164 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



doubtful if any of their corvine allies could have been captured so 

 easily. At the Mull- of Oe, in the same island, wandering flocks 

 of Choughs are often seen, and I have eggs in my collection from 

 that headland. The following notes, which have been forwarded 

 to me by Mr Elwes, are of interest in connection with this dis- 

 trict: "The Chough is common nearly over the island, and is 

 one of the most characteristic birds of Islay. It is said to have 

 come first from Colonsay, where they are very numerous, and I 

 think it is rather decreasing in numbers at present, though very 

 seldom molested by the inhabitants. It is seen almost always in 

 pairs throughout the year, or in small companies of two, three, or 

 more pairs, and I believe that this bird, like the raven, pairs for 

 life, for I once shot a pair, that from their general appearance 

 must have been extremely old, the plumage being worn and the 

 beaks and claws unusually long. The Chough roosts every night 

 on the cliffs and rocks near the shore, and in the morning dis- 

 perses over the cultivated fields in search of food. It frequents 

 grass and seed fields, ploughed land occasionally, and is also seen 

 often about the roads and houses especially in frosty weather. 

 Towards evening they return to their roosting-places, where they 

 hover about the rocks with their broad wings spread, rising and 

 falling in abrupt curves, and constantly uttering their strange and 

 unmistakable cry. They are always restless and uneasy, never 

 remaining long in one spot, but taking short flights and constantly 

 calling. They are easily distinguished by their cry and their 

 very broad wings, the quill feathers of which separate and turn 

 up at the points, more so than almost any bird I know. They 

 are not shy except when pursued, and may be killed without much 

 difficulty when wanted. They breed in the beginning of May, 

 making a large nest of sticks, heath, and wood, generally in a deep 

 crevice of the rock. The eggs are from three to six in number." 



Mr Graham informs me that "three pairs at least regularly 

 breed in lona; two nests are placed in sea-caves, very difficult of 

 access, and the third is on the tower of the cathedral, among those 

 of the jackdaws, with whom the red-legs seem to be on the best 

 of terms, feeding with them abroad, and frequently accompanying 

 them home to their roosting-place. It is the only bird admitted 

 to this privilege all others, even the lordly peregrine and vaga- 

 bond hooded crow, being instantly ejected from their sacred alti- 

 tude without ceremony." 



