BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 
3 
Continental one, and (2) the British one." The latter he 
has named T. musicus clarkei, and this race is the pre- 
vaihng form found with us. An extensive migration 
undoubtedly goes on in the county, but whence our autumnal 
visitants come is a question still to be decided. 
About the third week of October the numbers of our 
Thrushes are much reduced by a great emigration to the 
south. In severe winters, such as 1879-1880, 1885-1886, those 
that remain suffer terribly, and numbers die of starvation. 
Nests built on the ground are often found, although it 
was not until the spring of 1890 that this habit was first 
noticed locally. On May 12th, 1903, a nest was found at 
Capenoch (Keir) which contained two Thrush's eggs and 
three of a Blackbird. 
James Shaw, the Tynron schoolmaster, records that a 
Thrush Uved twelve years in captivity and was then 
drowned, as it could no longer clean itself properly.* 
Mr. Fred. V. Theobald writes, that in spite of the damage 
it does to fruit, " we must record the fact that for nine 
months the Thrush does good, feeding on snails, slugs, 
insects, worms and berries. . . . Everyone interested in 
the economic aspect of bird-Hfe seems agreed that they 
should be kept in check, but that a wholesale slaughter is 
not essential, "t 
THE REDWING. Turdus iliacus, Linnseus. 
" Fieldfares and redwings on the dun blanched leas. 
And flocks of finches from the stubbles bare, 
Shall rise before you with their glistening wings 
As for yon upland through the fields you strike." 
Thomas Aird. — Winter Day.*' 
A winter-visitant throughout the county. 
This bird usually arrives about the 7th to 12th of October, 
and, though occasionally seen well on into May, usually 
* A Country Schoolmaster, pp. 297, 298. 
t Science Progress, 1907, Vol. II., p. 279. 
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