27 6 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



and forty together. Swallows, though not so closely packed together, 

 are also present in extraordinary numbers; and in the evenings 

 Swifts can be counted in hundreds over the bare walls of the old 

 church. I have twice heard French interpreters (acquainted with 

 the district in pre-war days) remark on the great abundance of these 

 birds present this year, and I think it may be taken as a fact that 

 their numbers are greatly in excess of the normal. One cannot but 

 wonder whence this surplus is drawn. S. E. Brock, Capt., 10th 

 Royal Scots. 



Nesting of the Kingfisher within the Glasgow 

 Boundaries. The nesting of the Kingfisher (Alcedo ispidd) within 

 the bounds of the City of Glasgow may be deemed worth recording. 

 This year and last year a pair have reared their brood on the bank 

 of the White Cart at Pollokshaws. In this there is gratifying 

 evidence to the improvement that has been wrought in the condition 

 of that river, which for very many years was in what seemed a 

 hopeless state of pollution. Herbert Maxwell, Monreith. 



Woodcock ringed in Ireland and recovered in Shet- 

 land. On the 7th of July, a wounded Woodcock {Scolopax 

 rusticold) was picked up at Skellister, Nesting, Shetland. It had 

 probably struck the telegraph wires, and died shortly after it was 

 found. On its foot was a metal ring endorsed "T. H., Sligo, 4," 

 which was forwarded to me with a request for an explanation. As 

 the bird had evidently been ringed in Ireland, I sent a note of the 

 occurrence to the Irish Naturalist, which resulted in my receiving 

 an obliging communication from Mr J. P. Burkitt, advising me to 

 write to Mr H. Bracken, the keeper at Temple House, Ballymote, 

 Co. Sligo. In due course I received the desired information that 

 the bird was marked at Ballymote on the 12th of May 1914, along 

 with three others, and that it was about a fortnight old when ringed. 

 It seems impossible to offer a satisfactory explanation for the 

 presence of this adult Irish-bred Woodcock in Shetland, and at 

 such a very unusual date. It is possible, however, that the presence 

 of the ring may have proved a disturbing element, and caused the 

 bird to act in an erratic manner. Wm. Eagle Clarke. 



