BIRDS. 



181 



confusion between Kites and Buzzards by these names, and some 

 huge blunders in consequence thereof. 



In 1840 Mr. James Keddie told Col. Feilden that Buzzards 

 nested in late whins at Priorsmuir, Stravithie, about 3 J miles from 

 St. Andrews, and this as late as that same season (and see Hen- 

 Harrier, which Keddie also knew well). 



Until about 1832, or thereby, Buzzards were abundant within the 

 grounds at Dunkeld (Col. Drummond Hay in Scot. A^at., 1879-80, p. 58). 



In September 1894 my cousin (now Dr. Adrian Forrester, Chatham) 

 saw eight Buzzards hanging up in a keeper's museum in Glen Lochay, 

 on the shootings belonging to or rented by Mr. Wegg at the upper end 

 of Loch Tay. I know, however, that these birds are really abundant, 

 and in no danger at present of becoming exterminated, but it would 

 be better if people realised that it would be sufficient just to keep 

 their numbers in check, and not to allow promiscuous killing down 

 of birds which principally feed on ^^very small deer" indeed ! I know 

 they are still in Glen Artney, and all along in suitable cliffs and burn- 

 sides between that and the western boundaries of our area and beyond, 

 as well as indeed pretty generally distributed, and indeed increasing 

 of late years, all over the West Highlands. 



In the Arbroath district they are, however, quite rare. Dr. Dewar 

 instances one captured after a struggle with a weasel (Annals Scot. Nat. 

 Hist., 1892, p. 200), and adds, " only one or two having been procured 

 for many years." (Obs. — In this connection, battling with a weasel, 

 see also our first volume of this series under Buzzard. ) 



In 1880 Small's " Eegisters " has it : " Too numerous to continue " 

 (i.e. to record) (Jan. 9, 1882).i 



Buzzards used to breed much lower down the valleys than they 

 now do, but there are indications that they may resume old haunts so 

 situated. I have myself known of a nest or two quite in the lowlands, 

 both in Perthshire (Glen Artney) and in other counties to the south. 



Two " Buzzards " are reported as having been seen on the moors 

 above Auchenblae on August 15, and again on October 29, 1904, by 

 Mr. Milne. 



In 1905 I saw the remains of one hanging up, along with other 

 vermin, on a keeper's hoarding in Glen Lochay, where these birds 

 were still nesting at date of 1905. 



The present value of this species in north and north-east Fife may be 

 expressed, " A rare visitant (?) ; used to be common about Stravithie." 



^ I am indebted to Mr. Peter Morrison — Mr. Small's successor — for a careful copy in 

 MS. of rarer occurrences in the " Registers " during later years. 



