76 TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE. 



12. The Hen Harrier is plentiful enough in the hilly 

 districts, and, though very destructive to game, it compensates 

 for this in .some degree by occasionally preying upon rats, 

 vipers, &c. The cock is distinguished from afar by his nearly 

 white plumage ; while the hen in her plain dress of brown is 

 best known by the white ring on her tail, unde derivatur her 

 name of ring-tail. The young male has the same plumage as 

 the female. 



13. The Ash-coloured Harrier (Falco cineraceus) breeds 

 near Bonar Bridge. Mr. Dunbar has taken the nest and 

 killed the old birds in that district. 



I do not know for a certainty of any other hawks breeding 

 in this county, but probably the Marsh Harrier, Honey Buz- 

 zard, &c., are occasionally met with. 



14. The Scops -eared Owl has been found to breed near the 

 Oykel river, having her nest ou the heather. 



15. The Long-eared Owl breeds commonly in the fir plan- 

 tations, or in ivy-covered rocks. 



16. The Short-eared Owl migrates to this country in 

 October, and, unlike other owls, is found constantly in turnip- 

 fields, rough grass, &c, This kind hunts frequently in the 

 daytime. 



17. The Common White Old lives, as in England, in old 

 buildings, rocks, &c., and as it preys almost wholly on mice 

 ought never to be destroyed. 



18. The Common Brown or Tawny Owl lives principally in 

 the woody districts, where it is very common. In the frosty, 

 clear nights of winter this bird is heard hooting and uttering 

 strangely wild cries. In the spring it comes abroad at an 

 earlier hour than any other owl ; and, sitting on the topmost 

 and leafless bough of some ash or larch tree, may be seen 

 puffing out its neck and hooting loudly. 



19. The Snowy Owl is not unfrequently driven over to the 

 north and north-east coast after severe gales from that 

 quarter. 



20. A specimen of that beautiful little species called 

 Tengmalmo Owl was killed in May, 1847, by Mr. Dunbar, in 

 an old ruined factory at Spinningdale in Sutherlandshire. 

 This and many other foreign birds may be, and most pro- 

 bably frequently are, driven over to the wild and solitary 

 eastern shores of the county, without being seen or heard of. 



I must here put in a word for owls. They are most 

 unjustly and ruthlessly persecuted. Most owls are not only 



