70 Transactions. 



— a most unmerited slight, as all who have listened to the bird 

 will be ready to testify. 



The Missel Thrush {Tiirdus Viscivorus) is common. Deservedly 

 famous as a songster, he is no less gifted in the use of bird 

 Billingsgate, and woe betide the luckless egg- collecting wight upon 

 whose head is poured the full venom of his wrath ! The Fieldfare 

 {Tiirdus Pilaris) is of frequent occurrence in the winter months. 

 The Song Thrush ( Turdus Mtisicus), I am pleased to say, abounds. 

 The Blackbird {Turdus Meru/a) is plentiful, and its near ally, 

 the Ring Ouzel {Turdus Torquatus), not uncommon. The Hedge- 

 Sparrow {Accentor Modularis) is common, and sociable as well. 

 Two years ago a remarkable instance of interrupted egg-laying 

 came under my notice. A nest had been built in the garden 

 hedge, and a single egg laid therein, when the birds to all appear- 

 ance forsook the nest. Six days later, however, the birds re- 

 turned, and re-arranged the nest, when laying was continued. 

 The Robin {Erytliaca Rubecula), another lover of human abodes, 

 is met with everywhere. The Redstart {Phoenicura Ruticilla), 

 although occurring throughout the parish, can scarcely be con- 

 sidered common anywhere. In Tynron district it seems to be 

 much more abundant. On one occasion I found no fewer than 

 three nests in the immediate vicinitj^ of Tynron Village. The 

 Whin Chat {Saxicola Ruhetrd) a bird we call Stonechat in 

 Glencairn, and the Wheatear {Saxicola (Enanfhe) are both common. 

 A year or two ago I would have described the Grasshopper Warbler 

 {Salicaria Lociistella) as rare, but I have satisfied myself that in 

 Glencairn at least it occurs in considerable numbers. I had my 

 attention first directed to the bird some five or six years ago when 

 rod-fishing on the Cairn, and I have frequently heard it during 

 similar excursions since. The nest is said to be very diflScult to 

 find, and to this circumstance may perhaps be attribTited my want 

 of success in the search. I have information of a bird shot in the 

 water of Ken district which, from the description I received of its 

 note and })lumage, and, what is still more characteristic, its 

 peculiar habit of skulking, I have no doubt was the Grasshopper 

 Warbler. That delightful nocturnal songster, the Sedge Warbler 

 {Salicaria Phragmitis) is common. During mid -summer it sings 

 the greater part of the night as well as the day, and while some 

 people profess not to care for its hurrying manner in song, I have 

 often been entranced with its melody. Both the Blackcap {Curruca 

 Atricapilla) and Wood Warbler {Sylvia Sibilatrix) are rare. The 



