Birds. 9167 
Sand Martin.—June. This species is very abundant, breeding in 
the pits and banks of this sabulous district. 
Turtle Dove.—July. Two were observed on the wing. 
Wood Pigeon.—July. Very numerous. 
Pied Wagtail._—July 13. A young male, nearly full grown, was shot. 
Lapwing.—July. Towards the middle of the month a young female 
lapwing of nearly adult size was shot. 
Wheatear.—July. Occasionally observed. 
Whitethroal.—July 1. A pair of whitethroats, accompanied by their 
young, were seen to-day. 
Rock Dove.—July 29. Inspected the Cowee Caves, in the cliffs of 
the Moray Firth, about seven miles from Elgin. Looked into several 
without finding the pigeon, but at last had the satisfaction of seeing a 
pair dart ont of one of the largest caves, the sandy floor of which was 
impressed with innumerable foot-marks, and strewn with their feathers 
and a few egg-shells. But few holes or shelving rocks where their 
nests could be placed were observed, so doubtless they build in the 
clefts of the cliffs higher up. Though I got more than one shot J failed 
in procuring a specimen. No one who has not tried it can conceive 
the difficulty there is in shooting them, there being frequently two or 
more openings to the caves, so that one cannot foresee through which 
they may chance to escape. Their exit, too, is often as sudden as un- 
expected; so that they may pass within a few feet of one’s head 
without being seen, and rising abruptly disappear over the edge of the 
cliffs, which are here of no great elevation. Their appearance, too, is 
as sudden as their departure; a whirring sound is heard, but they have 
reached the sheltering cave unobserved. Amid these chaotic and 
gigantic rocks they appear so dwarfed in size that one can hardly 
recognise them. After reascending the cliffs a small flock was ob- 
served, in which there were a few of varied plumage, evidently of 
mixed breed. On revisiting the caves on another occasion a wounded 
pigeon escaped by concealing itself among the rocks, but was found 
two days after on the sea-shore: it being unable to fly, 1 was greatly 
astonished to find the crop full of charlock-seed, and could only 
account for it by supposing that it had been sought for and fed by its 
partner: it was an old bird. 
Ringed Plover—July 31. Found a large flock on the sands near 
Lossiemouth, but I only managed to kill a couple, both birds of the 
season. They have the base of the lower mandible slightly tinged 
with orange, but there is little appearance of a black band on the 
forehead. 
