagle. I often see a pair ot 

 Golden Eagles about Carradale Hill, South Uist, where rabbits are 

 numerous, but they don't nest. 



HALIAETUS ALBICILLA, Sea Eagle, p. 84. Used to be very 

 numerous, by all accounts. Long before I came here a pair used to 

 breed where the Ushenish Lighthouse stands, and another pair on 

 the north side of the entrance to Loch Eynort. 



ACCIPTER NISUS, Sparrow Hawk, p. 87. Very uncommon in 

 these islands. I shot one last August when coming from the moor 

 with the dogs. It was sitting on the centre of the public road, and 

 allowed me to come within easy shot. It appeared to have been 

 dazed or very tired. (The brackets added in my recent article may 

 now be removed.- J. A. H.-B.) 



" GREENLAND FALCON," p. 88. One was shot at Aird, Benbecula, 

 in September 1889, and brought to the Lodge here by one of the 

 Nunton farm servants, but it had been kept too long, as it was a 

 mass of maggots. A splendid bird it was, the only one I have seen. 



FALCO PEREGRINUS, Peregrine Falcon, p. 88. Perhaps it is not 

 generally known that the Peregrine will attack a Greylag Goose. I 

 have seen it often in full chase, in most determined fashion. On 

 two occasions I have seen Peregrines eat carrion one was a 

 decomposed Mallard, the other a Bernacle Goose. 



FALCO TESALON, Merlin, p. 90. I saw a Merlin knock down an 

 old cock grouse which had been flushed by a setter in October last. 

 That is the only time I have ever seen the Merlin molest a grouse 

 or bird of that size. 



ANSER CINEREUS, Greylag Goose, p. 97. The Greylag Geese 

 breed in large numbers, getting more numerous every year, and 



