104 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 



hawks, owls, jays, crows, etc., whose numbers have been so 

 thinned by the process that few are left to breed in the 

 district, although the ground is admirably suited to their 

 requirements. This destructive policy on the part of the 

 sporting community is fast depriving the ornithologist of one 

 of his greatest pleasures — namely, the studying from actual 

 observation the habits of the Falconidm and other birds of 

 prey; but it is pleasant to learn that, in a few quarters at 

 least, a reaction seems to be setting in, and many proprietors 

 and lessees of shootings are now attempting to preserve what 

 they formerly did their utmost to exterminate; and there 

 seems room for hoping that the remnant who have managed 

 to exist through all these years of persecution may in time 

 flourish once more in their native wilds. 



EOUGH-LEGGED BuzzARD (Buteo lagopus). 



Another buzzard has been found at rare intervals, which is 

 apparently this species. 



Peregrine Falcon {Falco ^peregrinus). 



Much commoner than the two buzzards. Its principal 

 breeding ground is in the vicinity of Mealfourvonie and 

 among the hills to the north of Loch Meikley, a wild district 

 lying between Strath-Glass and Glenurquhart, 



Merlin {Falco msalon). 



Now very rare. Is chiefly found in the neighbourhood of 

 Abriachan, a most picturesque and rugged range of mountain 

 slopes running for several miles along the west side of Loch 

 Ness, which, from its solitary nature and bold characteristics, 

 harbours by far the greater proportion of all the rarer birds 

 that inhabit the district. 



Kestrel {Falco timuLnculus). 



Of frequent occurrence in the wooded parts of the Glen, 

 such as the Glens of Divach and Coiltie, but although com- 

 paratively harmless it is shot and trapped on every occasion. 



