306 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



The Great Snipe {Scolopax major). 

 A specimen of tliis bird was shot by Mr W. Boyd of Greenock, 

 in September, 18G8, on tlie lands of Corsehouse, in the parish of 

 Stewarton, as narrated in Gray's "Birds of the West of Scotland." 

 The species has likewise been shot in Eenfrewshire, on the borders 

 of our district. 



The Common Snipe {ScoIojmx galUnago). 

 Abundant in suitable localities over the district. The great 

 amount of drainage, however, which has been effected during the 

 last twenty years, has been the means of banishing the snipe 

 from former waste lands now under cultivation. Numbers are 

 yet observed in the larger drains and ditches bounding the grain 

 and grass fields of the low country. 



The Jack Snipe (ScoIojmx gallimda). 



Strictly a winter visitant, and found in some numbers in small 

 marshes and moist meadows. 



The Curlew Sandpiper (Tringa sul-arquata). 



Not commonly met with, although it is probably seldom absent, 

 during the mnter months, from Loch Eyan, Luce Bay, Garliestown 

 shore, and the Bay of Wigtown. It can only be regarded as a 

 straggler on other parts of the coast of either county, and is, for 

 the most part, seen there on its arrival in the beginning of 

 autumn. 



The Knot {Tringa canutus). 

 So far as our observations extend, this species is rather rare in 

 our district. It never appears on our shores in flocks of more 

 than three or four birds. One was taken on the lantern at the 

 Mull of Galloway Lighthouse, in September, 1866; but Mr Gray, 

 who happened to be there at the time, was informed by the 

 keeper that he had never seen one in the district before. 



The Dunlin {Tringa variabilis). 



This extremely variable species, as regards size, colouring, and 

 length of bill, is found in great numbers on the sea-coast, in 

 sandy bays, and muddy estuaries, and is also met with, sparingly, 

 during summer, breeding on the margins of little fresh water 



