122 TOUR IN SUTHERLAND. CH. VIII. 



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 Buzzard, etc., are occasionally met 

 with. 



14. The Scops -eared Owl has been found to 

 breed near the Oykel river, having her nest on the 

 heather. 1 



15. The Long-eared Owl breeds commonly in 

 the fir plantations, or in ivy-covered rocks. 



1 6. The Short-eared Owl migrates to this country 

 in October, and, unlike other owls, is found con- 

 stantly in turnip-fields, rough grass, etc. This kind 

 hunts frequently in the daytime. 



1 7. The Common Wliite Owl lives, as in England, 

 in old buildings, rocks, etc., 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 top- 



1 Query, Short-eared Owl. See Appendix, page 333. 



