58 The Scottish N'aturalist. 



few which find their way over from the Continent every year on 

 their way south, it might ahiiost be looked upon as nearly extinct. 

 Up to the years 1832-33 they were numerous in many parts; and 

 at that time, within the Dunkeld grounds, where they bred regu- 

 larly, I have noticed them sitting for hours on some exposed 

 branch of a tree. 



5. Archibuteo lagopus. Gray. (Rough-legged Buzzard.) 



Though not nearly so abundant a bird in former times as the 

 above, the Rough-legged Buzzard was always a regular visitant 

 in the Highlands, frequenting for the most part the open moors ; 

 and not further back than the year 1856, numerous individuals 

 were trapped every spring on the Ballyouchan shootings near 

 Pitlochry ; but of late years, I understand, both there and else- 

 where, they have all but disappeared. 



6. Pernis APivoRUS, Cuv. (Honey^Buzzard.) 



Several instances occur of the Honey-Buzzard having been 

 captured from time to time in various parts of the district, chiefly 

 birds in the chocolate-coloured plumage of the first year, but no 

 notice has come across me of its nesting with us, though it does 

 so frequently in many parts of England. These birds, therefore, 

 may possibly be only passing stragglers from the Continent. 



7. AcciPiTER Nisus, Pall. (Sparrow-Hawk.) 



Notwithstanding the great persecution the Sparrow-Hawk 

 undergoes (for should he escape trap or poison, he is ruthlessly 

 shot at whenever a chance occurs), he has, with all this, held 

 his own in the district, perhaps better (with the exception of the 

 Kestrel) than any of his congeners. Many of these, however, may 

 be foreigners, or birds from a distance not bred in the district. 



8. Falco peregrinus, Gmel. (Peregrine Falcon.) 



The Peregrine Falcon was once well represented throughout 

 the whole district, for there was not a rock or cliff suitable for 

 the purpose of nesting or rearing its young wliere a pair of Fal- 

 cons did not take up their quarters, and would still do so were 

 they allowed. Thus, Craig-y-barns at Dunkeld, KinhouU and 

 Moncreifife cliffs, and many other places, each had their oc- 

 cupants; but though these are all now tenantless, it is satisfactory 

 to know that there are still in some of the remoter and less 

 frecpiented parts of the district a few breeding places yet re- 



