28 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



been seen by Mr O. H. Wild on one occasion, and on at 

 least two other occasions by competent observers. 



The CHIFFCHAFF. Records of this bird for Bute are so 

 few that I should like to record that I heard one singing 

 in the Skipper Wood above Craigmore on 7th May 191 7. 



The ROCK-DOVE. This species breeds in small numbers 

 both on Bute and on Inchmarnock. I saw two nests this 

 year (191 7). 



THE STOCK-DOVE. This species is apparently increasing 

 very rapidly. I saw several nests this year, and considerable 

 numbers of the birds. 



The Capercaillie. This species is apparently succeed- 

 ing in establishing itself in Bute, though I am sorry that 

 I cannot give very exact details. There is a most interesting 

 hybrid Capercaillie x Black Grouse in the Bute Natural 

 History Museum, which was shot on the island within the 

 last two or three years. Lord Bute has informed me that 

 three Capercaillies were shot lately at the north end, but 

 he has given instructions that they should be preserved in 

 future. I hope that later I may be able to give more exact 

 details as to the status of this bird on the island. 



The Purple Sandpiper. I have never seen any- 

 printed records for this bird in Bute, but it appears to be not 

 uncommon in the winter. There is a specimen in the Bute 

 Museum which was shot several years ago. On 8th 

 November 1916, 1 saw two birds of this species at St Ninian's 

 Bay, and shot one, which is placed in the Museum. On 

 23rd January 1917 I shot a Purple Sandpiper near Scalpsie 

 Bay, and on 10th February I watched for some time a bird 

 of the same species near Craigmore pier. I have no doubt 

 that these birds are not nearly as rare on the Clyde as they 

 are said to be. 



Lesser Black-backed and Herring-cull on Inch- 

 marnock. This island lies about a mile from Bute. I was 

 able to visit it on two occasions in the summer of 1916. 

 I found a colony of about forty pairs of these two species 

 breeding together, in about equal numbers, amongst the 



