220 



BIRDS. 



South of Inverness, the Redwing arrives about the second 

 week in October in the Carn districts, and a little earlier in 

 the lower valleys ; it occurs in flocks ; but its numbers vary with 

 the seasons. It is not so abundant in the east of our area as the 

 Fieldfare, and departs in the beginning of May. 



Scarcity of records in the O.S.A. may partly be accounted for 

 by lack of minute observation; besides, it is a shy and vigilant 

 bird, except when hard pressed by frost and snow. It is not 

 recorded even in Rev. J. Smith's list,^ and Edward records it as a 

 winter visitor ' not so abundant as the Fieldfare.' 



[We were assured by a very intelligent ghillie — Murdoch Mathe- 

 son — that the Redwing once bred at Invergarry. Of this we 

 have no proof now ; still, such reputed instances of their doing so 

 seem to us worthy of record as they are given obviously without 

 any intention of deceiving ; the pity is that it is so difficult to 

 prove or disprove them.] 



Turdus pilaris, L. Fieldfare. 



A winter visitant, arriving in October and November, in flocks of 

 smaller or larger proportions according to the season, and depart- 

 ing in April, and in some years as late as May (1892). In the 

 north of our area the Fieldfare is most commonly observed in 

 autumn, rarely in winter. At times flocks are seen again in the 

 spring on their return north. 



Scarcity of records in the O.S.A. may be put down partly to 

 lack of able observation and to the confusion which exists as to its 

 recognised name in the minds of the natives, but also, no doubt, to 

 its comparative scarcity anywhere to the west of Troup Head, or 

 to the irregularity of its advents, as compared with the districts of 

 north-east Aberdeenshire. The only record for all ' Moray ' in the 

 O.S.A. is given under the parish of Kirkhill, on the north-west 

 side of the Caledonian Canal. Edward mentions it, however, as 



1 As many of our common birds are omitted from Eev. James Smith's lists, we 

 think it right to say here, once and for all, that the late Dr. Gordon told us, ' that 

 any positive data given by the Rev. J. Smith, may be clearly depended upon.' In 

 many cases the absence of record can easily be accounted for, as his list refers mainly 

 to the lowland districts around the county town of Banff and adjoining parishes. 

 The Rev. James Smith was first rector of Banff Academy, and afterwards minister 

 of Monquhitter parish. 



