BIRDS. 
145 
Durness and Tongue. Absent at Inchnadampli in 1885 
(J. Young, in lit). 
Included in Dr. Sinclair's List (0. MSS., 1868) as common. 
Observed to be very abundant in 1885, especially at Brawl 
Castle ; but a considerable mortality seems to have taken 
place amongst them, probably owing to some unusual abun- 
dance, or absence, of particular food-supplies, and the great 
drought. Very abundant at Hempriggs, near Wick, and 
all over the county round the shore and cultivated belt. 
122. Pastor roseus (i.). Rosey Pastor. 
A Eosey Pastor was shot by Mr. T. Trussler, tlie game-watcher 
at , Carral, in the Dunrobin Forest, near his house, on or 
about 14th June 1884, and was sent to Mr. Macleay of 
Inverness, to bfe preserved for the Coiinty Museum. 
Mentioned in Sinclair's List ; also by Mr. Gray in his " Birds 
of the West of Scotland'' though this may have reference to 
the one in the Sinclair collection. 
Another is recorded by Mr. L. Dunbar as follows : — 
One adidt female, shot by Mr. Purves at Castleton on 26th 
August 1881, was killed amongst a flock of starlings; was 
preserved by Mr. L. Dunbar, and is now in his possession. 
Family C0RVID.5:. 
123. Pyrrhocorax graculus (i.). Red-billed Chough. 
Ohs. — No trace of this species has been found that we ai'e aware 
of since Dunbar and St. John, both referring to the results 
of the same trip, recorded the occurrence of it on the north 
coast. As St. John saw the birds himself there can be little 
doubt of the record ; and their disappearance since is only 
the same process exemplified which is going on in other 
parts of Scotland as regards this species. A careful survey 
K 
