14 
TJie Scottish Naturahst. 
the stupendous wall of precipices which rise almost perpen- 
dicularly from the dark waters of Loch Eunach. At no great 
distance on my right, an Eagle was perched upon a rocky 
pinnacle, and gave the finishing touch to one of the grandest 
scenes within our shores. On my approach he took wing, 
and soared away to his home on the other side of Braeriach. 
The next was seen on 2nd September circling across the 
remotest part of Glen Feshie ; and four days later, during 
the ascent of Cairn Toul, I had once more the pleasure of 
witnessing the power and grace of the Eagle's flight. 
55. Accipiter nisus (Sparrow Hawk). 
Observed on five or six occasions only, and mostly about In- 
vereshie. 
56. Falco peregrinus (Peregrine Falcon). 
Only seen thrice, namely — one passing from Loch Eunach to 
Glen Feshie ; another dashing through a flock of Lapwings 
at the foot of Loch Insch ; and a third on Craigellachie, 
near Aviemore. 
57. Falco eesalon (Merlin). 
Is doubtless more common than my experience, taken alone, 
would indicate. I only saw it twice. 
58. Tinnunculus alaudarius (Kestrel). 
By far the most common of the birds of prey. In Glen Feshie 
I have had four, and at the entrance to the Larig Pass three 
in view at one time. One rose from a ridge of the Cairn 
gorms at 3500 feet. 
59. Pandion haliaetus (Osprey). 
Up to the 20th of August a pair of Ospreys were daily visitors 
to Loch Insch, where I often watched them capturing large 
fish, and carrying them off to their eyrie. As they passed 
over-head, I could, with the aid of my binoculars, distinctly 
see the fish, which was always carried in a position parallel 
tt) the bird's own body — the one foot being placed well 
in front of the other — making violent efforts to escape 
from the talons of its captor. The nest occupied this 
year was not on the Castle of Loch an Eilan, but on a Scotch 
fir growing on an islet in a little-frequented loch among the 
hills. 
60. Ardea cinerea (Heron). 
