236 The Scottish Naturalist. 



and destroyed in every way by gamekeepers, their numbers are 

 reduced, generally speaking, to a mere trifle ; though in some 

 places where game is not so strictly preserved in the Carse, a 

 few may still be seen occupying the woods unmolested." 

 There can be no doubt that, but for persecution they undergo, 

 Perthshire would long continue to be one of the strongholds of 

 the species in Scotland. 



Inverness-shire. — I am indebted to Mr. M'Leay 

 bird-stuffer, Inverness, for the following, written 19th January, 

 1875. "The Jay is considered a 'Rara Avis' in Inverness- 

 shire. I have been in business here over twenty years, and so 

 far as I know, only three specimens have been got. Two of 

 these were killed two years ago in Glen Urquhart, on the north 

 bank of Loch Ness. The third was killed last year at Grantown 

 Strath-spey. I never heard of one being seen north of Inver- 

 ness or in this neighbourhood." In the Moidart district, Mr, 

 J. J. Dalgleish tells me, the species is quite unknown. Mr. 

 Robert Gray has been informed « that it is only within late years 

 that it may be occasionally seen about " Nether Lochaber, and 

 north as far as Glengarry ; along the woods skirting the 

 Caledonian Canal, and about LochiePs seat — Achnacarry." 



Argyleshire. — In the central part of Argyleshire the Jay is 

 not uncommon. But I am informed by Mr. Dalgleish, that it 

 is not found further west than the estate of Airds. It is not so 

 far as I can learn found on any of the Islands. On Loch Fyne 

 side and in the Cowal district, it is not uncommon, but does not 

 occur in Cantire, in the south of the county, and Ardnamuchan 

 in the north. 



Dumbartonshire. — The Dumbartonshire woods have been 

 long known as a breeding place of the Jay. The "Jay Piet" 

 is mentioned by the Rev. John Stewart in his list of the birds 

 of the Parish of Luss. b In all the woods on the banks of 

 Loch Lomond and Gare Loch, the Jay is very common, and 

 during the autumn and early winter months, its numbers are 

 much increased by migratory flocks. It breeds regularly in 

 the county, although the nest is not easily found until the young 

 are hatched and become noisy. 



The number of the species is being reduced as in other 

 counties by the gamekeepers of the district. 



a Birds of the West of Scotland p. 187. 



b Statistical account of Scotland 1796. vol. 17. p. 247. 



