510 Birds. 



which are generally black, of a fawn colour, and the other parts which 

 are generally ash grey were white," W. A. Stables, Esq. 



Rook, C.frugilegus. There are many rookeries in this part of the 

 country, the chief of which is Gordonston in the parish of Drainie. 

 Much speculation has at different times been entertained, and very 

 opposite conclusions drawn as to the effect the prevalence of the rook 

 has upon the agriculture of a country. The injury done by these 

 birds in winter to the young wheat, is the heaviest charge that can be 

 brought against them ; and, being palpable and confined to a short 

 period, has by some been exclusively dwelt upon, without reflecting 

 that throughout the whole of the rest of the year, and even in many 

 fresh days of that season, they are almost incessantly occupied in the 

 destruction of innumerable insects so detrimental to vegetable growth, 

 but which must multiply in proportion as the richness of the soil un- 

 der cultivation increases. In this part of the country the rooks repair 

 to the hills and moors for a short time after the breeding season, 

 where they are supposed to be attracted by the crowberry {Empetrum 

 nigrum). It is fully as likely that this movement is made in order to 

 feed upon some larvae that may then be making their appearance in 

 these subalpine districts. When hard pressed for food, as in the se- 

 vere winter of 1841, the rook has been known to feed on carrion, and 

 even on the carcases of its own species. 



Jackdaw, " Kae," Corvus Monedula. Abundant : often seen herd- 

 ing with the rook. Varieties in the plumage of this species have at 

 different times been observed ; and at Rafford there is one, beautifully 

 speckled with white spots, which has been observed by Mr. Watson 

 to remain in that neighbourhood for several years, and supposed to 

 build in the ruins of the old church. 



Magpie, " Piet," C. Pica. Since the extensive plantations have got 

 up to the requisite height, the magpie's nest is not so frequently found 

 as formerly in the vicinity of houses : this leads to the suspicion that 

 its selection of these latter localities was not at all times a matter of 

 choice. Generally met with in pairs, but at times in flocks of eight- 

 een or twenty. 



Great spotted woodpecker, Picus major. Two specimens were pro- 

 cured in 1838, by Mr. Wink, from the woods of Castle Grant, which 

 it has long been known to inhabit. It has also been found near In- 

 verness ; see Jameson's Journal, No. 62. 



Creeper, Certhia familiaris. Found in all our fir and oak planta- 

 tions, and continues throughout the winter. Seen also in Aberdeen- 

 shire in December, 1838. Accompanied by the golden-crested wren 



