NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 275 



of our district, and also those of Kirkcudbrightsliire, it is only a 

 winter visitant. 



A very beautiful adult male, measuring not more than nine 

 inches in length, was shot on the farm of Drummuck, near 

 Girvan, in the summer of 18G9. 



Obs. — The Hobby {Falco subhuko) has occurred several times in 

 the south of Scotland, viz., in Dumfriesshire, Koxburghshire, and 

 Kirkcudbrightshire. In the last named county, Mr Tottenham 

 Lee procured two specimens, and saw a third. 



The Kestrel {Falco tinrmnculus). 

 Coinmon. A favourite resort for this species is the line of 

 cliffs between Lendalfoot and Ballantrae, where we have seen 

 many nests comparatively easy of access. Several pairs breed on 

 the cliffs at the Mull of Galloway. The kestrel is quite harmless 

 as a bird of prey to the game preserver, feeding on moths, beetles, 

 and even worms. We have seen it in small groups on the public 

 road near the edge of the cliffs referred to, apparently on the 

 look-out for Geotrupes stercorarkis burrowing in its favourite 

 mounds. The kestrel appears to live on good terms with the 

 starling and jackdaw, both of which are its daily associates during 

 the breeding season. 



The Sparrow-Hawk (Accipiter nisus). 



Of frequent occurrence, and much persecuted on account of its 

 destructive ravages among game and poultry, keepers and farmers 

 alike waging war against it. Its partiality for barn-door chickens 

 and partridges has given the bird a bad name, and, indeed, its 

 thefts are offences not easily overlooked. It breeds on the cliffs 

 at the Mull of Galloway, but is perhaps better known as a native 

 of old plantations, where it frequently makes use of the deserted 

 nests of other birds. 



Obs. — The Goshawk (Ashcr palumharms) has been observed 

 repeatedly in Kirkcudbrightshire by Mr Tottenham Lee, who 

 found its nest in at least two instances. See Naturalist for 1853, 

 vol. iii., p. 45; also Mr A. G. More's paper in the Ibis for 18G5. 



The Kite (Milvus vulgaris). 

 Formerly bred in Glen App, a beautiful district in the south of 

 Ayrshire, but it is now doubtful if even a stray bird is at any 



