I 4 2 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



and Balfour (Orkney), a few pairs in each case (3.iv.22i) : 

 and the Hawfinch bred in Lauderdale (1.191 1.53). Gold- 

 finches are increasing in Clyde, a few nesting in one locality 

 (2.iii-47). Crossbills showed a marked increase at Meikle- 

 our (Perthshire) in March and April (1.1910.181). Jays 

 abounded on the island of Inchtavannoch, Loch Lomond ; at 

 least three pairs reared broods within a few hundred yards of 

 the house-boats: none were seen in 1907, but by 1909 they 

 had become comparatively common (2.iii.32). Pintail and 

 Tufted Duck are increasing as breeding-species in Orkney 

 (3.iv.22i), while Capercaillie are reported to be becoming 

 plentiful in Moray (1.19 10.248). A new breeding colony 

 of the black-headed Gull is reported from Renfrewshire 

 (3.iv.223), and this species was nesting in numbers on the 

 islands at Ollaberry (Shetland), and is said to be on the 

 increase at Lerwick. The number of Kittiwakes breeding 

 at Barrahead is increasing, while the Fulmar is also nesting 

 more plentifully there and at Cape Wrath. 



There was a marked scarcity of Willow Warblers about 

 Largo (Fife), and of Redstarts, Tree Pipits, and Cuckoos at 

 Loch Awe. while House Martins were unusually scarce in 

 Mull, and Corn Buntings at Kirkliston. Great Spotted 

 Woodpeckers nested in Dumfriesshire (" Birds of Dumfries- 

 shire," p. 1 60), and birds of this species are recorded in 

 several localities between mid-March and 2Oth August, i.e. 

 Dunkeld, Gordonbush (Sutherland), near Glasgow, and at 

 Cadder (2.11.143). 



A Dipper's nest at Kilduncan (E. Fife) was built in the 

 cleft of a tree stump, 4 feet from the ground and over 150 

 feet from the nearest stream ; the bird nested twice in the 

 same place. 



Turnstones remained throughout the summer in Largo 

 Bay, the Cromarty Firth, North Ronaldshay, and Tiree ; a 

 flock of twenty or thirty was seen on the shore near 

 Wick on I 3th July. 



The earliest note of nesting in 1910 appeared in the 

 "Scotsman" for the 5th February, where it is recorded that 

 Starlings were seen on 24th January, " feeding their young 

 in the crack of a chimney top in the main street of Grantown- 

 on-Spey." On 3rd February, Rooks were repairing their old 



