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others, is quite common, there being scarcely an outlying glen in 

 which liis rude-shaped nest may not be found. That the Ring 

 Dove exists you have but to ask the farmers. Of game birds we 

 have the usual group — Red and Black Grouse, Partridge, and 

 Pheasant — and all in abundance. The Corncrake or Landrail is 

 common, arriving usually on the 13th May. A few pairs of Moor- 

 hen and at least one pair of Coots breed among the sedges near the 

 Nith. Curlews and Lapwing's are very abundant. Last season, 

 on account of the cold spring, they were almost absent from the 

 hills, and in consequence more than usually numerous on the 

 plains. The Curlew is one of our most regular migrants, almost 

 always arriving in the first week of March. Golden Plover and 

 Snipe are present in fair abundance. The Sandpiper, or Sandwhaup, 

 as it is locally called, is somewhat common on the Nith and tribu- 

 taries, and so long as it continues to build so cunningly its numbers 

 will continue to increase. This season a pair of Redshanks nested 

 on San(|uhar Moor, but the possibility of their return was rendered 

 improbable by the boy who observed it bowling over the bird with 

 a stone and securing the eggs. So far this is the only instance I 

 know of its having attempted to breed in the district, though 

 common enough at Cumnock, where, however, the ground is 

 more suitable. A few pairs of Herons have for many years occupied 

 some large fir trees in the woods around, and have so secluded 

 themselves as to escape general observation. Four years ago a 

 few Black-headed Gulls bred on the small island in the Black Loch 

 on the Town Moor. In the seasons following the numbers were 

 so increased that the eggs literally covered the island, and some, 

 unable to find accommodation there, build themselves nests like 

 little boats on the floating leaves of the water-lilies and bogbean. 

 Of the duck tribe, only the Teal and Mallard remain throughout the 

 summer. The former is very rare and not a regular breeder ; but 

 the latter is common, and I think increasing in numbers. Contrary 

 to its usual habit, it here generally builds in the hollows of some 

 rocky steep or overhanging ledge from 5 to 20 feet above the 

 river bed, and with true maternal forethought nests always above 

 a pool. When the young- are hatched the duck must carry her 

 young to the water, or drop them over into the water beneath, an 

 expedient certain to prove disastrous had she not chosen her nest 

 over the deepest part. Year after year they return to the same 

 ground. A gentleman in Kirkconnel, who interests himself in the 



