xcvin 
BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 
of passage,"* in the neighbouring area of Clyde; and 
this must surely be due to the lack of observation or 
discrimination on the part of our local observers. The changes 
in the species of Geese that visit the Solway m wmter are 
dealt with in their proper place. The majority of our 
winter-visitants are affected numerically by the severity or 
mildness of the season. „ , „ 
As " occasional visitors " I have classified those species 
which cannot be regarded as either summer or wmter- 
visitants, but by the frequency of their occurrence are 
entitled to rank as more than " accidental visitors. Under 
this latter category I include the Two-barred CrossbiU, 
Night-Heron, Black-winged Stilt, Whiskered Tern, etc. 
The Bittern and Ptarmigan are among the species which 
have long since become locally extinct. My inclusion of 
such birds as the Lesser Spotted, and Green Woodpeckers 
Snow-Goose, Blue-winged Teal, Great Snipe, and Spotted 
Redshank, without square brackets, has been done 
deliberately after full consideration of the evidence at hand ; 
in fact, I may say that no bird has been so admitted without 
full investigation. , , , ■ 
As regards those species which are included m square 
brackets :-The absence of the Tree-Sparrow is remarkable 
The aUegations of the occurrence of the Black Redstart 
and Woodlark have not stood the test of minute inquiry. 
The evidence regarding the Crested Titmouse, Blue-headed 
Wagtail, Little Egret, Garganey, Red-breasted Goose, 
Rock-Dove and Fulmar is in each case too slender to 
admit of their inclusion otherwise. The records of 
the Nightingale, Reed-Warbler, Fire-crested Wren and 
Wandering Albatross need not be seriously considered. 
Mention is made of the Parrot-Crossbill, Great White Heron 
and SpoonbiU only to show that their claims for inclusion 
have not been forgotten, and ancient history is responsible 
for the Crane and the Goshawk. As regards the Pine- 
Grosbeak, Montagu's Harrier, Kite and Lesser White-fronted 
* Fauna of Clyde Area, p. 1 GO. 
