48 NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 
parish; one near Sunnybrae was white, the other near New- 
lands was of a very pale snuff-colour. 
The BRITISH TREE-CREEPER (p. 44). I should have 
added that this bird is often simply called the ‘‘ Creeper ’’ and 
that the Northern form of this species has occurred at Fair 
Isle, and possibly in the Orkneys and Shetlands. 
The WHITE WAGTAIL (p. 46). I saw a bird of this 
species at Loch Urr (Glencairn) on 22nd May, 1911. 
The TREE-PIPIT (p. 51). Seen at Capenoch in 1920, 
on 21st April; a somewhat early date for its arrival here. 
The eggs of this species measure normally 21.9 by 
15-7 mm., but on roth June, 1922, Major Chill showed me a 
nest, at Shinnelwood (Tynron), which contained five eggs, one 
of which, the first to be laid, measured only 14.7 by 10.5 mm. 
A local name for this species is ‘‘ Sod-Lark.”’ 
The MEADOW-PIPIT (p. 52). Unusual quantities were 
seen at Capenoch on 2oth April, 1920, doubtless immigrants 
en route farther north. On 15th April, 1921, a flock of about 
forty were seen here which, from their perching in trees and 
other peculiar traits, were evidently on migration and a 
similar movement, on a large scale, was observed on 18th 
April, 1922. 
The GOLDEN ORIOLE (p. 54). This species, so far as 
is known, has only occurred twice in Dumfriesshire and as 
regards its first occurrence near Kirkconnel in June, 1872, a 
record in the Scottish Naturalist®! is interesting, for it is 
there stated that this specimen was ‘‘ exhibited at a recent 
meeting of the Thornhill Society of Enquiry.’ This Society, 
now almost forgotten, used to hold its meetings at Thornhill 
in the Grierson Museum, of which the foundation stone was 
laid on 22nd June, 1869, and which was declared open to the 
public in July, 1872. The Society had its first meeting on 
5th September, 1872, Dr. T. B. Grierson being chairman, 
with Mr Bain, gardener, and Mr Reid, accountant, as joint 
secretaries. The Golden Oriole was exhibited at the fourth 
81 Scottish Naturalist, 1873, p. 10. 
