152 BlEDS OF GlKNCAIRN. 



Woodcock {Scolopax msticuld). 



Each season every favourable haunt has its quota of wood- 

 cocks, but never in any way numerous. A few remain as late as 

 April, and probably a pair occasionally nest. 



Common Snipe {GaUinago coekstis, Frenzel). 



Some seasons it is very plentiful, and others the reverse. It 

 nests in many places throughout the district. 



Jack Snipe {G. gal/hnda). 



A few are usually shot or seen during the autumn and 

 winter. It is seldom that more than two are found together. 



Land Eail or Corn Crake {Crex praiensis, Bechstei/i). 



Arrives here about the middle of April as a rule, and is fairly 

 plentiful. Very few are seen after August. An occasional one 

 is found hiding in a turnip field during September that has not 

 its wing feathers fully fledged. 



WatEI; Raie {Ral/ns aqinificits, Liniurtis). 



Is only an occasional winter visitor. Two were shot on 

 Dardarroch a few years ago. 



Moor Hen, Water Hen {Gallimiln chloropus, Lin.). 



Is plentiful on the river Cairn, and mainly places that have 

 willows and rough cover growing alongside. Severe winters tell 

 very hardly on this bird, and many are frozen to death. One 

 very remarkable feature in the Water Hen is its ability to remain 

 when pursued under water, sitting at the bottom as cosily as if it 

 was on a bush without apparently the least exertion or incon- 

 venience, 



Ci)(»T {Fitlicn atrci, Lin.). 



Formerly this bird was seldom seen in the district, but now 

 an odd one or two may be found on some secluded pond, and 

 occasionally on the river Cairn. 



Grey Lag Goose {Aimr cinerens, Meyer). 



As a rule, if seen at all, it is in flocks fl^'ing overhead, 

 although some years since a few lighted on the river Cairn. 



