NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 77 



the Merliu for nesting purposes. I have obtained or taken many- 

 eggs of this species in Sutherland, and other parts of Scotland, 

 and have never, in the north, got more than four eggs from the 

 same nest, though, curiously enough, the only laying which Mr 

 WoUey obtained consisted of six. Four eggs are the full number 

 assigned to this bird by all the keepers and shepherds I have 

 questioned on the subject ; and I do not remember any one of 

 these worthies ever having asserted that he had known of a single 

 case in which more had been seen or obtained. That this species 

 lays a larger number in some localities is certain, and that five 

 eggs is a common number in the south of Scotland, I am fully 

 aware. In the north I have several times received complete 

 layings of three, which were much incubated. In one nest of 

 four, from Sutherland, one egg contained no yolk, and the colour 

 was most peculiar, being dark sepia, or almost black. Of this 

 variety I have only heard of one or two other specimens. 



KESTEEL. 



TINNUNCULUS ALAUDARIUS {Linnaeus). 



As elsewhere in Great Britain this is an exceedingly abundant 

 species. Almost every little rock contains a breeding place, and 

 in the longer ranges of cliff several pairs may be found nesting.* 

 They are, however, even more abundant in some districts than in 

 others, and are especially partial to the rocky islands off the north 

 shore of Stoir and Aardvaar, and at the entrance of Cairnbawn 

 Loch ; and this, notwithstanding the fact that they are much 

 persecuted and shot down by the keepers, who receive for them, 

 in common with all other species of "hawk," one shilling per 

 head. I believe it only lies with the proprietor to forbid their 

 destruction for the future to ensure peace to the species, as the 

 keepers acknowledge that they do little harm to game. If the 

 reward was transferred, and added, to that already given for the 

 Hooded Crow, much service might be done both to the proprietor 

 and to the lover of ornithology: for there is no species more 



* An instance has come under the notice of Capt, H. W. Feilden, of the 

 Kestrel breeding on the ground amongst heather, like the MerHn. I have now 

 in my collection a laying of five eggs which he obtained in this situation in 

 North Uist. The position was evidently chosen on account of the scarcity of 

 either trees or rocks, its usual breeding places. 



