310 rROCEEDINGS OF THE 



In tliis heaiitiful locli tliere are about fifty tame swans, and it is 

 a sight of no ordinary interest to see the fleet of noble birds sail- 

 ing together on the blue waters. Persons resident in the neigh- 

 bourhood inform us that the winter visitants are much smaller in 

 size, darker in colour, and much more active on the wing than 

 the usual residents. Many of these are, of course, referable to 

 the next species. 



Bewick's Swan (Ci/gmis BewicHi). 

 This species is sometimes recognised in lochs and ponds in 

 severe winters, many of the birds being in the plumage of the 

 first year. 



The CoiMMON Shelldrake (Tadorna vulpanser). 

 This showy and handsome bird is not uncommon in rabbit 

 warrens on the coasts of both counties. It appears, however, to 

 be more plentiful in Wigtownshire. We have obtained the eggs 

 from near Garliestown. It also breeds in Kirkcudbrightshire. 

 A number of pairs used to breed on the Horse Island, off Ardros- 

 san, but of late years these have become reduced, on account of 

 the frequent visits made to the locality by boating parties from 

 the harbour, and this year (18G9) only one pair has been 

 observed. 



The Shoveler {Anas dypeata). 



Has occurred but in three instances in our district. A pair — 

 male and female — were shot on the Cree, near Newton-Stewart, 

 in the spring of 18G5, by James Hamilton, keeper. Another was 

 shot in the month of May, I860, in a small burn on the farm of 

 Drummuck, near Girvan, by a son of Mr Davidson, farmer there. 



The Gadwall {Anas strepem). 

 With the exception of a single specimen — a male- — shot on the 

 loch of Tai-bolton a few years ago, we cannot trace the occurrence 

 of this species anywliere in our district. It is, notwithstanding, 

 a bird of tolerably wide distribution in western Scotland. 



The Pintail Duck {Anas amta). 

 Of occasional and uncertain appearance only; ai")pearing singly, 

 in most cases, on the larger streams and inland lochs. 



