BIRDS. 



105 



list he sent me on 16th June 1899, after Col. Dnimmond Hay's 

 death. 



In 1883 one was shot, 18th January, in Kinneil Woods by 

 Mr. D. Nichol, gamekeeper to Mr. Russell, and was sent to Mr. 

 J. F. Dewar, naturalist, Edinburgh. 



On the south side of the Tay and north of Fife I have the record 

 given by Mr. George Bruce of one caught alive and kept by Miss 

 Cooper. It was captured at Rothiesfield, Markinch, but only lived a 

 fortnight, "and," adds Mr. Bruce, ''is being stuffed." 



The dispersal on migration is not, however, confined to near the 

 coast-lines, but often these handsome visitors penetrate far inland. 



Thus, in 1901 Mr. J. Bruce, Ardlevale, Pitlochry, obtained a 

 very fine specimen on November 28 (Scotsman, November 29, 1901). 



And in 1902 "a flock of nine frequented the neighbourhood of 

 Rannoch Lodge during the past winter, and one was shot by the 

 gardener, which was seen by Mr. Godfrey on the 17th April 1902." 



In 1903 Mr. M'Connochie saw one, and several were shot and 

 more seen about the district of Guthrie. 



In 1904 there are four entered in Mr. P. D. Malloch's registers 

 (which he kindly sent for my inspection), viz. : They were sent him 

 by Mrs. M'Lean under the dates 18th, 24th, 28th, and 30th October 

 1903; and one from Mr. M'Xichol on 10th November ; also one 

 from Pitlochry Hydropathic for Mr. D. Macdonald. And three are 

 recorded in Dr. Dewar's list. 



And now a most astounding statement is given in the Annals Scot. 

 Xaf. Hist. (1894, p. 213, under Tay) of " a pair with, young in the Carse 

 of Growrie."* There is an editorial inquiry in a footnote, but I am 

 not aware that it was ever answered. If such could be proved, it 

 would indeed be a strange development of dispersal, and repeated 

 migration, and congestion, and expansion, and extension, and 

 evolution. Strange things hare happened; but the point now is, 

 "Can it yet be proved in 1904 ? " I don't think so ! 



Family MUSCICAPID^. 



Muscicapa grisola. L. Spotted Flycatcher. 



Summer visitant. Common. Breeds. More abundant in the plain 

 and wider valleys, but gradually creeping up to higher grounds, and 

 especially in early springs and warm summers. Very sparingly 

 distributed around Dunkeld by 1880 (auct. Mr. Brooke, Jide Col. 



