NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 273 



siderable number of the birds enumerated have been procured by 

 ourselves, and preserved as cabinet specimens, and we have 

 seldom introduced a species that has nqt come under our own 

 personal notice. For some of the specimens obtained, we have 

 been indebted to Dr William Anderson, now of Brigus, New- 

 foundland, whose observations have likewise been of service to us. 

 One or two remtirks on certain birds injurious to farmers have 

 been inserted on the authority of Mr Anderson, who has for some 

 years directed his attention closely to their habits, and who has 

 now matured these at a time when a full knowledge of the 

 subject is of some importance both to the bird student and 

 agriculturist. 



CATALOGUE OF SPECIES. 

 RAPTORES. FALCONID^. 



The Golden Eagle {Aquila chrysaetos). 



This splendid bird of prey, formerly so well known in many parts 

 of Scotland, is now extremely rare. A stray visitant is seen at 

 uncertain intervals on Ailsa Craig, especially in spring, when the 

 rabbits are being trapped and disembowelled on the rock. It 

 still breeds in Kirkcudbrightshire. In a work entitled, " General 

 View of the Agriculture of the County of Ayr," etc., published by 

 William Alton, writer, Strathavon, in 1811, the following passage 

 occurs: — " Eagles formerly abounded so much about Loch Doon, 

 in the higher parts of Carrick, as to prove formidable enemies to 

 the helpless sheep for many miles round their haunts. They have 

 been much reduced in their numbers by the shepherds, but they 

 are by no means extirpated. They still hatch in the most inac- 

 cessible rocks, and occasionally carry off", in their powerful talons, 

 a lamb to feed themselves and their young." 



The White-tailed Sea Eagle {HaliaHus alUcilla). 

 Within the last thirty years this eagle has been gradually 

 becoming scarcer, and can. now only be regarded as a very rare 

 straggler. Wandering examples of the bird are still met Avith in 

 the Firth of Clyde, resting occasionally on Ailsa Craig, where the 

 species formerly had an eyrie. These probably come from Islay, 

 which is yet frequented by two or three pairs, although it is doubt- 

 ful if they now breed there. A specimen was obtained early in May 

 at Dunoon a few years ago; and so long as the species maintains 



