The Scottish Naturalist. 113 



creiffe, a spot so adapted in all respects for the harbouring and 

 breeding of all our rarer birds. 



45. CuRRUCA ATRiCAPiLLA, BHss. (Blackcap.) 



46. CuRRUCA HORTENSis, Flem. (Garden Warbler.) 



Both the Blackcap and the Garden Warbler are to be found in 

 several parts of the district, but of the two the Blackcap would 

 seem to be the more frequent and less local. Probably it may be 

 that, from its not being so shy and stealthy in its habits, it is more 

 frequently noticed than the latter, which if in the slightest degree 

 alarmed immediately places himself on the wrong side of some 

 bush, through which he creeps, defying (especially from the 

 similarity of song) all further identification. Mr Brooke tells me 

 that both species are not uncommon about Dunkeld. The 

 Blackcap I have not seen higher up, but the Garden Warbler I 

 have more than once noticed beyond Faskally, and very possibly 

 both species may extend throughout Strathtay and Strathearn. 



47. Troglodytes europ^us, Cuv. (Wren.) 



48. Certhia familiaris, Linn. (Tree Creeper.) 



Both these are resident and common to the whole district, the 

 latter confining itself to the woods and trees along road-sides, 

 &c. ; the little Wren everywhere, from the cottage-garden to the 

 hill-tops. 



49. Phyllopneuste trochilus, Gould. (Willow- Wren.) 



By far the most abundant, and seemingly the hardiest and 

 most generally diffused, of all our summer visitants. This present 

 season, 1879, when others have been conspicuous for their 

 scarcity, the Willow-Wren, though some weeks later than usual, 

 has been fully as abundant as ever. It is said that they do not 

 make their appearance till the apple buds begin to break, and as 

 these have been a month behind time, it may account for their 

 tardiness. Supposing them to be endued with this instinctive 

 knowledge, the question arises, How do they manage to time 

 themselves ? Do they purposely loiter on the road, inundating 

 with their numbers the spots in which they rest on their journey, 

 or do they delay their departure for a whole month, so as to 

 arrive at the proper moment ? These are among some of the 

 mysteries of migration difficult to be solved. Its congener, the 



H 



