THE BIRDS OF THE ST. MARY'S LOCH DISTRICT 197 



and eggs (4) on i2th May. In seasons when the crop of wild 

 fruit is scarce they do considerable damage in the fruit gardens. 



REDSTART {Ruticilla phosnicurus). I saw a female at Rodono on 

 2 ist April, and on 3rd May a male and a female, but at different 

 spots. My brother got a nest and eggs later on at Cramilt, 

 Meggat. 



WHEATEAR (Saxicola cenaiitke}. On i gth April I saw a few, all males, 

 the first female I did not see till several days later. By 3oth 

 April both sexes were numerous. 



WHINCHAT (Pratincola rubetra). I saw a pair on the hill above 

 Henderland in the early morning of 2ist April. On yth 

 May I saw several pairs between Rodono and the foot of the 

 loch. During the breeding season a pair were to be found 

 almost anywhere on suitable ground. 



STONECHAT {Pratincola rubicola). Much more scarce than the 

 previous. On i5th May I saw two pairs up at Meggat-head. 

 This was the only occasion on which I noticed this bird in the 

 district. 



REDBREAST (Erithacus rubecula). Fairly numerous. One of the 

 few birds which stay the winter. 



WHITE-THROAT (Sylvia cinerea). Scarce in the immediate neighbour- 

 hood of the loch. I heard the first on iyth May and saw it 

 the following day near the mouth of the Capper. 



GOLD-CRESTED WREN (Regulus cristatus). A pair in most of the 

 small fir plantations. 



WILLOW WREN (Phylloscopus trochilus). Arrived on 28th April and 

 afterwards numerous. 



HEDGE SPARROW (Accentor modularis). Scarce. Saw the first on 

 5th May at Meggat, sitting on four eggs. Does not stay the 

 winter (Sim). 



DIPPER (Cinclus aquaticus}. -- Common. Several pairs on the 

 Meggat. 



GREAT TIT (Pants major). Several pairs. Can scarcely be said to 

 be common. 



COLE TIT (Pari/s ater), Considerably more common than the above. 



BLUE TIT (Pants cceruleus}. I never saw this bird in the neighbour- 

 hood of the loch, though I saw one as far up the Yarrow as the 

 Gordon Arms. Sim tells me he saw one some years ago near 

 the Capper post-office. 



WREN (Troglodytes vulgaris). Common. Often frequents peat 

 sheds during winter (Sim). 



