296 Mr. Selby on the Quadrupeds and Birds 



17. M. torquata, Ring Ouzel. 



This species is very abundant during summer upon all the rocky mountains. It begins 

 to breed immediately on its arrival in April, and we found the young generally flown by 

 the middle of June. 



18. Cinclus aquaticus, European Dipper or Water Ouzel. 



In a district abounding in rocky streams and situations so congenial to the habits of the 

 dipper, we naturally expected to find this favourite little bird in great profusion. Our sur- 

 prise at first was therefore great, to meet with only an individual here and there, and those 

 in the most squestered spots. The cause, however, was soon explained, when we learnt 

 that a decree of extermination had gone forth a few years ago, against this pretty little 

 warbler, and a price set upon its head as the supposed destroyer of the spawn of the sal- 

 mon ; I say the supposed destroyer, as I do not think a case sufficiently strong has been 

 made out against it to warrant so fatal a sentence. That it may occasionally devour the 

 spawn of the salmon and trout, I do not deny ; but I hold, that from the depth at which 

 the impregnated ova are deposited in the gravel, the dipper cannot possibly arrive at them 

 or commit any serious injury, and that it is only such ova as have escaped impregnation, 

 and therefore float loose, or such as have not been sufficiently covered, and would there- 

 fore perish under any circumstances, that find their way into the stomach of the bird. In 

 Sutherland it goes under the name of the King's- fisher. 



1 9. Saxicola cenanthe, Wheat-Ear. 



This clean-looking active bird is very plentiful, and generally distributed over the coun- 

 ty, but I think most abundant in the limestone districts, where the superior nature of the 

 soil, and the quality of the rocks, in all probability produce a greater abundance of food. 



20. S. rubetra, Whin-Chat. 



A few pairs of this species were seen at various parts, as at Lairg, Tongue, &c, but ge- 

 nerally where low copse was met with. 



21. S. rubicola, Stone-Chat. 

 Was also occasionally met with. 



22. Erythaca rubecula, Redbreast. 

 Was seen at various stations. 



23. Salicaria phragmitis, Sedge Warbler. 



This was one of the few warblers we traced to the northern extremity of the island ; it 

 was pretty generally distributed along the margins of the lochs, particularly where low 

 birchen coppice and reedy grass abound. The well-known babbling notes of this wakeful 

 little bird proclaimed its presence in many unexpected situations. 

 24-. Curruca cinerea, Common Whitethroat. 



Is of rare occurrence in Sutherland. One was seen and repeatedly heard near Tongue 

 House in a young plantation, and again we met with it upon the southern confines of the 

 county, near Bonar Bridge. 

 25. Sylvia Trochilus, Willow Wren. 



