126 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



from human habitations, provided it has cover in the way of woods 

 or sheltered banks. 



Among the Warblers, the *Common Whitethroat is abundant, 

 but the Lesser Whitethroat has been recognised only on three 

 occasions j one bird, in the Paisley Museum, was shot by the late 

 Morris Young, near the Gleniffer Braes, about 1879 (Mr John 

 Paterson); one was seen at Cathcart on 8th August 1909; and 

 another near Rouken Glen on 20th May 1910 {Annals of Scot. Nat. 

 Hist., 1910, p. 182). The *Blackcap is rare, being positively 

 known to occur sparingly only in Cathcart, Eastwood, Mearns, and 

 Abbey parishes, in marked contrast to the Garden-warbler, which 

 may be said to be common in suitable localities, sometimes arriving 

 as early as 26th April. 



The *Golden-crested Wren is common in the nesting season 

 in coniferous woods and plantations, becoming more numerous, or, 

 perhaps, more widely dispersed, in winter. 



The *Chiffchaff is sparsely distributed in a few localities from 

 26th March onwards; the *Willow-wren is our most abundant 

 summer visitor ; and the *Wood-wren occurs in most suitable 

 situations, but in small numbers. Usually common, the *Sedge- 

 warbler was very scarce in 1908. The *Grasshopper-warbler 

 has been heard in many places all over the county, but it is fastidious 

 in the choice of a situation, seldom returning to the same spot for 

 more than two or three seasons in succession. 



The "^Hedge-sparrow is common. 



CiNCLIDyE. 



The *DiPPER frequents all the clear streams. It is an early 

 nester, the majority of the clutches being completed before March 

 is out. 



Parid^. 



The *British Long-tailed Titmouse is very local in summer, 

 but more generally distributed in winter. The *Great Titmouse, 

 *Coal-titmouse, and *Blue Titmouse are all common. In 

 Scotland, the *Marsh-titmouse is represented as a nesting species 

 by a form which differs from the type, in having the crown and nape 

 dull black instead of glossy black, the plumage generally of a dingier 

 tone, and the tail more rounded. While it may be possible, in a 

 good light, to distinguish between a dull and a glossy cap, the other 

 differences are such as can hardly be appreciated in the field. 

 However, Mr William Eagle Clarke has gone thoroughly into the 

 question, and we have his authority for saying that all skins of 



