THE niRDS OP STRATMBM. 2G9 



{Tringa suharquata,) once^ and the Little Stint, (T. minuta,) twice. 



These constituting the sea, shore, and Loch birds, we will now take a 

 brief survey of the landward part of the neighbourhood, of course omitting 

 those already noted. There we have the Pheasant, [Phasianus Colchicus,) the 

 Quail, (Coturnix dactyUsonans ,) rare; the Ring Dove, [Columba palumhtes,) 

 the Turtle Dove, (Turtur migratoriixs,) once iTiet with; the Meadow Crake, 

 (Crex pratensis,) the Spotted Crake, (O. porzmia,') twice found; the Cuckoo, 

 (Citculus canorus,) the Nightjar, {Caprimulgus Europoeus,) rare; as also the 

 Waxwing, {Bomhycilla garrula,) the Great Spotted Woodpecker, (Picus 

 major,) and the Crossbill, [Loxia curvirostra.) The Roller, {Coracias garruJa,) 

 the Bee-eater, (Merops apiaster,) and the Hoopoe, (Upupa epops,) have all 

 on one or two occasions been obtained. The Goldfinch, (Carduelis elegans,) 

 formerly, but I believe not now; the Siskin, [Fringilla spinns,) the Bullfinch, 

 {Pyrrhula vulgaris,) and the Gray Wagtail, (Motacilla cinerea,) rarely. The 

 Chaffinch, (Fringilla ccelebs,) the Greenfinch, (F. clitoris,) and every farm-yard 

 mostly has its Sparrows, {P. domesticus.) The Corn Bunting, {Ernheriza miliaria,) 

 the Yellow Bunting, {E. flava,) and the Snow Bunting, [E. nivalis;) large 

 flocks of these are often seen during severe winters, and at such times are not 

 unfrequently accompanied by a few Mountain Finches, {Fringilla montifringilla.) 

 The Blackbird {Merula vulgaris,) the Thrush, {Turdus miisicus,) the Missel 

 Thrush, [T. viscivorus,) rare; and in winter the Fieldfare, (T. pilaris,) and 

 the Redwing, {T. iliacus,) the Starling, (Sturnus vulgaris.) 



Alas! here kind reader would I pause a little, and I trust you will bear 

 with me as the tear of sorrow falls, and whilst I relate a sad — sad event, 

 which has just reached ray ears, concerning a gentleman whose name is 

 often referred to in the present article, who, though himself not a naturalist, 

 was ever willing and ready to assist any one in that pursuit to the utmost 

 of his power. It was but yesterday, at noon, (August 22nd.,) that my 

 friend the Rev. Mr. Boyd, of Crimand, whilst full of life and strength, and 

 with every prospect of enjoying many, many long days yet to come, being 

 only about forty years of age, left his young and courteous partner and two 

 blooming little ones, to enjoy a short walk with a neighbouring gentleman, 

 intending soon to return. Alas! short was the walk indeed, and, woe is 

 me, never to return. A few paces and he dropped down and almost 

 instantly expired. Alas! another of my best friends gone. Cruel death, if 

 thy hand continue to strip me thus, thou wilt soon, very soon leave me 

 desolate; and then who will take notice of the poor naturalist? Well may 

 the parish of Crimand say, "We have lost that which we may never again 

 find." Well might Mercy weep, and Religion mourn his premature departure, 

 for in him they have both lost a friend on earth; and I, alas! a friend too, 

 and a benefactor. 



In the spring of ISHO, a pair of Starlings took up their abode near the 

 manse of Crimand, and eventually built amongst the thatch of a low house 

 close by; and at the request of my dear departed friend, alas! the Rev. Mr. B.! 



