on the Native Forests of Aberdeenshire 321 



full force, I have examined very carefully the old trees at Haugh- 

 ton, and find they differ very much among themselves in respect 

 of all these distinctions, and yet on inquiry I learn that no inferio- 

 rity has been observed in the wood of any of then^, and they all 

 appear equally healthy. 



Whether, therefore, they are all to be deemed of one variety, or 

 whether they must be considered as consisting of several distinct 

 varieties, or even species, the circumstance of their standing origi* 

 nally thin on the ground, has enabled them all to live to that ex- 

 tended age, which a comparison of trees of different ages in the 

 native forests^ shows to be necessary to the perfection of the wood. 



Afford, June 16. 1830. 



ART. III. Account of the Series of Islands usually denominated 

 the Outer Hebrides. By William Macgillivray, A.M. &c. 

 •—{Continued from Vol. II. p. 166.) 



Sect. VII.— JTiW Animals. Birds. 



The birds of the Outer Hebrides, if not very numerous in re- 

 spect to species, are yet exceedingly so in respect to the individuals 

 of which many of these species are composed. As might be ex- 

 pected, the aquatic birds predominate, and in many parts their 

 numbers are truly astonishing. On the other hand, the sylvico- 

 lous birds are few in species, as weU as in individuals. But before 

 entering upon any general remarks on the subject, I shall present 

 a list of the species which I have myself observed, appending to it 

 those which rest upon the authority of individuals resident in the 

 country. The arrangement of Temminck is preferred, it being 

 apparently the best known, and as natural as any other. 



1. Rapaces. 



1. Falco JEsalon, the Merlin, vernacularly named Clamhan beg, 

 is not very uncommon in some parts of the range. 



2. Falco Tinnunculus, the Kestril, also named Clamhan, is by 

 no means common. 



3. Falco fulvus, the Golden Eagle, F. Chrysaetos of Linnaeus, 

 An lolair dhubh, or black eagle of the islanders, is very abundant 

 over the whole range. It is generally smaller than the next spe- 

 cies, but is much bolder and more active. An adult individual, 

 probably a male, shot by myself, measured only five feet six inches 

 between the tips of the wings ; but I have seen otherswhich mea- 

 sured nearly seven feet. They occasionally destroy sheep of the 

 small or native breed, and frequently carry off lambs. Their ordi- 

 nary food consists of grouse, sea-birds, salmon, marine fishes, and 



