BIRDS. 



217 



yet come to be looked upon as a destructive species in the higher 

 Cam districts — certainly not so much so as the Ring-Ouzel, 

 but up to this time seems to have held its destructive quali- 

 ties in reserve until it visits the lower gardens of the Laigh of 

 Moray. 



But in 1893, we ourselves observed, in addition to its 

 phenomenal increase amongst the higher levels, that Missel 

 Thrushes went early up from the birch groves to still higher 

 levels to feed upon the abnormally early mountain berries; and 

 Hinxman found them in flocks as early as the end of June, high 

 up on the mountains above Inchrory, where several pairs were 

 breeding at an elevation of 1350 feet.^ 



On the other hand, in the lower grounds, and as observed by 

 ourselves near Fochabers, the Missel- Thrush was not so abundant 

 in the early part of August. No doubt it was flocking, as already 

 indicated, to feed upon the mountain berries, the garden fruits 

 of the Laigh having been already over there from a month to six 

 weeks before their usual time. 



Amongst a considerable flock of Missel-Thrushes seen by us — 

 when accompanied by Dr. Gordon, on a visit to the old castle of 

 Auchendoun, in Glen Fiddich — we saw a creamy-tinted, almost 

 albino, bird of the same species : this was upon the 31st July 1893. 



Turdus musicus, L. Song-Thrush. 



Local Names. — Mavis, Mavie. 



Resident, generally distributed, abundant ; less abundant, however, 

 now than the Missel-Thrush. Very scarce in winter. Susceptible 

 to severe and long-continued storms. 



The Thrush is a common species throughout the north of our 

 area during spring and until late autumn, after which they 

 become very much scarcer. Even in the neighbourhood of Inver- 

 ness, which is warm and sheltered, this is the case. When the 



' All Mr. Hinxman's and Mr. Eagle- Clarke's altitudinal observations in 1893 

 were fixed by aneroid, and these gentlemen are doing excellent work in the direction 

 of fixing altitudinal records of our breeding species. How far such a record of alti- 

 tudes may prove of permanent faunal value remains to be seen, as it must be remem- 

 bered the season of 1893 was quite abnormal, and all progress was (juite six weeks 

 ahead of normal years. Hinxman, during his residence in Strathspey, CJlenavon, and 

 Glenlivet, kept careful notes of all tlie species he observed there between 1891 and 

 1894, and has kindly intrusted us with them all. 



