WILD LIFE IN A WEST HIGHLAND DEER FOREST 287 



afforded by the catkins. In June 191 7, I observed both parents 

 accompanied by their brood at 1500 feet. This species is scarce 

 and very local in its distribution in the West Highlands, and its 

 presence in the wilds of the Corrour Forest is noteworthy. 



Coal Titmouse, Pants ater. 



British Race, P. ater britannicits. 



The commonest woodland-bird found in the Forest. In the 

 birch wood it is especially abundant, and from this source is rapidly 

 colonising the extensive pine plantations. In the former haunt it 

 occurs commonly up to the limit of trees 1600 to 1700 feet. In 

 the valley zone it is frequent in the wooded ravines on Loch 

 Treig side. 



Blue TiTisiouse, Pants cceruleus. 



British Race, P. cceruleus obscurus. 



Resident in very limited numbers in the subalpine zone, where 

 it occurs in the Ossian woods up to 1500 feet, and also in the 

 Lodge gardens. In the valley zone, it is also to be observed among 

 the trees at the head of Loch Treig. 



Lesser Whitethroat, Sylvia curruca. 



A male in full song proclaimed its presence, and was observed 

 at close quarters, in some dense bushes at the head of Loch Treig, 

 on the 13th of June 1915. Though sought for on several occasions 

 later, it was not seen again. Its occurrence at this season amid a 

 region of such high mountains must be regarded as quite 

 exceptional. It is a scarce breeding bird in Scotland. 



Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus. 



The chief haunt of this very familiar summer bird is the Ossian 

 birch wood, where it is quite abundant and is to be seen, and more 

 often heard, up to the limit of trees (1600-1700 feet). It is also 

 fairly abundant in the gardens and plantations on the side of the 

 Loch ; and at least a pair resort annually to the very few trees 

 which fringe the railway at Corrour station (1350 feet) a tiny 

 oasis amid extensive moorlands. It is present, too, on the wooded 

 sides of the burns of the valley zone on Loch Treig side. 



Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix. 



The presence of this species is one of the most interesting 

 features of the avifauna of the Corrour Forest. Each year a small 

 number pass the summer in the old wood, seeking those spots where 

 72 2 K 



