621 
of Edinburgh, Session 1865 - 66 . 
Stornoway Castle. Several of the rarest forms are among these. 
For the names of others I am indebted to Mr Liddle, farmer, 
G-ress, an intelligent and trustworthy observer. 
Not fewer than ten species of Falconidoe occur in Lewis, or in 
some of the islands on the east and west coast. The golden eagle 
is seen throughout the year ; in winter singly, in summer often in 
pairs. The belief is common among the people that this species 
takes salmon, as well as hares, moorfowl, &c. The white-tailed 
eagle, in its turn, poaches on the territory of the golden one. It 
has been often known to take lambs as well as salmon, and is said 
to have killed a fawn in Mhorsgail Deer Forest. The fishing osprey 
is more common than either of these. It nests in the Shiant 
Islands, and may not unfrequently be seen on the Uig coast. The 
jer-falcon is only an occasional visitor. It is more frequently seen 
in the Flannen Isles, on the west coast of Lewis. The peregrine 
falcon is observed throughout the year. It is noted as a bold 
hunter, and very destructive to young grouse. When pressed by 
hunger it will attack the old also. Its favourite prey is the rock 
pigeons, which abound on the west coast especially. The merlin 
was once abundant, but is now comparatively rare. The sparrow- 
hawk is common. The kestrel is not so. Two snowy owls were 
shot at the Butt in 1855, and one at Uig in 1859. The common 
and barn owls are comparatively rare. A good observer described 
to the author a species which he had once seen, as small, bare on the 
toes, brown above and yellowish below. The description suggested 
Noctua nudipes of Grould ; but this is of very rare occurrence in 
Britain, and even on the Continent it is seldom met with north of 
lat. 55°. 
The cuckoo frequently appears in the end of April, but its usual 
time seems to be from the 10th to the 15th of May. Writing of 
Eona, Martin makes the following note : — “ The inhabitants of 
this little island say that the cuckow is never seen or heard here, 
but after the death of the Earl of Seaforth or the minister !” 
Among the Corvidce, the raven and grey-backed crow are com- 
mon. Both of these birds are very bold, and destructive to 
grouse. The former not unfrequently attacks diseased sheep, and 
picks their eyes out before the animals are dead. Several of the 
latter have been seen to attack the female grouse, when covering 
