62 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



them, separated the fibres, prepared them for being spun, and 

 sent them to the ropework. He also has met with success. A 

 rope, somewhat short in fibre, but very strong, is the result. I 

 send a small piece as an example. Had the Cordyline been 

 introduced to this country in the days of our fathers, many a 

 good rope and tether would at the coast have been made from 

 it. Now, however, it would not be profitable, as trade is open 

 with countries where the Palm-lily grows much more rapidly 

 than in Scotland. It is, however, very interesting to know that 

 from so remarkable a tree, growing in our gardens, as the 

 Cordyline, a strong and durable cordage can be manufactured. 

 We therefore heartily congratulate Captain Stewart on his 

 success. 



Nesting* Dates of some of the Waders (CharadriidcB). 



* 



By John Robertson. 



[Read 27th February, 1906.] 



The nesting periods of our local breeding birds, the earliest 

 and latest dates, together with the number of eggs comprising 

 the clutches, are matters which might very well have more 

 attention devoted to them, as I think most of our waders 

 begin to lay earlier than the text-books say. In the hope of 

 drawing more attention to the subject, I give some particulars 

 regarding those waders with which I am most familiar. 



Ringed Plover {Mgialitis hiaticula). — On 10th April, 1898, 

 at Girvan, I saw a nest with one egg. This I considered early, 

 but on 3rd April, 1904, a nest with one egg, also at Girvan, 

 was seen by several members of the Andersonian Naturalists' 

 Society. On 15th July, 1905, in Bute, I saw a nest with three 

 eggs, apparently fresh. 



Golden Plover (Charadrius phtvialis). — The 10th of April 

 is about the date on which this species begins to nest on Mearns 

 Moors; but there, on 9th April, 1893, I took a nest with four eggs, 

 at an altitude of nearly 700 feet. These eggs were not quite fresh, 



