THE BIRDS OF CARMICHAEL PARISH 203 



Bart., as also to Mrs. Thomson Carmichael, my thanks are 

 due for permission to refer to specimens of rarer species pre- 

 served in Carmichael and Eastend Houses. In the list I 

 have incorporated notices in " New Statistical Account " 

 (1841) [hereinafter referred to as " S. A."], as also all notes 

 on distribution in the Upper Ward in R. Gray's " Birds of the 

 West of Scotland," etc. [hereinafter referred to as "B. W. S."], 

 as these were furnished by the late Edward R. Alston, Esq., 

 who resided at Stockbriggs, in Lesmahagow Parish. John 

 Paterson, Esq., Glasgow, has favoured me with the perusal 

 of " Notes on Birds in Douglasdale, etc., 23rd May 1895, 

 and ist, 2nd, and 3rd June 1895 " [hereinafter referred to 

 as " Notes "] ; Mr. Drummond Pringle, Chapel, Braidwood, 

 has gone over with me his interesting collection ; to them, as 

 well as to J. A. Harvie-Brown, Esq., F.R.S.E., etc., for many 

 valuable suggestions in the preparation of this list, I am 

 under deep obligation. 



MISSEL THRUSH, Turdus visavorus, L., local name " Feltifare."- 

 Fairly common, but not seen in numbers till autumn, when 

 flocks assemble to feed on berries of rowan tree, etc. Absent 

 during severe weather in winter, but may be heard in song as 

 early as January 4 (1897). A light cream-coloured specimen 

 frequented the parish for three seasons, from April 12, 1892 

 to 1894. 



SONG THRUSH, Turdus musicns, L., local name " Mavis." Abun- 

 dant. Absent in winter, returning as early as the beginning of 

 February (February 15, 1897. On this date, at the break-up of 

 frost and snowstorm there appeared also Lapwings and Golden 

 Plovers and Larks.) 



REDWING, Turdus iliacus, L. Very rare. I have not myself 

 observed it. Mr. D. Pringle used to see it in numbers not, 

 however, of late in his district. 



FIELDFARE, Turdus pilaris, L. Present on migration in small flocks 

 during autumn, winter, and spring, as late as April 13, 1897. 

 When seen in autumn and winter they are wild and restless, 

 generally passing over the fields foraging, heading towards the 

 S.W. Straggling parties of three or four may remain for a few 

 days during severe frost. In "S. A." it is stated that "a pair 

 of Fieldfares have twice remained the whole year, and built 

 their nest near the Manse" of Crawfordjohn, about 1836. 

 (Mr. Harvie-Brown remarks : " These are probably only Missel 

 Thrushes, which in Scotland are popularly known as " Feltifliers " 

 or " Felties.") 



