282 ' PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



dili<:rent collector that he had been familiar with it for the last 



O 



nineteen years. "Almost all the young plantations," writes Mr 

 Eaton, "are frequented by a pair; they arrive with our other 

 summer visitors." We are also satisfied of the species being a 

 native of AYigtoAvnshire. It is stated in a communication by the 

 late Eev. Thomas B. Bell, published in the Proceedings of the 

 Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, that it breeds in the parish 

 of Leswalt in that county. We took notice of this interesting 

 species near Girvan in the beginning of July, 1869. 



The Sedge Warbler (Salicaria phragmitis). 



One of the commonest warblers in Ayrshire, and, so far as we 

 can judge, a common species also in Wigtownshire. It is a very 

 conspicuous bird on the banks of the Water of Girvan, where its 

 unceasing mirth is sure to attract the most careless observer. It 

 breeds in some numbers on the farm of Enoch, near Girvan, and is 

 also very common near the curling pond. We have often observed 

 this bird singing while on wing mounting into the air, and 

 descending again with jerks to the hedge or growing grain from 

 which it rose. 



The Blackcap Warbler (Curnica atrkapilla). 



Wherever a soft^ sylvan spot occurs throughout our district, the 

 blackcap is a well-known element in the bird life of the locality. 

 Being, in appearance at least, a firmly-built and hard-billed 

 warbler, it might be expected to combat the rigours of a blustering 

 autumn or early winter; hence we find that even when the woods 

 are fast losing their tints, and all other warblers are gone, the 

 blackcap lingers in young plantations and orchards, garden plots 

 and sheltered nooks, feeding upon small fruits and insect prey, in 

 searching for which it exhibits great restlessness. It may at these 

 times be heard uttering a hard but clear note, reminding the 

 observer of the habits of some of the larger Tits. 



'o^ 



The Garden Warbler (Curruca hor tends). 

 Found sparingly in cultivated districts, chiefly frequenting 

 orchards and cottage gardens, and taking up its perch regularly 

 on some old a^jple tree, from the top branches of which it may be 

 seen, morning and evening, pouring out its rich notes, to the 

 delight of the Hstener. The song of this warbler, indeed, is only 



