156 



BIRDS. 



At Lochearnhead Godfrey only saw one bird on the 10th July 

 1903, but a pair on 23rd July 1904 ; and he ascertained about a nest 

 that latter season in Glen Ogle. 



Between the years 1894 and 1904, 117 were paid for by the 

 Atholl estates office, of which the following is an analysis : the most 

 were got in 1894-5, when 26 were obtained; next 19 in 1896-7 ; 17 

 in 1895-6 ; and 15 in 1903-4. Fewer numbers were killed in 1898-9, 

 when only 2 were obtained, and 5 were killed in 1897-8. 



In the Breadalbane lists between 1891 and 1901, 576 Ravens 

 were -paid for by the estates office. The most were in 1897, viz. 99 ; 

 next came 66 in 1901 ; then 60 in 1894; and the fewest were got in 

 1892, when 36 were obtained ; and next 38 in 1895 — average 53*4. 



Ravens are not really rare, because each wilder district holds a 

 few pairs. Thus, in August 1905, four or five may be seen together, 

 being old and young of the season which have escaped destruction. 

 Many contiguous sites could be enumerated. Mr. W, Evans found, for 

 instance, several such family parties at five different localities, between 

 the 6th and 20th August 1905. It is quite an interesting study to 

 watch the wonderful evolutions and play of wings these birds resort 

 to, the young practising under the tuition and example of the parent 

 birds. The old Gaelic saying, applied principally to the "Hoodie 

 Crow," is equally apt if applied to his bigger cousin, e.g., *'The 

 Hoodie has a twist of his own." This is applied to any peculiar 

 prank developed by any precocious youth. 



Order PICARIiE. 



Family CYPSELID-ffi. 



Cypselus apus (L.). Swift. 



Negative. No notes in old Statistical Account for Perth. 



Summer visitant. Common. Breeds in colonies, but appears to 

 travel to a great extent singly or in family parties. 



Of the present distribution it may be put down, several pairs 

 in the village of Fordoun, as an example of the general distribution of 

 the species over the area wherever towns exist which have accom- 

 modation suited to their requirements. 



I have found them frequently also in villages or small hamlets 

 where there were few places that at first sight would convey the 

 idea of suitability. For instance, I have found them breeding in 

 thatched houses, and under the eaves of quite low cottages, the eggs 

 laid simply upon the crown of the walls under the eaves and last 



