45 



When living in the west of Perthshire I 

 noticed one autumn during the early part of 

 September two or three of these birds frequented 

 the face of a steep hill ; and, setting a trap on a 

 cairn* built up for the purpose, I took within 

 twenty-four hours three young Buzzards, a Cat 

 and a Stoat. 



The specimens in the case, which are two of 

 the above-mentioned birds, were taken in Glenlyon 

 in Perthshire in September, 1865. 



See " Kough Notes," Vol. L, Plate 7. 



HEN HARRIER. 



Case 62. 



This bird (which is considered to be a con- 

 necting link between the Hawks and Owls) is 

 common on the flat moors in the centre and east of 

 Sutherland, and also over the greater part of 

 Caithness. 



It may, in like manner, be met with scattered 

 over the country wherever there are large open 

 heaths or furze-covered downs. 



On two or three occasions I have found its 

 nest in the rushy marshes in the neighbourhood of 

 the broads in the east of Norfolk. 



As is the case with other species, the 

 immature birds seem to wander more readily from 

 their usual haunts than adults, and are not 

 unfrequently obtained in Sussex and the adjoining 

 counties. 



It is said to be very destructive to game, but 

 my own observations would lead me to believe that 

 it preys more on small vermin and birds of about 

 the size of the Titlark than on anything larger. 



In the summer of 1869, while walking over a 

 moor in the east of Sutherland, I disturbed a Ring- 



* A pile of loose stones. 



