BIRDS. 



distinct decrease in their numbers being very apparent in localities 

 west of the watershed of the main range of the backbone of Scotland, 

 and a drift being quite observable all through formerly occupied 

 haunts in the more northern portions of the north-west Highlands 

 of late years. Intimately acquainted as I may claim to be with these 

 parts of Scotland, I feel very sure of this fact, and, further, that 

 though many reappear there at old haunts in the northern parts of the 

 North- West Highlands, and West Ross-shire, they do not stay to 

 nest in any numbers as comparable with what was the case only some 

 twenty-five years ago. This is well known to the intelligent natives, 

 and men whom I have known there for nearly forty years as reliable 

 in their powers of observation. I will not attempt to account for 

 this change, though I do entertain certain views on the subject. 



One other thing is also certain: simultaneously with this very 

 patent reduction of their numbers in the north-west, they still 

 maintained their numbers east of the watershed in Sutherland and 

 Caithness ; and also a most pronounced addition to their numbers 

 has been clearly noticeable all down the Spey valley, as also up the 

 Spey beyond Laggan, which brings us again close to our present area 

 on its northern boundary. 



Greenshanks bred in Tay as early as 1873 — and perhaps a few 

 years earlier ; but not many, as I feel assured. One pair bred in that 

 year between Dalwhinnie and Drumouchter Lodge, and another pair 

 below Dalwhinnie and near the junction of the Truim with a tributary 

 burn, well known to me for many years before and since ; and these 

 birds have been often seen at the same place from the windows of 

 the passing train. But for many years there was no increase of 

 numbers here. I am particular in tracing out these chronological 

 facts, as I cannot think but that they are of interest if there is 

 anything in chronology at all ! I had known Dalwhinnie and upper 

 Spey around Laggan for many years prior to 1870 — some ten at 

 least — and I feel perfectly certain that there were no Greenshanks 

 there when I stayed there for weeks at a time at Gaskbeg Farm near 

 Laggan Bridge, but there were numbers of Redshanks all over the 

 meadows of the embanked sides of Spey, and they were to be seen 

 everywhere as far up as Dalwhinnie. ("Men were young then," 

 yet I maintain my statement.) 



In 1873 Feilden and I took young of the Greenshank close to 

 Drumouchter, and saw a second pair where I have already indicated. 

 I feel very sure these were the only pairs there then, and for many 

 years afterwards. 



