1902 A Field Nattiralist's Diary for 1901 121 



i6//z. — Ferns fronding rapidly. 



\%th. — Cuckoo-pint, yellow dead-nettle, and herb Robert 

 in flower. 



ig^/f. — Orange-tip butterfly on wing. The increase in 

 number of the greater whitethroats is very noticeable. 

 Many more song-thrushes' nests than blackbirds'. Saw a 

 young goldfinch ; this is rather early. Ring-dove sitting. 

 Great many turtle-doves in the district this year. 



2.2nd. — Long-rooted cat's ear in flower. 



2<^th. — Bird's - foot trefoil, broom, pink campion, wild 

 guelder rose, red clover, cow parsnip, mountain ash, and 

 bush vetch noted in flower for first time. 



2bth. — Lesser spotted woodpecker heard drumming. 

 Found robin's nest containing six eggs in an old water- 

 can, two of the eggs being pure white. White campion, 

 hedge mustard, and cinquefoil in flower. I never remember 

 so many willow-warblers, tree-pipits, greater whitethroats, 

 and nightingales locally as there are this season. 



June 2nd. — Water-figwort bursting. Goosegrass and dog- 

 rose (one solitary flower of latter) in bloom. Saw two moles 

 above-ground, which disappeared immediately underneath. 

 Many more swifts this year than formerly. 



^th. — Black bryony in flower. 



%th to 16th in Scotland. — Observed 49 species of birds in 

 the neighbourhood of Beith, Ayrshire. My two friends 

 (John Craig and Matthew Barr) have found up to date 

 seventeen grasshopper warblers' nests, which is believed to 

 be the record for Scotland. Woodpeckers and nuthatch 

 unknown here. Eighty-three species of birds have been 

 known by these two observers to nest in the parish ; 33 

 species have been recorded beyond these, making a total 

 of 116 species. There are about 300 species of ferns, wild- 

 flowers, and trees which have been identified. Also 12 

 species of butterflies, 17 species of mammals, g species of 

 fish, 3 species of amphibians and batrachians, and one 

 reptile — a lizard. They also found this spring a corn- 

 crake's nest containing no less than ig eggs, instead of 

 the usual clutch of 7 to 10. 



16th. — When on the summit of Arthur's Seat, near 

 Edinburgh, saw pied wagtail, carrion-crow, herring and 



