88 NOTES ON THE BirDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 
on gth November, 1920: the extraordinary mild autumn of 
the year had much to account for, but this is a most remark- 
ably late date on which to see a brood of young Mallard. 
(Recovery of ringed birds, see p. 24 antea.) 
The SHOVELER (p. 269). Mr Maurice Portal informs 
me that he shot a Shoveler near Torduff Point (Gretna) in 
August, 1911, and that in July, 1912, three young birds were 
seen there. I am indebted to the Hon. Aretas Akers Douglas 
for the information that Shovelers have nested near the 
‘“ pool ’’ on Craigs Moss (Dumfries), and that he has seen 
Shovelers occasionally when shooting there in August.! A 
Shoveler was shot in August, 1920, near Raehills (Johnstone), 
and a pair were seen near Caerlaverock on 12th May, 1921. 
I am informed by Mr George Russell that a pair of Shovelers 
nested not far from Mouswald Place (Mouswald) in 1921 and 
1922. A young Shoveler, one of a brood of three, was shot 
near Murraythwaite (Cummertrees) on 17th August, 1922. 
Mr James Wilson sent me a male which he had shot 
near Glencaple (Caerlaverock) on 24th January, 1912: he 
described it as a ‘‘ Spoonbill,’’ and added that it was very 
rare. I was told that ‘‘ on roth October, 1913, one male and 
twelve female Shovelers were seen at Dalswinton loch (Kirk- 
mahoe),’’ but possibly some of the alleged *‘ females *’ were 
young males. Lieut.-Colonel A. E. Lascelles saw a male, 
close to the Water of AS near Elshieshields (Lochmaben), in 
December, 1917. A Shoveler was killed near Dormont (Dal- 
ton) in the autumn of 1920. The species is well known as an 
autumn and winter visitant to the Lochmaben lochs. 
The PINTAIL (p. 272). This species is more frequently 
met with locally than formerly and in February, 1911, I saw 
a lot of upwards of a hundred in the estuary of the Nith 
opposite Carsethorn, Kirkcudbrightshire. Sir Richard 
Graham informs me that Pintail, originally from a stock of 
pinioned wild-birds, now nest freely at Netherby (Cumber- 
land) and that before the war they were increasing ;!2 it is 
almost certain that his experiments have made a difference 
151 Hon. Aretas Akers Douglas: in litt., 21st January, 1921. 
152 Sir Richard Graham: in litt., 4th January, 1921. 
