118 Procecdhtgs of the Royal Physical Society. 



bird is very close at hand. Tlieir call and short song is 

 pleasant, and in their natures they seem sociable, as even at 

 the breeding time they may be seen in little bands of six or 

 more, playing and feeding together. 



Bullfinch {Pyrrhida Euroi^oea). 



In the Abriachan birch woods, and in fact more or less all 

 over the Glen, the plaintive note of the bullfinch may be 

 heard during spring, at which time they call more frequently 

 than at other seasons. I regret to say that great numbers 

 are destroyed every spring by game-keepers and gardeners. 



Crossbill {Loxia curvirostra). 



The most curious and interesting of all birds that inhabit 

 Glenurquhart. In order to do justice to them, a paper 

 would require to be entirely devoted to their history and 

 habits ; but in this instance I have only jotted down one or 

 two of the most prominent features in connection with their 

 appearances in the district. They have been known to occur 

 at intervals for many years, but lately have taken up their 

 abode permanently, although disappearing now and again for 

 a short time, when it is believed they retire to the higher 

 and more distant pine woods in search of food. Beyond all 

 doubt, they are now breeding freely there, as in March and 

 April numerous flocks, composed chiefly of young birds, fly 

 about the wood near the parish church, uniting in autumn 

 and winter with other flocks, and forming congregations of as 

 many as sixty or seventy. As is well known, their staple 

 diet is the seeds of fir-cones, larch apparently being the 

 favourite. There can be no more interesting or instructive 

 sight than to watch their manner of attacking the cones, and 

 as they are very tame and fearless, this is easily accom- 

 plished. They will allow a person to stand at the foot of 

 the tree on which they are feeding, or even to climb up 

 among the branches in many cases, quite regardless of his 

 presence. Of course one can hardly get close enough to 

 see how the seed is extracted, but this can be done effec- 

 tively if a specimen be secured and caged. Happening to 

 possess two very tame ones, I have had ample opportunity 



