BiKDS (IF (Ji,i:ncaii!X. 141 



historic period of oui- country? The county of Dumfries is 

 probably one of the best in the south of Scotland for the wide 

 variety of its wild birds, and the little district of Glencairn (the 

 lower portion at least), for a purely inland parish, can lay claim 

 to a very great many, which the following list will show : — 



BUZZAL'D {Biiteo vulgaris). 



Occasionally a single one is noticed in the higher districts of 

 the parish during the early spring months and late in the autumn. 



Merlin {Falco nrtalon). 

 Is rather rare, and only an occasional one is noticed. 



Kestrel {Falco tin7iunculus). 



This is the commonest hawk we have, and during the great 

 vole plague several years ago was very plentiful, and I know of 

 several places in our highest hills where they nested in colonies. 

 It is undoubtedly the most useful bird of prey we have, as mice, 

 beetles, etc., form its chief food, although occasionally an 

 unfortunate partridge does pay the penalty, but that fault is out- 

 balanced by the great good done in killing pests. 



Sparrow Hawk {Accipiter nisua). 



It is by no means so plentiful now as formerly. In former 

 years one pair, at least, mated each season in the woods in 

 Dardarroch. 



Short-eared Owl {Ash nccipitrinus). 



During the last vole plague it Avas quite plentiful, when I 

 found several nests with eggs and young. Apparently the 

 mother bird incubates on the first egg laid, as I have found in 

 one nest eggs that were hatching and young from one day old to 

 four or five days old. As a rule, this owl is very scarce. 



Long-eared Owl {Asio otus). 



Is very common, and during the vole plague some years ago 

 was very plentiful. As a rule, it builds, or rather nests, in an old 

 rook's or corbie's nest, although sometimes a tuft of rushes is 

 chosen. I have seen as many as seven together in one little 

 plantation. 



