Mr A. Craifj, Jvm., on the Birds of Glenurquhart. 113 



maintained their position were the crossbills, as they could 

 always get plenty of cones on the trees, although the ground 

 lay deep with snow. 



Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis). 



As numerous in the swampy grounds adjoining Loch Ness 

 as it is on the moors above. I should say that this species 

 is the commonest of any during the breeding season on the 

 high grounds, as one can hardly walk in any direction on 

 the moors, especially on those parts which border on the 

 highest limits of cultivation, without disturbing many pairs. 



Tkee Pipit (Anthtcs trivicdis). 



Arrives about the end of April or beginning of May, and 

 attracts attention by the peculiar manner in which it rises off 

 a tree, and descends with outspread wings, all the while 

 singing with animation. The song is not very great in 

 quantity, but what there is is of fine quality. It breeds 

 chiefly in the woods at Pitkerrald and Achmony. 



Obs. — It is reported that the Woodlark {Alauda arhorea) 

 has been seen in the same woods, but this requires confirma- 

 tion. 



Skylark {Alauda arvensis). 



Breeds almost exclusively on the higher parts, wdiere the 

 small crofts unite with the moorland, but is not nearly so 

 common as the meadow pipit. The cause of this is not 

 easily determined ; certainly it is not owing to the depreda- 

 tions of starlings, as has been maintained by many newspaper 

 correspondents, these birds not being very plentiful, although 

 gradually on the increase, in Glenurquhart as elsewhere. A 

 gentleman resident there informs me he has seen the ring 

 ouzel destroying the eggs of the meadow pipit, but never 

 knew an instance where the starling devoured the eggs or 

 young of the skylark. Both birds most likely are guilty at 

 times, but it is probable such cases are the exception and not 

 the rule. So far as Glenurquhart is concerned, I fear it is 

 only too true that skylarks are diminishing. 



VOL. VII. H 



