176 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



the Highlands of Scotland. It is only known to 

 breed in one or two counties (Inverness-shire, Eoss- 

 shire, and Galloway), and would undoubtedly have 

 long ago been banished, had it not been for the 

 strict protection extended towards it where it now 

 builds. 



Materials. — Sticks, twigs, turf, moss, and grass. 

 The structure is of a huge character, and the top 

 almost flat. The same site is used again and again 

 with the utmost regularity. 



Eggs. — Two to four, generally three ; very vari- 

 able and beautiful. The ground colour ranges from 

 wdiite to dull yellowish-white, handsomely marked 

 with rich reddish-brown and light brownish-grey. 

 Some examples are suffused with bright orange-red 

 or purple. The blotches and spots are sometimes 

 very thickly distributed, at others they form a zone 

 round the larger end or are irregularly scattered 

 over the entire of the egg. They (the eggs) also 

 vary considerably in size. Average about 2*3 by 

 1-85 in. 



Tifne. — May and June. 



Meinarl's. — Migratory, arriving in April or May, 

 and departing in September and October. Notes, 

 hai, Jiai, Jxai. Local and other names : Eagle 

 Fisher, Mullet Hawk, Fish Hawk. Sits lightly, 

 according to Mr. Dixon, but pretty closely accord- 

 ing to Mr. Seebohm. 



OUZEL, RING. See Eing Ouzel. 



OUZEL, WATER. See Dipper. 



