STRATHBRAAN. 



Ixi 



and swung with rapid turnings on a very steep grade by the base of 

 Craig-y-Barns ; and so to Dunkeld, in time to lunch and catch the 

 train for Pitlochry. I was much indebted on this day — as also in 

 many other instances — to Mr. A. M. Rodger, of the Perth Museum, 

 who accompanied us, and who had visited this Osprey site only a 

 few weeks previously. 



From Pitlochry I hired on to Kinloch Eannoch — a long but 

 always lovely road — some twenty-two miles. 



Strathbraan. 



I was formerly in some degree acquainted with the higher parts 

 of this valley, but that is so long ago now that I scarcely feel 

 justified in speaking of it from memory only, and as I was only 

 there in the shooting season, I prefer to give the following notes 

 upon the authority of one who is well acquainted with its avi- 

 fauna. 



Mr. Charles Mackintosh, ex -letter- carrier through Strathbraan, 

 and a native of the glen, at my request reported to me upon a 

 four days' special survey, during which time he was asked to take 

 notes of the comparative numbers seen of some twenty-six of the 

 commoner species. This he did, and I have analysed these notes, 

 and offer them here as a contribution which — with a few others from 

 other localities given separately — may serve to illustrate the avi- 

 fauna of a typical Central Perthshire valley below and on the skirts 

 of the heather zone.^ 



The dates of his surveys on my behalf were 6th, 7th, and 13th 

 June, and the 13th July 1905. On the latter date he had to deal 

 with young birds, and records what he saw in " broods," but I have 

 reduced these in counting to one of the parents in order to assimilate 

 them to the earlier lists. 



Mr. Mackintosh had hoped also to take another day above Amulree, 



^ Mr. Mackintosh is a careful and accurate observer, and during a considerable 

 part of his life has traversed Strathbraan as regular letter-carrier, now retired. His 

 identifications may be relied upon as correct. He sent me other notes of a more 

 general character relating to a wider area and including much of the country around 

 Dunkeld. These, where necessary, I will make mention of in the body of the 

 catcUogiie raisonnt. 



