A Naturalist's Calendar. 27 



Notes on Sir William Jardine's Manuscript. 



01 The year 1826 is famous locally as "the year of the short 

 «orn." There was no rain from May till harvest; the corn 

 was so short that it could not be reaped but was pulled up by 

 hand. The people washed and ground the roots of grass, etc., for 

 fodder. 



1 Vaneilus Cristatus. Resort to their breeding places in 

 February ; eggs in some seasons are found as early as the end of 

 March. 



2 Perch-hall Loch, half mile east of Jardine Hall. Partially 

 drained in 1814. Now (1909) completely drained, and planted. 



3 About 10 miles N.-E. of Jardine Hall. 



4 Scolopax Eusticula. At this season of the year (March) 

 woodcock are nowadays (1910) especially numerous in Dumfries- 

 shire. From subsequent entries in the " Callendar " it seems 

 probable that (although Sir W. J. does not notice it) the species 

 bred locally. (See Note 181.) 



5 This pack, which was in existence in the eighteenth century, 

 still flourishes. In 1826, James Johnston of Straiton and Champ- 

 fleurie, and William D. Gillon of Wallhouse, were joint masters. 

 Sir W. J. does not appear to have hunted regularly with the L. 

 and S. (James H. Rutherford, in litt. 15, ix. 09.) 



6 The Wheatear: Saxicola CEnanthe. "In 1907 this species 

 was noticed near Dumfries on March 19th ; but it is not until 

 towards the end of that month, or in the early days of April, that 

 the bird usually puts in an appearance." (Gladstone, Hugh S. : 

 Birds of Dumfriesshire, 1910, p. 9.) 



7 Pratincola Bubetra. A somewhat late date for the first 

 appearance of this species. 



8 The River Annan, which flows close to Jardine Hall. 



9 I have been unable to trace this old house. 



10 The Willow Wren: PhyUoscopus Trochilus. "From ten 

 years' observation, the date of the first arrival near Dumfries 

 varies from the 14th to the 25th of April." (Birds of Dumfries- 

 shire, p. 28.) 



11 The Sand-Martin : Cotile Biparia. A late date for the first 

 appearance of this species, the " usual date of their arrival being 

 between April 8th and 12th." (Birds of Dumfriesshire, p. 68.) 



12 The Swallow (Hirundo Bustica) is presumably here referred 

 to in view of Sir W. J.'s distinct reference to the Martin on 3rd 

 May, 1829 (q.v.). 30th April would be an exceptionally late date 

 for the first appearance of the Swallow. " If an average date for 

 their arrival is permissible, it would seem to lie between April 16th 

 and 20th." (Birds of Dumfriesshire, p. 62.) (See Note 15.) 



13 lOi miles S.-W. of Jardine Hall. 



14 William Thomas Carruthers of Dormont, a friend and 

 correspondent of Sir W. J. Dormont is eight miles S. of Jardine 

 Hall. 



