1882-83.] Edinburgh Naturalists Field Club. 91 



wide muir began, the Cuckoos had evidently found their proper 

 element, as on all sides the familiar note — the reiteration of their 

 own name — was to be heard. In fact, the whole country-side 

 abounded with them ; and by dint of hiding and exercising a little 

 patience, a very fair view could be obtained of individual birds, 

 who would remain seated on the same spot for a considerable time, 

 so long as the presence of a stranger was undetected. While 

 resting on a rock, our attention was attracted by a most curious 

 noise, resembling the snarling of an ill-natured terrier dog. It was 

 evident from the locality that the sound could not emanate from 

 one of those disagreeable quadrupeds, but must be accounted for 

 in some other way ; yet witli every effort to find out the cause, 

 half an hour elapsed ere the authorship of it was traced to a female 

 Grouse, whose plumage harmonised so admirably with the sur- 

 rounding heather as to render detection wellnigh impossible. 

 Further investigation led to the discovery that while accom- 

 jjanying a flock of lately fledged "cheepers," not much larger 

 than Sparrows, she had been startled, and in the interests of self- 

 preservation had taken flight, leaving, of course, the young ones 

 behind. The peculiar growling sound was then either a call of 

 distress, or intended as a signal to the small fry to indicate her 

 whereabouts — the latter the more likely solution of the two. Tlie 

 Meadow Pipit, as usual, was abundant on the muir ; and on the 

 dry-stone dykes dividing the pasture-land from the hill, several 

 pairs of Wheatears flitted about, showing a great amount of restless 

 anxiety for the safety of their young, which, judging from the time 

 of year, must have been nearly ready to fly. As is matter of 

 notoriety, the click-clicking notes of this species have originated 

 the lowland Scotch appellation of " Stane-chacker," and the Graelic 

 " Clacharan." Another specimen of the Saxicolina?, which it is a 

 pleasure to record as inhabiting the district, is the Whinchat, a 

 most interesting little bird, all the more so from its local distribu- 

 tion in Scotland. In certain favoured localities this species, 

 although nowliere very numerous, may be said to be not un- 

 common ; whereas in others, which to the outward eye seem quite 

 as well suited to its requirements, it is very rarely observed, and 

 in some cases absolutely unknown. The Whinchat does not ap- 

 pear to live at such a high altitude as the Wheatear, the last named 

 in that respect being more ubiquitous, as it is found in the valleys 

 as well as on the mountain slopes. No fewer than three pairs had 

 taken up their quarters close to the village and parish kirk of 

 Moulin, and contiguous to an old ruin known as " Chaistel Dubh," 

 in its palmy days reported to have been a stronghold of the Earls 

 of Athole, but which at the present time is remarkable for nothing 

 save its filth, and a total lack of interest to even the most enthu- 

 siastic arch^ologist. The Corn-Crake, although unseen, was not 



