BIRDS. 



143 



away over the western ocean, and this is repeated frequently, some 

 catch up the land, and in another season those that survive may well 

 be believed to follow a known route to such out-of-the-way spots, 

 though any certainty of recurrence may not be established there for 

 many generations. However that may be, and I have never seen 

 the statement refuted, though scarcely a year passes but it is repeated 

 by several able writers. But of course there are many other state- 

 ments which, though not refuting the argument, still refuse to accept 

 it. That of course is to be accepted as right in principle ; but it may 

 remain in the same doubt perhaps for ever, unless some original 

 observer will throw a different light upon the whole subject of 

 migration than has yet been done since the above belief or statement 

 was made by Gatke, and at least in considerable measure verified by 

 subsequent work done in other parts of the world. 



In any case the recurrence of Eose-coloured Pastors at intervals 

 at the same spot so often is at least eloquent of the great amenity of 

 the place not only for Starlings — as we know without doubt that it 

 is — and also for the rarer closely allied species. A more eligible site 

 for a colony of Rose-coloured Starlings could hardly be found than 

 Mugdrum Island on the Tay, i.e. for purposes of roosting. 



Of this species there is one in the Montrose Museum marked 

 "Laurieston," 1855. (Montrose Museum List.) 



In 1846 one was shot about September, and was presented to the 

 Perth Museum by Mr. Kinmont. This was one of the Megginch 

 birds already referred to supra. It had been stuffed by Mr. James 

 Ogilvy, at that time serving at Megginch Castle, and who was living 

 in Errol in 1880. 



The latest occasion on which the species appeared was about the 

 above date, and in 1904 Dr. Dewar designates the species as "rare 

 visitant." 



Family CORVID^. 

 rrhocorax graculus (L.). Chough. 



Appears to have been a doubtful resident at a former period, and to 

 have been unknown for a long series of years, having — so far as 

 I can find out with certainty — disappeared from coast and inland 

 localities alike. 



In 1777 Pennant spoke of the Chough as of much more universal 

 occurrence "in the further parts of Glenlyon and Achmore," and it 

 seems almost needless to repeat that Mr. Horn could hear nothing of 

 it there or anywhere in the north-west, in 1879. 



