110 NOTES ON THE Birps oF DUMFRIESSHIRE. 
1904 to 1911 was seen there annually from 1912 to 1919 and 
in 1920 was reported to me, by Major M‘Call, as on the farm 
of Cairnhead in the neighbouring valley; in the spring of 
1921 I was told that this bird had been seen, by more than 
one shepherd, in its old haunts on Shinnel Water. On 17th 
April, 1922, I went to Cairnhead (Glencairn) and, to my in- 
tense satisfaction, renewed the acquaintance which I had made 
with this remarkable bird in 1910. The shepherds assured 
me that it had been seen annually there, or at the head of 
Shinnel Water (Tynron), since first observed in the spring of 
1904. I was able to get quite close to it and through my field- 
glasses, at under seventy yards, I could distinctly make out 
that its eyes were dark, its legs and bill flesh-coloured and 
that there were a very few brown feathers at the back of its 
head and neck. The continuity with which this bird has been 
seen annually at practically the same spot is most interesting ; 
not only, as showing that the Curlew can attain the age of at 
least eighteen years in a wild state but also, as demonstrating 
the regularity with which migrants return to their old haunts. 
Mr George B. Wilson has informed me that every spring 
for the last three years (1919-21) a white Curlew has been 
seen in the vicinity of Garwald (Eskdalemuir). 
(Recovery of ringed birds, see p. 31 antea.) 
The WHIMBREL (p. 420). I am informed that a bird 
of this species was shot at Powfoot (Cummertrees) .in 
January, 1919. 
The BLACK TERN (p. 421). In my Birds of Dumfries- 
shire, I quote Sir William Jardine as having stated in 
1843 :—‘‘ In Scotland we are not aware of specimens being 
obtained, and no breeding station exists.’’ It is therefore 
interesting to note that Sir William should have written to 
Professor Newton, on 7th April, 1871, that the species “‘ has 
been frequently shot at the mouth of the Nith and Annan.’’ 
The COMMON TERN (p. 424). On 4th August, 1910, 
three Terns flew over my head while near Low Lann (Tynron). 
I was unable to ascertain to which species they belonged but 
the appearance of any Tern, twenty miles inland and far from 
any known breeding place, during fine summer weather is 
remarkable. Two Terns were seen near Capenoch Kennels 
