122 Proceedings of the Royal Physical Society. 



from which point of vantage he can take a survey, and guard 

 against danger, and in the early mornings and close of even- 

 ings he sings a rather monotonous but clear-sounding song. 

 It is the same note repeated over and over again, but from 

 its wild character harmonises well with the surrounding 

 scenery. During the day they sit very close among the 

 heather or junipers, and, in common with the blackbird, they 

 have a habit of skulking along the ground under cover, 

 which is perplexing to any one wishing to observe their 

 ways. As the birds advance in years, the white crescent on 

 the breast becomes purer and wider, the females and the 

 younger males having the white mingled with a few brownish 

 feathers, which detract from their clean appearance. On the 

 whole, I should say that ring ouzels are as numerous in 

 Glenurquhart as it is possible for such birds to be, the ground 

 being admirably suited to their wants. They disappear 

 about October, but this year a pair were seen in January on 

 Craig-na, most likely having remained all winter owing to 

 the mildness of the weather. 



Hedge-Sparrow {Accentor modularis). 



Found everywhere in localities suitable to its habits, but, 

 being a quiet little bird, and fond of hopping in tangled 

 thickets, or among heaps of dead branches, not so often seen 

 as some others whose actual numbers are fewer. 



EOBIN {Urithacics rubectda). 



Frequents all the woods to a certain extent, but is most 

 numerous in the fir wood, where the siskins and crossbills 

 breed, and in the gardens at Balmacaan. 



IIedstart (Etdicilla phomicnrus). 



Kedstarts are regular summer visitors, inhabiting the dis- 

 trict from Craig-na to Abriachan, and along the road to 

 Invermoriston. They are rather shy, but their presence is 

 easily detected by the soft call, which, as already noticed, 

 bears a resemblance to one of the notes of the chaftinch. If 

 a person attempts to follow them through the >vood they 

 simply become mute, and glide swiftly out of harm's way, 



