NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 55 



Raven. — Gorvus cor ax, Lin. — The Raven has not entirely dis- 

 appeared — or has it reappeared? — in the Stewartry, as I have evidence 

 of its occurrence in 1880. Numbers were to be seen this winter 

 feeding on carcases of braxy sheep which had floated down the 

 Dee in the Stewartry. 



Rook. — Corvus frugilegus, Lin. — Mr. Henderson writes me that 

 two years ago a good many Rooks came over to the Outer Hebrides, 

 especially to S. Uist — driven over no doubt by the severe weather 

 of 1878-79. Last year, 1879-80, he only saw one, but this winter 

 they are more numerous than they were two years ago, and this year 

 they put in an appearance very much earlier, a few arriving in the 

 end of Oct., and these again were strongly reinforced about the end 

 of Nov. [Compare here the returns of the Lighthouses — Monach 

 Lt. House, &c, and also the occurrences of Rooks in Mid- Atlantic, 

 cited in Migration Report for 1880.] Mr. Henderson bears witness 

 to the carnivorous propensities of Rooks at all times, though not to 

 the same extent as when other food is not procurable. He has 

 known them to take young birds from a nest and devour them. He 

 has shot them in the act, and taken them in traps set for vermin, 

 and baited with a piece of rabbit's or other flesh. 



It is said that Rooks were introduced into Islay by the late Mr. 

 Walter F. Campbell ; now they are numerous all over the district. 



At the first indication of a thaw— slight as it was— on the 22nd 

 Jan. 1881, the Rooks made great demonstrations, and kept at home 

 all forenoon and both that day and the next, Sunday 23rd ; but on 

 the 24th, when all signs of thaw had disappeared, they went off as 



usual. 



I am obliged to Mr. R. Tait, of Thurso, for the following interest- 

 ing notes on the newly established Rookery there. In a few trees 

 in his garden, some years ago, Rooks began to build. During the 

 last two years the Rookery became too large, and the birds too pre- 

 datory, so in 1880 he was obliged to pull down the nests. The 

 birds finally, with the exception of one or two pairs, were driven off, 

 after a persevering struggle on both sides; but then the unused 

 chimneys in the town were taken possession of, and in spite of 

 persecution a good many reared broods in the chimneys. Mr. Tait 

 adds, " There are decent worthies in Thurso who said that I had 

 made a Rookery for my own pleasure, and had dispersed it for their 

 annoyance." 



The Rev. A. Stewart puts the deaths amongst Rooks and Black- 



