THE BIRDS OF RENFREWSHIRE 269 



The Common Scoter occurs in winter on the estuary, where Mr 

 John Lang has shot it. The handsome Goosander is common in 

 small parties in winter on nearly all our inland lochs. Mackeith 

 has seen twelve together on Loch Libo, and fourteen off the shore 

 at Ardgowan. The *Red-breasted Merganser occurs frequently 

 in the estuary in winter, and it has even nested, as Mr John Lang 

 informs us that he has " seen parents with downies." Li February 

 1 9 10, two, out of a flock of nine, were shot on the Gryfe, near 

 Kilmacolm, but other inland reports are doubtful. 



COLUMBIDyE. 



The *Wood-pigeon is abundant. The *Stock-dove, though 

 well distributed, is much less numerous than its larger ally. Over 

 forty years ago, towards the end of a spell of severe frost, Mr Cox, 

 the head keeper, trapped at Nether Pollok a number of small Doves 

 which may have been of this species, but our definite information 

 dates from about 1899, when Mr Stewart, then keeper at Duchal, 

 first observed the "wee blue doo " in the glen at Old Duchal Castle, 

 where it has nested each year since. Now we know it to nest in 

 Cathcart, Eaglesham, Mearns, Neilston, Erskine, Kilmacolm, and 

 Inverkip parishes, and it probably does so wherever it finds crags 

 or ravines steep enough to meet its requirements. A Turtle-dove 

 was shot at Foxbar, near Paisley, in June 191 1, and Mr Robert 

 Wilson saw another at Williamwood (Cathcart), in June 19 13 

 {Glasgow Naturalist, v., p. 130). 



PtEROCLID/E. 



An example of Pallas's Sand-grouse was caught near Paisley 

 in July 1865, and survived in captivity for about eighteen months 

 (Gray). 



TeTRAONID/E. 



Three examples of the Capercaillie in Paisley Museum were 

 obtained in that town ; the first, in 1872, killed by flying against the 

 telegraph wires; the second, in 1891, came in violent contact with 

 a plate-glass window; and the third, in 1901, met its death in the 

 same way as the first. About 1896 one was shot on Ardgowan 

 (Sir Hugh Shaw-Stewart, Bart.). In the winter of 1907-8 two were 

 "telegraphed" near Linwood (A. Hagart Spiers, Esq.), and about 

 the same time one was killed on Finlaystone by Mr C. S. B. 

 Renshaw. Since 1910, when some were seen in Wraes Wood, 

 odd birds have frequently turned up. All these records refer to 



