148 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



TAWNY OWL. 



STRIX STR1DULA, Li». 



Mr. .Robert Gray records an increase of this species in the 

 Eastern Counties of Scotland during the winter months, and 

 arrives at the conclusion " that the accession to its numbers is 

 due to the arrival of migratory flocks from northern latitudes." 

 Mr. Gray adds, " I have examined upwards of twenty specimens 

 all in the clear grey plumage which I believe distinguishes these 

 migrants." [Proc. Berw. Nat. Club, 1878-79, p. 498.] 



Obs. — Owls and hawks generally were observed by Mr. Service 

 to be much emaciated. He found a skeleton of a Kestrel on 

 Marthrown. This has significance with regard to the general 

 scarcity of small birds, also, of course. 



MARTIN. 



Chelidon urbica (Lin.). 



Mr. Hardy saw a pair on the 4th May playing round a cave at 

 Siccar Point. None seen at Dunipace up to 9th May. 



SAND MARTIN. 



COTYLE RIPARTA (Lin.) 



One is recorded on the 31st April at Perth, on which morning 



the ground was white with snow. [Scot. Nat., July 1879, p. 



132.] 



SWALLOW. 



HlRUNDO RUSTICA, Lin. 



Appeared at Callander on 19th April, 1879; Dunipace, 20th 

 and 22nd. At Taycreggan, Loch Awe — first seen, and only one 

 — 2nd May. Swallows did not remain continuously at their 

 summer haunts up to middle of May, except in sheltered localities. 

 In Berwickshire a swallow was seen on the 1st May. Two played 

 about alone; with seven Sand Martins on the sea-banks. Not so 

 abundant as usual [J. Hardy]. One was seen near Perth on 31st 

 April, on which morning the ground was white with snow. [Scot. 

 Nat., July 1879, p. 132.] 



SWIFT. 

 Cypselus apus (Lin.). 



The first seen at Dunipace was on the 16th May. 



The first seen at Dumfries was on the 11th May, and again on 



