BIRDS. 



305 



was placed about 18 inches in amongst the loose granite blocks 

 forming the scree, in a position almost exactly similar to that of 

 the nest taken by one of us in Sutherland in 1886. The eggs, five 

 in number, were perfectly fresh, and the nest was composed chiefly 

 of dry bents, with a foundation of moss, and lined with innumer- 

 able hairs of the red deer, and a few white ptarmigan feathers.' 



Edward does not appear to have considered Snow Buntings com- 

 mon about Banff, and the Rev. J. Smith also marks them as ' rare ' 

 in his list, and notes them as 'arriving on the Lower Deveron 

 about the beginning of November, and leaving about the 1st April,' 

 and 'as seen about the rocks in winter.' In the parish of Strichen 

 (Dee) they c\re spoken of as ' leaving the country in May.' 



Snow Buntings occur in large flocks on all the upper hills of 

 the Cam district in winter, and less abundantly along the shore- 

 lines. They are considered rare around Cullen, and single speci- 

 mens procured there are usually preserved by local gamekeepers 

 or others who have shot them. Dr. J. O. Wilson includes them 

 as occurring ' in winter in flocks in the haughs about Huntly,' and 

 he has also seen them on the tops of Bennachie at the same season. 

 The following note by Mr. George Sim, though directly relating 

 to the faunal area of Dee, is interesting as a side-light upon their 

 movements, and requires no apology for its insertion in this place. 

 Mr. Sim writes us : — ' The Snow Bunting is common all along our 

 east coast, arriving in October, and have been killed at Ythan 

 mouth as late as July 4th, 1867. I have observed this species 

 in flocks upon the inland hills of Aberdeenshire in winter, and ' 

 (herein lies some interest), Mr. Sim continues, ' I have invariably 

 noticed that these flocks were composed of birds having a far 

 greater amount of white upon their wings and body than those 

 seen along the shore.* The inference seems cleiir that the old 

 birds may become less migratory in their instincts than are the 

 young of the year. 



In Glenfiddich, we are assured, it is only seen in winter, and 

 this is probably the case all over the actual Cam districts or lower 

 foot-hills of the Caimgorm ranges. On the braes of Glenlivet 

 they appear in astonishing numbers, and are shot in large quan- 

 tities and eaten. Mr. J. G. Phillips has known of 118 shot at one 

 discharge. *A long line of oats,' says Mr. Phillips, 'is laid down, 

 called a " ghosk," and the great flights alight and feed, and the 



