BIRDS. 



291 



south-west of the area of Moray. We have found the species com- 

 mon all over the Laigh of Moray, especially near Loch Spynie, in 

 flocks in May, and near the village of Findhorn, amongst flowering 

 gorse or whin, and on Newton Struthers farm, near Forres. It is 

 abundant in Glcnfiddich and Strathavon, as far up the Glen as 

 Tomintoul, and on the Deveron right up into the Upper Cabrach 

 in the plantation near the manse and shooting-lodge. At this 

 place we have met with all three allied species. Linnet, Redpoll, 

 and Twite, on the same day in August 1891, and at other times 

 and in other years. 



In 1893 we found Linnets extremely abundant amongst high 

 gorse and broom on the banks of the Deveron at Drachlaw. No- 

 where else have we seen them so abundant. 



Linota rufescens (Vieill). Lesser Redpoll. 



This Redpoll aff'ects the birch woods which grow so generally along 

 the lower slopes of the inland straths, breeding in such situa- 

 tions, as also among the alder-trees along the river-margins. It 

 breeds at Invergarry, and we saw several in May 1892 about the 

 birch-trees at the head of Loch Garry, and it extends northwai-ds 

 through Ross-shire into the Sutherland glens. 



South of the Great Glen, the Lesser Redpoll is resident and 

 local, just as the growth of young wood suits its requirements. 



Edward says: — 'This is found most plentifully in the higher 

 districts of the county {i.e. Banff*), but in severe winters large 

 flocks of them descend to the low grounds.' It is almost needless 

 to point out that these remarks are misapplied, and that they refer, 

 or should have been referred, to the Twite or Mountain Linnet ; 

 and we find in the Museum a Twite labelled ' Brambling,' and a 

 Brambling lal)elled 'Twite.' However, the Redpoll does occur 

 certainly in the upper reaches where suitable young plantations 

 occur, and that not at all uncommonly, yet we would not desig- 

 nate it as a species typically frequenting the higha' districts. As 

 already incidentally mentioned, we have met with it in the Upper 

 Cabrach valley. 



It is not uncommon around Abernethy, and the unmistakable 

 eggs are in the collection formed by the sons of the Rev. William 

 Forsyth, D.D. In August 1881 Harvic-Brown found it very 

 common on the freshly-planted ground near the west end of 



