342 THE ZOOLOGIST, 



hill-streams in this locality. The occupation of Glen Fender 

 appears to be due to a circumstance not forming an integral 

 I>art of the environment of a hill-stream. The breeding terri- 

 tories extend along the glen for a distance of two kilometres 

 from the top of the terminal gorge at 230 metres up to the 

 305 metres contour line. Within this course the stream is of 

 small size and flows with a moderate gradient. Areas of shingle 

 are few in number, and possibly too small to be serviceable for 

 nesting purposes. The south bank, lying between the stream 

 and the public road, has an average breadth of 450 metres, and 

 lies mostly below the 305 metres line. It is a terrace, a steep 

 slope joining the upper and lower levels. More than twelve 

 years ago the south bank was densely wooded. The trees 

 were felled, and the roots left in the ground to bleach. As grass 

 grew, sheep were turned down. The conditions have remained 

 unaltered to the present time. The ground is permanently wet 

 in places. There is a moderate supply of Earthworms, and a 

 fairly abundant supply of tipulid and coleopterous larvae. The 

 northern slopes of the glen have a thick deposit of boulder clay, 

 and are cultivated below the 305 metres level. The arable land 

 forms the general or distant feeding-ground, and provides a large 

 part of the Earthworms required to feed the young. The rest 

 of the glen is under heather and grass. Three pairs are cantoned 

 along the south bank, which forms the local feeding-ground. 

 The nesting-sites have not been seen. The tree-stumps are used 

 as watchtowers, and for the sunning reaction. The roots, now 

 of a light grey colour, form an important element in the 

 crouching response of the chicks. The terraced nature of the 

 ground is used successfully by both young and old in evading 

 detection. The area is little disturbed. 



3. Lake-beach Habitat. — Loch Tummel is a deep rock basin, 

 4*4 kilometres long. The shore descends steeply into the water, 

 and is marked by a narrow fringe of angular boulders, resting 

 on the mud substratum. At the east end, or foot, of the loch 

 there is a storm-beach of light grey shingle, grading northwards 

 into a fine sand-beach, and running upwards into the true lake 

 margin of angular boulders. The storm-beach has a breadth of 

 about 45 metres. A strip of uneven grass-grown ground, with a 

 few trees, separates the beach from an alluvial plain which is 



