294 Mr. Selby mi the Quadrupeds and Birds 



destructive to the flocks. It breeds upon the highest maritime cliffs, such as those of Far- 

 out-head, Whiting-head, &c, as well as upon islands in some of the large fresh-water lochs. 

 At Far-out-head we contemplated for some time the evolutions of two adult birds of this 

 species, almost within gun-shot beneath us, and which were supposed to have their eyry in 

 the face of the rock- Their flight was easy and graceful, and in large winding sweeps. 

 3. Pandion haliaetus, Osprey. 



The osprey appears to be most abundant upon the western coast of Sutherland, affecting 

 the numerous salt-water inlets or lochs which indent that rugged and rocky barrier of the 

 county, and more particularly those into which the larger streams discharge themselves, as 

 it is upon the Salmonidas that they appearchiefly to subsist. At the mouth of the Lax- 

 ford, a celebrated salmon stream (as the name imports), we observed three or four upon 

 the wing at a time, sometimes soaring at a great height in extensive circles, at others ho- 

 vering over the channel of the river where it enters the sea, intently watching and seek- 

 ing their slippery prey beneath. They hang suspended in the air like the kestril, but with 

 a slower motion of the wings, and their plunge is made with a rapidity almost incredible, 

 and with an impetus so great as completely to submerge the entire body of the bird — 

 Here I cannot help remarking the beautiful adaptation of the plumage of this bird to its 

 mode of life, for instead of the long lax plumes which adorn the thighs of the terrene rap- 

 tores, the osprey has these parts covered with close set feathers, and the whole of the 

 under-plumage bears a strong analogy to that of the Natatores. When successful they 

 bore off their prey in their talons to the summit of some of the neighbouring hills, there to 

 devour it at leisure. Their food at this time mostly consisted of the sea-trout Salmo 

 trutta, which had had just commenced running, that is, were quitting the sea for the rivers 

 and fresh-water lochs. It not unfrequently happens that they grasp at more than they are 

 able to accomplish, and pounce upon a fish too large and heavy to raise out of the water. 

 Upon such occasions, after continuing the struggle for some time, they at length relax 

 their hold, which they do without difficulty, though we are told, that, under such circum- 

 stances, the bird is generally drowned, being unable to extricate its talons from its finny 

 prey. Mr. Baigie, the factor of the Scourie district, to whom we are under many obliga- 

 tions, a short period before our arrival had witnessed an interesting struggle of this kind, 

 in which the bird, after repeated attempts to raise the fish (a large grilse or salmon) was 

 finally obliged to quit his hold, and suffer it to escape. The osprey is also to be seen upon 

 most of the larger fresh-water lochs. At Assynt a pair have long had their eyry upon the 

 remains of an ancient castle about a mile below Inch-na-Damff. They remain generally 

 unmolested by the hunters, as they never attack the lambs, their food being entirely re- 

 stricted to fish. 

 4. Falco islandicus, Jer-Falcon. 



I do not insert this noble species as a constant inhabitant of Sutherland, but as an occa- 

 sional visitant. At Keoldale, we met with a recent skin (now in my possession), the 

 remains of one that had been killed near that place a short time before our arrival by Mr. 

 Scobie. 



