160 
BIRDS. 
Used to be very common at Eosehall before the large 
woods were cut down, and occurs also in the woods around 
Loch Migdale, near Bonar. It is reported as breeding at 
Tongue ; indeed Mr. Thomas Mackenzie received the young 
from there. 
This species occurs on passage at some of the light- 
houses, as well as its congener, the next species. 
Mr. Osborne observes that this species of owl appears to 
have increased in numbers of late years in the county, 
and for the last few years it has been ascertained to breed 
within its bounds. Eggs and young birds have been 
obtained at Stirkoke, and in some plantations in the parish 
of Watten and neighbouring districts (0. MSS. 1868). 
Mr. L. Dunbar received several specimens in 1880 and 
1884, dating Ormly Farm, Thurso, August 14, 1884 ; West- 
field, October 17, 1884; and Shurrery, November 24, 1880, 
and April 15, 1880. The dates indicate its residence in 
the county, but there is no specimen of the long-eared owl 
mentioned in Mr. J. Whitaker's list of the birds at Wel- 
beck Abbey. 
152, Asio accipitrinus {Pall). Short-eared Owl. 
A decidedly rare species, but is recorded by Sheriff Mackenzie 
as having bred near Dornoch in 1873. On only one occa- 
sion have we seen this species in the east of the cou.nty. 
In the west we have only once obtained an egg from the 
Cromarty side of the march. Mr. A. G-. More includes it as 
breeding regularly in the county. They were said to have 
bred on an island of Loch Awe, in Assynt, in 1876. We 
ourselves saw a bird which we felt sure was of this species 
pass our camping ground by the side of a loch in Stoir, on 
the night of 13-1 4th June 1877. In 1886 one was put up 
out of long heather on an island of Loch Assynt (pointed 
out to us), and an egg of an owl, sucked by a hooded crow, 
