THE BIRDS OF CARMICHAEL PARISH 209 



higher grounds of Lanarkshire. Mr. Baxter, Woodlands, gives 

 me the interesting information that it nests not infrequently in 

 heather bushes on his hill. 



BULLFINCH, Pyrrhula europcea (Vieillot). Gray writes ("B. W. S.") : 

 " Mr. Alston informs me that it appears to be on the increase 

 in Lanarkshire." Not uncommon now, making its appearance 

 in pairs with young, August 1895 ; or in small parties of nine, 

 February 19, 1897 ; or in pairs, $ and ?, July 3, 1897. It 

 nested in the parish three seasons ago. It prefers the more 

 sheltered and wooded grounds and orchards by the Clyde 

 below Lanark. Noted as a bird of the parish in " S. A." 



CROSSBILL, Loxia cunrirostra (L.) In " S. A.," under Carluke, is the 

 following : " The Crossbill, after an absence of eleven years, has 

 again paid us a visit in considerable numbers" (August 1838). 

 Gray (" B. W. S.") remarks that this species " in many parts of 

 Lanarkshire is found in considerable numbers during the breeding 

 season, especially in the neighbourhood of Douglas." Specimens 

 were obtained at Braidwood in 1853 (Mr. D. Pringle). Mr. 

 Paterson remarks ("Notes"): "Mr. Amos" (for about forty 

 years the much respected head gamekeeper on Douglas Estate) 

 " tells me he has no knowledge of the occurrence of the species." 



CORN BUNTING, Emberiza miliaria, L. Very partially distributed 

 in pairs, showing a marked preference for special spots ; three 

 of which are known to me in the parish. Appears to be absent 

 during very severe weather in winter. 



YELLOW BUNTING, Emberiza citrinella, L., local name "Yellow 

 Yite."- Resident and common. 



REED BUNTING, Emberiza schoenidus^ L. Resident, but less common 

 than the preceding. 



SNOW BUNTING, Plectrophenax nivalis (L.) Winter visitor in variable 

 numbers. Very abundant last winter up till the 2ist March. 



STARLING, Sturnus vulgaris, L. This species has increased greatly 

 within recent years, and is still increasing, nesting in every 

 available place. Sometimes appears in immense flocks during 

 spring migration March 17 and 18, 1897. Up till within 

 forty years ago it seems to have been rare. In " S. A.," under 

 Wandell and Lamington, it is stated that a few have been 

 occasionally seen and some captured for pets. In my note- 

 book I find the following : "January 13 " (a few days previous 

 to severe snowstorm) "After several dull, quiet days, to-day 

 is very bright and fine. Observe the Rooks are paired. A 

 Starling was looking out for a hole in ivied wall at front of 

 Manse in which to commence nest-building." 



