.2 -. BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



Both birds have a curiously mottled appearance: they were shot 

 at their nest containing young birds, and Mr Thomson's informant 

 Mr Crawford of Lairg assures him that during an experience 

 of eighteen years in the same county he has frequently seen male 

 birds in immature plumage mated, and that he has killed them 

 while at the nest. 



Mr W. A. M'Leay, Inverness, informs me that he preserved a 

 female Hen Harrier which was pure white and remarkabty 

 beautiful when compared with ordinary albinoes: it was shot at 

 Courthill, Lochcarron, Ross-shire, in the beginning of May, 1870. 



THE GOLDEN ORIOLE. 



ORIOLUS GALBULA. 



Page 80. 



A specimen of this bird was shot on the estate of Reith, near 

 Kirkcaldy, on 22d April, 1870, and preserved by Mr J. Wilson of 

 that town. Another was killed in the last week of March at Loch 

 Torridon in Ross-shire, and stuffed by Mr W. A. M'Leay, Inver- 

 ness, to whom I am indebted for a notice of the circumstance. 



THE SNOW BUNTING. 



PLECTROPHANES NIVALIS. 



Page 125. 



I have been informed by Mr R. G. Wardlaw-Ramsay that 

 Colonel Drummond Hay observed a pair of Snow Buntings in full 

 summer plumage on 21st June, 1870, on Ben-muick dhui; and Mr 

 Harvie Brown states that in the breeding season of the present 

 year (1871) young birds were again seen on Lochnagar. The nest, 

 however, could not be found. 



THE TREE SPARROW. 



PASSER MONT AN US. 

 Page 140. 



This species has been found breeding near Ardrossan in Ayr- 

 shire: one a young bird was procured from the nest by Mr John 



