NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGO^V. 295 



Wigtownshire, thcat one of these birds frequented his policies in 

 1862 for about ten days, and was frequently seen near the house. 

 It has once occurred in Eenfrewshire — a specimen having been 

 shot near Port-Glasgow in October, 1863. 



CUCULIDjE. 

 The Common Cuckoo {Cucuhis canorus). 

 Very common throughout the whole district. In passing north- 

 ward it halts for a time on Ailsa Craig, and enlivens that isolated 

 spot with its familiar salutation. These visits, however, are brief 

 and uncertain. Mr Anderson has observed that all the specimens 

 yearly killed by him immediately after their arrival appear to be 

 in the moult. 



INSESSOBJES. MFPOPTD/F 



FISSIBOSTBES. MEB0PIDJ2. 



The Eoller (Coracias garrula). 

 The late Dr Landsborough informed Mr Gray many years ago 

 that a specimen of this rare bird was shot near Stevenston, in 

 AjTshire, about the year 1833. It has occurred in some of the 

 neighbouring counties, but not elsewhere in our district. 



The Bee Eater {Merops apiaster). 

 In the summer of 1832 a bee eater was shot at Logan Garden, 

 in the parish of Kirkmaiden, Wigtownshire. The species has 

 occurred frequently in the eastern counties of Scotland, but is 

 decidedly rare in the west. 



EALGYONIDjE. 

 The Kingfisher (Alcedo ispida). 

 The brilliant kingfisher is not uncommon on all our streams, 

 preferring, however, those whose banks are clothed with birch 

 and alder trees, or other overhanging bushes, in which it can 

 perch and look out for prey. It breeds on the banks of the 

 Stinchar and Girvan Water, and other picturesque streams, and 

 delights the rambler in its romantic haunts as it whirrs past him 

 when changing its pools. We have seen it fishing in company 

 with the dijjper in severe weather, when both were glad to avail 

 themselves of an opening in the ice. On one occasion four or five 

 dippers — pi-obably a brood of the previous summer — had assem- 

 bled at such an opening, and were perched in a half-circle, when 



