160 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



seen, but the tenants have been long evicted. I am aware of but two 

 eyries so placed, which are still used in the Northern Highlands ; in both 

 instances a large Scotch fir is the tree resorted to." 



The same remarks will not apply to the Osprey, although it 

 seems evident that in the choice of situation for the nest both 

 species are governed very much by circumstances ; while changes 

 in the physical aspect of the localities affected b} r them, whether 

 by the felling or planting timber, or by the various so-called 

 improvements considered necessary by game-preservers, have 

 brought about a consequent change of habit. 



On the nesting of the Osprey, Mr. Booth remarks : — 



" All the nests now occupied that I have visited during the last few 

 years have been placed on trees, and, without a single exception, the birds 

 had chosen Scotch firs. In two or three cases the nest was placed on the 

 highest branches, which were twisted and growing downwards towards their 

 extremities, giving almost, the impression that the growth of the tree had 

 been influenced by the weight of the nest. If the same spot was resorted 

 to for many seasons in succession, such a result might possibly be brought 

 about. In one instance, I believe, the tree has been made use of regularly, 

 while another is only one of several different eyries to which the birds 

 occasionally return, some years taking up their quarters at one spot, and the 

 next changing to another. For the last twenty or thirty years they have 

 never been known to choose an entirely new situation. Within a distance 

 of twelve or fifteen miles nearly a dozen nests in various stages of repair 

 may still be seen ; but it is seldom, if ever, that more than a couple of pairs 

 will be found breeding over the whole range. In one instance an immense 

 spreading fir is resorted to (one of the largest and finest trees in the forest) : 

 here the nest is placed among the lower branches, at a height of about 

 fifteen feet ; it is seldom that I have seen them at a much greater elevation 

 — twenty or twenty-five and (iu two instances only) about thirty feet, the 

 latter being the highest I have ever noticed." 



These extracts will serve to show the interesting nature of the 

 author's so-called " Rough Notes," as well as to illustrate his 

 style. The species dealt with in this the first part of the work 

 are the Golden Eagle (four plates), the White-tailed Eagle (one 

 plate), the Osprey (one plate), and the Kite (two plates). We 

 learn from the Preface that the work will probably be completed 

 in eight or ten parts, with between sixty and seventy coloured 

 plates brawn by Mr. Edward Neale from subjects in the author's 

 collection. 



