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by ringing at 11 instead of 10 — a circumstance he could not 

 account for, or even understand the possibility of. The usual 1 5 

 minutes ringing at intervals on the King's birthday fell short of 

 satisfying his feelings of loyalty, and it was his custom to mount 

 tiie highest leads of the Steeple with a blunderbuss which he 

 possessed, and there, in sight of the town, fire several rounds 

 supplementary to the bells in honour of His Majesty's natal day. 

 Widely known and much respected, he was accorded a public 

 funeral, the bells being tolled at intervals as a mark of respect, 

 and the occasion excited more interest than any similar event 

 since the death of Burns. 



What is before written of Wilson is mostly borrowed from his 

 tombstone. A woi'd may be added of evidence furnished by the 

 bells confirmatory of his zealous performance of duty. The side 

 of the 10 o'clock bell is deeply indented, the sound-bow being 

 worn quite half through. It is Blind Tom's mark. The bell 

 should be turned half round in order to preserve it from fracture. 



3. Ofnithological Notes by Mi- Hugh M'Ka.y, Dumfries. 



So far as I can learn the past winter has not been very pru- 

 ducti\o of rare occurrences amongst birds in this locality, if I 

 except the few following instances : — The first to come under my 

 observation was a fine example of tlie green sandpiper [Tolanus 

 ochropus). Two of this species were shot on Oonheuth Merse last 

 December. I am informed that these are the first specimens 

 recorded in this locality after an interval of four years. A speci- 

 men of the bartailed godwit {Limosa rufa) was given to me by 

 Mr Charles Turner. It was caught in the nets on Caerlaverock 

 shore in the beginning of February. Although the species is 

 common enough on our sliores in the autumn and spi'ing months, 

 it seldom makes its appearance so early. A fine two-year-old 

 specimen of the black-throated diver {Colymous arcteus) was 

 brought to me from Lochmaben on the 4th of March. This species 

 is the rarest of our British divers, and I have been informed that 

 considerable numbers frequented Lochmaben and vicinity during 

 the past winter. A specimen of the common crow was shot at 



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