114 



BIRDS. 



Ill 1866 I found it nesting in Dee, and I ascertained about the 

 same time that it nested also up Glen Dye and over the range in 

 Kincardineshire — or about 1867, I think it was. 



In 1879 Horn says "rare, but I have seen its nest on an island 

 on the Tay opposite Dalguise.'' It also breeds in Rannoch (ZooL, 

 1871, p. 2656), Killin (Jardine), and Col. Drummond Hay speaks of 

 it as "abundant about Pitlochry in 1880 in winter." 



The late Rev. H. A. Macpherson had seen considerable flocks of 

 both sexes at Ballinluig and Pitlochry late in February, and then he 

 saw no more till 28th April, when several single birds and pairs 

 were seen singing and flying about the latter locality. (Notes in 

 interleaved copy of Yarrell's British JBirds, 4th edition, now in the 

 Carlisle Museum.) 



By 1901 they were found nesting on Faskally grounds, and at 

 Guilt in June. " Appear to be common, if somewhat local, . . .'" etc. 

 " Hundreds of Siskins seen flighting up the Tay valley." Rev. Mr. 

 Macpherson asks the question: "Were these immigrants or local 

 birds 1 



Mr. Milne says they are believed to breed about Fordoun, but he 

 has only seen them in winter. But Siskins are e^ddently known 

 towards the east end of the great divide upon the south slopes of 

 the Braes of Drumtochty, "and breeding as fully as the amount of 

 accommodation permits." 



Godfrey reports it as very rare at the time he visited Rannoch, 

 7th to 28th April 1902, but beginning to appear more abundantly 

 about the end of that month. He adds : "It certainly nests there, 

 and the gardener, Mr. Clarke, has a number in cages." 



In 1897 Mr. W. Evans found a flock on the roadside west of 

 Fearn, and saw one in the Kelly Den in 1897. 



Dr. Dewar enters it as occasional in his district, on the authority 

 of Mr. Larnach, but does not say at which season. 



The Siskin appears to me to be a species increasing its dis- 

 tribution towards the south ; but though I have little doubt of this 

 within the years of my own recollection, I do not insist u-pon it 

 without further data than I have in my possession. 



Mr. M'Connochie considers it rare about Guthrie, and he himself 

 has only once heard its call-note there. 



Mr. Milne several times in his latest letters says that there is 

 quite clear evidence of an increase of this species in Drumtochty 

 Glen in the nesting season of 1905. 



In August 1905 Mr. Evans met with it several times about 



