Falco nisus [The Sparrow-Hawk].
This is another daring individual. When standing on our Links not long since, and speaking to one of our keepers, something struck me on the breast and fell to the ground. Instantly, and like a flash of lightning, down rushed a sparrow-hawk, and picked up a thrush from betwixt us; it rose with its booty, and was out of sight before we could raise our guns to fire at it. The keeper grumbled a great deal at our seeming stupidity.
Falco tinnunculus [The Kestrel].
This mouse-, insect-, and caterpillar-eating bird, or hawk if you will, is very common with us. When a boy I kept, amongst a host of others, several of this species. I remember that when a mouse, a young rabbit, a leveret, and a middle-sized rat, were presented at the same time, either of the former was sure to be pounced upon, whilst the latter usually lay unheeded. Since then, during my thirty years of taxidermal practice, I have often dissected this bird, and found in its stomach the remains principally of the smaller quadrupeds, insects (chiefly beetles), and caterpillars. Yet this poor bird is persecuted with as much severity as birds of the most destructive kind.
Falco palumbarius [The Goshawk].
One was shot at Tomintoul a short time ago, and two others—one at Hillton, the other at Macduff. It is rather a rare bird.
Falco milvus [The Kite].
This bird was once plentiful here, but it is now rarely seen. A splendid specimen was recently shot at Eden, about four miles from Banff.
Falco buteo [The Buzzard]. Occasionally met with.
Falco lagopus [The Rough-Legged Buzzard].