NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 241 



only rookeries I know of in Buchan are those of Aden, Philorth, 

 Artamford, Lunderton, and Tronp. Formerly there was a very 

 large one at Pitfour, but being constantly persecuted there, the 

 birds took refuge at Artamford on the Brucklay estates and 

 Lunderton, in the parish of St. Fergus. The rookery at Troup is 

 a very large one, and all the people in the neighbourhood are 

 allowed one day's shooting there. Notwithstanding this, however, 

 there is no falling off to be observed in the number of birds. 



Haven. — Corvus cor ax, Lin. Rare. Has been seen by the 

 keepers at Brucklay Castle. Many years ago the Raven was seen 

 regularly about the higher parts of the district at Aberdour and 

 Mormond Hill, and used to breed in the cliffs near Pennan and 

 Troup Head. 



Carrion Crow. — Corvus cor one, Lin. Not common. A few 

 are shot every year by the keepers in the district. 



Hooded Crow. — Corvus comix, Lin. Very plentiful on the 

 coast. During the breeding season they rob the nests of the 

 numerous Gulls and other sea-fowl frequenting the shore. 



Tree Creeper. — Certhia familial 'is, Lin. Very common among 

 the young fir woods at Brucklay. A large flock of them was seen 

 there on 1st October. 1879. 



Swallow. — Hirnndo rustica, Lin. Abundant. Breeds in large 

 numbers near the Loch of Strathbeg, where they can get plenty of 

 food. My friend, Rev. Walker Gregor, of Pitsligo, informs me 

 that he has observed that they arrive here about the first Sunday 

 in May. 



Martin. — Chelido.n urbica (Lin.). Common. 



Sand Martin. — Cotyle riparia (Lin.). Also common. A sand- 

 bank on the south side of Strathbeg is mentioned by Mr. Edw r ard 

 as a favourite nesting-place of this species.* 



Sky Lark. — Alauda arvensis, Lin. Common. 



Hoopoe. — Upupa epops, Lin. Several specimens of this very 

 handsome bird have been killed in the Buchan district ; a fine male 

 at Crimonmogate between March and April, 1852,f and one at 

 Turriff on 29th September 1868, which was sent to Mr. Sim for 

 preservation,! while Mr. Edward says that this bird has been ob- 

 tained on more than one occasion in the neighbourhood of Stratli- 



* Nat., vol. iv., pp. 263-271. t Nat, vol. iv., p. 226. 



+ Gray's "Birds of West of Scotland," p. 199. 



