158 
BIRDS. 
the hoopoes were got here, but I think it was in the 
month of September; they were got in the patch of big 
fir- wood : " these examples occurred in different years. 
Others, said to have been taken at Golspie in June 1850, 
and again in 1858, are in the Dunrobin Museum. In a 
list from Mr. Dunbar of Brawl, sent to the Eev. Dr. Gordon, 
note is taken of one killed at Skibo by Mr. Dempster's 
keeper in 1832 or 1833. Mr. Dunbar saw the bird. One 
shot about the 22d May 1886 near Durness, was stuffed 
by Mr. W. M'Leay.— Vide Northern Chronicle, 26th May 
1886. 
Mr. Dunbar records an adult male stoned to death by two 
boys near Brawl Castle in 1879, the only one ever seen 
there. This is now in Brawl Castle, having been beauti- 
fully preserved by Mr. Ij. Dunbar, and was seen by Harvie- 
Brown in 1885. 
Sub-order COCCYGES ZYGODACTYLl. 
Family CUCULIDiE. 
146. Cuculus canorus, L. Cuckoo. 
Summer visitant ; abundant in every part of the eastern dis- 
trict of the county, even on the barest hillsides. Abundant 
also in the west, and indeed all over the county in the 
glens and hill-sides, but not ascending very high among the 
hills. Heard for the first time at Inchnadamph on 23d 
May 1877 ; season' cold and backward, and many migratory 
birds were that year later of arrival tliere than is usually 
the case. 
A common summer visitant in Caithness (0. MSS., 1868). 
Curiously enough none seen in 1885 by Harvie-Brown. 
