The Zoologist — October, 1866. 433 



about from twenty to thirty feet high, pierced by numerous caves, and 

 covered with thickets of hazel, birch, &c., which give shelter to many 

 of the smaller birds. The whole island, except a few farms, belongs 

 to the Duke of Hamilton, and all game is strictly preserved, the 

 present head keeper being Mr. Halida}', whom I have before mentioned 

 as a most trustworthy observer (Zool. 9514), and to whom I am again 

 indebted for much information. 



Quadrupeds. — The native quadrupeds of Arran are very few in 

 number : the hedgehog and mole are, I believe, unknown, as are also 

 the weasel, stoat, polecat, badger, squirrel, &c. The otter is common, 

 however, and rats, and house cats run wild, do their best to supply the 

 place of other " ground vermin." Rabbits and hares are numerous, 

 but have probably been introduced from the mainland. No deer are 

 naturally found in the island, but two species have been imported, 

 and have greatly multiplied. Of these the first is the guarupuco 

 {Blastocerus paludosus) from South America: these inhabitants of the 

 tropics were introduced some years ago ; they inhabit the woods about 

 Brodick, and appear to be completely acclimatized. In size they 

 are rather larger than the roe-deer, and the horns of the male some- 

 what resemble those of that species in form, but are curved boldly 

 forward. The second species is the red deer, of which a (ew pairs were 

 brought over from the mainland about seven years ago : they are now 

 plentiful throughout the island, inhabiting the woods and cultivated 

 fields more than is usual with this species in Scotland. Being little 

 disturbed they are by no means shy, and, owing to plentiful food, an 

 unusual number of the stags carry fine heads : I saw several with from 

 ten to twelve points. 



Birds. — In former days the king of birds held his court among the 

 rocky peaks of Arran, but of late no eyrie has been known, although 

 the memory is still preserved in the Gaelic names of some of the hills, 

 as, for example, " Tornidneon " at the head of Loch Ranza, which, 

 being interpreted, means " the heap (or hill) of the bird's nest." The 

 peregrine, however, still breeds in several places : this season fiv6 

 nests were taken, old Barr, one of the last falconers in Scotland, having 

 come for nestlings. Locally the peregrine is termed the " game 

 hawk." Of other birds of prey the kestrel is very plentiful, and the 

 merlin, sparrowhawk and hen harrier are also found. 



Most of the usual perching birds of Scotland seem to inhabit the 

 cultivated coast line, whitethroats and linnets being particularly 

 numerous in the furze along the shore. Whinchats and stonechats 



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