78 TRANSACTIONS. 
proper nest. In this utilitarian age we can sympathise with his 
evolutionary progress, 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 are 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 
OO 
