274 LOCH CRERAtf. 



keep together, and we counted four species of bunting 

 in one flock that had perched upon the trees of a small 

 plantation. Unless we were mistaken and a bird in 

 the tree is not satisfactory to an ornithologist the only 

 Ctrl Bunting we have seen here was in this flock. The 

 Black-headed Bunting is represented by one or two pairs, 

 and they are very local in their habitat, principally 

 affecting a short stretch of ground near the Moss of 

 Ledaig. We saw the Whinchat also a few days ago in 

 its district near Culcharran Moss, where it may be met 

 all the year in one or more pairs. A fine flock of Field- 

 fares is with us, that beautiful thrush that winters 

 throughout the country, and is so constantly mistaken 

 for the Missel Thrush ; or rather, properly speaking, the 

 Missel Thrush is mistaken for it. Whenever anyone 

 talks of a Fieldfare's nest, he is scoffed at as having mis- 

 taken the Missel Thrush's nest therefor. In colouring 

 they are much alike, but the Missel Thrush is a much 

 more vociferous fellow. Do the Missel Thrushes really 

 leave us when the Fieldfares come, and return as they 

 leave, thus helping to continue the mystification ? For 

 the Missel Thrushes that frequent our neighbourhood 

 have not been seen this winter ! 



What is a deer fence ? We used to think we knew, 

 and supposed a 6ft. fence, with wires a foot apart, was 

 quite sufficient. But we have known deer to get over 

 such a fence, and we have heard of them going under 

 such a fence ; and now we know of a two-year-old buck 

 going right through a stiff split rail fence less than gin. 

 between the spars. Caught in a garden, it went straight 

 at the fence, slipped its head sideways between the spars, 

 and went through it like a cat. A very slight wire fence 

 is frequently sufficient to restrain red deer, but these 



