92 MISS CONSTANCE A. HINXMAN ON 
deposited, and here it apparently remained during the rest 
of the summer. The ospreys are very often seen flying up 
the Beinne River, probably to fish in Loch Eunich, and: once 
a friend who was with us saw a large fish caught in Loch-an- 
Eilein. Mr Harvie Brown mentions the presence of tourists 
as being a possible cause of the ospreys forsaking Loch-an- 
Kilein. Whether the birds had grown bolder, or whether they 
had become aware of the strict protection which is now 
afforded them, at all events one was glad to see that they 
paid very little heed to strangers. When the young birds 
were fully fledged they used to stretch their wings into the 
air, one at a time, and then, if anyone was on the shore, a 
cry from the parents would warn them to lie close again. 
But this was the only sign of caution or fear we observed, 
except that occasionally ne female bird would join her mate, 
and fly screaming round the island. 
From these general remarks we may now pass on toa few 
more particular notes concerning the different families of birds 
found within the district. 
The song-thrush appears to suffer more than most birds 
in severe weather, and after the hard winter of 1894-95, the 
species was almost killed out, at least in Rothiemurchus, 
but now they are seen again in something like their usual 
numbers. 
The missel-thrush is more hardy, and is an increasing 
species in the district, especially in the upland glens. 
The Norwegian thrushes, the fieldfare and redwing, appear 
in October and November as the rowan-berries, . their 
favourite food, are ripening ; but as the weather becomes more 
severe, they pass on towards the south. 
The ring-ouzel, for the most part of the year, is a bird of 
the hills anil moorlands, but is also tempted by the rowan- 
berries to the more sheltered valleys. 
The water-ouzel, or dipper, I have already mentioned. — It 
is one of the most familiar birds, both in summer and winter, 
along the rivers and burns; and it is especially pleasing in 
the latter season to hear its brief notes of song as it ‘flits 
before one, even when the river may be covered with floating 
ice. That the dipper has a song, and a very Sweet one, is a 
fact not very well known, and occasionally. disputed. 
