218 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



orchards in the immediate vicinity of water. Occasionally 

 nests have been found in the Manse garden (which is sur- 

 rounded by a high wall), under a currant or gooseberry bush. 



COMMON REDSHANK, Totanus calidris (L.) Spring and summer 

 visitant. Returned this season, March 28. Has increased 

 in numbers within the last twelve years. " Common in 

 Douglasdale, and on Duneaton at Crawfordjohn" (Mr. Paterson). 



GREENSHANK, Totanus canescens (J. F. Gmelin). An individual was 

 shot on loch at Carluke two years ago (Mr. D. Pringle). 



COMMON CURLEW, Numenius arquata (L.) Common from spring to 

 late autumn all over the district on grass, as well as heath, lands. 

 This season (May 15) there was a nest in a field not far from 

 the boundary of the Glebe. The young a few weeks old I 

 have seen hiding in herbage along the roadside. During a 

 snowstorm and bitterly cold gale from N.E. on January 22, 

 1897, a pair were seen high up and calling loudly, being driven 

 before the wind. 



BLACK-HEADED GULL, Larus ridibundus, L., local name " Sea- 

 mew." This species is very abundant in spring, when it 

 follows the plough ; and in summer, when on fine evenings it 

 hawks after the Ghost-swift Moth (Hepialus humuli). This 

 species nests generally throughout the district in suitable 

 localities, on islets in the Clyde above Pretts Mill and on moors 

 above Douglas. One of the chief haunts is a marsh of several 

 acres extent on Robiesland Farm, Lanark. When I visited this 

 marsh on May 1 9 last the birds rose in thousands screech- 

 ing and screaming from their nests among the rushes and long 

 grass. So dense was the crowd of birds that it could only be 

 compared to a swarm of bees on the wing whilst hiving. This 

 morass is a splendid place for a nesting haunt, being soft, deep, 

 and treacherous from its edge, and is much favoured by Duck, 

 Teal, Reed Bunting, as well as this species. From the banks eggs 

 were seen in various nests, but it was impossible, without artificial 

 means, to reach them. When the place was visited again on May 

 31, there was not so great a crowd of birds in the air, and the 

 eggs appeared to be hatched out, none being seen ; but many 

 young as well as duckling were observed swimming about or 

 hiding among the clumps of rushes. 



COMMON GULL, Larus camis, L. A specimen of this species, got 

 by Mr. T. Cranston, is preserved in Carmichael House. 



HERRING GULL, Larus argentatits, L. -This species visits the 

 district during winter and early spring. Mr. E. Stodart sent 

 (April 21, 1897) me a bird in immature plumage, which was 

 destroyed on Tinto. Mr. D. Pringle has several specimens, also 

 in immature plumage, in his collection. 



