BIRDS OF DUMFRIESSHIRE 
The bird seldom arrives here before the middle of May, 
and leaves us again early in September. On its arrival' 
in the county it commences nesting-operations at once, 
selecting a situation for its nest in ivy-covered walls or 
treUised porches, often confidingly near the haunts of man. 
In June, 1891, a nest built into an old Blackbird's nest was 
found at Waterside (Keir), and a similar site is recorded 
from Sanquhar by Dr. Anstruther Davidson, who also states 
that in that district the species is comparatively rare.* 
Spotted Flycatchers are often accused by gardeners of 
taking fruit, but Mr. Fred. V. Theobald says that they are 
"most beneficial, feeding solely upon insects, including 
many of those which devour our crops and fruit. It seems 
that all accusations against them fail when carefully 
examined. Their encouragement and protection should 
therefore be rigidly enforced. "f 
Richard Bell of Castle O'er records an albino specimen 
from Eskdalemuir.J 
The winter-quarters of this species are in Africa to as 
far south as Cape Colony. 
THE PIED FLYCATCHER. 
Muscicapa atricapilla, Linnseus. 
Local name— Black and White Flycatcher. 
A scarce, but regular summer-visitant to some parts of the county. 
Sir WilHam Jardine writing of this species in 1839 says : 
" We are not aware that it has been met with . in any 
part of Scotland."§ *^ 
The Pied Flycatchers, which have within a short period 
* Trans. D. and G. Nat. Hist. Soc, November 10th, 1888. 
t Science Progress, 1907, Vol. II., p. 276. 
J My Strange Pets, p. 223. 
§ Nat. Lib., 1839, Vol. XI., p. 220. 
