280 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



The Song Thrush {Turdus musicus). 



Generally distributed. Near Girvan it resorts, during the 

 autumn montlis, to the sea-shore, frequenting pasture lands in the 

 immediate vicinity, and feeding on a small species of helix con- 

 spicuously plentiful at that season. It breeds upon Ailsa Craig, 

 where its song may be heard strangely in contrast to the other 

 sounds of various quality to be heard on that lonely rock. 



The Redwing (Turdus iliacus). 



A winter visitant, appearing about the same time as the Field- 

 fare, and associating with it in its shore haunts. 



The Blackbird (Turdus merula). 



Abundant. Between Girvan and Ballantrae numbers of these 

 birds may be seen, after the breeding time is j^ast, frequenting the 

 beach, and seeking refuge on hot days below the rocky boulders. 

 We have ejected as many as fifteen and eighteen blackbirds from 

 underneath one rock. This species is found on Ailsa Craig, where 

 it breeds. Dr Anderson found a nest with five eggs built in one 

 of the turret holes of the old castle a few years ago. 



The Eing Ouzel {Tardus torquatus). 

 A very common species on many of the wildest moorland tracts 

 of Ayrshire, but much less common in Wigtownshire, as far as our 

 own observations enable us to judge. Mr Anderson has observed 

 it frequenting his garden at Girvan late in autumn. This species 

 migi'ates southward as winter approaches. Mr M'Donald, one of 

 the keepers at the Mull of Galloway lighthouse, captures an occa- 

 sional specimen on the lantern about the time the flocks are 

 quitting Scotland. 



SYLVID^. 

 The Hedge Accentor {Accentor modidaris). 

 The confiding Slmfflewing is everywhere known. It lives upon 

 Ailsa Craig, among the kittiwakes and guillemots, and jerks 

 about among the rugged stones as contentedly as if in the near 

 neighbourhood of a stack yard. 



The Redbreast {Erythaca rubecula). 

 Abundant. A fine specimen with a pure wliite head was shot 



