TRANSACTIONS. 81 
others, is quite common, there being scarcely an outlying glen in 
which his 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 Lapwings 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 Sanquhar 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 
