THE SNOWY OWi. 



CHAPTER Viri 



Crossbills : Habits of ; Nest — Snowy Owl — Great-eared Owl — Hoopoe — Shrike — 

 Tawny and Snow Bunting — Lizards — Singular Pets — Toads : Utility of ; Com- 

 bats of — Adders— Dog and Snakes — Large Snake — Blind- Worm. 



Whilst walking through the extensive fir and larch woods in 

 this neighbourhood, I am often much amused by the proceed- 

 ings of those curious little birds the crossbills.^ They pass 

 incessantly from tree to tree with a jerking quick flight in 



' The Common Crossbill. The bill of the young is not crooked when they first leave 

 the nest. The male crossbill loses its red plumage, and returns to a plain olive green. 

 I have seen it during the whole year in Morayshire, where it breeds at Dulsie. I have 

 also obtained nest and eggs from Balnagowan in Ross-shire. The eggs are like those of 

 the greenfinch, but larger and more oval. The nest is also like that of the greenfinch, 

 but built more loosely. The only authentic nests that I know of are belonging to Mr. 

 Hancock at Newcastle (C. St. J.), For another excellent account of the crossbill's 

 habits, breeding, nests, etc. , see Natural History and Sport in Moray, p, 124. It is 

 not uncommon in Ross-shire and the eastern districts of Sutherland, but, of course, 

 owing to the paucity of trees, is unknown in Assynt. Mr. Knox {Autumns on the 

 Sfey, p. 33) gives a charming narrative of the feeding of a party of crossbills in the 

 woods. 



