6 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



Heron, Ardca cinerea. 



A single pair is resident. In summer these birds have their 

 nest on islands, on which there are trees, in one or two lochs, 

 varying the sites according to their fancy. The altitude of these 

 alternative sites is 1270 and 1350 feet. They go far afield in search 

 of food, and visit the highest and most remote hill lochs which 

 contain trout. In winter I have observed single birds at open water 

 on both the River and Loch Ossian. 



Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola. 



One or two pairs, at most, are summer visitors to the Ossian 

 birch wood, and nest there between 1300 and 1600 feet. In 

 spring these birds are observed performing their characteristic 

 "roding" flights, but never more than two birds so engaged have 

 been seen on the wing simultaneously. I saw a single bird in the 

 birch wood at 1400 feet on the 18th of June 191 7; and another 

 among trees at the head of Loch Treig on the 24th of June 19 r 5. 

 A Woodcock was seen in its nesting haunts on the 25th of April 

 191 7; and one was observed near Loch Ghuilbinn on the 3rd of 

 February 19 16. 



Snipe, Gallinago gallinago. 

 A summer visitor to the subalpine and valley zones of the 

 Forest, over whose moist moorlands it is sparsely distributed and 

 nests at from Soo to 1350 feet. The first of the season in 1916 

 was observed on Loch Ossian side on the 24th of April. 



Dunlin, Tringa alpina. 

 A few pairs pass the summer and rear their young on flat and 

 more or less wet moorland ground at 1350 feet. It is also to be 

 found, at 1100 feet and upwards, on the extensive range of peaty 

 moor borderinc; the Blackwater. 



*to 



Greenshank, Totanus nebularius. 

 A few pairs of this characteristic Highland summer bird frequent, 

 and nest on, moist, grassy, moorland ground, at from 1100 to 

 1350 feet. 



Redshank, Totanus totanus. 



Although there is a very extensive area of ideal nesting ground 

 for this bird at 1350 feet, yet it does not breed there, nor elsewhere 

 in the Forest. Perhaps the altitudes of the suitable haunts are too 

 high. It is, however, a casual visitor to Loch Treig in June, but 

 only remains a few hours. 



