NOTES ON THE BirpS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 55 
across flocks or (to use the appropriate old-time term for such 
associations) ‘‘ charms *’ of Goldfinches in the autumn and 
winter. In the autumn of 1920 these birds were reported 
from Newabbey, the opposite side of the Nith from Dum- 
friesshire, as ‘‘ here daily in dozens, whereas previously a 
pair seen was always worth talking about.’’ These Gold- 
finches were apparently attracted by the seeds of the common 
ragwort, a plant which had spread at an alarming rate dur- 
ing the previous year or two, and which had rapidly estab- 
lished itself on the sites of pine-woods cut during the war.1 
Mr William Wright informs me that thousands of Gold- 
finches are now to be found near Dornock and Eastriggs 
(Gretna). He suggests that this is because much land has 
gone out of cultivation, due to the advent of the Government 
munition factory, and the consequent increase of thistles ; and 
he also points out that a large part of the area is now strictly 
protected from trespassers and is thus rendered attractively 
quiet to birds in general. 
The SISKIN (p. 74). On 26th January, 1920, I saw a 
nice little flock feeding on the alders growing bv Shinnel 
Water near Barr (Tynron), and on sth June, 1922, I saw a 
male bird near Floors (Penpont) engaged in carrying material 
for nest-building. 
The HOUSE SPARROW (p. 75). Mr J. Corrie informs 
me that a cream-coloured bird was seen near Moniaive 
(Glencairn) in June, to11. A Piebald House Sparrow was 
seen near Dumfries in May, 1912.1 <A white Sparrow was 
seen near Seaforth (Annan) in the spring of 1921, and a 
similar bird was reported to me from Cumrue (Kirkmichael) 
at the end of October, 1921. 
The Rev. C. Patrick Blair wrote to me, on 31st May, 
1921, from Wanlockhead (Sanquhar) :—‘‘ This can hardly 
be called “ a sparrowless community ’ as for three successive 
years—Ig13, 1914, and 1915—sparrows returned, nested, 
and brought forth young in the same place. In the same 
101 Scottish Naturalist, 1921, p. 42. 
102 Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald, 18th May, 1912, 
