232 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



KESTEEL. 

 TINNUNCULVS ALAUDARIUS [L.) 11. 



The handsome Kestrel, I am glad to say, has been spared, and 

 is almost, if not quite, as numerous as ever. 



SPAEROW HAWK. 



ACCIPITER NISUS (L.) 78. 



Has not as yet appeared in the west. Mr Crawford writes to 

 me that Hawks of nearly every description are getting scarce in 

 his district except the Sparrow Hawk, which is doubtless increasing 

 owing to the plantations growing higher, and affording additional 

 shelter to the smaller species — the favourite food of this bird. 



COMMON BUZZAED. 



BUTEO VULGARIS [Leach). 79. 



Much scarcer; many old breeding places, known to me in 

 former years, having been untenanted for some years back. One 

 hatch of young birds was seen not far from Inchnadamph, and 

 another pair bred about ten miles distant. In 1869, I knew of 

 some six nests not far removed from one another. Mr Crawford 

 reports the same decrease in the north. 



HEN HAEEIEE. 



CIRCUS CYANEUS (L.) 81. 



Before not uncommon; now almost completely shot down. 

 Three breeding places in the west have remained untenanted for 

 several years. I did not see a single example this year. Mr 

 Thomas Mackenzie writes me concerning this species : — " I have 

 seen a Hen Harrier in pursuit of a Partridge, which it put into 

 a whin-bush. The Hawk continued to swoop down until the 

 Partridge again took to flight, and when hard pressed it again 

 took refuge in a bush. There being snow on the ground, I easily 

 saw where the Partridge entered the bush, and putting in my 

 hand, I took it out uninjured, the Harrier meantime hovering 

 about." 



