Contribution to Vertebrate Fauna of West Ross-shire, 403 
to feed, and often roost in large numbers on Shieldaig 
Island in July and August, ten miles from the nearest 
colony. Rooks are reported to have first come to Applecross 
about 1863, and to have become very destructive of recent 
years, taking both eggs and young of grouse, and also some- 
times carrying off young ducklings, chickens, and even 
goslings. 
Corvus corax, Zinn. RAVEN. 
Though the numbers of this species have been reduced to 
a low limit through constant persecution, it now enjoys a 
certain amount of immunity from molestation, and a few 
pairs still haunt the recesses of the deer forests. A pair 
have bred for many years, and still nest, on Sron na Fithich 
(The Raven’s Nose), at the western end of Ben Shieldaig, 
above the village. Reported as still fairly common in Apple- 
cross, but decreasing. 
Caprimulgus europeus, Zinn. ComMMON NIGHTJAR. 
Summer visitant, rare and local. Occurs every year in 
the wood at the head of Loch Shieldaig, arriving early in 
June. The nest has been taken at Applecross. 
Upupa epops, Zinn. HOoopoe. 
The Rev. E. S. Marshall records one, shot on the shore 
near Loch Duich in September 1877 (see Ann. Scot. Nat.: 
Hist., 1894, p. 113). 
Cuculus canorus, Linn. CUCKOO. 
A common and generally distributed summer visitant. 
Strix flammea, Zinn. BARN OWL. 
Resident, not common, and very local. Breeds on Shieldaig 
Island. 
Syrnium aluco (inn.), TAWNY OWL. 
A common resident in all the wooded districts. 
