The Scottish Naturalist. 47 



box that had been put up under the eaves of the house for the nidification 

 of swifts and starlings. It was constantly seen throughout the winter 

 perching on trees and hunting in the grounds ; indeed, a pair may have 

 been present, but they were first seen together only in early spring, and 

 when it was noticed that they evidently intended making a nest in the box. 

 Throughout the spring the male was frequently observed can-ying food to 

 his mate, and thereafter both probably supplied the young. In the former 

 case the male uttered his peculiar cry a long way off, and the female re- 

 sponded, but he would not approach the house if any one was near. By- 

 and-bye he, and afterwards probably both, took advantage of every meal- 

 hour to supply the wants of the nest, as was readily known by the peculiar 

 cries before entering, or by watching. The ground near the nest was 

 covered with pellets, and these, it need scarcely be said, consisted of the 

 debris (hair and bones) of mice, — shewing how valuable the services of 

 these birds are. Next the open box tenanted by the kestrels was a covered 

 one with two perforations for the starlings, and at least two families of the 

 latter were reared in perfect safety at the same time. Visitors used to think 

 the starlings took special precautions — by thrusting out the head and beak 

 several times to scrutinize — before committing themselves to flight, but the 

 birds had certainly no cause for alarm. The kestrels disappeared for a 

 time in summer (and I think the swifts took possession of the box), but one 

 at least returned before the winter, and remained till spring, and it was 

 hoped that a nest would again have been made in the box. A pair of 

 pigeons, however, separated from the large flock at the Asylum, and seized 

 the open box, and still continue to hold it, to the annoyance of the kestrel 

 and those interested in it. — W. C. M'Intosh, Murthly. 



Prevention of the Extermination of Rare Birds. —Permit me in the 

 interest of our rarer Scottish birds, earnestly to pray that such notices as 

 Mr. Herdman's on the Kites at Blair Athole be not given place to. The 

 few haunts of these rare birds and others are already well known to scien- 

 tific ornithologists, whose interest in the cause of their preservation has 

 always, but more especially of late years, prevented them from making 

 them public. I am myself to blame, and can therefore speak feelingly. 

 Careful as I have been to conceal the breeding haunts of the Dotterell in 

 Scotland, one of them has been discovered, and the birds shot. To estab- 

 lish a new fact as to residence of a species in this country, by taking the 

 eggs, and even in solitary instances shooting the bii'd — if it cannot be iden- 

 tified othei-wise — is I think justifiable ; but once the fact is established, the 

 localities should be carefully concealed, if the true advancement of the 

 happiness of our indigenous birds is desired. The presence of the Kite in 

 Scotland is well enough known to ornithologists, and the localities also to 

 a fcAv who will not persecute them ; but why make known to the public, 

 scrupulous and unscrupulous alike, the very spot where it might be the last 

 pair breeds. I know of three nests in Scotland only, bnt I would be very 

 sori-y to publish their whereabouts. I hope you will not take amiss my 

 letter on the subject, as I think, and I am sure you will do so also upon 

 consideration, that it is always a good rule carefully to conceal localities 

 for rare birds, &c. Notes on occurrences of rare birds 7;i?«-resident in the 

 country are quite different ; but rare indigenous birds, will only become rarer 

 still — and science will be in no way advanced — Jiowez'er carifidly preserved, if 



