NOTES ON THE NKSTJNG OF BIRDS. 51 



remark that the best of friendship seemed to subsist between the two families 

 both in and out of doors. Water was regularly supplied to them outside, and 

 they, (the Robins and Blackbirds,) have repeatedly been seen drinking at 

 the same time. Being rather early in the year to keep the green-house 

 door open all night, (to be ready in time for them in the morning,) the 

 lady had a small hole made in one end of the green-house for their accom- 

 modation. — April, 1853. 



This week the male Blackbird has made his appearance. The pot and nest 

 had been laid aside, but now it stands in its former place, ready for their 

 use we trust again this spring. — January, 1854. 



On the top of an old tower in the Terraughtie Gardens near this, a pair 

 of White Owls, (Strix flammea,) breed regularly. As I required an egg for 

 my cabinet, this week I went out and clambered to the top, where I 

 foiind the nest with four eggs, three of them the usual rotund form, the 

 other quite oval, and a considerable length. About five feet from the Owl's, 

 and on the same level, was a Jackdaw's {Corvus monedula,) with two eggs, and 

 a little lower a Sparrow's, (Passer domedicus,) with three eggs. — April, 1853. 



In an old fir plantation, parish of Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire, I this year 

 had the pleasure of discovering a Siskin's nest, containing one egg, and being 

 so valuable, what could I do but take it for my cabinet. The nest was 

 close to the trunk of a larch tree about eight feet from the ground, not 

 particularly well concealed, and not remarkable for neatness; it was composed 

 of Hypnum, hair, and fibrous roots, (no feathers,) rather firmly compacted. 

 Near to the same spot last year a nest was taken containing young; the 

 party who took them succeeded in rearing two of them. In the same wood 

 the Crossbill, {Loxia Eurojxjea,) breeds; for some years the nests have been 

 regularly found with young. I must next year try for eggs. — April, 1853. 



On a rugged clifi\, Auchenstroan, Glencairn, Dumfriesshire, the Peregrine- 

 Falcon, (Faico peregrinus,) builds her nest, and brings forth her young; 

 while a little lower on the same cliff" may be seen the Ring Ouzel, (Turdus 

 torquatus,) quietly and undisturbedly brooding over her charge; lower still by 

 the brink of the stream, may be found the compact cunning nest of the 

 Water Ouzel, (Ginclus aquaticus ) These three birds are only to be found 

 in the secluded glens of our native hills, the very sojourning among which 

 gives a calm and pleasure to the mind not easily described, but deeply felt 

 by the lover of nature and nature's works, and above all of nature's God. 



The following winter visitors have been seen in this neighbourhood lately: — 

 Brambling, {Frinyilla montifringilla,) Crossbill, [Loxia Europiiea^) Quail, 

 [Coturnix Dactylisonans,) Water Rail, [Ballus aquaticus,) Bernacle Goose, 

 {Bernicla Brenta,) Tufted Scaup Duck, {Fuligida marila,) Great Northern 

 Diver, {Colymbus glacialis.) The Quail is certainly the rarest of the above 

 with us. I had a fine specimen brought me the other day shot in this 

 neighbourhood. 



Greenbrae Cottage, Dumfries, January 1854. 



