io6 The Scottish Naturalist. 



heard during all the early summer months, there can be little 

 doubt but that they breed here regularly. 



20. Cypselus apus, Jenyns. (Swift.) 



Of all our Hirundines,^ the Swift — the last to arrive and the 

 first to depart — is perhaps the most constant, and generally 

 diffused in the district ; for wherever suitable accommodation 

 is to be had for nesting purposes — be it steeple, railway bridge, 

 or old ruin — there he is sure to be found, screeching, and wheel- 

 ing round in a labyrinth of rapid succession of circles, from mor- 

 ning to night. 



21. HiRUNDO RUSTicA, Linn. (House or Chimney Swallow.) 



22. Chelidon urbica, Boie. (House-Martin.) 



23. CoTYLE RiPARiA, Boic. (Sand-Martin.) 



Of late years — from what cause it is difficult to explain — the 

 above three species have greatly diminished, at least in the lower 

 part of the district, especially the two former ; and it is to be 

 feared that this is pretty general throughout. Mr Brooke of 

 Cardney informs me that about Dunkeld they have become 

 decidedly scarcer, and the House-Martin rarely to be seen. See 

 remarks on Migration, and nesting of the House-Martin on Ben- 

 y-Gloe, 'Scot. Nat.,' July 1878, p. 285. In this present season 

 (1879), with the exception of the Swift, the whole tribe seem to 

 be especially scarce. 



24. Alcedo ispida, Linn. (Kingfisher.) 



Thirty or forty years ago the Kingfisher was a constant resi- 

 dent on the river Almond, and was not unfrequently seen in many 

 other localities, after which it became excessively scarce, and for 

 long disappeared altogether from many of its former haunts. I am 

 glad to say, however, that it seems now to be gradually on the 

 increase. In the 'Scottish Naturalist' for October 1874, ^ niade 

 mention of several examples having been noticed that year, after 

 a long interval, in the Carse of Gowrie. Since then, and especi- 

 ally last season, several others have been observed frequenting 



^ Some ornithologists think that the Swift has no other relationship to the 

 llirundines beyond resemblance in form and similarity in habits. They con- 

 sider, and apparently with good reason, that its true affinities are with some 

 groui:)s of the Humming-birds. — El). 'Scot. Nat.' 



