BIRDS. 



239 



In 1885 Goldcrests were reported as unusually abundant in 

 Abernethy, and old and newer records point to their abundance 

 throughout the area. It has been found common far up the hill- 

 sides and tributary streams where fir-plantations occur, even at 

 Dalwhinnie, as observed by J. Backhouse, and it builds in branches 

 of spruce and pine and in the tall juniper bushes of the forest areas 

 of Spey. 



Mr. Charles H. Alston observed it several times in Upper 

 Badenoch, but could not consider it common, there being but few 

 coniferous trees in the locality. Mr. Alston's observations were 

 principally made in the late summer and early autumn. 



Mr. Hoy has the note : — * Flocks of them seen at Gordon 

 Castle in January 1817.' Then follows Mr. Hoy's admirable, as 

 a rule, critical remarks and descriptions, taking Berkenhout and 

 Pennant, by which it is apparent that a bird procured is a female, 

 ' It had the yellow line but no scarlet crown.' ^ 



Phylloscopus coWyb'iia (Fieill). Chiffchaff. 



A bird we have, personally, never come across in the northern part 

 of our present area. Mr. Jennings in his remarks says the bird 

 is common around Tain, but we think he has mistaken some other 

 species for this. 



Dr. Gordon saw a Chiffchaff in a small shop in Edinburgh, 

 killed at Erchless Castle by The Chisholm (since deceased), who 

 was passionately fond of collecting. 



South of Inverness it is a summer visitant, but rare or over- 

 looked. Edward lays claim to having himself taken a specimen — 

 the only one he had seen — in the policies of Duff House, but none 

 occur in the Banff Museum, and it is not included in Smith's lists. 

 Mr. Foljambe, an excellent observer, found it in Grant Lodge 



1 A8 an instance of Mr. Hoy's accurate treatment of his work, we quote 

 here his remarks entire. These remarks appear under each species obtained : — 

 ' Length of the bird, 4 inches : otherwise not agreeing with the description here 

 [i.e. Berkenhout's]. It had the yellow line, but no scarlet crown. It agreed better 

 with Pennant's description, especially as to the coverts of the wings ; and the long 

 claws, particularly the back claws, as mentioned in the Fauna Suecica. The bill is 

 rather dusky than black.' As already stated, the above is given only to enable our 

 readers to realise the painstaking character of Mr. Hoy's notes. We might 

 perhaps have selected a better example, still we think the object is illustrated 

 BuflBciently. 



