NOTES ON THE BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 101 
abnormal pallor, was shot near Caerlaverock on 3rd October, 
1912, and is now in my collection. 
The year 1919 was a very late season in the south-west 
of Scotland and one nest, near Dumfries, was only hatched 
out on rst September.!7 
An instance of a Partridge and a Greyhen sharing a 
nest was reported to me, in 1920, from the farm of Pottholm 
(Westerkirk). 
The QUAIL (p. 344). The late Sir Emilius Laurie of 
Maxwelton told me that it was about 1870, and not in 1838, 
that he shot a Quail on Braco farm (Keir). A pair were said 
to have been seen near Braehead (Torthorwald) in July, 1910, 
but I was not able personally to verify this report. Mr 
Cleeberg informs me that, in 1914, he turned down ten Quail 
near Dumfries but that they all disappeared. 
The LAND-RAIL (p. 349). Two nests with partially 
incubated eggs were found in 1910, so late as 8th and gth 
August, in a hay field near Beattock (Kirkpatrick-Juxta).!” 
The SPOTTED CRAKE (p. 351). One, which had killed 
itself by flying against the telegraph wires, was picked up in 
Holywood village on 24th August, 1910. 
The WATER-RAIL (p. 354). I saw a Water-rail at 
Byreholm (Keir) on 4th February, 1911. One was killed hy 
coming in contact with the telegraph wires, near Holywood 
Station, early in November, 1912. Mr E. W. Brook shot a 
Water-rail near Powfoot (Cummertrees) on 8th January, 
1914. I shot one at Morton Holm (Morton) on roth January, 
1919, and it proved excellent eating. On 11th December, 
1919, a Water-rail was caught at Girharrow (Glencairn), 
and, after being identified, was released. On 7th Decem- 
ber, 1920, a Water-rail was flushed near Ford farmhouse 
(Tynron). One was seen near Courthill Smithy (Keir) in 
March, 1921; about the same date another was killed near 
Barjarg; and on 27th and 29th December, 1921, Water-rails 
171 British Birds Magazine, Vol. XIII., p. 166. 
172 Annals of Scottish Natural History, 1911, p. 145. 
173 Dumfries and Galloway Standard, 13th December, 1919, 
