Professor Duns on Zoology of Mid-LochaljfA\ 1G3 



species." "July 8 — Owl out comparatively early. Seems 

 from the lightish colour of the lower parts to be the Lam 

 owl (Strix flammea). The bats did not make their appear- 

 ance for some time after I had seen the owl." "July 13 — 

 Heard the harsh screech of the owl. This leaves no doubt 

 that it is the barn owl. I am familiar with the note." 



The swift (Cypsehos murorius). — I had been on the outlook 

 for this bird for more than a week, when, on the 12th of 

 June, a pair were seen skimming close to the surface of the 

 Lochy, confining themselves to a comparatively small part of 

 the river, that, namely, between Inverlochy old castle and a 

 few hundred yards above the suspension bridge. Though 

 looked for, I did not see them again till the 19th of July, 

 after which they might be noticed daily hunting in the same 

 neighbourhood. 



Swallows yHirundinidce) . — The red-fronted or chimney 

 swallow (Rirundo rustica), the white-rumped or window 

 swallow (IT. itrUca), and the sand-marten or bank swallow 

 {H. riparia), are all met with, the last in greatest numbers. 

 I refer to them to note their habit of leaving a favourite 

 hunting area for a day, or several days, at a time. Again 

 and again they might be seen hunting over the mountain 

 sides, or confining themselves to the wide sweep of Corpach 

 Moss, eschewing the course of the Lochy for the time. From 

 many jottings I give the following: "June 12 — Swallows in 

 large numbers hunting so close to the water of the river as 

 often to touch it with the tips of their wings." " July 1 — 

 No swallows seen to-day in the course of the Lochy." " July 

 4 — A few swallows were observed to-day in the course of 

 the river. Most of them were hunting over Corpach Moss. 

 The river much swollen, and black as peat." "July 7 — 

 Swallows skimming all day and evening close to the water. 

 An unusual number of large moths flitting at twilight about 

 the banks of the stream." "July 10 — Temperature 59° Fahr. 

 at eight a.m. Numerous swallows in the river course, Avhich 

 they forsook entirely in the evening for the moss and the 

 mountain sides." " July 18 — ^Valked by the ' Lady's Mile ' — 

 the road from Lochy Bridge to Banavie — to Kilmallie in the 

 evening, which was exceedingly fine, and, what can be said 



