A CENSUS OF GLASGOW ROOKERIES. 23 



nests, and in the garden of the house called Mariaville there are 

 8, almost all in beech trees. This is an increasing colony, as in 

 1896 there were 124 nests; in 1897, 95; in 1898, 133; and in 

 1899, 144:. At Camphill (which is part of the Queen's Park) are 

 13 nests in ash and beech trees. Last year there were 20, and in 

 1898, 17. In 1894 there are said to have been 50, and in 1887, 5.^ 

 Crossbill, up to this year, had a small Rookery at Devon Villa — 

 probably the nearest nesting-place to the heart of the City. In 

 1896 there were 17 nests here; in 1897, 10; 1898, 4; in 1899, 1; 

 and this year, none ; these rooks may have joined the colony at 

 Langside or at the neighbouring Crossbill House, which this year 

 has 9 nests in elm and ash trees. In 1896 there were 8 nests here ; 

 in 1897, 1 ; in 1898, 1 ; and in 1899, 7. Ibroxhill has 44 nests, 

 a solitary one being placed prominently in the top of the tallest 

 beech there ; and Bellahouston Park has 1 9 in elms and beeches, 

 13 being in one beech." In Govan a Rookery is reported at 

 Merryflats, and near Moore Park one nest was built this year, 

 but it was destroyed — a fate which all the trees and old houses 

 in the district seem destined to share. Crossing the Clyde in 

 our circuit northwards, there are 21 nests in elms and beeches at 

 Crosspark, Partick ; and in the fine tall beeches in Victoria Park 

 are a few, probably about half a-dozen. Xext to the Langside 

 Rookery, that on the Kelvin at and near the Botanic Gardens is 

 the best within the City, and it has the further advantage of 

 being easily seen. It shares with Crossbill in proximity to 

 the heart of the City. In the Gardens are 13 nests; at Queen 

 Margaret College, 70 ; and across the river at Lismore House, 1 1 

 — making 94 nests in all, in ash, beech, elm, and great maple 

 trees (20 being in one beech). In 1893 there are said to have 

 been 90 nests.'' In Kelvingrove Park, and extending into Kelvin- 

 grove Street and Sauchiehall Street, there were about 150 nests 

 in 1855, but these gradually disappeared, the last being seen in 

 1891. This Rookery had its origin from that which flourished in 

 the trees at the residence of Mr. James Ewing at the head of 

 Queen Street, the birds being driven away from Queen Street 



1 Duncan M'Lellan's Glasgow Public Parks (1894), p. 83. 

 ^ Mr. J. Whitton, Superintendent of Parks, informs me tliat 23 nests 

 were occupied this year ; also 8 at Wearieston Farm in the Park. 

 ^ Op. cit., p. 113. 



