REPORT ON SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGY IN 1918 105 



were seen at Duns, where House-martins, Cuckoos, and 

 Corncrakes were also scarcer than usual, while decrease in 

 the numbers of Sedge-warblers is recorded from Melrose. 

 Wheatears were much fewer than formerly at Vallay, N. 

 Uist, also at Collessie, Fife, where House-martins too were 

 below former years, only from 50 to 70 pairs nesting, as 

 against about 250. Lapwings showed a decrease in 

 numbers in Banffshire and at Beith, where Mr John Craig 

 says, " I think there have been fewer Peewits' eggs lifted 

 here this year than in any year I ever remember ; when 

 I was a boy Lapwings nested much nearer the town than 

 they do now." Eider Ducks were fewer on the Isle of 

 May, possibly from being more disturbed than in old days. 



The Rooks at Beith have recolonised another rookery 

 which they had deserted in 1916 owing to depredations of 

 Carrion Crows, A Goldfinch nested in a high hawthorn 

 hedge alongside a much frequented public road at Giffnock, 

 and was successful in rearing its young (i. 1919, 63), while 

 a pair of Pied Flycatchers nested in June near Lauder 

 (i. 1919, 29). A colony of Tree-sparrows has become 

 established near the Hydropathic at Melrose; they nested 

 there for the first time in 191 7. 



A Great Tit's nest with nine young ones was found in an 

 old pump at Beith ; the old birds entered and left the nest 

 by the mouth of the pump. The nest measured 7f inches 

 across. Our correspondent there says that in his experience 

 the large majority of Cole Tits nest in holes in the ground ; 

 of nine nests of this species found in one year, eight were 

 in the ground. He found a Redbreast's nest in a tree, an 

 unusual site, and a Wren's nest in a tree 17 feet from the 

 ground. He also records three old Swallows' nests in a 

 shed, having been taken by House-martins and built up 

 for their own use. Great Spotted Woodpeckers were 

 successful in rearing their young by the Leader (i. 1919, 29). 

 The Cormorants at North Ronaldshay have forsaken their 

 nesting-place on the Seal Skerry owing, it is thought, to 

 blasting in connection with salvage work ; while at Noss 

 Head (Caithness) Fulmars made nests but did not lay 

 eggs. Most of the Ringed Plovers' nests found at North 



