Wild Nature In Strathearn

PREFACE. HIS book was written during a period of enforced retirement from business, subsequent to a severe illness, and was not originally intended for publication, but to while away a weary hour. Finding much pleasure and rest in noting down some of nly communings with Nature, the idea occurred to me that others might enjoy equal pleasure, in comparing their own observations with nine hence the book. The treatment may be somewhat unusual for that I make no excuse, as it suited my whim at the moment, and I did not care to alter it afterwards. The aim has been to supply, in a popular, and not too v. vi. PREFACE. technical a form, information respecting the Natural History of the central part of Strathearn, and further to stimulate the young to take an interest in, and to study the habits of, the birds and beasts whicb surround them-a pursuit that, properly conducted, contributes to a healthy life and a contented mind. INNERPEFLFORDAGYE, CRIEFF, N. B., January, I 901. CONTENTS. - vii. PAGE. i ILLUSTRATIONS., OTTER, - - - STARLING, - - o CORNCRAKE -, - o VHINCHAT, - - - BLACKBIRD, - - o PIED WAGTAIL, - - WHEATEAR, - - o HOUS S E P ARROW, - CHAFFINC A H N D NEST, GOLDFINCH, - - . ROBIN -, - W - THRUSH, viii. ILLUSTRATIONS. ix. BULLFINCH, - - - - KISGFISHER -, - - - HERON, - - W POACEIE W R I TH NET SET FOR HARE, CUSHIE-DOO AN D NEST, - PIKE, - - - - - CUCKOO, - - ROOKS NESTS, - - ROOK, - - STOAT -, - - - - TAWN O Y W L, - - - THE OLD BOAT, INNERPEFFRAY, THE D IPPER -, - - - SALMON, - - - - THE LINN O BAIN the Earn, - BLUE TIT, - - - INTRODUCTORY. HE wide and fertile valley known as Strathearn extends from Loch Earn on the west to within two and a quarter miles of Newburgh on the east, inall about forty miles. From the Loch to Comrie, a distance of about six miles, the country is mountain and moorland from Comrie eastwards the valley broadens out into rich pastures and fertile fields. The whole Strath is heavily wooded with a variety of timber, firs predominating. In the winter of 1893 a storm of wind swept over the X. INTRODUCTORY. xi. Strath, laying many a monarch of the forest IOW, almost stripping the high hill of Turleum, and causing great destruction to the surrounding woods. Situated between the Ochil and Grampian ranges, on the fringes of which we rest, the district is rich in animal and bird life. Field and marsh, moor and fell, with cultivated land coming close up to the hillside, provide a rich field for the naturalist and plenty of food for the different animals of ferce naturce. Looking down on the valley from any of the surrounding hills, . the landscape with its flowing river, cultivated fields surrounded with hedges and woods, with . the rugged mountains in the distance, is a scene of rare beauty, on which the eye rests pleasurably, while the mind feasts on its rich variety. The northern part of the valley touches the edge of the Grampians, and there the croak of the Corbie and the cry of the Moorfowl may be heard but the king of the air, the Golden Eagle, is a very rare visitor. The late Dr xii. INTRODUCTORY...