spring m the Western Highlands 



On the titth the curlews in the big glen were uttering 

 their spring call, and by this time, too, stags — the more for- 

 ward of them — were commencing to shed their horns. 

 Thrushes and blackbirds are late in commencing to sing 

 along the western seaboard, and it was not until April 8 

 that they were in really full song. 



Much burning of tangles for kelp was done during the 

 fine spell, tlie pungent odour of the smoking weed travelling 

 far across the islands. 



In the early mornings the blackcock were fighting regu- 

 larly and industriously, and also to a lesser extent after 

 sunset. Over the birch woods many w^oodcock flew of an 

 evening' with curious bat-like flight, uttering from time to 

 time their grunting cry and their sharp hissing note, '' chis- 

 sick, chissick." The hen birds are at this time brooding 

 their four speckled eggs — for the woodcock is one of the 

 earliest of nesters — and this evening flight seems to be 

 undertaken by the cock birds only and may be a kind of 

 display. 



Much heather was burnt during the first week of 

 April ; and, taken all through, this spring has been an excep- 

 tionally favourable one along the western coast for this 

 purpose. 



A pair of redshank nesting amongst some tussocky grass 

 near the sea were much in evidence about the tenth of the 

 month. The eggs had not yet been laid, and the birds w-ere 

 courting, the male flying up into the air and sailing earth- 

 wards, continuously uttering his flute-like whistle. Curlews 

 about this time were everywhere on the hillsides uttering 

 their trilling cry, especially before rain. 



By the thirteenth of the month the larch woods in the 

 more sheltered situations were budding, the rich red flowers 

 showing in profusion. Missel thrushes were sitting, and 

 stonechats also had eggs by this time. 



On several occasions I noticed about this time a barn 

 owl abroad and hunting in full daylight. I believe he had 



187 



