162 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



parts. The Longtailed Tit (Parus caudatus), together with its 

 congeners, the Blue Tit (P. coeruleus), and the Cole Tit (P. ater), 

 are common, especially during winter. The Yellow Hammer 

 (Emberiza citrinella) breeds in the drier parts of the marsh. The 

 Black-headed Bunting [E. schoeniclus) is very abundant, the rank 

 rushes and other vegetation proving particularly attractive to it. 

 The Goldfinch (Carduelis elegans) is occasionally caught on the 

 banks of the marsh during winter. The Partridge (Perdix cinerea) 

 is still to be constantly seen and heard about its margin. 



Besides the foregoing there are many other land birds which 

 are common in the neighbourhood, but which cannot be said to 

 frequent the marsh, although they may be seen there by accident, 

 and, therefore, I need not more particularly allude to them. Many 

 sea birds also occasionally alight. 



The Golden Plover (Charadrius pluvialis) is a winter visitor. 

 The Dotterel (C. monnellus) was observed here some few winters 

 since. The Lapwing {Vanellus cristatus) breeds regularly on the 

 drier parts. The Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus melanopterus) was 

 observed here in 1867, and was vainly run after by all the collec- 

 tors in the neighbourhood. Mr Gray informs me that Sir William 

 Jardine, in Dumfriesshire, and Mr Angus, in Aberdeenshire, about 

 the same time saw specimens of this rare bird ; probably they 

 were all members of a flock which had become scattered. The 

 Greenshank (Totanus glottis), in winter plumage, has been shot 

 here within a few years. The Redshank (T. calidris) is a regular 

 summer frequenter; but I have never been so fortunate as to 

 find its nest, although, from the clamour the birds make on any one 

 approaching the drier parts of the marsh, there can be little doubt 

 that they breed. The Common Sandpiper [T. hypoleuciis), 

 although not breeding, is a constant visitor. The Common Snipe 

 (Scolopax gallinago) is a constant resident and breeding species. 

 The Jack Snipe (S. gallinula) is plentiful during autumn and 

 winter. The Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) bred here to my 

 knowledge in the summer of 1863, and I believe is to be found 

 regularly every season. The Water Hen {Gallinula chloropus) is 

 very abundant. I have seen as many as twenty nests in a day. 

 The Coot (Ftdica atra) is also plentiful. Of the Bittern (Botaurus 

 stellaris), a fine specimen was shot in the marsh five or six years 

 ago; it is now, I believe, in Dr De war's collection. The Heron 

 (Ardea cinerea) is an almost daily visitor during most of the year. 



