BIRDS. 



221 



occurring some years in ' 1000s' (sic), and Rev. J. Smith also in- 

 cludes it in his lists in the New Statistical Account. It is said not 

 to occur every winter, nor in certain localities, and we are inclined 

 to favour this statement. Hinxman quotes it as * generally arriv- 

 ing a few days later than the Redwing, and stays till the middle 

 of May,' in the Carn District of Spey. On the other hand, great 

 scarcity of Fieldfares was reported during the severe winter of 

 1879-80 by Dr. Innes. It is spoken of as an increasing migrant 

 about Forres by Mr. Brown, 'leaving in May.' As already stated, 

 they are unusually late of departure from the neighbourhood of 

 Rothiemay, where a flock of at least a hundred were seen in May 

 by our friend, Mr. Charles H. Alston, and the gamekeeper there, 

 Mr. W. Brown. 



All the Thrushes suffered severely around Forres, especially 

 Redwings, during the severe winter of 1878-79. 



Turdus merula, L. Blackbird. 



Local Names. — Blackie, Blackie-Bird. 



Abundant and more resident than the Thrush. In the end of October 

 and beginning of November numbers of Blackbirds visit our 

 lawn in Inverness, but it is a rare thing to see a Thrush. They 

 however leave us, like the Thrush, very shortly after the breeding 

 season is over, but around Inverness appear again in large numbers 

 at the time of migration, in the end of October and beginning of 

 November. 



Mr. Baillie ^ writes us that both Thrushes and Blackbirds about 

 Brora nest higher in trees than formerly, probably from being more 

 molested by cats and birds'-nesting boys. 



Varieties of the Blackbird occur here, though perhaps not so 

 commonly as farther south. Captain Ellice informs us that there 

 was one at Invergarry during the summer of 1885 with a white 

 tail. 



South of Inverness this species is resident, generally distri- 

 buted and common, but not so abundant as the Common Thrush, 

 and less partial to high altitudes, or areas apart from inhabited 

 places. We find our record at most places thus : — * not to be com- 



1 Mr. Baillie is a retired schoolmaster, now residing near r)roia, ami is an en- 

 thusiastic collector, more especially of the smaller Molluscu. 



