62 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



them, separated the fibres, prepared them for being spun, and 

 sent them to the ropework. He also has met with success. A 

 rope, somewhat short in fibre, but very strong, is the result. I 

 send a small piece as an example. Had the Cordyline been 

 introduced to this country in the days of our fathers, many a 

 good rope and tether would at the coast have been made from 

 it. Now, however, it would not be profitable, as trade is open 

 with countries w^here the Palm-lily grows much more rapidly 

 than in Scotland. It is, however, very interesting to know that 

 from so remarkable a tree, growing in our gardens, as the 

 Cordyline, a strong and durable cordage can be manufactui^. 

 We therefore heartily congratulate Captain Stewart on his 

 success. 



Nesting" Dates of some of the Waders (CharadriidcB). 



By John Robertson. 



[Read 27th Feln-naiy, 1906.] 



The nesting periods of our local breeding birds, the earliest 

 and latest dates, together with the number of eggs comprising 

 tlie**erutches, are matters which might veiy well have more 

 attention devoted to them, as I think most of our waders 

 begin to lay earlier than the text-books say. In the hope of 

 drawing more attention to the subject, I give some particulars 

 regarding those waders with which I am most familiar. 



Ringed Plover {^ginlilis hinticula). — On 10th April, 1898, 

 at Girvan, I saw a nest with one egg. This I considered early, 

 but on .3rd April, 1904, a nest with one egg, also at Girvan, 

 was seen by several members of the Andersonian Naturalists' 

 Society. On 15th July, 1905, in Bute, I saw a nest with three 

 eggs, apparently fresh. 



Golden Plover (Charadrius pJtivialh). — The 10th of April 

 is about the date on which this species begins to nest on Meams 

 Moors; but there, on 9th April, 1893, I took a nest with four eggs, 

 at an altitude of nearly 700 feet. These eggs were not quite fresh, 



