42 NOYES ON THE BirDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 
The BLACKBIRD (p. 5). In 1909 a nest with two eggs 
was found at Millpool (Kirkpatrick-Durham) in the first week 
of January.” In May, rgro, I found two nests on the ground, 
in a young plantation, near Capenoch (Keir). 
Pied specimens were seen near Castledykes (Dumfries) on 
25th April, 1912, near Isle (Holywood), in August, 1912, and 
near Glengower (Holywood) on oth June, 1914. A Blackbird 
with white wings was seen near Sanquhar in 1918, and a 
partially white cock Blackbird was seen near Seaforth (Annan) 
in the spring of 1921 for the third year in succession when, 
curiously enough, a similarly abnormal hen Blackbird was 
seen at the same time. Mr John M‘Burnie has informed me 
that he frequently saw a piebald Blackbird in his garden in 
Ardwall Road, Dumfries, in the spring of 1922. 
A white Blackbird was seen at Closeburn, for the 
fourth year in succession, in 1911. In the spring of 
1911 I saw a bird of the year, at Capenoch (Keir) which, 
though white with pale coloured legs and beak, had normally 
coloured eyes. White birds were seen at Closeburn in 
February, 1912; at Eccles (Penpont), in September, 1912; 
and at Penfillan (Keir), 13th October, 1912. A white Black- 
bird was seen at Whitecroft (Ruthwell) in September, 1917, 
but disappeared after three or four weeks. 
(Recovery of ringed birds, see p. 23 antea.) 
The RING OUZEL (p. 7). Of late years this species has 
become far less abundant than formerly. I am unable to give 
any reason for this decrease and can only say that this state- 
ment is derived not only from my personal observations but 
from the opinion expressed by the majority of those of my 
correspendents who are in a position to judge. ‘The species 
may now, indeed, be described as a scarce, or local, summer 
visitor to the upland districts of the county. 
The WHEATEAR (p. 8). A female was seen at the 
Bobie Loch (Keir) on 22nd September, tqg10; a somewhat late 
date, but Mr Cleeberg assures me that he saw a Wheatear in 
73 Transactions of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural 
History and Antiquarian Society (Third Series), Vol. V., pp. 230-231. 
