9 
of our district, and also those of Kirkcudbrightshire, it is only a 
winter visitant. 
A very beautiful adult male, measuring not more than nine 
inches in length, was shot on the farm of Drummuck, near 
Girvan, in the summer of 1869. 
Ops.—The Hobby (Falco subbuteo) has) occurred several times in 
the south of Scotland, viz., in Dumfriesshire, Roxburghshire, and 
Kirkeudbrightshire. In the last named county, Mr Tottenham 
Lee procured two specimens, and saw a third. 
Tue Kestrret (Falco tinnunculus). 
Common. A favourite resort for this species is the line of 
cliffs between Lendalfoot and Ballantrae, where we have seen 
many nests comparatively easy of access. Several pairs breed on 
the cliffs at the Mull of Galloway. The kestrel is quite harmless 
as a bird of prey to the game preserver, feeding on moths, beetles, 
and even worms. We have seen it in small groups on the public 
road near the edge of the cliffs referred to, apparently on the 
look-out for Geotrupes stercorarius burrowing in its favourite 
mounds. The kestrel appears to live on good terms with the 
starling and jackdaw, both of which are its daily associates during 
the breeding season. 
THE SPARROW-HAWK (Accipiter nisus). 
Of frequent occurrence, and much persecuted on account of its 
destructive ravages among game and poultry, keepers and farmers 
alike waging war against it. Its partiality for barn-door chickens 
and partridges has given the bird a bad name, and, indeed, its 
thefts are offences not easily overlooked. It breeds on the cliffs 
at the Mull of Galloway, but is perhaps better known as a native 
of old plantations, where it frequently makes use of the deserted 
nests of other birds. 
Oxns.—The Goshawk (Astur palumbarius) has been observed 
repeatedly in Kirkcudbrightshire by Mr Tottenham Lee, who 
found its nest in at least two instances. See Naturalist for 1853, 
vol. i1., p. 45; also Mr A. G. More’s paper in the Jbis for 1865. 
THE Kivre (Milvus vulgaris). 
Formerly bred in Glen App, a beautiful district in the south of 
Ayrshire, but it is now doubtful if even a stray bird is at any 
B 
