Transactions. 215 



<oth of February, 1890. 

 Rev. William Andson in the Chair. 

 New Members. — JNIrs Maxwell Witham and Miss Maud Max- 

 well Witham of Kirkconnel. 



>■ Z>ci;?^/'/^/?^.— Transactions of the New York Academy of 

 Sciences (February to June, 1889) ; Proceedings of the Canadian 

 Institute, Toronto, for October, 1889. 



Communications. 

 I. Notes on Birds. By Mr JOHX CORRIE. 

 I have to report two noteworthy additions to my ornitho- 

 logical list for the parish of Glencairn, viz. : (1) The Great Snipe 

 {Scolopax Major) ; (2) The Spotted Crake {Crex Forzana), 

 Neither of these species would appear to be very common in 

 Scotland. Morris, while recording the Spotted Crake for Dum- 

 friesshire, says that the species is a very local one, and in his 

 notice of the Great Snipe he gives no nearer localities than 

 Orkney on the one hand and Northumberland on the otlier. It is 

 not unlikely, however, that both birds occur sparingly throughout 

 our counties, more particularly, I would imagine, the county of 

 Kirkcudbright, where the lochs are numerous and of a character in 

 keeping with the tastes of such birds. The Dabchick, I am glad 

 to say, continues to nest in the parish. Last year the birds were 

 subjected to so much annoyance by some boys that I was quite 

 prepared to see them forsake the locality. This summer they 

 nested as usual, however, and, I have reason to believe, succeeded 

 in rearing a brood in safety. A new nesting locality for the Red- 

 shank has been discovered in Stroanshalloch Loch, a remote nook 

 where the birds may be considered secure. The Goldfinch, a 

 species that has long been scarce in the district, would appear to 

 be again becoming common. Several small flocks have been 

 observed this winter, and individuals are of frequent occurrence. 

 It is to be hoped that this increase will not tempt the bird-catchers 

 to a renewal of their ignoble craft. The present season, as is well 

 known, has been a remarkably mild one, and the birds as was to be 

 expected have been greatly influenced thereby. The Common 

 and Black-headed Gulls, for instance, which visit us but rarely at 

 this season, may be seen daily. The Grey Wagtail has also been 

 observed, although only once. On the other hand, the Brambling 

 Finch, a bird which never fails to visit us in severe weather, has 



