io8 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



over the policies, one nest was " receiving its lining," and 

 on the same day the first Fulmar's egg was seen at Foula. 

 From the last station come notes of a Wren nesting in the 

 bank of a burn, and Kittiwakes carrying material for building 

 their nests. Early records of young Common Sandpipers 

 and Black Grouse come from Corsemalzie, Wigtownshire, 

 these being on 19th and 20th May respectively. At Dupplin 

 Loch on 29th May Little and Great Crested Grebes, Mallard, 

 Tufted Duck, Pochard, Teal, and large numbers of Black- 

 headed Gulls were nesting : the last-named had eggs and 

 young at all stages, from fluffy, newly hatched babies to young 

 nearly ready to fly. A Capercaillie's nest was also seen, the 

 bird being very tame and almost allowing itself to be touched 

 before rising. Throughout May there are notes of nesting 

 of all our breeding species from all over Scotland. 



On 4th June a nest with one Pheasant's and twenty-six 

 Partridge's eggs was found at Gilston (Fife), and on the same 

 day notes of "quite a large number of Choughs, including 

 some young just able to fly, and a Raven " come from Mull 

 of Oa, Islay ; next day a Redstart's nest was found at 

 Kildalton. Ptarmigan were practically all hatched by 12th 

 to 15th June, and on 17th June Dotterel "with small young 

 and another nest just hatching" are reported from the 

 Highlands our correspondent adds "the earliest date I have 

 ever known this." On i8th June Great Crested Grebes were 

 seen collecting nesting material at Upper Stormonth Loch 

 (Perthshire) ; they were also observed displaying, whether the 

 nestinsf material was for a new nest or additional material for 

 one already in existence is uncertain ; the fact that they were 

 displaying might suggest the former hypothesis. Next day 

 young Redstarts and Tree-pipits, strong on the wing, were 

 seen in Rothiemurchus Forest ; these are said to be " very 

 early and much further advanced than in Northumberland." 

 On the 20th the first young Arctic Skua was seen at Foula ; 

 a pair of Hawfinches were feeding young at Abbey St 

 Bathans ; Whinchats had fledged young near Dundee on the 

 22nd ; and by 24th a Garden-warbler had a second nest at 

 Darvel with three eggs. Throughout the month many 

 young birds of all species were seen. 



