94 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Orel PASSERES. 

 DENTIROSTRES. Fam. ii., TURDIDAE. 



DIPPER. 



CINCL US AQUA TIC US, Bechstehi. 



This ornithologist's favourite was at one time sadly persecuted 

 in Sutherland, the sum of sixpence having been, until very lately, 

 paid for each head brought in by the keepers ; consequently few 

 were observed in 1834 by Mr Selby, or by members of that 

 expedition. It is now plentiful, having been removed from the 

 list of "vermin;" and on every rocky burn two or three pairs, 

 and sometimes more, may be found breeding. I do not think 

 that the most bigoted of its accusers can affirm that salmon or 

 trout have suffered in consequence of its increase. In this county 

 it is called the " King's Fisher : " the true Alcedo isjiida being 

 unknown. So much has already been written in praise of this 

 really interesting little bird, that I need not say more than to 

 hope that it may still increase and multiply, no less in the wilds 

 of Sutherland, which are essentially its habitat, than in more 

 southerly and better cultivated districts. 



MISSEL THEUSH. 



TURDUS VISCIVORUS, Linnaeus. 



This still remains a comparatively rare species so far north, 

 though spreading steadily through both Sutherland and Caithness, 

 with the advance of wood and cultivation. In 1834 Mr Selby 

 writes that it was observed about the banks of Loch Naver ; but 

 in 1869, a correspondent in that neighbourhood failed to obtain 

 the eggs for me. Mr J. Crawford, however, is confident that the 

 Missel Thrush breeds about Tongue, as the birds are constantly 

 observed in summer. I obtained one egg in 1869 from a much 

 more northern locality — in Caithness. Even in 1865 Mr A. G. 

 More records it as breeding and " increasing " as far north as 

 Caithness. Since the above was first penned, I have seen eggs 

 which were taken close to Cape Wrath. 



SONa THKUSH. 



TURDUS MUSIC US, Linnaeus. 

 Common about Scowrie, and especially at Badcall and Loch 



