REPORT ON SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGY IN 1909 139 



was found in a Reed Bunting's nest. Crested Tits are 

 fledged in Strathspey by 3rd July, and flying about the 

 trees, the parents feeding them. From East Ross, between 

 the 7th August and i/th November, we have records of 

 flocks of Crossbills, "the young being fed by their parents, 

 though they could and did feed themselves." On 25th 

 September newly- hatched Skylarks were found in North 

 Argyll, a very late date. On the 25th November a 

 perfectly fresh Starling's egg was found on the ground at 

 Old Aberdeen. From various parts of the country records 

 come of these birds having built flat open nests usually in 

 conifers ; while in Orkney they nested among the rubble on 

 the seashore and in rabbit burrows. 



Increase of the numbers of various species nesting in 

 this country is reported, though in some cases the difference 

 is merely local. In the Blantyre district of Clyde a great 

 increase of Redshanks is noted, while the increase of 

 Woodcock nesting in the Highlands is sustained, the birds 

 often being double -brooded. The Black -headed Gull is 

 reported as increasing at several of its breeding places, 

 while more Great Crested Grebes are noted as nesting in 

 various parts of Scotland. Quite a number of old Blackbirds' 

 nests were found near Lerwick (Shetland), several pairs of 

 Quails nested in East Lothian, and about thirty pairs of 

 Stock Doves built in ivy-covered cliffs in Arran. 



At Kirkliston several old nesting haunts of the Sedge- 

 warbler, which were used prior to 1908, were still unoccupied 

 this season, while here and there are records of a decrease 

 in the numbers of breeding Terns. 



MIGRATION. 



January, The beginning of the year gives us records of 

 a considerable local movement caused by the severe snow- 

 storm at the end of 1908. Fieldfares, Skylarks, Dunlins, 

 and Lapwings are recorded in numbers from Fair Isle, and 

 Skylarks from the Isle of May. On i 5th January Fieldfares, 

 Redwings, and Lapwings are reported from the Butt of Lewis, 

 while next day these birds, along with considerable numbers 

 of Skylarks and Snipe, are recorded at Fair Isle. The move- 



