APPENDIX. 345 



in 1879 there were about 500 nests, and were still increasing ; these 

 birds generally roost at the same wood in which their nests are. 



Jackdaw — Corvus moncdula, Lin. 

 Resident, abundant, and everywhere increasing ; keeping, however, near 

 to the coast-line, and never venturing far inland. The Jackdaw is 

 found sparingly at Tongue, but has not as yet appeared in the west of 

 the county. 



Obs. Chough — Pyrrochorax graeulus (Linn.) 

 No trace of this species has been found that we are aware of since 

 Dunbar and St. John, both referring to the results of the same trip, 

 recorded the occurrence of it on the north coast. As St. John saw the 

 birds himself there can be no doubt of the record, but their disappear- 

 ance since is only the same process exemplified which is going on in 

 other parts of Scotland as regards this species. A careful survey of 

 part of the north shore and cliff may, it is possible, still discover a 

 pair or two, but we consider this very unlikely. 



Magpie — Pica rustica (Scopoli). 

 Resident ; extremely scarce now in the eastern district, having of late 

 years been killed down in the game-preserving interests ; quite common 

 in 1870. We find that, in 1873, 16 were killed in Dunrobin ; in 1S74, 26 ; 

 none again till 1877, when 2 were killed ; in 1S78, 2 ; in 1879, 3 ; and 

 in 1880, 5 ; or 56 in six years. Unknown in the west amongst the 

 keepers, except by evil reputation. Unknown at Tongue. 



Family HIRUNDINID^E. 



Swallow — Hirundo rustica, Linn. 



Summer visitant, but local ; breeds here and there along the south-east 

 coast, but not seen far inland. Probably more common about Dornoch 

 than any other part of the county. Not common anywhere in the 

 west, and decreasing. Have always been very late of arrival in the 

 west. They arrive at Tongue about 2Sth April, which would be very 

 early in the west. They disappeared from Tongue in 1867 and 1868, 

 but reappeared in 1869 ; but they only very rarely breed there. Ap- 

 parently absent from Altnaharrow in June 1SS1. 



House Martin— Chelidon urbica (Linn.) 



A summer visitant ; local and scarce ; occurs mostly in the south-east. 

 One colony used to nest in a quarry or sandpit near the railway 

 bridge over the Golspie burn. We have seen a pair of these birds at 

 Balnacoil, Strath Brora, flying about and resting on the house in 

 July, but apparently the place was not suitable for breeding purposes, 

 as after a day or two they departed. Local and rare in the west, and 

 decreasing annually, for some years prior to 1877. Used to breed in 

 the limestone rocks of Stronchrubie, where we have only, however, 

 in all our experience, found old nests, so they must have almost dis- 

 appeared since Selby's record in 1834. St John found them in caves 

 close to Durness. We saw nothing of these in 1SS1. Common at 

 Tongue for a short time annually : doubtful if they breed there. 



Sand-Martin — Cotile riparia (Linn.) 

 A summer visitant ; common and generally distributed in the east, where 

 suitable breeding localities can be found. Does not always breed in 

 large colonies ; in some places there are not more than a couple of 

 pairs. These remarks apply also to the west, but they are probably 

 still scarcer there, a few pairs frequenting a few scattered localities. 

 Observed in some numbers at Loch Slam and on the Borgie river, 

 near Tongue. There is a small colony at Lairg. 



