BIRDS. 



219 



stream-sides, even above the line of the highest birch-woods, but 

 being of more retiring habits in the nesting-season, is not so 

 conspicuous a species as its larger congener. 



It has been reported to us as not so abundant on the eastern 

 side of the watershed, and as more local, which is naturally to be 

 expected, if we look at the bare and cold character of the north- 

 east of * Dee.' 



An unusual increase of Thrushes appears to have taken place in 

 the spring and summer of 1891, as indeed also seems to have been 

 the case over a large part of Scotland, noticeably in the central 

 districts of 'Forth and Clyde,' whilst a great scarcity was reported 

 from the south of England. This pulsation of the distributional 

 ' waves ' was, with little doubt, partly owing to the severe blizzard 

 which devastated the south of England in March of that year. 



We find its distribution universal,^ but by the month of July 

 many must have commenced migration ; or otherwise, their usual 

 skulking habits become intensified after the young leave the nests. 

 However that may be, we observe fewer birds, old or young, to- 

 wards the third week in July than earlier in the season. 



In 1893 the Song-Thrush was found ascending earlier in the 

 season to feed upon the unusually early ripe mountain berries, as 

 high as 3700 feet above the sea during the hot weather in the end of 

 June, although not found nesting at such an altitude (Hinxman's 

 notes from Inchrory, Glen Avon, 1893). 



Turdus lliacus, L. Redwing. 



Local Names. — Local names for Missel-Thrush, Redwing, and Fieldfare 

 are not generally separated, but are usually united under the name 

 *Hielan' or 'Hillan Piets.' 



A common autumn migrant, less frequent in the middle of winter 

 and early spring than during the two seasons of migration. On 

 the Dornoch Firth, Mr. Jennings ^ tells us, the Redwing is 

 commonest in hard weather ; but then these birds are driven out 

 of their usual inland haunts to seek their food on the ' ebb. ' 



1 When we speak of the distribution of any species being universal, we desire to 

 convey the fact that we have observed it at all the localities, or nearly all, that we 

 have visited or have records from. 



- Mr. Jennings, who has for a considerable number of years been wildfowl- 

 shooting on the Dornoch Firth. 



