9166 Birds. 
pounced on, and that too with unerring aim. I then tried them with 
minute particles of bread, the merest crumbs, but they were secured 
with equal facility, where no human eye could have seen an object ten 
times the size. 
Swift.—June 18. Observed swifts hawking over the town of Elgin 
till a very late hour, and it was 10 p.M. ere they had all retired to 
their roosting quarters in the ruined tower of its ancient cathedral. 
Dunlin Sandpiper—June 18. Found the nest of this common 
species on the banks of the Lossie. The ground had been 
slightly hollowed and lined with coarse grass; and the nest, 
which was but a foot or two above the bed of the river, im- 
perfectly concealed by a stunted furze-busb. The four large 
eggs, pointing inwards and inclining downwards, well nigh filled 
the nest; on one being broken by my dog it was found to contain a 
chick in an advanced stage. The birds hovered about, occasionally 
coming within a few yards of me, and one of them perched on a railing, 
but for a few secouds only, emitting a plaintive cry. 
Blackbird.—June 21. The song of one was heard at 10 P.M. 
Willow Wren.—June 24. A young bird was observed. 
Nightjar. — June 26. When walking through a wood in the 
vicinity of Elgin, a nightjar suddenly appeared on the path before 
us, tumbling about in the most extraordinary manner, and flapping the 
ground with its wings. As we advanced it gradually retired, half 
running, half flying, and though pursued by my sons with their spaniel 
for some distance, did not quit the path, but kept fluttering on in 
front of them in the most tantalizing way, occasionally taking a 
summersault, till it had drawn them away from the nest, which 
doubtless was concealed among the fern by the road-side; it then 
disappeared. 
Tawny Ouwl.—June 26. An owl of this species, I believe, was found 
sitting on the branch of an oak: my attention was directed to it by the 
alarm-note of some chaflinches. 
Creeper.—June 26. Saw a few birds of this species. 
Redstart.—June 26. Observed an old bird with three or four young 
ones, which it was endeavouring to keep out of harm’s way. 
Whinchat.—June 28. Found a nest with six young birds, but one 
had been crushed to death. The nest was placed in the forked branch 
of a furze-bush, but so low as to be concealed by the long grass: it is 
composed of coarse grass, and has a lining of wool and hair. Two 
young whinchats, subsequently taken, captured flies readily enough; 
they survived only a few hours. 
