BIRDS. 



237 



Mr. F. Cameron, Moniack, near Beauly, informs us that he has 

 taken the nest of this species at that place, and that he has noticed 

 them on more than one occasion. 



Another Blackcap was obtained by Mr. Rose of Holme Rose in 

 December in 1886, the only one known to him to have occurred 

 there. 



St. John mentions hearing and seeing a Blackcap in his garden 

 at Invererne near Forres on May 11th, 1852 ; and in the June and 

 part of July of the following year he identified another, a male, 

 in the shrubberies near the house, which was in full song ; and 

 from this circumstance he imagined it to be breeding, though he 

 did not observe the female. 



We know that a migratory movement of this species takes 

 place upon the north-east coasts, as has been repeatedly observed 

 as far north as the Caithness shores of our mainland, and even in 

 the remote Shetland Isles (Annals, 1893, January, p. 12), if not 

 every year, at least in some autumn seasons. The bleak and 

 inhospitable character of Caithness, however, offers few inducements 

 to this species to remain into the summer and breed, although 

 they may return along the old lines of migration in spring ; but 

 Moray offers totally different conditions. 



The Blackcap can hardly be considered, as yet, a plentiful species 

 anywhere in the Spey valley, but we have met with it here and 

 there, but nowhere commonly. We have met Avith it on the Nethy 

 at two localities — one a considerable distance up the valley above 

 Forest Lodge, and again we have seen it near Fochabers, old and 

 young apparently gathering together before migrating. 



Mr. Charles H. Alston observed one female of this species, 

 * recognised by the rufous head, and seen in the garden one day 

 in August' — no doubt beginning its autumn migration to the 

 west or south-westward out of the Spey valley. ^ 



^ In a little volume before alluded to, viz. , Summer Excursions in the Neighbourhood 

 of Banff, the Blackcap is alluded to, and there occurs the additional note (p. 36) : — 

 • This delightful warbler, by some reckoned equal in song to the Nightingale, is a 

 rare bird, and has been but lately (date of publication, 1843) noticed in the vicinity 

 of Duflf House. It is, however, becoming every year more plentiful. It would seem 

 to advance with the increase of shrubbery and sheltered plantations.' But at the 

 present date of 1893 the Blackcap only occurs on the east coast-line of 'Dee' as a 

 straggler, as we are informed by Mr. Sim. 



