398 BANFFSHIRE FAUNA. APPENDIX. 



STRIX PASSERINA [The Little Owl]. 



I give this bird a place on the authority of a Mr. Wilson, who 

 informs me he saw one in a wood near this place. 



MUSCICAPA GRISOLA [The Spotted Fly-Catcher}. 



It is somewhat strange, but not less strange than true, that this 

 sylvan and garden-loving species should also be found nestling 

 and inhabiting our wild and rocky ravines ; yet such is the case. 

 I have met Avith them twice. 



MUSCICAPA ATRICAPILLA [The Tied Fly -Catcher]. 



I have a specimen of this bird, a male, in my possession, which 

 was shot about thirteen miles from this place. 



CINCLUS AQUATICUS [The Dipper, or Water- CocJcie]. 



Every means has been put in requisition to destroy this little bird. 

 It was abundant thirty years ago ; but it is now rarely to be seen. 

 It was supposed to destroy the young salmon, hence it has been 

 shot down wherever found. But I have never as yet found 

 anything appertaining to fish in its stomach, and I have dissected 

 about forty, water insects and their larvae being what I have 

 most frequently observed. 



TURDUS VISCIVORUS [The Missel Thrush]. 



About twenty years ago such a bird was scarcely known among 

 us, but now it bids fair to outnumber the common species ; for 

 as the one gains ground, the other seems to lose it. 



TURDUS PILARIS [The Fieldfare]. 



A winter visitor. We call them " Hielan'-pyats," that is " Highland 

 piets. " They arrive in October, and depart in April. Some 

 seasons they occur in thousands, but in others only sparingly. 



TURDUS MUSICUS [The Song Thrush or Mavis]. 



Usually very common in this neighbourhood, but becoming super- 

 seded by the missel thrush. (For its singing propensities see 

 p. 269.) There is one fact in connection with the rearing of 

 these birds which I must not omit to mention, namely, that if 

 any of the young refuse to open their mouths to receive food 

 when offered, the old one knocks them soundly on the head 

 with his bill until they did so. I have observed this frequently, 

 and was not a little amused at it. 



TURDUS ILIACUS [The Redwing]. 



A winter visitor, like the fieldfare, but not nearly so numerous. 



TURDUS MERULA [The BlackHrd, BlacJcie]. 



Generally distributed, but not in great plenty in any place. White 

 varieties have occasionally been met with, as well as pied. 

 When the winter storms send the thrushes to the sea-shore 

 to seek for food, this bird betakes himself to farm-steadings and 

 stable-yards, so that he never suffers so much as the thrushes do. 

 TURDUS TORQUATUS [The Ring Ouzel]. 



Rare. A few breed now and then among the higher districts of 

 the county. 



