502 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
ORNITHOLOGICAL NOTES FROM S.W. SUTHERLAND. 
By Epwarp Hamitron, M.D., F.L.S. 
Havine spent the months of August and September on the 
south-west coast of Sutherlandshire (South Morar, Arasaig, Loch- 
na-Nuagh), I send you some account of the birds I noticed during 
my sojourn there. 
A few pairs of the Golden Eagle still haunt the higher 
mountains of Inverness-shire and Argyleshire. I abstain from 
mentioning the exact localities, for fear of their extermination by 
too ardent collectors. A pair of White-tailed or Sea Eagles breed 
yearly on the precipitous rocks on the coast of Argyleshire. How 
grand they look! perched on the highest pinnacle, their eyrie is 
plainly perceptible. A very few Ospreys remain; I saw one fishing 
at sea, about two miles from land, off the coast. On Craig Muir 
a Peregrine was seen, and another near Loch Morar: this bird is 
getting very scarce on the west coast. The Merlin is the béte noir 
of some of the keepers in this district; they consider it more 
destructive to young Grouse than the Peregrine. It is in conse- 
quence becoming very scarce. The Kestrel, on the other hand, 
is very plentiful, and considered harmless by the keepers here 
and unmolested. Occasionally the Sparrowhawk is seen, but is 
scarce. ‘There are usually two or three Buzzards about the woods 
of Arasaig and Forest of Rea. One stormy day two female Hen 
Harriers (or perhaps a female and immature bird) remained a 
whole day near a small loch, perched occasionally on a rail or 
bare branch of alder. The loch was frequented by numerous 
waterfowl. The Wild Ducks feeding close by took not the 
slightest notice of them, but the Teal were greatly alarmed, and on 
the hawks taking wing immediately either dived or took shelter 
in the reeds. 
In many localities in the west the White or Barn Owl is still 
common; and the Tawny Owl is constantly heard in the neigh- 
bourhood of Arasaig House and other places in the district. 
In August I noticed a pair of Spotted Flycatchers and their 
young on the railing of the lawn at Arasaig House; and another 
pair-at T'raigh House, where there were fewer this year than usual. 
On the River Aylort and other places the Water Ouzel was 
observed: I saw one rise from below the water to the surface 
