The Annals 



of 



Scottish Natural History 



No. 47] 1903 [JULY 



THE LOCH-AN-EILEIN OSPREYS 

 By C. G. CASH, F.R.S.G.S. 



AMONG Scotland's many beautiful places, the Rothiemurchus 

 Loch-an-Eilein deservedly takes a high place ; for here are 

 present all the picturesque elements of Highland scenery- 

 great mountain mass, steep crag, narrow pass, forest of fir 

 and birch, tangle of juniper and heather, rushing stream, and 

 placid loch with its solitary island crowned by the ruins of 

 an old castle. And these elements are so arranged and 

 combined as to make a picture that satisfies the fastidious 

 eye of the trained artist, and delights the less sophisticated 

 lover of nature. An additional item of interest is afforded 

 by the fact that the southern turret of the ruined castle has 

 often been the home of the Osprey (Pandion haliactus}, one 

 of the rarest and most beautiful of our birds of prey. There 

 is, perhaps, no other of our raptores at once so interesting 

 and so easy to observe. The dark, stern golden eagle will 

 not brook observation, but sails off indignant on majestic 

 wing ; the smaller falcons and hawks dart in arrowy flight 

 from the presence of man. But the Osprey allows of 

 moderately near approach, and permits itself to be inspected 

 as it stands or sits on its nest, or as it soars in wide curves 

 above the loch. At rest or in motion, it is indeed a beautiful 

 47 B 



