88 Transactions of the [Sess. 



ist, besides also the historic interest that attaches to the vicinity, 

 embracing reminiscences of the old and savage clan feuds, as well 

 as the more modern and — to us at anyrate — more interesting battle- 

 field of Killiecrankie. And when to these are conjoined the still 

 older relics of the past that exist in the standing-stones and ancient 

 hill camps, enough has been said in support of the claim of Pit- 

 lochry to rank high among the many lovely summer retreats with 

 which our Highlands abound. Were it not foreign to the purpose 

 of the present paper, a great deal might be written concerning the 

 scenery alone ; but having regard to the largeness of such a sub- 

 ject as the " Bird-life " of any particular district, and the impossi- 

 bility of doing the scantest justice even to it in a short sketch, 

 nothing further need be said on that score. 



It will readily be understood that a locality possessing so varied 

 a landscape, and so well sheltered in the low grounds by the thick 

 woods and luxuriant vegetation, is more than likely to contain a 

 correspondingly large variety of birds, and, so far as Pitlochry is con- 

 cerned, such is undoubtedly the case. In proof of this, a glance at 

 the subjoined list of forty-eight birds, aU of which were observed in 

 four days, without, be it understood, any special effort being made 

 to discover them, may go far to show that if all these species could 

 be noted in so short a time, how large a number might it not be 

 possible to add during a constant residence, with of course the 

 requisite amount of trouble taken to identify and note the occur- 

 rence of every visitant. Undoubtedly the largest number and 

 variety of the smaller birds frequent the woods which border the 

 river Garry in the Pass of Killiecrankie, or the Tummel in its 

 course from the loch of the same name. Prominent among them 

 is the Eedstart, one of our prettiest plumaged summer migrants, 

 whose chastely contrasted garb (particularly that of the male) 

 attracts notice at first sight, and fairly entitles it to be classed 

 among the elite of small birds. On first arrival both sexes are 

 rather wary and jealous of a near approach ; but when actually 

 settled down to the duties of incubation, a great deal of their 

 natural timidity and shyness vanishes, so much so that intrusion 

 on their nesting-ground causes them to fly excitedly near at hand, 

 in a jerking, flirting sort of manner, observable at times in the 

 Eobin as well, uttering meanwhile a clear mellow whistle, which 

 strikes the hearer as being singularly appealing and plaintive. In 

 the Pass large numbers had built their nests in the walls at the 

 road-side, the loose character of the masonry giving ample scope 

 for that purpose ; but others again appeared to prefer sites among 

 the roots of trees and in broken banks. Although found in greatest 

 abundance in the low grounds, as also in gardens, parks, and hedge- 

 rows close to human habitations, this species does not always court 

 publicity, as amidst the dense and dark Pine-woods covering the 



