THE BIRDS OF RENFREWSHIRE 271 



M'Arthur), and a second, which had struck the telegraph wires, was 

 picked up near Loch Thorn by Mr Thomas Malloch in June 19 14. 

 The *RiNGED Plover, which must not be confused with the 

 Dotterel, is common along the shore between Wemyss Bay and the 

 Cloch Light, and in summer a few frequent the banks of the Clyde 

 as far up as the Erskine foreshore, where it nests, which it also does 

 about Liverkip, and Mr Thomas Malloch has seen young in down 

 at Loch Thorn. It is often seen on passage, especially in autumn, 

 by inland lochs and reservoirs. The *Golden Plover, common 

 in flocks in autumn and winter, is sparsely distributed as a nesting 

 species, unless in the south-east of the county, where in one or two 

 localities it is fairly common. Nowhere do we know it to nest 

 under the 450 ft. contour line. Various occurrences of the Grey 

 Plover between Wemyss Bay and the Cloch are known to Mr John 

 Lang. Inland, a male now in Paisley Museum was obtained near 

 that town, and Robertson has seen single birds in two autumns at 

 Balgray. The *Lapwing is abundant. The Turnstone occurs 

 in autumn on the shore from the Cloch southward. At least two 

 were seen by Robertson at Balgray in the autumn of 191 1, and one 

 was heard passing over Muirend after dark in the autumn of 19 13. 

 The *Oyster-catcher frequents the shore at all seasons, and in 

 autumn sometimes visits our inland waters. Just south of Glasgow 

 it is often heard, from spring to autumn, passing overhead at night. 

 A few nest near Inverkip, and a pair or two on the Erskine fore- 

 shore. A Black-winged Stilt killed on the banks of the Clyde 

 near Port-Glasgow in 1850, and a Grey Phalarope obtained near 

 the same town in 1866, are recorded by Gray. A fair number of 

 *WooDCOCK nest in certain districts, and in winter thirty birds may 

 be put up from one covert. Six examples of the Great Snipe have 

 been obtained in the county ; one on Eaglesham Estate in each of 

 the years 1869, 1895, and 1911; one on Upper Pollok Estate in 

 1901 ; one about 1899, near Stanley Dam, by Mr A. Fulton Craig; 

 and one on Castle-Semple Estate in 1903, by Mr James Shand- 

 Harvey, Jr. (Mr M'Arthur). Dr Johnstone Macfie saw one on 2gth 

 May 1894, near Loch Thorn, about which, notwithstanding the 

 season, he says there is no doubt, and Mr John Paterson believes 

 that he saw one at Williamwood (Cathcart) in November 1909. 

 The *Common Snipe is common in summer where the ground suits, 

 and in winter may be found in every plashy place. In autumn 

 and winter considerable flocks are sometimes seen, especially at 

 Balgray and Loch Libo. At the latter place Mackeith has put up 

 247 birds at one time from the small marsh at the outlet of the 

 loch. The Jack Snipe is well known in winter, but never in 



