A Naturalist's Calendar. 31 



many cx)nsidered distinct species, and were known under the names 

 of Goosander and Dun Diver, Mergus Merganser and Castor. The 

 fact of their identity has, however, been long since proved." (Nat. 

 Lib., 1843, vol. xiv., pp. 177, 178.) 



75 Lesser Periwinkle ; rather early. 



'^6 Podicipes Fluviatilis. 



77 Canadian Alder, early. 



78 Anas Boscas. 



79 Fuligula Cristata. 



80 Alauda Arvensis. Skylarks do flock largely in winter; 

 nevertheless " immense" flocks Avould nowadays be remarkable so 

 far as this part of the county of Dumfries is concerned. 



81 Querquedula Crecca. 



82 Mareca Penelope. 



83 The Bean Goose: J /user Segetum. This is believed to have 

 been the prevailing species of Goose visiting the Solway in Sir 

 W. J.'s time. 



84 Larus Canus, the Common Gull, may here be referred to, 

 but it is not so common in Dumfriesshire as its name implies; the 

 most common gull inland being the Black-headed Gull, L. Eidi- 

 biindus. 



85 The Eing Dove: Columba Palumbus. 



86a " 1 should fancy this was more common in olden days than 

 now." ..." When I was a boy I seem to recollect the Annan 

 much more often frozen across than now. . . . One year (I 

 think spring of 1906) the Annan was frozen across for a consider- 

 able time. The curlers deserted the curling-pond, which was spoilt 

 by snow, for the river." (P. A. Pasley-Dirom, in litt. 9, ix. 1909.) 



8Sb Mergus Merganser. (See Note 74.) 



87 Pallus Aquaticiis. 



88 The low lying fields on the banks of the Annan. 



89 Plectrophanes Nivalis. As regards this species being seen at 

 such a loAv altitude (i.e., circa 200 ft.), Mr R. Service wrote to me: 

 " I have seen these birds down on the shore and along the Nith sides 

 at end of September, and fairly often during the later months of 

 winter in similar low altitudes, but I think only after violent 

 northerly or north-easterly winds." (In litt. 11, x. 1909.) 



90 Pcrdix Cinerea. 



81 Galantlius Nivalis. Rather a late date for first flower. 



92 Botaurus SteUaris. A notable rarity, even in 1829. " For- 

 merly not uncommon ; is now a rare accidental winter visitor. 

 . . . Unfortunately there are no records of this species having 

 nested in the county, and it is improbable that it has done so within 

 at any rate the last hundred years." (Birds of Dumfriesshire, pp. 

 233, 237.) 



93 Larus C'laucus. This was probably the specimen which 

 passed into the Edinburgh Museum in 1876, labelled as " obtained 

 on the .Solwav " and " from the Jardine Collection." The specimen 



