XIV NOTES ON THE FAUNA OF CLYDESDALE. 



opposite shores. This bird breeds in small numbers on the moors 

 above Barrhead, from which a full view of Glasgow can be obtained. 

 The PURPLE SANDPIPER is a regular visitant to the Clyde estuary, 

 and the GRAY PHALAROPE has several times occurred. The LAND- 

 RAIL or CORNCRAKE is very numerous. Three years ago a nest with 

 seven eggs was found in Kelvingrove Park. The WATER- RAIL is a 

 constant resident near the city, and has bred regularly for many 

 years past in Possil Marsh, the nest and eggs having been obtained 

 every season. The SPOTTED CRAKE has only rarely been met with. 

 The MOORHEN or GALLINULE is still very common on all the small 

 lochs and water-courses near the city. Within the last six or seven 

 years it frequented the Kelvin near the University. The COOT is 

 also found in some numbers at Possil Marsh, where its nest is fre- 

 quently obtained. 



The various Wild Geese, as may be supposed, are only straggling 

 winter visitants to the district. The GRAY LAG, BEAN, PINK-FOOTED, 

 and WHITE-FRONTED GEESE have all occurred on the Clyde at rare 

 intervals. The BERNICLE GOOSE is a regular winter visitant in large 

 flocks to the grass-banks of the estuary between Dumbarton and 

 Helensburgh, where nearly 300 years ago the assemblage of Bernicle 

 Geese attracted the attention of John Monipennie, who has left a 

 quaint account of the bird's habits. The BRENT GOOSE is very scarce. 

 The EGYPTIAN GOOSE has been met with repeatedly as a wanderer 

 from private ponds, a remark which applies also to the CANADA 

 GOOSE, which has been shot on the Clyde on several occasions. The 

 WILD SWAN is occasionally seen in the firth, and BEWICK'S SWAN has 

 repeatedly been killed. The SHELLDRAKE is not found within the 

 ten-mile radius except as a rare straggler. The SHOVELER has been 

 shot on Possil Marsh, but I have not been able to detect the GAD- 

 WALL as coming within the limits named. The PINTAIL DUCK is 

 met with at occasional intervals on the river Cart, and the COMMON 

 MALLARD is still plentiful in Possil Marsh and other marshy ground 

 close to the city, where it bred abundantly thirty years ago. The 

 TEAL and WIDGEON are also found in some ^numbers in the same 

 localities as winter visitants. The EIDER DUCK occurs but rarely in 

 the Clyde. It is an abundant species in Islay and Jura. The VELVET 

 SCOTER and COMMON SCOTER are also very rare. The POCHARD and 

 SCAUP DUCK are taken in small numbers, and the TUFTED DUCK is 

 also met with in their company. In hard winters the last-named 

 bird sometimes follows the course of the river till it reaches the 

 centre of the city. It is plentiful during some winters on the Clyde 

 near Dumbarton. The same remark applies to the GOLDEN-EYE. 



The EED-BREASTED MERGANSER and GOOSANDER are both obtained 

 in some numbers every winter on the Cart near Eenfrew. 



Among the Grebes the GREAT-CRESTED, KED-NECKED, SCLAVONIAN, 

 and LITTLE GREBE or DABCHICK have all occurred. The last-men- 



