BANFFSHIRE BIRJ3S 239 



BANFFSHIRE BIRDS 



By Allan E. Mahood, M.B., F.R.C.S., England ; President of the 



Banffshire Field Club. 



The following notes indicate some points of interest found 



during a revision of the late Mr J. Harvie-Brown's Deveron 



Valley Bird Life. {Banffshire Field Club, 2 5 th February 1897.) 



Missel and Song Thrushes, which have varied considerably 

 in numbers from time to time, were quite common about 

 Banff in the breeding seasons of 191 5 and 1916, but they 

 were very scarce during 191 7 and the following winter. 

 Some, if not all, of the Song Thrushes which winter here 

 belong to the typical form. Blackbirds were plentiful 

 throughout 191 5-16- 17, and were much more common near 

 Banff than both Missel and Song Thrushes combined. 

 Redwings were seen close to Duff House on the 22nd 

 November 191 5 and 1916, and remained until about the 

 1 8th March. Many were killed by the unusual cold of 

 March 1917. A dozen were seen for the first time this past 

 winter on 9th February. Several reports note the absence 

 of Redwings throughout the country during the early part of 

 last winter : the first were seen near Cullen on 18th January. 

 Fieldfares usually frequent the fields of the coastal district 

 in very large flocks, but were very scarce throughout the 

 winter 1917-18. Some observers saw none during the 

 winter, and round Keith Mr H. Thomson reports that 

 Fieldfares, Snowbuntings, and Bramblings have been very 

 scarce. The Crested Titmouse appears to have extended 

 eastwards from its home on Speyside. One was seen east 

 of the Deveron, in Montcoffer Wood, by Mr Cattenach, 

 who was quite familiar with the bird. It has also been 

 seen near Keith and near Cullen. 



The occurrence of White Wagtails in this district seems to 

 have been overlooked. Mr Wm. Brodie noticed, during the 

 summers 191 2-1 5, a pair of Wagtails, near Blackpots, which 

 were lighter coloured than Pied Wagtails and had grey backs. 

 They arrived about the end of March to mid-April, and he 

 believed nested. I saw one of the birds in July 1916 ; Major 



