REPORT ON SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGY FOR 1904 205 



September, and 2oth November (2) at Corsewall ; and 24th 

 November, Lerwick. One appeared at Beith in the autumn 

 with a few white feathers in the head, and nearly a white ring 

 round the neck. 



SYLVIA CINEREA (Whitethroat). Quite exceptional is the appear- 

 ance of this species in Lerwick on i5th April. Even the 

 occurrence at Thornliebank, Renfrew, on 3oth, was out of the 

 common, because the next seven reports from as many localities 

 refer to the second week in May. This bird, Mr. Barr of 

 Beith says, is, he believes the earliest to begin nest-building on 

 its arrival. " I have noticed for many years now, that when 

 first I hear his welcome song, if I take the trouble to search, 

 I am always sure to find his nest." 



SYLVIA CURRUCA (Lesser Whitethroat). One shot at the Flannans, 

 23rd September, sent for identification. 



S. ATRICAPILLA (Blackcap). It is desirable that we should have 

 more information regarding the appearance of this and the next 

 species in summer. Hitherto the reports have been meagre, and 

 there is no improvement this year. At Thurso, on 3ist October, 

 an adult $ was killed by a cat, while from Barra three are 

 reported on 5th ( 9 ), i ith ( $ ), and i yth November respectively. 



S. HORTENSIS (Garden-Warbler). At Inveraray, on igth May, two 

 which I saw were in song. Kirkliston, 2oth, and Thornliebank, 

 22nd, are the next reports. At the last-named locality, on 

 3oth May, Mr. John Robertson found a nest containing five 

 eggs, two days incubated. At Flannans on i8th September. 



REGULUS CRISTATUS (Goldcrest). Spring reports are from Skerry- 

 vore, 24th March, "several"; Corsewall, 1 2th, Barra, i5th 

 April; and Unst, i5th to 23rd April. In autumn, 28th 

 September, Corsewall; i6th October, Pentland Skerries; and 

 2oth, Bell Rock. Mr. Barr, who had the opportunity of watch- 

 ing the lining of a nest of this species this summer, says the 

 male carried no material, but piped his best to accompany his 

 mate with every beakful of building material brought by her. 



PHYLLOSCOPUS RUFUS (Chiffchaff). Reported in spring from Lam- 

 lash, 1 6th April. 



P. TROCHILUS (Willow- Wren). The earliest reports of the appearance 

 of the Willow-Wren are from the south-west : Corsewall, i 2th, 

 Blackwood (Lanark) and Beith (Ayr), i4th April. On the 

 i 5th it is reported from other four localities, and from two to 

 four days later reports speak of its abundance, even in Unst, 

 where were many on the igth. From its great numbers and 

 wide distribution this is a good species for judging the course 

 of the spring migration by, and its normal appearance, as in this 



