Volume 9 - Electric Scotland

CONTRIBUTION TO ORNITHOLOGY OF KINCARDINESHIRE 197
CONTRIBUTION TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF
KINCARDINESHIRE.
By A.
NICOL SIMPSON, F.Z.S.
( Continued from p. 153.)
BARN OWL. Mr. George Crabb, London, a keen ornithologist,
informs me that he remembers in his youth of this bird breeding
in Fordoun. He often saw the birds at the spinning mill
at Auchinblae when he was a boy. Of recent years
it is unknown,
so far as my knowledge goes.
LONG-EARED OWL. A resident, and breeding in the neighbourhood
of Drumtochty Castle, and doubtless elsewhere in the county,
but nevertheless it is not abundant.
SHORT-EARED OWL. Far more common than the last named, and
pretty widely distributed as a rule.
TAWNY OWL.
Fairly plentiful
in the wooded districts.
HEN HARRIER. I have seen a specimen said to have been got in
the county.
COMMON BUZZARD. An occasional visitor (H.\
ROUGH-LEGGED BUZZARD. A specimen in Drumtochty collection
is said to have been shot in the district in 1889.
GOLDEN EAGLE. Almost annually one or two visit the hills in
the autumn and do some damage amongst the game of the
hills. In 1895 the gamekeeper of Glensaugh shot one in the
act of devouring a lamb. This bird was accompanied by a
mate, which escaped (Af.}. Since then one or two have been
noticed in the same locality. In September of the year named
another specimen was observed. The latest date for this bird
is 8th December 1897, when one was seen in the vicinity of
Drumtochty (M.).
SPARROW HAWK. To be found in almost all the larger forests.
KITE.
Said to have been secured from time to time within the last
thirty odd years. There is no authenticated instance, however,
so far as I have learned.
HONEY BUZZARD.
Same as the last named.
PEREGRINE FALCON. Breeds at the sea cliff, and reported also as
breeding in various inland parts. This is more than likely,
seeing the bird is resident both in the counties of Forfar and
Aberdeen.