76 THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST 



wrens "quite scarce" at Corsemalzie, and Sedge-warblers 

 at Kinglassie. Only one Wheatear was seen at Nevay, 

 Perthshire, this year, where many bred formerly, and there 

 was a marked decrease in the number of Ring-ouzels 

 nesting in Dumfriesshire (i. 1921, 125), and of Dippers at 

 Hareshawmuir, Ayrshire, very few now nesting in the burns 

 there. Willow-warblers, Whitethroats, Swallows, and Lap- 

 wings were below the average in Dumbartonshire, as were 

 Greenfinches, Linnets, and Pied Wagtails in the Dundee 

 district. No Redstarts were noted at Crieff, where they 

 are usually plentiful. 



The most striking decrease in numbers which we have 

 ever had to deal with, however, is that of Swallows and 

 House-martins ; we have reports of decrease in numbers 

 from Roxburghshire, Ayrshire, Stirlingshire, Perthshire, 

 and many parts of Fife ; they were absent from Crieff 

 " where usually they abound " ; no House-martins nested 

 at Tyninghame, and they were very scarce elsewhere 

 in Haddingtonshire. French ornithological journals have 

 recorded the fact that these species were also very scarce 

 in France this year, which leads one to think that the 

 cause must be looked for either at their wintering places 

 or on the migration journey. 



No Hedge-sparrows were seen in Tummel District ; 

 and Cuckoos were scarcer than usual at Beith, as were 

 Wood - pigeons. Stockdoves, and Black - headed Gulls at 

 Corsemalzie. No Corncrakes were seen or heard at Seggie- 

 den, Perth, till i6th September, when one was shot, and 

 this species was also scarce in Dumbartonshire. 



Summer and Nesting. 



The summer of 1921 was very warm and dry, and 

 nesting of all species seems to have been successful ; we 

 have several records of returns to breeding places not 

 occupied for some time, and gratifying indication of species 

 establishing themselves in new ones — Ravens were seen 

 frequenting Oxton and other parts of Lauderdale, where 

 the keeper believed they were seeking to nest. Two old 



