12 TRANSACTIONS. 
Anderson calls it, carols over all our meadows. The Snow 
Bunting (Plectrophanes Niv Lis) has only been seen once. The 
Common Bunting (Zmberiza Miliaria), although recorded for the 
lower portions of the parish, does not appear to be generally dis- 
tributed. The Black-Headed Bunting (Eimbertza Schoeniclus) is 
not by any means an uncommon bird, but it is rarely seen at any 
great distance from its nesting haunts—the rushy margins of 
streams or marshes. The Yellow Hammer (Zmleriza Citrinella) 
is still a common species, although sadly reduced in numbers by 
recent severe winters. The Chaffinch (/7ingil/a Coelebs) is almost 
as common as the ubiquitous House Sparrow, and, despite his 
handsome coat, almost as little prized. He sings a good song, 
nevertheless, and builds the prettiest nest of all our British birds. 
The Mountain Finch (Fringilla Montifringilla) is known to us as 
an occasional visitor only. The House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus) 
is met with everywhere. The larger number build their nests 
under the eaves of houses, but no inconsiderable portion build on 
trees. When a tree is selected the structure is invariably large 
and ugly. The Greenfinch (Coccothraustes Chloris) occurs plenti- 
fully. The Goldfinch (Carduelis Elegans), 1 common enough 
bird, I believe, at one time, must now be considered rare. The 
Siskin (Carduelis Spinus) is occasionally seen as a visitor, but it has 
never been known to nest. The Common Linnet (Zizota Cannabina) 
is abundant. The Mountain Linnet (Zzzota Montium) visits us from 
time to time in flocks. One winter, four or five years ago, I caught 
two of these birds in the hand by simply following a flock of them 
and imitating their feeding note. The Lesser Redpoll (Zznota 
Linaria) is rare even as a visitor. The Bullfinch (Pyrrhula 
Vulgaris), although seen here and there throughout the parish, 
occurs in no great numbers anywhere. The Starling (Sturnus 
Vulgaris) in Glencairn, as elsewhere, is becoming increasingly 
common. A generation ago starlings were almost unknown, and 
I am credibly informed that the first starling seen in Glencairn 
was sold for half-a-sovereign, and the bird was a dead one. The 
Raven (Corvus Corax) down to within recent years nested regularly 
on the face of Auchenstrowan Crag, but the site has now been 
abandoned, and we are not aware of any other in the parish or 
its vicinity. The birds, however, are still seen at intervals. The 
Crow (Corvus Corone) is common, and, I need scarcely say, so is 
the Rook (Corvus Frugilegus). It is a popular belief in the South 
of Scotland that crow nest-building commences on the first Sabbath 
