98 



BIRDS. 



found a few at all seasons around Killiecliassie and Aberfeldy. So 

 far as I know, not gregarious. 



In the east stated to be more abundant than the Pied Wagtail by 

 Mr. Milne — i.e. in the Fordoun district, which is situated about ten 

 miles, as the crow flies, from the coast. This dates 1896. " But," 

 continues Mr. Milne, "not always found to remain in winter, or at 

 least very much scarcer in hard winters." ^ 



Common and nesting in the south-west around Loch Earn, and 

 I have met with it in several localities upon the river Dochart as low 

 down as Killin, and as far up — i.e. west — as Tyndrum. I think I 

 know of at least four sites of pairs in summer between Killin and 

 Luib, and one above. Probably there are many more. Godfrey 

 found it common in 1903 and 1904 at Loch Earn. 



In the same way I have met with pairs far up Glen Lyon — at 

 Balgie Bridge — and also beyond Loch Rannoch. Later in the year 

 Evans designates it as common in the Killin district. 



Though noted as not uncommon in the Fordoun district by 

 Mr. Milne, it is not apparently so common a little further west at 

 Guthrie, and is only spoken of there as occasional on the streams. 



It appears to be less abundant, or much more local, in north-east 

 Fife. 



Motacilla raii {Bonap.). Ray's Wagtail. 



Summer visitant. Not common. Breeds. I think of comparatively 

 recent advances. Not gregarious. May be termed uncertain in its visits. 



Col. Drummond Hay, writing in 1874, tells us he had "never 

 once seen it in Perthshire," though about the same time Mr. Robert 

 Gray stated that they were " equally abundant in Forfar as in the 

 south-west of Scotland." I am well aw^are that they are not un- 

 common at certain haunts in the area of Forth, in the Vale of 

 Menteith, and up towards the Trosachs and Loch Ard, but nowhere 

 to my knowledge could they be called abundant even there. In this 

 matter, however, I am subject to correction, as I have not given very 

 much personal attention to Forth for a good many years. However, 

 certainly about 1874 the Ray's Wagtail was not to be called abundant 

 in the Vale of Menteith, nor for that part of it in east Stirling- 

 shire, though I have taken the eggs, and knew of a few sites. 



^ I think not enough attention has hitherto been given to these varying values by 

 many observers, who have the chance of observing regularly in any one locality. If 

 such observations were accompanied by scientific meteorological observations, I believe 

 we would sooner " begin to understand " migration ! 



