10 
time visible. This fine species appears to be more sensitive to 
persecution than other birds of prey, judging from the very rapid 
diminution of its numbers throughout Scotland during the last 
twenty years. 
Mr Gray lately examined a beautiful specimen shot near Beith 
many years ago. It is now never seen there. 
The Common Buzzard (.Buteo vulgaris). 
Very uncommon, having doubtless yielded to the wide-spread 
persecution which has been practised since the excessive protection 
of game became common. In the upland ranges of both counties 
the nest is sometimes found. Specimens of both young and old 
birds are occasionally taken to Newton-Stewart from the neigh¬ 
bourhood of Loch Trool—a charming bit of scenery about sixteen 
miles north-east of that town. Mr Gray lately examined a speci¬ 
men of this buzzard shot near New Cumnock. 
The Honey Buzzard (Pernis apivorus). 
A young male bird of this species was shot on 21st September, 
1864, at Wellwood, near Muirkirk, Ayrshire. It had been seen 
in the neighbourhood previously, and the keeper who shot it 
states that he trapped a bird of the same species in September, 
1863, but that it broke away on his approach, leaving part of one 
of its legs in the trap. 
Obs.—T he Rough-legged Buzzard (Buteo lagopus) has occurred 
in Lanarkshire on the confines of our district, but not, so far 
as we are aware, within the limits we have prescribed for our¬ 
selves. 
The Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus ). 
Even of greater rarity than the preceding. A solitary pair may 
yet be seen frequenting some of the wilder moors of Wigtown¬ 
shire, but so soon as their whereabouts is discovered, means are 
used for their destruction. The conspicuous appearance of the 
male bird against the brown heath, especially during flight, has no 
doubt tended to the discovery of the nest, and consequent capture 
of both birds. Keepers, on finding a nest, usually wait until the 
eggs are hatched, and are in the habit of killing all the young 
birds except one, which they fasten by the leg to a stake, and 
thus oblige to remain there, even after being fully fledged until 
