164 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



very commonly, if not invariably, lined with feathers. Were these 

 additions to the Redpole population of Dumfries birds crowded 

 down from more northern countries, bringing their nest-building 

 instincts with them ; or were they simply native birds adapting 

 their nest-building to suit the unusually cold season? Such 

 inquiries appear to me worthy of consideration, as they may have 

 considerable bearing upon dispersal of species, change of habits, &c. 



YELLOW HAMMER. 



Emberiza citrinella, Lin. 



Remained all winter in central districts of Scotland, but in 

 diminished numbers, many having gone further south. They 

 fared pretty well in the farm-yards. 



REED BUNTING. 



Emberiza schoeniclus, Lin. 



First seen on April 6th at Dunipace. They, as usual, entirely 

 left inland localities early in the winter. 



SNOW BUNTING. 



Plectrophanes nivalis (Lin.). 



Seen in November in Stirlingshire, also on December 3rd in 

 Lanarkshire, also in November near Dumfries [R. Service], but 

 appears generally to have fled further south during the winter. 



LARK. 



Alauda arvensis, Lin. 



Disappeared, except where fed. In Stirlingshire, at one or two 

 localities where this was done, they became pretty tame. They were 

 also commoner in the vicinity of large public works and towns — 

 as at Bonnybridge Foundry, Stirlingshire — than elsewhere, finding, 

 no doubt, some slight difference in temperature. They disappeared 

 from the neighbourhood of Oldcambus and reappeared in the 

 beginning of March [J. H., in lit., 9th March, 1879]. Larks 

 sought shelter in rabbit burrows at Taycreggan [see Chaffinch, 

 p. 162]. Their scarcity in April, both on lowlands and moors, in 

 Stirlingshire and S. Perthshire was quite remarkable. At the 

 lonely house of the forester of Fannich Forest [Ross-shire], a Lark 

 and a Blackbird- -the only small birds seen for several weeks — 



