LXXII 
BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 
The reafforestation that has taken place to such a wide 
extent since the earlier years of the last century, has provided 
suitable habitats for many species of birds ; and the hedge- 
enclosures, with rows, belts, or clumps of ornamental or 
"wind-breaking" trees, have greatly encouraged the 
increase of small passerine birds. 
Mr R Service, reviewing the changes in our local fauna 
during the past century, states : " The great agricultural 
progress made during the period has had much effect on our 
native species. With the extensive drainage that has taken 
place, and reclamation of bog and moss, the wild-fowl 
have been dispossessed of their chosen haunts. The 
numbers of several species of wading birds have become 
more and more restricted. 
"Arable land has gone out of fashion in a marked 
degree, and pastoral cultivation is taking its place, to 
the advantage of such species as the Starling. On the 
rougher and hill portions of the county black cattle have 
long since been replaced by sheep. One consequence 
is that heather is slowly dying out. No heather patches 
ever extend now, and plenty of it has disappeared 
altogether. „ , , 
"Many members of our fauna have suffered severely 
from game preserving. Since early in the 'twenties the 
passion for this form of sport has gone on increasmg. A 
more discriminate method of keeping down the enemies 
of game is now in the ascendant, under which Buzzards 
Kestrels, Owls and others ought to receive the total 
exemption from ruthless slaughter to which they are 
entitled. From the naturahst's point of view there wa* 
a compensating advantage in even the merciless old 
system of game preserving. It resulted in a maximum 
stock of smaU birds, which, in their haunts on the mosses, 
woods and coverts, enjoyed almost complete immunity 
from raptorial birds and an undisturbed quiet durmg the 
nesting season."* 
• Trans. D. and G. Nat. Hist. Soc, November 16th, 1900. 
