CH. VIII. BIRDS. 125 



29. The Robin, with its usual sociability, fre- 

 quents the habitations of man, as in other countries. 



30. The Redstart breeds commonly about the 

 woody glens and gardens near Dunrobin ; but, like 

 most other insectivorous birds, departs for the south 

 on the first approach of winter. 



31. The Sedge Warbler, singing like the nightin- 

 gale during all the hours of darkness, is common. 

 I heard its sweet note constantly during the night- 

 time: generally it sings about reedy lochs and 

 swamps. The most northern spot at which I heard 

 this bird was at Tongue, where its song was easily 

 distinguished, and had a most pleasing effect 

 amongst the harsher notes of the landrail, red- 

 shank, sea-gulls, etc. 



32. The Willow Wren is also met with wherever 

 there are hedges or plantations. 



There may probably be many other birds of the 

 same family, unobserved by me, in the extensive 

 woods of the southern parts of Sutherlandshire. 



33. The Golden-crested Wren is very numerous 

 throughout the year. 



34. The Fire-crested Wren (Regidus ignicapillus) 

 is sometimes met with. Mr. Bantock, the Duke 

 of Sutherland's gamekeeper, who has a collection 

 of birds killed on the property, showed me one 

 specimen. Being very like the golden -crested 



