NoveES ON THE Birps oF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 45 
The LESSER WHITETHROAT (p. 20). The late 
George Stout, who was familiar with the species in Fair Isle, 
was confident that he saw a Lesser Whitethroat near Locker- 
bie House (Dryfesdale) on 31st July, 1912. Mr James 
Bartholomew, who is a cautious and reliable observer, believes 
that he saw two Lesser Whitethroats at the bridge over the 
Evan at Beattock on 6th May, 1915. Mr E. W. Brook 
informs me that this species nests annually near Kinmount 
(Cummertrees) and that in 1921 he knew of three, or four, 
pairs. An egg which was taken there in 1912, or 1913, and 
which he sent me for identification, was undoubtedly that of 
a Lesser Whitethroat. 
The BRITISH GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN (p. 23). 
In 1919 a Gold-crest’s nest containing young birds was found 
at Dalmakerran (Tynron) so late as 8th September. 
The CHIFFCHAFF (p. 26). I was told, in 1921, that 
this species nested near Castlemilk (St. Mungo) and also in 
Middlebie parish. 
The WILLOW WREN (p. 28). On 21st May, 1011, I 
found a nest of this species, near Capenoch, which contained 
spotless eggs. In 1922 a Willow Wren made its nest and 
reared its brood in a honeysuckle, growing over the door of 
the coachman’s house at Capenoch, ten feet and four inches 
from the ground; such an elevated situation is very excep- 
tional. 
The WOOD WREN (p. 29). Mr J. A. Harvie-Brown, in 
his Fauna of the North-West Highlands and Skye, points out 
that Yarrell stated in 1843 and 1845, that “‘ not one record 
exists~’’ of this species in Scotland. As it was regarded as a 
Scottish bird both by MacGillivray and Sir William Jardine, 
it is indeed difficult to say why Yarrell should have dis- 
regarded these competent ornithologists. At any rate I am 
prepared to abide by their decision as to its presence here in 
the early part of the nineteenth century. 
An albino Wood-Wren was caught at the end of July, 
1910, near Drumlanrig (Durisdeer). 
79 Scottish Naturalist, 1912, p. 210. 
