26 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



TEAL, Querquedula crecca. A few pairs nest, principally at the flat, 

 marshy ground near Midgehope. 



WIGEON, Mareca penelope. Two pairs have nested each year for the 

 past three years within the watersheds ; but I think it as well 

 not to communicate the exact locality. In dealing with this 

 fine bird it is right to mention that it is decidedly increasing, 

 and that it nests in every suitable loch on Alemuir which I have 

 been able to visit. In June 1896, while examining one of the 

 larger lochs, a flock passed of fourteen birds. I did not succeed 

 in identifying the sex of the whole, but before the birds got into 

 an unfavourable light I had made out, through a strong glass, 

 that the nine rearmost ones were all drakes. 



TUFTED DUCK, Fnligula cristata. This beautiful little cluck is a 

 feature of the fine lake in Haining grounds. In the early winter 

 of 1895 I counted fifty birds on that lake; and three or four 

 pairs remain during the summer. The gamekeeper, however, 

 informs me that he has never seen the young ; but the presence 

 of large pike in the lake may easily account for their absence. 



GOOSANDER, Mergus merganser. A regular spring visitor. As I 

 write, I have before me a case containing a fine pair which were 

 shot on the river some years ago. I have never seen, or heard 

 of, the bird frequenting the area during the nesting season. 



RING DOVE, Columba palumbus. Common. Greatly decreased of 

 late years. 



BLACK GROUSE, Tetrao tetrix. A fairly abundant species over the 

 whole upper part of the area. 



RED GROUSE, Lagopus scoticus. Abundant on all the heathery 

 ground. 



PHEASANT, Phasianus colchmis. Common. 



COMMON PARTRIDGE, Perdix rinerca.- Fairly abundant over the 

 cultivated area. 



LAND RAIL, Crex pratensis. Common. 

 MERE HEN, Gallinula chloropus. A few pairs. 

 COOT, Fulica atra. A few pairs. 



GOLDEN PLOVER, Charadrius pluvialis. Distributed over the higher 

 ground during the nesting season in considerable numbers. 



LAPWING, Vanellus vulgaris. Abundant during the nesting season. 



OYSTER-CATCHER, H&matopns ostralegus. On one occasion I saw a 

 single bird flying up the course of the river. 



WOODCOCK, Scolopax rusticities. Seen once in autumn. Mr. James 

 Mathison, banker, Selkirk, and Mr. Martin, gamekeeper, Bow- 

 hill, inform me that a number nest in Bowhill Woods. 



