Birds. 5201 



nests of both this and the preceding species have been found here, 

 but very rarely. 



The Honey Buzzard (Falco apivorus). A still rarer species ; but 

 that they have been met with there is no doubt. A most splendid 

 specimen was shot at Gamrie, a few years ago, by a Mr. James Docker, 

 of that place. All these larger birds are generally termed " gleds" 

 with us. 



The Marsh Harrier (Falco aeruginosas). A specimen was killed at 

 Farglen about sixteen years since. 



The Hen Harrier (Falco cyaneus). Occasionally. Females and 

 the young of the year most frequent. The male is known here by the 

 names of gray, blue and lead hawk; the female by the name of ring- 

 tail. 



Ashcoloured Harrier (Falco cinerascens). I do not remember ever 

 seeing more than one of this species, which was procured here. It 

 was a first-rate specimen, a male and an old one, a very pretty bird. 



The Longeared Owl, Horned Owl (Strix otus). Plentiful. I once 

 found a nest of this bird with eggs in the month of March, I think 

 about the middle. 



The Shorteared Owl, Woodcock, or Grass Owl (Strix br achy otus). 

 A migrating species with us. Specimens are annually met with by 

 our sportsmen and keepers when out shooting rabbits, snipe and 

 woodcocks. 



The Barn Owl (Strix Jlammea). This, I am told, is a pretty com- 

 mon species in England. With us it is not so, but must rank as very 

 rare. I know only of four being procured here within the last twenty- 

 two years. One of them is in my own collection ; and George Do- 

 naldson, Esq., of Glasgow, has another, which he shot on the estate 

 of Durn, in this county, a short time since. 



The Tawny or Brown Owl (Strix aluco). About in equal num- 

 bers with him of the long ears. I have known these birds to have 

 had eggs by the middle of March. 



The Snowy Owl (Strix nyctea). One of the most magnificent of 

 all the owl tribe. What a splendid and showy bird ! I think the 

 term "glistening" or "spangled" might, with all truth and justice, 

 be applied to this shining species. What a noble-looking bird ! 

 What beautiful eyes ! the pupil dark, and the iris like two rings of 

 the finest burnished gold, set, as it were, in a casket of polished sil- 

 ver. I am glad, nay, proud, of being able to give this king of British 

 owls a place in my list, and of being able, perhaps for the first time, 

 XIV. 2 N 



