Mr A. Cravj, Jun., on the Birch of Glenurquhart. 105 



Sparrow Hawk {Accipiter nisus). 

 One of the few hawks which seems to maintain its ground. 

 This bird loses nothing for want of pluck, as it snaps up the 

 young pheasants from under the very eyes of the keepers 

 attending to the pheasantry. It sits sometimes on a high 

 part of a tree, taking a survey of the ground, and when the 

 moment appears favourable it flies down with great velocity, 

 and takes off the young bird, happily before the man has 

 time to seize his gun. 



SiiORT-EARED OwL {Asio ctccipitrinus) . 

 Not at all common. 



Long-eared Owl {Asio otus). 



The same remark applies to this species, although it is 

 seen now and again ; on one occasion for certain within the 

 last three years. 



Barn Owl {Aluco flammeiis). 



Almost entirely thinned out by trapping, but, when ob- 

 served is usually to be found residing on a hill called Craig 

 Mony, one of those curious masses of conglomerate, which 

 rises out of a dense pine wood, and which is not an 

 uncommon feature in many parts of the Highlands. In the 

 darkest part of the wood, immediately surrounding the base 

 of this rock, the owls roost during the day, but unless fright- 

 ened out of their retreat by an excess of gun shots or other 

 means there is scarcely any chance of seeing them. 



Tawny Owl {Strix aluco). 



This owl is still rather numerous, notwithstanding game- 

 keepers, with their guns, pole traps, etc., and in the calm 

 nights of October and November particularly, it may be 

 heard giving vent to its mournful cry. Many people dislike 

 the hooting of this bird, but to my mind it lends a weird 

 kind of charm to the surroundings, especially on one of these 

 still moonlight nights in the late autumn, when the slightest 

 sound is audible. On such an occasion you can hear them 



