NOTES ON THE Birps OF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 59 
or some one hundred and eighty, were thus utilised. The 
noise of the parent birds when feeding their young greatly 
annoyed the patients, and the mess they made was so dis- 
gusting that it was thought necessary by the Board of 
Directors to put up copper wire screens at a total cost of 
412 to £15, in front of each of the three hundred and sixty 
ventilators, to prevent the birds repeating the nuisance the 
following spring. 
Starlings fluctuate considerably in their numbers: in 
the spring of 1912 they nested more numerously than usual 
near Capenoch. An enormous flock, said to have been of 
many thousands, was seen near Conheath (Caerlaverock) on 
7th March, 1914.3 Great flocks were reported from the 
hills near Kinnelhead (Kirkpatrick-Juxta) on 28th October, 
1914, where it was suggested that they were feeding upon 
the Heather Beetle,!!4 and on 29th October, 1914, a flock, so 
large as to darken the sky, was recorded near Annan.1° 
(Recovery of ringed birds, see p. 24 antea.) 
[The CHOUGH (p. 110). When at Barjarg (Keir) on 
29th July, 1913, I saw a very old and faded stuffed specimen 
of a Chough. There was nothing to show that this bird had 
been obtained locally and, as an antecedent of the present 
proprietor had relations in Cornwall, it may have come from 
that part of Great Britain. | 
The BRITISH JAY (p. 111). This species is extending 
its range from the south of the county where it would appear 
to have become established and to be increasing. One was 
reported from Carronbridge (Morton) in June, 1911, and I 
heard of one near Barjarg (Keir) on 22nd October, 1911. 
At Dalswinton (Kirkmahoe) Jays were increasing and two 
pairs are said to have nested in 1912. In October, 1912, 
several were seen near Newtenairds (Dunscore) and one 
was seen at Dardarroch (Glencairn) from rst to 7th October, 
113 Dumfries and Galloway Standard, 14th March, 1914. 
114 The Scottish Naturalist, 1915, p. 179. 
115 Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald, 4th November, 
1914, 
