The Zoologist — February, 1866. 67 



Willow Wren. — On the 29th the gale suddenly changed to S.E. 

 with heavy rain, and while it was at its height I saw a willow wren fly 

 over the south wall of the garden and hastily alight among some bushes: 

 evidently it had been long upon the wing, for it was so exhausted that 

 I might have caught it in my hat, had I been so inclined. 



Henry L. Saxby. 

 Baltasound, Shell mJ, October 31, 1865, 



A List of Birds observed in the two adjoining Parishes of Dunipace 

 and Larbert, in Stirlingshire. By J. A. Harvie Brown, Esq. 



Merlin. — I have shot two specimens of this pretty little hawk, and 

 have seen many more, although it is the least common of the three 

 mentioned in this list. I have risen this bird more than once from 

 heather during the breeding-season, but hitherto have always failed in 

 finding its nest, though I am thoroughly convinced that a few breed in 

 this parish (Dunipace). The merlin is generally known here as the 

 " small blue hawk." 



Kestrel. — Local name, the " red hawk." The kestrel is our com- 

 monest hawk, and breeds around this neighbourhood every year, in 

 spite of persecutions from the gamekeepers, &c. Breeds regularly in 

 the ruins of Torwood Castle. 



Sparrowhawk. — Local name, the " blue hawk." Not so common as 

 the last species, but breeds regularly with us. 



Longeared Owl. — Common. Breeds frequently, but not, I think, 

 regularly. 



Barn Owl. — Not quite so common as the last-mentioned species. 

 I have only found the nest myself once in these parishes, but I believe 

 that a pair breed regulai-ly in some part of the ruins of an old bleach- 

 field near this. I hear them crying very frequently during the 

 night. 



Tawny Owl. — Local. Breeds in Torwood Forest. I have seen a few 

 in Dunipace. 



Great Gray Shrike. — Local name, "butcher bird." I have one 

 specimen in my collection, which was shot in Dunipace parish, about 

 seven years ago : it was stuffed by a man in the village, evidently with 

 clay or stucco, by its weight, aud spoiled accordingly. In October, 

 1860, I pursued a very fine great gray shrike for some lime ; I had no 

 gun with me, or I should easily have secured it, as it was exceedingly 



