BIRDS. 



71 



Mr. Evans, however, in August 1905, reports it as "quite 

 common around the Killin district up to the 23rd of that month. 

 After that, only a very few were noted — one on the 24th ; family 

 party of four or five on the Dochart on 29th ; adult male at the foot 

 of Glen Lochay, 2nd September." 



Pratincola rubicola (L.). Stonechat. 



Not to be confused with the Wheatear, though that bird is often mis- 

 named "Stonechat," or " Stonechatter," or " Stane-chacker." 



Resident ; but moves locally in very severe weather, and is gener- 

 ally considered to be less abundant in winter. In fact, the young of 

 the year migrate and the old birds usually remain at their nesting 

 ground, or not far removed from it ; and the several pairs in any 

 area appear to be of a more jealous and more combative nature than 

 its near congener the Whinchat. Thus, no doubt, districts are longer 

 of getting congested with such combative species than with those of 

 milder temperament ! The Stonechat is also believed to be much 

 rarer in the eastern division of our area than in the central and 

 western portions. To some extent at least the Stonechat is more a 

 bird of the Highland glen and strath than the Whinchat, which is a 

 more characteristic bird of the plain. 



Mr. Bruce, however, has it that it breeds upon Tents Muir and 

 close to the sea-coast of Fife, which it may indeed well do where the 

 ground is suited to its requirements. And Mr. Berwick speaks of it 

 as common, and remaining in winter if not too severe. 



This species is not included in Mr. Davidson's list from the 

 borders of Perth and Forfar, nor from his points of observation on 

 the South Esk, but it is entered in the Rev. Mr. M'Connochie's list of 

 birds seen about Guthrie, frequenting somewhat similar ground to the 

 last, but scarcely so abundantly. 



Mr. Charles Mackintosh does not appear ever to have met with it 

 in his district ; indeed, he adds : " Possibly absent from Strathbraan." 



Sylvia rufa {Bodd.). Common Whitethroat. 



Next to the Willow- Warbler the commonest of our Warblers, being 

 very abundant as far up the country as Dunkeld. Mr. Robert 

 Godfrey was of the opinion that Whitethroats around the head of 

 Loch Earn entered the glen by way of the railway line, as he found 

 it commonly occurring at several places upon the railway embank- 

 ments ; and it occurs also at a few places on the north side of the 

 loch near the north-west end. This observation was made in the 

 summer of 1893, and again in 1894. 



