TRANSACTIONS. 71 
Whitethroat (Curruca Cinerea) and Willow Wren (Sylvia Trochilus) 
are fairly numerous, while the Lesser Whitethroat (Carruca 
Sylviella) and Chifichaff (Sy/via Hippolais) may perhaps be con- 
sidered rare. The Garden Warbler (Curruca Hortensis) I am dis- 
posed to think must occur with us, but I have failed to recognise 
it. The Gold-crested Regulus (Regulus Cristatus), the smallest 
not only of British but of European birds, and one of the prettiest, 
is not uncommon. It is our only species that builds a hanging 
nest, and the structure, in compactness and beauty and architecture, 
is only rivalled by that of the Chaffinch. The Wren (Z7aglodytes 
Vulgaris) is plentiful, and a favourite with everybody. Strange 
sites are often selected for nesting, and great ingenuity shown in 
concealment. We once saw a nest built in a tuft of waterdrift 
which a flooded stream had left suspended from the branch of an 
overhanging tree. On another occasion we found a nest concealed 
in a clump of polopody fern on the rocky face of Craigen- 
puttock Moor, a site which appeared much better suited to the 
hawk than to the tiny wren. The Creeper (Certhia Familiaris) 
can scarcely be considered rare, but it is retired and unobtrusive 
in habits, and, on that account, often overlooked. The Great Tit 
(Parus Major) is met with sparsely throughout the parish. It is 
a bird endowed with great strength of bill, and we have seen it 
break the shell of a hazel-nut with ease. In autumn the sharp 
tap-tap of its bill in the nut woods may often be heard when the 
bird itself is unseen. The Blue Tit (Parus Ceruleus) is common. 
The Cole Tit (Parus Azer) and Long-Tailed Tit (Parus Candatus) 
are both somewhat scarce. When I have seen the latter at all it 
has usually been in flocks of six or more intent upon some winter 
food foray. The Bohemian Waxwing (Bombycilla Garrula) was 
seen once many years ago in the vicinity of Hastings Hall—the 
only instance of its occurrence. Among the Motacillide, the Pied 
Wagtail (AZotacilla Alva) is the only really resident variety, and it 
is likewise the most common. The Grey Wagtail (A/ofacilla 
Boarula), the handsomest of its class, can scarcely be considered 
a plentiful bird. During the winter months it is entirely absent. 
Ray’s Wagtail (MJoraci//a Flava), the smallest of the wagtails, is 
also the least common. I have seen it in one locality for several 
years in succession, but I am doubtful if it occurs anything 
like generally. The Tree Pipit (Anthus Arboreus) is not 
uncommon. The Meadow Pipit (Anthus Pratensis) is abundant. 
The Sky Lark (A/auda Arvensis), our “feathered Pan,” as 
