NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 279 



MUSGICAPID^. 



The Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola). 



A quiet and unobtrusive species, generally distributed. It 

 builds in gardens, sometimes close to dwelling-houses; at other 

 times in rocky niches, and on the main stems of trees at a distance 

 from such habitations. It feeds upon various insects, including 

 moths and butterflies, and is fond of a conspicuous perch from 

 which it can easily detect its passing prey. 



MERULID^. 

 The Common Dipper {Cindus aquatkus). 



Very common on most of the rivers and streams of both 

 counties, on the banks of which it breeds in various situations. 

 We have seen its nest on inaccessible walls of rock, underneath 

 bridges, in abrupt banks, on moss-covered rocky boulders, and in 

 holes of trees. In severe winters the families of the previous 

 summer appear to re-assemble, and forage together at open pools. 

 We have noticed as many as five perched on the ice, and diving 

 into holes broken by ourselves to admit of their access to the 

 Avater. One of these birds frequented for some months the beams 

 of a wooden bridge thrown across the water of Girvan at Enoch 

 farm. It roosted every night in the same spot, and its first act 

 in the morning was to take a "header" into the stream, and 

 re-appear at a little distance from the bridge, after which it flew 

 ofl" to its ordinary haunts. 



The Missel Thrush (Turdus visdvorus). 

 Now tolerably common, although a somewhat rare bird thirty 

 years ago. Flocks of ten or twelve assemble in autumn, 

 and frequent the fields about the time the crops are gathered. 

 They seem partial to potato lands. It is now a very common 

 species in the neighbourhood of Girvan. We observed about 

 twenty feeding daily on Knock-a-vallie, near the shore, in 

 June, 18G9. 



The Fieldfare {Tardus pilaris). 

 A familiar winter visitant, resorting to the coast line in hard 

 weather, where it turns over the rejectamenta left by the tides in 

 search of larvas, etc. 



