NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 41 
THE BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 
The MISTLE-THRUSH (p. 1). On 2nd January, 1912. 
a very mild day, several of these birds were in full song at 
Capenoch (Keir). A nest of the Mistle-Thrush was found in 
1910, so early as 20th March, near Thornhill (Morton). 
Early in September, 1911, I noticed straggling parties of 
these birds on Capenoch moor and expect that they were 
congregating prior to leaving the locality. In 1921 I was 
surprised to see similar flocks so early as 8th August. 
On 5th April, 1913, I found a nest of this species, at 
Capenoch (Keir) only four feet from the ground in a young 
larch. 
Mistle-Thrushes in 1910 were said to be increasing in 
the suburbs of Dumfries.” 
(Recovery of ringed birds, see p. 23 antea.) 
The BRITISH SONG THRUSH (p. 2). On 31st May, 
1911, I saw one singing, near Penpont village, not as usual 
perched on a tree but on the ground. 
In 1912:a nest, with full complement of eggs, was found 
at Capenoch (Keir) on 21st March. 
(Recovery of ringed birds, see p. 23 antea.) 
The FIELDFARE (p. 4). Flocks were seen at Capenoch 
(Keir) on 13th May, 1911, and a pair was reported to me in 
June, 1910, at Racks (Torthorwald). 
On 7th November, 1911, when shooting at Bierholm 
(Keir), I witnessed a remarkable migration of Fieldfares: 
it was about 2 p.m., and I was facing down the valley of the 
Nith : flock after flock, of twenty to forty, kept on coming up 
the valley and passed overhead. The birds made an incessant 
chattering and were flying quite low, some twenty feet above 
me, the spot where I stood being about 150 feet above sea 
level. During the two hours or so that I was present the 
flocks kept on passing, and I do not know for how long this 
had been going on before I came, or for how long it continued 
after I left: while I was there I reckoned that over 4000 
Fieldfares must have passed me. 
72 Dumfries and Galloway Standard, 15th October, 1910, 
