inhabiting the County of Sutherland. 295 



5. P. peregrinus, Peregrine Falcon. 



Is pretty generally distributed, and preys much upon the various aquatic fowl, as well as 

 on grouse, ptarmigan, and alpine hares. 



6. F. tinnunculus, Kestril. 

 Common throughout the county. 



7. Buteo vulgaris, Common Buzzard. 



This species we met with in various parts of the county. 



8. Circus Cyaneus, Hen Harrier. 



A single female individual was seen and fired at between Alt-na-Harrow and Loch Laig- 

 hal. No owls were met with, but from the information we received, the Otus Brachyotos 

 inhabits the country. 



9. Hirundo rustica, Chimney Swallow. 

 Common. 



10. H. urbica, Martlet. 



Plentiful. Breeds in great numbers about the marble rocks near Inch-na-Damff. 



11. H. riparia, Sand Martin. 



A few were seen, but no great breeding-station noticed. 



12. Cypselus murarius, Common Swift. 



We met with this bird in the parish of Durness, where it breeds in the great Smoo 

 Cave, and other caverns of the limestone rock. 



13. Muscicapa grisola, Spotted Flycatcher. 



A specimen seen at Rosehall, below Oikel Bridge. 



14. Merula musica, Song Thrush. 



Plentiful throughout the whole county, particularly where birchen or hazel copse 

 abounds ; it is also frequently seen in rocky situations, perched upon a large stone, pour- 

 ing forth its melodious strains, which are precisely similar to those of its fellow species in 

 other parts of the kingdom. No other thrush nearly " resembling the common kind in co- 

 lour, but darker and smaller," was seen, and we in vain tried to recognise the little brown 

 thrush of Mr. Laidlaw, which I am inclined to suppose was only the common species seen 

 in rather unwonted situations. We shot several for examination, in wild and unfrequented 

 places, and where no one, judging of the habits of the thrush, as seen in more southern 

 districts, would have expected to find them. We were informed at Tongue, in which dis- 

 trict from the plantations and numerous birch-woods they are very numerous, that they do 

 not migrate, but remain during winter upon the margins of the Firth, and other low situa- 

 tions, where the snow rarely lies, and where they always have a plentiful supply of food. 



15. Merula viscivora, Missel Thrush. 



Was seen about the birch-woods upon the banks of Loch Naver, and in the neighbourhood 

 of Lairg. 



16. M. vulgaris, Blackbird. 



Is not frequently seen in Sutherland. We met with it at Tongue, where it finds an appro- 

 priate retreat in the plantations around Tongue House. 



