78 Transactions. 



proper nest. In this utilitarian age we can sympathise with his 

 evolutionary progi-ess, as his original nest is almost the size of a 

 small bee hive, and must entail a vast amount of labour, I show 

 you here one such nest, built behind a waterfall, lined outside with 

 a sufficient covering- of moss to prevent the entrance of water, 

 which is also precluded by the entrance being formed below. 

 Though the nest is so large, let not the uninitiated think they are 

 easily discovered. The Dipper chooses the site with considerable 

 care, the secrecy of which is enhanced by the mossy covering of 

 its nest so closely harmonising with the surroundings. Unlike 

 most of our birds he prefers to stay throughout the winter, and 

 year after year selects the same, or almost the same, site whereon 

 to build, and with a sublime indifference to climatic influence has 

 his nest regularly built and four or five eggs deposited by the 14th 

 of April. Mr Brown, in speaking of this bird, says : " The same 

 nest is used year after year unless carried away by floods." My 

 observations show entirely the reverse. I have never found 

 them re-occupying the old nest, but if by design or otherwise the 

 nest has been removed, they re-build in the same place, and to 

 ensure their doing so it has of late been my habit to remove the 

 nest when the brood has departed. Only once have I observed 

 them re-occupying a nest which had been robbed and partially 

 destroyed. The Whitethroat and Crested Wren are fairly com- 

 mon. The Garden Warbler is rare, only one instance of its 

 nesting having come under my observation. Of the Tits family 

 the Blue and Great Tit only are found. The Pied or Grey Wag- 

 tails ai-e the only representatives of that family. The latter, in 

 spite of considerable persecution, is able by its retiring habits and 

 cunning choice of nest to exist, though in decreasing numbers. 

 The Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Chaffinch, and Skylark are very 

 common, as also are the Martin, Sand Martin, and Swallow. The 

 House Sparrow is everywhere except at Wanlockhead. The 

 Spotted Fly -catcher. Greenfinch, and Yellow Hammer are com- 

 paratively rare, though the latter are familiar enough as winter 

 visitors to the farmers' grain yards. The Fly-catcher being a late 

 builder is not easily discovered. By the nest shown you you will 

 observe this bird has chosen an unusual site, having built its nest 

 inside that of a blackbird's. 



In the Euchan Woods, the Tree Creeper is not uncommon, but 

 so far I have failed to find its nest. The Reed Bunting and 

 Bullfinch are frequently met with in the wooded glens and rushy 



