Birds. 



6631 



A List of the Birds of Banffshire, accompanied with Anecdotes. 

 By Thomas Edward. 



(Continued from page 6601.) 



Crossbill {Loxia curvirosta). Of late years the common crossbill 

 has either become more plentiful or observers more numerous, or per- 

 haps partly both. Twenty years ago the bird was considered a rarity ; 

 but this is not so much the case now. It is now believed that they 

 nest with us, and have done so for some years. There is great diver- 

 sity in colour and size amongst these birds ; of about two dozen 

 which have passed through my hands not two were alike, either in 

 size or colour, although from the same flock. 



Parrot Crossbill (L. pityopsittacus). While walking, one morning, 

 round the fern-hill (whin-hill), and just as I reached the south side, 

 I was rather surprised at hearing the voice of what I knew to be a 

 stranger in that quarter, and in fact within our limits altogether. On 

 looking to a low, bare wall, about three or four yards in front of me, I 

 beheld, in all his pride and beauty, a male parrot crossbill. This is 

 the only instance, to my knowledge, of its occurrence with us. 



Whitewinged Crossbill (i. leucoptera). One very stormy winter, 

 about fifty years ago, the good lieges of our quiet little borough were 

 rather astonished by the presence of a large flock of these birds. 

 Having alighted on what are termed the " Castle trees," their strange 

 appearance and gaudy plumage soon attracted notice, nearly the 

 whole town flocking to the spot to see the "foreigners." They ap- 

 peared quite exhausted, many of them dropping from the trees. 



Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). More numerous now than they were 

 some years ago. There are many places throughout the country 

 where they now breed annually, in holes in trees and old buildings. 



Rosecoloured Pastor {Pastor roseus). This is another rare beauty 

 whose presence we can boast of, a male having been shot in a garden 

 at Ardmellie. It was a most splendid specimen, and in first-rate 

 plumage. 



Haven (Corvns corax). A few pairs of these birds inhabit the pre- 

 cipitous parts of our coast, where they breed, generally in company 

 with the falcon, kestrel, gull, guillemot, &c. Single pairs are to be 

 met with also in other parts of the country. A pair and their 

 descendants, but never more than a pair at a time, frequented and 

 bred for many generations on a particular rock in the crags close to 

 the bridge of Alvah, a most beautiful and romantic spot. From some 



