Mr Buchanan on the Birds Observed in Callander. 55 



In my father's note-book for January 31, 1862, he says that 

 he had a shot at an eagle, but failed to secure it. In the 

 " New Statistical Account of Scotland," in the chapter referring 

 to the parish of Callander, eagles, probably golden eagles, are 

 spoken of as being sometimes seen in the Trossachs. 



Pandion haliaetus (L.); Osprey; lolair-uisge ("water 

 eagle, eagle fisher "). — Quite extinct. There used to be a pair 

 on Loch Menteith, but these were destroyed, probably about 

 thirty or forty years ago. 



Falco peregrinus (L.) ; Peregrine Falcon ; Seahhag-seilge 

 (" hunting hawk "). — Pare. A pair nested on Ben Ledi in 

 1874, but not subsequently. 



TiNNUNCULUS ALAUDARius (Gmelin) ; Kestrel. — Abundant ; 

 especially in early spring. 



MiLVUS ICTINUS (Savigny) ; Kite ; Clamhan gohhlach 

 (" forked-tailed gled "). — Extinct ; said to be formerly com- 

 mon in the Trossachs. I have seen one or two remnants of 

 tails, of the parts that are used for salmon flies from that 

 locality, and have been told that early in the present century 

 rewards were offered there for the destruction of this and 

 other birds and beasts of prey. 



AcciPITER NISUS (L.) ; Sparrow-hawk ; Speireag-hheag 

 (" little savage "). — Common, but not nearly so plentiful as 

 the kestrel. 



Circus cyaneus (L.) ; Hen Harrier. — Very rare ; one shot 

 in 1875. 



Strnium ALcrco (L.) ; Tawny Owl. — Tolerably common. 



Otus vulgaris (Flem.) ; Long-eared Owl. — Pretty common 

 in early spring. 



Otus brachyotos (Forster) ; Short-eared Owl. — Compara- 

 tively rare; one shot in 1874. 



Strix flammea (L.) ; Barn Owl. — Common, but mostly so 

 in autumn. 



The local Gaelic name for aU owls is Cailleach oiche, 

 " night wife," or " old woman of the night." 



Caprimulgus europgeus (L.); Mght Jar. — Very rare; one 

 shot in 1866. 



Cypselus apus (L.); Swift. — Tolerably common. A few 

 pairs generally nest about the village of Callander. 



