INTRODUCTORY. xiii, 



with the Rooks are abundant Tawny Owls 

 are well distributed all over the Strath, but many 

 only know of their existence by hearing them 

 hoot at night. The Long-Eared Owl is sparsely 

 distributed, and the Short-Eared Owl is some- 

 what rare. Woodcocks breed and stay all the 

 year round, but their ranks are considerably 

 added to in winter. Snipe, both common and 

 Jack (the latter in winter), are fairly plentiful ; 

 and in summer the Curlew visits us to breed, 

 as do the Sandpiper, Red and Green Shanks, 

 and Oyster Catcher. The Mallard and Teal 

 Ducks are permanent residents, and the Golden 

 Eye, Shelldrake, Little Grebe or Dabchick, 

 Merganser, and Red-Throated Diver visit us 

 in winter ; and at rare intervals, when blown 

 in by a storm from the east, the Rotche 

 or Little Auk, and one or two of the differ- 

 ent varieties of Duck that haunt the estuary 

 of the Tay in winter. A few years ago 

 a specimen of the Smew, was shot in the 

 Earn at Dornock. The Hooded Crow is only 



