Notes on the Ornithology of Caithness. 337 



edly through inadvertence, he does not mention the ring dot- 

 terel (G. hiaticula), which is as common as the other is rare. 

 In the fifth and last order three new species have been 

 # added — the bridled guillemot, found in abundance on our 

 east coast every year, Kichardson's skua, and an Ivory gull, 

 found by myself. This bird is stated, on the authority of a 

 celebrated Scottish naturalist, not to belong to the common 

 species, but one new to the British list. I have not, as yet, 

 ascertained its name. 



The following is the complete list : — 

 Raptores. — (First Order.) 



*Falco Islandicus (J er- Falcon). 

 Falco peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon), common. 



Falco subbuteo (Hobby), rare. I once saw one of these birds with 



Charles Wilkinson, gamekeeper. It was killed at Thrumster. 

 Falco aesalon (Merlin), common. 



Falco tinnunculus (Kestrel), rare in winter, common in summer. 

 Accipiter fringillarius (Sparrow-haivk) , occasional ; only in autumn. 

 Astur palumbarius (Goshawk), very rare ; never to my knowledge. 

 Aquila chrysaeta (Golden Eagle), occasional. 

 Aquila albicilla (White-tailed Sea Eagle), breeds. 

 Buteo lagopus (Rough-legged Buzzard), rare; only in Dr Sinclair 's 

 collection. 



Buteo vulgaris (Common Buzzard), rare. do. do. 



Pernis apivorus (Honey Buzzard), very rare. do. do. 

 Circus cyaneus (Common or Hen Harrier), breeds. 

 Circus cineraceus (Ash-coloured Harrier), very rare. do. 

 Circus rufus (Marsh Harrier), rare. do. do. 



Strix nainmea (White or Barn OivV), rare. do. do. 



Ulula stridula (Tawny Oicl), rare. do. do. 



Otus vulgaris (Long-eared Owl), bred last year. 

 Otus bra chy otus (Short-eared Owl), breeds. 

 *Strix nyctea (Great Snoicy Owl). An adult specimen, caught alive at 



Kilmster, was kept for some time by Mr Osborne, but it ultimately 



escaped. 



Insessokes. — (Second Order.) 



Lanius excubitor (Great Ash-coloured Shrihe), thrice found. This 

 bird was once captured by me in spring, in the act of attacking a 

 linnet fixed in a hair snare, and itself got entangled also. 



Cinclus aquaticus (Water Dipper), common. 



Merula viscivora (Missel Thrush), common. 



Merula pilaris (Fieldfare), common ; seen in Caithness this year and 



last, in the beginning of August. 

 Merula iliaca (Redwing), common. 

 Merula musica (Song Thrush), common. 

 Merula vulgaris (Blackbird) , common. 

 Merula torquata (Ring Ousel), common. 

 Saxicola senanthe (Wheatear), common. 

 Saxicola rubetra (Whinchat), common. 



Saxicola rubicola (Stonechat), rare ; saw one this year in the month of 

 June, near Lybster. 



